UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

_________________

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

OR

 

Commission file number 0-27824

SPAR GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (914) 332-4100

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

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  x

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  x

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 twelve 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  x   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 o.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. (See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.). (Check one):

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.) YES o NO x

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock of the Registrant held by non-affiliates of the Registrant on June 30, 2008, based on the closing price of the Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq Capital Market on such date, was approximately $3,700,000.

The number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of December 31, 2008, was 19,139,365 shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, presently scheduled to be held on May 28, 2009, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

SPAR GROUP, INC.

 

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

 

 

PART I

Statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of SPAR Group, Inc. (“SGRP”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “SPAR Group” or the “Company”), include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”, and together with the Securities Act, the “Securities Laws”), including, in particular and without limitation, the statements contained in the discussions under the headings “Business”, “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance and achievements, whether expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, to not occur, to not be realized or to be less than expected. Such forward-looking statements generally are based upon the Company’s best estimates of future results, performance or achievement, current conditions and the most recent results of operations. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “believe”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “continue” or similar terms, variations of those terms or the negative of those terms. You should carefully consider such risks, uncertainties and other information, disclosures and discussions containing cautionary statements or identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those provided in the forward-looking statements.

Although the Company believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot assure that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved in whole or in part, that it has identified all potential risks or that it can successfully avoid or mitigate such risks in whole or in part. You should carefully review the risk factors described below (see Item 1A – Risk Factors) and any other cautionary statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Item 1. Business

GENERAL

The SPAR Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“SGRP”), and its subsidiaries (together with SGRP, the “SPAR Group” or the “Company”), is a supplier of merchandising and other marketing services throughout the United States and internationally. Today the Company operates in 13 countries whose population represents approximately 48% of the total world population. The Company’s operations are currently divided into two divisions: the Domestic Merchandising Services Division and the International Merchandising Services Division. The Domestic Merchandising Services Division provides merchandising and marketing services, Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) services, technology services and marketing research to manufacturers and retailers in the United States. The various services are primarily performed in mass merchandisers, electronics store chains, drug store chains and convenience and grocery stores. The International Merchandising Services Division was established in July 2000 and through its subsidiaries, the Company currently provides similar merchandising, marketing services and in-store event staffing in Japan, Canada, Turkey, South Africa, India, Romania, China, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Australia and New Zealand. The Company continues to focus on expanding its merchandising and marketing services business throughout the world.

Merchandising services primarily consist of regularly scheduled dedicated routed services and special projects provided at the store level for a specific retailer or single or multiple manufacturers primarily under single or multi-year contracts or agreements. Services also include stand-alone large-scale implementations. These services may include sales enhancing activities such as ensuring that client products authorized for distribution are in stock and on the shelf, adding new products that are approved for distribution but not presently on the shelf, setting category shelves in accordance with approved store schematics, ensuring that shelf tags are in place, checking for the overall salability of client products and setting new and promotional items and placing and/or removing point of purchase and other related media advertising. Specific in-store services can be initiated by retailers or manufacturers, and include new store openings, new product launches, special seasonal or promotional merchandising, focused product support and product recalls.

Domestic Merchandising Services Division

The Company’s Domestic Merchandising Services Division provides nationwide merchandising and other marketing services primarily on behalf of consumer product manufacturers and retailers at mass merchandisers, electronics store chains, drug store chains, convenience and grocery stores. Included in its clients are home

 

 

entertainment, general merchandise, health and beauty care, consumer goods and food products companies in the United States.

International Merchandising Services Division

In July 2000, the Company established its International Merchandising Services Division to focus on expanding its merchandising and other marketing services business worldwide. The Company has expanded its international business as follows:

 

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

Domestic Merchandising Services Division

According to industry estimates over two billion dollars is spent annually on domestic retail merchandising and marketing services. The merchandising and marketing services industry includes manufacturers, retailers, food brokers, and professional service merchandising companies. The Company believes there is a continuing trend for major retailers and manufacturers to move toward third parties to handle in-store merchandising. The Company also believes that its merchandising and marketing services bring added value to retailers, manufacturers and other businesses. Retail merchandising and marketing services enhance sales by making a product more visible and available to consumers. These services primarily include placing orders, shelf maintenance, display placement, reconfiguring products on store shelves and replenishing product inventory. The Company provides other marketing services such as test market research, mystery shopping, and promotion planning and analysis.

The Company believes merchandising and marketing services previously undertaken by retailers and manufacturers have continued to be outsourced to third parties. Historically, retailers staffed their stores as needed to ensure inventory levels, the advantageous display of new items on shelves, and the maintenance of shelf schematics. In an effort to improve their margins, retailers decreased their own store personnel and increased their reliance on manufacturers to perform such services. Initially, manufacturers attempted to satisfy the need for merchandising and marketing services in retail stores by utilizing their own sales representatives. Retailers also used their employees to merchandise their stores. However, both the manufacturers and the retailers discovered that using their own sales representatives and employees for this purpose was expensive and inefficient. Therefore, manufacturers and retailers have continued to outsource the merchandising and marketing services to third parties capable of operating at a lower cost by (among other things) serving multiple manufacturers simultaneously.

Another significant trend impacting the merchandising segment is the tendency of consumers to make product purchase decisions once inside the store. Accordingly, merchandising and marketing services and in-store product promotions have proliferated and diversified. Retailers are continually re-merchandising and re-modeling entire stores in an effort to respond to new product developments and changes in consumer preferences. The Company estimates that these activities have increased in frequency over the last five years. Both retailers and manufacturers are seeking third parties to help them meet the increased demand for these labor-intensive services.

In addition, the consolidation of many retailers has created opportunities for third party merchandisers when an acquired retailer’s stores are converted to the format of the acquiring retailer. In many cases stores are completely remodeled and re-merchandised after a consolidation.

 

 

 

International Merchandising Services Division

The Company believes another current trend in business is globalization. As companies expand into foreign markets they will need assistance in merchandising or marketing their products. As evidenced in the United States, retailer and manufacturer sponsored merchandising and marketing programs are both expensive and inefficient. The Company also believes that the difficulties encountered by these programs are only exacerbated by the logistics of operating in foreign markets. This environment has created an opportunity for the Company to exploit its Internet-based technology and business model that are successful in the United States.

In July 2000, the Company established its International Merchandising Services Division to cultivate foreign markets, modify the necessary systems and implement the Company’s business model worldwide by expanding its merchandising and marketing services business off shore. The Company formed an International Merchandising Services Division task force consisting of members of the Company’s information technology, operations and finance groups to evaluate and develop foreign markets.

Key to the Company’s international strategy is the translation of several of its proprietary Internet-based logistical, communications and reporting software applications into the native language of any market the Company enters. As a result of this requirement for market penetration, the Company has developed translation software that can quickly convert its proprietary software into various languages. Through its computer facilities in Auburn Hills, Michigan, the Company provides worldwide access to its proprietary logistical, communications and reporting software. In addition, the Company maintains personnel in Greece and Australia to assist in its international efforts. Today the Company operates in 13 countries whose population represents approximately 48% of the total world population and is actively pursuing expansion into various other markets.

Another key to the Company's international strategy is seeking a material investment and participation in an international subsidiary by an experienced person or company in the local country not otherwise affiliated with the Company (each a "Local Owner"). The Company generally seeks to own at least 51% of a foreign subsidiary, although it owns 50% of the equity interests in the Company's subsidiaries in Japan and China. Canada is the only international subsidiary wholly-owned by the Company. Local Owners provide equity, credit support and certain services and generally are or provide management support for the corresponding international subsidiaries. (See Item 1A - Risks of Having Material Local Investors in International Subsidiaries, below).

Financial Information About Geographic and Business Segments

The Company operates both domestically and internationally in the two distinct geographic/business segments described above. Certain financial information regarding the Company’s geographic and business segments, which includes net revenues and operating income (loss) for each of the years ended December 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007, and long-lived assets as of December 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007, is provided in Note 11 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements herein.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

As the marketing services industry continues to expand both in the United States and internationally, large retailers and manufacturers are outsourcing their merchandising and marketing service needs to third-party providers. The Company believes that offering marketing services on a national and global basis will provide it with a competitive advantage. Moreover, the Company believes that successful use of and continuous improvements to a sophisticated technology infrastructure, including its proprietary Internet-based software, is key to providing clients with a high level of client service while maintaining efficient, low cost operations. The Company’s objective is to become an international retail merchandising and marketing service provider by pursuing its operating and growth strategy, as described below.

Increased Sales Efforts:

The Company is seeking to increase revenues by increasing sales to its current clients, as well as, establishing long-term relationships with new clients, many of which currently use other merchandising companies for various reasons. The Company believes its technology, field implementation and other competitive advantages will allow it to capture a larger share of this market over time. However, there can be no assurance that any increased sales will be achieved.

 

 

New Products:

The Company is seeking to increase revenues through the internal development and implementation of new products and services that add value to its clients’ retail merchandising related activities, some of which have been identified and are currently being tested for feasibility and market acceptance. However, there can be no assurance that any new products of value will be developed or that any such new product can be successfully marketed.

Acquisitions:

The Company is seeking to acquire businesses or enter into partnerships, joint ventures or other arrangements with companies that offer similar merchandising or marketing services both in the United States and worldwide. The Company believes that increasing its industry expertise, adding product segments, and increasing its geographic breadth will allow it to service its clients more efficiently and cost effectively. Through such acquisitions, the Company may realize additional operating and revenue synergies and may leverage existing relationships with manufacturers, retailers and other businesses to create cross-selling opportunities. However, there can be no assurance that any of the acquisitions will occur or whether, if completed, the integration of the acquired businesses will be successful or the anticipated efficiencies and cross-selling opportunities will occur.

Leverage and Improve Technology:

The Company believes that providing merchandising and marketing services in a timely, accurate and efficient manner, as well as delivering timely, accurate and useful reports to its clients, are key components that are and will continue to be critical to the Company’s success. The Company has developed Internet-based logistic deployment, communications, and reporting systems that improve the productivity of its merchandising specialists and provide timely data to its clients. The Company’s merchandising specialists use hand-held computers, personal computers or laptop computers to report the status of each store or client product they service. Merchandising specialists report on a variety of issues such as store conditions, status of client products (e.g. out of stocks, inventory, display placement) or they may scan and process new orders for certain products.

Through the Company’s automated labor tracking system, its merchandising specialists communicate work assignment completion information via the Internet, cellular telephone or landlines, enabling the Company to report hours and other completion information for each work assignment on a daily basis and providing the Company with daily, detailed tracking of work completion. This information is analyzed and displayed in a variety of reports that can be accessed by both the Company and its clients via the Internet. These reports can depict the status of merchandising projects in real time. This technology also allows the Company to schedule its merchandising specialists more efficiently, quickly quantify the benefits of its services to clients, rapidly respond to clients’ needs and rapidly implement programs.

The Company intends to continue to utilize computer (including hand-held computers), Internet, cellular telephone and other technology to enhance its efficiency and ability to provide real-time data to its clients, as well as, maximize the speed of communication, and logistical deployment of its merchandising specialists. Industry sources indicate that clients are increasingly relying on merchandising and marketing service providers to supply rapid, value-added information regarding the results of merchandising and marketing expenditures on sales and profits. The Company (together with certain of its affiliates) has developed and owns proprietary Internet-based software technology that allows it to utilize the Internet to communicate with its field management, schedule its store-specific field operations more efficiently, receive information and incorporate the data immediately, quantify the benefits of its services to clients faster, respond to clients’ needs quickly and implement client programs rapidly. The Company has successfully modified and is currently utilizing certain of its software applications in connection with its international ventures.

The Company believes that it can continue to improve, modify and adapt its technology to support merchandising and other marketing services for additional clients and projects in the United States and in foreign markets. The Company also believes that its proprietary Internet-based software technology gives it a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Improve Operating Efficiencies:

The Company will continue to seek greater operating efficiencies. The Company believes that its existing field force and technology infrastructure can support additional clients and revenue in both its Domestic Merchandising Services Division and International Merchandising Services Division.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

The Company currently provides a broad array of merchandising and marketing services to some of the world’s leading companies, both domestically and internationally. The Company believes its full-line capabilities provide fully integrated solutions that distinguish the Company from its competitors. These capabilities include the ability to develop plans at one centralized location, effect chain wide execution, implement rapid, coordinated responses to its clients’ needs and report on a real time Internet enhanced basis. The Company also believes its international presence, industry-leading technology, centralized decision-making ability, local follow-through, ability to recruit, train and supervise merchandisers, ability to perform large-scale initiatives on short notice, and strong retailer relationships provide the Company with a significant advantage over local, regional or other competitors.

The Company’s operations are currently divided into two divisions: the Domestic Merchandising Services Division and the International Merchandising Services Division. The Domestic Merchandising Services Division provides merchandising and marketing services, RFID services, technology services and marketing research to manufacturers and retailers in the United States. The various services are primarily performed in mass merchandisers, electronics store chains, drug store chains, convenience and grocery stores. The International Merchandising Services Division established in July 2000, currently provides similar merchandising, marketing services and in-store event staffing through subsidiaries in Japan, Canada, Turkey, South Africa, India, Romania, China, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Australia and New Zealand. Today the Company operates in 13 countries whose population represents approximately 48% of the total world population.

The Company provides its merchandising and marketing services primarily on behalf of retailers and consumer product manufacturers and distributors at mass merchandiser, electronic, drug and retail grocery chains. The Company currently provides three principal types of merchandising and marketing services: syndicated services, dedicated services and project services.

Syndicated Services

Syndicated services consist of regularly scheduled, routed merchandising and marketing services provided at the retail store level for various manufacturers and distributors. These services are performed for multiple manufacturers and distributors, including, in some cases, manufacturers and distributors whose products are in the same product category. Syndicated services may include activities such as:

 

Dedicated Services

Dedicated services consist of merchandising and marketing services, generally as described above, which are performed for a specific retailer or manufacturer by a dedicated organization, including a management team working exclusively for that retailer or manufacturer. These services include many of the above activities detailed in syndicated services, as well as, new store set-ups, store remodels and fixture installations. These services are primarily based on agreed-upon rates and fixed management fees.

Project Services

Project services consist primarily of specific in-store services initiated by retailers and manufacturers, such as new store openings, new product launches, special seasonal or promotional merchandising, focused product support, product recalls, in-store product demonstrations and in-store product sampling. The Company also performs other project services, such as new store sets and existing store resets, re-merchandising, remodels and category implementations, under annual or stand-alone project contracts or agreements.

 

 

In-Store Event Staffing Services

The Company provides in-store product samplings and in-store product demonstrations to national chains in target markets worldwide. The Company has also developed additional product offerings in an effort to expand this segment of its business.

Other Marketing Services

Other marketing services performed by the Company include:

 

SALES AND MARKETING

The Company’s sales efforts within its Domestic Merchandising Services Division are structured to develop new business in national, regional and local markets. The Company’s corporate business development team directs its efforts toward the senior management of prospective clients. Sales strategies developed at the Company’s headquarters are communicated to the Company’s sales force for execution. The sales force, located nationwide, work from both Company and in home offices. In addition, the Company’s corporate account executives play an important role in the Company’s new business development efforts within its existing manufacturer, distributor and retailer client base.

As part of the retailer consolidation, retailers are centralizing most administrative functions, including operations, procurement and category management. In response to this centralization and the growing importance of large retailers, many manufacturers have reorganized their selling organizations around a retailer team concept that focuses on a particular retailer. The Company has responded to this emerging trend and currently has retailer teams in place at select retailers.

The Company’s business development process includes a due diligence period to determine the objectives of the prospective client, the work required to satisfy those objectives and the market value of such work to be performed. The Company employs a formal cost development and proposal process that determines the cost of each element of work required to achieve the prospective client’s objectives. These costs, together with an analysis of market rates, are used in the development of a formal quotation that is then reviewed at various levels within the organization. The pricing of this internal proposal must meet the Company’s objectives for profitability, which are established as part of the business planning process. After approval of this quotation, a detailed proposal is presented to the prospective client.

The Company’s marketing efforts within its International Merchandising Services Division are three fold. First, the Company endeavors to develop new markets through acquisitions. The Company’s international acquisition team, whose primary focus is to seek out and develop acquisitions throughout the world, consists of personnel located in the United States, Greece and Australia. Personnel from information technology, field operations, client services and finance support the international acquisition team. Second, the Company offers global merchandising solutions to clients that have worldwide distribution. This effort is spearheaded out of the Company’s headquarters in the United States. Third, the Company develops local markets through various subsidiaries throughout the world.

 

 

CUSTOMER BASE

The Company currently represents numerous manufacturers and /or retail clients in a wide range of retail chains and stores worldwide, including:

 

One customer accounted for 11% and 6% of the Company’s net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively. This customer accounted for approximately 4% and 7% of the Company’s accounts receivable at December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

A second customer accounted for 7% of the Company's net revenues for both the years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007. This customer accounted for approximately 3% of the Company's accounts receivable at December 31, 2008, and 2007.

In addition, approximately 5% and 7% of the Company’s net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively, resulted from merchandising services performed for manufacturers and others in stores operated by a leading mass merchandising chain in the United States. These customers accounted for approximately 4% and 5% of the Company’s accounts receivable at December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

Also, approximately 9% and 14% of the Company’s net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively, resulted from merchandising services performed for manufacturers and others in stores operated by Circuit City Stores, Inc. ("Circuit City"), which until recently was a leading electronics chain in the United States. Services performed for those clients in Circuit City also accounted for 7% and 10% of Company’s accounts receivable at December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively. Circuit City closed a number of stores in 2008 and filed for protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on November 10, 2008. On January 17, 2009, Circuit City began the complete liquidation of all of its inventory. Its liquidation sales are scheduled to continue through March 31, 2009, following which it is currently scheduled to close all of its stores. At December 31, 2008, Circuit City owed the Company approximately $245,000 in unpaid (pre-bankruptcy) receivables.

While the Company's contractual relationships or agreements are for the most part with various clients and not directly with Circuit City, the closing of this retailer's stores will result in a significant decrease in the Company's 2009 revenues and could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the failure to attract new business in other retailers could significantly impede the growth of the Company's revenues, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's future business, results of operations and financial condition.

COMPETITION

The marketing services industry is highly competitive. The Company’s competition in the Domestic and International Merchandising Services Divisions arises from a number of large enterprises, many of which are national or international in scope. The Company also competes with a large number of relatively small enterprises with specific client, channel or geographic coverage, as well as with the internal marketing and merchandising operations of its clients and prospective clients. The Company believes that the principal competitive factors within its industry include development and deployment of technology, breadth and quality of client services, cost, and the ability to execute specific client priorities rapidly and consistently over a wide geographic area. The Company believes that its current structure favorably addresses these factors and establishes it as a leader in the mass merchandiser, electronics and chain drug store channels of trade. The Company also believes it has the ability to execute major national and international in-store initiatives and develop and administer national and international retailer programs. Finally, the Company believes that, through the use and continuing improvement of its proprietary Internet software, other technological efficiencies and various cost controls, the Company will remain competitive in its pricing and services.

 

 

 

TRADEMARKS

The Company has numerous registered trademarks. Although the Company believes its trademarks may have value, the Company believes its services are sold primarily based on breadth and quality of service, cost, and the ability to execute specific client priorities rapidly, efficiently and consistently over a wide geographic area. See “Industry Overview” and “Competition”.

EMPLOYEES

Worldwide the Company utilized a labor force of approximately 9,800 people in 2008. Today the Company operates in 13 countries whose population represents approximately 48% of the total world population.

As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s Domestic Merchandising Services Division utilized a labor force of approximately 5,200 people. There were 128 full-time employees and 10 part-time employees engaged in domestic operations. Of the 128 full-time employees, 78 employees (39 client service and 34 operational support and 5 were engaged in sales) were engaged in office operations, 50 were engaged in field merchandising operations. The Company’s Domestic Merchandising Services Division utilized the services of its affiliate, SPAR Management Services, Inc. (“SMSI”), to schedule and supervise its field force of merchandising specialists, which consists of independent contractors furnished by SPAR Marketing Services, Inc. (“SMS”), another affiliate of the Company (see Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence, and Note 9 – Related Party Transactions, below) as well as the Company’s domestic field employees. SMS and SMSI furnished approximately 5,000 merchandising specialists (all of whom are independent contractors of SMS) and 50 field managers (all of whom were full-time employees of SMSI), respectively.

As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s International Merchandising Services Division’s labor force consisted of approximately 4,600 people. There were 484 full-time and 82 part-time employees engaged in international operations. Of the 484 full-time employees, 63 employees were engaged in office operations, 394 were engaged in field management and 27 employees were engaged in sales. The International Division’s field force consisted of approximately 4,100 merchandising specialists of which approximately 2,700 were Company employees and approximately 1,400 were independent contractors.

To support the International Merchandising Services Division, the Company utilizes employees of its Domestic Merchandising Services Division as well as the employees of its affiliates, SMSI and SPAR Infotech, Inc. (“SIT”). However, dedicated employees will be added to the International Merchandising Services Division as the need arises. The Company’s affiliate, SIT, also provides programming and other assistance to the Company’s various divisions (see Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence, below).

The Company, SMS, SMSI and SIT consider their relations with their respective employees and independent contractors to be good.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There are various risks associated with the Company’s growth and operating strategy. The risk factors presented below are the ones that the Company currently considers material based on best estimates and includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Laws. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance and achievements, whether expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, to not occur or to not be realized or to be less than expected. Additional risks may be facing the Company, the industry, or the economy in general, whether domestically or internationally. The Company may not be aware of some risks and may currently consider other risks immaterial, but any risk may develop at any time into actual events that adversely affect the Company. There also may be risks that a particular investor would view differently from the Company, and current analysis may be wrong. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or any of these risks in whole or in part, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

One should carefully consider each of the risks described below before making any investment decision respecting the Company’s common stock. If any of the following risks develops into actual events, or any other risks arise and develop into actual events, the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations could be negatively affected, the market price of the Company’s common stock could decline and one may lose all or part of their investment.

 

 

Dependency on Largest Customer and Large Retail Chains

As discussed above in “Customer Base”, the Company does a significant amount of business with a leading drug store chain and a leading mass merchandising chain and has been adversely affected by the closure of the Circuit City stores. The loss of any of these customers, the loss of the ability to provide merchandising and marketing services in those chains, or the failure to attract new large clients could significantly decrease the Company’s revenues and such decreased revenues could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Dependence on Trend Toward Outsourcing

The business and growth of the Company depends in large part on the continued trend toward outsourcing of merchandising and marketing services, which the Company believes has resulted from the consolidation of retailers and manufacturers, as well as the desire to seek outsourcing specialists and reduce fixed operation expenses. There can be no assurance that this trend in outsourcing will continue, as companies may elect to perform such services internally. A significant change in the direction of this trend generally, or a trend in the retail, manufacturing or business services industry not to use, or to reduce the use of, outsourced marketing services such as those provided by the Company, could significantly decrease the Company’s revenues and such decreased revenues could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition or the desired increases in the Company’s business, revenues and profits.

Failure to Successfully Compete

The merchandising and marketing services industry is highly competitive and the Company has competitors that are larger (or part of larger holding companies) and may be better financed. In addition, the Company competes with: (i) a large number of relatively small enterprises with specific client, channel or geographic coverage; (ii) the internal merchandising and marketing operations of its clients and prospective clients; (iii) independent brokers; and (iv) smaller regional providers. Remaining competitive in the highly competitive merchandising and marketing services industry requires that the Company monitor and respond to trends in all industry sectors. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to anticipate and respond successfully to such trends in a timely manner. If the Company is unable to successfully compete, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition or the desired increases in the Company’s business, revenues and profits.

If certain competitors were to combine into integrated merchandising and marketing services companies, or additional merchandising and marketing service companies were to enter into this market, or existing participants in this industry were to become more competitive, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition or the desired increases in the Company’s business, revenues and profits.

Risks of Continuing Losses and Financial Covenant Violations

The Company was profitable in 2008 but was not profitable in 2007 (see Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data). In addition, with the exception of the Company's violation of its April 2008 monthly Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio covenant, the Company was in compliance with the covenants of its Credit Facility with Webster Business Credit Corporation for the balance of 2008 (see Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Liquidity and Capital Resources).

There can be no assurances that in the future the Company: will be profitable, will not violate covenants of its current or future Credit Facilities, its lenders would waive any violations of such covenants, the Company will continue to have adequate lines of credit, or will continue to have sufficient availability under its lines of credit. Accordingly, continued losses or marginal profitability by the Company, as well as any failure to maintain sufficient availability or lines of credit from the Company’s lenders, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Variability of Operating Results and Uncertainty in Client Revenue

The Company has experienced and, in the future, may experience fluctuations in quarterly operating results. Factors that may cause the Company’s quarterly operating results to vary from time to time and may result in reduced revenue and profits include: (i) the number of active client projects; (ii) seasonality of client products; (iii) client delays,

 

 

changes and cancellations in projects; (iv) the timing requirements of client projects; (v) the completion of major client projects; (vi) the timing of new engagements; (vii) the timing of personnel cost increases; and (viii) the loss of major clients. In particular, the timing of revenues is difficult to forecast for the home entertainment industry because timing is dependent on the commercial success of particular product releases. In the event that a particular release is not widely accepted by the public, the Company’s revenue could be significantly reduced. In addition, the Company is subject to revenue or profit uncertainties resulting from factors such as unprofitable client work and the failure of clients to pay. The Company attempts to mitigate these risks by dealing primarily with large credit-worthy clients, by entering into written or oral agreements with its clients and by using project budgeting systems. These revenue fluctuations could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition or the desired increases in the Company’s business, revenues and profits.

Failure to Develop New Products

A key element of the Company’s growth strategy is the development and sale of new products. While several new products are under current development, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully develop and market new products. The Company’s inability or failure to devise useful merchandising or marketing products or to complete the development or implementation of a particular product for use on a large scale, or the failure of such products to achieve market acceptance, could adversely affect the Company’s ability to achieve a significant part of its growth strategy and the absence of such growth could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition or the desired increases in the Company’s business, revenues and profits.

Inability to Identify, Acquire and Successfully Integrate Acquisitions

Another key component of the Company’s growth strategy is the acquisition of businesses across the United States and worldwide that offer similar merchandising or marketing services. The successful implementation of this strategy depends upon the Company’s ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates, acquire such businesses on acceptable terms, finance the acquisition and integrate their operations successfully with those of the Company. There can be no assurance that such candidates will be available or, if such candidates are available, that the price will be attractive or that the Company will be able to identify, acquire, finance or integrate such businesses successfully. In addition, in pursuing such acquisition opportunities, the Company may compete with other entities with similar growth strategies, these competitors may be larger and have greater financial and other resources than the Company. Competition for these acquisition targets could also result in increased prices of acquisition targets and/or a diminished pool of companies available for acquisition.

The successful integration of these acquisitions also may involve a number of additional risks, including: (i) the inability to retain the clients of the acquired business; (ii) the lingering effects of poor client relations or service performance by the acquired business, which also may taint the Company’s existing businesses; (iii) the inability to retain the desirable management, key personnel and other employees of the acquired business; (iv) the inability to fully realize the desired efficiencies and economies of scale; (v) the inability to establish, implement or police the Company’s existing standards, controls, procedures and policies on the acquired business; (vi) diversion of management attention; and (vii) exposure to client, employee and other legal claims for activities of the acquired business prior to acquisition. In addition, any acquired business could perform significantly worse than expected.

The inability to identify, acquire, finance and successfully integrate such merchandising or marketing services business could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s growth strategy and could limit the Company’s ability to significantly increase its revenues and profits.

Uncertainty of Financing for, and Dilution Resulting from, Future Acquisitions

The timing, size and success of acquisition efforts and any associated capital commitments cannot be readily predicted. Future acquisitions may be financed by issuing shares of the Company’s Common Stock, cash, or a combination of Common Stock and cash. If the Company’s Common Stock does not maintain a sufficient market value, or if potential acquisition candidates are otherwise unwilling to accept the Company’s Common Stock as part of the consideration for the sale of their businesses, the Company may be required to obtain additional capital through debt or equity financings. To the extent the Company’s Common Stock is used for all or a portion of the consideration to be paid for future acquisitions, dilution may be experienced by existing stockholders. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain the additional financing it may need for its acquisitions on terms that the Company deems acceptable. Failure to obtain such capital would materially adversely affect the Company’s ability to execute its growth strategy.

 

 

 

Reliance on the Internet and Third Party Vendors

The Company relies on the Internet for the scheduling, coordination and reporting of its merchandising and marketing services. The Internet has experienced, and is expected to continue to experience, significant growth in the numbers of users and amount of traffic as well as increased attacks by hackers and other saboteurs. To the extent that the Internet continues to experience increased numbers of users, frequency of use or increased bandwidth requirements of users, there can be no assurance that the Internet infrastructure will continue to be able to support the demands placed on the Internet by this continued growth or that the performance or reliability of the Internet will not be adversely affected. Furthermore, the Internet has experienced a variety of outages and other delays as a result of accidental and intentional damage to portions of its infrastructure, and could face such outages and delays in the future of similar or greater effect. The Company relies on third-party vendors to provide its Internet access and other services used in its business, and the Company has no control over such third-party providers. Any protracted disruption or material slowdown in Internet or other services could increase the Company’s costs of operation and reduce efficiency and performance, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition or the desired increases in the Company’s business, revenues and profits.

Economic and Retail Uncertainty

The markets in which the Company operates are cyclical and subject to the effects of economic downturns. The current political, social and economic conditions, including the impact of terrorism on consumer and business behavior, make it difficult for the Company, its vendors and its clients to accurately forecast and plan future business activities. Substantially all of the Company’s key clients are either retailers or those seeking to do product merchandising at retailers. Should the retail industry experience a significant economic downturn, the resultant reduction in product sales could significantly decrease the Company’s revenues. The Company also has risks associated with its clients changing their business plans and/or reducing their marketing budgets in response to economic conditions, which could also significantly decrease the Company’s revenues. Such revenue decreases could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition or the desired increases in the Company’s business, revenues and profits.

Significant Stockholders: Voting Control and Market Illiquidity

Mr. Robert G. Brown, founder, director, Chairman of the Company, beneficially owns approximately 48% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock, and Mr. William H. Bartels, founder, director, and Vice Chairman of the Company, beneficially owns approximately 28% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock. These stockholders have, should they choose to act together, and under certain circumstances Mr. Brown acting alone may have, the ability to control all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and the approval of mergers and other business combination transactions.

In addition, although the Company Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market, the trading volume in such stock may be limited and an investment in the Company’s securities may be illiquid because the founders own a significant amount of the Company’s stock.

Dependence Upon and Potential Conflicts in Services Provided by Affiliates

The success of the Company’s domestic business is dependent upon the successful execution of its field services by SPAR Marketing Services, Inc. (“SMS”), and SPAR Management Services, Inc. (“SMSI”), as well as the programming services provided by SPAR Infotech, Inc. (“SIT”), each of which is an affiliate, but not a subsidiary, of the Company, and none of which is consolidated in the Company’s financial statements. SMS provides substantially all of the merchandising specialists used by the Company in conducting its domestic business (85% of domestic field expense in 2008), and SMSI provides substantially all of the domestic field management services (88% of domestic field management in 2008) used by the Company in conducting its business (See Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence, and Note 9 – Related Party Transactions, below). These services provided to the Company by SMS and SMSI are on a cost-plus basis pursuant to contracts that are cancelable on 60 days notice prior to December 31 of each year or with 180 days notice at any other time (SMS service agreement terminates on December 31, 2010). SIT provides substantially all of the Internet programming services and other computer programming needs

 

 

used by the Company in conducting its business (see Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence, and Note 9 – Related Party Transactions, below), which are provided to the Company by SIT on an hourly charge basis pursuant to a contract that is cancelable on 30 days notice. The Company has determined that the services provided by SMS, SMSI and SIT are at rates favorable to the Company.

SMS, SMSI and SIT (collectively, the “SPAR Affiliates”) are owned solely by Mr. Robert G. Brown, founder, director, Chairman of the Company, and Mr. William H. Bartels, founder, director, and Vice Chairman of the Company, each of whom are also directors and executive officers of each of the SPAR Affiliates (see Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence, and Note 9 – Related Party Transactions, below). In the event of any dispute in the business relationships between the Company and one or more of the SPAR Affiliates, it is possible that Messrs. Brown and Bartels may have one or more conflicts of interest with respect to those relationships and could cause one or more of the SPAR Affiliates to renegotiate or cancel their contracts with the Company or otherwise act in a way that is not in the Company’s best interests.

While the Company’s relationships with SMS, SMSI and SIT are excellent, there can be no assurance that the Company could (if necessary under the circumstances) replace the field merchandising specialists and management currently provided by SMS and SMSI, respectively, or replace the Internet and other computer programming services provided by SIT, in sufficient time to perform its client obligations or at such favorable rates in the event the SPAR Affiliates no longer performed those services. Any cancellation, other nonperformance or material pricing increase under those affiliate contracts could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition or the desired increases in the Company’s business, revenues and profits.

The Company has not paid and does not intend to pay cash Dividends on its stock

The Company has not paid dividends in the past, intends to retain any earnings or other cash resources to finance the expansion of its business and for general corporate purposes, and does not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. While the Company's recently issued Preferred Stock accrues a 10% dividend payable in either cash or common stock when authorized by the Board, the Company does not anticipate paying such dividend, in cash, in the foreseeable future. In addition, the Company’s Credit Facility with Webster Business Credit Corporation (“Webster”) (see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements – Lines of Credit) restricts the payment of dividends without Webster’s prior consent.

Risks Associated with International Subsidiaries

While the Company endeavors to limit its exposure for claims and losses in any international subsidiary through contractual provisions, insurance and use of single purpose entities for such ventures, there can be no assurance that the Company will not be held liable for the claims against and losses of a particular international subsidiary under applicable local law or local interpretation of any subsidiary agreements or insurance provisions. If any such claims and losses should occur, be material in amount and be successfully asserted against the Company, such claims and losses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition or the desired increases in the Company’s business, revenues and profits.

Risks of Having Material Local Investors in International Subsidiaries

The Company’s international model is to partner with local merchandising companies and combine their knowledge of the local market with the Company’s proprietary software and expertise in the merchandising business. As a result, each of the Company's international subsidiaries (other than Canada) is owned in material part by an entity in the local country where the international subsidiary resides and is not otherwise affiliated with the Company (each a "Local Stockholder"). 50% of the equity interests in the Company's subsidiaries in Japan and China and 49% of the equity interests in the Company's other international subsidiaries (other than Canada) are owned by Local Stockholders rather than by the Company. The joint venture agreements between the Company and the Local Stockholder in the respective international subsidiaries (other than Canada) specify, among other things, the equity, programming and support services the Company is required to provide and the equity, credit support, certain services and management support that the Local Stockholder is required to provide to the international subsidiary. In the event of any disagreement or other dispute in the business relationships between the Company and Local Stockholder, it is possible that the Local Stockholder may have one or more conflicts of interest with respect to the relationship and could cause the applicable international subsidiary to operate or otherwise act in a way that is not in the Company’s best interests.

 

 

The joint venture agreements generally have unlimited contract terms and parties generally do not have the right to unilaterally withdraw. However, a non-defaulting party has the right to terminate such agreement upon the other party's default, receipt of notice and failure to cure within a specified period (generally 60 days). In addition, either party, at any time after the end of a specified period (usually between three and five years), may: (1) sell all or part of its equity interest in the international subsidiary to a third party by providing a written notice to the other party of such intentions (in which case the other party has the right of first refusal and may purchase the equity of the offering partner under the same terms and conditions) (a "Right of First Refusal"); or (2) offer to purchase the equity of the other party (in which case the other party has 120 days to either accept or reject the offer or to reverse the transaction and actually purchase the offering partners equity under the same terms and conditions) (a "Buy/Sell Right").

Prior to the May 2008 Board meeting there had been discussions among various parties including the Company about buying or selling shares in the Company's Japan subsidiary. At the March 2009 SPAR Board meeting the board approved, in principal, a sale of its shares in the Japan subsidiary under terms and conditions to be negotiated.

The Company believes its relationships with the Local Stockholders in its international subsidiaries remain good. Several of the company’s respective international subsidiary contracts are either at or near the end of the applicable periods during which either of the parties may trigger the Right of First Refusal and Buy/Sell provisions described above. Both the Company and such Local Stockholders, as part of their ongoing relationship, are or will be assessing appropriate action as described above.

There can be no assurance that the Company could (if necessary under the circumstances) replace equity, credit support, management and other services currently provided by any Local Stockholder in sufficient time to perform its client obligations or that the Company could provide these services and or equity in the event the Local Stockholder was to sell its stock or reduce any support to the Company’s subsidiary in the applicable country. Any cancellation, other nonperformance or material change under the joint venture agreements with Local Stockholders could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s current business, results of operations and financial condition or future growth.

 

Risks Associated with Foreign Currency

The Company also has foreign currency exposure associated with its international subsidiaries. In 2008, these exposures are primarily concentrated in the Canadian Dollar, Japanese Yen, and Australian Dollar.

Risks Associated with International Business

The Company’s expansion strategy includes expansion into various countries around the world. While the Company endeavors to limit its exposure by entering only countries where the political, social and economic environments are conducive to doing business, there can be no assurances that the respective business environments will remain favorable. In the future, the Company’s international operations and sales may be affected by the following risks, which may adversely affect United States companies doing business in foreign countries:

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

The Company does not own any real property. The Company leases certain office space and storage facilities for its corporate headquarters, divisions and subsidiaries under various operating leases, which expire at various dates

 

 

during the next five years. These leases generally require the Company to pay minimum rents, subject to periodic adjustments, plus other charges, including utilities, real estate taxes and common area maintenance. The Company believes that its relationships with its landlords generally to be good. However, as these leased facilities generally are used for offices and storage, the Company believes that other leased spaces could be readily found and utilized on similar terms should the need arise.

The Company maintains its corporate headquarters in approximately 5,600 square feet of leased office space located in Tarrytown, New York, under an operating lease with a term expiring October 31, 2013.

The Company maintains its data processing center and warehouse at its regional office in Auburn Hills, Michigan, under an operating lease expiring December 31, 2011.

The Company believes that its existing facilities are adequate for its current business. However, new facilities may be added should the need arise in the future.

The following is a list of the locations where the Company maintains leased facilities for the listed offices and countries:

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Safeway Inc. (“Safeway”) filed a Complaint against PIA Merchandising Co., Inc. (“PIA Co.”), a wholly owned subsidiary of SPAR Group, Inc. (“SGRP”), Pivotal Sales Company (“Pivotal”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of PIA Co., and SGRP in Alameda Superior Court, case no. 2001028498 on October 24, 2001. Safeway claims, as subsequently amended, alleged causes of action for breach of contract and breach of implied contract. PIA Co. and Pivotal filed cross-claims against Safeway on or about March 11, 2002, and amended them on or about October 15, 2002, alleging causes of action by PIA Co. and Pivotal against Safeway for breach of contract, interference with economic relationship, unfair trade practices and unjust enrichment. Trial commenced in March 2006.

On May 26, 2006, the jury in this case returned a verdict resulting in a net award of $1,307,700 to Pivotal, a SGRP subsidiary. This net award is to be paid by Safeway and resulted from separate jury findings that awarded damages to those SGRP subsidiaries on certain claims and damages to Safeway on other claims. In particular, the jury awarded damages to Pivotal of $5,760,879 for Safeway’s interference with Pivotal’s contractual relationships with third party manufacturers and also awarded $782,400 to Pivotal and PIA for Safeway’s breach of contract with those SGRP subsidiaries. The jury awarded damages to Safeway of $5,235,579 for breach of contract by SGRP and those SGRP subsidiaries. Judgment was entered in favor of Pivotal on August 14, 2006 for $1,307,700. Both sides filed post trial motions but all post trial motions were denied. Notices of Appeal were thereafter filed by both Safeway and Pivotal/PIA/SGRP. Pivotal/PIA/SGRP is seeking to have Safeway’s award overturned, thereby increasing the award to Pivotal by over $5 million. Safeway is seeking to have overturned the $5,760,879 award against it for interference with contractual relationships. With the appeals pending, the parties participated in a mediation of the dispute, but it was not successful in resolving the matter. Accordingly, the appeals are proceeding.

Briefing on the appeals commenced in the second quarter of 2008, and it is expected that opposition and reply briefs will be completed by March 2009. Thereafter, an oral argument hearing date will be assigned by the court of appeal. The appellate process in the California Court of Appeal is expected to last until late 2009. The Company has recorded the net $1.3 million judgment award in other assets.

In addition to the above, the Company is a party to various other legal actions and administrative proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of Company’s management, disposition of these other matters are not anticipated to have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Price Range of Common Stock

The following table sets forth the reported high and low sales prices of the Common Stock for the quarters indicated as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

As of December 31, 2008, there were approximately 1,000 beneficial shareholders of the Company’s Common Stock.

Dividends

The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its Common Stock and does not anticipate paying cash dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. While the Company's recently issued Preferred Stock accrues a 10% dividend payable in either cash or common stock when authorized by the Board, the Company does not anticipate paying such dividend in the foreseeable future. The Company currently intends to retain future earnings to finance its operations and fund the growth of the business. Any payment of future dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company and will depend upon, among other things, the Company’s earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions in respect to the payment of dividends and other factors that the Company’s Board of Directors deems relevant.

The Company’s Credit Facility with Webster Business Credit Corporation (see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements – Lines of Credit) restricts the payment of dividends without Webster’s prior consent.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, SGRP did not repurchase any of its equity securities.

Corporation Performance

The following graph shows a comparison of cumulative total returns for SGRP’s Common Stock, the Nasdaq Stock Market (U.S. Companies) Index and the Nasdaq Stocks (SIC 7380-7389 U.S. Companies) Miscellaneous Business Services Index, Russell 2000 and S&P Advertising for the period during which SGRP’s Common Stock has been registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The graph assumes that the value of an investment in Common Stock and in each such index was $100 on December 31, 2003, and that all dividends have been reinvested.

 

 

The comparison in the graph below is based on historical data and is not intended to forecast the possible future performance of SGRP’s Common Stock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creation and Sale of Unregistered Preferred Stock

On March 28, 2008, SGRP filed a “Certificate of Designation of Series “A” Preferred Stock of SPAR Group, Inc.” (the “Preferred Designation”), creating a series of 3,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock designated as “Series A Preferred Stock” with a par value of $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), which designation had been approved by SGRP’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) on March 27, 2008.

The Preferred Designation provides that each share of Preferred Stock is to be issued at a value equal to the closing bid price of SGRP’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) immediately preceding the day SGRP and the purchaser(s) entered into a binding commitment to issue and acquire Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock will accrue a 10% dividend payable in either cash (when permitted by law and Nasdaq and authorized by the Board) or common stock when authorized by the Board (valued at the current market price of a share of common stock at the time paid but not less than the initial purchase price of a share of such preferred stock). All accrued and unpaid dividends and potential dividends must be paid to the holders of the Preferred Stock before any dividends can be paid to the holders of the Common Stock. The face value (purchase price) of the Preferred Stock and all accrued and unpaid dividends and potential dividends must be paid to the holders of the Preferred Stock before any liquidating distributions can be made to the holders of the Common Stock. The consent of all of the holders of the Preferred Stock is required for SGRP to make any changes in the Preferred Designation or issue any other class of preferred stock senior to or pari passu with the Preferred Stock.

The Preferred Stock is redeemable, at the discretion of SGRP only, for a cash redemption price equal to its face value (purchase price) plus all accrued and unpaid dividends and potential dividends. Each share of Preferred Stock is convertible into one share of Common Stock at the rate of one to one at the option of the holder, which option would be exercisable for so long as the Preferred Stock is outstanding (even if SGRP has elected to redeem the stock). Such a conversion also requires that SGRP satisfy all accrued and unpaid dividends and potential dividends at the same time. The Preferred Stock votes with the Common Stock (no class voting) and have voting rights equal to one vote per share of Preferred Stock.

On March 31, 2008, SGRP, Mr. Brown, Mr. Bartels and SPAR Management Services, Inc. (“SMSI”), an affiliate of SGRP wholly-owned by Mr. Brown and Mr. Bartels (who are officers, directors and significant shareholders of SGRP - see Note 9, Related-Party Transactions), entered into a Subscription Agreement to issue and purchase 89,286 shares of Preferred Stock at $1.12 per share (the closing bid price of SGRP’s Common Stock for the most recent trading day available immediately preceding such agreement date) at a cost of $100,000, in return for (among other things) cash or the reduction of an equivalent debt owed by the Company to SMSI. That agreement listed Mr. Brown and Mr. Bartels as the purchasers of such Preferred Stock rather than listing SMSI as the record purchaser of such Preferred Stock and Mr. Brown and Mr. Bartels as prospective indirect (i.e., beneficial) owners. On September 30, 2008, SGRP, Mr. Brown, Mr. Bartels and SMSI entered into an Amended and Restated Series A Preferred Stock Subscription Agreement effective as of March 31, 2008 (the “Restated Subscription Agreement”), to more accurately reflect the parties intentions that SMSI would pay for and acquire record ownership of those shares. SGRP’s Audit Committee and Board of Directors each reviewed and approved this affiliated transaction, including (without limitation) the terms of the Restated Subscription Agreement and the affiliated relationship of the parties. The offer and sale of such Preferred Stock have not been registered under the Securities Act or other securities laws, as they were a non-public offer and sale made in reliance upon (among other things) Section 4 (2) of the Securities Act.

Effective September 24, 2008, SGRP and the pension plans of Mr. Brown and Mr. Bartels, SP/R Inc. Defined Benefit Pension Plan, acting through Robert G. Brown, its Trustee, WHB Services, Inc. Defined Benefit Trust, acting through William H. Bartels, its Trustee, and WHB Services, Inc. Investment Savings Trust, acting through William H. Bartels, its Trustee, entered into another agreement to issue and purchase an additional 465,116 shares of preferred stock at $0.86 per share (the closing bid price of SGRP's Common Stock for the most recent trading day available preceding such agreement date). Mr. Brown's pension plan acquired 284,237 preferred shares at cost of $244,444 and Mr. Bartels' pension plans acquired 180,879 preferred shares at a cost of $155,556. SGRP’s Audit Committee and Board of Directors each reviewed and unanimously approved this transaction, including the terms of the Preferred Stock and the affiliated relationship of the parties. The offer and sale of such Preferred Stock have not been registered under the Securities Act or other securities laws, as they were a non-public offer and sale made in reliance upon (among other things) Section 4 (2) of the Securities Act.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

 

 

 

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Liquidity and Capital Resources 

Statements contained in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Laws and are based on the Company’s best estimates and determinations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance and achievements, whether expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, to not occur or to not be realized or to be less than its plans, goals, intentions and/or expectations. Such forward-looking statements generally are based upon the Company’s best estimates of future results, performance or achievement, current conditions and the most recent results of operations. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “believe”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “continue” or similar terms, variations of those terms or the negative of those terms. You should carefully consider such risks, uncertainties and other information, disclosures and discussions containing cautionary statements or identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those provided in the forward-looking statements.

You should carefully review this management discussion and analysis together with the risk factors described above (see Item 1A – Risk Factors) and the other cautionary statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified by such risk factors and other cautionary statements. Although the Company believes that its plans, goals, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure that such plans, goals, intentions or expectations will be achieved in whole or in part. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Overview  

The Company’s operations are currently divided into two divisions: the Domestic Merchandising Services Division and the International Merchandising Services Division. The Domestic Merchandising Services Division provides merchandising and marketing services, Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) services, technology services and marketing research to manufacturers and retailers in the United States. The various services are primarily performed in mass merchandisers, electronics store chains, drug store chains and convenience and grocery stores. The International Merchandising Services Division was established in July 2000 and currently provides similar merchandising, marketing services and in-store event staffing through subsidiaries in Japan, Canada, Turkey, South Africa, India, Romania, China, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Australia and New Zealand. The Company continues to focus on expanding its merchandising and marketing services business throughout the world.

Critical Accounting Policies & Estimates

The Company’s critical accounting policies, including the assumptions and judgments underlying them, are disclosed in the Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. These policies have been consistently applied in all material respects and address such matters as revenue recognition, depreciation methods, asset impairment recognition, consolidation of subsidiaries and other companies, and discontinued business accounting. While the estimates and judgments associated with the application of these policies may be affected by different assumptions or conditions, the Company believes the estimates and judgments associated with the reported amounts are appropriate in the circumstances. Four critical accounting policies are consolidation of subsidiaries, revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, and internal use software development costs.

Consolidation of Subsidiaries

The Company consolidates its 100% owned subsidiaries. The Company also consolidates all of its 51% owned subsidiaries and all of its 50% owned subsidiaries, as the Company believes it is the primary beneficiary in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation Number 46, as revised December 2003, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“FIN 46(R)”).

 

 

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s services are provided to its clients under contracts or agreements. The Company bills its clients based upon service fee and per unit fee billing arrangements. Revenues under service fee billing arrangements are recognized when the service is performed. The Company’s per unit fee arrangements provide for fees to be earned based on the retail sales of a client’s products to consumers. The Company recognizes per unit fees in the period such amounts become determinable and are reported to the Company.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company continually monitors the validity of its accounts receivable based upon current client credit information and financial condition. Balances that are deemed to be uncollectible after the Company has attempted reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the bad debt allowance and a credit to accounts receivable. Accounts receivable balances, net of any applicable reserves or allowances, are stated at the amount that management expects to collect from the outstanding balances. The Company provides for probable uncollectible amounts through a charge to earnings and a credit to bad debt allowance based in part on management’s assessment of the current status of individual accounts. Based on management’s assessment, the Company established an allowance for doubtful accounts of $292,000 and $163,000 at December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively. Bad debt expenses (recovery) were $284,000 and $(164,000) in 2008, and 2007, respectively.

Internal Use Software Development Costs

In accordance with SOP 98-1, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use, the Company capitalizes certain costs associated with its internally developed software. Specifically, the Company capitalizes the costs of materials and services incurred in developing or obtaining internal use software. These costs include (but are not limited to) the cost to purchase software, the cost to write program code, payroll and related benefits and travel expenses for those employees who are directly involved with and who devote time to the Company’s software development projects. Capitalized software development costs are amortized over three years.

The Company capitalized $448,000 and $328,000 of costs related to software developed for internal use in 2008, and 2007, respectively, and recognized approximately $333,000 and $292,000 of amortization of capitalized software for the years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

Results of operations

The following table sets forth selected financial data and such data as a percentage of net revenues for the years indicated (in millions).

 

 

 

Results of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, compared to twelve months ended December 31, 2007  

Net Revenues

Net revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, were $69.6 million, compared to $60.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, an increase of $8.9 million.

International net revenues totaled $38.8 million for 2008, increasing 24.0% from $31.3 million in 2007. The following subsidiaries recorded 2008 increases in net revenues over 2007 results: Canada $2.2 million; China $2.0 million; Japan $1.7 million; India $1.5 million; Turkey $516,000 and Australia $268,000. The following subsidiaries reported declines in net revenues below 2007 results: Romania $354,000; Lithuania $162,000 and South Africa $152,000.

Domestic net revenues increased $1.4 million or 4.7% to $30.8 million in 2008 from $29.4 million in 2007.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues consists of in-store labor and field management wages, related benefits, travel and other direct labor-related expenses. Cost of revenues was 69.9% of net revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, compared to 68.3% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007.

Internationally, the cost of revenues as a percentage of net revenues were 74.2% and 68.9% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively. The international cost of revenues percentage increase was primarily attributable to lower margin revenues in Canada, Australia and China accounting for a greater portion of revenues in the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, compared to the prior year.

Domestic cost of revenues as a percentage of net revenues were 64.6% and 67.6% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively. The decrease was primarily attributable to non-recurring cost concessions totaling $900,000 that were provided in 2008 by the Company's affiliates, SPAR Marketing Services, Inc. ("SMS") and SPAR Management Services, Inc. ("SMSI") (See Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence, and Note 9 – Related Party Transactions, below).

Approximately 85% and 88% of the Company’s domestic cost of revenue in both the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively, resulted from in-store merchandiser and field management services purchased from the Company’s affiliates, SMS and SMSI, respectively. (See Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence, and Note 9 – Related Party Transactions, below)

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses consist of selling, general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization. Selling, general and administrative expenses include corporate overhead, project management, information technology, executive compensation, human resource, legal and accounting expenses. The following table sets forth the operating expenses for the years indicated (in millions):

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $2.0 million, or 9.5%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, to $18.5 million compared to $20.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007.

 

 

International selling, general and administrative expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, were $9.4 million compared to $10.2 million for the prior year. The decrease of approximately $800,000, or 8.2%, was due to a decrease in spending primarily in Japan, Canada, Australia and South Africa.

Domestic selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $9.1 million for 2008 compared to $10.3 million in 2007. The 2008 reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses of $1.2 million was a result of the Company's continued focus on cost reduction efforts.

Depreciation and amortization charges were $939,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, compared to $768,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007. The increase of approximately $171,000, or 22.2%, was due to higher purchases of property and equipment in recent years.

Other Expense

Other expense, net was approximately $671,000 for twelve months ended December 31, 2008, compared to other expense, net of approximately $39,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007. The increase of approximately $632,000 was due primarily to one time litigation expense in 2008.

Interest Expense

Interest expense totaled approximately $320,000 for 2008, compared to interest expense of approximately $315,000 for 2007. The increase was a compilation of lower debt levels and higher interest rates in 2008.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was $532,000 and $157,000 for 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in income tax provision of approximately $375,000 was primarily due to additional tax expense resulting from a change in tax filing status in Japan. The domestic tax provisions for both 2008 and 2007 were primarily for minimum domestic state tax liabilities.

Minority Interest

Minority interest income of $163,000 and expense of $47,000 resulted from the net operating profits and losses of the Company’s 51% owned subsidiaries and its 50% owned subsidiaries for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Net Income (Loss)

The SPAR Group had a net income for 2008 of approximately $102,000, or $0.01 per share, compared to a net loss for 2007 of approximately $2.5 million, or $0.13 per share.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

None.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources  

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, the Company had a net income of $102,000, compared to a loss of approximately $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $2.2 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $12,000 in 2007. The change of approximately $2.2 million in cash provided by operating activities is primarily due to increased net income.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, was $1.2 million and $814,000, respectively. The change in net cash used in investing activities was a result of increased purchases of property and equipment in 2008.

Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $279,000 compared with net cash provided by financing activities of $834,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007. The cash used in financing activities was a result of the Company payments on its lines of credit, partially offset by the issuance of preferred stock.

The above activity resulted in an increase in cash and cash equivalents for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, of $439,000.

The Company had negative working capital of $635,000 and $450,000 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company’s current ratio was 0.96 and 0.97 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decrease in working capital and current ratio were primarily due to increases in accounts payable and other current liabilities.

In January 2003, the Company (other than SGRP’s foreign subsidiaries) and Webster Business Credit Corporation, then known as Whitehall Business Credit Corporation (“Webster”), entered into the Third Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement (as amended, collectively, the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility provides for a $7.0 million revolving line of credit maturing on January 23, 2009. In March 2007 the credit facility was further amended to, among other things, delay the Minimum Fixed Coverage ratio until the fourth quarter 2007, establish an EBITDA covenant and increase the interest rate by .25% beginning March 28, 2007. In May 2007 the credit facility was amended to provide for an availability reserve of $500,000. In August 2007 the credit facility was further amended to reduce the availability reserve to $250,000 until November 30, 2007. On November 16, 2007 Webster amended the credit facility to extend the availability reserve of $250,000 indefinitely and to reduce the revolving line of credit from $7.0 to $5.0 million. In February 2008, the Credit Facility was amended to establish monthly EBITDA covenants until September 30, 2008, and to set a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio covenant for the year ended December 31, 2008. In January 2009 the Credit Facility was amended to extend the agreement until March 15, 2009, adjust the interest rate to the greater of 5%, the Alternative Base Rate or 30 day LIBOR plus 2.75% and to increase the limit on the capital expenditures to $1.3 million. In March 2009, the Credit Facility was further amended to extend the maturity until March 15, 2010, extend the monthly Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio covenant until March 15, 2010 and reset the limit on capital expenditures to $800,000.

Borrowings are based upon a borrowing base formula as defined in the agreement (principally 85% of “eligible” domestic accounts receivable less certain reserves). The Credit Facility is secured by all of the assets of the Company's domestic subsidiaries. The Credit Facility also limits certain expenditures, including, but not limited to, capital expenditures and other investments.

In addition, Mr. Robert G. Brown, a Director, the Chairman and a major stockholder of SGRP, and Mr. William H. Bartels, a Director, the Vice Chairman and a major stockholder of SGRP, have provided personal guarantees of the Credit Facility totaling $1.0 million.

The basic interest rate under the Credit Facility is the greater of 5%, Webster’s “Alternative Base Rate” plus 1.0% per annum (a total of 5.1% per annum at December 31, 2008), which automatically changes with each change made by Webster in such Alternative Base Rate, or LIBOR plus 2.75%. The actual average interest rate under the Credit Facility was 4.3% per annum for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008. The Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company (other than SGRP’s foreign subsidiaries and their assets).

 

 

The domestic revolving loan balances outstanding under the Credit Facility were $3.9 million and $4.9 million at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had unused availability under the Credit Facility of $84,000 out of the remaining maximum $1.1 million unused revolving line of credit.

Because of the requirement to maintain a lock box arrangement with Webster and Webster’s ability to invoke a subjective acceleration clause at its discretion, borrowings under the Credit Facility are classified as current at December 31, 2008 and 2007, in accordance with EITF 95-22, Balance Sheet Classification of Borrowings Outstanding Under Revolving Credit Agreements That Include Both a Subjective Acceleration Clause and a Lock-Box Agreement.

At December 31, 2008, the Company was not in violation of its covenants and does not expect to be in violation at future measurement dates. However, there can be no assurances that the Company will not be in violation of certain covenants in the future and should the Company be in violation; there can be no assurances that Webster will issue waivers for any future violations.

The Japanese subsidiary SPAR FM Japan, Inc. has line of credit agreements totaling 100 million Yen or approximately $1.1 million (based upon the exchange rate at December 31, 2008). There were no outstanding balances under the line of credit agreements at December 31, 2008. The outstanding balance at December 31, 2007 was approximately 90 million Yen, or approximately $802,000 (based upon the exchange rate at that date). In addition, the Japanese subsidiary had cash balances totaling 105 million Yen, or approximately $1.2 million (based upon the exchange rate at December 31, 2008) and 137 million Yen, or approximately $1.2 million (based upon the exchange rate at December 31, 2007) at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The average interest rate was 2.3% per annum for 2008.

In 2008, the Australian subsidiary, SPARFACTS Australia Pty. Ltd., entered into a revolving line of credit arrangement with Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) for $2.0 million (Australian), or approximately $1.4 million (based upon the exchange rate at December 31, 2008). At December 31, 2008, SPARFACTS Australia Pty. Ltd. had $1.4 million (Australian), or approximately $1.0 million, outstanding under the line of credit (based upon the exchange rate at that date). The average interest rate was 9.5% per annum for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008.

On October 20, 2006, SPAR Canada Company, a wholly owned subsidiary, entered into a secured credit agreement with Royal Bank of Canada providing for a Demand Operating Loan for a maximum borrowing of $750,000 (Canadian) or approximately $613,725 (based upon the exchange rate at December 31, 2008). The Demand Operating Loan provides for borrowing based upon a formula as defined in the agreement (principally 75% of eligible accounts receivable less certain deductions) and a minimum total debt to tangible net worth covenant. On March 28, 2008, Royal Bank of Canada amended the secured credit agreement to reduce the maximum borrowing to $500,000 (Canadian) however, in October 2008, Royal Bank of Canada reinstated the loan limit to $750,000 (Canadian). At December 31, 2008, SPAR Canada Company had $691,000 (Canadian), or approximately $565,000, outstanding under the line of credit (based upon the exchange rate at December 31, 2008). The average interest rate was 4.5% per annum for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008.

The Company’s international model is to partner with local merchandising companies and combine the partner’s knowledge of the local market with the Company’s proprietary software and expertise in the merchandising and marketing business. In 2001, the Company established its first international subsidiary and has continued this strategy. As of this filing, the Company is currently operating in Japan, Canada, Turkey, South Africa, India, Romania, China, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Australia and New Zealand through 9 subsidiaries.

Certain of the international subsidiaries are marginally profitable while others are operating at a loss. None of these entities have excess cash reserves. In the event of continued losses, the Company may find it necessary to provide additional cash infusions into these subsidiaries.

Management believes that based upon the existing credit facilities, sources of cash availability will be sufficient to support ongoing operations over the next twelve months. However, delays in collection of receivables due from any of the Company’s major clients, or a significant further reduction in business from such clients, or the inability to acquire new clients, or the Company’s inability to remain profitable, or the inability to obtain bank waivers in the event of future covenant violations could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s cash resources and its ongoing ability to fund operations.

 

 

Certain Contractual Obligations

The following table contains a summary of certain of the Company’s contractual obligations by category as of December 31, 2008 (in thousands).

 

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Not applicable.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

See Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A.(T) Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures

An evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2008. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company's management and Board of Directors regarding the reliability of its financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles that:

 

 

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. Therefore, internal control over financial reporting determined to be effective provides only reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparations of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

The Company carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness as of December 31, 2008, of the design and operation of its internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, which was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. This evaluation was based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in the report entitled "Internal Control--Integrated Framework". Based upon this evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's internal controls over financial reporting are effective as of December 31, 2008.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the company's registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. The company's registered public accounting firm was not required to report on internal controls for 2008, pursuant to the temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Internal control over financial reporting

The Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, confirm that there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Reference is made to the information set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, presently scheduled to be held on May 28, 2009, pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, which information is incorporated by reference to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Notwithstanding the foregoing, information appearing in the sections “Executive Compensation Report of the Compensation Committee” and “Audit Committee Report” shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Reference is made to the information set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, presently scheduled to be held on May 28, 2009, pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, which information is incorporated by reference to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Notwithstanding the foregoing, information appearing in the sections “Executive Compensation Report of the Compensation Committee” and “Audit Committee Report” shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Reference is made to the information set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, presently scheduled to be held on May 28, 2009, pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, which information is incorporated by reference to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Notwithstanding the foregoing, information appearing in the sections “Executive Compensation Report of the Compensation Committee” and “Audit Committee Report” shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Reference is made to the information set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, presently scheduled to be held on May 28, 2009, pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, which information is incorporated by reference to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Notwithstanding the foregoing, information appearing in the sections “Executive Compensation Report of the Compensation Committee” and “Audit Committee Report” shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Reference is made to the information set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, presently scheduled to be held on May 28, 2009, pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, which information is incorporated by reference to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Notwithstanding the foregoing, information appearing in the sections “Executive Compensation Report of the Compensation Committee” and “Audit Committee Report” shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this amendment to the report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

SPAR Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

(In thousands)

		Balance at Beginning of Period				Charged to Costs and Expenses			Deductions(1)			Balance at End of Period
Year ended December 31, 2008:
Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	163			284			155			$	292
Year ended December 31, 2007:
Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	400			(164	)		73			$	163

 

(1)	Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries

 

 

 

 

F-29

Exhibit 21.1

SPAR Group, Inc.

List of Subsidiaries

 

 

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-07377) pertaining to the 1995 Stock Option Plans, in the Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-53400) pertaining to the Special Purpose Stock Option Plan, in Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-73000) pertaining to the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, in Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-73002) pertaining to the 2000 Stock Option Plan, in the Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-152706) pertaining to the SPAR Group, Inc. 2008 Stock Compensation Plan and in Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-72998) pertaining to the 2001 Consultant Stock Purchase Plan of SPAR Group, Inc. of our report dated April 13, 2009, with respect to the December 31, 2008 and 2007 consolidated financial statements and schedule of SPAR Group, Inc. and subsidiaries included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Troy, Michigan

April 14, 2009

 

 

Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-07377) pertaining to the 1995 Stock Option Plans, in Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-53400) pertaining to the Special Purpose Stock Option Plan, in Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-73000) pertaining to the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, in Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-73002) pertaining to the 2000 Stock Option Plan, in Registration Statement Form S-8 (No 333-72998) pertaining to the 2001 Consultant Stock Purchase Plan of SPAR Group, Inc., in the Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-152706) pertaining to the SPAR Group, Inc. 2008 Stock Compensation Plan and with Respect to the December 31, 2008 consolidated financial statements of SPAR Group, Inc included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K), for the year ended December 31, 2008 of our report dated February 6, 2009 with respect to the financial statements of Spar Alan Pazarlama Hizmetleri Limited Sirketi, as of December 31, 2008 and for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Istanbul, Turkey

March 25, 2009

 

 

Exhibit 23.4

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-07377) (No. 333-73000) pertaining to the 1995 Stock Option Plans, in Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-53400) pertaining to the Special Purpose Stock Option Plan, in Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-73000) pertaining to the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, in Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-73002) pertaining to the 2000 Stock Option Plan, in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 ( No. 333-152706) pertaining to the SPAR Group, Inc. 2008 Stock Compensation Plan, and in Registration Statement Form S-8 (No 333-72998) pertaining to the 2001 Consultant Stock Purchase Plan of SPAR Group, Inc. and with Respect to the December 31, 2008 consolidated financial statements of SPAR Group, Inc included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K), for the year ended December 31, 2008 of our report dated April 10, 2009 with respect to the financial statements of SPAR Solutions Merchandising Private Limited, as of December 31, 2008 and for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

New Delhi, India

April 13, 2009

 

 

Exhibit 23.5

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-07377) pertaining to the 1995 Stock Option Plans, in Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-53400) pertaining to the Special Purpose Stock Option Plan, in Registration Statement Form S-8 (N0. 333-73000) pertaining to the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, in Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-73002) pertaining to the 2000 Stock Option Plan, in the Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-152706) pertaining to the SPAR Group, Inc., 2008 Stock Compensation Plan and in Registration Statement Form S-8 (No. 333-72998) pertaining to the 2001 Consultant Stock Purchase Plan of SPAR Group, Inc. and with Respect to the December 31, 2008 consolidated financial statements of SPAR Group, Inc. included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K), for the year ended December 31, 2008 of our report dated February 17, 2009 with respect to the financial statements of UAB SPAR RRS Baltic, as of December 31, 2008 and for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Vilnius, Lithuania

March 23, 2009

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Gary S. Raymond, certify that:

1.      I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (this “report”), of SPAR Group, Inc. (the “registrant”);

2.         Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.         Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.         The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)        Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)        Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

(c)        Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)        Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.         The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)        All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)        Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, James R. Segreto, certify that:

1.         I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (this “report”), of SPAR Group, Inc. (the “registrant”);

2.         Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.         Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.         The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)        Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)        Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

(c)        Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)        Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.         The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)        All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)        Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (this “report”), of SPAR Group, Inc. (the “registrant”), the undersigned hereby certifies that, to his knowledge:

1.         The report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and

2.         The information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to SPAR Group, Inc. and will be retained by SPAR Group, Inc., and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

 

EXHIBIT 32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (this “report”), of SPAR Group, Inc. (the “registrant”), the undersigned hereby certifies that, to his knowledge:

1.         The report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and

2.         The information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to SPAR Group, Inc. and will be retained by SPAR Group, Inc., and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.