VILLAGE SUPER MARKET INC - Quarter Report: 2009 April (Form 10-Q)
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D. C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
(Mark
One)
[x] QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For
the quarterly period ended: April 25, 2009
OR
[ ] TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934.
Commission File No. 0-33360
VILLAGE
SUPER MARKET,
INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NEW
JERSEY
|
22-1576170
|
(State
of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
|
(I.
R. S. Employer Identification No.)
|
733
MOUNTAIN AVENUE, SPRINGFIELD, NEW JERSEY
|
07081
|
(Address
of principal executive offices)
|
(Zip
Code)
|
(973)
467-2200
(Registrant's
telephone number, including area code)
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 x
No o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on
its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be
submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit
and post such files).
Yes o
No o
Indicate
by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting
company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”
“accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12-b2 of the
Exchange Act.
Large accelerated
filer o
|
Accelerated
filer x
|
Non-accelerated
filer o (Do
not check if a smaller reporting
company)
|
Smaller reporting
company o
|
Indicate by check mark
whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act). Yes o No
x
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of the issuer's classes of common stock as of
the latest practicable date:
June
2, 2009
|
|
Class
A Common Stock, No Par Value
|
6,960,584
Shares
|
Class
B Common Stock, No Par Value
|
6,376,304
Shares
|
VILLAGE
SUPER MARKET, INC.
INDEX
PART
I
|
PAGE
NO.
|
|
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
|
||
Item
1.
|
Financial
Statements (Unaudited)
|
|
Consolidated
Condensed Balance Sheets
|
3
|
|
Consolidated
Condensed Statements of Operations
|
4
|
|
Consolidated
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
|
5
|
|
Notes
to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
|
6
|
|
Item
2.
|
Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
|
10
|
Item
3.
|
Quantitative
& Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
|
19
|
Item
4.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
20
|
PART
II
|
||
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
||
Item
6.
|
Exhibits
|
21
|
Signatures
|
21
|
2
PART
I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item
1. Financial Statements
VILLAGE
SUPER MARKET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(in Thousands)(Unaudited)
April
25,
|
July
26,
|
|||||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Current
assets
|
||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | 47,268 | $ | 47,889 | ||||
Merchandise
inventories
|
33,808 | 33,073 | ||||||
Patronage
dividend receivable
|
5,150 | 6,878 | ||||||
Note
receivable from Wakefern
|
15,606 | ---- | ||||||
Other
current assets
|
9,897 | 11,198 | ||||||
Total
current assets
|
111,729 | 99,038 | ||||||
Note
receivable from Wakefern
|
16,692 | 31,121 | ||||||
Property,
equipment and fixtures, net
|
159,580 | 141,752 | ||||||
Investment
in Wakefern
|
18,949 | 18,291 | ||||||
Goodwill
|
10,605 | 10,605 | ||||||
Other
assets
|
4,532 | 4,573 | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 322,087 | $ | 305,380 | ||||
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
||||||||
Current
liabilities
|
||||||||
Current
portion of long-term debt
|
$ | 4,658 | $ | 4,801 | ||||
Current
portion of notes payable to Wakefern
|
201 | 198 | ||||||
Accounts
payable to Wakefern
|
41,256 | 52,345 | ||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
26,858 | 23,782 | ||||||
Income
taxes payable
|
9,911 | 9,041 | ||||||
Total
current liabilities
|
82,884 | 90,167 | ||||||
Long-term
debt
|
30,332 | 26,160 | ||||||
Notes
payable to Wakefern
|
1,264 | 1,338 | ||||||
Other
liabilities
|
18,647 | 16,684 | ||||||
Commitment
and contingencies
|
||||||||
Shareholders'
equity
|
||||||||
Class
A common stock – no par value, issued 7,524 shares
|
28,183 | 25,458 | ||||||
Class
B common stock - no par value, 6,376 shares issued and
outstanding
|
1,035 | 1,035 | ||||||
Retained
earnings
|
166,940 | 152,445 | ||||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
(3,828 | ) | (4,071 | ) | ||||
Less
cost of Class A treasury shares (563 at April 25, 2009 and 642 at July 26,
2008)
|
(3,370 | ) | (3,836 | ) | ||||
Total
shareholders’ equity
|
188,960 | 171,031 | ||||||
TOTAL
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
$ | 322,087 | $ | 305,380 |
See
accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
3
VILLAGE
SUPER MARKET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in
Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)(Unaudited)
13
Wks. Ended
|
13
Wks. Ended
|
39
Wks. Ended
|
39
Wks. Ended
|
|||||||||||||
Apr. 25, 2009
|
Apr. 26, 2008
|
Apr. 25, 2009
|
Apr. 26, 2008
|
|||||||||||||
Sales
|
$ | 293,474 | $ | 273,406 | $ | 897,172 | $ | 829,794 | ||||||||
Cost
of sales
|
213,404 | 197,865 | 652,569 | 604,625 | ||||||||||||
Gross
profit
|
80,070 | 75,541 | 244,603 | 225,169 | ||||||||||||
Operating
and administrative expense
|
65,428 | 63,439 | 197,688 | 188,152 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization expense
|
3,720 | 3,534 | 11,042 | 10,160 | ||||||||||||
Operating
income
|
10,922 | 8,568 | 35,873 | 26,857 | ||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
(695 | ) | (758 | ) | (2,130 | ) | (2,197 | ) | ||||||||
Interest
income
|
497 | 707 | 1,554 | 2,465 | ||||||||||||
Income
before income taxes
|
10,724 | 8,517 | 35,297 | 27,125 | ||||||||||||
Income
taxes
|
4,472 | 3,602 | 14,722 | 11,473 | ||||||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 6,252 | $ | 4,915 | $ | 20,575 | $ | 15,652 | ||||||||
Net
income per share:
|
||||||||||||||||
Class
A common stock:
|
||||||||||||||||
Basic
|
$ | .58 | $ | .46 | $ | 1.91 | $ | 1.48 | ||||||||
Diluted
|
$ | .47 | $ | .37 | $ | 1.55 | $ | 1.19 | ||||||||
Class
B common stock:
|
||||||||||||||||
Basic
|
$ | .38 | $ | .30 | $ | 1.24 | $ | .96 | ||||||||
Diluted
|
$ | .37 | $ | .30 | $ | 1.22 | $ | .96 |
See
accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial
Statements.
4
VILLAGE
SUPER MARKET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in
Thousands) (Unaudited)
39
Weeks Ended
|
39
Weeks Ended
|
|||||||
April 25, 2009
|
April 26, 2008
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 20,575 | $ | 15,652 | ||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:
|
||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
11,042 | 10,160 | ||||||
Deferred
taxes
|
(674 | ) | (909 | ) | ||||
Provision
to value inventories at LIFO
|
750 | 825 | ||||||
Non-cash
share-based compensation
|
1,908 | 1,085 | ||||||
Changes
in assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||
Merchandise
inventories
|
(1,485 | ) | (3,844 | ) | ||||
Patronage
dividend receivable
|
1,728 | 1,595 | ||||||
Accounts
payable to Wakefern
|
(11,089 | ) | (363 | ) | ||||
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
3,076 | (549 | ) | |||||
Income
taxes payable
|
870 | (29 | ) | |||||
Other
assets and liabilities
|
4,222 | 1,063 | ||||||
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
30,923 | 24,686 | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Capital
expenditures
|
(20,170 | ) | (21,088 | ) | ||||
Acquisition
of Galloway store assets
|
---- | (3,500 | ) | |||||
Investment
in notes receivable from Wakefern
|
(1,177 | ) | (1,464 | ) | ||||
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(21,347 | ) | (26,052 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Repayment
of construction loan
|
---- | 6,776 | ||||||
Proceeds
from exercise of stock options
|
809 | 316 | ||||||
Tax
benefit related to share-based compensation
|
474 | 1,421 | ||||||
Principal
payments of long-term debt and notes payable
|
(5,400 | ) | (5,952 | ) | ||||
Treasury
stock purchases
|
---- | (1,999 | ) | |||||
Dividends
|
(6,080 | ) | (19,442 | ) | ||||
Net
cash used in financing activities
|
(10,197 | ) | (18,880 | ) | ||||
NET
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
(621 | ) | (20,246 | ) | ||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
|
47,889 | 53,846 | ||||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
|
$ | 47,268 | $ | 33,600 | ||||
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF CASH PAYMENTS FOR:
|
||||||||
Interest
|
$ | 2,337 | $ | 2,517 | ||||
Income
taxes
|
$ | 14,541 | $ | 10,919 | ||||
NON-CASH
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE:
|
||||||||
Investment
in Wakefern
|
$ | 658 | $ | 1,900 | ||||
Financing
lease obligation
|
$ | 8,700 | $ | 2,684 |
See
accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.
5
VILLAGE
SUPER MARKET, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in
Thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)
1.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited
consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting
of normal and recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the consolidated
financial position as of April 25, 2009 and the consolidated results of
operations for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended April 25, 2009
and April 26, 2008 and cash flows for the thirty-nine weeks ended April 25, 2009
and April 26, 2008 of Village Super Market, Inc. (the “Company”).
The significant
accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in Note 1 to the
Company's consolidated financial statements in the July 26, 2008 Village Super
Market, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K, which should be read in conjunction
with these financial statements.
Certain immaterial
amounts have been reclassified in the fiscal 2008 consolidated condensed balance
sheet and statement of cash flows to conform to the fiscal 2009
presentation.
2.
The results of
operations for the periods ended April 25, 2009 are not necessarily indicative
of the expected results for the full year.
3.
At both April 25, 2009 and
July 26, 2008, approximately 66% of merchandise inventories are valued by the
LIFO method while the balance is valued by FIFO. If the FIFO method
had been used for the entire inventory, inventories would have been $14,033 and
$13,283 higher than reported at April 25, 2009 and July 26, 2008,
respectively.
4.
On December 5,
2008, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a two-for-one stock split of the
Class A and Class B common stock. Shares were distributed on January
22, 2009. All share and per share amounts have been adjusted for all
periods to reflect the stock split.
The Company
computes net income per share using the two-class method, an earnings
allocation formula that calculates basic and diluted net income per share for
each class of common stock separately based on dividends declared and
participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under the two-class
method, our Class A common stock is assumed to receive a 54% greater
participation in undistributed earnings than our Class B common stock, in
accordance with the classes respective dividend
rights.
6
Diluted
net income per share for Class A common stock is calculated utilizing the
if-converted method, which assumes the conversion of all shares of Class B
common stock to shares of Class A common stock on a share-for-share basis, as
this method is more dilutive than the two-class method. Diluted
net income per share for Class B common stock does not assume conversion of
Class B common stock to shares of Class A common stock.
The tables below
reconcile the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted net income per
share for all periods presented.
13 Weeks Ended
|
39 Weeks Ended
|
|||||||||||||||
April 25, 2009
|
||||||||||||||||
Class A
|
Class B
|
Class A
|
Class B
|
|||||||||||||
Numerator:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
income allocated, basic
|
$ | 3,860 | $ | 2,392 | $ | 12,681 | $ | 7,894 | ||||||||
Conversion
of Class B to Class A shares
|
2,392 | ---- | 7,894 | ---- | ||||||||||||
Effect
of share-based compensation on allocated net income
|
---- | (34 | ) |
__---
|
(107 | ) | ||||||||||
Net
income allocated, diluted
|
$ | 6,252 | $ | 2,358 | $ | 20,575 | $ | 7,787 | ||||||||
Denominator:
|
||||||||||||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding, basic
|
6,677 | 6,376 | 6,650 | 6,376 | ||||||||||||
Conversion
of Class B to Class A shares
|
6,376 | --- | 6,376 | ---- | ||||||||||||
Dilutive
effect of share-based compensation
|
242 |
----_
|
210 | ---- | ||||||||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding, diluted
|
13,295 | 6,376 | 13,236 | 6,376 | ||||||||||||
13 Weeks Ended
|
39 Weeks Ended
|
|||||||||||||||
April 26, 2008
|
||||||||||||||||
Class A
|
Class B
|
Class A
|
Class B
|
|||||||||||||
Numerator:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
income allocated, basic
|
$ | 2,992 | $ | 1,923 | $ | 9,528 | $ | 6,124 | ||||||||
Conversion
of Class B to Class A shares
|
1,923 | ---- | 6,124 | ---- | ||||||||||||
Effect
of share-based compensation on allocated net income
|
---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ||||||||||||
Net
income allocated, diluted
|
$ | 4,915 | $ | 1,923 | $ | 15,652 | $ | 6,124 | ||||||||
Denominator:
|
||||||||||||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding, basic
|
6,478 | 6,376 | 6,456 | 6,376 | ||||||||||||
Conversion
of Class B to Class A shares
|
6,376 | ---- | 6,376 | ---- | ||||||||||||
Dilutive
effect of share-based compensation
|
304 | ---- | 326 | ---- | ||||||||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding, diluted
|
13,158 | 6,376 | 13,158 | 6,376 |
Class A shares of 4 and 200 were excluded from the calculation of
diluted net income per share at April 25, 2009 and April 26, 2008, respectively,
as a result of their anti-dilutive effect.
7
5.
Comprehensive income was $6,333 and $20,818 for the quarter
and nine-month periods ended April 25, 2009, and $5,010 and $15,937 for the
quarter and nine-month periods ended April 26, 2008. Comprehensive
income consists of net income and amortization of net losses and prior service
costs on benefit plans, net of income taxes.
6.
The Company sponsors four defined benefit pension plans. Net periodic
pension costs for the four plans include the following
components:
13
Weeks
|
13
Weeks
|
39
Weeks
|
39
Weeks
|
|||||||||||||
Ended 4/25/09
|
Ended 4/26/08
|
Ended 4/25/09
|
Ended 4/28/08
|
|||||||||||||
Service
cost
|
$ | 603 | $ | 557 | $ | 1,809 | $ | 1,671 | ||||||||
Interest
cost on projected benefit obligations
|
520 | 456 | 1,560 | 1,368 | ||||||||||||
Expected
return on plan assets
|
(434 | ) | (368 | ) | (1,302 | ) | (1,104 | ) | ||||||||
Amortization
of gains and losses
|
133 | 154 | 399 | 462 | ||||||||||||
Amortization
of prior service costs
|
2 | 4 | 6 | 12 | ||||||||||||
Net
periodic pension cost
|
$ | 824 | $ | 803 | $ | 2,472 | $ | 2,409 |
As of April 25,
2009, the Company has contributed $70 to its pension plans in fiscal
2009. The Company expects to contribute an additional $2,930 in the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 to fund its pension
plans.
7.
In
September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS
No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair
value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced
disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS 157 were
effective beginning in fiscal 2009. However, the FASB deferred the effective
date of SFAS 157 until the beginning of the Company’s 2010 fiscal year as it
relates to fair value measurement requirements for non-financial assets and
liabilities that are not remeasured at fair value on a recurring basis. This
includes fair value calculated in impairment assessments of goodwill and other
long-lived assets. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 157 as of July 27,
2008 for financial assets and liabilities and its adoption did not have a
material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of
operations. Management is currently evaluating the effect that adoption of SFAS
157 for its non-financial assets and liabilities will have on the Company’s
consolidated financial position and results of
operations.
8
As
of April 25, 2009, the Company’s financial assets and liabilities required to be
measured at fair value consisted of one interest rate swap agreement with an
immaterial fair value based on level 2 inputs. The level 2 inputs
used are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as interest rates and
yield curves at commonly quoted intervals.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 (“SFAS 159”), “The Fair Value
Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an Amendment
of FASB Statement No. 115”. This statement provides companies with an
option to measure, at specified election dates, many financial instruments and
certain other items at fair value that are not currently measured at fair value.
The provisions of SFAS 159 were effective beginning in fiscal 2009 and the
Company has chosen not to elect the fair value option for any items that are not
already required to be measured at fair value in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United
States.
The Company
adopted SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” at the beginning of the
third quarter of fiscal 2009. This statement amends and expands the
disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging
activities. As of April 25, 2009, the Company has only one interest
rate swap agreement expiring in September 2009, the effects of which are
immaterial to the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
8.
Under EITF Issue No. 97-10, “The Effect of
Lessee Involvement in Asset Construction,” Village is considered the owner of
the Marmora land and building during the construction period as Village has an
unlimited obligation to cover building construction costs over a certain
amount. Therefore, $8,700 of land, site costs and construction costs
paid by the landlord to date are recorded as property and long-term debt at
April 25, 2009.
9
9.
On December 19, 2008, Village amended its unsecured revolving
credit agreement, which would have expired on September 16, 2009. The
amended agreement increases the maximum amount available for borrowing to
$25,000 from $20,000. This loan agreement expires on December 31,
2011 with two one-year extensions available if exercised by both
parties. Other terms of the amended revolving loan agreement,
including covenants, are similar to the previous agreement.
10.
On April 22, 2009, the Court formally invalidated the developer’s
approval for our Washington replacement store. The developer
anticipates submitting a complete application in June. Management
believes, based on consultation with outside counsel, that approval will be
obtained within approximately six months. The Company’s investment in
construction and equipment is $9,700. If the developer is
unsuccessful in obtaining the required approvals, the Company may record an
impairment charge for this investment, which could be material to the Company’s
consolidated financial position and results of operations.
The Company’s
leasehold interest in the current Washington store remains in
litigation. We continue to claim that conditions in the lease remain
which have effectively extended our leasehold interest through January
2010. The outcome of the above two issues will determine any
potential time period between the closing of the current Washington store and
the opening of the replacement store, and the related adverse impact, if any, to
the Company’s consolidated operating results and cash
flows.
ITEM
2.
MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars
in Thousands)
OVERVIEW
The Company
operates a chain of 26 ShopRite supermarkets in New Jersey and northeastern
Pennsylvania. Village opened its newest store in Marmora, NJ on May
31, 2009. Village is the second largest member of Wakefern Food
Corporation (“Wakefern”), the nation’s largest retailer-owned food cooperative
and owner of the Shop Rite name. As further described in the
Company’s Form 10-K, this ownership interest in Wakefern provides the Company
many of the economies of scale in purchasing, distribution, advanced retail
technology and advertising associated with larger
chains.
10
The Company’s
stores, five of which are owned, average 56,000 total square
feet. Larger store sizes enable the Company to offer the specialty
departments that customers desire for one-stop shopping, including pharmacies,
natural and organic departments, ethnic and international foods, and home meal
replacement.
The supermarket
industry is highly competitive. The Company competes directly with
multiple retail formats, including national, regional and local supermarket
chains as well as warehouse clubs, supercenters, drug stores, discount general
merchandise stores, fast food chains, dollar stores and convenience
stores. Village competes by using low pricing, superior customer
service, and a broad range of consistently available quality products, including
ShopRite private labeled products. The ShopRite Price Plus card and
the co-branded ShopRite credit card also strengthen customer
loyalty.
During fiscal
2009, the supermarket industry has been impacted by changing consumer behavior
due to the weaker economy and increased unemployment. Consumers are
increasingly cooking meals at home, trading down to lower priced items,
including private label, and concentrating their buying on sale
items. Management believes Village has benefited from these trends
due to ShopRite’s position as a price leader in New Jersey. As a result, our
customer counts and same store sales increased substantially during the third
quarter of fiscal 2009. Food price inflation has continued in 2009,
although at lower levels than 2008.
We
consider a variety of indicators to evaluate our performance, such as same store
sales; percentage of total sales by department (mix); shrink; departmental gross
profit percentage; sales per labor hour; and hourly labor
rates.
11
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
The
following table sets forth the major components of the Consolidated Condensed
Statements of Operations as a percentage of sales:
13
Weeks Ended
|
39
Weeks Ended
|
|||||||||||||||
4/25/09
|
4/26/08
|
4/25/09
|
4/26/08
|
|||||||||||||
Sales
|
100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | ||||||||
Cost
of sales
|
72.72 | 72.37 | 72.74 | 72.86 | ||||||||||||
Gross
profit
|
27.28 | 27.63 | 27.26 | 27.14 | ||||||||||||
Operating
and administrative expense
|
22.29 | 23.20 | 22.03 | 22.67 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization expense
|
1.27 | 1.29 | 1.23 | 1.23 | ||||||||||||
Operating
income
|
3.72 | 3.14 | 4.00 | 3.24 | ||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
(0.24 | ) | (0.28 | ) | (0.24 | ) | (0.27 | ) | ||||||||
Interest
income
|
0.17 | 0.26 | 0.17 | 0.30 | ||||||||||||
Income
before taxes
|
3.65 | 3.12 | 3.93 | 3.27 | ||||||||||||
Income
taxes
|
1.52 | 1.32 | 1.64 | 1.38 | ||||||||||||
Net
income
|
2.13 | % | 1.80 | % | 2.29 | % | 1.89 | % |
Sales. Sales
were $293,474 in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, an increase of 7.3% from the
third quarter of the prior year. Same store sales also increased 7.3%
as the Franklin and Galloway stores, which opened in fiscal 2008, are now
included in same store sales. The large same store sales increase is
due to higher sales at the Franklin and Galloway stores, substantially improved
transaction counts at most stores, and comparison to a weak third quarter of
fiscal 2008 when same store sales increased only .4%. Inflation in
the third quarter of fiscal 2009 was lower than the average inflation for
calendar 2008. The Company believes the substantially improved
transaction counts combined with minimal increases in the average transaction
size in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 indicates customers continue to be
cautious about the economy and, as a result, the Company continues to experience
increased sale item penetration, coupon usage and trading down. Based
on the sales trend in May, and a difficult comparison to the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2008 when sales benefited from the distribution of economic stimulus
checks, the Company expects same store sales to increase by 1.5% to 3.5% in the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. New stores and replacement stores are
included in same store sales in the quarter after the store has been in
operation for four full quarters. Store renovations are included in
same store sales immediately.
Sales were
$897,172 in the nine-month period of fiscal 2009, an increase of 8.1% from the
prior year. Sales increased due to the opening of the two new stores
and a 5.9% increase in same store sales. Same store sales increased
due to improved transaction counts and, to a lesser extent, average transaction
size.
12
Gross
Profit. Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased .35%
in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to the third quarter of the prior
year primarily due to higher promotional spending (.23%) and lower departmental
gross margin percentages (.15%). These decreases were partially
offset by lower LIFO expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2009
(.08%). Promotional expense increased and departmental gross margin
percentages decreased as the Company became more aggressive on promotions and
price in response to the needs of customers in a difficult economic
environment.
Gross profit as a
percentage of sales increased .12% in the nine-month period of fiscal 2009
compared to the corresponding period of the prior year primarily due to improved
departmental gross margin percentages (.14%) and improved product mix
(.06%). These improvements were partially offset by higher
promotional spending (.07%).
Operating
and Administrative Expense. Operating and administrative
expense decreased .91% as a percentage of sales in the third quarter of fiscal
2009 compared to the third quarter of the prior year primarily due to reduced
payroll (.54%) and other costs as a result of operating leverage due to the 7.3%
same store sales increase.
Operating and
administrative expense decreased .64% as percentage of sales in the nine-month
period of fiscal 2009 compared to the corresponding period of the prior year
primarily due to reduced payroll costs (.55%), the prior year including store
pre-opening costs (.08%), and operating leverage due to the 5.9% same store
sales increase. These decreases were partially offset by the prior
year including refunds of property and liability insurance premiums (.09%) and
increased snow removal costs (.05%) in fiscal
2009.
Depreciation
and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
increased in the third quarter and nine-month periods of fiscal 2009 compared to
the corresponding periods of the prior year due to depreciation related to fixed
asset additions, including the two new
stores.
13
Interest
Expense. Interest expense decreased in the third quarter and
nine-month periods of fiscal 2009 compared to the corresponding periods of the
prior year due to debt payments.
Interest
Income. Interest income decreased in the third quarter and
nine-month periods of fiscal 2009 compared to the corresponding periods of the
prior year due to lower interest rates
received.
Income
Taxes. The effective income tax rate was 41.7% in both the
third quarter and nine-month periods of fiscal 2009 compared to 42.3% in the
corresponding periods of the prior year. The effective income tax
rate for all of fiscal 2008 was 41.9%.
CRITICAL
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Critical
accounting policies are those accounting policies that management believes are
important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of
operations. These policies require management’s most difficult,
subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates
about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The
Company’s critical accounting policies relating to the impairment of long-lived
assets and goodwill, accounting for patronage dividends earned as a stockholder
of Wakefern, accounting for pension plans, accounting for share-based
compensation, and accounting for uncertain tax positions are described in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 26,
2008. As of April 25, 2009, there have been no changes to any of the
critical accounting policies contained therein.
The preparation of
financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets
and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts
of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Net cash provided
by operating activities was $30,923 in the nine-month period ended April 25,
2009 compared with $24,686 in the corresponding period of the prior
year. This increase was primarily attributable to improved net
income, increased accounts payable and accrued expenses, and a smaller increase
in inventories in fiscal 2009. These increases were partially offset
by a decrease in accounts payable to Wakefern in fiscal
2009. Inventories increased less in fiscal 2009 than in fiscal 2008
due to the addition of the two new stores in fiscal 2008. The changes
in payable balances outstanding are due to differences in the timing of
payments.
14
During the first
nine months of fiscal 2009, Village used cash to fund capital expenditures of
$20,170, debt payments of $5,400 and dividends of $6,080. Capital expenditures
consisted primarily of the construction of the replacement store in Washington,
New Jersey and a new store in Marmora, New Jersey, and several small
remodels. Debt payments made include the sixth installment of $4,286
on Village’s unsecured Senior Notes.
Working capital
was $28,845 at April 25, 2009 compared to $8,871 at July 26,
2008. The working capital ratio was 1.3 to 1 at April 25, 2009
compared to 1.1 to 1 at July 26, 2008. The increase in working
capital is due to a portion of the note receivable from Wakefern becoming due
within one year. The Company’s working capital needs are reduced,
since inventories are generally sold by the time payments to Wakefern and other
suppliers are due.
Village has
budgeted $27,000 for capital expenditures in fiscal 2009, of which $20,170 has
been expended as of April 25, 2009. Planned fourth
quarter expenditures include the completion of the new store in Marmora, which
opened May 31, 2009.
On December 19,
2008, Village amended its unsecured revolving credit agreement, which would have
expired on September 16, 2009. The amended agreement increases the
maximum amount available for borrowing to $25,000 from $20,000. This
loan agreement expires on December 31, 2011 with two one-year extensions
available if exercised by both parties. Other terms of the amended
revolving loan agreement, including covenants, are similar to the previous
agreement. The Company’s primary sources of liquidity in fiscal 2009
are expected to be cash and cash equivalents on hand and operating cash flow
generated in fiscal 2009.
Under
EITF Issue No. 97-10, “The Effect of Lessee Involvement in Asset Construction,”
Village is considered the owner of the Marmora land and building during the
construction period as Village has an unlimited obligation to cover building
construction costs over a certain amount. Therefore, $8,700 of land,
site costs and construction costs paid by the landlord to date are recorded as
property and long-term debt at April 25, 2009.
There have been no
substantial changes as of April 25, 2009 to the contractual obligations and
commitments discussed on page 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended July 26, 2008, except for an additional $658 required investment
in Wakefern common stock.
15
OUTLOOK
This discussion
and analysis contains certain forward-looking statements about Village’s future
performance. These statements are based on management’s assumptions
and beliefs in light of information currently available. Such
statements relate to, for example: economic conditions; expected
pension plan contributions; projected capital expenditures; cash flow
requirements; and legal matters; and are indicated by words such as “will,”
‘expect,” “should,” ‘intend,” “believes” and similar words or
phrases. The Company cautions the reader that there is no assurance
that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from the
results expressed, suggested or implied by such forward-looking
statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update
forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after
the date hereof.
|
●
|
We
expect same store sales growth of 1.5%-3.5% in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2009.
|
|
●
|
During
fiscal 2009, the supermarket industry has been impacted by changing
consumer behavior due to the weaker economy and increased
unemployment. Consumers are increasingly cooking meals at home,
trading down to lower priced items, including private label, and
concentrating their buying on sale items. As a result, the
Company has been more aggressive on promotions and
price. Management expects these trends to continue for at least
the next two quarters.
|
|
●
|
We
expect less inflation in fiscal 2010 than in fiscal 2009 and fiscal
2008.
|
|
●
|
We
have budgeted $27,000 for capital expenditures in fiscal 2009, of which
$20,170 has been expended as of April 25,
2009. Planned fourth quarter expenditures include
the completion of the new store in Marmora, which opened May 31,
2009.
|
|
●
|
We
believe cash flow from operations and other sources of liquidity will be
adequate to meet anticipated requirements for working capital, capital
expenditures and debt payments for the foreseeable
future.
|
|
●
|
We
expect our effective income tax rate to be approximately
42%.
|
|
●
|
We
expect operating expenses will be affected by increased costs in certain
areas, such as energy, pension costs, and credit card
fees.
|
16
Various
uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ from the
forward-looking statements contained in this report. These
include:
|
●
|
The
supermarket business is highly competitive and characterized by narrow
profit margins. Results of operations may be materially
adversely impacted by competitive pricing and promotional programs,
industry consolidation and competitor store openings. Village
competes with national and regional supermarkets, local supermarkets,
warehouse club stores, supercenters, drug stores, convenience stores,
dollar stores, discount merchandisers, restaurants and other local
retailers. Some of these competitors have greater financial resources,
lower merchandise acquisition cost and lower operating expenses than we
do.
|
|
●
|
The
Company’s stores are concentrated in New Jersey, with one store in
northeastern Pennsylvania. We are vulnerable to economic
downturns in New Jersey in addition to those that may affect the country
as a whole. Economic conditions such as inflation, interest
rates, energy costs and unemployment rates may adversely affect our sales
and profits.
|
|
●
|
Village
purchases substantially all of its merchandise from
Wakefern. In addition, Wakefern provides the Company with
support services in numerous areas including supplies, advertising,
liability and property insurance, technology support and other store
services. Further, Village receives patronage dividends and
other product incentives from Wakefern. Any material change in
Wakefern’s method of operation or a termination or material modification
of Village’s relationship with Wakefern could have an adverse impact on
the conduct of the Company’s business and could involve additional expense
for Village. The failure of any Wakefern member to fulfill its
obligations to Wakefern or a member’s insolvency or withdrawal from
Wakefern could result in increased costs to the
Company. Additionally, an adverse change in Wakefern’s results
of operations could have an adverse affect on Village’s results of
operations.
|
17
|
●
|
Approximately
91% of our employees are covered by collective bargaining
agreements. Any work stoppages could have an adverse impact on
our financial results. If we are unable to control health care and pension
costs provided for in the collective bargaining agreements, we may
experience increased operating
costs.
|
|
●
|
Village
could be adversely affected if consumers lose confidence in the safety and
quality of the food supply chain. The real or perceived sale of
contaminated food products by us could result in a loss of consumer
confidence and product liability claims, which could have a material
adverse effect on our sales and
operations.
|
|
●
|
We
believe a number of the multi-employer plans to which we contribute are
underfunded. As a result, we expect that contributions to these
plans may increase. Additionally, the benefit levels and
related items will be issues in the negotiation of our collective
bargaining agreements. Under current law, an employer that
withdraws or partially withdraws from a multi-employer pension plan may
incur withdrawal liability to the plan, which represents the portion of
the plan’s underfunding that is allocable to the withdrawing employer
under very complex actuarial and allocation rules. The failure
of a withdrawing employer to fund these obligations can impact remaining
employers. The amount of any increase or decrease in our
required contributions to these multi-employer pension plans will depend
upon the outcome of collective bargaining, actions taken by trustees who
manage the plans, government regulations and the actual return on assets
held in the plans, among other
factors.
|
|
●
|
On
April 22, 2009, the Court formally invalidated the developer’s approval
for our Washington replacement store. The developer anticipates
submitting a complete application in June. Management believes,
based on consultation with outside counsel, that approval will be obtained
within approximately six months. The Company’s investment in
construction and equipment is $9,700. If the developer is
unsuccessful in obtaining the required approvals, the Company may record
an impairment charge for this investment, which could be material to the
Company’s consolidated financial position and results of
operations.
|
18
|
●
|
The
Company’s leasehold interest in the current Washington store remains in
litigation. We continue to claim that conditions in the lease
remain which have effectively extended our leasehold interest through
January 2010. The outcome of the above two issues related to
Washington will determine any potential time period between the closing of
the current Washington store and the opening of the replacement store, and
the related adverse impact, if any, to the Company’s consolidated
operating results and cash flows.
|
|
●
|
We
maintain significant amounts of cash and cash equivalents at financial
institutions that are in excess of federally insured
limits. Given the current instability of financial
institutions, we cannot be assured that we will not experience losses on
these deposits.
|
|
●
|
Our effective tax
rate may be impacted by the results of tax examinations and changes in tax
laws.
|
RELATED
PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A description of
the Company’s transactions with Wakefern, its principal supplier, and with other
related parties is included on pages 9, 18 and 21 of the Company’s
Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 26, 2008. There have been
no significant changes in the Company’s relationship or nature of the
transactions with related parties during the nine months of fiscal 2009, except
for additional required investments in Wakefern stock of $658.
ITEM
3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
RISK
The Company is
exposed to market risks arising from adverse changes in interest
rates. As of April 25, 2009, the Company’s only variable rate
borrowings relate to an interest rate swap agreement. On October 18,
2001, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a major
financial institution pursuant to which the Company pays a variable rate of
six-month LIBOR plus 3.36% (4.98% at April 25, 2009) on an initial notional
amount of $10,000 expiring in September 2009 in exchange for a fixed rate of
8.12%. The swap agreement notional amount decreases in amounts and on dates
corresponding to the fixed rate obligation it hedges. At April 25, 2009, the
remaining notional amount of the swap agreement was $1,429. A 1%
increase in interest rates, applied to the Company’s borrowings at April 25,
2009, would result in an annual increase in interest expense and a corresponding
reduction in cash flow of approximately $14. The fair value of the
Company’s fixed rate debt approximates carrying value at April 25,
2009.
At April 25, 2009,
the Company had demand deposits of $31,784 at Wakefern earning interest at
overnight money market rates, which are exposed to the impact of interest rate
changes. At April 25, 2009, the Company had a $16,692 15-month note
receivable due from Wakefern earning a fixed rate of 7%. In addition,
the Company had a $15,606 note receivable due from Wakefern earning interest at
prime less 1.25%, which matures December 8, 2009.
19
ITEM
4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
As required by
Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, the Company carried out an evaluation of the
effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls
and procedures at the end of the period. This evaluation was carried
out under the supervision, and with the participation, of the Company’s
management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer along with the
Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer, along with the Company’s Chief Financial
Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are
effective.
Disclosure
controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to
ensure that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed or
submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported, within the time periods specified in 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 Company reports filed under the Exchange
Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure.
There
have been no significant changes in internal controls over financial reporting
during the third quarter of fiscal 2009.
20
PART II -
OTHER INFORMATION
Item
6. Exhibits
Exhibit
31.1 -
|
Certification
|
|
Exhibit
31.2 -
|
Certification
|
|
Exhibit
32.1 -
|
Certification
(furnished, not filed)
|
|
Exhibit
32.2 -
|
Certification
(furnished, not filed)
|
|
Exhibit
99.1 -
|
Press
Release dated June 3, 2009
|
|
Exhibit
99.2 -
|
Second
Quarter Report to Shareholders dated March 20,
2009
|
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.
Village
Super Market, Inc.
|
||
Registrant
|
||
Date: June
3, 2009
|
/s/
James Sumas
|
|
James Sumas
|
||
(Chief Executive Officer)
|
||
Date: June
3, 2009
|
/s/
Kevin R. Begley
|
|
Kevin R. Begley
|
||
(Chief Financial Officer)
|
21