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SpartanNash Co - Annual Report: 2019 (Form 10-K)

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 28, 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: 000-31127

 

SPARTANNASH COMPANY

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Michigan

 

38-0593940

(State or Other Jurisdiction) of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

850 76th Street, S.W.

P.O. Box 8700

Grand Rapids, Michigan

 

49518-8700

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (616) 878-2000

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

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, no par value

 

SPTN

 

NASDAQ Global Select Market

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

 

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes      No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes      No  

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).    Yes      No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or 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.

Large accelerated filer

 

 

Accelerated filer

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

 

Smaller reporting company

 

Emerging growth company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes      No  

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates based on the last sales price of such stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on July 14, 2019 (which was the last trading day of the registrant’s second quarter in the fiscal year ended December 28, 2019) was $410,841,351.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, no par value, as of February 25, 2020 was 36,348,831, all of one class.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14

  

Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting to be held May 20, 2020

 

 

 

 


 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

The matters discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in the Company’s press releases and in the Company’s website-accessible conference calls with analysts and investor presentations include “forward-looking statements” about the plans, strategies, objectives, goals or expectations of SpartanNash Company and subsidiaries (“SpartanNash” or the “Company”). These forward-looking statements are identifiable by words or phrases indicating that SpartanNash or management “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” or “estimates,” or that a particular occurrence or event “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” or “will likely” result, occur or be pursued or “continue” in the future, that the “outlook” or “trend” is toward a particular result or occurrence, that a development is an “opportunity,” “priority,” “strategy,” “focus,” that the Company is “positioned” for a particular result, or similarly stated expectations. Accounting estimates, such as those described under the heading “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are inherently forward-looking. The Company’s asset impairment and restructuring cost provisions are estimates and actual costs may be more or less than these estimates and differences may be material. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of the Annual Report, other report, release, presentation, or statement.

In addition to other risks and uncertainties described in connection with the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), there are many important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include general business conditions, changes in overall economic conditions that impact consumer spending, the Company’s ability to integrate acquired assets, the impact of competition and other factors which are often beyond the control of the Company, and other risks listed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” of this report and risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that the Company currently deems immaterial.

This section and the discussions contained in Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” and in Item 7, subheading “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in this report, both of which are incorporated here by reference, are intended to provide meaningful cautionary statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This should not be construed as a complete list of all of the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that could adversely affect the Company’s expected consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to SpartanNash or that SpartanNash currently believes are immaterial also may impair its business, operations, liquidity, financial condition and prospects. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements to reflect developments that occur or information obtained after the date of this Annual Report.

 

PART I

 

Item 1.  Business

Overview

SpartanNash Company (together with its subsidiaries, “SpartanNash” or the “Company”) is a Fortune 400 company whose core businesses include distributing grocery products to a diverse group of independent and chain retailers, its corporate owned retail stores, and U.S. military commissaries and exchanges. SpartanNash serves customer locations in all 50 United States (“U.S.”), the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Bahrain, Djibouti and Egypt. Through its Military segment, the Company is the exclusive worldwide supplier of private brand products to U.S. military commissaries. The Company’s Retail segment operates supermarkets that have a “neighborhood market” focus to distinguish them from supercenters and limited assortment stores. The Company operates three reportable segments: Food Distribution, Military and Retail.

The Company’s fiscal year end is the Saturday closest to December 31. The following discussion is as of and for the fiscal years ending or ended January 2, 2021 ("2020"), December 28, 2019 (“2019” or “current year”), December 29, 2018 (“2018” or “prior year”) and December 30, 2017 (“2017”), all of which include 52 weeks, with the exception of 2020, which will include 53 weeks. All fiscal quarters are 12 weeks, except for the Company’s first quarter, which is 16 weeks and will usually include the Easter holiday. Fiscal 2020 will contain 53 weeks; therefore, the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 will contain 13 weeks. The fourth quarter includes the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, and depending on the fiscal year end, may include the New Year’s holiday.

Established in 1917 as a cooperative grocery distributor, Spartan Stores Inc. merged with Nash-Finch Company (“Nash-Finch”) and the combined company was named SpartanNash Company. Unless the context otherwise requires, the use of the terms “SpartanNash,” and the “Company” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K refers to the surviving corporation SpartanNash Company and, as applicable, its consolidated subsidiaries. While the Company supports overseas commissaries and exchanges, all of the Company’s sales and assets are in the United States of America.

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The Company’s differentiated business model of Food Distribution, Military and Retail operations utilizes the complementary nature of each segment and enhances the ability of the Company’s independent retailers to compete in the grocery industry long-term. The model produces operational efficiencies, helps stimulate distribution product demand, and provides sharper visibility and broader business growth options. In addition, the diversification of the Food Distribution, Military and Retail segments provides added flexibility to pursue the best long-term growth opportunities in each segment.

SpartanNash’s mission is to leverage its expertise in food distribution and retail to develop, activate and provide impactful solutions that exceed expectations for customers, business partners and associates. In addition, the Company strives to create value for the Company's shareholders, retailers, and customers. To support these objectives, the Company has the following priorities and strategies within its Food Distribution, Military, and Retail segments:

Food Distribution Segment:

 

Maximize growth opportunities by leveraging the Company’s unique combination of supply chain capabilities and retail competency to attract new business and satisfy existing customers.

 

Optimize and expand the supply chain network to create a highly efficient national distribution platform that provides innovative and impactful supply chain solutions for a variety of different sales channels.

 

Proactively pursue financially and strategically attractive acquisition opportunities.

 

Invest in the Company’s fresh distribution capabilities and offerings to better service customers and create opportunities for growth.

 

Continue to elevate private brands to a best-in-class offering that matches customer needs and preferences through a selection of products focused on quality, value, variety, taste and convenience.

 

Capitalize on opportunities for growth and diversification in the non-traditional space by partnering with the Company’s national customers and developing innovative, mutually beneficial solutions for their needs.

Military Segment:

 

Continue to support the partnership with the Defense Commissary Agency (“DeCA”) through expansion of its private brand initiative and overall goal of increasing business at the commissaries by offering one-stop shopping and value for military customers.

 

Leverage the size and scale of the Company’s Food Distribution and Retail segments to attract additional customers to the Company’s Military platform, while leveraging the Company’s strong supply chain network.

Retail Segment:

 

Continue the roll-out of the Company’s Customer First strategy, developed in partnership with dunnhumby, to better deliver a competitive shopping experience for customers through data-based decision making.

 

Provide customers with high quality fresh offerings, value, affordable wellness, and a local focus in the shopping experience. Commit to social consciousness and responsibility, all with a best-in-class customer experience.

 

Increase customer satisfaction and loyalty by providing quicker, more convenient shopping experiences through the continued expansion of the Company’s e-commerce solutions, including Fast Lane, which offer online ordering, curbside pick-up and delivery services. Invest in additional technologies that improve the customer experience.

 

Continue integration of Martin’s Super Markets (“Martin’s”), acquired in early 2019, to leverage the Company’s supply chain and drive synergies while maintaining Martin’s existing strong brand and execution.

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Supply Chain Network:

 

Execute innovative solutions to both meet the demands of the Company’s growing Food Distribution segment customers as well as to mitigate ongoing warehousing and transportation competitive pressures.

 

Leverage the Company’s competitive position, scale and financial flexibility to further grow its distribution channels through existing and new solutions.

 

Gain efficiency and productivity by leveraging one supply chain network across segments to further realize benefits from continued investments in the optimization of the supply chain network.

 

Achieve best-in-class service levels through stronger collaboration processes with vendor partners, procurement, and warehouse operations. Realize benefits through investment in capital and technology in warehouse operations, transportation, and inventory management.

Food Distribution Segment

The Company’s Food Distribution segment uses a multi-channel sales approach to distribute grocery products to independent retailers, national retailers, food service distributors, e-commerce providers, and the Company’s corporate owned retail stores. Total net sales from the Company’s Food Distribution segment, including sales to corporate owned retail stores that are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements, totaled approximately $5.0 billion for 2019. As of the end of 2019, the Company believes it is the fifth largest wholesale distributor, in terms of annual revenue, to supermarkets in the United States.

Customers. The Company’s Food Distribution segment supplies grocery products to a diverse group of approximately 2,100 independent retail locations with operations ranging from a single store to regional supermarket chains, food service distributors and the Company’s corporate owned retail stores. As of December 28, 2019, the Company operates in all 50 states by leveraging a platform of 18 distribution centers, as well as third party shipping partners, servicing the Food Distribution and Military segments, with the greatest sales concentration in the Midwest and South regions. This extensive geographic reach drives economies of scale and provides opportunities for independent retailers to purchase products at competitive prices in order to effectively compete in the grocery industry long-term.

Through its Food Distribution segment, the Company also services national retailers, including Dollar General. Sales to Dollar General are made to approximately 16,000 of its retail locations, with sales representing 17%, 16%, and 14% of consolidated net sales for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company’s Food Distribution customer base is diverse, and no other single customer exceeded 10% of consolidated net sales in any of the years presented.

The Company’s ten largest Food Distribution customers (excluding corporate owned retail stores) accounted for approximately 60% of total Food Distribution net sales for 2019. Approximately 85% of Food Distribution net sales for 2019 are covered under supply agreements with retailer customers.

Products. The Company’s Food Distribution segment provides a selection of approximately 52,000 stock-keeping units (SKUs) of nationally branded and private brand grocery products and perishable food products, including dry groceries, produce, dairy products, meat, delicatessen items, bakery goods, frozen food, seafood, floral products, general merchandise, beverages, tobacco products, health and beauty care products and pharmacy. The product offering also includes value-added products such as fresh-cut fruits and vegetables and prepared wraps and salads. These product offerings, along with best in class services, allow independent retailers the opportunity to support the majority of their operations with a single supplier.

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Valued-Added Services. The Company provides a comprehensive menu of valued-added services designed to assist independent retailers in becoming more profitable, efficient, competitive, and informed. The Company’s Support Services Group consists of strategic partners who provide solutions when time and resources are limited for the independent customers. The Company is committed to sharing the expertise gained in its Retail operations with its independent customers. From real estate and site surveys to a full spectrum of merchandising and marketing solutions, independent retailers are offered support to more effectively operate their businesses. The Company provides over 100 distinct value-added services, some of which are not offered by its competition, including the following:

   Retail Development and Consulting

  

   Consumer Research

             Website design

 

   Site development and store design

   Merchandising

  

   Product Reclamation

   Marketing and Advertising Solutions

  

   Inventory Support

   Shelf Management and Planograms

  

   Category Management

   Accounting, Payroll and Tax Preparation

  

   Customer Service and Order Entry

   Food Safety and Environmental Health

  

   Pharmacy Retail and Procurement Services

   Asset Protection

  

   Retail Pricing

   Supply Solutions

 

   Associate Training

   E- Commerce

  

   Information Services and Technology Solutions

Military Segment

The Company’s Military segment contracts with manufacturers and brokers to distribute a wide variety of grocery products, including dry groceries, beverages, meat, and frozen foods, primarily to U.S. military commissaries and exchanges. The Company’s Military segment, together with its third-party partner, Coastal Pacific Food Distributors (“CPFD”), represents the only delivery solution to service DeCA worldwide.

DeCA operates a chain of 236 commissaries on U.S. military installations across the world that sells approximately $4.4 billion of grocery products annually. The Company distributes grocery products to 160 military commissaries and over 400 exchanges located in 39 states across the United States and the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Bahrain, Djibouti and Egypt. The Company’s distribution centers are strategically located among the largest concentration of military bases in the areas the Company serves and near Atlantic ports used to ship grocery products to overseas commissaries and exchanges.

The Company is also the DeCA exclusive worldwide supplier of private brand grocery and related products to all U.S. military commissaries. In accordance with its contract with DeCA, the Company procures the grocery and related products from various manufacturers and upon receiving customer orders from DeCA either delivers the products to the U.S. military commissaries itself or engages CPFD to deliver the products on its behalf. There are over 900 SKUs of private brand products in the DeCA system as of December 28, 2019.

DeCA contracts with manufacturers to obtain grocery products for the commissary system. Manufacturers either deliver the products to the commissaries themselves or, more commonly, contract with distributors such as SpartanNash to deliver the products. Manufacturers must authorize the distributors as their official representatives to DeCA, and the distributors must adhere to DeCA’s frequent delivery system (“FDS”) procedures governing matters such as product identification, ordering and processing, information exchange and resolution of discrepancies. The Company obtains distribution contracts with manufacturers through competitive bidding processes and direct negotiations.

As of December 28, 2019, the Company has approximately 250 distribution contracts representing approximately 600 manufacturers that supply products to the DeCA commissary system and various exchange systems. Generally, larger contracts or those subject to a request-for-proposal process have definitive durations, whereas smaller contracts generally have indefinite terms; and all contract types allow for termination by either party without cause upon 30 days prior written notice to the other party. The contracts typically specify which commissaries and exchanges to supply on behalf of the manufacturer, the manufacturer’s products to be supplied, service and delivery requirements, and pricing and payment terms. The Company’s ten largest manufacturer customers represented approximately 50% of the Company’s Military segment sales for 2019.

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As commissaries need to be restocked, DeCA identifies the manufacturer with which an order is to be placed, determines which distributor is the manufacturer’s official representative for a particular commissary or exchange location, and then places a product order with that distributor under the auspices of DeCA’s master contract with the applicable manufacturer. The distributor selects that product from its existing inventory, delivers it to the commissary or commissaries designated by DeCA, and bills the manufacturer for the product shipped. The manufacturer then bills DeCA under the terms of its master contract. Overseas commissaries are serviced in a similar fashion, except that a distributor’s responsibility is to deliver products as and when needed to the port designated by DeCA, which in turn bears the responsibility for shipping the product to the applicable commissary or overseas warehouse. Due to the unique terms of this arrangement, working capital requirements are significant.

After the Company ships a particular manufacturer’s products to commissaries in response to an order from DeCA, the Company invoices the manufacturer for the product price plus a drayage fee that is typically based on a percentage of the purchase price. In some instances, invoices may be based on a dollar amount per case or per pound of product sold. The Company’s order handling and invoicing activities are facilitated by its procurement and billing systems developed specifically for the Military business, which address the unique aspects of its business, and provide the Company’s manufacturer customers with a web-based, interactive means of accessing critical order, inventory and delivery information.

Retail Segment

As of December 28, 2019, the Company operates 156 corporate owned retail stores in eight states, predominantly in the Midwest, primarily under the banners of Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery and Dan’s Supermarket. Retail banners and store counts are fully detailed in Item 2, “Properties”. The Company’s corporate owned retail stores range in size from approximately 14,000 to 90,000 total square feet, or on average, approximately 44,000 total square feet per store.

The Company’s neighborhood market strategy distinguishes its corporate owned retail stores from supercenters and limited assortment stores. The Company’s Customer First strategy is focused on meeting changing customer needs and preferences through a data-based decision-making process, while also increasing customer satisfaction through quality service and convenience. Through the Company’s e-commerce solutions, including Fast Lane, as well as other third-party providers, the Company offers online grocery shopping and curbside pickup or delivery at 110 of its corporate owned retail locations.

The Company’s corporate owned retail stores offer nationally branded and private brand grocery products, as well as perishable food products including dry groceries, produce, dairy products, meat, delicatessen items, bakery goods, frozen food, seafood, floral products, general merchandise, beverages, tobacco products and health and beauty care products. Many of the Company’s stores contain franchised Starbucks or Caribou Coffee coffee shops, which the Company believes drives additional customer traffic. Private brand grocery products typically generate higher retail margins while also improving customer loyalty by offering quality products at affordable prices.

As of December 28, 2019, the Company offers pharmacy services in 97 of its corporate owned retail stores (of which 86 of the pharmacies are owned) and operates one free-standing pharmacy location. The Company believes the pharmacy service offering in its corporate owned retail stores is an important part of the consumer experience. Most of the Company’s pharmacies offer free medications (antibiotics, diabetic medications and prenatal vitamins) along with low cost generic drugs, and meal planning solutions for preventative health and education for its customers.

As of December 28, 2019, the Company operates 37 fuel centers primarily at its corporate owned retail stores operating predominantly under the banners Family Fare Quick Stop, Martin’s Fuel, and D&W Quick Stop. Many of these fuel centers offer refueling facilities and in the adjacent convenience store, a limited variety of popular consumable products. The Company’s prototypical convenience stores are approximately 1,100 square feet in size.

The following chart details the changes in the number of corporate owned retail stores over the last five fiscal years:

 

2015

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

Number of stores at beginning of year

 

162

 

 

 

163

 

 

 

157

 

 

 

145

 

 

 

139

 

Stores acquired or constructed during year

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24

 

Stores closed or sold during year

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

7

 

Number of stores at end of year

 

163

 

 

 

157

 

 

 

145

 

 

 

139

 

 

 

156

 

In the first quarter of 2019 the Company acquired Martin’s, a leading family-owned and operated Midwest independent supermarket chain. This acquisition expanded the Company’s corporate retail footprint into northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan. Martin’s was previously a Food Distribution segment customer, and SpartanNash’s and Martin’s merchandising, marketing, and operations teams had a history of working collaboratively on many business improvement projects.

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During 2019, the Company completed ten major remodels. The Company expects to continue making targeted capital investments during 2020 in connection with its retail brand positioning initiative. Where opportunities arise, the Company may open new retail and fuel center locations or enter into partnerships with existing fuel center operations. The Company will continue to evaluate its store base and may close or sell stores in 2020 in line with its ongoing store rationalization processes.

Supply Chain Network

The Company continues to evaluate its supply chain organization for opportunities to optimize the network, increase asset utilization and leverage programs that will drive more value for its retailers, customers, and shareholders. The Company continually focuses on network optimization and is centralizing the distribution of certain product categories and utilizing upstream/downstream facilities in order to improve its efficiency and capabilities and reduce inventory levels. 

The Company’s distribution network is composed of 18 distribution centers, which are utilized to service the Food Distribution and Military segments. The distribution centers provide for approximately 8.4 million total square feet of warehouse space. The Company has new and ongoing initiatives to improve the efficiency of its supply chain through process improvement, investments in technology and property and equipment, and standardization of systems.

The Company operates a fleet with over 550 over-the-road tractors, 550 dry vans, and 1,250 refrigerated trailers and is in the process of adding a fleet of multi-temperature straight trucks to improve its delivery performance to its growing number of smaller format store customers. The Company carefully manages the more than 75 million miles driven by its fleet and third-party carriers annually servicing military commissaries, exchanges, independent retailers, national retailers and corporate owned retail stores.

Discontinued Operations

Certain of the Company’s Food Distribution and Retail segment operations have been recorded as discontinued operations. Discontinued operations consist of certain locations that have been closed or sold.

Marketing and Merchandising

The Company continues to align its marketing and merchandising strategies with consumer behavior. During 2019, the Company began a new customer data and insights partnership with dunnhumby, as part of its development of a data-based decision-making process in order to deliver a competitive shopping experience for its customers within its corporate owned Retail stores. The Company has developed a Customer First strategy. A process to implement, measure and track the strategy is in place to respond to evolving customer needs.

The Company’s strategies seek to use consumer data and insights to deliver products, promotions, content and experiences to satisfy the consumer’s needs by improving price perception, leveraging the Company’s private brands and providing its customers a relevant assortment while supported by its best-in-class wholesale and retail business model.

In addition, the Company believes that data from its “yes”™ loyalty program gives it competitive insight into consumer shopping behavior. This provides the Company the flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing conditions by making more effective tactical and strategic adjustments to its marketing and merchandising programs. During fiscal 2019, the Company began using artificial intelligence to develop and optimize its weekly circular. The Company will continue to leverage learnings from artificial intelligence to accelerate its Customer First strategy.

The Company has been building tools and capabilities to enable relevant, personalized content across its marketing channels and focusing on expanding its digital, social and mobile capabilities. Additionally, the Company continues to focus on the growth of its e-commerce platforms which enable a highly personalized digital shopping experience. These enhancements will help the Company build longer-term customer loyalty through convenience and value, maintain efficient marketing spend, increase return on investment, improve its sales growth opportunities, and further strengthen its business position. As the Company builds these capabilities, along with its other strategies, the Company will continue to share its best practices across its independent customer base within the Food Distribution segment.

As the Company works to better differentiate its Retail stores and implement its Customer First strategy, the Company is selectively adding products and services to better meet customers’ changing needs and enhance their experience. The Company has been refreshing its in-store messaging and décor in order to increase foot traffic and drive sales. As consumers increasingly emphasize an interest in healthy choices, the Company believes that it can be a reliable provider for products and services that will support their needs. The Company increased its retail product offering and assortment for organic, gluten-free, meat-free, non-GMO products and other healthier food options. Additionally, the Company offers a best in class pharmacy program, including low cost generics, free diabetic and prenatal prescriptions as well as its Timely Meds service, which is a personalized pill punch pack designed for customers who take multiple medications.

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In support of its commitment to local products and caring for the community and environment, the Company is proud to work with local farmers and vendors to provide a selection of locally grown produce and other local products in many of its stores, well in excess of competitor’s offerings. In some of its stores, the Company collects items from customers for recycling, and the Company has been recognized as a best-in-class recycler of its own waste. Also, in an effort to reduce costs and reduce its environmental footprint, the Company is working to reduce energy usage through the installation of energy efficient lighting and refrigeration in its stores among other initiatives.

Competition

The Company’s Food Distribution, Military and Retail segments operate in a highly competitive industry, which typically results in low profit margins for the industry as a whole. The Company competes with, among others, regional and national grocery distributors, large chain stores that have integrated wholesale and retail operations, mass merchandisers, e-commerce providers, deep discount retailers, limited assortment stores and wholesale membership clubs, many of whom have greater resources than the Company. The Company also faces competition from rapidly growing alternative retail channels, such as dollar stores, discount supermarket chains, Internet-based retailers and meal-delivery services.

The Food Distribution segment competes directly with a number of traditional and specialty grocery wholesalers and retailers that maintain or develop self-distribution systems for the business of independent grocery retailers. In addition, the Company’s independent customers face intense competition from supercenters, deep discounters, mass merchandisers, limited assortment stores, and e-commerce providers. The Company partners with its customers to help them compete effectively. The primary competitive factors in the Food Distribution business include price, service level, product quality, variety and other value-added services.

The Company is one of fewer than five distributors in the United States with annual sales to the DeCA commissary system in excess of $100 million that distributes products via the frequent delivery system. The remaining distributors that supply DeCA tend to be smaller regional and local providers. In addition, manufacturers contract with others to deliver certain products, such as baking supplies, produce, delicatessen items, soft drinks and snack items, directly to DeCA commissaries and service exchanges. Because of the low margins in this industry, it is of critical importance for distributors to achieve economies of scale, which is typically a function of the density or concentration of military bases within the geographic area(s) a distributor serves. As a result, no single distributor in this industry, by itself, has a nationwide presence. Rather, distributors generally concentrate on specific regions, or areas within specific regions, where they can achieve critical mass and utilize warehouse and distribution facilities efficiently. In addition, distributors that operate larger non-military specific distribution businesses tend to compete for DeCA commissary business in areas where such business would enable them to more efficiently utilize the capacity of their existing distribution centers. The Company believes the principal competitive factors among distributors within this industry are customer service, price, operating efficiencies, reputation with DeCA and location of distribution centers. The Company believes its competitive position is strong with respect to all of these factors within the geographic areas where it competes. Despite the ongoing commissary sales challenges, the Company has been working diligently to realize opportunities and has expanded vendor relationships to new military bases and continues to roll out DeCA’s private brand product offerings. The Company believes that the private brand offering, when fully executed, will help drive more traffic and business into the commissaries as a whole. By providing a combination of national and private brand products, the commissaries are offering one-stop shopping for military consumers, which should benefit all of the constituents of the DeCA system.

The principal competitive factors in the Retail business include the location and image of the store; the price, quality and variety of the fresh offering; and the quality, convenience and consistency of service. In addition to competing with traditional grocery stores, the Company competes with supercenters, deep discounters, mass merchandisers, limited assortment stores, and e-commerce providers. The Company believes it has developed and implemented strategies and processes that allow it to be competitive in its Retail segment by providing convenience, customer experience, and the assortment consumers demand. The Company monitors planned competitive store openings and uses established proactive strategies to respond to new competition both before and after competitive store openings. Strategies to react to competition vary based on many factors, such as the competitor’s format, strengths, weaknesses, pricing and sales focus. During the past three fiscal years, six competitor supercenters opened in geographic areas in which the Company currently operates corporate owned retail stores and one additional opening is expected to occur during 2020. As a result of these openings, the Company believes the majority of its supermarkets compete with one or more supercenters. The Company has continued to respond to growing competition from online and non-traditional retailers by adding options and services such as online ordering, curbside pick-up, and home delivery.

Seasonality

In certain geographic areas, the Company’s sales and operating performance for each reportable segment varies with seasonality. Many stores are dependent on tourism, and therefore, are most affected by seasons and weather patterns, including, but not limited to, the amount and timing of snowfall during the winter months and the range of temperature during the summer months. Sales may also vary based on the timing of certain holidays.

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Suppliers

The Company purchases products from a large number of national, regional and local suppliers of name brand and private brand merchandise. The Company has not encountered any material difficulty in procuring or maintaining an adequate level of products to serve its customers. No single supplier accounts for more than 5% of the Company’s purchases. The Company continues to develop strategic relationships with key suppliers and believes this will prove valuable in the development of enhanced promotional programs and consumer value perceptions.

Intellectual Property

The Company owns valuable intellectual property, including trademarks, trade names, and other proprietary information, some of which are of material importance to its business.

Technology

In 2019, the Company focused on the efficiency and effectiveness of both operational and administrative processes. The Company is taking action to upgrade and modernize its systems and improve their integration, while enhancing security. As part of these initiatives, the Company expects to transition some applications which were historically hosted on premises to cloud-based solutions.  

Supply Chain. During 2019, the Company completed the deployment of a forecasting solution which relies on artificial intelligence to significantly improve forecasting accuracy and began developing an integrated replenishment solution to automate the subsequent creation of purchase orders. The Company also deployed new “On-Board Computer” hardware across its fleet to improve route planning, efficiency and service levels as well as to comply with a federal mandate on driver compliance.

Retail. The Company made significant enhancements to improve the checkout experience for its customers and associates. The enhancements include improved ability to accept additional methods of payment, improvements to the online shopping experience, and integration with a third-party that provides independent retailers the ability to offer discounts to their shoppers and increase customer loyalty.

In 2020, the Company’s focus includes further integration and modernization of retail applications including centralized item management, a real time loyalty and promotion engine, and a modern cloud-enabled point-of-sale system.

Administrative Systems, Infrastructure and Security. The Company has begun the development and implementation of tools to improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of internal reporting and administrative functions. Robotic process automation (“RPA”) initiatives are underway to eliminate errors and to improve efficiency in repetitive, manual processes. Additionally, a centralized data analytics solution is being developed to consolidate the Company’s analysis and reporting platforms, introducing predictive data analytics capabilities to provide better business insights. The Company is in the process of transitioning to a Software-defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solution, which will significantly increase current bandwidth across all locations and will improve network availability. The Company also expects enhancements in collaboration tools and day-to-day functionality through upgrades to the Microsoft 365 bundle, including Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security.

The Company is deploying an upgraded Human Capital Management system (“HCM”) to be the backbone of significantly simplified digital human resources operations. The HCM will digitize the Company’s HR function, and the Company expects to complete the launch in 2020. A major initiative in workforce time and schedule management is also underway and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2020. Improved automation in timekeeping, together with a revamp of wage and incentive structures, are expected to contribute to improved hiring and retention.

In the second half of 2019, an Identity Access Management (IAM) program was launched, which is a multi-year, companywide initiative that will protect user and customer data, while increasing associate productivity, security and ease of access. This program will also provide centralized access control across multiple applications and services.

Associates

As of December 28, 2019, the Company employs approximately 17,200 associates, 10,400 on a full-time basis and 6,800 on a part-time basis. Approximately 1,200 associates, or 7% of the total workforce, were represented by unions under collective bargaining agreements. The collective bargaining agreements covering these associates will expire between February 2021 and October 2022. The Company considers its relations with its union and non-union associates to be good and has not had any material work stoppages in over twenty-five years.

-9-


 

 

Regulation

The Company is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning the conduct of its business, including those pertaining to the workforce and the purchase, handling, sale and transportation of its products. Many of the Company’s products are subject to federal Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA) regulation. The Company believes that it is in compliance, in all material respects, with the FDA, USDA and other federal, state and local laws and regulations governing its businesses.

Forward-Looking Statements

The matters discussed in this Item 1 include forward-looking statements. See “Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Available Information

SpartanNash’s web address is www.spartannash.com. The inclusion of the Company’s web address in this Form 10-K does not include or incorporate by reference the information on or accessible through the Company’s website, and the information contained on or accessible through those websites should not be considered as part of this Form 10-K. The Company makes its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports (and amendments to those reports) filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 available on the Company’s website as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files or furnishes such materials with the SEC. Interested persons can view such materials without charge by clicking on “For Investors” and then “SEC Filings” on the Company’s website. SpartanNash is a “large accelerated filer” within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

The Company faces many risks. If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risk factors occur, the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may suffer, and the trading price of the Company’s common stock could decline. This discussion of risk factors should be read in conjunction with the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All of these forward-looking statements are affected by the risk factors discussed in this item and this discussion of risk factors should be read in conjunction with the discussion of forward-looking statements, which appears at the beginning of this report.

Business and Operational Risks

The Company operates in an extremely competitive industry. Many of the Company’s competitors are much larger and may be able to compete more effectively.

The Company’s Food Distribution and Retail segments have many competitors, including regional and national grocery distributors, large chain stores that have integrated wholesale and retail operations, mass merchandisers, e-commerce providers, deep discount retailers, limited assortment stores and wholesale membership clubs. The Company’s Military segment faces competition from large national and regional food distributors and smaller distributors. Many of the Company’s competitors have greater resources than the Company.

Industry consolidation, alternative store formats, nontraditional competitors and e-commerce have contributed to market share losses for traditional grocery stores. The Company’s Food Distribution, Military and Retail segments are primarily focused on traditional retail grocery trade, which faces competition from faster growing alternative retail channels, such as dollar stores, discount supermarket chains, Internet-based retailers and meal-delivery services. The Company expects these trends to continue. If the Company is not successful in competing with these alternative channels, or growing sales into such channels, its business or financial results may be adversely impacted.

-10-


 

 

The private brand program for U.S. military commissaries may not achieve the desired results.

In December 2016, the Defense Commissary Agency (“DeCA” or “the Agency”), which operates U.S. military commissaries worldwide, competitively awarded the Company the contract to support and supply products for the Agency’s private brand product program. Private brand products had not previously been offered in the Agency’s commissaries. The Company has invested and will continue to invest significant resources as it partners with DeCA to continue to expand the program, however there is no guarantee of its success, that the program will continue or that DeCA will continue to partner with SpartanNash. The Company expects that DeCA will face significant competition in each product category from national brands that are familiar to consumers. If the Agency is unable to drive traffic and business at the commissaries by offering one-stop shopping for military customers through a combination of both national and private brand offerings, then both DeCA and the Company may be unable to achieve expected returns from this program, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. The success of the program will depend, in part, on factors beyond the Company’s control, including the actions of the Agency.

The Company may not be able to implement its strategy of growth through acquisitions or successfully integrate acquired businesses.

Part of the Company’s growth strategy involves selected acquisitions of additional distribution operations, and to a lesser extent, retail grocery stores. Given the recent consolidation activity and limited number of potential acquisition targets within the food industry, the Company may not be able to identify suitable targets for acquisition and may make acquisitions which do not achieve the desired level of profitability or sales. Additionally, because the Company operates in the Food Distribution business, future acquisitions of retail grocery stores could result in the Company competing with its independent retailers and could adversely affect existing business relationships with those customers. As a result, the Company may not be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates in the future, complete acquisitions or obtain the necessary financing and this may adversely affect the Company’s ability to grow profitably. If the Company fails to successfully integrate business acquisitions and realize planned synergies, the business may not perform to expectations.

Substantial operating losses may occur if the customers to whom the Company extends credit or for whom the Company guarantees loans or lease obligations fail to repay the Company.

From time to time, the Company may advance funds, extend credit and lend money to certain independent retailers and guarantee loan or lease obligations of certain customers. The Company seeks to obtain security interest and other credit support in connection with these arrangements, but the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the Company’s exposure. Greater than expected losses from existing or future credit extensions, loans, guarantee commitments or sublease arrangements could negatively and materially impact the Company’s operating results and financial condition.

A significant portion of the Company’s sales are with a major customer and the Company’s success may be dependent on retaining this business and its customers’ ability to grow their business.

Dollar General accounted for 17% of the Company’s net sales in 2019. The Company serves as the primary distributor of various products and product categories to Dollar General under the terms of its distribution arrangements. The Company’s ability to maintain a close, mutually beneficial relationship with Dollar General is an important determinant of the Company’s continued growth.

The loss of business with Dollar General, including from increased self-distribution to its own facilities, closures of its stores, or reductions in the amount of products that Dollar General sells to its customers could materially and adversely affect the Company. Similarly, if Dollar General is not able to grow its business, or if Dollar General does not continue its relationship with the Company, the Company may be materially and adversely affected.

Changes in relationships with the Company’s vendor base may adversely affect its business, margins, and profitability.

The Company sources the products it sells from a wide variety of vendors. The Company generally does not have long-term written contracts with its major suppliers that would require them to continue supplying merchandise. The Company depends on its vendors for appropriate allocation of merchandise, assortments of products, operation of vendor-focused shopping experiences within its stores, and funding for various forms of promotional allowances. There has been significant consolidation in the food industry, and this consolidation may continue to the Company’s commercial disadvantage. Such changes could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s revenues and profitability.

Operational improvements from the Company’s Project One Team Initiative may be less than expected.

In 2019 the Company began implementing operational improvements that were identified through a Company initiative called Project One Team. While the Company expects to achieve run rate savings through these initiatives over approximately two years, the amount and timing of expected savings are based on projections, estimates, and assumptions regarding future costs, revenues, risks, competitive activity, and other factors, and may be beyond the control of the Company. If the assumptions and projections underlying the initiatives prove to be inaccurate, then actual Project One Team savings may be significantly less than expected.

-11-


 

 

Disruptions to the Company’s information technology systems, including security breaches and cyber-attacks, could negatively affect the Company’s business.

The Company has complex information technology (“IT”) systems that are important to its business operations. It also employs mobile devices, social networking and other online activities to connect with customers, associates, suppliers, and business partners. The Company receives, transmits, and stores many types of sensitive information, including consumers’ personal information, information belonging to vendors, business partners, and other third parties, and the Company’s proprietary, confidential, or sensitive information. As a result, the Company faces risks of security breaches, system disruption, theft, espionage, inadvertent release of information, and other technology-related disruptions. The Company could incur significant losses due to any such event.

Although the Company has implemented security programs and disaster recovery facilities and procedures, cyber threats evolve rapidly and are becoming more sophisticated. Despite the Company’s efforts to secure its information and systems, cyber attackers may defeat the security measures and compromise the personal information of consumers, vendors, business partners, associates and other sensitive information. Associate error, faulty password management or other problems may compromise the security measures and result in a breach of the Company’s information systems, systems disruptions, data theft or other criminal activity. This could result in a loss of sales or profits or cause the Company to incur significant costs to restore its systems or to reimburse third parties for damages.

Threats to security or the occurrence of severe weather conditions, natural disasters or other unforeseen events could harm the Company’s business.

The Company’s business could be severely impacted by severe weather conditions, natural disasters, or other events that could affect the warehouse and transportation infrastructure used by the Company and its vendors to supply the Company’s corporate owned retail stores, and Food Distribution and Military customers. While the Company believes it has adopted commercially reasonable precautions, insurance programs, and contingency plans; the damage or destruction of Company facilities could compromise its ability to distribute products and generate sales. Unseasonable weather conditions that impact growing conditions and the availability of food could also adversely affect sales, profits and asset values.

Impairment charges for goodwill or other long-lived assets could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company is required to perform an annual impairment test for goodwill and other long-lived tangible and intangible assets in the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist. Testing goodwill and other assets for impairment requires management to make significant estimates about the Company’s future performance, cash flows, and other assumptions that can be affected by potential changes in economic, industry or market conditions, business operations, competition, or – for goodwill – the Company’s stock price and market capitalization. Changes in these factors, or changes in actual performance compared with estimates of the Company’s future performance, may affect the fair value of goodwill or other assets. This could result in the Company recording a non-cash impairment charge for goodwill or other intangible assets in the period the determination of impairment is made. The Company cannot accurately predict the amount and timing of any impairment of assets. Should the value of goodwill or other assets become impaired, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

The Company may not successfully manage the transition associated with the resignation of the Company’s former chief executive officer and the appointment of a new chief executive officer, which could have an adverse impact on the Company.

David Staples resigned from his position as the Company’s chief executive officer (“CEO”) and resigned from the board of directors effective August 8, 2019. The board of directors appointed Dennis Eidson, the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors and former CEO, as interim chief executive officer until a permanent successor can be named. The board of directors has initiated a search process to select the next CEO. Although the board of directors is confident in the interim leadership of Mr. Eidson, leadership transitions can be inherently difficult to manage, and an inadequate transition to a permanent CEO may cause disruption within the Company. In addition, if the Company is unable to attract and retain a qualified candidate to become the permanent CEO in a timely manner, its financial performance and ability to meet operational goals and strategic plans may be adversely impacted. This may also impact the Company’s ability to retain and hire other key members of management.

-12-


 

 

It may be difficult for the Company to attract and retain well-qualified associates, which would adversely affect the Company’s profitability and growth.

Recent low levels of unemployment have made it increasingly difficult to attract and retain qualified associates and have caused upward pressure on wages. If the Company is unable to attract and retain quality associates to meet its needs, the Company could be required to increase its compensation offering, reduce staffing below optimal levels, or rely more on higher-cost third-party providers, which could adversely affect the Company’s profitability and growth. The Company’s success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of senior management. The loss of any key member of the Company’s management team may prevent it from implementing its business plans in a timely manner. The Company cannot assure that successors of comparable ability will be identified and appointed and that the Company’s business will not be adversely affected.

The Company’s level of indebtedness could adversely affect its financial condition and its ability to raise additional capital or obtain financing in the future, respond to business opportunities, react to changes in its business, and make required payments on its debt.

As of December 28, 2019, the Company had outstanding indebtedness of $688.6 million (net of unamortized debt issuance costs), primarily related to its asset-based lending facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). Refer to Note 7 in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for further information. If the Company is not able to generate cash flow from operations sufficient to service its debt, it may need to refinance its debt, dispose of assets or issue equity to obtain necessary funds. The Company may not be able to take any of such actions on a timely basis, on satisfactory terms or at all.

Indebtedness could have important consequences, including the following:

 

reduced ability to execute the Company’s growth strategy, including merger and acquisition opportunities;

 

reduced ability to invest in the Company, which may place it at a competitive disadvantage;  

 

increased vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

exposure to interest rate increases;

 

reduced cash flow available for other purposes;

 

limited ability to borrow additional funds for working capital, capital expenditures and other investments;

Covenants in its debt agreements restrict the Company’s operational flexibility.

The agreements governing the Revolving Credit Facility contain usual and customary restrictive covenants relating to the management and operation of the Company, including restrictions on its ability to borrow, pay dividends, or consummate certain transactions. Failure to comply with the covenants in the Company’s debt agreements could result in all of its indebtedness becoming immediately due and payable.

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk due to the variable rates on its indebtedness. Debt service obligations may increase if interest rates rise.

The Company’s borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at variable rates and expose it to interest rate risk. The Company may not be able to accurately predict changes in interest rates or mitigate their impact. If interest rates increase, debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness would increase even though the amount borrowed remains the same and the Company’s profitability would decrease. A hypothetical 0.50% increase in rates applicable to borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 28, 2019 would increase interest expense related to such debt by approximately $3.2 million per year.

Legal, Regulatory and Legislative Risks

The Company’s Military segment is dependent upon domestic and international military operations. A change in the military commissary system, including its supply chain, or a change in the level of governmental funding, could negatively impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

Because the Company’s Military segment sells and distributes grocery products to military commissaries and exchanges in the United States and overseas, any material changes in the commissary system, the level of governmental funding to DeCA, military staffing levels, or locations of bases, or DeCA’s supply chain may have a corresponding impact on the sales and operating performance of this segment. These changes could include privatization of some or all of the military commissary system, relocation or consolidation of commissaries and exchanges, base closings, troop redeployments or consolidations in the geographic areas containing commissaries and exchanges served by the Company, or a reduction in the number of persons having access to the commissaries and exchanges. Mandated reductions in the government expenditures, including those imposed as a result of a sequestration, may impact the level of funding to DeCA and could have a material impact on the Company’s operations. If DeCA were to make material changes to its supply chain model, for example by limiting distribution authorization, then the Company’s Military segment could be affected.

-13-


 

 

Product recalls or other safety concerns regarding the Company’s products could harm the Company’s business.

The Company faces risks related to the safety of the food products that it manufactures, distributes, and sells. It may need to recall such products for actual or alleged contamination, adulteration, mislabeling, or other safety concerns. The Company distributes fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as other fresh prepared foods. These products, and other food products that the Company sells, are at risk of contamination by disease-causing organisms such as Salmonella, E. coli, and others. These pathogens are generally found in nature, and as a result, there is a risk that they could be present in the products manufactured, distributed or sold by the Company. The Company typically has little control over proper food handling before the Company’s receipt of the product or once the product has been delivered to customers. Contamination risks may be controlled, although not eliminated, by good manufacturing practices and food safety programs. Recall costs can be material. A widespread product recall could result in significant losses due to the administrative costs of a recall, the destruction of inventory, and lost sales. Recalls and other food safety concerns can also result in product liability claims, adverse publicity, damage to the Company’s reputation, and a loss of confidence in the safety and quality of its products. Customers may avoid purchasing certain products from the Company, or to seek alternative sources of supply for some or all of their food needs, even if the basis for concern is outside of the Company’s control. Any loss of confidence on the part of the Company’s customers would be difficult and costly to overcome. Any real or perceived issue regarding the safety of any food or drug items sold by the Company, regardless of the cause, could have a substantial and adverse effect on the Company’s business.

A number of the Company’s associates are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and unions may attempt to organize additional associates.

Approximately 39% and 16% of the Company’s associates in its Food Distribution and Military business segments, respectively, are covered by collective bargaining agreements (“CBAs”) which expire between February 2021 and October 2022 or which the Company is in the process of negotiating and have a contemplated expiration date of February 2022. The Company expects that rising healthcare, pension and other employee benefit costs, among other issues, will continue to be important topics of negotiation with the labor unions. Upon the expiration of the Company’s CBAs, work stoppages by the affected workers could occur if the Company is unable to negotiate an acceptable contract with the labor unions. This could significantly disrupt the Company’s operations. Further, if the Company is unable to control healthcare and pension costs provided for in the CBAs, the Company may experience increased operating costs and an adverse impact on future results of operations.

While the Company believes that relations with its associates are good, the Company may continue to see additional union organizing campaigns. The potential for unionization could increase as any new related legislation or regulations are passed. The Company respects its associates’ right to unionize or not to unionize. However, the unionization of a significant portion of the Company’s workforce could increase the Company’s overall costs at the affected locations and adversely affect its flexibility to run its business in the most efficient manner to remain competitive or acquire new business and could adversely affect its results of operations by increasing its labor costs or otherwise restricting its ability to maximize the efficiency of its operations.

Costs related to multi-employer pension plans and other postretirement plans could increase.

The Company contributes to the Central States Southeast and Southwest Pension Fund (the “Central States Plan” or the “Plan”), a multi-employer pension plan, based on obligations arising from its CBAs with Teamsters locals 406 and 908. SpartanNash does not administer or control this Plan, and the Company has relatively little control over the level of contributions the Company is required to make. Currently, the Central States Plan is underfunded and in critical and declining status, and as a result, contributions are scheduled to increase. The Company expects that contributions to this Plan will be subject to further increases. Benefit levels and related issues will continue to create collective bargaining challenges. The amount of any increase or decrease in its required contributions to this Plan will depend upon the outcome of collective bargaining, the actions taken by the trustees who manage the Plan, governmental regulations, actual return on investment of Plan assets, the continued viability and contributions of other contributing employers, and the potential payment of withdrawal liability should the Company choose to exit a geographic area, among other factors.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

-14-


 

 

Item 2.  Properties

The following table lists the locations and approximate square footage of the Company’s distribution centers used by its Food Distribution and Military segments as of December 28, 2019. The lease expiration dates for the distribution centers primarily servicing the Food Distribution segment range from February 2021 to December 2031, and for the Military segment range from July 2020 to November 2029. The majority of these leases contain extension options beyond these dates, if exercised. The Company believes that these facilities are generally well maintained and in good operating condition, have sufficient capacity, and are suitable and adequate to carry on its business for both of these segments.

Distribution Centers

 

 

 

Square Footage

 

Location

 

Leased

 

 

Owned

 

 

Total

 

Grand Rapids, Michigan (a)

 

 

 

 

 

1,179,582

 

 

 

1,179,582

 

Norfolk, Virginia (b)

 

 

188,093

 

 

 

545,073

 

 

 

733,166

 

Omaha, Nebraska (a)

 

 

4,384

 

 

 

686,783

 

 

 

691,167

 

Bellefontaine, Ohio (a)

 

 

 

 

 

666,045

 

 

 

666,045

 

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (b)

 

 

 

 

 

608,543

 

 

 

608,543

 

Lima, Ohio (a)

 

 

 

 

 

517,552

 

 

 

517,552

 

Columbus, Georgia (c)

 

 

478,702

 

 

 

 

 

 

478,702

 

Bloomington, Indiana (b)

 

 

 

 

 

471,277

 

 

 

471,277

 

San Antonio, Texas (c)

 

 

 

 

 

461,544

 

 

 

461,544

 

Lumberton, North Carolina (a)

 

 

386,129

 

 

 

 

 

 

386,129

 

St. Cloud, Minnesota (a)

 

 

40,319

 

 

 

329,046

 

 

 

369,365

 

Landover, Maryland (b)

 

 

368,088

 

 

 

 

 

 

368,088

 

Fargo, North Dakota (a)

 

 

74,000

 

 

 

288,824

 

 

 

362,824

 

Pensacola, Florida (b)

 

 

 

 

 

355,900

 

 

 

355,900

 

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (a)

 

 

79,300

 

 

 

196,114

 

 

 

275,414

 

Bluefield, Virginia (a)

 

 

 

 

 

187,531

 

 

 

187,531

 

Indianapolis, Indiana (a)

 

 

 

 

 

118,498

 

 

 

118,498

 

Lakeland, Florida (a)

 

 

 

 

 

42,125

 

 

 

42,125

 

Total Square Footage

 

 

1,619,015

 

 

 

6,654,437

 

 

 

8,273,452

 

(a)

Distribution center services the Food Distribution segment.

(b)

Distribution center services the Military segment.

(c)

Distribution center services both the Food Distribution and Military segments. Based on utilization estimates at December 28, 2019, the Food Distribution segment utilizes 36,000 square feet and 118,000 square feet at the San Antonio and Columbus distribution centers, respectively. The Columbus location requires periodic lease payments to the holder of the outstanding industrial revenue bond, which is held by the Company. Upon expiration of the lease terms, the Company will take title to the property upon redemption of the bond.

  

-15-


 

 

The following table lists the Company’s retail stores, including the adjacent fuel centers of the related stores, by retail banner, number of stores, location and approximate square footage under each banner as of December 28, 2019.

Retail Segment

 

 

 

 

 

Leased

 

 

Owned

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

Number

 

 

Square

 

 

Number

 

 

Square

 

 

Number

 

Square

 

Grocery Store Retail Banner

 

Location

 

of Stores

 

 

Feet

 

 

of Stores

 

 

Feet

 

 

of Stores

 

Feet

 

Family Fare Supermarkets

 

Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin

 

77

 

 

 

3,301,198

 

 

10

 

 

 

483,952

 

 

87

 

 

3,785,150

 

Martin's Supermarkets

 

Indiana, Michigan

 

12

 

 

 

748,589

 

 

9

 

 

 

461,727

 

 

21

 

 

1,210,316

 

D&W Fresh Market

 

Michigan

 

8

 

 

 

393,429

 

 

2

 

 

 

84,458

 

 

10

 

 

477,887

 

VG’s Grocery

 

Michigan

 

8

 

 

 

363,117

 

 

1

 

 

 

37,223

 

 

9

 

 

400,340

 

Dan's Supermarket

 

North Dakota

 

5

 

 

 

264,077

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

264,077

 

Family Fresh Market

 

Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

192,151

 

 

4

 

 

192,151

 

Sun Mart Foods

 

Nebraska

 

1

 

 

 

31,733

 

 

4

 

 

 

93,824

 

 

5

 

 

125,557

 

Supermercado Nuestra Familia

 

Nebraska

 

1

 

 

 

22,540

 

 

2

 

 

 

83,279

 

 

3

 

 

105,819

 

Valu Land

 

Michigan

 

3

 

 

 

70,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

70,423

 

Forest Hills Foods

 

Michigan

 

2

 

 

 

65,209

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

65,209

 

No Frills Supermarkets

 

Iowa, Nebraska

 

3

 

 

 

61,060

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

61,060

 

Pick ‘n Save

 

Ohio

 

1

 

 

 

45,608

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

45,608

 

Dillonvale IGA

 

Ohio

 

1

 

 

 

25,627

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

25,627

 

Fresh City Market

 

Wisconsin

 

1

 

 

 

21,470

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

21,470

 

Econofoods

 

Wisconsin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

16,563

 

 

1

 

 

16,563

 

Total

 

 

 

123

 

 

 

5,414,080

 

 

33

 

 

 

1,453,177

 

 

156

 

 

6,867,257

 

The Company also owns one fuel center that is not reflected in the retail square footage above, a Family Fare Quick Stop in Michigan that is not included with a corporate owned retail store but is adjacent to the Company’s corporate headquarters. Also not reflected in the retail square footage above is one stand-alone pharmacy located in Clear Lake, Iowa as well as certain properties used to facilitate the stock and transfer of goods between retail stores.

The Company’s headquarters is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company maintains offices in multiple states consisting of approximately 317,000 square feet in Company-owned buildings and 49,000 square feet in leased facilities. The Company also leases two additional off-site storage facilities consisting of approximately 50,000 square feet. The Company owns and leases to independent retailers ten stores totaling approximately 440,000 square feet and owns and leases to third parties one warehouse of approximately 400,000 square feet and office space totaling 89,000 square feet.

Item 3.   Legal Proceedings

From time-to-time, the Company is engaged in routine legal proceedings incidental to its business. The Company does not believe that these routine legal proceedings, taken as a whole, will have a material impact on its business or financial condition. Additionally, various lawsuits and claims, arising in the ordinary course of business, are pending or have been asserted against the Company. While the ultimate effect of such actions, lawsuits and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that their outcome will not result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, operating results or liquidity. Legal proceedings, various lawsuits, claims, and other matters are more fully described in Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies, in the notes to consolidated financial statements, which is herein incorporated by reference.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosure

Not Applicable.

PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

SpartanNash common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol “SPTN.”

Stock sale prices are based on transactions reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Information on quarterly high and low sales prices for SpartanNash common stock for each of the last two fiscal years is as follows:

-16-


 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

Full Year

 

 

4th Quarter

 

 

3rd Quarter

 

 

2nd Quarter

 

 

1st Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

52 Weeks

 

 

(12 Weeks)

 

 

(12 Weeks)

 

 

(12 Weeks)

 

 

(16 Weeks)

 

Common stock price - High

 

 

 

$

 

22.25

 

 

$

 

14.54

 

 

$

 

12.45

 

 

$

 

16.85

 

 

$

 

22.25

 

Common stock price - Low

 

 

 

 

 

8.94

 

 

 

 

11.29

 

 

 

 

8.94

 

 

 

 

10.89

 

 

 

 

15.48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

Full Year

 

 

4th Quarter

 

 

3rd Quarter

 

 

2nd Quarter

 

 

1st Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

(52 Weeks)

 

 

(12 Weeks)

 

 

(12 Weeks)

 

 

(12 Weeks)

 

 

(16 Weeks)

 

Common stock price - High

 

 

 

$

 

27.37

 

 

$

 

21.82

 

 

$

 

26.18

 

 

$

 

26.85

 

 

$

 

27.37

 

Common stock price - Low

 

 

 

 

 

16.32

 

 

 

 

16.32

 

 

 

 

18.91

 

 

 

 

17.05

 

 

 

 

16.55

 

At February 24, 2020, there were approximately 1,300 shareholders of record of SpartanNash common stock. The Company has declared a quarterly cash dividend every quarter since the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.

The table below outlines quarterly dividends declared on SpartanNash common stock for each of the last three years:

 

 

 

Dividend per

 

Effective Quarter

 

 

common share

 

1st through 4th quarters of 2017

 

 

$

 

0.165

 

1st through 4th quarters of 2018

 

 

 

 

0.180

 

1st through 4th quarters of 2019

 

 

 

 

0.190

 

 

Under its senior revolving credit facility, the Company is generally permitted to pay dividends in any fiscal year up to an amount such that all cash dividends, together with any cash distributions and share repurchases, do not exceed $35.0 million. Additionally, the Company is generally permitted to pay cash dividends and repurchase shares in excess of $35.0 million in any fiscal year so long as its Excess Availability, as defined in the senior revolving credit facility, is in excess of 10% of the Total Borrowing Base, as defined in the senior revolving credit facility, before and after giving effect to the repurchases and dividends.

Although the Company expects to continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend, adoption of a dividend policy does not commit the Board of Directors (the “Board”) to declare future dividends. Each future dividend will be considered and declared by the Board at its discretion. Whether the Board continues to declare dividends and repurchase shares depends on a number of factors, including the Company’s future financial condition, anticipated profitability and cash flows, and compliance with the terms of its credit facilities.  During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Board authorized a $50 million share repurchase program expiring in 2022. As of December 28, 2019, $45.0 million remains available to be repurchased.

In 2018 and 2017, the Company repurchased 952,108 and 1,367,432 shares of common stock for approximately $20.0 million and $35.0 million, respectively. The Company did not repurchase common stock in 2019. There were no purchases of equity securities by the Company or affiliated purchasers in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The equity compensation plans table in Part III, Item 12 of this report is herein incorporated by reference.

Performance Graph

Set forth below is a graph comparing the cumulative total shareholder return on SpartanNash common stock to that of the Russell 2000 Total Return Index and the NASDAQ Retail Trade Index, over a period beginning January 3, 2015 and ending on December 28, 2019.

Cumulative total return is measured by the sum of (1) the cumulative amount of dividends for the measurement period, assuming dividend reinvestment, and (2) the difference between the share price at the end and the beginning of the measurement period, divided by the share price at the beginning of the measurement period.

-17-


 

 

The dollar values for total shareholder return plotted above are shown in the table below:

 

January 3,

 

 

January 2,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 28,

 

 

2015

 

 

2016

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

SpartanNash

$

 

100.00

 

 

$

 

85.58

 

 

$

 

159.43

 

 

$

 

110.22

 

 

$

 

72.33

 

 

$

 

64.01

 

Russell 2000 Total Return Index

 

 

100.00

 

 

 

 

96.05

 

 

 

 

116.52

 

 

 

 

133.59

 

 

 

 

117.93

 

 

 

 

149.18

 

NASDAQ Retail Trade

 

 

100.00

 

 

 

 

104.54

 

 

 

 

105.74

 

 

 

 

112.48

 

 

 

 

112.02

 

 

 

 

135.76

 

 

The information set forth under the Heading “Performance Graph” shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically requests that such information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporates it by reference into a filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

-18-


 

 

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

The following table provides selected historical consolidated financial information of SpartanNash for each of the five years ended January 2, 2016 through December 28, 2019, all of which were 52-week years.

 

Year Ended

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Statements of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales (a)

$

 

8,536,065

 

 

$

 

8,064,552

 

 

$

 

7,963,799

 

 

$

 

7,561,084

 

 

$

 

7,527,695

 

Gross profit

 

 

1,243,830

 

 

 

 

1,110,406

 

 

 

 

1,144,909

 

 

 

 

1,111,494

 

 

 

 

1,115,682

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (b)

 

 

1,172,401

 

 

 

 

997,411

 

 

 

 

1,015,024

 

 

 

 

963,235

 

 

 

 

975,833

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

1,437

 

 

 

 

4,937

 

 

 

 

8,101

 

 

 

 

6,959

 

 

 

 

8,433

 

Restructuring, goodwill/asset impairment and other charges (c)

 

 

13,050

 

 

 

 

37,546

 

 

 

 

228,459

 

 

 

 

32,116

 

 

 

 

8,802

 

Operating earnings (loss)

 

 

56,942

 

 

 

 

70,512

 

 

 

 

(106,675

)

 

 

 

109,184

 

 

 

 

122,614

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

 

3,575

 

 

 

 

40,698

 

 

 

 

(131,644

)

 

 

 

89,963

 

 

 

 

100,259

 

Income tax (benefit) expense (d)

 

 

(2,342

)

 

 

 

6,907

 

 

 

 

(79,027

)

 

 

 

32,907

 

 

 

 

37,093

 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

 

 

5,917

 

 

 

 

33,791

 

 

 

 

(52,617

)

 

 

 

57,056

 

 

 

 

63,166

 

Net earnings (loss)

$

 

5,742

 

 

$

 

33,572

 

 

$

 

(52,845

)

 

$

 

56,828

 

 

$

 

62,710

 

Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share

 

 

0.16

 

 

 

 

0.94

 

 

 

 

(1.41

)

 

 

 

1.52

 

 

 

 

1.67

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

 

0.16

 

 

 

 

0.93

 

 

 

 

(1.41

)

 

 

 

1.51

 

 

 

 

1.66

 

Cash dividends declared per share

 

 

0.76

 

 

 

 

0.72

 

 

 

 

0.66

 

 

 

 

0.60

 

 

 

 

0.54

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets (e) (f)

$

 

2,275,609

 

 

$

 

1,971,912

 

 

$

 

2,055,797

 

 

$

 

1,930,336

 

 

$

 

1,917,263

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

615,816

 

 

 

 

579,060

 

 

 

 

600,240

 

 

 

 

559,722

 

 

 

 

583,698

 

Working capital (e)

 

 

431,548

 

 

 

 

524,645

 

 

 

 

509,705

 

 

 

 

387,507

 

 

 

 

396,263

 

Long-term debt and finance lease obligations (f)

 

 

682,204

 

 

 

 

679,797

 

 

 

 

740,755

 

 

 

 

413,675

 

 

 

 

467,793

 

Shareholders’ equity (e)

 

 

687,538

 

 

 

 

715,947

 

 

 

 

721,950

 

 

 

 

825,407

 

 

 

 

790,779

 

 

  (a)

Due to the adoption of ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” at the beginning of fiscal 2018, the Company determined that certain contracts in the Food Distribution segment, that were historically reported on a gross basis, are now required to be reported on a net basis. The adoption of the guidance using the full retrospective method resulted in decreases to net sales and cost of sales previously reported of $164,283, $173,516, and $124,278 for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

  (b)

Due to the adoption of ASU 2017-07, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits” at the beginning of fiscal 2018, post-retirement benefit costs other than service cost, are reflected in “Other, net”, whereas they previously were recognized in “Selling, general and administrative expenses”. Retrospective application resulted in immaterial changes to “Other, net” and “Selling, general and administrative expenses” from amounts previously reported in 2017, 2016, and 2015.

  (c)

In 2019, the company recorded $13.1 million of net “restructuring, asset impairment and other charges” primarily associated with asset impairment charges associated with the decision to reposition Fresh Production operations and losses associated with the disposition of the Fresh Kitchen, which totaled $16.4 million. These charges were partially offset by gains on the sale of a previously closed distribution center. In 2018, the Company recorded $37.5 million of net “restructuring, asset impairment and other charges” associated with a $32.0 million non-cash charge related to the expected insolvency of a food distribution customer and other charges related to the Company’s retail store rationalization plan. In 2017, the Company recorded a $189.0 million goodwill impairment charge related to its Retail segment and $33.7 million of asset impairment charges primarily associated with long-lived assets in the Retail segment. In 2016, the Company recorded $32.1 million of restructuring and asset impairment charges primarily related to the closure of four retail stores and two distribution centers, as well as asset impairment charges associated with certain underperforming retail stores.

  (d)

In 2017, income taxes were impacted by the revaluation of deferred tax liabilities related to the corporate tax rate reduction enacted in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which also impacted the Company’s tax rate in 2018.

  (e)

Due to the adoption of ASU 2016-02 “Leases” as of the beginning of 2019, the Company recognized operating lease assets and liabilities of $241.8 million and $292.3 million, respectively. Working capital was primarily impacted by “Current portion of operating lease liabilities” of $40.3 million, which was recognized as a result of the transition.  The adoption of the standard also resulted in a transition adjustment to beginning of the year retained earnings of $26.9 million. The Company adopted this standard retrospectively and elected the practical expedient available under the guidance to not adjust comparative periods presented.

-19-


 

 

  (f)

Due to the adoption of ASU 2015-03, “Interest – Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” in 2016, debt issuance costs were reclassified from Other assets, net to Long-term liabilities for all periods presented. This resulted in a decrease in Total assets and Long-term debt and finance lease obligations previously reported of $8,185 at the end of fiscal 2015.

Historical data is not necessarily indicative of the Company’s future results of operations or financial condition. See discussion of “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this report; “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of this report; and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

About SpartanNash

SpartanNash, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a leading multi-regional grocery distributor and grocery retailer whose core businesses include distributing grocery products to a diverse group of independent and chain retailers, its corporate owned retail stores, and military commissaries and exchanges in the United States. The Company operates three reportable segments: Food Distribution, Military and Retail. These reportable segments are three distinct businesses, each with a different customer base, management structure, and basis for determining budgets, forecasts, and executive compensation.

Overview of 2019

In 2019, the Company executed against its long-term strategic objective of becoming a growth company that is focused on developing a national, highly efficient distribution platform known for solving unique and complex logistical issues and evolving its primary retail brand to deliver innovative solutions, both of which service a diverse customer base. The Company also began the implementation of initiatives in connection with its company-wide sales growth and cost reduction program, Project One Team. Project One Team is expected to result in more than $20 million in annual run rate efficiencies and cost reductions when fully implemented. The Company’s 2019 accomplishments and developments include:

Food Distribution

 

 

The Food Distribution segment realized sales growth of 3.7%, before the impact of the elimination of intercompany sales to Martin’s, compared to the prior year, driven by sales to existing customers. The Company remains focused on partnering with independent retailers to support their operations and enhance the consumer experience.

 

During the second quarter, the Company made the decision to exit its Fresh Kitchen operations, an area of the business which was unable to deliver on management’s expectations, resulting in lower volume production runs which were neither efficient nor profitable and significantly contributing to unfavorable performance within the Food Distribution segment. The Company has entered into an agreement to sell the facility and related equipment with an expected closing date late in the first quarter of fiscal 2020.

Military

 

The Military segment continued to support DeCA in the expansion of its private brand program. The Company leveraged its private brand capabilities and expertise to help design and develop both DeCA’s proprietary and commissary-specific private brands. As of December 28, 2019, the Company had launched over 900 SKUs of private brand products in the DeCA system. DeCA recently renewed the contract for another year and the Company looks forward to continuing its partnership with DeCA in 2020.

 

The Military segment realized sales growth during the year despite declining DeCA sales due to incremental volume from existing customers and the growth of the private brand program.

Retail

 

The Company made investments in its store base, and also improved its assortment, advertising, and promotion strategy through its strategic partnership with dunnhumby. These investments have helped improve customer satisfaction and have contributed to the achievement of sequential improvement in fiscal 2019 comparable store sales. Retail fourth quarter comparable store sales of 0.5%, were positive for the second consecutive quarter.

 

The Company acquired Martin’s in early 2019. Martin’s is a leading Midwest independent supermarket chain which operates stores in northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan. The acquisition of Martin’s has contributed to an increase in sales and operating earnings for the Retail segment and will continue to complement the Company’s existing retail initiatives.

-20-


 

 

Other

 

The Company made significant investments in its supply chain to improve efficiency and position the Company for growth. Key investments included: centralizing fresh distribution operations in the Company’s western region, tools to better forecast demand, improve purchasing activities and reduce inventory requirements; implementing new route management tools to reduce miles travelled; installing on-board computers on all trucks to improve route planning, efficiency and service levels; automating and simplifying business intelligence to ensure focus on the right metrics and improve decision making; investing in associate incentive programs to retain talent and drive productivity; and improving workforce time and schedule management and incentive compensation structures.

 

During 2019, the Company declared $27.6 million in cash dividends to shareholders. The Company generated net cash from operating activities of $180.2 million in 2019, compared to $171.7 million in 2018, as the Company made significant improvements in working capital – particularly in inventory reductions. Net long-term debt decreased $15.1 million compared to the prior year as the Company continued to pay down debt, despite funding the acquisition of Martin’s at the beginning of the fiscal year.

 

During the year, the Company made significant changes to senior leadership as part of a previously announced plan to strengthen its management team, systems and supply chain operations. The Company has appointed a new President of Food Distribution, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer, Chief Information Officer, and several other key additions throughout the IT and supply chain operations. Early in 2020 the Company also appointed David Sisk as Senior Vice President and President of the Military segment. The Board of Directors has retained an executive search and leadership consulting firm to identify the Company’s next Chief Executive Officer.

The accomplishments above helped position the Company for future earnings growth, but the competitive landscape and industry trends also present challenges to the Company that could impact 2020. For fiscal 2020, the Company anticipates low-single digit percentage sales growth. The Company expects the Food Distribution segment to achieve mid-single digit sales growth driven by existing customers and new business, partially offset by attrition in the independent retail base and the closure of the Fresh Kitchen operations. In the Military segment, the Company expects a continued decline in the DeCA comparable sales trend, partially offset by growth in DeCA private brands, resulting in a mid-single digit percentage sales decline. Retail segment sales are expected to increase nominally due to a continuation of positive comparable sales of up to 0.7%. The Company will also benefit from an additional week of sales compared to the 52-week year ended December 28, 2019.

Results of Operations

The current year results of operations are presented in comparison to the prior year within the section below. For a discussion of the results of fiscal 2018 operations in comparison to fiscal 2017, refer to the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations within the prior year Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain prior year amounts have been adjusted to reflect recently adopted accounting standards, which are described within Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

The following table sets forth items from the Company’s consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of net sales and the percentage change from the preceding year:

 

 

 

Percentage of Net Sales

 

 

Percentage Change

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2019

 

Net sales

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

5.8

 

Gross profit

 

 

14.6

 

 

 

13.8

 

 

 

14.4

 

 

 

12.0

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

13.7

 

 

 

12.4

 

 

 

12.7

 

 

 

17.5

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

0.0

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(70.9

)

Restructuring, goodwill/asset impairment and other charges

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

(65.2

)

Operating earnings (loss)

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(19.2

)

Other expenses, net

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

79.0

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

 

0.0

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

(1.7

)

 

 

(91.2

)

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

 

(0.0

)

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(133.9

)

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(82.5

)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

 

(0.0

)

 

 

(0.0

)

 

 

(0.0

)

 

(20.1

)

Net earnings (loss)

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(82.9

)

Note: Certain totals do not sum due to rounding.

-21-


 

 

Net Sales – The following table presents net sales by segment and variances in net sales:

 

 

 

 

Percentage of

 

 

 

 

Percentage of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage

 

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

Net Sales

 

2018

 

 

Net Sales

 

Variance

 

 

Change

 

Food Distribution

$

 

3,982,609

 

 

 

46.7

 

%

 

$

 

3,991,450

 

 

 

49.5

 

%

 

$

 

(8,841

)

 

 

(0.2

)

Military

 

 

2,172,107

 

 

 

25.4

 

 

 

 

 

2,166,843

 

 

 

26.9

 

 

 

 

 

5,264

 

 

 

0.2

 

Retail

 

 

2,381,349

 

 

 

27.9

 

 

 

 

 

1,906,259

 

 

 

23.6

 

 

 

 

 

475,090

 

 

 

24.9

 

Total net sales

$

 

8,536,065

 

 

 

100.0

 

%

 

$

 

8,064,552

 

 

 

100.0

 

%

 

$

 

471,513

 

 

 

5.8

 

Net sales increased $471.5 million, or 5.8%, to $8.54 billion in 2019 from $8.06 billion in 2018. The increase in net sales was generated through the acquisition of Martin’s, as well as higher sales within the Food Distribution segment prior to the elimination of the intercompany sales for the acquired business.

Food Distribution net sales decreased $8.8 million, or 0.2%, to $3.98 billion in 2019 from $3.99 billion in the prior year. Excluding the impact of the elimination of sales to Martin’s following the acquisition at the beginning of 2019, sales grew 3.7% primarily due to sales growth with existing customers.

Military net sales increased $5.3 million, or 0.2%, to $2.17 billion in 2019 from $2.17 billion in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to incremental volume from new business with an existing customer that commenced late in the fourth quarter of 2018 and growth in DeCA’s private brand program, partially offset by lower comparable sales at DeCA operated locations.

Retail net sales increased $475.1 million, or 24.9%, to $2.38 billion in 2019 from $1.91 billion in the prior year. The increase in net sales was primarily attributable to incremental sales from the Martin’s acquisition, partially offset by the impact of closed stores and lower comparable store sales. Comparable store sales were negative 0.5% in the current year, however improved in the second half of the year and ended at positive 0.5% for the fourth quarter. The Company defines a retail store as comparable when it is in operation for 14 accounting periods (a period equals four weeks), regardless of remodels, expansions, or relocated stores. Acquired stores are included in the comparable sales calculation 13 periods after the acquisition date. Fuel is excluded from the comparable sales calculation due to volatility in price. The Company’s definition of comparable store sales may differ from similarly titled measures at other companies.

Gross Profit Gross profit represents net sales less cost of sales, which is described in further detail within Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. Gross profit increased $133.4 million, or 12.0%, to $1.24 billion in 2019 compared to $1.11 billion in the prior year. As a percent of net sales, gross profit increased from 13.8% to 14.6% primarily due to the acquisition of Martin’s and the resulting higher mix of sales in the Retail segment which generates a higher gross margin rate.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses consist primarily of salaries and wages, employee benefits, warehousing costs, store occupancy costs, shipping and handling, utilities, equipment rental, depreciation (to the extent not included in Cost of Sales), out-bound freight and other administrative expenses. SG&A expenses increased $175.0 million, or 17.5%, to $1,172.4 million in 2019 from $997.4 million in the prior year. As a percent of net sales, SG&A expenses increased from 12.4% to 13.7% primarily due to higher mix of sales in the Retail segment which has a higher SG&A rate to sales, higher supply chain costs in both the Military and Food Distribution segments, and higher corporate administrative expenses, including expenses associated with the CEO transition and a supplemental, transition incentive program for eligible associates (“Transition Costs”).

Merger/Acquisition and Integration Expenses In 2019, $1.4 million of merger/acquisition and integration expenses were incurred primarily in connection with the acquisition and integration of Martin’s. Prior year results included $4.9 million of merger/acquisition and integration expenses primarily associated with ongoing integration activities from the Nash-Finch merger and Caito Foods Service (“Caito”) and Blue Ribbon Transport (“BRT”) acquisitions as well as costs associated with the Martin’s acquisition.

Restructuring, Asset Impairment and Other Charges In 2019, $13.1 million of net restructuring, asset impairment and other charges were incurred, predominantly as a result of asset impairment charges associated with the decision to reposition Fresh Production operations and losses associated with the disposition of the Fresh Kitchen, which were partially offset by gains on the sale of a previously closed distribution center. Prior year results included $37.5 million of net restructuring, asset impairment and other charges that were predominantly associated with a non-cash charge related to the collectability of a customer advance to an independent retailer of $32.0 million as well as charges incurred as part of the Company’s retail store rationalization plans, partially offset by changes in estimates of closed store liabilities and gains on sales of real estate.

-22-


 

 

Operating Earnings (Loss) – The following table presents operating earnings (loss) by segment and variances in operating earnings (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of

 

 

 

 

Percentage of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of

 

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

Net Sales

 

2018

 

 

Net Sales

 

Variance

 

 

Net Sales

 

Food Distribution

$

 

47,416

 

 

 

1.2

 

%

 

$

 

48,752

 

 

 

1.2

 

%

 

$

 

(1,336

)

 

 

(0.0

)

Military

 

 

(9,316

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

 

 

5,647

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

(14,963

)

 

 

(0.7

)

Retail

 

 

18,842

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

 

16,113

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

 

2,729

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Operating earnings (loss)

$

 

56,942

 

 

 

0.7

 

%

 

$

 

70,512

 

 

 

0.9

 

%

 

$

 

(13,570

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

The Company reported operating earnings of $56.9 million in 2019 compared to $70.5 million in the prior year. The decrease of $13.6 million was primarily related to an increase in supply chain expense, partly due to a reliance on incremental contract labor within the warehouse and transportation operations in both the Food Distribution and Military segments, and higher administrative costs, including Transition Costs, one-time costs associated with Project One Team and healthcare costs. These factors were partially offset by lower restructuring charges and the contribution of the acquired Martin’s stores.

Food Distribution operating earnings decreased $1.3 million to $47.4 million in 2019 from $48.8 million in the prior year. The decrease was primarily attributable to the higher supply chain costs and corporate administrative expenses described above, partially offset by lower restructuring charges compared to the prior year.

Military operating earnings decreased $15.0 million to a $9.3 million operating loss in 2019 from earnings of $5.6 million in the prior year. The decrease was attributable to higher supply chain costs and higher corporate administrative expenses than in the prior year.

Retail operating earnings increased $2.7 million to $18.8 million in 2019 compared to $16.1 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to the contribution of the acquired Martin’s stores and the favorable impact of closing underperforming stores, partially offset by higher corporate administrative expenses as described above and higher store labor costs.

Interest Expense Interest expense increased $4.1 million, or 13.3%, to $34.5 million in 2019 from $30.5 million in the prior year primarily due to an increase in interest rates compared to the prior year.

Postretirement Benefit Expense (Income) – Expense in the current year is primarily related to the termination of the Company’s Pension Plan, a frozen defined benefit pension plan terminated on July 31, 2018, and the resulting distribution of assets to plan participants in 2019.

Income Taxes – The Company’s effective income tax rates were -65.5% and 17.0% for 2019 and 2018, respectively. Differences from the federal statutory rate in the current year are primarily due to state tax benefits and tax credits. Differences from the federal statutory rate in the prior year are primarily due to the lapse of the statute of limitations for an uncertain tax position and tax credits, partially offset by tax expense related to stock-based compensation and state income taxes.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), the Company also provides information regarding adjusted operating earnings, adjusted earnings from continuing operations, and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“adjusted EBITDA”). These are non-GAAP financial measures, as defined below, and are used by management to allocate resources, assess performance against its peers and evaluate overall performance. The Company believes these measures provide useful information for both management and its investors. The Company believes these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors because they provide additional understanding of the trends and special circumstances that affect its business. These measures provide useful supplemental information that helps investors to establish a basis for expected performance and the ability to evaluate actual results against that expectation. The measures, when considered in connection with GAAP results, can be used to assess the overall performance of the Company as well as assess the Company’s performance against its peers. These measures are also used as a basis for certain compensation programs sponsored by the Company. In addition, securities analysts, fund managers and other shareholders and stakeholders that communicate with the Company request its financial results in these adjusted formats.

-23-


 

 

Current year adjusted operating earnings, adjusted earnings from continuing operations, and adjusted EBITDA exclude “Fresh Kitchen operating losses” subsequent to the decision to exit these operations at the beginning of the third quarter, costs associated with organizational realignment, which include significant changes to the Company’s management team, and fees paid to a third-party advisory firm associated with Project One Team, the Company’s initiative to drive growth while increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Pension termination costs, primarily related to non-operating settlement expense associated with the distribution of pension assets, are excluded from adjusted earnings from continuing operations, and to a lesser extent adjusted operating earnings. Prior year and 2017 adjusted operating earnings, adjusted earnings from continuing operations, and adjusted EBITDA exclude start-up costs associated with the first year of Fresh Kitchen operations, which concluded during the first quarter of 2018. The 2017 retirement stock compensation award represents incremental compensation expense in connection with an executive retirement. These items are considered “non-operational” or “non-core” in nature.

Adjusted Operating Earnings

Adjusted operating earnings is a non-GAAP operating financial measure that the Company defines as operating earnings plus or minus adjustments for items that do not reflect the ongoing operating activities of the Company and costs associated with the closing of operational locations.

The Company believes that adjusted operating earnings provide a meaningful representation of its operating performance for the Company as a whole and for its operating segments. The Company considers adjusted operating earnings as an additional way to measure operating performance on an ongoing basis. Adjusted operating earnings is meant to reflect the ongoing operating performance of all of its distribution and retail operations; consequently, it excludes the impact of items that could be considered “non-operating” or “non-core” in nature, and also excludes the contributions of activities classified as discontinued operations. Because adjusted operating earnings and adjusted operating earnings by segment are performance measures that management uses to allocate resources, assess performance against its peers and evaluate overall performance, the Company believes it provides useful information for both management and its investors. In addition, securities analysts, fund managers and other shareholders and stakeholders that communicate with the Company request its operating financial results in an adjusted operating earnings format.

Adjusted operating earnings and adjusted operating earnings by segment are not measures of performance under GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for operating earnings and other income statement data. The Company’s definitions of adjusted operating earnings and adjusted operating earnings by segment may not be identical to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

-24-


 

 

Following is a reconciliation of operating earnings (loss) to adjusted operating earnings for 2019, 2018 and 2017.

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Operating earnings (loss)

$

 

56,942

 

 

$

 

70,512

 

 

$

 

(106,675

)

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

1,437

 

 

 

 

4,937

 

 

 

 

8,101

 

Restructuring, goodwill/asset impairment and other charges

 

 

13,050

 

 

 

 

37,546

 

 

 

 

228,459

 

Fresh Kitchen start-up costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,366

 

 

 

 

8,082

 

Fresh Kitchen operating losses

 

 

2,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation associated with executive retirement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,172

 

Expenses associated with tax planning strategies

 

 

 

 

 

 

225

 

 

 

 

3,798

 

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

5,428

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

1,812

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension termination

 

 

59

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance associated with cost reduction initiatives

 

 

509

 

 

 

 

1,023

 

 

 

 

368

 

Adjusted operating earnings

$

 

82,131

 

 

$

 

115,609

 

 

$

 

143,305

 

Reconciliation of operating earnings (loss) to adjusted operating earnings (loss) by segment:

 

Food Distribution:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings

$

 

47,416

 

 

$

 

48,752

 

 

$

 

83,115

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

(122

)

 

 

 

3,581

 

 

 

 

6,244

 

Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges

 

 

14,844

 

 

 

 

33,056

 

 

 

 

1,317

 

Fresh Kitchen start-up costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,366

 

 

 

 

8,082

 

Fresh Kitchen operating losses

 

 

2,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation associated with executive retirement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

591

 

Expenses associated with tax planning strategies

 

 

 

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

 

1,744

 

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

2,877

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

960

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension termination

 

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance associated with cost reduction initiatives

 

 

413

 

 

 

 

763

 

 

 

 

342

 

Adjusted operating earnings

$

 

69,314

 

 

$

 

87,634

 

 

$

 

101,435

 

Military:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (loss) earnings

$

 

(9,316

)

 

$

 

5,647

 

 

$

 

6,969

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

1,522

 

Restructuring, asset impairment and other (gains) charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

(801

)

 

 

 

500

 

Stock compensation associated with executive retirement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

147

 

Expenses associated with tax planning strategies

 

 

 

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

 

593

 

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

706

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension termination

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance associated with cost reduction initiatives

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

107

 

 

 

 

7

 

Adjusted operating (loss) earnings

$

 

(8,358

)

 

$

 

4,985

 

 

$

 

9,738

 

Retail:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings (loss)

$

 

18,842

 

 

$

 

16,113

 

 

$

 

(196,759

)

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

1,559

 

 

 

 

1,352

 

 

 

 

335

 

Restructuring, goodwill/asset impairment and other (gains) charges

 

 

(1,794

)

 

 

 

5,291

 

 

 

 

226,642

 

Stock compensation associated with executive retirement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

434

 

Expenses associated with tax planning strategies

 

 

 

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

 

1,461

 

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

1,845

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension termination

 

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance associated with cost reduction initiatives

 

 

86

 

 

 

 

153

 

 

 

 

19

 

Adjusted operating earnings

$

 

21,175

 

 

$

 

22,990

 

 

$

 

32,132

 

-25-


 

 

Adjusted Earnings from Continuing Operations

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations is a non-GAAP operating financial measure that the Company defines as earnings from continuing operations plus or minus adjustments for items that do not reflect the ongoing operating activities of the Company and costs associated with the closing of operational locations.

The Company believes that adjusted earnings from continuing operations provide a meaningful representation of its operating performance for the Company. The Company considers adjusted earnings from continuing operations as an additional way to measure operating performance on an ongoing basis. Adjusted earnings from continuing operations is meant to reflect the ongoing operating performance of all of its distribution and retail operations; consequently, it excludes the impact of items that could be considered “non-operating” or “non-core” in nature, and also excludes the contributions of activities classified as discontinued operations. Because adjusted earnings from continuing operations is a performance measure that management uses to allocate resources, assess performance against its peers and evaluate overall performance, the Company believes it provides useful information for both management and its investors. In addition, securities analysts, fund managers and other shareholders and stakeholders that communicate with the Company request its operating financial results in adjusted earnings from continuing operations format.

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations is not a measure of performance under GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for earnings from continuing operations and other income statement data. The Company’s definition of adjusted earnings from continuing operations may not be identical to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Following is a reconciliation of earnings (loss) from continuing operations to adjusted earnings from continuing operations for 2019, 2018 and 2017.

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

per diluted

 

 

 

 

 

per diluted

 

 

 

 

 

per diluted

 

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

Earnings

 

 

share

 

 

Earnings

 

 

share

 

 

Earnings

 

 

share

 

 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

$

 

5,917

 

 

$

 

0.16

 

 

$

 

33,791

 

 

$

 

0.94

 

 

$

 

(52,617

)

 

$

 

(1.41

)

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

1,437

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,937

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring, goodwill/asset impairment and other charges

 

 

13,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,546

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

228,459

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh Kitchen start-up costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,366

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,082

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh Kitchen operating losses

 

 

2,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation associated with executive retirement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,172

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses associated with tax planning strategies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,798

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

5,428

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

1,812

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on debt extinguishment

 

 

329

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance associated with cost reduction initiatives

 

 

509

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

368

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension termination

 

 

19,557

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total adjustments

 

 

45,016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45,097

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

249,980

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax effect on adjustments (a)

 

 

(11,022

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11,139

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(92,767

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impact of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (b)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(494

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25,992

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total adjustments, net of taxes

 

 

33,994

 

 

 

 

0.94

 

 

 

 

33,464

 

 

 

 

0.93

 

 

 

 

131,221

 

 

 

 

3.51

 

 

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations

$

 

39,911

 

 

$

 

1.10

 

 

$

 

67,255

 

 

$

 

1.87

 

 

$

 

78,604

 

 

$

 

2.10

 

 

  (a)

The income tax effect on adjustments is computed by applying the applicable tax rate to the adjustments.

  (b)

The Company realized income tax benefits related to remeasuring its deferred tax assets and liabilities to reflect the change in the federal statutory rate resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Includes $1.1 million and $4.8 million of tax benefits attributable to tax planning strategies related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“adjusted EBITDA”) is a non-GAAP operating financial measure that the Company defines as net earnings plus interest, discontinued operations, depreciation and amortization, and other non-cash items including deferred (stock) compensation, the LIFO provision, as well as adjustments for items that do not reflect the ongoing operating activities of the Company and costs associated with the closing of operational locations.

-26-


 

 

The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA provides a meaningful representation of its operating performance for the Company as a whole and for its operating segments. The Company considers adjusted EBITDA as an additional way to measure operating performance on an ongoing basis. Adjusted EBITDA is meant to reflect the ongoing operating performance of all of its distribution and retail operations; consequently, it excludes the impact of items that could be considered “non-operating” or “non-core” in nature, and also excludes the contributions of activities classified as discontinued operations. Because adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA by segment are performance measures that management uses to allocate resources, assess performance against its peers and evaluate overall performance, the Company believes it provides useful information for both management and its investors. In addition, securities analysts, fund managers and other shareholders and stakeholders that communicate with the Company request its operating financial results in an adjusted EBITDA format.

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA by segment are not measures of performance under GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for net earnings, cash flows from operating activities and other income or cash flow statement data. The Company’s definitions of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA by segment may not be identical to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Following is a reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to adjusted EBITDA for 2019, 2018 and 2017.

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Net earnings (loss)

$

 

5,742

 

 

$

 

33,572

 

 

$

 

(52,845

)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

175

 

 

 

 

219

 

 

 

 

228

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

 

(2,342

)

 

 

 

6,907

 

 

 

 

(79,027

)

Other expenses, net

 

 

53,367

 

 

 

 

29,814

 

 

 

 

24,969

 

Operating earnings (loss)

 

 

56,942

 

 

 

 

70,512

 

 

 

 

(106,675

)

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIFO expense

 

 

5,892

 

 

 

 

4,601

 

 

 

 

2,898

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

87,866

 

 

 

 

82,634

 

 

 

 

82,243

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

1,437

 

 

 

 

4,937

 

 

 

 

8,101

 

Restructuring, goodwill/asset impairment and other charges

 

 

13,050

 

 

 

 

37,546

 

 

 

 

228,459

 

Fresh Kitchen start-up costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,366

 

 

 

 

8,082

 

Fresh Kitchen operating losses

 

 

2,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses associated with tax planning strategies

 

 

 

 

 

 

225

 

 

 

 

3,798

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

7,313

 

 

 

 

7,646

 

 

 

 

9,611

 

Non-cash rent

 

 

(5,622

)

 

 

 

(962

)

 

 

 

(722

)

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

5,428

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

1,812

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other non-cash charges

 

 

933

 

 

 

 

916

 

 

 

 

207

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

 

177,945

 

 

$

 

209,421

 

 

$

 

236,002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-27-


 

 

Following is a reconciliation of operating earnings (loss) to adjusted EBITDA by segment for 2019, 2018 and 2017.

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Food Distribution:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings

$

 

47,416

 

 

$

 

48,752

 

 

$

 

83,115

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIFO expense

 

 

3,032

 

 

 

 

2,270

 

 

 

 

2,036

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

32,861

 

 

 

 

31,854

 

 

 

 

29,258

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

(122

)

 

 

 

3,581

 

 

 

 

6,244

 

Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges

 

 

14,844

 

 

 

 

33,056

 

 

 

 

1,317

 

Fresh Kitchen start-up costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,366

 

 

 

 

8,082

 

Fresh Kitchen operating losses

 

 

2,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses associated with tax planning strategies

 

 

 

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

 

1,744

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

3,603

 

 

 

 

3,626

 

 

 

 

4,457

 

Non-cash rent

 

 

482

 

 

 

 

157

 

 

 

 

217

 

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

2,877

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

960

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other non-cash charges

 

 

394

 

 

 

 

567

 

 

 

 

93

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

 

109,241

 

 

$

 

125,345

 

 

$

 

136,563

 

Military:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (loss) earnings

$

 

(9,316

)

 

$

 

5,647

 

 

$

 

6,969

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIFO expense

 

 

1,789

 

 

 

 

1,230

 

 

 

 

394

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

11,834

 

 

 

 

11,968

 

 

 

 

11,626

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

1,522

 

Restructuring, asset impairment and other (gains) charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

(801

)

 

 

 

500

 

Expenses associated with tax planning strategies

 

 

 

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

 

593

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

1,180

 

 

 

 

1,244

 

 

 

 

1,491

 

Non-cash rent

 

 

(374

)

 

 

 

(323

)

 

 

 

(3

)

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

706

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other non-cash (gains) charges

 

 

(89

)

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

(17

)

Adjusted EBITDA

$

 

5,966

 

 

$

 

19,047

 

 

$

 

23,075

 

Retail:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings (loss)

$

 

18,842

 

 

$

 

16,113

 

 

$

 

(196,759

)

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIFO expense

 

 

1,071

 

 

 

 

1,101

 

 

 

 

468

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

43,171

 

 

 

 

38,812

 

 

 

 

41,359

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

1,559

 

 

 

 

1,352

 

 

 

 

335

 

Restructuring, goodwill/asset impairment and other (gains) charges

 

 

(1,794

)

 

 

 

5,291

 

 

 

 

226,642

 

Expenses associated with tax planning strategies

 

 

 

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

 

1,461

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

2,530

 

 

 

 

2,776

 

 

 

 

3,663

 

Non-cash rent

 

 

(5,730

)

 

 

 

(796

)

 

 

 

(936

)

Costs associated with Project One Team

 

 

1,845

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organizational realignment costs

 

 

616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other non-cash charges

 

 

628

 

 

 

 

299

 

 

 

 

131

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

 

62,738

 

 

$

 

65,029

 

 

$

 

76,364

 

-28-


 

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that may not be readily apparent from other sources. Based on the Company’s ongoing review, the Company makes adjustments it considers appropriate under the facts and circumstances. The Company believes these accounting policies, and others set forth in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, should be reviewed as they are integral to understanding the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. The Company has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of these accounting policies with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

An accounting policy is considered critical if: a) it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and b) different estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company considers the following accounting policies to represent the more critical estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements:

Customer Exposure and Credit Risk

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts and notes receivable based on a combination of factors. In most circumstances when the Company becomes aware of factors that may indicate a deterioration in a specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations (e.g., reductions of product purchases, deteriorating store conditions, changes in payment patterns), the Company records a specific reserve to reduce the receivable to an amount the Company reasonably believes will be collected. In determining the adequacy of the reserves, the Company analyzes factors such as the value of any collateral, customer financial statements, historical collection experience, aging of receivables and other economic and industry factors. It is possible that the accuracy of the estimation process could be materially affected by different judgments as to the collectability based on information considered and further deterioration of accounts. If circumstances change (e.g., further evidence of material adverse creditworthiness, additional accounts become credit risks, store closures), the Company’s estimates of the recoverability of amounts due could be reduced by a material amount, including to zero.

Funds Advanced to Independent Retailers. From time to time, the Company may advance funds to independent retailers which are earned by the retailers primarily through achieving specified purchase volume requirements, as outlined in their supply agreements with the Company, or in limited instances, for remaining a SpartanNash customer for a specified time period. These advances must be repaid if the purchase volume requirements are not met or if the retailer does not remain a customer for the specified time period. In the event these retailers are unable to repay these advances or otherwise experience an event of default, the Company may be unable to recover the unearned portion of the funds advanced to these independent retailers. The Company evaluates the recoverability of these advances based on a number of factors, including anticipated and historical purchase volume, the value of any collateral, customer financial statements and other economic and industry factors, and establishes a reserve for the advances as necessary.

Guarantees of Debt and Lease Obligations of Others. The Company may guarantee debt and lease obligations of independent retailers. In the event these retailers are unable to meet their debt service payments or otherwise experience an event of default, the Company would be unconditionally liable for the outstanding balance of their debt and lease obligations, which would be due in accordance with the underlying agreements.

The Company has guaranteed the outstanding lease obligations of certain independent retailers. These guarantees, which are secured by certain business assets and personal guarantees of the respective independent retailers, represent the maximum undiscounted payments the Company would be required to make in the event of default. The Company believes these independent retailers will be able to perform under the lease agreements and that no payments will be required, and no loss will be incurred under the guarantees. A liability representing the fair value of the obligations assumed under the guarantees is included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The Company also subleases and assigns various leases to third parties. In circumstances when the Company becomes aware of factors that indicate deterioration in a third party’s ability to meet its financial obligations guaranteed or assigned by SpartanNash, the Company records a specific reserve in the amount the Company reasonably believes it will be obligated to pay on the third party’s behalf, net of any anticipated recoveries from the third party. In determining the adequacy of these reserves, the Company analyzes factors such as those described above in “Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – Methodology” and “Lease Commitments.” It is possible that the accuracy of the estimation process could be materially affected by different judgments as to the obligations based on information considered and further deterioration of accounts, with the potential for a corresponding adverse effect on operating results and cash flows. Triggering these guarantees or obligations under assigned leases would not, however, result in cross default of the Company’s debt, but could restrict resources available for general business initiatives. Refer to Note 15, Concentration of Credit Risk, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding customer exposure and credit risk.

-29-


 

 

Business Combinations

The Company accounts for acquired businesses using the purchase method of accounting, which requires that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date, with any excess purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired being recorded as goodwill.

Significant judgment is required in estimating the fair value of intangible assets and in assigning their respective useful lives. The fair value estimates are based on available historical information and on future expectations and assumptions deemed reasonable by the Company but are inherently uncertain. Also, determining the estimated useful life of an intangible asset requires judgment based on the Company’s expected use of the asset, as different types of intangible assets will have different useful lives and certain assets may even be considered to have indefinite useful lives. The Company typically utilizes the income method to estimate the fair value of intangible assets, which discounts the projected future cash flows attributable to the respective assets. Significant estimates and assumptions inherent in the valuation reflect a consideration of other marketplace competition and include the amount and timing of future cash flows (including expected growth rates and profitability) and the discount rate applied to the cash flows. Unanticipated market or macroeconomic events and circumstances may occur that could affect the accuracy or validity of the estimates and assumptions.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis (during the last quarter of the year), or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not indicate an impairment exists. The quantitative impairment evaluation of these assets involves the comparison of their fair value to their carrying values.

Goodwill. The Company has three reporting units, which are the same as the Company’s reportable segments; however, there is no goodwill recorded within the Retail or Military segments. Fair values are determined based on the discounted cash flows and comparable market values of each reporting segment. If a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis also includes a comparison of the estimated fair value of the enterprise as a whole to the Company’s total market capitalization. Therefore, a significant and sustained decline in the Company’s stock price could result in goodwill impairment charges. During times of financial market volatility, significant judgment is given to determine the underlying cause of the decline and whether stock price declines are short-term in nature or indicative of an event or change in circumstances.

The Company estimates the fair value of the Food Distribution reporting unit primarily based on the income approach using a discounted cash flow model and also incorporates the market approach using observable comparable company information. Key assumptions used by the Company in preparing the fair value estimate under the discounted cash flow method include:

 

Weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”): The determination of the WACC incorporates current interest rates, equity risk premiums, and other market-based expectations regarding expected investment returns. The development of the WACC requires estimates of an equity rate of return and a debt rate of return, which are specific to the industry in which the reporting unit operates.

 

Revenue growth rates: The Company develops its forecasts based on recent sales data for existing operations and other factors, including management’s future expectations.

 

Operating profits: The Company uses historical operating margins as a basis for its projections within the discounted cash flow model. Margins within the forecast may vary due to future expectations related to both product and administrative costs.

The Company compares the results of the discounted cash flow model to observable comparable company market multiples to support the appropriateness of the fair value estimates. The Company concludes whether the implied multiple is reasonable with respect to the comparable company range, and whether the assumptions used in the fair value estimate are supportable.

As of the date of the most recent goodwill impairment test, which utilized data and assumptions as of October 5, 2019, the Food Distribution reporting unit had a fair value that was substantially in excess of its carrying value. The Company has sufficient available information, both current and historical, to support its assumptions, judgments and estimates used in the goodwill impairment test; however, if actual results for the Food Distribution segment are not consistent with the Company’s estimates, it could result in the Company recording a non-cash impairment charge.

Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets. The estimated fair value of these assets is computed by using a discounted cash flow method, such as the relief-from-royalty methodology. The Company determines future cash flows generated from the use of the asset, generally using estimated revenue growth rates and profitability rates and, in the case of the relief-from-royalty methodology, royalty rates. Discount rates are determined based on the WACC of the reporting unit in which the asset resides, consistent with the discussion above.

-30-


 

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets to be held and used are evaluated for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. When the undiscounted future cash flows are not sufficient to recover an asset’s carrying amount, the fair value is compared to the carrying value to determine the impairment loss to be recorded. Long-lived assets are evaluated at the asset-group level, which is the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. Impairments of long-lived assets were $4.0 million, $2.6 million and $33.7 million for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Estimates of future cash flows and expected sales prices are judgments based upon the Company’s experience and knowledge of operations. These estimates project cash flows several years into the future and are affected by changes in the economy, the competitive environment, real estate market conditions and inflation. If the book value of assets is determined to not be recoverable, future cash flows for the expected useful life of the asset group are discounted using a rate based on the WACC of the reporting segment in which the asset resides, consistent with the discussion above.

Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell. Management determines fair values using independent appraisals, quotes or expected sales prices developed by internal real estate professionals. Estimates of expected sales prices are judgments based upon the Company’s experience, knowledge of market conditions and current offers received. Changes in market conditions, the economic environment and other factors, including the Company’s ability to effectively compete and react to competitor openings, can significantly impact these estimates. While the Company believes that the estimates and assumptions underlying the valuation methodology are reasonable, different assumptions could result in a different outcome.

Insurance Reserves

SpartanNash is self-insured through self-insurance retentions or high deductible programs for workers’ compensation, general liability, and automobile liability, and is also self-insured for healthcare costs. Self-insurance liabilities are recorded based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liabilities are actuarially estimated based on available historical information on an undiscounted basis. The Company has purchased stop-loss coverage to limit its exposure on a per claim basis for its self-insurance retentions and high deductible programs. On a per claim basis, the Company’s exposure is up to $0.5 million for workers’ compensation and general liability, $1.0 million for automobile liability, and $0.5 million for healthcare per covered life per year. Refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to self-insurance reserves.

Any projection of losses concerning insurance reserves is subject to a degree of variability. Among the causes of variability are unpredictable external factors affecting future inflation rates, discount rates, litigation trends, changing regulations, legal interpretations, benefit level changes and claim settlement patterns. Although the Company’s estimates of liabilities incurred do not anticipate significant changes in historical trends for these variables, such changes could have a material impact on future claim costs and currently recorded liabilities. The impact of many of these variables may be difficult to estimate.

Defined Benefit Plans

Accounting for defined benefit plans involves estimating the cost of benefits to be provided in the future, based on vested years of service, and attributing those costs over the time period each associate works. The significant factors affecting the Company’s pension costs are the fair values of plan assets and the selections of management’s key assumptions, including the expected return on plan assets and the discount rate used by the Company’s actuary to calculate its liability. The Company considers current market conditions, including changes in interest rates and investment returns, in selecting these assumptions. The discount rate is based on current investment yields on high quality fixed-income investments and projected cash flow obligations. Expected return on plan assets is based on projected returns by asset class on broad, publicly traded equity and fixed-income indices, as well as the Company’s target asset allocation, which is designed to meet the Company’s long-term pension requirements. While the Company believes the assumptions selected are reasonable, significant differences in its actual experience, plan amendments or significant changes in the fair value of its plan assets may materially affect its pension obligations and its future expense.

Sensitivity to changes in the major assumption for the SpartanNash Company Retiree Medical Plan as of December 28, 2019 is as follows:

 

Percentage

 

Projected

 

Point

 

Benefit Obligation

(In millions, except percentages)

Change

 

Decrease / (Increase)

Discount rate - SpartanNash Company Retiree Medical Plan

+/- 0.75

 

$0.9 / $(1.0)

-31-


 

 

Refer to Note 11, Associate Retirement Plans, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the assumptions used to estimate the cost of benefits and for details related to changes in the funded status of the defined benefit pension plans.

Income Taxes

SpartanNash is subject to periodic audits by the Internal Revenue Service and other state and local taxing authorities. These audits may challenge certain of the Company’s tax positions, such as the timing and amount of income credits and deductions and the allocation of taxable income to various tax jurisdictions. The Company evaluates its tax positions and establishes liabilities in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance on uncertainty in income taxes. These tax uncertainties are reviewed as facts and circumstances change and are adjusted accordingly. This requires significant management judgment in estimating final outcomes. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates and could significantly affect the Company’s effective income tax rate and cash flows in future years. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which it expects the differences to reverse. Refer to Note 13, Income Tax, in the notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information on income taxes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow Information

The following table summarizes the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows for 2019, 2018 and 2017:

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Cash flow activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

 

180,192

 

 

$

 

171,658

 

 

$

 

52,843

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(143,172

)

 

 

 

(64,156

)

 

 

 

(315,393

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

 

(31,219

)

 

 

 

(104,300

)

 

 

 

254,003

 

Net cash used in discontinued operations

 

 

(214

)

 

 

 

(284

)

 

 

 

(137

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

5,587

 

 

 

 

2,918

 

 

 

 

(8,684

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

 

18,585

 

 

 

 

15,667

 

 

 

 

24,351

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$

 

24,172

 

 

$

 

18,585

 

 

$

 

15,667

 

Net cash provided by operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities in 2019 increased compared to 2018 by $8.5 million primarily due to improvements in working capital, partly offset by lower earnings.

Net cash used in investing activities. Net cash used in investing activities increased $79.0 million in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily due to the Martin’s acquisition made in the current year, partially offset by increased proceeds from the sale of real property.

The Food Distribution, Military and Retail segments utilized 37.9%, 8.4% and 53.7% of capital expenditures, respectively, for 2019. Expenditures for 2019 primarily related to retail store remodels and upgrades, which includes nine major store remodels, IT system upgrades and implementations, and investments in supply chain, including a centralized fresh distribution operation in the Company’s western region. The Company expects capital expenditures to range from $80.0 million to $90.0 million for 2020.

Net cash used in financing activities. Net cash used in financing activities decreased $73.1 million during 2019 from 2018 primarily due to proceeds from borrowings to fund the Martin’s acquisition.

Net cash used in discontinued operations. Net cash used in discontinued operations contains the net cash flows of the Company’s Food Distribution and Retail discontinued operations and is primarily composed of facility maintenance expenditures.

Debt Management

Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities, including the current portion, decreased $9.5 million to $688.6 million as of December 28, 2019 from $698.1 million at December 29, 2018. The decrease in total debt was driven by principal payments in the current year, mostly offset by financing the current year acquisition of Martin’s.

-32-


 

 

In December 2018, SpartanNash Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Company’s Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). The principal changes of the amendment included an extension of the maturity date of the loans from December 20, 2021 to December 18, 2023, an increase in the size of the Tranche A revolving loan to $975 million from $900 million, an amendment to the interest rate grid such that rates for the Tranche A-1 revolving loans are now LIBOR plus 2.25% to LIBOR plus 2.50%, a reload of the $60 million Tranche A-2 term loan and a reset of certain advance rates for the borrowing base. The Credit Agreement provides for borrowings of $1.1 billion, consisting of three tranches: a $975 million secured revolving credit facility (Tranche A), a $40 million secured revolving credit facility (Tranche A-1), and a $60 million term loan (Tranche A-2). In the third quarter of 2019, the Company executed an early payment of the $60 million term loan (Tranche A-2). The Company has the ability to increase the size of the Credit Agreement by an additional $325 million, subject to certain conditions in the Credit Agreement. The Company’s obligations under the related Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the Company’s personal and real property. The Company may repay all loans in whole or in part at any time without penalty.

Liquidity

The Company’s principal sources of liquidity are cash flows generated from operations and its senior secured credit facility. As of December 28, 2019, the senior secured credit facility had outstanding borrowings of $640.4 million. Additional available borrowings under the Company’s Credit Agreement are based on stipulated advance rates on eligible assets, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement requires that the Company maintains Excess Availability of 10% of the borrowing base, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Company had excess availability after the 10% requirement of $236.8 million at December 28, 2019. Payment of dividends and repurchases of outstanding shares are permitted, provided that certain levels of excess availability are maintained. The Credit Agreement provides for the issuance of letters of credit, of which $11.7 million were outstanding as of December 28, 2019. The Company believes that cash generated from operating activities and available borrowings under the Credit Agreement will be sufficient to meet anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, dividend payments, and debt service obligations for the foreseeable future. However, there can be no assurance that the business will continue to generate cash flow at or above current levels or that the Company will maintain its ability to borrow under the Credit Agreement.

The Company’s current ratio (current assets over current liabilities) was 1.76:1 at December 28, 2019 compared to 2.10:1 at December 29, 2018, and its investment in working capital was $431.5 million at December 28, 2019 compared to $524.6 million at December 29, 2018. The current year ratios include the impact of the adoption of the new lease standard and therefore lack comparability to the prior year ratios due to the recognition operating lease liabilities at the beginning of fiscal 2019. The long-term debt to total capital ratio was 0.50:1 at December 28, 2019 , compared to 0.49:1 at December 29, 2018. Total net debt is a non-GAAP financial measure that is defined as long-term debt and finance lease liabilities, plus current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities, less cash and cash equivalents. The Company believes both management and its investors find the information useful because it reflects the amount of long-term debt obligations that are not covered by available cash and temporary investments. Total net debt is not a substitute for GAAP financial measures and may differ from similarly titled measures of other companies.

Following is a reconciliation of “Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities” to net long-term debt as of December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018.

 

December 28,

 

 

December 29,

 

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities

$

 

6,349

 

 

$

 

18,263

 

Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities

 

 

682,204

 

 

 

 

679,797

 

Total debt

 

 

688,553

 

 

 

 

698,060

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(24,172

)

 

 

 

(18,585

)

Net long-term debt

$

 

664,381

 

 

$

 

679,475

 

-33-


 

 

Contractual Obligations

The table below presents the Company’s significant contractual obligations as of December 28, 2019, presented on an undiscounted basis. Funding of postretirement benefit obligations and contributions under various multi-employer pension and health and welfare plans, which totaled $14.0 million and $13.8 million, respectively, for the year ended December 28, 2019 are excluded. For additional information, refer to Note 11, Associate Retirement Plans, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. Unrecognized tax liabilities are also excluded, as the Company cannot reasonably estimate the timing of potential cash settlement. For additional information, refer to Note 13, Income Tax, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Amount Committed By Period

 

 

Total

 

 

Less

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More

 

 

Amount

 

 

than 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

than 5

 

(In thousands)

Committed

 

 

year

 

 

1-3 years

 

 

3-5 years

 

 

years

 

Long-term debt (a)

$

 

649,042

 

 

$

 

1,948

 

 

$

 

1,982

 

 

$

 

642,346

 

 

$

 

2,766

 

Estimated interest on long-term debt

 

 

71,349

 

 

 

 

20,346

 

 

 

 

40,554

 

 

 

 

10,342

 

 

 

 

107

 

Finance leases (b)

 

 

68,312

 

 

 

 

7,590

 

 

 

 

11,730

 

 

 

 

10,404

 

 

 

 

38,588

 

Operating leases (b)

 

 

400,820

 

 

 

 

58,539

 

 

 

 

101,475

 

 

 

 

78,157

 

 

 

 

162,649

 

Ancillary lease costs of closed sites

 

 

5,515

 

 

 

 

2,193

 

 

 

 

1,265

 

 

 

 

1,230

 

 

 

 

827

 

Purchase obligations (merchandise) (c)

 

 

71,410

 

 

 

 

44,718

 

 

 

 

19,977

 

 

 

 

4,009

 

 

 

 

2,706

 

Self-insurance liability

 

 

16,780

 

 

 

 

10,655

 

 

 

 

3,784

 

 

 

 

1,468

 

 

 

 

873

 

Total

$

 

1,283,228

 

 

$

 

145,989

 

 

$

 

180,767

 

 

$

 

747,956

 

 

$

 

208,516

 

  (a)

Refer to Note 7, Long-Term Debt, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

  (b)

Operating and finance lease obligations do not include common area maintenance, insurance or tax payments for which the Company is also obligated. These costs totaled approximately $15.4 million in 2019.

  (c)

The amount of purchase obligations shown in this table represents the amount of product the Company is contractually obligated to purchase in order to earn $12.0 million in advanced contract monies that are receivable under the contracts. At December 28, 2019, $2.5 million in advanced contract monies has been received under these contracts where recognition has been deferred on the consolidated balance sheet. If the Company does not fulfill these purchase obligations, it would only be obligated to repay the unearned upfront contract monies. The amount shown here does not include the following: a) purchase obligations made in the normal course of business as those obligations involve purchase orders based on current Company needs that are typically cancelable and/or fulfilled by vendors within a very short period of time; b) agreements that are cancelable by the Company without significant penalty, including contracts for routine outsourced services; and c) contracts that do not contain minimum annual purchase commitments but include other standard contractual considerations that must be fulfilled in order to earn advanced contract monies that have been received.

The Company has also made certain commercial commitments that extend beyond December 28, 2019. These commitments include standby letters of credit and guarantees of certain customer and third-party business partner lease, debt, and vendor obligations. Refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation, and Note 15, Concentration of Credit Risk, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding lease guarantees and assigned leases. The Company had $11.7 million of standby letters of credit outstanding as of December 28, 2019, which primarily support the Company’s self-insurance obligations and are due within one year.

Cash Dividends

The Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.19, $0.18 and $0.165 per common share in each quarter of 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. Under the Credit Agreement, the Company is generally permitted to pay dividends in any year up to an amount such that all cash dividends, together with any cash distributions and share repurchases, do not exceed $35.0 million. Additionally, the Company is generally permitted to pay cash dividends in excess of $35.0 million in any year so long as its Excess Availability, as defined in the Credit Agreement, is in excess of 10% of the Total Borrowing Base, as defined in the Credit Agreement, before and after giving effect to the repurchases and dividends. Although the Company currently expects to continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend, adoption of a dividend policy does not commit the Board of Directors (the “Board”) to declare future dividends. Each future dividend will be considered and declared by the Board at its discretion. Whether the Board continues to declare dividends depends on a number of factors, including the Company’s future financial condition, anticipated profitability and cash flows and compliance with the terms of its credit facilities.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to recently adopted accounting standards, as well as the anticipated effect of any impending accounting standards.

-34-


 

 

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to industry related price changes on several commodities, such as dairy, meat and produce that it buys and sells in all of its segments. These products are purchased for and sold from inventory in the ordinary course of business. The Company is also exposed to other general commodity price changes such as utilities, insurance and fuel costs.

The Company had $640.4 million of variable rate debt as of December 28, 2019. The Company may not be able to accurately predict changes in interest rates or mitigate their impact. A hypothetical 0.50% increase in rates applicable to borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 28, 2019 would increase interest expense related to such debt by approximately $3.2 million per year. The weighted average interest rate on debt outstanding during the year ended December 28, 2019 was 4.56%.

At December 28, 2019 the estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including the current portion of long-term debt, was higher than book value by approximately $6.6 million. The estimated fair value was based on market quotes for instruments with similar terms and remaining maturities.

The following table sets forth the future principal payments of the Company’s outstanding debt and related weighted average interest rates for the outstanding instruments as of December 28, 2019:

 

December 28, 2019

 

 

Aggregate Payments by Year

 

(In thousands, except rates)

Fair Value

 

 

Total

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

Thereafter

 

Fixed rate debt

 

Principal payable

$

 

60,222

 

 

$

 

53,599

 

 

$

 

6,349

 

 

$

 

4,410

 

 

$

 

3,830

 

 

$

 

3,693

 

 

$

 

3,971

 

 

$

 

31,346

 

Average interest rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.58

%

 

 

 

6.72

%

 

 

 

6.79

%

 

 

 

6.82

%

 

 

 

6.84

%

 

 

 

6.45

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variable rate debt

 

Principal payable

$

 

640,409

 

 

$

 

640,409

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

640,409

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

Average interest rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.13

%

 

 

 

3.13

%

 

 

 

3.13

%

 

 

 

3.13

%

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

-35-


 

 

Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and shareholders of

SpartanNash Company and subsidiaries

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SpartanNash Company and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders' equity, and cash flows, for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the fiscal years ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 26, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, in the first quarter of 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-12, Leases (Topic 842), using the alternative transition method provided in ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

-36-


 

 

Restructuring, Asset Impairment and Other Charges — Retail Segment Long-Lived Assets — Refer to Note 6 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company’s evaluation of Retail segment long-lived assets for impairment involves an initial assessment of each asset group to determine whether events or changes in circumstances exist, for example, competitor openings or declining operating results, that may indicate that the carrying amounts of asset groups are no longer recoverable. When events or changes in circumstances exist, the Company evaluates these assets for impairment by comparing undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated over the life of the asset group to the respective carrying amount. If the carrying amount of an asset group exceeds the undiscounted future cash flows, an analysis is performed to determine the fair value of the asset group. Management determines fair value using discounted cash flow analyses, independent appraisals, quotes or expected sales prices developed by internal real estate professionals. If the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the fair value, an impairment is recognized. Total Retail segment long-lived assets as of December 28, 2019, were $506.7 million.

The Company makes significant assumptions to evaluate Retail segment long-lived assets for indicators of impairment. Changes in these assumptions could have a significant impact on the assets identified for further analysis. For those assets where indicators of impairment have been identified, the Company makes significant estimates and assumptions to determine the fair value using discounted future cash flows expected to be generated over the life of the asset group, independent appraisals, quotes, or expected sales prices developed by internal real estate professionals.

We identified the evaluation of Retail segment long-lived assets for impairment as a critical audit matter because of (1) the significant assumptions management makes when determining whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred indicating that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable and (2) for those assets where indicators of impairment have been identified, the significant estimates and assumptions management makes to evaluate the recoverability of the assets, including those related to the forecasted cash flows, independent appraisals, quotes, or expected sales prices developed by internal real estate professionals. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort when performing audit procedures to evaluate (1) whether management appropriately identified impairment indicators and (2) the reasonableness of management’s cash flow analyses and determination of fair values.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to the assessment of Retail segment long-lived assets for indicators of impairment and our procedures related to the estimate of future operating cash flows as well as the determination of fair value for those assets with impairment indicators included the following, among others:

 

We tested the effectiveness of the Company’s controls, including those over:

 

o

Identification of events or changes in circumstances that may indicate that the carrying amounts of Retail segment long-lived assets may not be recoverable.

 

o

Forecasted undiscounted and discounted cash flows, including the selection of growth and discount rates.

 

o

Determination of fair value when utilizing independent appraisals, quotes, or expected sales prices developed by internal real estate professionals.

 

We evaluated management’s ability to appropriately identify Retail segment long-lived assets with declining trends in revenue or cash flows that could result in an indicator of impairment. Our procedures included performing an independent analysis of comparable store sales and cash flow trends.

 

We evaluated management’s ability to identify competitor openings and estimate the impact on future cash flows. Our procedures included the following, among others:

 

o

Performed independent research to test the completeness of competitor openings.

 

o

Compared the historical projections of the impact of competitor openings to actual results.

 

We evaluated management’s ability to accurately forecast future cash flows by comparing actual results to management’s historical forecasts.

-37-


 

 

 

We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s cash flow forecasts by comparing the forecasts to:

 

o

Historical cash flows.

 

o

Internal communications to management and the Board of Directors.

 

o

Publicly available information such as press releases and industry reports.

 

We evaluated the reasonableness of other assumptions used in the analyses such as the determination of asset groups, discount rates, independent appraisals, quotes, or expected sales prices developed by internal real estate professionals.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets — Food Distribution Reporting Unit Goodwill and Caito Foods Service, Inc. Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset — Refer to Note 5 and Note 6 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company’s evaluation of goodwill for impairment involves the comparison of the fair value of each reporting unit to their carrying value. The Company has three reporting units, which are the same as the Company’s reportable segments. The goodwill balance was $181 million as of December 28, 2019, all of which was allocated to the Food Distribution reporting unit (“Food Distribution”). The estimate of the fair value of Food Distribution is primarily based on the income approach using a discounted cash flow model and also incorporates the market approach using observable comparable company information. The principal factors used in the discounted cash flow analysis requiring management judgment are the determination of the weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”), revenue growth rates, and forecasted operating profits. Under the market approach, the Company compared the results of the discounted cash flow model to observable comparable company market multiples to support the appropriateness of the fair value estimates.

The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis also includes a comparison of the estimated fair value of the enterprise as a whole to the Company’s total market capitalization. Therefore, a significant and sustained decline in the Company’s stock price could result in goodwill impairment charges. During times of financial market volatility, significant judgment is given to determine the underlying cause of the decline and whether stock price declines are short-term in nature or indicative of an event or change in circumstances.

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually, and more frequently if circumstances indicate the possibility of impairment. In 2019, the Company performed an interim impairment evaluation during the second quarter due to a significant and sustained decline in the Company’s market capitalization. The Company concluded that the fair value of Food Distribution was substantially in excess of its carrying value in both the interim and annual evaluations and, therefore, no impairment was recognized.

The Company has trade names that are indefinite-lived intangible assets which are evaluated for impairment annually, and more frequently if circumstances indicate the possibility of impairment. The Company’s quantitative impairment evaluation of certain trade names involves the comparison of the fair value of the trade names to their carrying values. The estimates of the fair value of the trade names is computed by using the relief-from-royalty methodology which is a specific application of the discounted cash flow method. The principal factors used in the discounted cash flow analysis are the selection of revenue growth rates, royalty rates, and the discount rates which are determined by the WACC of the reporting unit in which the asset resides. These factors required management judgment especially when related to the Caito Foods Service, Inc. (“Caito”) trade name which resides within Food Distribution. During the second quarter of 2019, the Company identified an indicator of impairment related to the Caito trade name and performed an interim impairment evaluation. The Caito trade name with a carrying value of $35.5 million was measured at a fair value of $21.5 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $14 million. As of the annual evaluation date, the Company did not identify indicators of impairment related to the Caito trade name and no additional impairment was recognized. The carrying value of the Caito trade name as of December 28, 2019 was $21.5 million.

Given the significant judgments made by management to estimate the fair value of Food Distribution, performing auditing procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s judgments and assumptions utilized in the impairment evaluations, particularly the determination of the WACC, revenue growth rates, and forecasted operating profits, required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve fair value specialists. In addition, given the determination of the fair value of the Caito trade name required management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to the selection of the revenue growth rates, royalty rate, and WACC, performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of such estimates and assumptions required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve fair value specialists.

-38-


 

 

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to forecasted operating profits for Food Distribution, revenue growth rates for the Caito trade name and Food Distribution, the selection of the royalty rate for the Caito trade name, and the selection of the WACC for Food Distribution and the Caito trade name used by management to estimate the fair value of Food Distribution and the Caito trade name included the following, among others:  

 

We tested the effectiveness of controls over management’s goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment evaluations, including those over the determination of the fair value of Food Distribution and the Caito trade name, such as controls related to determination of revenue growth rates and forecasted operating profits, and the selection of the WACC and royalty rate.  

 

We evaluated management’s ability to accurately forecast by comparing actual results to management’s historical forecasts.

 

We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s determination of revenue growth rates and forecasted operating profits for Food Distribution and revenue growth rates for the Caito trade name by comparing the growth rates and forecasts to:

 

o

Historical revenue growth rates and operating profits.

 

o

Internal communications to management and the Board of Directors.

 

o

Forecasted information included in Company press releases as well as in analyst and industry reports for the Company and certain of its peer companies.

 

With the assistance of fair value specialists, we evaluated the WACC for Food Distribution and the Caito trade name and the royalty rate for the Caito trade name, including testing the underlying source information and the mathematical accuracy of the calculations, and developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the respective WACC and royalty rate selected by management.

 

With the assistance of fair value specialists, we evaluated the market approach for Food Distribution, including evaluating the reasonableness of the selected guideline public companies and the resulting market multiples calculation, as well as benchmarking the selected multiple for Food Distribution against these guideline public companies.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

 

Grand Rapids, Michigan

February 26, 2020

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since at least 1970; however, an earlier year could not be reliably determined.

 

 

 

-39-


 

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

SpartanNash Company and Subsidiaries

 

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

 

24,172

 

 

$

 

18,585

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

 

345,320

 

 

 

 

346,260

 

Inventories, net

 

 

537,212

 

 

 

 

553,799

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

58,775

 

 

 

 

73,798

 

Property and equipment held for sale

 

 

31,203

 

 

 

 

8,654

 

Total current assets

 

 

996,682

 

 

 

 

1,001,096

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

615,816

 

 

 

 

579,060

 

Goodwill

 

 

181,035

 

 

 

 

178,648

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

130,434

 

 

 

 

128,926

 

Operating lease assets

 

 

268,982

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets, net

 

 

82,660

 

 

 

 

84,182

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$

 

2,275,609

 

 

$

 

1,971,912

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

 

405,370

 

 

$

 

357,802

 

Accrued payroll and benefits

 

 

59,680

 

 

 

 

57,180

 

Other accrued expenses

 

 

51,295

 

 

 

 

43,206

 

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

 

 

42,440

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities

 

 

6,349

 

 

 

 

18,263

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

565,134

 

 

 

 

476,451

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

43,111

 

 

 

 

49,254

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

267,350

 

 

 

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

30,272

 

 

 

 

50,463

 

Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities

 

 

682,204

 

 

 

 

679,797

 

Total long-term liabilities

 

 

1,022,937

 

 

 

 

779,514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, voting, no par value; 100,000 shares

     authorized; 36,351 and 35,952 shares outstanding

 

 

490,233

 

 

 

 

484,064

 

Preferred stock, no par value, 10,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(1,600

)

 

 

 

(15,759

)

Retained earnings

 

 

198,905

 

 

 

 

247,642

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

687,538

 

 

 

 

715,947

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

 

2,275,609

 

 

$

 

1,971,912

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

-40-


 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

SpartanNash Company and Subsidiaries  

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

Net sales

$

 

8,536,065

 

 

$

 

8,064,552

 

 

$

 

7,963,799

 

 

Cost of sales

 

 

7,292,235

 

 

 

 

6,954,146

 

 

 

 

6,818,890

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

1,243,830

 

 

 

 

1,110,406

 

 

 

 

1,144,909

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

1,172,401

 

 

 

 

997,411

 

 

 

 

1,015,024

 

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

1,437

 

 

 

 

4,937

 

 

 

 

8,101

 

 

Goodwill impairment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

189,027

 

 

Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges

 

 

13,050

 

 

 

 

37,546

 

 

 

 

39,432

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

1,186,888

 

 

 

 

1,039,894

 

 

 

 

1,251,584

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings (loss)

 

 

56,942

 

 

 

 

70,512

 

 

 

 

(106,675

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other (income) and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

34,548

 

 

 

 

30,483

 

 

 

 

25,343

 

 

Loss on debt extinguishment

 

 

329

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

413

 

 

Postretirement benefit expense (income)

 

 

19,803

 

 

 

 

159

 

 

 

 

(359

)

 

Other, net

 

 

(1,313

)

 

 

 

(828

)

 

 

 

(428

)

 

Total other expenses, net

 

 

53,367

 

 

 

 

29,814

 

 

 

 

24,969

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

 

3,575

 

 

 

 

40,698

 

 

 

 

(131,644

)

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

 

(2,342

)

 

 

 

6,907

 

 

 

 

(79,027

)

 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

 

 

5,917

 

 

 

 

33,791

 

 

 

 

(52,617

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

 

(175

)

 

 

 

(219

)

 

 

 

(228

)

 

Net earnings (loss)

$

 

5,742

 

 

$

 

33,572

 

 

$

 

(52,845

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

$

 

0.16

 

 

$

 

0.94

 

 

$

 

(1.41

)

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.01

)

 

 

 

 

*

Net earnings (loss)

$

 

0.16

 

 

$

 

0.93

 

 

$

 

(1.41

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

$

 

0.16

 

 

$

 

0.94

 

 

$

 

(1.41

)

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.01

)

 

 

 

 

*

Net earnings (loss)

$

 

0.16

 

 

$

 

0.93

 

 

$

 

(1.41

)

 

*Includes rounding.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

-41-


 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

SpartanNash Company and Subsidiaries

 

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Net earnings (loss)

$

 

5,742

 

 

$

 

33,572

 

 

$

 

(52,845

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement liability adjustment

 

 

18,699

 

 

 

 

(822

)

 

 

 

(1,649

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive income

 

 

(4,540

)

 

 

 

199

 

 

 

 

632

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss), after tax

 

 

14,159

 

 

 

 

(623

)

 

 

 

(1,017

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

$

 

19,901

 

 

$

 

32,949

 

 

$

 

(53,862

)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

-42-


 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

SpartanNash Company and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Common

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

Outstanding

 

 

Stock

 

 

Income (Loss)

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2016

 

37,539

 

 

$

 

521,984

 

 

$

 

(11,437

)

 

$

 

314,860

 

 

$

 

825,407

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(52,845

)

 

 

 

(52,845

)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,017

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,017

)

Reclassification of stranded tax effects in AOCI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,682

)

 

 

 

2,682

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends - $0.66 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(24,704

)

 

 

 

(24,704

)

Share repurchase

 

(1,367

)

 

 

 

(34,995

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(34,995

)

Stock-based employee compensation

 

 

 

 

 

9,611

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,611

 

Issuance of common stock on stock option

     exercises, stock bonus plan and associate stock

     purchase plan

 

172

 

 

 

 

3,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,697

 

Issuance of restricted stock

 

296

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancellations of stock-based awards

 

(174

)

 

 

 

(3,204

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,204

)

Balance at December 30, 2017

 

36,466

 

 

 

 

497,093

 

 

 

 

(15,136

)

 

 

 

239,993

 

 

 

 

721,950

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,572

 

 

 

 

33,572

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(623

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(623

)

Dividends - $0.72 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25,923

)

 

 

 

(25,923

)

Share repurchase

 

(952

)

 

 

 

(20,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20,000

)

Stock-based employee compensation

 

 

 

 

 

7,646

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,646

 

Issuance of common stock on stock option

     exercises, stock bonus plan and associate stock

     purchase plan

 

54

 

 

 

 

956

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

956

 

Issuance of restricted stock

 

483

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancellations of stock-based awards

 

(99

)

 

 

 

(1,631

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,631

)

Balance at December 29, 2018

 

35,952

 

 

 

 

484,064

 

 

 

 

(15,759

)

 

 

 

247,642

 

 

 

 

715,947

 

Impact of adoption of ASU 2016-02 (Note 1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(26,863

)

 

 

 

(26,863

)

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,742

 

 

 

 

5,742

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,159

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,159

 

Dividends - $0.76 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(27,616

)

 

 

 

(27,616

)

Stock-based employee compensation

 

 

 

 

 

7,312

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,312

 

Issuance of common stock on stock option

     exercises, stock bonus plan and associate stock

     purchase plan

 

46

 

 

 

 

639

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

639

 

Issuance of restricted stock

 

488

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancellations of stock-based awards

 

(135

)

 

 

 

(1,782

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,782

)

Balance at December 28, 2019

 

36,351

 

 

$

 

490,233

 

 

$

 

(1,600

)

 

$

 

198,905

 

 

$

 

687,538

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

-43-


 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

SpartanNash Company and Subsidiaries

 

 

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

$

 

5,742

 

 

$

 

33,572

 

 

$

 

(52,845

)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

175

 

 

 

 

219

 

 

 

 

228

 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

 

 

5,917

 

 

 

 

33,791

 

 

 

 

(52,617

)

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash restructuring, goodwill/asset impairment and other charges

 

 

18,653

 

 

 

 

37,793

 

 

 

 

227,847

 

Loss on debt extinguishment

 

 

329

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

413

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

90,597

 

 

 

 

84,190

 

 

 

 

84,390

 

Non-cash rent

 

 

(7,276

)

 

 

 

(962

)

 

 

 

(1,040

)

LIFO expense

 

 

5,892

 

 

 

 

4,601

 

 

 

 

2,898

 

Pension settlement expense

 

 

18,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postretirement benefits expense

 

 

2,972

 

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

 

1,347

 

Deferred taxes on income

 

 

(2,260

)

 

 

 

7,407

 

 

 

 

(79,921

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

7,312

 

 

 

 

7,646

 

 

 

 

9,611

 

Postretirement benefit plan contributions

 

 

(623

)

 

 

 

(1,889

)

 

 

 

(501

)

Gain on disposals of assets

 

 

(6,458

)

 

 

 

(106

)

 

 

 

(160

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

2,025

 

 

 

 

(1,177

)

 

 

 

(25,276

)

Inventories

 

 

40,971

 

 

 

 

38,213

 

 

 

 

(48,478

)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

(15,752

)

 

 

 

(6,467

)

 

 

 

(8,418

)

Accounts payable

 

 

14,941

 

 

 

 

(18,358

)

 

 

 

(24,477

)

Accrued payroll and benefits

 

 

(3,305

)

 

 

 

(8,295

)

 

 

 

(17,253

)

Other accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

8,013

 

 

 

 

(4,792

)

 

 

 

(15,522

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

180,192

 

 

 

 

171,658

 

 

 

 

52,843

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(74,815

)

 

 

 

(71,495

)

 

 

 

(70,906

)

Net proceeds from the sale of assets

 

 

18,760

 

 

 

 

6,901

 

 

 

 

4,024

 

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

(86,659

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(226,939

)

Loans to customers

 

 

(3,535

)

 

 

 

(1,123

)

 

 

 

(10,328

)

Payments from customers on loans

 

 

4,074

 

 

 

 

2,111

 

 

 

 

3,948

 

Other

 

 

(997

)

 

 

 

(550

)

 

 

 

(15,192

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(143,172

)

 

 

 

(64,156

)

 

 

 

(315,393

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from senior secured credit facility

 

 

1,217,498

 

 

 

 

1,016,918

 

 

 

 

1,461,902

 

Payments on senior secured credit facility

 

 

(1,177,942

)

 

 

 

(1,123,557

)

 

 

 

(1,140,491

)

Proceeds from other long-term debt

 

 

5,800

 

 

 

 

60,000

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment of other long-term debt and finance lease liabilities

 

 

(68,460

)

 

 

 

(8,175

)

 

 

 

(7,456

)

Financing fees paid

 

 

(805

)

 

 

 

(2,217

)

 

 

 

(256

)

Proceeds from resolution of acquisition contingencies

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share repurchase

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20,000

)

 

 

 

(34,995

)

Net payments related to stock-based award activities

 

 

(1,782

)

 

 

 

(1,630

)

 

 

 

(3,204

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

181

 

 

 

 

284

 

 

 

 

3,207

 

Dividends paid

 

 

(20,709

)

 

 

 

(25,923

)

 

 

 

(24,704

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

 

(31,219

)

 

 

 

(104,300

)

 

 

 

254,003

 

Cash flows from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(214

)

 

 

 

(284

)

 

 

 

(137

)

Net cash used in discontinued operations

 

 

(214

)

 

 

 

(284

)

 

 

 

(137

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

5,587

 

 

 

 

2,918

 

 

 

 

(8,684

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

 

18,585

 

 

 

 

15,667

 

 

 

 

24,351

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$

 

24,172

 

 

$

 

18,585

 

 

$

 

15,667

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

-44-


 

 

SPARTANNASH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of SpartanNash Company and its subsidiaries (“SpartanNash” or “the Company”). Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Fiscal Year: The Company’s fiscal year end is the Saturday nearest to December 31. The following discussion is as of and for the fiscal years ending or ended January 2, 2021 (“2020”), December 28, 2019 ("2019" or “current year”), December 29, 2018 (“2018” or “prior year”) and December 30, 2017 (“2017”), all of which include 52 weeks, with the exception of 2020, which includes 53 weeks. All fiscal quarters are 12 weeks, except for the Company’s first quarter, which is 16 weeks. The fourth quarter of 53-week years include 13 weeks.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported therein. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods might differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition: The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of the promised goods and services to a customer, in an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. This is achieved through applying the following five-step model:

 

Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer

 

Identification of the performance obligations in the contract

 

Determination of the transaction price

 

Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract

 

Recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation

The Company generates substantially all of its revenue from contracts with customers, whether formal or implied. Sales taxes collected from customers are remitted to the appropriate taxing jurisdictions and are excluded from sales revenue as the Company considers itself a pass-through conduit for collecting and remitting sales taxes, with the exception of taxes assessed during the procurement process of select inventories. Greater than 99% of the Company’s revenues are recognized at a point in time. Revenues from product sales are recognized when control of the goods is transferred to the customer, which occurs at a point in time, typically upon delivery or shipment to the customer, depending on shipping terms, or upon customer check-out in a corporate owned retail store. Freight revenues are also recognized upon delivery, at a point in time. Other revenues, including revenues from value-added services, are recognized as earned, over a period of time. All of the Company’s revenues are domestic, as the Company has no performance obligations on international shipments subsequent to delivery to the domestic port.

The Company evaluates whether it is the principal (i.e., report revenues on a gross basis) or agent (i.e., report revenues on a net basis) with respect to each contract with customers.

Based upon the nature of the products the Company sells, its customers have limited rights of return which are immaterial. Discounts provided by the Company to customers at the time of sale are recognized as a reduction in sales as the products are sold. Certain contracts include rebates and other forms of variable consideration, including up-front rebates, rebates in arrears, rebatable incentives, flex funds, and product incentives, which may have tiered structures based on purchase volumes and which are accounted for as variable consideration. To the extent the transaction price includes variable consideration, the Company estimates the amount of variable consideration that should be included in the transaction price utilizing either the expected value method or the most likely amount method depending on the nature of the variable consideration. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price if, in the Company’s judgment, it is probable that a significant future reversal of cumulative revenue under the contract will not occur.

-45-


 

 

Cost of Sales: Cost of sales represents the cost of inventory sold during the period, which for all non-production operations includes purchase costs, in-bound freight, physical inventory adjustments, markdowns and promotional allowances and excludes warehousing costs, depreciation and other administrative expenses. For the Company’s food processing operations, cost of sales includes direct product and production costs, inbound freight, purchasing and receiving costs, utilities, depreciation, and other indirect production costs and excludes out-bound freight and other administrative expenses. As a result, the Company’s cost of sales and gross profit may not be identical to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Vendor allowances and credits that relate to the Company’s buying and merchandising activities consist primarily of promotional allowances, which are generally allowances on purchased quantities and, to a lesser extent, slotting allowances, which are billed to vendors for the Company’s merchandising costs such as setting up warehouse infrastructure. Vendor allowances are recognized as a reduction in cost of sales when the related product is sold. Lump sum payments received for multi-year contracts are amortized over the life of the contracts based on contractual terms. The distribution segments include shipping and handling costs in the selling, general and administrative section of operating expenses within the consolidated statements of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Accounts and Notes Receivable: Accounts and notes receivable are shown net of allowances for credit losses of $3.0 million and $4.3 million as of December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, respectively. The Company evaluates the adequacy of its allowances by analyzing the aging of receivables, customer financial condition, historical collection experience, the value of collateral and other economic and industry factors. Actual collections may differ from historical experience, and if economic, business or customer conditions deteriorate significantly, adjustments to these reserves may be required. When the Company becomes aware of factors that indicate a change in a specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations, the Company records a specific reserve for credit losses. Operating results include bad debt expense of $1.5 million, $3.4 million and $1.5 million for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Inventory Valuation: Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Approximately 82.8% and 88.9% of the Company’s inventories were valued on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method at December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, respectively. If replacement cost had been used, inventories would have been $60.9 million and $55.1 million higher at December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, respectively. The replacement cost method utilizes the most current unit purchase cost to calculate the value of inventories. During 2019, 2018 and 2017, certain inventory quantities were reduced. The reductions resulted in liquidation of LIFO inventory carried at lower costs prevailing in prior years, the effect of which decreased the LIFO provision by $1.5 million, $1.1 million and $0.2 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company accounts for its Food Distribution and Military inventory using a perpetual system and utilizes the retail inventory method (“RIM”) to value inventory for center store products in the Retail segment. Under RIM, inventory is stated at cost with cost of sales and gross margin calculated by applying a cost ratio to the retail value of inventories. Fresh, pharmacy and fuel products are accounted for at cost in the Retail segment. The Company evaluates inventory shortages throughout the year based on actual physical counts in its facilities. The Company records allowances for inventory shortages based on the results of recent physical counts to provide for estimated shortages from the last physical count to the financial statement date.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of tangible net assets acquired in business combinations after amounts have been allocated to intangible assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed for impairment during the last quarter of each year, or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, using a discounted cash flow model and comparable market values of each reporting segment. Measuring the fair value of reporting units is a Level 3 measurement under the fair value hierarchy. See Note 8, Fair Value Measurements, for a discussion of fair value levels.

Intangible assets primarily consist of trade names, customer relationships, favorable lease agreements, pharmacy prescription lists, non-compete agreements, liquor licenses and franchise fees. The following assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of time in which their expected benefits will be realized: favorable leases (related lease terms), prescription lists and customer relationships (period of expected benefit reflecting the pattern in which the economic benefits are consumed), non-compete agreements and franchise fees (length of agreements), and trade names with definite lives (expected life of the assets). Indefinite-lived trade names are not amortized but are tested at least annually for impairment, and liquor licenses are also not amortized as they have indefinite lives.

-46-


 

 

Property and Equipment: Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures which improve or extend the life of the respective assets are capitalized, whereas expenditures for normal repairs and maintenance are charged to operations as incurred. Depreciation expense on land improvements, buildings and improvements, and equipment is computed using the straight-line method as follows:

Land improvements

15 years

Buildings and improvements

15 to 40 years

Equipment

3 to 15 years

 

Property under finance leases and leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the remaining terms of the leases or the estimated useful lives of the assets. Internal use software is included in Property and equipment, net and amounted to $35.2 million and $33.5 million as of December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, respectively.

Leases: At the commencement or modification of a contract, the Company determines whether a lease exists based on 1) the identification of an underlying asset and 2) the right to control the use of the identified asset. When the Company is a lessee, leases are classified as either operating or finance. Operating and finance lease assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, while lease obligations represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Most of the Company’s lease agreements include variable payments related to executory costs for property taxes, utilities, insurance, maintenance and other occupancy costs related to the leased asset. Additionally, certain of the Company’s lease agreements include rental payments based on a percentage of retail sales over contractual levels or, in the case of transportation equipment, provisions requiring payment of variable rent based upon miles driven. These variable payments are not included in the measurement of the lease liability or asset and are expensed as incurred. Leases with an initial expected term of 12 months or less are not recorded in the consolidated balance sheets and the related lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Lease assets and obligations are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments and initial direct costs incurred, less incentives, over the lease term. In the absence of stated or implicit interest rates within lease contracts, incremental borrowing rates are estimated based on the Company’s borrowing rate as of the lease commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments. Incremental borrowing rates are determined by using the yield curve based on the Company’s creditworthiness on a collateralized basis. The Company includes option periods in the assumed lease term when it is reasonably certain that the options will be exercised. Operating lease assets and liabilities are reported discretely in the consolidated balance sheets. Finance lease assets are included in Property and equipment, net and finance lease liabilities are included in Long-term debt and finance lease obligations within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: The Company reviews and evaluates long-lived assets for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. When the undiscounted expected future cash flows are not sufficient to recover an asset’s carrying amount, the fair value is compared to the carrying value to determine the impairment loss to be recorded. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less the cost to sell. Fair values are determined by independent appraisals or expected sales prices based upon market participant data developed by third party professionals or by internal licensed real estate professionals. Estimates of future cash flows and expected sales prices are judgments based upon the Company’s experience and knowledge of operations. These estimates project cash flows several years into the future and are affected by changes in the economy, real estate market conditions and inflation. The Company calculates operating and finance lease impairments in conjunction with testing of the related asset groups as described above. Impairment reserves are applied proportionally as a reduction to the assets in the asset group, including lease assets.

Reserves for Closed Properties: The Company records reserves for closed properties that are subject to long-term lease commitments based upon the lease ancillary costs from the date of closure to the end of the remaining lease term. Prior to the adoption of ASC 842, these reserves also included the future minimum lease payments associated with these properties. Future cash flows are based on historical expenses, contractual lease terms and knowledge of the geographic area in which the closed site is located. These estimates are subject to multiple factors, including inflation, ability to sublease the property and other economic conditions. The reserved expenses are paid over the remaining lease terms, which range from one to 9 years. Adjustments to closed property reserves primarily relate to actual exit costs differing from original estimates. Adjustments are made for changes in estimates in the period in which the changes become known. The current portion of the future closed property obligations is included in “Other accrued expenses,” and the long-term portion is included in “Other long-term liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheets.

Debt Issuance Costs: Debt issuance costs are amortized over the term of the related financing agreement and are included as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability in “Long-term debt and finance lease obligations” in the consolidated balance sheets.

-47-


 

 

Insurance Reserves: SpartanNash is self-insured through self-insurance retentions or high deductible programs for workers’ compensation, general liability, and automobile liability, and is also self-insured for healthcare costs. Self-insurance liabilities are recorded based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liabilities are actuarially estimated based on available historical information on an undiscounted basis. The Company has purchased stop-loss coverage to limit its exposure to any significant exposure on a per claim basis for its self-insurance retentions and high deductible programs. On a per claim basis, the Company’s exposure is up to $0.5 million for workers’ compensation and general liability, $1.0 million for automobile liability and $0.5 million for healthcare per covered life per year.

A summary of changes in the Company’s self-insurance liability is as follows:

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Balance at beginning of year

$

 

14,291

 

 

$

 

15,155

 

 

$

 

14,730

 

Expenses

 

 

69,253

 

 

 

 

49,532

 

 

 

 

54,748

 

Acquisitions

 

 

1,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claim payments, net of employee contributions

 

 

(68,658

)

 

 

 

(50,396

)

 

 

 

(54,323

)

Balance at end of year

$

 

16,780

 

 

$

 

14,291

 

 

$

 

15,155

 

The current portion of the self-insurance liability was $10.7 million and $8.6 million as of December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, respectively, and is included in “Other accrued expenses” in the consolidated balance sheets. The long-term portion was $6.1 million and $5.7 million as of December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, respectively, and is included in “Other long-term liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheets.

Income Taxes: Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. Such deferred income tax asset and liability computations are based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. Income tax expense is the tax payable or refundable for the period plus or minus the change during the period in deferred and other tax assets and liabilities.

Earnings per share: Earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed using the two-class method. The two-class method determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating securities according to dividends and their respective participation rights in undistributed earnings. Participating securities include non-vested shares of restricted stock in which the participants have non-forfeitable rights to dividends during the performance period. Diluted EPS includes the effects of stock options.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS for continuing operations:

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

$

 

5,917

 

 

$

 

33,791

 

 

$

 

(52,617

)

Adjustment for (earnings) loss attributable to participating securities

 

 

(149

)

 

 

 

(746

)

 

 

 

908

 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations used in calculating earnings per share

$

 

5,768

 

 

$

 

33,045

 

 

$

 

(51,709

)

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, including participating securities

 

 

36,271

 

 

 

 

36,012

 

 

 

 

37,419

 

Adjustment for participating securities

 

 

(912

)

 

 

 

(795

)

 

 

 

(646

)

Shares used in calculating basic earnings per share

 

 

35,359

 

 

 

 

35,217

 

 

 

 

36,773

 

Effect of dilutive stock options

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

Shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share

 

 

35,359

 

 

 

 

35,227

 

 

 

 

36,773

 

Basic (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations

$

 

0.16

 

 

$

 

0.94

 

 

$

 

(1.41

)

Diluted (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations

$

 

0.16

 

 

$

 

0.94

 

 

$

 

(1.41

)

Weighted average shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that were not included in the EPS calculations because they were anti-dilutive were 75,159 for 2017. There were no anti-dilutive stock options in 2019 or 2018.

Stock-Based Compensation: All share-based payments to associates are generally recognized in the consolidated financial statements as compensation cost based on the fair value on the date of grant. The grant date closing price per share of SpartanNash stock is used to estimate the fair value of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units. The value of the portion of awards expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service period.

-48-


 

 

Shareholders’ Equity: The Company’s restated articles of incorporation provide that the Board of Directors may at any time, and from time to time, provide for the issuance of up to 10 million shares of preferred stock in one or more series, each with such designations as determined by the Board of Directors. At December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, there were no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Advertising Costs: The Company’s advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising expenses were $39.3 million, $40.9 million and $43.4 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)(“AOCI”): The Company reports comprehensive income (loss) that includes net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to expenses, gains and losses that are not included in net earnings, such as pension and other postretirement liability adjustments, but rather are recorded directly to shareholders’ equity. These amounts are also presented in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The Company’s pension plan was terminated and benefit obligations were satisfied in 2019, and as of December 28, 2019 AOCI relates to the Company’s other postretirement plans.

Discontinued operations: Certain of the Company’s Food Distribution and Retail operations are classified as discontinued operations. Results of discontinued operations are excluded from the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented, unless otherwise noted. Results of discontinued operations reported on the consolidated statements of operations are reported net of tax.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases.” The FASB subsequently issued ASUs 2018-01, 2018-10, 2018-11, and 2019-01, which include clarifications and provide various practical expedients and transition options related to ASU 2016-02. ASU 2016-02 provides guidance for lease accounting and stipulates that lessees need to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for substantially all leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). The liability is equal to the present value of future rent payments. Treatment in the consolidated statements of operations is similar to the previous treatment of operating and capital leases.

In the first quarter of 2019, the Company adopted this standard using the alternative transition method provided in ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements. Under this method an adjustment of comparative periods presented is not required. Therefore, the Company made a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded at the beginning of 2019. In addition, the Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allow for a carry forward of the historical lease classification. The Company elected the hindsight practical expedient to reevaluate the lease term for existing leases. The election of the hindsight practical expedient resulted in the extension or reduction of lease terms for certain existing leases and adjustments to the useful lives of corresponding leasehold improvements. In the application of hindsight, the Company estimated the expected lease term based on management’s plans, including the performance of the leased properties and the associated market dynamics in relation to the overall operational, real estate and capital planning strategies of the Company.

The adoption of the new standard resulted in the recognition of operating lease assets and liabilities of $241.8 million and $292.3 million, respectively, as of the beginning of 2019. The adoption of the standard also resulted in a transition adjustment to beginning of the year retained earnings of $26.9 million (net of deferred tax impact of $8.5 million). The transition adjustment relates to impairment of right of use assets included in previously impaired asset groups and the impact of hindsight on the evaluation of lease term. Remaining differences between lease assets and liabilities relate to the derecognition of lease-related liabilities and assets recorded under ASC 840, which were included in beginning lease liabilities or assets under ASC 842.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Topic 606” (“ASC 606”). The new guidance affects any reporting organization that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. As of the beginning of 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606 and all subsequent ASUs that modified ASC 606.

From a principal versus agent perspective, the Company determined that certain contracts in the Food Distribution segment that were historically reported on a gross basis are required to be reported on a net basis under the updated guidance, resulting in a corresponding decrease to both net sales and cost of sales from what would have been recognized under previous guidance. The implementation of the guidance had no impact on gross profit, net earnings, the balance sheet, cash flows, equity, or the timing of revenue recognition in current or prior periods.

-49-


 

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. ASU 2016-13 changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. Entities will be required to use a forward-looking “expected loss” model that will replace the current “incurred loss” model, which will generally result in the earlier recognition of credit losses. The Company is required to adopt this update in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company has established revised processes and controls to estimate expected losses for trade and other receivables in accordance with the new standard. The standard is expected to result in an increase to the Company’s allowances for trade and other receivables, including the establishment of incremental reserves for pooled receivables as well as additional reserves for specific customers where credit losses are expected. Transition adjustments will be recorded to retained earnings upon adoption.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans—General: Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” The amendments in this ASU remove disclosures that are no longer considered to be cost beneficial, clarify the specific requirements of disclosures, and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The amendments in ASU 2018-14 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020 and will be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

Note 2 – Acquisitions

On December 31, 2018, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Martin’s Super Markets, Inc. (“Martin’s”) for $86.7 million, net of $7.8 million of cash acquired. Acquired assets consist primarily of property and equipment of $55.0 million, intangible assets of $23.9 million, and working capital. Intangible assets are primarily composed of an indefinite-lived trade name of $20.6 million and pharmacy customer prescription lists of $3.1 million, which are amortized over seven years. The acquired assets and assumed liabilities were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date based on preliminary estimates, which were subsequently finalized during the fourth quarter of 2019. No goodwill was recorded related to the acquisition. As of December 28, 2019, the Company has incurred $2.5 million of merger/acquisition and integration costs related to the acquisition, of which $1.3 million was incurred in 2019. The acquisition was funded with proceeds from the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility.

Martin’s currently operates 20 stores in Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan with approximately 3,500 employees. Prior to the acquisition, Martin’s was an independent retailer and customer of the Company’s Food Distribution segment. Subsequent to the acquisition, sales from the Food Distribution segment to Martin’s stores are eliminated. The acquisition expanded the footprint of the Company’s Retail segment into adjacent geographies in northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan.

Refer to Note 15 for further information related to current year acquisitions.

On January 6, 2017, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Caito Foods Service (“Caito”) and Blue Ribbon Transport (“BRT”) for $214.6 million in cash, net of $2.5 million of cash acquired. Acquired assets consist primarily of property and equipment of $76.7 million, intangible assets of $72.9 million, and working capital. Intangible assets are primarily composed of customer relationships, which are amortized over fifteen years, and indefinite lived trade names. In connection with the purchase, the Company provided certain earn-out opportunities if the business achieved certain performance targets. As certain performance targets were not met in the first year after acquisition, the Company was reimbursed $15.0 million of the initial purchase price during 2019 from funds paid into escrow. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired of $46.3 million was recorded as goodwill in the consolidated balance sheet and allocated to the Food Distribution segment and is deductible for tax purposes.

Caito is a supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables to grocery retailers and food service distributors in the Southeast, Midwest and Eastern United States. BRT offers temperature-controlled distribution and logistics services throughout North America. The Company acquired Caito and BRT to strengthen its fresh product offerings to its existing customer base.

-50-


 

 

Note 3 – Revenue

Sources of Revenue

The Company’s main sources of revenue include the following:

Customer Supply Agreements (CSAs) – The Company enters into CSAs (also known as Retail Sales and Service Agreements) with many of its retailer customers. These contracts obligate the Company to supply grocery and related products upon receipt of a purchase order from its customers. The contracts often specify minimum purchases a customer is required to make - in dollars or as a percentage of their total purchases - in order to earn certain rebates or incentives. In some cases, customers are required to repay certain advanced or loaned funds if they fail to meet purchase minimums or otherwise exit the supply agreement. Many of these contracts include various performance obligations other than providing grocery products, such as providing store resets, shelf tags, signage, or merchandising services. The Company has determined that these obligations are not material in the overall context of the contracts, and as such has not allocated transaction price to these obligations. Revenue is recognized under these contracts when control of the product passes to the customer, which may happen before or after delivery depending upon specified shipping terms.

Contracts with Manufacturers and Brokers to supply the Defense Commissary Agency (“DeCA”) and Other Government Agencies – DeCA operates a chain of commissaries on U.S. military installations. DeCA contracts with manufacturers to obtain grocery products for the commissary system. Manufacturers either deliver the products to the commissaries themselves or, more commonly, contract with distributors such as SpartanNash to provide products to the commissaries. Manufacturers must authorize the distributors as their official representatives to DeCA, and the distributors must adhere to DeCA’s frequent delivery system (“FDS”) procedures governing matters such as product identification, ordering and processing, information exchange and resolution of discrepancies. The Company obtains distribution contracts with manufacturers through competitive bidding processes and direct negotiations. As commissaries need to be restocked, DeCA identifies the manufacturer with which an order is to be placed, determines which distributor is the manufacturer’s official representative for a particular commissary or exchange location, and then places a product order with that distributor under the auspices of DeCA’s master contract with the applicable manufacturer. The distributor selects that product from its existing inventory, delivers it to the commissary or port (in the case of overseas shipments) designated by DeCA, and bills the manufacturer for the product price plus a drayage fee that is typically based on a percentage of the purchase price, but may in some cases be based on a dollar amount per case or pound of product sold. The manufacturer then bills DeCA under the terms of its master contract. As control of the product passes to the customer upon delivery, revenue is recognized by SpartanNash at that time.

Revenue is recognized for the full amount paid by the vendor (for product and drayage) as the Company is a principal in the transaction and therefore recognizes revenue on a gross basis for these contracts. The definition of a principal in the transaction is centered on controlling goods before they are transferred to the customer. Key considerations supporting that SpartanNash controls the goods for these contracts prior to transfer to the customer include the following: the Company has the ability to obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the assets by selling the goods and/or by pledging the related assets as collateral for borrowings, the Company is required to bear the risk of inventory loss prior to transfer to the customer, has shared responsibilities in the fulfillment and acceptability of the goods, and to a lesser extent, has some discretion in establishing the price for the goods sold to DeCA.

Retail Sales – The corporate owned retail stores recognize revenue at the time the customer takes possession of the goods. While there are no formal contracts related to these sales, they are within the scope of ASC 606. Customer returns are not material. The Company does not recognize a sale when it awards customer loyalty points or sells gift cards and gift certificates; rather, a sale is recognized when the customer loyalty points, gift card or gift certificate are redeemed to purchase product.

-51-


 

 

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by type of products and customers for each of the Company’s reportable segments:

 

52 Weeks Ended December 28, 2019

 

(In thousands)

Food Distribution

 

 

Military

 

 

Retail

 

 

Total

 

Type of products:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Center store (a)

$

 

1,209,436

 

 

$

 

1,027,661

 

 

$

 

928,641

 

 

$

 

3,165,738

 

Fresh (b)

 

 

1,445,902

 

 

 

 

636,147

 

 

 

 

900,096

 

 

 

 

2,982,145

 

Non-food (c)

 

 

1,247,964

 

 

 

 

501,642

 

 

 

 

402,450

 

 

 

 

2,152,056

 

Fuel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

148,779

 

 

 

 

148,779

 

Other

 

 

79,307

 

 

 

 

6,657

 

 

 

 

1,383

 

 

 

 

87,347

 

Total

$

 

3,982,609

 

 

$

 

2,172,107

 

 

$

 

2,381,349

 

 

$

 

8,536,065

 

Type of customers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individuals

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

2,380,524

 

 

$

 

2,380,524

 

Manufacturers, brokers and distributors

 

 

179,872

 

 

 

 

2,065,919

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,245,791

 

Retailers

 

 

3,739,316

 

 

 

 

99,531

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,838,847

 

Other

 

 

63,421

 

 

 

 

6,657

 

 

 

 

825

 

 

 

 

70,903

 

Total

$

 

3,982,609

 

 

$

 

2,172,107

 

 

$

 

2,381,349

 

 

$

 

8,536,065

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

52 Weeks Ended December 29, 2018

 

(In thousands)

Food Distribution

 

 

Military

 

 

Retail

 

 

Total

 

Type of products:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Center store (a)

$

 

1,249,374

 

 

$

 

1,052,462

 

 

$

 

747,708

 

 

$

 

3,049,544

 

Fresh (b)

 

 

1,478,142

 

 

 

 

602,023

 

 

 

 

688,661

 

 

 

 

2,768,826

 

Non-food (c)

 

 

1,185,390

 

 

 

 

506,177

 

 

 

 

330,342

 

 

 

 

2,021,909

 

Fuel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

138,617

 

 

 

 

138,617

 

Other

 

 

78,544

 

 

 

 

6,181

 

 

 

 

931

 

 

 

 

85,656

 

Total

$

 

3,991,450

 

 

$

 

2,166,843

 

 

$

 

1,906,259

 

 

$

 

8,064,552

 

Type of customers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individuals

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

1,905,328

 

 

$

 

1,905,328

 

Manufacturers, brokers and distributors

 

 

197,128

 

 

 

 

2,089,765

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,286,893

 

Retailers

 

 

3,733,254

 

 

 

 

70,897

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,804,151

 

Other

 

 

61,068

 

 

 

 

6,181

 

 

 

 

931

 

 

 

 

68,180

 

Total

$

 

3,991,450

 

 

$

 

2,166,843

 

 

$

 

1,906,259

 

 

$

 

8,064,552

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

52 Weeks Ended December 30, 2017

 

(In thousands)

Food Distribution

 

 

Military

 

 

Retail

 

 

Total

 

Type of products:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Center store (a)

$

 

1,206,832

 

 

$

 

1,054,590

 

 

$

 

792,925

 

 

$

 

3,054,347

 

Fresh (b)

 

 

1,456,632

 

 

 

 

577,084

 

 

 

 

734,564

 

 

 

 

2,768,280

 

Non-food (c)

 

 

1,085,282

 

 

 

 

507,394

 

 

 

 

336,630

 

 

 

 

1,929,306

 

Fuel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

126,673

 

 

 

 

126,673

 

Other

 

 

79,163

 

 

 

 

4,954

 

 

 

 

1,076

 

 

 

 

85,193

 

Total

$

 

3,827,909

 

 

$

 

2,144,022

 

 

$

 

1,991,868

 

 

$

 

7,963,799

 

Type of customers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individuals

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

1,990,792

 

 

$

 

1,990,792

 

Manufacturers, brokers and distributors

 

 

210,004

 

 

 

 

2,119,601

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,329,605

 

Retailers

 

 

3,556,591

 

 

 

 

19,467

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,576,058

 

Other

 

 

61,314

 

 

 

 

4,954

 

 

 

 

1,076

 

 

 

 

67,344

 

Total

$

 

3,827,909

 

 

$

 

2,144,022

 

 

$

 

1,991,868

 

 

$

 

7,963,799

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  (a) Center store includes dry grocery, frozen and beverages.

 

  (b) Fresh includes produce, meat, dairy, deli, bakery, prepared proteins, seafood and floral.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  (c) Non-food includes general merchandise, health and beauty care, tobacco products and pharmacy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

-52-


 

 

Contract Assets and Liabilities

Under its contracts with customers, the Company stands ready to deliver product upon receipt of a purchase order. Accordingly, the Company has no performance obligations under its contracts until its customers submit a purchase order. The Company does not receive pre-payment from its customers, or enter into commitments to provide goods or services that have terms greater than one year. As the performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of less than one year, the Company has applied the practical expedient under ASC 606 to omit disclosures regarding remaining performance obligations.

Revenue recognized from performance obligations related to prior periods (for example, due to changes in estimated rebates and incentives impacting the transaction price) was not material in any period presented.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company may advance funds to independent retailers which are earned by the retailers primarily through achieving specified purchase volume requirements, as outlined in their supply agreements with the Company, or in limited instances, for remaining a SpartanNash customer for a specified time period. These advances must be repaid if the purchase volume requirements are not met or if the retailer no longer remains a customer for the specified time period. For volume-based arrangements, the Company estimates the amount of the advanced funds earned by the retailers based on the expected volume of purchases by the retailer, and amortizes the advances as a reduction of the transaction price and revenue earned. These advances are not considered contract assets under ASC 606 as they are not generated through the transfer of goods or services to the retailers. These advances are included in Other assets, net within the consolidated balance sheets.

When the Company transfers goods or services to a customer, payment is due subject to normal terms and is not conditional on anything other than the passage of time. Typical payment terms range from due upon receipt to 30 days, depending on the customer. At contract inception, the Company expects that the period of time between the transfer of goods to the customer and when the customer pays for those goods will be less than one year, which is consistent with the Company’s standard payment terms. Accordingly, the Company has elected the practical expedient to not adjust for the effects of a significant financing component. As a result, these amounts are recorded as receivables and not contract assets. The Company had no contract assets for any period presented.

Accounts and notes receivable are comprised of the following:

 

December 28,

 

 

December 30,

 

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

Customer notes receivable

$

 

3,363

 

 

$

 

3,130

 

Customer accounts receivable

 

 

320,958

 

 

 

 

314,791

 

Other receivables

 

 

23,738

 

 

 

 

32,516

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(2,739

)

 

 

 

(4,177

)

Net current accounts and notes receivable

$

 

345,320

 

 

$

 

346,260

 

Long-term notes receivable

 

 

13,335

 

 

 

 

16,021

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(233

)

 

 

 

(120

)

Net long-term notes receivable

$

 

13,102

 

 

$

 

15,901

 

 

The Company does not typically incur incremental costs of obtaining a contract that are contingent upon successful contract execution and would therefore be capitalized.

Note 4 – Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consist of the following:

 

December 28,

 

 

December 29,

 

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

Land and improvements

$

 

90,200

 

 

$

 

76,364

 

Buildings and improvements

 

 

555,049

 

 

 

 

534,620

 

Equipment

 

 

640,608

 

 

 

 

605,515

 

Total property and equipment

 

 

1,285,857

 

 

 

 

1,216,499

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

670,041

 

 

 

 

637,439

 

Property and equipment, net

$

 

615,816

 

 

$

 

579,060

 

 

-53-


 

 

 

Note 5 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

All goodwill relates to the Food Distribution segment.   Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

Balance at December 30, 2017 and December 29, 2018:

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

178,648

 

Acquisitions (Note 15)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,387

 

Balance at December 28, 2019:

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

181,035

 

 

The Company reviews goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment annually, during the fourth quarter of each year, and more frequently if circumstances indicate the possibility of impairment. Testing goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment requires management to make significant estimates about the Company’s future performance, cash flows, and other assumptions that can be affected by potential changes in economic, industry or market conditions, business operations, competition, or the Company’s stock price and market capitalization.

During the Company’s 2019 annual impairment review, projected cash flows were discounted based on a weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) of 9.9%. This WACC was developed from current interest rates, equity risk premiums, and other market-based expectations regarding expected investment returns. The development of the WACC requires estimates of an equity rate of return and a debt rate of return, which are specific to the industry in which the Food Distribution reporting unit operates. In 2019, the Company also performed an interim impairment review during the second quarter due to a decline in the Company’s market capitalization. The Company concluded that the fair value of the Food Distribution reporting unit was substantially in excess of its carrying value in both the second and fourth quarter reviews.

In 2017, the Company experienced significantly lower than expected Retail operating results and it was determined that the carrying value of the Retail segment exceeded its fair value. Consequently, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $189.0 million in the third quarter of 2017 to fully impair Retail segment goodwill.

The following table reflects the components of amortized intangible assets, included in “Intangible assets, net” on the consolidated balance sheets:

 

 

 

December 28, 2019

 

 

December 29, 2018

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Accumulated

 

(In thousands)

 

 

Amount

 

 

Amortization

 

 

Amount

 

 

Amortization

 

Non-compete agreements

 

 

 

$

 

4,438

 

 

$

 

1,493

 

 

$

 

3,358

 

 

$

 

886

 

Favorable leases (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,738

 

 

 

 

4,282

 

Pharmacy customer prescription lists

 

 

 

 

 

8,200

 

 

 

 

4,481

 

 

 

 

6,354

 

 

 

 

4,377

 

Customer relationships

 

 

 

 

 

57,937

 

 

 

 

11,497

 

 

 

 

57,937

 

 

 

 

7,835

 

Trade names

 

 

 

 

 

1,068

 

 

 

 

687

 

 

 

 

1,068

 

 

 

 

536

 

Franchise fees and other

 

 

 

 

 

1,114

 

 

 

 

422

 

 

 

 

1,064

 

 

 

 

422

 

Total

 

 

 

$

 

72,757

 

 

$

 

18,580

 

 

$

 

77,519

 

 

$

 

18,338

 

  (a) Upon the adoption of ASU 2016-02 at the beginning of 2019, favorable leases were reclassified as a component of Operating lease assets within the consolidated balance sheets.

The weighted average amortization periods for amortizable intangible assets as of December 28, 2019 are as follows:

Non-compete agreements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.1 years

Pharmacy customer prescription lists

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.7 years

Customer relationships

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.0 years

Trade names

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.1 years

Franchise fees and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.1 years

Amortization expense for intangible assets was $5.8 million, $5.8 million and $5.5 million for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Estimated amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:

(In thousands)

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

Amortization expense

$

 

5,662

 

 

$

 

5,211

 

 

$

 

4,985

 

 

$

 

4,879

 

 

$

 

4,627

 

-54-


 

 

Indefinite-lived intangible assets that are not amortized, consisting primarily of trade names and licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages, totaled $76.3 million and $69.7 million as of December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, respectively.

Note 6 – Restructuring, Asset Impairment and Other Charges

The following table provides the activity of reserves for closed properties for 2019, 2018 and 2017. Reserves for closed properties recorded in the consolidated balance sheets are included in “Other accrued expenses” in Current liabilities and “Other long-term liabilities” in Long-term liabilities based on when the obligations are expected to be paid.

(In thousands)

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

 

 

$

 

16,386

 

 

$

 

17,892

 

 

$

 

21,932

 

Provision for closing charges

 

 

 

 

 

1,299

 

 

 

 

4,499

 

 

 

 

3,852

 

Provision for severance

 

 

 

 

 

447

 

 

 

 

153

 

 

 

 

624

 

Changes in estimates

 

 

 

 

 

(635

)

 

 

 

(1,181

)

 

 

 

1,028

 

Reclassification of lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

(8,177

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease termination adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

(62

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,600

)

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

554

 

 

 

 

 

Accretion expense

 

 

 

 

 

271

 

 

 

 

579

 

 

 

 

526

 

Payments

 

 

 

 

 

(4,541

)

 

 

 

(6,110

)

 

 

 

(7,470

)

Balance at end of year

 

 

 

$

 

4,988

 

 

$

 

16,386

 

 

$

 

17,892

 

Included in the liability are lease-related ancillary costs from the date of site closure to the end of the remaining lease term. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-02 (Note 1), the liability also included lease obligations recorded at the present value of future minimum lease payments, calculated using a risk-free interest rate, net of estimated sublease income. Upon the adoption of ASU 2016-02, these liabilities were reclassified to operating lease liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets.

Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges included in the consolidated statements of operations consisted of the following:

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Asset impairment charges (a)

$

 

17,925

 

 

$

 

2,630

 

 

$

 

33,679

 

Charge on customer advance (b)

 

 

2,351

 

 

 

 

32,000

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for closing charges

 

 

1,299

 

 

 

 

4,499

 

 

 

 

3,852

 

(Gain) loss on sales of assets related to closed facilities (c)

 

 

(8,532

)

 

 

 

(1,352

)

 

 

 

998

 

Provision for severance for closed sites

 

 

447

 

 

 

 

153

 

 

 

 

624

 

Other costs associated with distribution center and store closings (d)

 

 

2,135

 

 

 

 

797

 

 

 

 

1,851

 

Changes in estimates (e)

 

 

(635

)

 

 

 

(1,181

)

 

 

 

1,028

 

Lease termination adjustments (f)

 

 

(1,940

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,600

)

 

$

 

13,050

 

 

$

 

37,546

 

 

$

 

39,432

 

-55-


 

 

  (a)

In 2019, asset impairment charges primarily related to Food Distribution segment, including the Caito trade name. In 2018 and 2017, asset impairment charges were incurred primarily in the Retail segment due to the economic and competitive environment of certain stores and in conjunction with the Company’s retail store rationalization plan.

  (b)

The charge on customer advance relates to an advance to an independent retailer customer which was not fully recoverable. See Note 15 “Concentration of Credit Risk” for further discussion.

  (c)

Gain (loss) on sales of assets were primarily related to the sale of a closed Food Distribution warehouse in 2019, a closed Military warehouse and closed Retail stores in 2018 and closed Retail stores in 2017.

  (d)

Other costs associated with distribution center and store closings represent additional costs, including labor, inventory transfer and other administrative costs, incurred in connection with restructuring operations in the Food Distribution and Retail segments.

  (e)

Changes in estimates primarily relate to revised estimates for turnover and other lease ancillary costs associated with previously closed locations, which were generally lower than the initial estimates at certain properties in 2019 and 2018 and reflected the deterioration of the condition of certain properties in 2017.

  (f)

Lease termination adjustments represent the benefits recognized in connection with early lease buyouts for previously closed sites. Payments made in connection with lease buyouts were applied to reserves for closed properties and lease liabilities, as applicable.

In the second quarter of 2019 the Company announced a plan to reposition the Caito fresh production operations and to focus on traditional produce distribution and production of fresh cut produce and deli items. As a result of this plan, the Company evaluated the related indefinite-lived trade name and long-lived assets for potential impairment. The indefinite-lived trade name with a book value of $35.5 million was measured at a fair value of $21.5 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $14.0 million. During the fourth quarter of 2019, the operations of the fresh kitchen ceased and the related property and equipment assets were listed for sale. As of December 28, 2019, these assets were classified as Property and equipment held for sale within the consolidated balance sheet and written down to their fair value less costs to sell, resulting in a $2.4 million impairment within the Food Distribution segment. The Company entered into an agreement to sell the assets in January 2020 and expects the transaction to close during the first quarter of 2020.

Indefinite lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually, and as needed if an indicator of potential impairment exists. Indefinite lived intangible assets are measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy, as further described in Note 8 – Fair Value Measurements. The fair value of indefinite lived intangible assets is determined by estimating the amount and timing of net future cash flows generated from the use of the asset, generally using estimated revenue growth rates and profitability rates and, in the case of the relief-from-royalty methodology, royalty rates. Future cash flows are discounted based on the WACC of the reporting unit in which the asset resides, determined using current interest rates, equity risk premiums, and other market-based expectations regarding expected investment returns, as well as estimates of industry specific equity and debt rates of return.

Long-lived assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy, as further described in Note 8, Fair Value Measurements. Assets consisting of property and equipment with a book value of $32.8 million were measured at a fair value of $28.9 million, resulting in impairment charges of $3.9 million in 2019. Fair value of long-lived assets is determined by estimating the amount and timing of net future cash flows, discounted using a risk-adjusted rate of interest. The Company estimates future cash flows based on historical results of operations, external factors expected to impact future performance, experience and knowledge of the geographic area in which the assets are located, and when necessary, uses real estate brokers. Assets classified as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet are valued at the expected net proceeds.

Note 7 – Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 28,

 

 

December 29,

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Senior secured revolving credit facility, due December 2023

$

 

640,409

 

 

$

 

600,852

 

Senior secured term loan, due December 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

60,000

 

Finance lease obligations (Note 10)

 

 

44,966

 

 

 

 

39,558

 

Other, 2.61% - 8.75%, due 2020 - 2026

 

 

8,633

 

 

 

 

4,447

 

Total debt - principal

 

 

694,008

 

 

 

 

704,857

 

Unamortized debt issuance costs

 

 

(5,455

)

 

 

 

(6,797

)

Total debt

 

 

688,553

 

 

 

 

698,060

 

Less current portion

 

 

6,349

 

 

 

 

18,263

 

Total long-term debt

$

 

682,204

 

 

$

 

679,797

 

-56-


 

 

On December 18, 2018, SpartanNash Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Company’s Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). The principal changes of the amendment included an extension of the maturity date of the loans from December 20, 2021 to December 18, 2023, the ability to increase the size of the Tranche A revolving loan to $975 million from $900 million, an amendment to the interest rate grid such that rates for the Tranche A-1 revolving loans ($40 million capacity) are now LIBOR plus 2.25% to LIBOR plus 2.50%, a reload of the Tranche A-2 term loan ($60 million capacity) and a reset of certain advance rates for the borrowing base. In the third quarter of 2019, the Company executed an early payment of the Tranche A-2 term loan. The Company has the ability to increase the size of the Credit Agreement by an additional $325 million, subject to certain conditions. The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the Company’s personal and real property. The Company may repay all loans in whole or in part at any time without penalty.

Availability under the Credit Agreement is based upon advance rates on certain asset categories owned by the Company, including, but not limited to the following: inventory, accounts receivable, real estate, prescription lists, cigarette tax stamps, and rolling stock.

The Credit Agreement imposes certain requirements, including limitations on dividends and investments, limitations on the Company’s ability to incur debt, make loans, acquire other companies, change the nature of the Company’s business, enter a merger or consolidation, or sell assets. These requirements can be more restrictive depending upon the Company’s Excess Availability, as defined under the Credit Agreement.

Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at the Company’s option as either Eurodollar loans or Base Rate loans, subject to a grid based upon Excess Availability. The interest rate terms for each of the aforementioned tranches are as follows:

Credit

 

Outstanding as of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facility

 

December 28, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tranche

 

(In thousands)

 

 

Eurodollar Rate

 

Base Rate

Tranche A

 

$

 

609,599

 

 

LIBOR plus 1.25% to 1.50%

 

Greater of:

(i) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.75% to 1.00%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii) the Eurodollar Rate plus 2.25% to 2.50%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii) the prime rate plus 0.25% to 0.50%

Tranche A-1

 

$

 

30,810

 

 

LIBOR plus 2.25% to 2.50%

 

Greater of:

(i) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.75% to 2.00%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii) the Eurodollar Rate plus 2.25% to 2.50%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii) the prime rate plus 1.25% to 1.50%

The Company also incurs an unused line of credit fee on the unused portion of the loan commitments at a rate of 0.25%.

The Credit Agreement requires that the Company maintain Excess Availability of 10% of the borrowing base, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Company is in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 28, 2019 and had Excess Availability after the 10% requirement of $236.8 million and $262.0 million at December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, respectively. The Credit Agreement provides for the issuance of letters of credit, of which $11.7 million were outstanding as of December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018.

The weighted average interest rate for all borrowings, including loan fee amortization, was 4.56% for 2019.

At December 28, 2019, aggregate annual maturities and scheduled payments of long-term debt are as follows:

(In thousands)

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

Total

 

Total borrowings

$

 

6,349

 

 

$

 

4,410

 

 

$

 

3,830

 

 

$

 

644,102

 

 

$

 

3,971

 

 

$

 

31,346

 

 

$

 

694,008

 

 

Note 8 – Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820 prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing.

-57-


 

 

Financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term maturities of these financial instruments. For discussion of the fair value measurements related to goodwill and long-lived asset impairment charges, refer to Note 5, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and Note 6, Restructuring, Asset Impairment and Other Charges. At December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, the book value and estimated fair value of the Company’s debt instruments, excluding debt financing costs, were as follows:

 

 

December 28,

 

 

December 29,

 

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

Book value of debt instruments, excluding debt financing costs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities

$

 

6,349

 

 

$

 

18,263

 

Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities

 

 

687,659

 

 

 

 

686,594

 

Total book value of debt instruments

 

 

694,008

 

 

 

 

704,857

 

Fair value of debt instruments, excluding debt financing costs

 

 

700,631

 

 

 

 

705,875

 

Excess of fair value over book value

$

 

6,623

 

 

$

 

1,018

 

 

The estimated fair value of debt is based on market quotes for instruments with similar terms and remaining maturities (Level 2 inputs and valuation techniques).

Certain of the Company’s business combinations involved the potential for the receipt or payment of future contingent consideration upon the shortfall or achievement of various operating thresholds, respectively. The additional consideration was generally contingent on the acquired company reaching certain performance milestones, including attaining specified EBITDA levels. An asset or liability is recorded for the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration at the acquisition date and is re-measured each reporting period, using Level 3 inputs, with changes in fair value recognized as income or expense within operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. 

As of December 28, 2019, no contingent consideration provisions are outstanding. During 2019, the Company received $15.0 million related to the resolution of certain acquisition contingencies associated with the Caito and BRT acquisition. Upon receipt of the proceeds, the portion of the contingent consideration related to the acquisition date fair value was reported as a financing activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Amounts received in excess of the acquisition date fair value were reported as an operating activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Note 9 – Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is engaged from time-to-time in routine legal proceedings incidental to its business. The Company does not believe that these routine legal proceedings, taken as a whole, will have a material impact on its business or financial condition. While the ultimate effect of such actions cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that their outcome will not result in an adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, operating results or liquidity.

The Company subleases property at certain locations and for 2019, 2018 and 2017, received rental income of $4.0 million, $3.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively. In the event of customer default, the Company would be responsible for fulfilling these lease obligations. Future payment obligations under these leases are disclosed in Note 10, Leases. Contingencies related to credit risk and collectability are disclosed in Note 15, Concentration of Credit Risk.

Unions represent approximately 7% of SpartanNash’s associates. These associates are covered by collective bargaining agreements (“CBAs”). The facilities covered by CBAs, the unions representing the covered associates and the expiration dates for each existing CBA are provided in the following table:

 

Distribution Center Locations

 

Union Locals

 

Expiration Dates

Landover, Maryland

 

IBT 639

 

February, 2021

Lima, Ohio

 

IBT 908

 

January 2022

Bellefontaine, Ohio - GTL Truck Lines, Inc.

 

IBT 908

 

February 2022

Bellefontaine, Ohio - General Merchandise Service Division

 

IBT 908

 

February 2022

Norfolk, Virginia

 

IBT 822

 

April 2022

Columbus, Georgia

 

IBT 528

 

September 2022

Grand Rapids, Michigan

 

IBT 406

 

October 2022

 

-58-


 

 

The Company contributes to the Central States Southeast and Southwest Pension Fund (“Central States Plan” or “the Plan”), a multi-employer pension plan, in accordance with provisions in place in collective bargaining agreements covering its supply chain operations in Bellefontaine, Lima, and Grand Rapids. This Plan provides 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 by contributing employers and unions; however, SpartanNash is not a trustee of the Plan. 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 held in trust and the overall administration of the plan. The Company currently contributes to the Plan under the terms outlined in the “Primary Schedule” of Central States’ Rehabilitation Plan or those outlined in the “Default Schedule.” Both the Primary and Default schedules require varying increases in employer contributions over the previous year’s contribution. Increases are negotiated within each collective bargaining agreement and vary by location. The Plan continues to be in red zone status, and according to the Pension Protection Act (“PPA”), is considered to be in “critical and declining” zone status. Among other factors, plans in the “critical and declining” zone are generally less than 65% funded and are projected to become insolvent within the next 15 years (or 20 years depending on the ratio of active-to-inactive participants).

Based on the most recent information available to the Company, management believes that the present value of actuarial accrued liabilities in this multi-employer plan significantly exceeds the value of the assets held in trust to pay benefits. Because SpartanNash is one of a number of employers contributing to this plan, it is difficult to estimate the amount of the underfunding. Management is not aware of any significant change in funding levels since December 28, 2019. To reduce this underfunding, management expects multi-employer pension plan contributions to increase in future years. Any adjustment for withdrawal liability will be recorded when it is probable that a liability exists and can be reasonably determined.

Note 10 – Leases

A portion of the Company’s retail stores and warehouses operate in leased facilities. The Company also leases the majority of the tractors and trailers within its fleet and certain other assets. Most of the property leases contain multiple renewal options, which generally range from one to ten years. In those locations in which it is economically feasible to continue to operate, management expects that lease options will be exercised as they come due. The terms of certain leases contain provisions requiring payment of percentage rent based on sales and payment of executory costs such as property taxes, utilities, insurance, maintenance and other occupancy costs applicable to the leased premises or, in the case of transportation equipment, provisions requiring payment of variable rent based upon miles driven. Certain properties or portions thereof are subleased to others. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit discount rate, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.

The components of lease cost were as follows:

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

Operating lease cost

$

 

54,798

 

Short-term lease cost

 

 

7,131

 

Finance lease cost

 

 

 

 

Amortization of assets

 

 

3,330

 

Interest on lease liabilities

 

 

3,084

 

Sublease income

 

 

(4,014

)

Total net lease cost

$

 

64,329

 

-59-


 

 

Rental expense, net of sublease income, under operating leases was $58.0 million and $51.5 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 28,

 

 

December 29,

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Finance leases:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, at cost

$

 

67,206

 

 

$

 

64,215

 

Accumulated amortization

 

 

(27,131

)

 

 

 

(30,774

)

Property and equipment, net

$

 

40,075

 

 

$

 

33,441

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of finance lease liabilities

$

 

4,401

 

 

$

 

6,840

 

Noncurrent finance lease liabilities

 

 

40,565

 

 

 

 

32,718

 

Total finance lease liabilities

$

 

44,966

 

 

$

 

39,558

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 28,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

Operating leases:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease assets

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

268,982

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

42,440

 

Noncurrent operating lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

267,350

 

Total operating lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

309,790

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average remaining lease term:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.9 years

 

Finance leases

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.9 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average discount rate:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.7

%

Finance leases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.0

%

Supplemental cash flow and other information related to leases was as follows:

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flows used for operating leases

 

 

 

$

 

62,455

 

Operating cash flows used for finance leases

 

 

 

 

 

3,047

 

Financing cash flows used for finance leases

 

 

 

 

 

5,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

34,346

 

Total finance lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

3,679

 

-60-


 

 

The Company’s total future lease commitments under operating and finance leases in effect at December 28, 2019 are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating

 

 

Finance

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leases

 

 

Leases

 

 

Total

 

2020

$

 

58,539

 

 

$

 

7,590

 

 

 

 

66,129

 

2021

 

 

53,859

 

 

 

 

6,157

 

 

 

 

60,016

 

2022

 

 

47,616

 

 

 

 

5,573

 

 

 

 

53,189

 

2023

 

 

42,577

 

 

 

 

5,192

 

 

 

 

47,769

 

2024

 

 

35,580

 

 

 

 

5,212

 

 

 

 

40,792

 

Thereafter

 

 

162,649

 

 

 

 

38,588

 

 

 

 

201,237

 

Total

 

 

400,820

 

 

 

 

68,312

 

 

 

 

469,132

 

Less interest

 

 

91,030

 

 

 

 

23,346

 

 

 

 

114,376

 

Present value of lease liabilities

 

 

309,790

 

 

 

 

44,966

 

 

 

 

354,756

 

Less current portion

 

 

42,440

 

 

 

 

4,401

 

 

 

 

46,841

 

Long-term lease liabilities

$

 

267,350

 

 

$

 

40,565

 

$

 

 

307,915

 

 

The Company’s total future lease commitments under operating and capital leases previously accounted for under ASC 840, “Leases”, at December 29, 2018 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Leases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Used in

 

 

Subleased

 

 

 

 

 

Capital

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

to Others

 

 

Total

 

 

Leases

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

54,098

 

 

$

 

1,039

 

 

$

 

55,137

 

 

$

 

9,091

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47,212

 

 

 

 

817

 

 

 

 

48,029

 

 

 

 

7,049

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39,887

 

 

 

 

694

 

 

 

 

40,581

 

 

 

 

5,377

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32,299

 

 

 

 

468

 

 

 

 

32,767

 

 

 

 

4,685

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,419

 

 

 

 

357

 

 

 

 

25,776

 

 

 

 

3,912

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

75,626

 

 

 

 

147

 

 

 

 

75,773

 

 

 

 

25,152

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

274,541

 

 

$

 

3,522

 

 

$

 

278,063

 

 

 

 

55,266

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

 

 

 

(15,708

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Present value of minimum lease obligations

 

 

 

 

39,558

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities

 

 

 

 

6,840

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term capital lease obligations

 

 

$

 

32,718

 

Certain retail store facilities, either owned or obtained through leasing arrangements, are leased to others. A majority of the leases provide for minimum rent and contain renewal options. Certain of the leases contain escalation clauses and contingent rentals based upon stipulated sales volumes.

Owned assets, included in property and equipment, which are leased to others are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 28,

 

 

December 29,

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Land and improvements

$

 

7,077

 

 

$

 

7,389

 

Buildings

 

 

29,287

 

 

 

 

28,932

 

Owned assets leased to others

 

 

36,364

 

 

 

 

36,321

 

Less accumulated amortization and depreciation

 

 

10,895

 

 

 

 

10,044

 

Net owned assets leased to others

$

 

25,469

 

 

$

 

26,277

 

Future minimum rentals to be received under lease obligations in effect at December 28, 2019 are as follows:

(In thousands)

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

Total

 

Owned property

$

 

4,587

 

 

$

 

4,344

 

 

$

 

3,873

 

 

$

 

2,940

 

 

$

 

2,037

 

 

$

 

18,113

 

 

$

 

35,894

 

Leased property

 

 

3,127

 

 

 

 

2,636

 

 

 

 

2,288

 

 

 

 

1,984

 

 

 

 

1,400

 

 

 

 

4,011

 

 

 

 

15,446

 

Total

$

 

7,714

 

 

$

 

6,980

 

 

$

 

6,161

 

 

$

 

4,924

 

 

$

 

3,437

 

 

$

 

22,124

 

 

$

 

51,340

 

 

-61-


 

 

Note 11 – Associate Retirement Plans

The Company provides salary deferral defined contribution plans to substantially all of the Company’s associates not covered by CBAs. Associates covered by CBAs at the Company’s Columbus, Georgia; Norfolk, Virginia; and Landover, Maryland facilities all participate in the Company’s defined contribution plan; the remaining associates covered under CBAs participate in a multi-employer pension plan. The Company’s former non-contributory pension plan has been terminated.

Defined Contribution Plans

Expense for employer matching contributions made to defined contribution plans totaled $11.5 million, $7.0 million and $7.9 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Executive Compensation Plans

The Company has a deferred compensation plan for a select group of management personnel or highly compensated associates. The plan is unfunded and permits participants to defer receipt of a portion of their base salary, annual bonus, or long-term incentive compensation which would otherwise be paid to them. The deferred amounts, plus earnings, are distributed following the associate’s termination of employment. Earnings are based on the performance of hypothetical investments elected by the participant from a portfolio of investment options.

The Company holds variable universal life insurance policies on certain key associates intended to fund distributions under the deferred compensation plan referenced above. The net cash surrender value of approximately $4.3 million at both December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 is recorded in “Other assets, net” in the consolidated balance sheets. These policies have an aggregate amount of life insurance coverage of approximately $15.0 million.

Defined Benefit Plans

On February 28, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors granted approval to proceed with terminating the SpartanNash Company Pension Plan (the “Pension Plan”), a frozen defined benefit pension plan and the Plan was terminated on July 31, 2018. The Company offered participants the option to receive an annuity or lump sum distribution which may be rolled over into another qualified plan. The distribution of assets to plan participants commenced in the second quarter and was completed in the third quarter of 2019. The remaining overfunded Plan assets will be utilized by the Company to fund obligations associated with other qualified retirement programs.  

Pension benefits were primarily based on years of service and compensation, with some differences resulting from the nature of how benefits were calculated under the Company’s legacy defined benefit plans, as described below. On December 31, 2014, the Retirement Plan for Employees of Super Food Services, Inc. (“Super Foods Plan”) was merged into the Spartan Stores, Inc. Cash Balance Pension Plan (“Cash Balance Pension Plan”) and renamed the SpartanNash Company Pension Plan. Annual payments to the pension trust fund were determined in compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1976 (“ERISA”).

The Cash Balance Pension Plan, a non-contributory cash balance pension plan, was frozen effective January 1, 2011. As a result of the freeze, no additional associates were eligible to participate in the plan after January 1, 2011, and additional service credits were no longer added to each participant’s account; however, interest credits continued to accrue. Prior to the plan freeze, the plan benefit formula utilized a cash balance approach whereby credits were added annually to a participant’s account based on compensation and years of vested service, with interest credits also added to the participant’s account at the Company’s discretion.

The Super Foods Plan, a qualified non-contributory pension plan offered by one of the Company’s subsidiaries, provided retirement income for certain eligible full-time associates who were not covered by a union retirement plan. Pension benefits under the plan were based on length of service and compensation, and contributions met the minimum funding requirements. This plan was frozen effective January 1, 1998.

If lump sum distributions or annuity payouts are made in an amount exceeding annual interest cost, settlement accounting is triggered, and the resulting settlement expense is recorded as a component of total pension expense (income). In 2019 lump sum distributions and annuity payouts of $72.6 million were made resulting in pre-tax settlement charges of $18.2 million, including $18.0 million related to the Plan termination. The Company also recognized other termination expenses of $1.5 million in 2019. Lump sum distributions of $3.3 million and $2.6 million were made and resulting pension settlement charges of $0.8 million and $0.5 million were incurred in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

-62-


 

 

Postretirement Medical Plans

SpartanNash Company and certain subsidiaries provide healthcare benefits to retired associates under the SpartanNash Company Retiree Medical Plan (the “Retiree Medical Plan”). Former Spartan Stores, Inc. associates hired prior to January 1, 2002 who were not covered by CBAs during their employment, who have at least 10 years of service and have attained age 55 upon retirement qualify as “covered associates.” Covered associates who retired prior to March 31, 1992 receive major medical insurance with deductible and coinsurance provisions until age 65 and Medicare supplemental benefits thereafter. Covered associates retiring after April 1, 1992 are eligible for monthly postretirement healthcare benefits of $5 multiplied by the associate’s years of service. This benefit is in the form of a credit against the monthly insurance premium. The retiree pays the balance of the premium.

The following tables set forth the actuarial present value of benefit obligations, funded status, changes in benefit obligations and plan assets, weighted average assumptions used in actuarial calculations and components of net periodic benefit costs for the Company’s significant pension and postretirement benefit plans, excluding multi-employer plans. The prepaid, current accrued, and noncurrent accrued benefit costs associated with pension and postretirement benefits are reported in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets,” “Other assets, net,” “Accrued payroll and benefits,” and “Other long-term liabilities,” respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension Plan

 

 

Retiree Medical Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 28,

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 28,

 

 

December 29,

 

(In thousands, except percentages)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Funded Status

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Projected/Accumulated benefit obligation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

73,275

 

 

$

 

80,153

 

 

$

 

9,443

 

 

$

 

10,199

 

Service cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

171

 

 

 

 

195

 

Interest cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,134

 

 

 

 

2,283

 

 

 

 

375

 

 

 

 

339

 

Actuarial loss (gain)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

618

 

 

 

 

(1,578

)

 

 

 

1,181

 

 

 

 

(961

)

Benefits paid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(75,027

)

 

 

 

(7,583

)

 

 

 

(387

)

 

 

 

(329

)

Balance at end of year

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

73,275

 

 

$

 

10,783

 

 

$

 

9,443

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

74,241

 

 

$

 

81,255

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

Actual return (loss) on plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,282

 

 

 

 

(931

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company contributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

 

387

 

 

 

 

329

 

Benefits paid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(75,027

)

 

 

 

(7,583

)

 

 

 

(387

)

 

 

 

(329

)

Balance at end of year

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

1,496

 

 

$

 

74,241

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

Funded (unfunded) status

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

1,496

 

 

$

 

966

 

 

$

 

(10,783

)

 

$

 

(9,443

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components of net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

1,496

 

 

$

 

966

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(466

)

 

 

 

(437

)

Noncurrent liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10,317

)

 

 

 

(9,006

)

Net asset (liability)

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

1,496

 

 

$

 

966

 

 

$

 

(10,783

)

 

$

 

(9,443

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in AOCI:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

19,885

 

 

$

 

1,809

 

 

$

 

629

 

Prior service credit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(92

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

19,885

 

 

$

 

1,809

 

 

$

 

537

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average assumptions at measurement date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

3.48%

 

 

3.26%

 

 

4.41%

 

Ultimate health care cost trend rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

4.50%

 

 

5.00%

 

-63-


 

 

 

 

Pension Plan

 

 

Retiree Medical Plan

 

(In thousands, except percentages)

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Components of net periodic benefit (income) cost:

 

Service cost

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

171

 

 

$

 

195

 

 

$

 

184

 

Interest cost

 

 

1,134

 

 

 

 

2,283

 

 

 

 

2,345

 

 

 

 

375

 

 

 

 

339

 

 

 

 

345

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(92

)

 

 

 

(158

)

 

 

 

(158

)

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(714

)

 

 

 

(3,631

)

 

 

 

(3,836

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognized actuarial net loss

 

 

691

 

 

 

 

417

 

 

 

 

221

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

88

 

 

 

 

59

 

Net periodic benefit expense (income)

$

 

1,111

 

 

$

 

(931

)

 

$

 

(1,270

)

 

$

 

454

 

 

$

 

464

 

 

$

 

430

 

Settlement expense

 

 

18,244

 

 

 

 

785

 

 

 

 

548

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net periodic benefit cost (income)

$

 

19,355

 

 

$

 

(146

)

 

$

 

(722

)

 

$

 

454

 

 

$

 

464

 

 

$

 

430

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit (income) cost:

 

Discount rate

3.48%

 

 

3.45%

 

 

3.82%

 

 

4.41%

 

 

3.72%

 

 

4.26%

 

Expected return on plan assets

2.80%

 

 

4.84%

 

 

4.83%

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

The net actuarial loss included in AOCI and expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost in 2020 for the Retiree Medical Plan is $1.8 million. Prior service costs (credits) are amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of active participants. Actuarial gains and losses for the Pension Plan were amortized over the average remaining life of all participants when the accumulation of such gains and losses exceeded 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation and the market-related value of plan assets.

Assumed healthcare cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the Retiree Medical Plan. Assumed current healthcare cost trend rates used to determine net periodic benefit cost were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

Post-65

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.50%

 

8.00%

 

8.40%

The effect of a one-percentage point increase or decrease in assumed healthcare cost trend rates on the total service and interest components and the post-retirement benefit obligations would be less than $0.1 million.

Expected Return on Assets and Investment Strategy

The Company followed an investment policy for the Pension Plan with a long-term asset allocation mix designed to meet long-term retirement obligations by investing in equity, fixed income and other securities to cover cash flow requirements of the plan and minimize long-term costs. In 2018, in the context of the Pension Plan termination and the expected distribution of the related assets, the Company revised the asset mix to include only fixed income securities, which reduced the Pension Plan’s exposure to market volatility. Certain of the fixed income investments have a duration of 90 days or less, and as such are classified as cash equivalents. As of December 28, 2019, all of the remaining assets are cash equivalents.  

The investment policy emphasized the following key objectives: (1) provide benefit security to participants by maximizing the return on plan assets at an acceptable risk level, (2) maintain adequate liquidity for current benefit payments, (3) avoid unexpected increases in pension expense, and (4) within the scope of the above objectives, minimize long term funding to the plan.

-64-


 

 

The fair values of the Pension Plan assets at December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, by asset category, are as follows:

 

 

 

 

Fair Value of Assets as of December 28, 2019

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

NAV (a)

 

Mutual funds

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

Pooled funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market fund

 

 

 

 

 

1,496

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,496

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guaranteed annuity contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fair value

 

 

 

$

 

1,496

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

1,496

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value of Assets as of December 29, 2018

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

NAV (a)

 

Mutual funds

 

 

 

$

 

20,124

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

20,124

 

Pooled funds

 

 

 

 

 

29,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29,576

 

Money market fund

 

 

 

 

 

11,992

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,992

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guaranteed annuity contracts

 

 

 

 

 

12,549

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,549

 

 

 

 

 

Total fair value

 

 

 

$

 

74,241

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

11,992

 

 

$

 

12,549

 

 

$

 

49,700

 

  (a)

Assets are measured at net asset value (“NAV”) (or its equivalent) on a non-active market, and therefore, have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.

Level 3 assets consist of guaranteed annuity contracts. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for Level 3 assets is as follows:

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 28, 2019

 

 

December 29, 2018

 

Balance at beginning of year

$

 

12,549

 

 

$

 

13,891

 

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net

 

 

(13,112

)

 

 

 

(1,712

)

Interest income

 

 

349

 

 

 

 

588

 

Unrealized loss (gains)

 

 

214

 

 

 

 

(218

)

Balance at end of year

$

 

 

 

$

 

12,549

 

See Note 8 for a discussion of the levels of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value measurement level used is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The following is a description of the valuation methods used for the Pension Plan’s assets measured at fair value in the above tables:

Money market fund: The carrying value approximates fair value. Money market funds are valued on a daily basis at NAV using the amortized cost of the securities held in the fund. Since amortized cost does not meet the criteria for an active market, money market funds are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820.

Mutual Funds: These investments were valued using NAV as a practical expedient to estimate fair value and are not classified in the fair value hierarchy. NAV is determined once a day after the closing of the exchange based upon the underlying assets in the fund, less the fund’s liabilities, expressed on a per-share basis. Mutual funds held by the Pension Plan were open end mutual funds that were registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These funds are required to publish their daily NAV and to transact at that price. The mutual funds held by the Pension Plan were therefore deemed to be actively traded.

Pooled Funds: The plan held units of various Aon Hewitt Group Trust Funds offered through a private placement. The units are valued daily using NAV as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. NAVs are based on the fair value of each fund’s underlying investments and are not classified in the fair value hierarchy. The practical expedient is not used when it is determined to be probable that the investment will be sold for an amount different than the reported NAV.

Guaranteed Annuity Contracts: The guaranteed annuity contracts are immediate participation contracts held with insurance companies that acted as custodian of the Pension Plan’s assets. The guaranteed annuity contracts are stated at contract values, which are determined by the custodians and approximate fair values. The Company evaluated the general financial condition of the custodians as a component of validating whether the calculated contract value is an accurate approximation of fair value. The review of the general financial condition of the custodians is considered obtainable/observable through the review of readily available financial information the custodians are required to file with the SEC. The group annuity contracts are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy of ASC 820.

-65-


 

 

The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuations methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement.

The Company expects to make contributions in 2020 of $0.5 million to the Retiree Medical Plan.

The following estimated benefit payments are expected to be paid in the following fiscal years:

 

(In thousands)

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2025 to 2029

 

Post-retirement medical benefits

$

 

466

 

 

$

 

503

 

 

$

 

539

 

 

$

 

571

 

 

$

 

597

 

 

$

 

3,281

 

 

Multi-Employer Health and Welfare Plans

In addition to the plans described above, the Company participates in the Michigan Conference of Teamsters and Ohio Conference of Teamsters Health and Welfare plans. The Company contributes to these multi-employer plans under the terms contained in existing CBAs and in the amounts set forth within these agreements. The health and welfare plans provide medical, dental, pharmacy, vision, and other ancillary benefits to active associates and retirees, as determined by the trustees of the plan. The Company’s contributions largely benefit active associates, and as such, may not constitute contributions to a postretirement benefit plan. However, the Company is unable to separate contribution amounts for postretirement benefits from contribution amounts paid for active participants in the plan. These plans have a significant surplus of funds held in reserve in excess of claims incurred, and there is no potential withdrawal liability related to the Company’s participation in the plans. With respect to the Company’s participation in these plans, expense is recognized as contributions are funded. The Company contributed $13.8 million, $13.8 million and $14.1 million to these plans in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Multi-Employer Pension Plan

The Company also contributes to the Central States Plan, a multi-employer plan defined previously, under the terms of CBAs that cover its union-represented associates and in the amounts set forth within these agreements. The Company is party to four CBAs that require contributions to the Plan with expiration dates ranging from January 2022 to October 2022. These CBAs cover warehouse personnel and drivers in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Bellefontaine and Lima, Ohio. With respect to the Company’s participation in the Central States Plan (EIN 36-60442343 / Pension Plan Number 001), expense is recognized as contributions are funded. The Company contributed $14.0 million, $13.3 million and $13.4 million to this plan in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The contributions made by the Company represent less than five percent of the Plan’s total contributions in 2019.

The risk of participating in a multi-employer pension plan is different from the risk associated with single-employer plans in the following respects:

 

a.

Assets contributed to the multi-employer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.

 

b.

If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers.

 

c.

If a company chooses to stop participating in a multi-employer plan, makes market exits such as closing a distribution center without opening another one in the same locale, or otherwise has participation in the plan drop below certain levels, the company may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.

The PPA zone status of the Plan, which is based on information the Company received from the Plan and is certified by the Plan’s actuary, is “critical and declining” for the Plan’s two most recent fiscal years ending December 31, 2019 and 2018. Among other factors, plans in the “critical and declining” zone are generally less than 65% funded and projected to become insolvent within the next 15 years (or 20 years depending on the ratio of active-to-inactive participants). A rehabilitation plan has been implemented by the trustees of the Plan, and the CBAs that cover warehouse personnel and drivers in the Bellefontaine and Lima, Ohio distribution centers have permanent surcharges imposed due to the failure to adopt the trustee recommended rehabilitation plan. Refer to Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies, for further information regarding the Company’s participation in the Central States Plan. As of the date the consolidated financial statements were issued, Form 5500 was not available for the plan year ended December 31, 2019.

Note 12 – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss (“AOCI”) represents the cumulative balance of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, as of the end of the reporting period. For the Company, the activity relates to pension and other postretirement benefit obligation adjustments.

-66-


 

 

Changes in AOCI are as follows:

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Balance at beginning of the year, net of tax

$

 

(15,759

)

 

$

 

(15,136

)

 

$

 

(11,437

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

 

219

 

 

 

 

(2,026

)

 

 

 

(2,448

)

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

 

(55

)

 

 

 

458

 

 

 

 

934

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, before reclassifications

 

 

164

 

 

 

 

(1,568

)

 

 

 

(1,514

)

Amortization of amounts included in net periodic benefit cost (a)

 

 

18,480

 

 

 

 

1,204

 

 

 

 

799

 

Income tax expense (b)

 

 

(4,485

)

 

 

 

(259

)

 

 

 

(302

)

Amounts reclassified out of AOCI, net of tax

 

 

13,995

 

 

 

 

945

 

 

 

 

497

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

 

14,159

 

 

 

 

(623

)

 

 

 

(1,017

)

Reclassification of stranded tax effects (c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,682

)

Balance at end of the year, net of tax

$

 

(1,600

)

 

$

 

(15,759

)

 

$

 

(15,136

)

  (a)

Reclassified from AOCI into Other, net, or Selling, general and administrative expense. Amounts include amortization of net actuarial loss, amortization of prior service cost, and settlement expense totaling $18.4 million, $0.9 million and $0.6 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

  (b)

Reclassified from AOCI into Income tax (benefit) expense.

  (c)

Reclassification reflects the impact of ASU 2018-02, which allowed stranded tax effects from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to be reclassified from AOCI to retained earnings.

Note 13 – Income Tax

The income tax provision for continuing operations is made up of the following components:

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Current income tax expense (benefit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

$

 

(899

)

 

$

 

(1,607

)

 

$

 

366

 

State

 

 

817

 

 

 

 

1,107

 

 

 

 

528

 

Total current income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

(82

)

 

 

 

(500

)

 

 

 

894

 

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

126

 

 

 

 

8,370

 

 

 

 

(72,842

)

State

 

 

(2,386

)

 

 

 

(963

)

 

 

 

(7,079

)

Total deferred income tax (benefit) expense

 

 

(2,260

)

 

 

 

7,407

 

 

 

 

(79,921

)

Total income tax (benefit) expense

$

 

(2,342

)

 

$

 

6,907

 

 

$

 

(79,027

)

A reconciliation of the statutory federal rate to the effective rate is as follows:

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

Federal statutory income tax rate

 

21.0

 

%

 

 

21.0

 

%

 

 

35.0

 

%

Stock compensation

 

7.2

 

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

Non-deductible expenses

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

Domestic production activities deduction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

Federal rate change effect on deferred taxes (a)

 

 

 

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

 

19.7

 

 

Change in tax contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

Charitable product donations

 

(5.6

)

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

Other, net

 

(2.4

)

 

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

State taxes, net of federal income tax benefit

 

(36.1

)

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

Tax credits

 

(50.4

)

 

 

 

(1.8

)

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

Effective income tax rate

 

(65.5

)

%

 

 

17.0

 

%

 

 

60.0

 

%

  (a)

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, effective January 1, 2018. Shortly after the Tax Act was enacted, the SEC issued accounting guidance, which provided a one-year measurement period during which a company may complete its accounting for the impacts of the Tax Act.

-67-


 

 

In connection with initial analysis of the impact of the Tax Act, the Company recorded a provisional discrete income tax benefit of $26.0 million in the period ended December 30, 2017 associated with the re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of the reduction in the U.S. federal corporate tax rate. In the third quarter of 2018, the Company completed its accounting for the income tax effects of certain elements of the Tax Act, resulting in an income tax benefit of $0.5 million.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from temporary differences as of December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 are as follows:

 

 

 

 

December 28,

 

 

December 29,

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee benefits

 

 

 

$

 

17,087

 

 

$

 

17,330

 

Accrued workers' compensation

 

 

 

 

 

1,632

 

 

 

 

1,402

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

 

 

 

10,870

 

 

 

 

10,171

 

Intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

1,319

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

472

 

 

 

 

1,806

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

 

 

 

1,678

 

 

 

 

1,269

 

Accrued rent

 

 

 

 

 

399

 

 

 

 

3,196

 

Lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

85,005

 

 

 

 

7,843

 

Accrued insurance

 

 

 

 

 

1,007

 

 

 

 

1,150

 

Federal net operating loss carryforwards (a)

 

 

 

 

 

2,332

 

 

 

 

 

Federal credits (b)

 

 

 

 

 

851

 

 

 

 

 

State net operating loss carryforwards (a)

 

 

 

 

 

4,498

 

 

 

 

2,656

 

All other

 

 

 

 

 

4,073

 

 

 

 

3,917

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

 

 

 

 

131,223

 

 

 

 

50,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

45,136

 

 

 

 

43,844

 

Lease assets

 

 

 

 

 

73,191

 

 

 

 

5,314

 

Inventory

 

 

 

 

 

33,739

 

 

 

 

32,401

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

21,404

 

 

 

 

15,763

 

Intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,011

 

All other

 

 

 

 

 

864

 

 

 

 

1,661

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

174,334

 

 

 

 

99,994

 

Net deferred tax liability

 

 

 

$

 

43,111

 

 

$

 

49,254

 

  (a)  As of December 28, 2019, the Company’s federal net operating loss carryforwards do not expire, and state net operating loss carryforwards in various taxing jurisdictions expire in tax years 2021 through 2039 if not utilized.

  (b)  As of December 28, 2019, the Company’s federal credit carryforwards expire in tax year 2039.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

 

 

 

December 28,

 

 

December 29,

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

 

 

$

 

1,477

 

 

$

 

2,408

 

Gross increases - tax positions taken in prior years

 

 

 

 

 

71

 

 

 

 

163

 

Gross decreases - tax positions taken in prior years

 

 

 

 

 

(125

)

 

 

 

(171

)

Gross increases - tax positions taken in current year

 

 

 

 

 

850

 

 

 

 

894

 

Lapsed statutes of limitations

 

 

 

 

 

(848

)

 

 

 

(1,817

)

Balance at end of year

 

 

 

$

 

1,425

 

 

$

 

1,477

 

 

Unrecognized tax benefits of $0.9 million are set to expire prior to January 2, 2021. The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The amount recognized due to a lapse in the statute of limitations that reduced the Company’s effective income tax rate in 2019 and 2018 was $0.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, that would reduce the Company’s effective income tax rate if recognized in future periods was $0.3 million as of December 28, 2019.

-68-


 

 

SpartanNash or its subsidiaries file income tax returns with federal, state and local tax authorities within the United States. With few exceptions, SpartanNash is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local examinations by tax authorities for fiscal years before the year ended January 2, 2016.

Note 14 – Stock-Based Compensation

The Company sponsors a shareholder-approved 10-year stock incentive plan covering 2,500,000 shares of SpartanNash’s common stock. The SpartanNash Company Stock Incentive Plan of 2015 (the “2015 Plan”) provides for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock awards, and other stock-based and stock-related awards to directors, officers and other key associates. Shares issued as a result of stock option exercises were funded with the issuance of new shares. Holders of restricted stock and stock awards are entitled to participate in cash dividends and dividend equivalents. As of December 28, 2019, a total of 1,019,555 shares remained unissued under the 2015 Plan.

All outstanding unvested shares of restricted stock vest immediately upon a “Change in Control,” as defined by the Plan.

The following table summarizes stock option activity for 2019, 2018 and 2017:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Remaining

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

Shares

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Contractual

 

 

Intrinsic Value

 

 

Under Options

 

 

Price

 

 

Life Years

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2016

 

 

200,517

 

 

$

 

19.94

 

 

 

 

1.65

 

$

 

 

3,929

 

Exercised

 

 

(152,589

)

 

 

 

21.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,543

 

Cancelled/Expired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options outstanding and exercisable at December 30, 2017

 

 

47,928

 

 

 

 

16.52

 

 

 

 

1.07

 

 

 

 

487

 

Exercised

 

 

(20,476

)

 

 

 

13.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,043

 

Cancelled/Expired

 

 

(14,400

)

 

 

 

22.69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options outstanding and exercisable at December 29, 2018

 

 

13,052

 

 

 

 

13.87

 

 

 

 

0.37

 

 

 

 

39

 

Exercised

 

 

(13,052

)

 

 

 

13.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

51

 

Cancelled/Expired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options outstanding and exercisable at December 28, 2019

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

Cash received from option exercises was $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $3.2 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Restricted shares awarded to associates vest ratably over a four-year service period and over one year for grants to the Board of Directors. Awards are subject to forfeiture and certain transfer restrictions prior to vesting. Compensation expense, representing the fair value of the stock at the measurement date of the award, is recognized over the required service period. 

The following table summarizes restricted stock activity for 2019, 2018 and 2017:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grant-Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Fair Value

 

Outstanding and nonvested at December 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

660,143

 

 

$

 

26.48

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

296,297

 

 

 

 

34.68

 

Vested

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(258,183

)

 

 

 

25.90

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(84,513

)

 

 

 

29.11

 

Outstanding and nonvested at December 30, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

613,744

 

 

 

 

30.32

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

482,572

 

 

 

 

17.00

 

Vested

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(260,644

)

 

 

 

28.89

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12,853

)

 

 

 

23.52

 

Outstanding and nonvested at December 29, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

822,819

 

 

 

 

23.07

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

488,063

 

 

 

 

17.84

 

Vested

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(346,721

)

 

 

 

23.47

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(35,428

)

 

 

 

20.11

 

Outstanding and nonvested at December 28, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

928,733

 

 

$

 

20.28

 

The total fair value of shares vested was $6.2 million, $4.8 million and $9.3 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

-69-


 

 

Stock-based compensation expense recognized and included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the consolidated statements of operations, and related tax benefits were as follows:

(In thousands)

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Restricted stock

 

 

 

$

 

7,312

 

 

$

 

7,646

 

 

$

 

9,611

 

Tax benefits

 

 

 

 

 

(1,303

)

 

 

 

(2,242

)

 

 

 

(3,440

)

Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax

 

 

 

$

 

6,009

 

 

$

 

5,404

 

 

$

 

6,171

 

As of December 28, 2019, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock awards granted under the stock incentive plan was $4.9 million. The remaining compensation costs not yet recognized are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.4 years

The Company recognized tax deductions of $7.2 million, $5.6 million and $11.6 million related to the exercise of stock options and the vesting of restricted stock in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The Company sponsors a stock bonus plan covering 300,000 shares of SpartanNash common stock. Under the provisions of this plan, certain officers and key associates may elect to receive a portion of their annual bonus in common stock rather than cash, which will be issued at 120% of cash value. After the shares are issued, the holder is not able to sell or otherwise transfer the shares until the end of the holding period, which is currently 24 months. Compensation expense is recorded based upon the market price of the stock as of the measurement date. During 2018, an additional 45,000 shares were authorized to be granted from the stock bonus plan. In 2019, 3,443 shares were issued leaving 41,557 shares remaining unissued under the stock bonus plan as of December 28, 2019.

The Company also sponsors an associate stock purchase plan covering 200,000 shares of SpartanNash common stock. The plan enables associates of the Company to purchase shares at 95% of the fair market value. As of December 28, 2019, a total of 130,185 shares had been issued under the plan.

Note 15 – Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company may provide financial assistance in the form of loans to certain independent retailers for inventories, store fixtures and equipment and store improvements. Loans are generally secured by liens on real estate, inventory and/or equipment, personal guarantees and other types of collateral, and are generally repayable over a period of five to ten years. The Company establishes reserves based upon assessments of the credit risk of specific customers, collateral value, historical trends and other information. The Company believes that adequate provision has been recorded for any uncollectable amounts. In addition, the Company may guarantee debt and lease obligations of independent retailers. In the event these retailers are unable to meet their debt service payments or otherwise experience an event of default, the Company would be unconditionally liable for the outstanding balance of their debt and lease obligations, which would be due in accordance with the underlying agreements.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company may advance funds to certain independent retailers (“customer advances”) which are earned by the retailers primarily through achieving specified purchase volume requirements, as outlined in their supply agreements with the Company, or in limited instances for remaining a SpartanNash customer for a specified time period. These customer advances must be repaid if the purchase volume requirements are not met or if the retailer no longer remains a customer for the specified time period. Collectability of customer advances is not assured.

The Company had previously advanced funds to an independent retailer who subsequently defaulted on the terms of the supply agreement and went into receivership. To realize its collateral, the Company obtained the rights to acquire five of the retailer’s stores. The rights related to three of the stores were assigned to another independent retailer in exchange for certain consideration as part of a long-term supply agreement and the Company acquired the two remaining stores. Both the execution of the long-term supply agreement and the acquisition of two stores occurred during the second quarter of 2019. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired of $2.4 million was recorded as goodwill in the consolidated balance sheet and allocated to the Food Distribution segment based on the relative value of the assets acquired and the expected cash flows between the Retail and Food Distribution segments. The Company recorded charges of $2.4 million and $32.0 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to realizability of the customer advance.   

In the ordinary course of business, the Company also subleases and assigns certain leases to third parties. As of December 28, 2019, the Company estimates the present value of its maximum potential obligations for subleases and assigned leases to be approximately $7.7 million and $12.0 million, respectively.

-70-


 

 

Note 16 – Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental cash flow information is as follows:

(In thousands)

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Non-cash financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of note payable as consideration for acquisition

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

2,460

 

Recognition of investment in direct financing lease

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,295

 

Recognition of finance lease obligations

 

 

3,679

 

 

 

 

3,304

 

 

 

 

588

 

Non-cash investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures included in accounts payable

 

 

16,111

 

 

 

 

4,564

 

 

 

 

5,418

 

Derecognition of fixed assets under direct financing lease

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,295

 

Finance lease asset additions

 

 

3,679

 

 

 

 

3,304

 

 

 

 

588

 

Non-cash acquisition (Note 15)

 

 

5,363

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition financed through issuance of note payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,460

 

Other supplemental cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

 

33,236

 

 

 

 

28,138

 

 

 

 

22,818

 

Income tax (refunds) payments

 

 

(9,680

)

 

 

 

139

 

 

 

 

10,657

 

 

Note 17 – Reporting Segment Information

SpartanNash sells and distributes products that are typically found in supermarkets and discount stores. The operating segments reflect the manner in which the business is managed and how the Company allocates resources and assesses performance internally. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is the Chief Executive Officer, who determines the allocation of resources and, through a regular review of financial information, assesses the performance of the operating segments. The business is classified by management into three reportable segments: Food Distribution, Military and Retail. These reportable segments are three distinct businesses, each with a different customer base, management structure, and basis for determining budgets, forecasts, and executive compensation. The Company reviews its reportable segments on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate a change in reportable segments has occurred.

The Company’s Food Distribution segment, which operates 11 distribution centers, supplies grocery products, including dry groceries, produce, dairy products, meat, delicatessen items, bakery goods, frozen food, seafood, floral products, general merchandise, beverages, tobacco products, health and beauty care products and pharmacy primarily to a diverse group of independent and chain retailers, food service distributors and the Company’s corporate owned retail stores. The Company’s Food Distribution customer base is diverse. Sales to Dollar General represent 17%, 16%, and 14% of consolidated net sales for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. No other single customer exceeded 4% of consolidated net sales in any of the years presented. The Company also offers certain value-added services (e.g., accounting, payroll, marketing, etc.) to its independent retail customers. These services are not material to the Company’s financial statements. Sales to independent retailers and inter-segment sales are recorded based upon either a “cost plus” model or a “variable mark-up” model, depending on the commodity and servicing distribution center. To supply its wholesale customers, the Company operates a fleet of tractors, conventional trailers and refrigerated trailers and also provides managed freight solutions.

The Military segment contracts with manufacturers and brokers to distribute a wide variety of grocery products, including dry groceries, beverages, meat, and frozen foods, primarily to U.S. military commissaries and exchanges from its 7 distribution centers, two of which are utilized by the Food Distribution segment. The contracts typically specify the commissaries and exchanges to supply on behalf of the manufacturer, the manufacturer’s products to be supplied, service and delivery requirements and pricing and payment terms. The Company is also the DeCA exclusive worldwide supplier of private brand grocery and related products to U.S. military commissaries. The Company procures the grocery and related products from various manufacturers, and upon receiving customer orders from DeCA, either delivers the products to the U.S. military commissaries itself or partners with a third party, Coastal Pacific Food Distributors, to deliver the products on its behalf.

The Retail segment operated 156 corporate owned retail stores and 37 fuel centers, predominantly in the Midwest region, as of December 28, 2019. The Company’s retail stores typically offer dry groceries, produce, dairy products, meat, delicatessen items, bakery goods, frozen food, seafood, floral products, general merchandise, beverages, tobacco products and health and beauty care products. The Company also offered pharmacy services in 97 of its corporate owned retail stores as of December 28, 2019.

Identifiable assets represent total assets directly associated with the reporting segments. Eliminations in assets identified to segments include intercompany receivables, payables and investments.

-71-


 

 

The following tables set forth information about the Company by reporting segment:

 

Food

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

Distribution

 

 

Military

 

 

Retail

 

 

Total

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales to external customers

$

 

3,982,609

 

 

$

 

2,172,107

 

 

$

 

2,381,349

 

 

$

 

8,536,065

 

Inter-segment sales

 

 

976,372

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

976,372

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

(122

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,559

 

 

 

 

1,437

 

Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges (gains)

 

 

14,844

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,794

)

 

 

 

13,050

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

33,396

 

 

 

 

11,834

 

 

 

 

43,171

 

 

 

 

88,401

 

Operating earnings (loss)

 

 

47,416

 

 

 

 

(9,316

)

 

 

 

18,842

 

 

 

 

56,942

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

28,385

 

 

 

 

6,295

 

 

 

 

40,135

 

 

 

 

74,815

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales to external customers

$

 

3,991,450

 

 

$

 

2,166,843

 

 

$

 

1,906,259

 

 

$

 

8,064,552

 

Inter-segment sales

 

 

842,934

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

842,934

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

3,581

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

1,352

 

 

 

 

4,937

 

Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges (gains)

 

 

33,056

 

 

 

 

(801

)

 

 

 

5,291

 

 

 

 

37,546

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

32,073

 

 

 

 

11,968

 

 

 

 

38,812

 

 

 

 

82,853

 

Operating earnings

 

 

48,752

 

 

 

 

5,647

 

 

 

 

16,113

 

 

 

 

70,512

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

33,271

 

 

 

 

3,530

 

 

 

 

34,694

 

 

 

 

71,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales to external customers

$

 

3,827,909

 

 

$

 

2,144,022

 

 

$

 

1,991,868

 

 

$

 

7,963,799

 

Inter-segment sales

 

 

885,872

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

885,872

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

6,244

 

 

 

 

1,522

 

 

 

 

335

 

 

 

 

8,101

 

Goodwill impairment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

189,027

 

 

 

 

189,027

 

Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges

 

 

1,317

 

 

 

 

500

 

 

 

 

37,615

 

 

 

 

39,432

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

30,255

 

 

 

 

11,626

 

 

 

 

41,359

 

 

 

 

83,240

 

Operating earnings (loss)

 

 

83,115

 

 

 

 

6,969

 

 

 

 

(196,759

)

 

 

 

(106,675

)

Capital expenditures

 

 

25,990

 

 

 

 

6,482

 

 

 

 

38,434

 

 

 

 

70,906

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 28,

 

 

December 29,

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Total Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food Distribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

1,087,307

 

 

$

 

1,074,125

 

Military

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

390,799

 

 

 

 

405,587

 

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

794,413

 

 

 

 

489,049

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,090

 

 

 

 

3,151

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

2,275,609

 

 

$

 

1,971,912

 

 

-72-


 

 

Note 18 – Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

Earnings per share amounts for each quarter are required to be computed independently and may not sum to the amount computed for the total year.

 

2019

 

 

Full Year

 

 

4th Quarter

 

 

3rd Quarter

 

 

2nd Quarter

 

 

1st Quarter

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

52 Weeks

 

 

(12 Weeks)

 

 

(12 Weeks)

 

 

(12 Weeks)

 

 

(16 Weeks)

 

Net sales

$

 

8,536,065

 

 

$

 

1,997,953

 

 

$

 

1,999,808

 

 

$

 

1,995,929

 

 

$

 

2,542,375

 

Gross profit

 

 

1,243,830

 

 

 

 

286,733

 

 

 

 

290,361

 

 

 

 

289,007

 

 

 

 

377,729

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

1,437

 

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

582

 

 

 

 

782

 

Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges (gains)

 

 

13,050

 

 

 

 

2,835

 

 

 

 

1,296

 

 

 

 

14,581

 

 

 

 

(5,662

)

Postretirement benefit expense

 

 

19,803

 

 

 

 

126

 

 

 

 

10,221

 

 

 

 

8,821

 

 

 

 

635

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

 

3,575

 

 

 

 

5,104

 

 

 

 

(1,966

)

 

 

 

(9,708

)

 

 

 

10,145

 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

 

 

5,917

 

 

 

 

5,473

 

 

 

 

(310

)

 

 

 

(6,767

)

 

 

 

7,521

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

 

(175

)

 

 

 

(49

)

 

 

 

(27

)

 

 

 

(47

)

 

 

 

(52

)

Net earnings (loss)

$

 

5,742

 

 

$

 

5,424

 

 

$

 

(337

)

 

$

 

(6,814

)

 

$

 

7,469

 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

 

0.16

 

 

$

 

0.15

 

 

$

 

(0.01

)

 

$

 

(0.19

)

 

$

 

0.21

 

Diluted

 

 

0.16

 

 

 

 

0.15

 

 

 

 

(0.01

)

 

 

 

(0.19

)

 

 

 

0.21

 

Net earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

 

0.16

 

 

$

 

0.15

 

 

$

 

(0.01

)

 

$

 

(0.19

)

 

$

 

0.21

 

Diluted

 

 

0.16

 

 

 

 

0.15

 

 

 

 

(0.01

)

 

 

 

(0.19

)

 

 

 

0.21

 

Dividends

$

 

27,616

 

 

$

 

6,907

 

 

$

 

6,905

 

 

$

 

6,902

 

 

$

 

6,902

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

Full Year

 

 

4th Quarter

 

 

3rd Quarter

 

 

2nd Quarter

 

 

1st Quarter

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(52 Weeks)

 

 

(12 Weeks)

 

 

(12 Weeks)

 

 

(12 Weeks)

 

 

(16 Weeks)

 

Net sales

$

 

8,064,552

 

 

$

 

1,896,796

 

 

$

 

1,886,730

 

 

$

 

1,895,953

 

 

$

 

2,385,073

 

Gross profit

 

 

1,110,406

 

 

 

 

245,390

 

 

 

 

256,142

 

 

 

 

265,660

 

 

 

 

343,214

 

Merger/acquisition and integration

 

 

4,937

 

 

 

 

1,406

 

 

 

 

521

 

 

 

 

804

 

 

 

 

2,206

 

Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges (gains)

 

 

37,546

 

 

 

 

32,277

 

 

 

 

232

 

 

 

 

(1,164

)

 

 

 

6,202

 

Postretirement benefit expense (income)

 

 

159

 

 

 

 

179

 

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

 

(4

)

Earnings (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

 

40,698

 

 

 

 

(19,501

)

 

 

 

19,919

 

 

 

 

23,085

 

 

 

 

17,195

 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

 

 

33,791

 

 

 

 

(14,027

)

 

 

 

17,545

 

 

 

 

17,838

 

 

 

 

12,435

 

(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

 

(219

)

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

(80

)

 

 

 

(66

)

 

 

 

(92

)

Net earnings (loss)

$

 

33,572

 

 

$

 

(14,008

)

 

$

 

17,465

 

 

$

 

17,772

 

 

$

 

12,343

 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

 

0.94

 

 

$

 

(0.39

)

 

$

 

0.49

 

 

$

 

0.50

 

 

$

 

0.34

 

Diluted

 

 

0.94

 

 

 

 

(0.39

)

 

 

 

0.49

 

 

 

 

0.50

 

 

 

 

0.34

 

Net earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

 

0.93

 

 

$

 

(0.39

)

 

$

 

0.49

 

 

$

 

0.49

 

 

$

 

0.34

 

Diluted

 

 

0.93

 

 

 

 

(0.39

)

 

 

 

0.49

 

 

 

 

0.49

 

 

 

 

0.34

 

Dividends

$

 

25,923

 

 

$

 

6,471

 

 

$

 

6,469

 

 

$

 

6,457

 

 

$

 

6,526

 

 

-73-


 

 

 

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

Not applicable.

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of SpartanNash Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as currently defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) was performed as of December 28, 2019 (the “Evaluation Date”). This evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of SpartanNash Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and Chief Accounting Officer (“CAO”). As of the Evaluation Date, SpartanNash Company’s management, including the CEO, CFO and CAO, concluded that SpartanNash’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that material information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of SpartanNash Company, including its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. SpartanNash Company’s internal controls were designed by, or under the supervision of, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, and effected by the Company’s Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of its financial reporting and the preparation and presentation of the consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of SpartanNash Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of SpartanNash Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of SpartanNash Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of SpartanNash Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Management of SpartanNash Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal controls over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation. Through this evaluation, management did not identify any material weakness in the Company’s internal control. There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting. Based on the evaluation, management has concluded that SpartanNash Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 28, 2019.

The independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K Annual Report has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 2019 as stated in their report on the following page.

-74-


 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and shareholders of

SpartanNash Company and subsidiaries

Grand Rapids, Michigan

 

 

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of SpartanNash Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 28, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2019, of the Company and our report dated February 26, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and included an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-12, Leases (Topic 842), using the alternative transition method provided in ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

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

 

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

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

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

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

 

Grand Rapids, Michigan

February 26, 2020

-75-


 

 

PART III

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by this item is here incorporated by reference from the sections titled “The Board of Directors,” “SpartanNash’s Executive Officers,” “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports,” “Corporate Governance Principles,” and “Transactions with Related Persons” in SpartanNash’s definitive proxy statement relating to its annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2020.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

The information required by this item is here incorporated by reference from the sections entitled “Executive Compensation,” “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control,” “Compensation of Directors,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and “Compensation Committee Report” in SpartanNash’s definitive proxy statement relating to its annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2020.

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

The information required by this item is here incorporated by reference from the section titled “Ownership of SpartanNash Stock” in SpartanNash’s definitive proxy statement relating to its annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2020.

The following table provides information about SpartanNash’s equity compensation plans regarding the number of securities to be issued under these plans, the weighted-average exercise prices of options outstanding under these plans and the number of securities available for future issuance as of the end of fiscal 2019.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of securities remaining

 

 

Number of securities to

 

 

 

 

 

 

available for future issuance

 

 

be issued upon exercise

 

 

Weighted-average exercise

 

 

under equity compensation

 

 

of outstanding options,

 

 

price of outstanding options,

 

 

plans (excluding securities

 

 

warrants and rights

 

 

warrants and rights

 

 

reflected in column (1)

 

Plan Category

(1)

 

 

(2)

 

 

(3)

 

Equity compensation Plans approved by security holders (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,019,555

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

 

Not applicable

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,019,555

 

 

  (a)

Consists of the Stock Incentive Plan of 2015. The numbers of shares reflected in column (3) in the table above with respect to the Stock Incentive Plan of 2015 represent shares that may be issued other than upon the exercise of an option, warrant or right. The plan contains customary anti-dilution provisions that are applicable in the event of a stock split or certain other changes in SpartanNash’s capitalization.

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

The information required by this item is here incorporated by reference from the section titled “Transactions with Related Persons” and the table captioned “Board of Directors Committee Membership” in SpartanNash’s definitive proxy statement relating to its annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2020.

Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information required by this item is here incorporated by reference from the section titled “Independent Auditors” in SpartanNash’s definitive proxy statement relating to its annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2020.

-76-


 

 

PART IV

 

 

Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)

The following documents are filed as part of this Report:

 

1.

Financial Statements.

A. In Item 8.

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP dated February 26, 2020

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the years ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2.

Financial Statement Schedules.

Schedules are omitted because the required information is either inapplicable or presented in the consolidated financial statements or related notes.

 

3.

Exhibits.

The information required by this Section (a)(3) of Item 15 is set forth on the exhibit index that follows the Signatures page of this Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

-77-


 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Document

 

 

2.1

  

Asset Purchase Agreement dated November 3, 2016 by and among SpartanNash Company, Caito Foods Service, Inc., Blue Ribbon Transport, Inc., and Matthew Caito as Seller’s Representative. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 4, 2016. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

2.2

  

Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement dated January 6, 2017 by and among SpartanNash Company, Caito Foods Service, Inc., Blue Ribbon Transport, Inc., and Matthew Caito as Seller’s Representative. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 9, 2017. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

3.1

  

Restated Articles of Incorporation of SpartanNash Company, as amended. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 15, 2017. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

3.2

  

Bylaws of SpartanNash Company, as amended. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

4.1

 

Description of Capital Stock.

 

 

10.1

  

Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, among Spartan Stores, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers, and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent, and certain lenders from time to time party thereto, dated November 19, 2013. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 19, 2013. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

10.2

  

Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated January 9, 2015, among SpartanNash Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers, and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent, and certain lenders from time to time party thereto. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 12, 2015. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

10.3

  

Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated December 20, 2016, among SpartanNash Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers, and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent, and certain lenders from time to time party thereto. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 21, 2016. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

10.4

 

Amendment No. 3 to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated November 21, 2017, among SpartanNash Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers, and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent, and certain lenders from time to time party thereto. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2017. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

10.5

 

Amendment No. 4 to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated December 18, 2018, among SpartanNash Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers, and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent, and certain lenders from time to time party thereto. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2018. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.6

 

Amendment No. 5 to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated March 22, 2019, among SpartanNash Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers, and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent, and certain lenders from time to time party thereto. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 20, 2019. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

10.7*

 

Amended and Restated SpartanNash Company Executive Cash Incentive Plan of 2015. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 3, 2015. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

  

10.8*

 

Summary of 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 20, 2019. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

10.9*

 

Summary of 2019 Annual Cash Incentive Plan. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 20, 2019. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

10.10*

 

Summary of 2018 Long-Term Cash Incentive Award. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 21, 2018. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

10.11*

 

Summary of 2018 Annual Cash Incentive Award. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 21, 2018. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

  

-78-


 

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Document

10.12*

 

Summary of 2017 Long-Term Cash Incentive Award. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 22, 2017. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.13*

 

Form of 2016 Long-Term Executive Incentive Plan Award. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 23, 2016. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

  

10.14*

 

SpartanNash Company Stock Incentive Plan of 2015. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form S-8 filed on June 4, 2015. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

  

10.15*

 

SpartanNash Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 27, 2010. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

  

10.16*

 

SpartanNash Company Supplemental Executive Savings Plan. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statement filed on December 21, 2001. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

  

10.17*

 

SpartanNash Company 2001 Stock Bonus Plan. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Transition Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2013. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

  

10.18*

 

Form of Restricted Stock Award to Executive Officers. Previously filed as an exhibit to SpartanNash Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending April 20, 2019. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

  

10.19*

 

Form of Restricted Stock Award to Non-Employee Directors. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending April 20, 2019. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

  

10.20*

 

Form of Executive Employment Agreement between SpartanNash Company and certain executive officers.

 

  

10.21*

 

Form of Executive Severance Agreement between SpartanNash Company and certain executive officers, as amended. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2017. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

10.22*

 

Form of Executive Severance Agreement between SpartanNash Company and certain executive officers. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2017. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

10.23*

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2016. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

  

10.24*

 

Executive Employment Agreement between SpartanNash Company and Dennis Eidson. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending October 5, 2019. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

10.25*

 

Phantom Stock Award Agreement between SpartanNash Company and Dennis Eidson. Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending October 5, 2019. Incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

21

 

Subsidiaries of SpartanNash Company.

 

  

23

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

  

24

 

Powers of Attorney.

 

  

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

  

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

  

31.3

 

Certification of Chief Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350. This exhibit is furnished, not filed, in accordance with SEC Release Number 33-8212.

 

  

101.INS

 

Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

 

  

101.SCH

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

  

101.CAL

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

-79-


 

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Document

 

  

101.DEF

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

  

101.LAB

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

  

101.PRE

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

104

 

The cover page from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2019, has been formatted in Inline XBRL.

 

*

These documents are management contracts or compensation plans or arrangements required to be filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K.


-80-


 

 

SIGNATURES

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

 

 

 

 

 

SPARTANNASH COMPANY

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

Date: February 26, 2020

 

 

 

By

 

/s/ Dennis Eidson

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dennis Eidson

Interim President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

-81-


 

 

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

 

February 26, 2020

 

 

 

By

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

M. Shân Atkins

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 26, 2020

 

 

 

By

 

/s/ Dennis Eidson

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dennis Eidson

Interim President and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

February 26, 2020

 

 

 

By

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Frank M. Gambino

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 26, 2020

 

 

 

By

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Douglas A. Hacker

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 26, 2020

 

 

 

By

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yvonne R. Jackson

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 26, 2020

 

 

 

By

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew Mannelly

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 26, 2020

 

 

 

By

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth A. Nickels

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 26, 2020

 

 

 

By

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hawthorne Proctor

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 26, 2020

 

 

 

By

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

William R. Voss

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 26, 2020

 

 

 

By

 

/s/ Mark E. Shamber

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark E. Shamber

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 26, 2020

 

 

 

By

 

/s/ Tammy R. Hurley

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tammy R. Hurley

Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 26, 2020

 

 

 

*By

 

/s/ Mark E. Shamber

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark E. Shamber

Attorney-in-Fact

 

-82-