5133--4/29/2008--AMERICAN_GREETINGS

related topics

{product, market, service}

{customer, product, revenue}

{property, intellectual, protect}

{cost, regulation, environmental}

{acquisition, growth, future}

{condition, economic, financial}

{competitive, industry, competition}

{stock, price, operating}

{operation, natural, condition}

{cost, operation, labor}

{capital, credit, financial}

{product, liability, claim}

{personnel, key, retain}

{system, service, information}

{operation, international, foreign}

{provision, law, control}

The growth of our greeting card business is critical to future profitability and cash flow. We rely on a few mass-market retail customers for a significant portion of our We operate in extremely competitive markets, and our business, results of operations and financial condition will suffer if we are unable to compete effectively. Our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by retail consolidations. Our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by volatility in the demand for our products. Rapidly changing trends in the children s entertainment market could adversely affect our business. Our results of operations fluctuate on a seasonal basis. We may not be able to grow or profitably maintain our Retail Operations. We rely on foreign sources of production and face a variety of risks associated with doing business in foreign markets. Our inability to protect our intellectual property rights could reduce the value of our products and brand. We may not realize the full benefit of the material we license from third parties if the licensed material has less market appeal than expected or if sales revenue from the licensed products is not sufficient to earn out the minimum guaranteed royalties. The terms of our indebtedness may restrict our ability to pursue our growth strategy. Bankruptcy of key customers could give rise to an inability to pay us and increase our exposure to losses from bad debts. Difficulties in integrating acquisitions could adversely affect our business. We may be unsuccessful in increasing revenues or generating a profit from the recent acquisitions of PhotoWorks and Webshots in the digital services markets, which could adversely affect our results of operations. Increases in raw material and energy costs may materially raise our cost of goods sold and materially impact our profitability. The loss of key members of our senior management and creative teams could adversely affect our business. If we fail to extend or renegotiate our primary collective bargaining contracts with our labor unions as they expire from time to time, or if our unionized employees were to engage in a strike, or other work stoppage, our business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Various environmental regulations and risks applicable to a manufacturer and/or distributor of consumer products may require us to take actions, which will adversely affect our results of operations. We may be subject to product liability claims and our products could be subject to voluntary or involuntary recalls and other actions. Information technology infrastructure failures could significantly affect our business. Acts of nature could result in an increase in the cost of raw materials; other catastrophic events, including earthquakes, could interrupt critical functions and otherwise adversely affect our business and results of operations. Members of the Weiss family and related entities, whose interests may differ from those of other shareholders, own a substantial portion of our common shares. Our charter documents and Ohio law may inhibit a takeover and limit our growth opportunities, which could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.

Full 10-K form ▸

5133--4/29/2008--AMERICAN_GREETINGS_CORP