KROGER CO - Annual Report: 2019 (Form 10-K)

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the fiscal year ended February 2, 2019.

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from                    to                   

 

Commission file number 1-303

 

THE KROGER CO.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (513) 762-4000

 

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

 

 

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

 

NONE

(Title of class)

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§299.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (August 18, 2018). $25.0 billion.

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 798,327,065 shares of Common Stock of $1 par value, as of March 28, 2019.

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

 

Portions of Kroger’s definitive proxy statement for its 2019 annual meeting of shareholders, which shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this Report relates, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.

 

 

 

PART I

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS.

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements about our future performance.  These statements are based on our assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to us.  These statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors, including the risks and other factors discussed in “Risk Factors” and “Outlook” below, that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from any future results or outcomes expressed or implied by such forward looking statements.  Such statements are indicated by words such as “achieve,” “affect,” “believe,” “committed,” “continue,” “could,” “effect,” “estimate,” “expects,” “future,” “growth,” “intends,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “range,” “result,” “strategy,” “strong,” “trend,” “vision,” “will, and “would, and similar words or phrases.  Moreover, statements in the sections entitled Risk Factors, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) and Outlook, and elsewhere in this report regarding our expectations, projections, beliefs, intentions or strategies are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

ITEM 1.BUSINESS.

 

The Kroger Co. (the “Company” or “Kroger”) was founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1902.  As of February 2, 2019, we are one of the largest retailers in the world based on annual sales.  We also manufacture and process some of the food for sale in our supermarkets.  We maintain a web site (www.thekrogerco.com) that includes additional information about the Company.  We make available through our web site, free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K and our interactive data files, including amendments.  These forms are available as soon as reasonably practicable after we have filed them with, or furnished them electronically to, the SEC.

 

Our revenues are predominately earned and cash is generated as consumer products are sold to customers in our stores, fuel centers and via our online platforms. We earn income predominantly by selling products at price levels that produce revenues in excess of the costs to make these products available to our customers.  Such costs include procurement and distribution costs, facility occupancy and operational costs and overhead expenses.  Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31.  All references to 2018, 2017 and 2016 are to the fiscal years ended February 2, 2019, February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017, respectively, unless specifically indicated otherwise.

 

EMPLOYEES

 

As of February 2, 2019, Kroger employed approximately 453,000 full- and part-time employees. A majority of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements negotiated with local unions affiliated with one of several different international unions. There are approximately 360 such agreements, usually with terms of three to five years.

 

STORES

 

As of February 2, 2019, Kroger operated, either directly or through its subsidiaries, 2,764 supermarkets under a variety of local banner names, of which 2,270 had pharmacies and 1,537 had fuel centers.  We offer Pickup (also referred to as ClickList®) and Harris Teeter ExpressLane™— personalized, order online, pick up at the store services — at 1,581 of our supermarkets and provide home delivery service to 91% of Kroger households.  Approximately 54% of our supermarkets were operated in Company-owned facilities, including some Company-owned buildings on leased land.  Our current strategy emphasizes self-development and ownership of real estate.  Our stores operate under a variety of banners that have strong local ties and brand recognition.  Supermarkets are generally operated under one of the following formats: combination food and drug stores (“combo stores”); multi-department stores; marketplace stores; or price impact warehouses.

 

The combo store is the primary food store format.  They typically draw customers from a 2 — 2.5 mile radius.  We believe this format is successful because the stores are large enough to offer the specialty departments that customers desire for one-stop shopping, including natural food and organic sections, pharmacies, general merchandise, pet centers and high-quality perishables such as fresh seafood and organic produce.

Multi-department stores are significantly larger in size than combo stores.  In addition to the departments offered at a typical combo store, multi-department stores sell a wide selection of general merchandise items such as apparel, home fashion and furnishings, outdoor living, electronics, automotive products and toys.

 

Marketplace stores are smaller in size than multi-department stores.  They offer full-service grocery, pharmacy and health and beauty care departments as well as an expanded perishable offering and general merchandise area that includes apparel, home goods and toys.

 

Price impact warehouse stores offer a “no-frills, low cost” warehouse format and feature everyday low prices plus promotions for a wide selection of grocery and health and beauty care items. Quality meat, dairy, baked goods and fresh produce items provide a competitive advantage. The average size of a price impact warehouse store is similar to that of  a combo store.

 

SEGMENTS

 

We operate supermarkets and multi-department stores throughout the United States.  Our retail operations, which represent 97% of our consolidated sales, is our only reportable segment.  We aggregate our operating divisions into one reportable segment due to the operating divisions having similar economic characteristics with similar long-term financial performance.  In addition, our operating divisions offer customers similar products,  have similar distribution methods, operate in similar regulatory environments, purchase the majority of the merchandise for retail sale from similar (and in many cases identical) vendors on a coordinated basis from a centralized location, serve similar types of customers, and are allocated capital from a centralized location.  Our operating divisions are organized primarily on a geographical basis so that the operating division management team can be responsive to local needs of the operating division and can execute company strategic plans and initiatives throughout the locations in their operating division. This geographical separation is the primary differentiation between these retail operating divisions.  The geographical basis of organization reflects how the business is managed and how our Chief Executive Officer, who acts as our chief operating decision maker, assesses performance internally.  All of our operations are domestic.  Revenues, profits and losses and total assets are shown in our Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 below.

 

MERCHANDISING AND MANUFACTURING

 

Our Brands products play an important role in our merchandising strategy. Our supermarkets, on average, stock over 15,000 private label items. Our Brands products are primarily produced and sold in three “tiers.” Private Selection® is one of our premium quality brands, offering customers culinary foods and ingredients that deliver amazing eating experiences. The Kroger® brand, which represents the majority of our private label items, is designed to consistently satisfy and delight customers with quality products that exceed or meet the national brand in taste and efficacy, as well as with unique and differentiated products. Big K®, Check This Out…® and Heritage Farm® are some of our value brands, designed to deliver good quality at a very affordable price. In addition, we continue to grow natural and organic Our Brands offerings with Simple Truth® and Simple Truth Organic®. Both Simple Truth and Simple Truth Organic are free from a defined list of artificial ingredients that customers have told us they do not want in their food, and the Simple Truth Organic products are USDA certified organic.

 

Approximately 32% of Our Brands units and 43% of the grocery category Our Brands units sold in our supermarkets are produced in our food production plants; the remaining Our Brands items are produced to our strict specifications by outside manufacturers.  We perform a “make or buy” analysis on Our Brands products and decisions are based upon a comparison of market-based transfer prices versus open market purchases.  As of February 2, 2019, we operated 37 food production plants. These plants consisted of 17 dairies, 10 deli or bakery plants, five grocery product plants, two beverage plants, one meat plant and two cheese plants.

 

SEASONALITY

 

The majority of our revenues are generally not seasonal in nature.  However, revenues tend to be higher during the major holidays throughout the year.  Additionally, significant inclement weather systems, particularly winter storms, tend to affect our sales trends.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

The disclosure regarding executive officers is set forth in Item 10 of Part III of this Form 10-K under the heading “Executive Officers of the Company,” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT

 

For the disclosure related to our competitive environment, see Item 1A under the heading “Competitive Environment.”

 

ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS.

 

There are risks and uncertainties that can affect our business.  The significant risk factors are discussed below.  The following information should be read together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the “Outlook” section in Item 7 of this Form 10-K, which include forward-looking statements and factors that could cause us not to realize our goals or meet our expectations.

 

COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT

 

The operating environment for the food retailing industry continues to be characterized by intense price competition, expansion, increasing fragmentation of retail and online formats, entry of non-traditional competitors and market consolidation.  In addition, evolving customer preferences and the advancement of online, delivery, ship to home, and mobile channels in our industry enhance the competitive environment.

 

We believe our Restock Kroger plan provides a balanced approach that will enable us to meet the wide-ranging needs and expectations of our customers.  However, we may be unsuccessful in implementing Restock Kroger, including our alternative profit strategy and our cost savings initiatives, which could adversely affect our relationships with our customers, our market share and business growth, and our operations and results.  The nature and extent to which our competitors respond to the evolving and competitive industry by developing and implementing their competitive strategies could adversely affect our profitability.

 

PRODUCT SAFETY

 

Customers count on Kroger to provide them with safe food and drugs and other merchandise.  Concerns regarding the safety of the products that we sell could cause shoppers to avoid purchasing certain products from us, or to seek alternative sources of supply even if the basis for the concern is outside of our control.  Any lost confidence on the part of our customers would be difficult and costly to reestablish.  Any issue regarding the safety of items we sell, regardless of the cause, could have a substantial and adverse effect on our reputation, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

LABOR RELATIONS

 

A majority of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements with unions, and our relationship with those unions, including a prolonged work stoppage affecting a substantial number of locations, could have a material adverse effect on our results.

 

We are a party to approximately 360 collective bargaining agreements.  Upon the expiration of our collective bargaining agreements, work stoppages by the affected workers could occur if we are unable to negotiate new contracts with labor unions.  A prolonged work stoppage affecting a substantial number of locations could have a material adverse effect on our results.  Further, if we are unable to control health care, pension and wage costs, or if we have insufficient operational flexibility under our collective bargaining agreements, we may experience increased operating costs and an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

DATA AND TECHNOLOGY

 

Our business is increasingly dependent on information technology systems that are complex and vital to continuing operations, resulting in an expansion of our technological presence and corresponding risk exposure.  If we were to experience difficulties maintaining or operating existing systems or implementing new systems, we could incur significant losses due to disruptions in our operations.

 

Through our sales and marketing activities, we collect and store some personal information that our customers provide to us. We also gather and retain information about our associates in the normal course of business. Under certain circumstances, we may share information with vendors that assist us in conducting our business, as required by law, or otherwise in accordance with our privacy policy.

 

Our technology systems are vulnerable to disruption from circumstances beyond our control.  Cyber-attackers may attempt to access information stored in our or our vendors’ systems in order to misappropriate confidential customer or business information.  Although we have implemented procedures to protect our information, and require our vendors to do the same, we cannot be certain that our security systems will successfully defend against rapidly evolving, increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks as they become more difficult to detect and defend against.  Further, a Kroger associate, a contractor or other third party with whom we do business may in the future circumvent our security measures in order to obtain information or may inadvertently cause a breach involving information.  In addition, hardware, software or applications we may use may have inherent defects or could be inadvertently or intentionally applied or used in a way that could compromise our information security.

 

Our continued investment in our information technology systems may not effectively insulate us from potential attacks, breaches or disruptions to our business operations, which could result in a loss of customers or business information, negative publicity, damage to our reputation, and exposure to claims from customers, financial institutions, regulatory authorities, payment card associations, associates and other persons.  Any such events could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and may not be covered by our insurance. In addition, compliance with privacy and information security laws and standards may result in significant expense due to increased investment in technology and the development of new operational processes and may require us to devote significant management resources to address these issues.

 

Additionally, on October 1, 2015, the payment card industry shifted liability for certain transactions to retailers who are not able to accept Europay, MasterCard, Visa (EMV) transactions. We completed the implementation of the EMV technology for our supermarket transactions, and have a plan in place to complete implementation for our fuel centers prior to the liability shift for fuel centers, which will occur in 2020.

 

INDEBTEDNESS

 

Our indebtedness could reduce our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, mergers and acquisitions or other purposes and could make us vulnerable to future economic downturns as well as competitive pressures.  If debt markets do not permit us to refinance certain maturing debt, we may be required to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness.  Changes in our credit ratings, or in the interest rate environment, could have an adverse effect on our financing costs and structure.

 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND INSURANCE

 

From time to time, we are a party to legal proceedings, including matters involving personnel and employment issues, personal injury, antitrust claims and other proceedings.  Other legal proceedings purport to be brought as class actions on behalf of similarly situated parties.  Some of these proceedings could result in a substantial loss to Kroger.  We estimate our exposure to these legal proceedings and establish accruals for the estimated liabilities, where it is reasonably possible to estimate and where an adverse outcome is probable.  Assessing and predicting the outcome of these matters involves substantial uncertainties.  Adverse outcomes in these legal proceedings, or changes in our evaluations or predictions about the proceedings, could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.  Please also refer to the “Legal Proceedings” section in Item 3 and the “Litigation” section in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance to provide for potential liability for workers’ compensation, automobile and general liability, property, director and officers’ liability, and employee health care benefits.  Any actuarial projection of losses is subject to a high degree of variability.   Changes in legal claims, trends and interpretations, variability in inflation rates, changes in the nature and method of claims settlement, benefit level changes due to changes in applicable laws, insolvency of insurance carriers, and changes in discount rates could all affect our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

MULTI-EMPLOYER PENSION OBLIGATIONS

 

As discussed in more detail below in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Critical Accounting Policies-Multi-Employer Pension Plans,” Kroger contributes to several multi-employer pension plans based on obligations arising under collective bargaining agreements with unions representing employees covered by those agreements.  We believe that the present value of actuarially accrued liabilities in most of these multi-employer plans substantially exceeds the value of the assets held in trust to pay benefits, and we expect that Kroger’s contributions to those funds will increase over the next few years.  A significant increase to those funding requirements could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.  Despite the fact that the pension obligations of these funds are not the liability or responsibility of the Company, except as noted below, there is a risk that the agencies that rate our outstanding debt instruments could view the underfunded nature of these plans unfavorably, or adjust their current views unfavorably, when determining their ratings on our debt securities.  Any downgrading of our debt ratings likely would adversely affect our cost of borrowing and access to capital.

 

We also currently bear the investment risk of two multi-employer pension plans in which we participate.  In addition, we have been designated as the named fiduciary of these funds with sole investment authority of the assets of these funds.  If investment results fail to meet our expectations, we could be required to make additional contributions to fund a portion of or the entire shortfall, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

INTEGRATION OF NEW BUSINESS

 

We enter into mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances with expected benefits including, among other things, operating efficiencies, procurement savings, innovation, sharing of best practices and increased market share that may allow for future growth.  Achieving the anticipated benefits may be subject to a number of significant challenges and uncertainties, including, without limitation, whether unique corporate cultures will work collaboratively in an efficient and effective manner, the coordination of geographically separate organizations, the possibility of imprecise assumptions underlying expectations regarding potential synergies and the integration process, unforeseen expenses and delays, and competitive factors in the marketplace.  We could also encounter unforeseen transaction and integration-related costs or other circumstances such as unforeseen liabilities or other issues.  Many of these potential circumstances are outside of our control and any of them could result in increased costs, decreased revenue, decreased synergies and the diversion of management time and attention.  If we are unable to achieve our objectives within the anticipated time frame, or at all, the expected benefits may not be realized fully or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, or cash flows.

 

FUEL

 

We sell a significant amount of fuel, which could face increased regulation and demand could be affected by concerns about the effect of emissions on the environment as well as retail price increases.  We are unable to predict future regulations, environmental effects, political unrest, acts of terrorism and other matters that may affect the cost and availability of fuel, and how our customers will react, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

 

Our operating results could be materially impacted by changes in overall economic conditions that impact consumer confidence and spending, including discretionary spending.  Future economic conditions affecting disposable consumer income such as employment levels, business conditions, changes in housing market conditions, the availability of credit, interest rates, tax rates, the impact of natural disasters or acts of terrorism, and other matters could reduce consumer spending.  Increased fuel prices could also have an effect on consumer spending and on our costs of producing and procuring products that we sell.  We are unable to predict how the global economy and financial markets will perform.  If the global economy and financial markets do not perform as we expect, it could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

WEATHER AND NATURAL DISASTERS

 

A large number of our stores and distribution facilities are geographically located in areas that are susceptible to hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, droughts and earthquakes.  Weather conditions and natural disasters could disrupt our operations at one or more of our facilities, interrupt the delivery of products to our stores, substantially increase the cost of products, including supplies and materials and substantially increase the cost of energy needed to operate our facilities or deliver products to our facilities.  Adverse weather and natural disasters could materially affect our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

 

Our stores are subject to various laws, regulations, and administrative practices that affect our business. We must comply with numerous provisions regulating, among other things, health and sanitation standards, food labeling and safety, equal employment opportunity, minimum wages, and licensing for the sale of food, drugs, and alcoholic beverages. We cannot predict future laws, regulations, interpretations, administrative orders, or applications, or the effect they will have on our operations. They could, however, significantly increase the cost of doing business.  They also could require the reformulation of some of the products that we sell (or manufacture for sale to third parties) to meet new standards.  We also could be required to recall or discontinue the sale of products that cannot be reformulated.  These changes could result in additional record keeping, expanded documentation of the properties of certain products, expanded or different labeling, or scientific substantiation.  Any or all of these requirements could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

ITEM 1B.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

 

None.

 

ITEM 2.PROPERTIES.

 

As of February 2, 2019, we operated approximately 2,800 owned or leased supermarkets, distribution warehouses and food production plants through divisions, subsidiaries or affiliates. These facilities are located throughout the United States. While our current strategy emphasizes ownership of real estate, a substantial portion of the properties used to conduct our business are leased.

 

We generally own store equipment, fixtures and leasehold improvements, as well as processing and food production equipment. The total cost of our owned assets and capitalized leases at February 2, 2019, was $43.9 billion while the accumulated depreciation was $22.2 billion.

 

Leased premises generally have base terms ranging from ten-to-twenty years with renewal options for additional periods. Some options provide the right to purchase the property after the conclusion of the lease term. Store rentals are normally payable monthly at a stated amount or at a guaranteed minimum amount plus a percentage of sales over a stated dollar volume. Rentals for the distribution, food production and miscellaneous facilities generally are payable monthly at stated amounts.  For additional information on lease obligations, see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 3.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

Various claims and lawsuits arising in the normal course of business, including suits charging violations of certain antitrust, wage and hour, or civil rights laws, as well as product liability cases, are pending against the Company.  Some of these suits purport or have been determined to be class actions and/or seek substantial damages. Any damages that may be awarded in antitrust cases will be automatically trebled. Although it is not possible at this time to evaluate the merits of all of these claims and lawsuits, nor their likelihood of success, we believe that any resulting liability will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

We continually evaluate our exposure to loss contingencies arising from pending or threatened litigation and believe we have made provisions where it is reasonably possible to estimate and where an adverse outcome is probable.  Nonetheless, assessing and predicting the outcomes of these matters involves substantial uncertainties.  We currently believe that the aggregate range of loss for our exposures is not material.  It remains possible that despite our current belief, material differences in actual outcomes or changes in our evaluation or predictions could arise that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

ITEM 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

 

Not applicable.

 

PART II

 

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

 

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KR.” As of March 28, 2019, there were 27,037 shareholders of record.

 

During 2018, we paid two quarterly cash dividends of $0.125 per share and two quarterly cash dividends of $0.14 per share.  During 2017, we paid two quarterly cash dividends of $0.12 per share and two quarterly cash dividends of $0.125 per share.  On March 1, 2019, we paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per share.  On March 14, 2019, we announced that our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per share, payable on June 1, 2019, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 15, 2019.  We currently expect to continue to pay comparable cash dividends on a quarterly basis, that will increase over time, depending on our earnings and other factors, including approval by our Board.

 

For information on securities authorized for issuance under our existing equity compensation plans, see Item 12 under the heading “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.”

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

 

Set forth below is a line graph comparing the five-year cumulative total shareholder return on our common shares, based on the market price of the common shares and assuming reinvestment of dividends, with the cumulative total return of companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and a peer group composed of food and drug companies.

 

 

 

 

Kroger’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31.

 

Data supplied by Standard & Poor’s.

 

The foregoing Performance Graph will not be deemed incorporated by reference into any other filing, absent an express reference thereto.

*     Total assumes $100 invested on February 1, 2014, in The Kroger Co., S&P 500 Index, and the Peer Group, with reinvestment of dividends.

 

**   The Peer Group consists of Costco Wholesale Corp., CVS Caremark Corp, Etablissements Delhaize Freres Et Cie Le Lion (“Groupe Delhaize”, which is included through July 22, 2016 when it merged with Koninklijke Ahold), Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV (changed name from Koninklijke Ahold after merger with Groupe Delhaize), Safeway, Inc. (included through January 29, 2015 when it was acquired by AB Acquisition LLC), Supervalu Inc. (included through October 19, 2018 when it was acquired by United Natural Foods), Target Corp., Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (formerly, Walgreen Co.), Whole Foods Market Inc. (included through August 28, 2017 when it was acquired by Amazon.com, Inc.).

The following table presents information on our purchases of our common shares during the fourth quarter of 2018.

 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

ITEM 6.SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

 

The following table presents our selected consolidated financial data for each of the last five fiscal years.

 

 

Note: This information should be read in conjunction with MD&A and the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Fiscal year ended February 2, 2019 includes the gain on sale of our convenience store business unit.

 

Refer to Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure of business combinations and their effect on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

 

All share and per share amounts presented are reflective of the two-for-one stock split that began trading at the split adjusted price on July 14, 2015.

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

 

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of The Kroger Co. should be read in conjunction with the “Forward-looking Statements” section set forth in Part I, the “Risk Factors” section set forth in Item 1A of Part I and the “Outlook” section below.

 

OUR BUSINESS

 

The Kroger Co. was founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1902.  As of February 2, 2019, Kroger is one of the world’s largest retailers, as measured by revenue, operating 2,764 supermarkets under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia.  Of these stores, 2,270 have pharmacies and 1,537 have fuel centers.  We offer Pickup (also referred to as ClickList®) and Harris Teeter ExpressLane™ — personalized, order online, pick up at the store services — at 1,581 of our supermarkets and provide home delivery service to 91% of Kroger households.  We also operate an online retailer.

 

We operate 37 food production plants, primarily bakeries and dairies, which supply approximately 32% of Our Brands units and 43% of the grocery category Our Brands units sold in our supermarkets; the remaining Our Brands items are produced to our strict specifications by outside manufacturers.    

 

Our revenues are predominately earned and cash is generated as consumer products are sold to customers in our stores, fuel centers and via our online platforms.  We earn income predominately by selling products at price levels that produce revenues in excess of the costs we incur to make these products available to our customers.  Such costs include procurement and distribution costs, facility occupancy and operational costs, and overhead expenses.  Our retail operations, which represent 97% of our consolidated sales, is our only reportable segment.

 

On June 22, 2018, we closed our merger with Home Chef by purchasing 100% of the ownership interest in Home Chef, for $197 million net of cash and cash equivalents of $30 million, in addition to future earnout payments of up to $500 million over five years that are contingent on achieving certain milestones.  Home Chef is included in our ending Consolidated Balance Sheet for 2018 and in our Consolidated Statements of Operations from June 22, 2018 through February 2, 2019.

 

On April 20, 2018, we completed the sale of our convenience store business unit for $2.2 billion.  The convenience store business is included in our ending Consolidated Balance Sheet for 2017 and in our Consolidated Statements of Operations in all periods in 2016 and 2017 and through April 19, 2018.

 

On September 2, 2016, we closed our merger with Modern HC Holdings, Inc. (“ModernHEALTH”) by purchasing 100% of the outstanding shares of ModernHEALTH for $407 million.  ModernHEALTH is included in our ending Consolidated Balance Sheet for 2016, 2017 and 2018 and in our Consolidated Statements of Operations from September 2, 2016 through January 28, 2017 and all periods in 2017 and 2018.

 

See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information related to our mergers with Home Chef and ModernHEALTH.

 

USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES 

   

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, including the related notes, are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). We provide non-GAAP measures, including First-In, First-Out (“FIFO”) gross margin, FIFO operating profit, adjusted operating net earnings, adjusted operating net earnings per diluted share and Restock cash flow because management believes these metrics are useful to investors and analysts.  These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to gross margin, operating profit, net earnings, net earnings per diluted share and net cash provided or used by operating or investing activities or any other GAAP measure of performance.  These measures should not be reviewed in isolation or considered as a substitute for our financial results as reported in accordance with GAAP.  

We calculate FIFO gross margin as FIFO gross profit divided by sales. FIFO gross profit is calculated as sales less merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation expenses, but excluding the Last-In, First-Out (“LIFO”) charge. Merchandise costs exclude depreciation and rent expenses. FIFO gross margin is an important measure used by management as management believes FIFO gross margin is a useful metric to investors and analysts because it measures our day-to-day merchandising and operational effectiveness.

 

We calculate FIFO operating profit as operating profit excluding the LIFO charge. FIFO operating profit is an important measure used by management as management believes FIFO operating profit is a useful metric to investors and analysts because it measures our day-to-day operational effectiveness. 

   

The adjusted operating net earnings and adjusted operating net earnings per diluted share metrics are important measures used by management to compare the performance of core operating results between periods. We believe adjusted operating net earnings and adjusted operating net earnings per diluted share are useful metrics to investors and analysts because they present more accurate year-over-year comparisons for our net earnings and net earnings per diluted share because adjusted items are not the result of our normal operations.  Net earnings for 2018 include the following, which we define as the “2018 Adjusted Items:”

 

 

 

 

Net earnings for 2017 include the following, which we define as the “2017 Adjusted Items:”

 

 

 

 

 

In addition, net earnings for 2017 include $119 million, $79 million net of tax, due to a 53rd week in fiscal year 2017 (the “Extra Week”).

 

Net earnings for 2016 include $111 million, $71 million net of tax, of charges to OG&A related to the restructuring of certain pension obligations to help stabilize associates’ future benefits (the “2016 Adjusted Items”).

OVERVIEW 

   

Notable items for 2018 are:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. to adjusted operating net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. and a reconciliation of net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share to adjusted operating net earnings attributable to The Kroger Co. per diluted common share, excluding the 2018, 2017 and 2016 Adjusted Items.

 

Net Earnings per Diluted Share excluding the Adjusted Items

($ in millions, except per share amounts)

 

Net Earnings per Diluted Share excluding the Adjusted Items (continued)

($ in millions, except per share amounts)

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Sales

 

Total Sales

($ in millions)

 

Total sales decreased in 2018, compared to 2017, by 1.2%.  The decrease in total sales in 2018, compared to 2017, is due to the Extra Week in 2017, partially offset by the increase in 2018 sales, compared to 2017 adjusted sales.  Total sales increased in 2018, compared to 2017 adjusted sales, by 0.6%.  This increase was primarily due to our increases in total sales to retail customers without fuel and supermarket fuel sales, partially offset by a reduction in convenience store sales due to the sale of our convenience store business unit.  The increase in total sales to retail customers without fuel for 2018, compared to 2017 adjusted sales to retail customers without fuel, was primarily due to our merger with Home Chef and our identical sales increase, excluding fuel, of 1.8%.  Identical sales, excluding fuel, for 2018, compared to 2017, increased primarily due to changes in product mix, including higher quality products at a higher price point, and Kroger Specialty Pharmacy sales growth, partially offset by our continued investments in lower prices for our customers. Total supermarket fuel sales increased 15.5% in 2018, compared to 2017 adjusted supermarket fuel sales, primarily due to an increase in the average retail fuel price of 13.6% and an increase in fuel gallons sold of 1.5%. The increase in the average retail fuel price was caused by an increase in the product cost of fuel.

Total sales increased in 2017, compared to 2016, by 6.4%.  The increase in total sales in 2017, compared to 2016, is due to the increase in adjusted sales and the Extra Week.  Total adjusted sales increased in 2017, compared to 2016, by 4.4%.  This increase was primarily due to our increases in total sales to retail customers without fuel and supermarket fuel sales.  The increase in total sales to retail customers without fuel for 2017, adjusted for the Extra Week, compared to 2016, was primarily due to our merger with ModernHEALTH, identical sales increase, excluding fuel, of 0.9%, and an increase in supermarket square footage.  Identical sales, excluding fuel, for 2017, compared to 2016, increased primarily due to an increase in the number of households shopping with us, changes in product mix, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy sales growth and product cost inflation of 0.7%, partially offset by our continued investments in lower prices for our customers.  Excluding mergers, acquisitions and operational closings, total supermarket square footage at the end of 2017 increased 1.9% over the end of 2016.  Total adjusted supermarket fuel sales increased 14.4% in 2017, compared to 2016, primarily due to an increase in the average retail fuel price of 12.3% and an increase in fuel gallons sold of 1.9%.  The increase in the average retail fuel price was caused by an increase in the product cost of fuel.

 

We calculate identical sales, excluding fuel, as sales to retail customers, including sales from all departments at identical supermarket locations, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy businesses and ship-to-home solutions. We define a supermarket as identical when it has been in operation without expansion or relocation for five full quarters. Additionally, sales from all acquired businesses are treated as identical as if they were part of the Company in the prior year. Although identical sales is a relatively standard term, numerous methods exist for calculating identical sales growth. As a result, the method used by our management to calculate identical sales may differ from methods other companies use to calculate identical sales. We urge you to understand the methods used by other companies to calculate identical sales before comparing our identical sales to those of other such companies. Certain pharmacy fees recorded as a reduction of sales have been comparatively reflected in the identical sales calculation. Our identical sales results are summarized in the following table. We used the identical sales dollar figures presented below to calculate percentage changes for 2018.

 

Identical Sales

($ in millions)

 

 

Gross Margin, LIFO and FIFO Gross Margin

 

We define gross margin as sales minus merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation. Rent expense, depreciation and amortization expense, and interest expense are not included in gross margin.

 

Our gross margin rates, as a percentage of sales, were 21.68% in 2018, 22.01% in 2017 and 22.40% in 2016.  The decrease in 2018, compared to 2017, resulted primarily from continued investments in lower prices for our customers, a higher LIFO charge, a change in product sales mix and increased transportation and advertising costs, as a percentage of sales, partially offset by growth in Our Brands products which have a higher gross margin compared to national brand products, improved merchandise costs, decreased shrink, as a percentage of sales, and a higher gross margin rate on fuel sales.

 

The  decrease in 2017, compared to 2016, resulted primarily from continued investments in lower prices for our customers and our merger with ModernHEALTH due to its lower gross margin rate, and increased warehousing, transportation and shrink costs, as a percentage of sales, partially offset by improved merchandise costs, a lower LIFO charge, a change in our product sales mix, including higher gross margin perishable departments growing their percentage share of sales to total sales, growth in Our Brands products which have a higher gross margin compared to national brand products, decreased advertising costs, as a percentage of sales, and a higher gross margin rate on fuel sales. 

Our LIFO charge for 2018 was $29 million, compared to a LIFO credit of $8 million in 2017 and a LIFO charge of $19 million in 2016.  In 2018, our LIFO charge primarily resulted from annualized product cost inflation, primarily related to pharmacy.  Our LIFO credit in 2017 was primarily due to a reduction of pharmacy inventory in 2017 compared to 2016.  In 2016, our LIFO charge primarily resulted from annualized product cost inflation related to pharmacy, and was partially offset by annualized product cost deflation in other departments.    

 

Our FIFO gross margin rates, which exclude the LIFO charges and credit, were 21.70% in 2018, 22.01% in 2017 and 22.42% in 2016.  Our fuel sales lower our FIFO gross margin rate due to the very low FIFO gross margin rate, as a percentage of sales, of fuel sales compared to non-fuel sales.  Excluding the effect of fuel and the Extra Week, our FIFO gross margin rate decreased 55 basis points in 2018, compared to 2017. This decrease resulted primarily from our lower gross margin rate, excluding the effect of the LIFO charge and fuel, which has been described above.

 

Excluding the effect of fuel, the Extra Week and ModernHEALTH, our FIFO gross margin rate decreased 19 basis points in 2017, compared to 2016.  This decrease resulted primarily from our lower gross margin rate, excluding the effect of the LIFO credit and charge, fuel and ModernHEALTH which has been described above.

 

Operating, General and Administrative Expenses

 

OG&A expenses consist primarily of employee-related costs such as wages, healthcare benefit costs and retirement plan costs; and utility and credit card fees.  Certain other income items are classified as a reduction of OG&A expenses. These items include gift card and lottery commissions, coupon processing and vending machine fees, check cashing, money order and wire transfer fees, and baled salvage credits.  Rent expense, depreciation and amortization expense, and interest expense are not included in OG&A.

 

OG&A expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 16.76% in 2018, 17.15% in 2017 and 16.61% in 2016.  The decrease in 2018, compared to 2017 resulted primarily from effective cost controls due to process changes, decreased utilities, the 2017 OG&A Adjusted Items, and our incremental contribution of $111 million, $69 million net of tax, to the United Food and Commercial Workers (“UFCW”) Consolidated Pension Plan in 2017 (“2017 UFCW Contribution”), partially offset by the 2018 OG&A Adjusted Items, investments in our digital strategy and increased incentive plan costs. Our fuel sales lower our OG&A rate, as a percentage of sales, due to the very low OG&A rate, as a percentage of sales, of fuel sales compared to non-fuel sales.  Excluding the effect of fuel, the Extra Week, the 2018 OG&A Adjusted Items, the 2017 OG&A Adjusted Items, and the 2017 UFCW Contribution, our OG&A rate increased 14 basis points in 2018, compared to 2017. This increase resulted primarily from investments in our digital strategy and increased incentive plan costs, partially offset by effective cost controls due to process changes and decreased utilities.

 

The increase in 2017, compared to 2016, resulted primarily from the 2017 OG&A Adjusted Items, investing in our digital strategy, increases in store wages attributed to investing in incremental labor hours and higher wages to improve retention, employee engagement and customer experience, the 2017 UFCW Contribution, increases in incentive plan and healthcare costs, partially offset by savings from the VRO, effective cost controls, higher fuel sales, the 2016 Adjusted Items and our merger with ModernHEALTH due to its lower OG&A rate, as a percentage of sales.  Excluding the effect of fuel, the Extra Week, the 2017 UFCW Contribution, the 2017 OG&A and 2016 Adjusted Items and ModernHEALTH, our OG&A rate increased 21 basis points in 2017, compared to 2016.  This increase resulted primarily from investing in our digital strategy, increases in store wages attributed to investing in incremental labor hours and higher wages to improve retention, employee engagement and customer experience, increases in incentive plan and healthcare costs, partially offset by savings from the VRO and effective cost controls.

 

Rent Expense

 

Rent expense decreased, as a percentage of sales, in 2018 compared to 2017, due to decreased closed store liabilities.  Rent expense decreased as a percentage of sales in 2017, compared to 2016, due to our continued emphasis on owning rather than leasing, whenever possible, and higher fuel sales, which decreases our rent expense, as a percentage of sales, partially offset by increased closed store liabilities.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased as a percentage of sales in 2018, compared to 2017, due to the Extra Week and additional depreciation on capital investments, excluding mergers and lease buyouts, of $3.0 billion, during 2018, partially offset by higher fuel sales, which decreases our depreciation expense as a percentage of sales.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased as a percentage of sales in 2017, compared to 2016, due to higher fuel sales, which decreases our depreciation expense as a percentage of sales, the Extra Week and the 2017 Depreciation Adjusted Item, partially offset by additional depreciation on capital investments, excluding mergers and lease buyouts, of $3.0 billion, during 2017.

 

Operating Profit and FIFO Operating Profit

 

Operating profit was $2.6 billion in 2018, $2.6 billion in 2017 and $3.5 billion in 2016.  Operating profit, as a percentage of sales, was 2.16% in 2018, 2.13% in 2017 and 2.99% in 2016.  Operating profit, as a percentage of sales, increased 3 basis points in 2018, compared to 2017, due to decreased OG&A and rent expenses, as a percentage of sales, partially offset by a lower gross margin rate, increased depreciation and amortization expenses and a higher LIFO charge, as a percentage of sales.

 

Operating profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased 86 basis points in 2017, compared to 2016, due to a lower gross margin and increased OG&A expense, as a percentage of sales, partially offset by lower depreciation and amortization and rent expenses and a lower LIFO charge, as a percentage of sales.

 

FIFO operating profit was $2.6 billion in 2018, $2.6 billion in 2017 and $3.5 billion in 2016.  FIFO operating profit, as a percentage of sales, was 2.18% in 2018, 2.12% in 2017 and 3.01% in 2016.  Fuel sales lower our operating profit rate due to the very low operating profit rate, as a percentage of sales, of fuel sales compared to non-fuel sales.  FIFO operating profit, as a percentage of sales excluding fuel, the Extra Week, the 2017 UFCW Contribution and the 2018 and 2017 Adjusted Items, decreased 68 basis points in 2018, compared to 2017, due to a lower gross margin and increased OG&A and depreciation and amortization expenses, as a percentage of sales, partially offset by lower rent expense, as a percentage of sales.

 

FIFO operating profit, as a percentage of sales excluding fuel, the Extra Week, the 2017 UFCW Contribution, the 2017 and 2016 Adjusted Items and ModernHEALTH, decreased 45 basis points in 2017, compared to 2016, due to a lower gross margin and increased OG&A and depreciation and amortization expenses, as a percentage of sales. 

 

Specific factors of the above operating trends under operating profit and FIFO operating profit are discussed earlier in this section. 

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense totaled $620 million in 2018, $601 million in 2017 and $522 million in 2016.  The increase in interest expense in 2018, compared to 2017, resulted primarily from a higher weighted average interest rate.  The increase in interest expense in 2017, compared to 2016, resulted primarily from additional borrowings used for share repurchases, the Extra Week, the $1.2 billion we contributed to company-sponsored and company-managed pension plans in 2017, a $467 million pre-tax payment to satisfy withdrawal obligations for certain local unions of the Central States Pension Fund, partially offset by a lower weighted average interest rate.

Income Taxes

 

Our effective income tax rate was 22.6% in 2018, (27.3)% in 2017 and 32.8% in 2016.  The 2018 tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to the effect of state income taxes and an IRS audit that resulted in a reduction of prior year tax deductions at pre-Tax Act rates and an increase in future tax deductions at post-Tax Act rates. These 2018 items were partially offset by the utilization of tax credits and deductions, the remeasurement of uncertain tax positions and adjustments to provisional amounts that increased prior year deductions at pre-Tax Act rates and decreased future deductions at post-Tax Act rates.  The 2017 tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily as a result of remeasuring deferred taxes due to the Tax Act, the Domestic Manufacturing Deduction and other changes, partially offset by non-deducible goodwill impairment charges and the effect of state income taxes.  The 2016 tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily as a result of the recognition of excess tax benefits related to share-based payments after the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, the utilization of tax credits, the Domestic Manufacturing Deduction and other changes, partially offset by the effect of state income taxes.

 

Net Earnings and Net Earnings Per Diluted Share

 

Our net earnings are based on the factors discussed in the Results of Operations section.

 

Net earnings of $3.76 per diluted share in 2018 represented an increase of 79.9% from net earnings of $2.09 per diluted share in 2017.  Adjusted operating net earnings of $2.11 per diluted share in 2018 represented an increase of 8.2% from adjusted operating net earnings of $1.95 per diluted share in 2017.  The 8.2% increase in adjusted operating net earnings per diluted share resulted primarily from lower income tax expense, higher fuel earnings and lower weighted average common shares outstanding due to common share repurchases, partially offset by lower non-fuel FIFO operating profit, a higher LIFO charge and increased interest expense.

 

Net earnings of $2.09 per diluted share in 2017 represented an increase of 2.0% from net earnings of $2.05 per diluted share in 2016. Adjusted operating net earnings of $1.95 per diluted share in 2017 represented a decrease of 8.0% from adjusted operating net earnings of $2.12 per diluted share in 2016. The 8.0% decrease in adjusted operating net earnings per diluted share resulted primarily from lower non-fuel FIFO operating profit and increased interest expense, partially offset by higher fuel earnings, a lower LIFO charge, decreased income tax expense and lower weighted average common shares outstanding due to common share repurchases.

 

COMMON SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAMS

 

We maintain share repurchase programs that comply with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and allow for the orderly repurchase of our common shares, from time to time.  The share repurchase programs do not have an expiration date but may be suspended or terminated by our Board of Directors at any time.  We made open market purchases of our common shares totaling $727 million in 2018, $1.6 billion in 2017 and $1.7 billion in 2016.  On April 20, 2018, we entered and funded a $1.2 billion ASR program to reacquire shares in privately negotiated transactions. 

 

In addition to these repurchase programs, we also repurchase common shares to reduce dilution resulting from our employee stock option plans.  This program is solely funded by proceeds from stock option exercises, and the tax benefit from these exercises.  We repurchased approximately $83 million in 2018, $66 million in 2017 and $105 million in 2016 of our common shares under the stock option program.

 

The shares repurchased in 2018 were reacquired under two separate share repurchase programs.  The first is a series of Board of Director authorizations:  

 

 

 

As of February 2, 2019, there was $546 million remaining under the March 2018 Repurchase Program.

 

The second share repurchase program is a program that uses the cash proceeds from the exercises of stock options by participants in Kroger’s stock option, long-term incentive plans and the associated tax benefits.

 

During the first quarter through March 28, 2019, we repurchased an additional $9 million of our common shares under the stock option program and no additional shares under the March 2018 Repurchase Program.  As of March 28, 2019, we have $546 million remaining under the March 2018 Repurchase Program.

 

CAPITAL INVESTMENTS

 

Capital investments, including changes in construction-in-progress payables and excluding mergers and the purchase of leased facilities, totaled $3.0 billion in 2018, $3.0 billion in 2017 and $3.7 billion in 2016.  Capital investments for mergers totaled $197 million in 2018, $16 million in 2017 and $401 million in 2016.  We merged with Home Chef in 2018 and ModernHEALTH in 2016.  Refer to Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on these mergers.  Capital investments for the purchase of leased facilities totaled $5 million in 2018, $13 million in 2017 and $5 million in 2016.  The table below shows our supermarket storing activity and our total supermarket square footage:

 

Supermarket Storing Activity

 

 

RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL

 

We calculate return on invested capital (“ROIC”) by dividing adjusted operating profit for the prior four quarters by the average invested capital.  Adjusted operating profit is calculated by excluding certain items included in operating profit, and adding back our LIFO charge, depreciation and amortization and rent to our U.S. GAAP operating profit of the prior four quarters.  Average invested capital is calculated as the sum of (i) the average of our total assets, (ii) the average LIFO reserve, (iii) the average accumulated depreciation and amortization and (iv) a rent factor equal to total rent for the last four quarters multiplied by a factor of eight; minus (i) the average taxes receivable, (ii) the average trade accounts payable, (iii) the average accrued salaries and wages, (iv) the average other current liabilities, excluding accrued income taxes and (v) the average liabilities held for sale.  Averages are calculated for ROIC by adding the beginning balance of the first quarter and the ending balance of the fourth quarter, of the last four quarters, and dividing by two.  We use a factor of eight for our total rent as we believe this is a common factor used by our investors, analysts and rating agencies.  ROIC is a non-GAAP financial measure of performance.  ROIC should not be reviewed in isolation or considered as a substitute for our financial results as reported in accordance with GAAP.  ROIC is an important measure used by management to evaluate our investment returns on capital.  Management believes ROIC is a useful metric to investors and analysts because it measures how effectively we are deploying our assets.

 

Although ROIC is a relatively standard financial term, numerous methods exist for calculating a company’s ROIC.  As a result, the method used by our management to calculate ROIC may differ from methods other companies use to calculate their ROIC.  We urge you to understand the methods used by other companies to calculate their ROIC before comparing our ROIC to that of such other companies.

The following table provides a calculation of ROIC for 2018 and 2017 on a 52 week basis ($ in millions).  The 2018 calculation of ROIC excludes the financial position and results of operations of Home Chef, due to the merger in 2018, and the convenience store business, due to the sale in 2018.

 

 

RESTOCK CASH FLOW

 

Restock cash flow is an adjusted free cash flow measure calculated as net cash provided by operating activities minus net cash used by investing activities plus or minus adjustments for certain items.  We updated our definition of Restock cash flow during 2018 to more closely align with the performance metrics under our Restock Kroger plan. Restock cash flow is an important measure used by management to evaluate available funding for dividends, managing debt levels, share repurchases and other strategic investments.  Management believes Restock cash flow is a useful metric to investors and analysts to demonstrate our available funding for dividends, managing debt levels, share repurchases and other strategic investments.

The following table provides a calculation of Restock cash flow for 2018 and 2017 ($ in millions).

 

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

We have chosen accounting policies that we believe are appropriate to report accurately and fairly our operating results and financial position, and we apply those accounting policies in a consistent manner.  Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities.  We base our estimates on historical experience and other factors we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

We believe the following accounting policies are the most critical in the preparation of our financial statements because they involve the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

 

Impairments of Long-Lived Assets

 

We monitor the carrying value of long-lived assets for potential impairment each quarter based on whether certain triggering events have occurred.  These events include current period losses combined with a history of losses or a projection of continuing losses or a significant decrease in the market value of an asset.  When a triggering event occurs, we perform an impairment calculation, comparing projected undiscounted cash flows, utilizing current cash flow information and expected growth rates related to specific stores, to the carrying value for those stores.  If we identify impairment for long-lived assets to be held and used, we compare the assets’ current carrying value to the assets’ fair value.  Fair value is determined based on market values or discounted future cash flows.  We record impairment when the carrying value exceeds fair market value.  With respect to owned property and equipment held for disposal, we adjust the value of the property and equipment to reflect recoverable values based on our previous efforts to dispose of similar assets and current economic conditions.  We recognize impairment for the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair market value, reduced by estimated direct costs of disposal.  We recorded asset impairments in the normal course of business totaling $56 million in 2018, $71 million in 2017 and $26 million in 2016.  We record costs to reduce the carrying value of long-lived assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as “Operating, general and administrative” expense.

 

The factors that most significantly affect the impairment calculation are our estimates of future cash flows.  Our cash flow projections look several years into the future and include assumptions on variables such as inflation, the economy and market competition.  Application of alternative assumptions and definitions, such as reviewing long-lived assets for impairment at a different level, could produce significantly different results.

Business Combinations

 

We account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting.  All the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests are recorded at their respective fair values at the date of acquisition once we obtain control of an entity. The determination of fair values of identifiable assets and liabilities involves estimates and the use of valuation techniques when market value is not readily available.  We use various techniques to determine fair value in such instances, primarily including the income approach.  Significant estimates used in determining fair value include, but are not limited to, the amount and timing of future cash flows, growth rates, discount rates and useful lives. The excess of the purchase price over fair values of identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill.  See Note 3 for further information about goodwill.

 

Goodwill

 

Our goodwill totaled $3.1 billion as of February 2, 2019.  We review goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter of each year, and also upon the occurrence of triggering events.  We perform reviews of each of our operating divisions and other consolidated entities (collectively, “reporting units”) that have goodwill balances.  Generally, fair value is determined using a multiple of earnings, or discounted projected future cash flows, and we compare fair value to the carrying value of a reporting unit for purposes of identifying potential impairment.  We base projected future cash flows on management’s knowledge of the current operating environment and expectations for the future.  We recognize goodwill impairment for any excess of a reporting unit's carrying value over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.

 

Our annual evaluation of goodwill is performed for our reporting units during the fourth quarter.  In 2017, we recorded goodwill impairment for our Kroger Specialty Pharmacy (“KSP”) reporting unit totaling $110 million, $74 million net of tax, resulting in a remaining goodwill balance of $243 million.  The 2018 fair value of our KSP reporting unit was estimated primarily based on a discounted cash flow model resulting in a percentage of excess fair value over carrying value of approximately 3%.  The annual evaluation of goodwill performed in 2018 and 2016 did not result in impairment for any of our reporting units.  Based on current and future expected cash flows, we believe additional goodwill impairments are not reasonably likely.  A 10% reduction in fair value of our reporting units would not indicate a potential for impairment of our goodwill balance except for our KSP reporting unit.  

 

For additional information relating to our results of the goodwill impairment reviews performed during 2018, 2017 and 2016, see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The impairment review requires the extensive use of management judgment and financial estimates.  Application of alternative estimates and assumptions could produce significantly different results.  The cash flow projections embedded in our goodwill impairment reviews can be affected by several factors such as inflation, business valuations in the market, the economy, market competition and our ability to successfully integrate recently acquired businesses.

 

Multi-Employer Pension Plans

 

We contribute to various multi-employer pension plans based on obligations arising from collective bargaining agreements.  These multi-employer pension plans provide retirement benefits to participants based on their service to contributing employers.  The benefits are paid from assets held in trust for that purpose.  Trustees are appointed in equal number by employers and unions.  The trustees typically are responsible for determining the level of benefits to be provided to participants as well as for such matters as the investment of the assets and the administration of the plans.

 

We recognize expense in connection with these plans as contributions are funded or when commitments are probable and reasonably estimable, in accordance with GAAP.  We made cash contributions to these plans of $358 million in 2018, $954 million in 2017 and $289 million in 2016.  The increase in 2017, compared to 2018 and 2016 is due to the $467 million pre-tax payment we made in 2017 to satisfy withdrawal obligations for certain local unions of the Central States Pension Fund and the 2017 UFCW Contribution.

We continue to evaluate and address our potential exposure to under-funded multi-employer pension plans as it relates to our associates who are beneficiaries of these plans.  These under-fundings are not our liability.  When an opportunity arises that is economically feasible and beneficial to us and our associates, we may negotiate the restructuring of under-funded multi-employer pension plan obligations to help stabilize associates’ future benefits and become the fiduciary of the restructured multi-employer pension plan.  The commitments from these restructurings do not change our debt profile as it relates to our credit rating since these off-balance sheet commitments are typically considered in our investment grade debt rating.  We are currently designated as the named fiduciary of the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (“IBT”) Consolidated Pension Fund and have sole investment authority over these assets.  We became the fiduciary of the IBT Consolidated Pension Fund in 2017 due to the ratification of a new labor contract with the IBT that provided for the withdrawal of certain local unions from the Central States Pension Fund.  Significant effects of these restructuring agreements recorded in our Consolidated Financial Statements are:

 

 

 

 

 

As we continue to work to find solutions to under-funded multi-employer pension plans, it is possible we could incur withdrawal liabilities for certain funds.  

 

Based on the most recent information available to us, we believe that the present value of actuarially accrued liabilities in most of the multi-employer plans to which we contribute substantially exceeds the value of the assets held in trust to pay benefits.  We have attempted to estimate the amount by which these liabilities exceed the assets, (i.e., the amount of underfunding), as of December 31, 2018.  Because we are only one of a number of employers contributing to these plans, we also have attempted to estimate the ratio of our contributions to the total of all contributions to these plans in a year as a way of assessing our “share” of the underfunding.  Nonetheless, the underfunding is not a direct obligation or liability of ours or of any employer. 

 

As of December 31, 2018, we estimate our share of the underfunding of multi-employer pension plans to which we contribute, or as it relates to certain funds, an estimated withdrawal liability, was approximately $3.1 billion, $2.4 billion net of tax.  This represents an increase in the estimated amount of underfunding of approximately $800 million, $600 million net of tax, as of December 31, 2018, compared to December 31, 2017.  The increase in the amount of underfunding is primarily attributable to lower expected returns on assets in the funds.  Our estimate is based on the most current information available to us including actuarial evaluations and other data (that include the estimates of others), and such information may be outdated or otherwise unreliable.

 

We have made and disclosed this estimate not because, except as noted above, this underfunding is a direct liability of ours.  Rather, we believe the underfunding is likely to have important consequences.  In the event we were to exit certain markets or otherwise cease making contributions to these plans, we could trigger a substantial withdrawal liability. Any adjustment for withdrawal liability will be recorded when it is probable that a liability exists and can be reasonably estimated, in accordance with GAAP.

The amount of underfunding described above is an estimate and could change based on contract negotiations, returns on the assets held in the multi-employer pension plans, benefit payments or future restructuring agreements.  The amount could decline, and our future expense would be favorably affected, if the values of the assets held in the trust significantly increase or if further changes occur through collective bargaining, trustee action or favorable legislation.  On the other hand, our share of the underfunding could increase and our future expense could be adversely affected if the asset values decline, if employers currently contributing to these funds cease participation or if changes occur through collective bargaining, trustee action or adverse legislation.  We continue to evaluate our potential exposure to under-funded multi-employer pension plans.  Although these liabilities are not a direct obligation or liability of ours, any commitments to fund certain multi-employer pension plans will be expensed when our commitment is probable and an estimate can be made.

 

See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information relating to our participation in these multi-employer pension plans.

 

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

During the fourth quarter of 2017, we adopted ASU 2017-04 "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.”  ASU 2017-04 simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step from the goodwill impairment test. ASU 2017-04 requires applying a one-step quantitative test and recording the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of the reporting unit's carrying value over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 does not amend the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment.  We performed our annual evaluation of goodwill in accordance with this standard, which resulted in a goodwill impairment charge in 2017 of $110 million, $74 million net of tax, related to our Kroger Specialty Pharmacy reporting unit.

 

On February 4, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” which superseded previous revenue recognition guidance. Topic 606 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue when goods and services are transferred to the customer in an amount that is proportionate to what has been delivered at that point and that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled for those goods or services. We adopted the standard using a modified retrospective approach with the adoption primarily involving the evaluation of whether we act as principal or agent in certain vendor arrangements where the purchase and sale of inventory are virtually simultaneous. We will continue to record revenue and related costs on a gross basis for the arrangements. The adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Statements of Operations, Consolidated Balance Sheets or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standard’s Board (“FASB”) issued ASU "Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (ASU 2017-07).” ASU 2017-07 requires an employer to report the service cost component of retiree benefits in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. We adopted ASU 2017-07 on February 4, 2018 and retrospectively applied it to all periods presented. As a result, retiree benefit plan interest expense, investment returns, settlements and other non-service cost components of retiree benefit expenses are excluded from our operating profit subtotal as reported in our Consolidated Statements of Operations, but remain included in net earnings before income tax expense.  Due to the adoption, we reclassified $527 million for 2017 and $16 million for 2016, of non-service company-sponsored pension plan costs from operating profit to other income (expense) on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Information about retiree benefit plans' interest expense, investment returns and other components of retiree benefit expenses can be found in Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued “Financial Instruments–Overall (Topic 825),” which updates certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments (ASU 2016-01). We adopted this ASU on February 4, 2018.  As a result of the adoption, we recorded a mark to market gain on Ocado securities, for those securities we owned as of the end of 2018, within the Consolidated Statements of Operations as opposed to a component of Other Comprehensive Income on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” which provides guidance for the recognition of lease agreements. The standard’s core principle is that a company will now recognize most leases on its balance sheet as lease liabilities with corresponding right-of-use assets. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. This guidance will be effective for us in the first quarter of our fiscal year ending February 1, 2020. We will apply the transition package of practical expedients permitted within the standard, which allows us to carryforward our historical lease classification, and will apply the transition option which does not require application of the guidance to comparative periods in the year of adoption.  We estimate adoption of the standard will result in recognition of right of use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $6.7 billion as of February 3, 2019.  When combined with our existing capital leases, our total lease assets will be approximately $7.4 billion and our total lease liabilities will be approximately $7.6 billion as of February 3, 2019.  We do not expect adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated net earnings or cash flows.  We believe our current off-balance sheet leasing commitments are reflected in our investment grade debt rating.

 

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” ASU 2018-02 amends ASC 220, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income,” to allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In addition, under ASU 2018-02, we may be required to provide certain disclosures regarding stranded tax effects. ASU 2018-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect of this standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Cash Flow Information

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

We generated $4.2 billion of cash from operations in 2018, compared to $3.4 billion in 2017 and $4.3 billion in 2016.  The increase in net cash provided by operating activities in 2018, compared to 2017, resulted primarily from an increase in net earnings including noncontrolling interests, a decrease in the non-cash adjustment for deferred income taxes, positive changes in working capital and reduced contributions to the company sponsored pension plans, partially offset by non-cash adjustments for the expense for company-sponsored pension plans, the gain on sale of our convenience store business unit and the mark to market gain on Ocado securities. 

 

The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities in 2017, compared to 2016, resulted primarily from a decrease in net earnings including noncontrolling interests, the $1.0 billion contribution to the company-sponsored defined benefit plans and deferred taxes, partially offset by an increase in non-cash expenses and changes in working capital.  Deferred taxes changed in 2017, compared to 2016, as a result of remeasuring deferred taxes due to the Tax Act.  

 

Cash provided (used) by operating activities for changes in working capital was $580 million in 2018, ($164) million in 2017 and ($492) million in 2016.  The increase in cash provided by operating activities for changes in working capital in 2018, compared to 2017, was primarily due to the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The decrease in cash used by operating activities for changes in working capital in 2017, compared to 2016, was primarily due to the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for taxes increased in 2018, compared to 2017, primarily due to the payment of estimated taxes on the gain on sale of our convenience store business unit and lower estimated tax payments in 2017 due to the $1 billion, $650 million net of tax, pension contribution made in 2017.

 

Net cash used by investing activities

 

Cash used by investing activities was $1.2 billion in 2018, $2.7 billion in 2017 and $3.9 billion in 2016.  The amount of cash used by investing activities decreased in 2018 compared to 2017 primarily due to the net proceeds from the sale of our convenience store business unit, partially offset by the payment for our merger with Home Chef and the purchases of Ocado securities.  The amount of cash used by investing activities decreased in 2017 compared to 2016 primarily due to reduced cash payments for capital investments and lower payments for mergers.  

 

Net cash used by financing activities

 

Cash used by financing activities was $2.9 billion in 2018, $681 million in 2017 and $352 million in 2016.  The increase in the amount of cash used for financing activities in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily due to increased payments on long-term debt and commercial paper and increased share repurchases, partially offset by an increase in proceeds from issuance of long-term debt. We used a portion of the proceeds from the sale of our convenience store business unit to pay down outstanding commercial paper borrowings and fund a $1.2 billion ASR program, which was completed in the second quarter of 2018.  The increase in the amount of cash used for financing activities in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily due to lower net long-term borrowings, partially offset by lower treasury stock purchases and higher net commercial paper borrowings.     

 

Debt Management

 

Total debt, including both the current and long-term portions of capital leases and lease-financing obligations, decreased $360 million to $15.2 billion as of year-end 2018 compared to 2017. The decrease in 2018, compared to 2017, resulted primarily from net payments on commercial paper borrowings of $1.3 billion and payments of $1.3 billion on maturing long-term debt obligations, partially offset by the issuance of (i) $600 million of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 4.50%, (ii) $600 million of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 5.40% and (iii) our $1.0 billion term loan that has a variable interest rate. The variable interest rate on the term loan was 3.37% as of February 2, 2019.  The combined $1.2 billion senior notes issuance has a higher weighted average interest rate than the $1.3 billion maturing long-term debt obligations it replaced.  As a result, we expect a higher weighted average interest rate in 2019 which may contribute to increased interest expense. The sale of our convenience store business unit allowed us to pay down debt and fund our ASR program.

Total debt, including both the current and long-term portions of capital lease and lease-financing obligations, increased $1.5 billion to $15.6 billion as of year-end 2017 compared to 2016.  The increase in 2017, compared to 2016, resulted from the issuance of (i) $400 million of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 2.80%, (ii) $600 million of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 3.70%, (iii) $500 million of senior notes bearing an interest rate of 4.65% and (iv) increases in commercial paper borrowings, partially offset by payments of $700 million on maturing long-term debt obligations.

 

Liquidity Needs

 

We estimate our liquidity needs over the next twelve-month period to approximate $6.4 billion, which includes anticipated requirements for working capital, capital investments, interest payments and scheduled principal payments of debt and commercial paper, offset by cash and temporary cash investments on hand at the end of 2018.  We generally operate with a working capital deficit due to our efficient use of cash in funding operations and because we have consistent access to the capital markets. Based on current operating trends, we believe that cash flows from operating activities and other sources of liquidity, including borrowings under our commercial paper program and bank credit facility, will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs for the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future beyond the next twelve months.  We have approximately $1.3 billion of senior notes, $800 million of commercial paper and the $1.0 billion term loan maturing in the next twelve months, which are included in the $6.4 billion of estimated liquidity needs.  We expect to satisfy these obligations using cash generated from operations, proceeds from the sale of our You Technology and Turkey Hill Dairy businesses and through issuing additional senior notes, a term loan or commercial paper.  On March 15, 2019, we repaid our $1.0 billion term loan through increased commercial paper borrowings, which have a lower interest rate.  We believe we have adequate coverage of our debt covenants to continue to maintain our current investment grade debt ratings and to respond effectively to competitive conditions.

 

Factors Affecting Liquidity

 

We can currently borrow on a daily basis approximately $2.75 billion under our commercial paper program.  At February 2, 2019, we had $800 million of commercial paper borrowings outstanding.  Commercial paper borrowings are backed by our credit facility, and reduce the amount we can borrow under the credit facility.  If our short-term credit ratings fall, the ability to borrow under our current commercial paper program could be adversely affected for a period of time and increase our interest cost on daily borrowings under our commercial paper program.  This could require us to borrow additional funds under the credit facility, under which we believe we have sufficient capacity.  However, in the event of a ratings decline, we do not anticipate that our borrowing capacity under our commercial paper program would be any lower than $500 million on a daily basis.  Although our ability to borrow under the credit facility is not affected by our credit rating, the interest cost and applicable margin on borrowings under the credit facility could be affected by a downgrade in our Public Debt Rating.  “Public Debt Rating” means, as of any date, the rating that has been most recently announced by either S&P or Moody’s, as the case may be, for any class of non-credit enhanced long-term senior unsecured debt issued by the Company.  As of March 28, 2019, we had $810 million of commercial paper borrowings outstanding. 

 

Our credit facility requires the maintenance of a Leverage Ratio and a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (our “financial covenants”).  A failure to maintain our financial covenants would impair our ability to borrow under the credit facility. These financial covenants are described below:

 

 

 

Our credit facility is more fully described in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  We were in compliance with our financial covenants at year-end 2018.

The tables below illustrate our significant contractual obligations and other commercial commitments, based on year of maturity or settlement, as of February 2, 2019 (in millions of dollars):

 

 

As of February 2, 2019, we maintained a $2.75 billion (with the ability to increase by $1 billion), unsecured revolving credit facility that, unless extended, terminates on August 29, 2022. Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility, the commercial paper borrowings, and some outstanding letters of credit, reduce funds available under the credit facility. As of February 2, 2019, we had $800 million of outstanding commercial paper and no borrowings under our revolving credit facility. The outstanding letters of credit that reduce funds available under our credit facility totaled $3 million as of February 2, 2019.

 

In addition to the available credit mentioned above, as of February 2, 2019, we had authorized for issuance $1.3 billion of securities remaining under a shelf registration statement filed with the SEC and effective on December 14, 2016.