WEIS MARKETS INC - Annual Report: 2007 (Form 10-K)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
[X] | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007 | |
OR | |
[ ] | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from __________to_________ | |
Commission File Number 1-5039 |
WEIS MARKETS,
INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its
charter)
PENNSYLVANIA (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
24-0755415 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
1000 S. Second
Street P. O. Box 471 Sunbury, Pennsylvania (Address of principal executive offices) |
17801-0471 (Zip Code) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section
12(b) of the Act:
Title of each
class Common stock, no par value |
Name of each
exchange on which registered New York Stock Exchange |
|
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 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 [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [X] Non-accelerated filer [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
The aggregate market value of Common Stock
held by non-affiliates of the Registrant is approximately
$508,010,000 as of June 30, 2007, the last
business day of the most recently completed second
quarter.
Shares of
common stock outstanding as of March 7, 2008 -
26,967,165.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: Selected portions of the Weis Markets, Inc. definitive proxy statement dated March 10, 2008 are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.
Item
1. Business:
Weis Markets, Inc. is a Pennsylvania business founded by Harry and Sigmund Weis in 1912 and incorporated in 1924. The company is engaged principally in the retail sale of food in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. There was no material change in the nature of the company's business during fiscal 2007. The company's stock has been traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 1965 under the symbol "WMK." The Weis family currently owns approximately 64% of the outstanding shares. Robert F. Weis serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Jonathan H. Weis, son of Robert F. Weis, serves as Vice Chairman and Secretary. Both are involved in the day-to-day operations of the business.
The company's retail food stores sell groceries, dairy products, frozen foods, meats, seafood, fresh produce, floral, prescriptions, deli/bakery products, prepared foods, fuel and general merchandise items, such as health and beauty care and household products. In addition, customer convenience is addressed at many locations by offering services such as third parties providing in-store banks, laundry services and take-out restaurants. The company advertises through various media, including circulars, newspapers, radio and television. Printed circulars are used extensively on a weekly basis to advertise featured items. The company utilizes a loyalty card program, "Weis Club Preferred Shopper," which provides shoppers with an opportunity to receive discounts, promotions and rewards. The company currently owns and operates 155 retail food stores and a chain of 31 SuperPetz, LLC pet supply stores. The company's operations are reported as a single reportable segment.
The percentage of net sales contributed by
each class of similar products for each of the previous five
fiscal years was:
Year | Grocery | Meat | Produce | Pharmacy | Pet Supply | Other |
2007 | 53.76 | 16.09 | 14.82 | 9.77 | 2.34 | 3.22 |
2006 | 53.52 | 15.99 | 14.99 | 10.22 | 2.55 | 2.73 |
2005 | 53.93 | 16.18 | 14.79 | 10.21 | 2.70 | 2.19 |
2004 | 53.91 | 16.19 | 14.58 | 10.45 | 2.98 | 1.89 |
2003 | 54.55 | 15.70 | 14.67 | 10.28 | 3.18 | 1.62 |
Retail food store locations by state and by
trade name as of year-end are as follows:
Mr. Z's | King's | Cressler's | Scot's | ||||
State | Total | Weis Markets | Food Mart | Supermarkets | Marketplace | Lo-Cost | Save-A-Lot |
Pennsylvania | 125 | 98 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Maryland | 24 | 24 | |||||
New Jersey | 3 | 3 | |||||
New York | 1 | 1 | |||||
West Virginia | 2 | 2 | |||||
Total | 155 | 128 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Page 1 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Item
1. Business:
(continued)
All trade names, except Scot's Lo-Cost and Save-A-Lot, operate as conventional supermarkets. Scot's Lo-Cost operates under a warehouse format, while Save-A-Lot's format caters to the price motivated consumer. The retail food stores range in size from 8,000 to 66,000 square feet, with an average size of approximately 47,000 square feet. The following summarizes the number of stores by size categories as of year-end:
Square feet | Number of stores |
55,000 to 66,000 | 33 |
45,000 to 54,999 | 71 |
35,000 to 44,999 | 31 |
25,000 to 34,999 | 11 |
Under 25,000 | 9 |
Total | 155 |
The following schedule shows the changes in the number of retail food stores, total square footage and store additions/remodels as of year-end:
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | |||||||
Beginning store count | 156 | 158 | 157 | 158 | 160 | ||||||
New stores | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | --- | ||||||
Relocations | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||||||
Closed stores | (2 | ) | (4 | ) | --- | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | ||
Relocated stores | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | (2 | ) | (1 | ) | |
Sold | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ||||||
Ending store count | 155 | 156 | 158 | 157 | 158 | ||||||
Total square feet (000's), at year-end | 7,301 | 7,311 | 7,280 | 7,183 | 7,157 | ||||||
Additions/major remodels | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
The company supports the retail operations through a centrally located distribution facility, its own transportation fleet and four manufacturing facilities. The company is required to use a significant amount of working capital to provide for the necessary amount of inventory to meet demand for its products through efficient use of buying power and effective utilization of space in the warehouse facilities. The manufacturing facilities consist of a meat processing plant, an ice cream plant, an ice plant and a milk processing plant.
At year-end, SuperPetz, LLC operated 2 stores in Alabama, 1 store in Georgia, 1 store in Indiana, 1 store in Maryland, 2 stores in Michigan, 1 store in North Carolina, 6 stores in Ohio, 9 stores in Pennsylvania, 5 stores in South Carolina and 3 stores in Tennessee.
The business of the company is highly competitive. The number of competitors and the variety of competition experienced by the company's stores vary by market area. National, regional and local food chains, as well as independent food stores comprise the company's principal competition, although the company also faces substantial competition from convenience stores, membership warehouse clubs, specialty retailers, supercenters and large-scale drug and pharmaceutical chains. The company competes based on price, quality, location and service.
The company currently has approximately 17,000 full-time and part-time associates.
Page 2 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Item
1. Business:
(continued)
The company maintains a web site at www.weismarkets.com. The company makes available, free of charge, on the "Corporate Info" section of its web site, its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after the company electronically files such material or furnishes it to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
Additionally, the company's annual reports and corporate governance materials, including governance guidelines; the charters of the Audit and Compensation Committees, as well as the Disclosure Committee Bylaws; and both the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Code of Ethics for the CEO and CFO, may be found under the "Corporate Info" section of its web site. A copy of the foregoing corporate governance materials is available upon written request to the company's principal executive offices.
In addition to risks and uncertainties in the ordinary course of business common to all businesses, important factors are listed below specific to the company and its industry, which could materially impact its future performance.
Competition: The retail food industry is intensely price competitive, and the competition the company encounters may have a negative impact on product retail prices. The financial results may be adversely impacted by a competitive environment that could cause the company to reduce retail prices without a reduction in its product cost to maintain market share; thus reducing sales and gross profit margins.
Trade Area: The company's stores are concentrated in central and northeast Pennsylvania, central Maryland and suburban Baltimore regions. Changes in economic and social conditions in the company's operating regions, including the rate of inflation, population demographics and employment and job growth, affect customer shopping habits. These changes may negatively impact sales and earnings. In addition, employment conditions specifically may affect the company's ability to hire and train qualified associates. Business disruptions due to weather and catastrophic events historically have been few. The company's geographic regions could receive an extreme variance in the amount of annual snowfall that may materially affect sales and expense results.
Execution of Expansion Plans: In 2008, the company expects to invest $78.9 million for capital expenditures, which includes all store, distribution and manufacturing projects and equipment purchases. Over the next twelve months, the company is planning to build one superstore unit and will continue to invest in its existing store base with nine additions and five remodels. Circumstances outside the company's control could negatively impact these anticipated capital investments. The company cannot determine with certainty whether its new stores will be successful. The failure to expand by successfully opening new stores as planned, or the failure of a significant number of these stores to perform as planned, could have a material adverse effect on the company's business and results of its operations.
Operating Costs: Associate expenses attribute to the majority of its operating costs and therefore, the company's financial performance is greatly influenced by increasing wage and benefit costs, a competitive labor market and the risk of unionized labor disruptions of its non-union workforce. The company's profit is particularly sensitive to the cost of oil. Oil prices directly affect the company's product transportation costs, as well as its utility and petroleum-based supply costs. The company is extremely concerned about the continuing rise in interchange fees for accepting credit card payments at the point of sale.
Self-Insurance Exposure: The company is self-insured for a majority of its workers' compensation, general liability, vehicle accident and associate medical benefit claims. The company is liable for associate health claims up to a lifetime aggregate of $1,000,000 per member and for workers' compensation claims up to $2,000,000 per claim. Property and casualty insurance coverage is maintained with outside carriers at deductible or retention levels ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000. Although the company has minimized its exposure on individual claims, the company, for the benefit of cost savings, has accepted the risk of an unusual amount of independent multiple material claims arising and having a significant impact on earnings.
Page 3 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Item 1a. Risk Factors:(continued)
Taxes: The company's future effective tax rate may increase from current rates due to changes in laws and the status of pending items with various taxing authorities.
Item 1b. Unresolved Staff Comments:
There are no unresolved staff comments.
The company currently owns and operates 83 of its retail food stores, and leases and operates 72 stores under operating leases that expire at various dates through 2026. SuperPetz leases all 31 of its retail store locations. The company owns all trade fixtures and equipment in its stores and several parcels of vacant land, which are available as locations for possible future stores or other expansion.
The company owns and operates one distribution center in Milton, Pennsylvania of approximately 1,110,000 square feet, and one in Northumberland, Pennsylvania totaling approximately 76,000 square feet. The company also owns one warehouse complex in Sunbury, Pennsylvania totaling approximately 564,000 square feet. The company operates an ice cream plant, meat processing plant, ice plant and milk processing plant in 274,000 square feet at its Sunbury location.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings:
Neither the company nor any
subsidiary is presently a party to, nor is any of their
property subject to, any pending legal proceedings, other
than routine litigation incidental to the
business.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders:
There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2007.
Page 4 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities:
The company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol WMK). The approximate number of shareholders, including individual participants in security position listings, on December 29, 2007 as provided by the company's transfer agent was 8,157. High and low stock prices and dividends paid per share for the last two fiscal years were:
2007 | 2006 | |||||
Stock Price | Dividend | Stock Price | Dividend | |||
Quarter | High | Low | Per Share | High | Low | Per Share |
First | $45.70 | $39.76 | $.29 | $46.25 | $40.75 | $.29 |
Second | 45.41 | 40.50 | .29 | 44.79 | 37.75 | .29 |
Third | 47.10 | 38.24 | .29 | 41.49 | 37.97 | .29 |
Fourth | 44.34 | 39.50 | .29 | 41.50 | 38.88 | .29 |
The following line graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder return on the company's common stock against the cumulative total return of the S&P Composite-500 Stock Index and the cumulative total return of a published group index for the Retail Grocery Stores Industry ("Peer Group"), provided by Value Line, Inc., for the period of five years. The graph depicts $100 invested at the close of trading on the last trading day preceding the first day of the fifth preceding year in Weis Markets, Inc. common stock, S&P 500, and the Peer Group. The cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.
Comparative Five-Year Total Returns
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | |
Weis Markets | 100.00 | 120.92 | 136.85 | 157.21 | 150.74 | 154.20 |
S&P 500 | 100.00 | 126.38 | 137.75 | 141.88 | 161.20 | 166.89 |
Peer Group | 100.00 | 166.39 | 179.87 | 219.71 | 277.70 | 326.44 |
Page 5 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Item 6. Selected Financial Data:
The following selected historical financial information has been derived from the company's audited consolidated financial statements. This information should be read in connection with the company's Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto, as well as "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," included in Item 7.
Five Year Review of Operations
52 Weeks | 52 Weeks | 53 Weeks | 52 Weeks | 52 Weeks | ||||||
(dollars in thousands, except shares, per share amounts and store information) | Ended | Ended | Ended | Ended | Ended | |||||
Dec. 29, 2007 | Dec. 30, 2006 | Dec. 31, 2005 | Dec. 25, 2004 | Dec. 27, 2003 | ||||||
Net sales | $ | 2,318,551 | $ | 2,244,512 | $ | 2,222,598 | $ | 2,097,712 | $ | 2,042,499 |
Costs and expenses | 2,243,802 | 2,162,908 | 2,126,373 | 2,011,331 | 1,955,119 | |||||
Income from operations | 74,749 | 81,604 | 96,225 | 86,381 | 87,380 | |||||
Investment income | 3,010 | 4,484 | 3,081 | 1,222 | 824 | |||||
Income before provision for income taxes | 77,759 | 86,088 | 99,306 | 87,603 | 88,204 | |||||
Provision for income taxes | 26,769 | 30,078 | 35,885 | 30,412 | 33,628 | |||||
Net income | 50,990 | 56,010 | 63,421 | 57,191 | 54,576 | |||||
Retained earnings, beginning of year | 760,531 | 735,865 | 702,714 | 702,961 | 678,294 | |||||
811,521 | 791,875 | 766,135 | 760,152 | 732,870 | ||||||
Less cumulative effect of change in accounting for income taxes | 452 | --- | --- | --- | --- | |||||
Cash dividends | 31,309 | 31,344 | 30,270 | 57,438 | 29,909 | |||||
Retained earnings, end of year | $ | 779,760 | $ | 760,531 | $ | 735,865 | $ | 702,714 | $ | 702,961 |
Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted | 26,993,997 | 27,027,198 | 27,033,789 | 27,098,276 | 27,186,277 | |||||
Cash dividends per share | $ | 1.16 | $ | 1.16 | $ | 1.12 | $ | 2.12 | $ | 1.10 |
Basic and diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.89 | $ | 2.07 | $ | 2.35 | $ | 2.11 | $ | 2.01 |
Working capital | $ | 157,385 | $ | 147,451 | $ | 170,100 | $ | 143,440 | $ | 167,154 |
Total assets | $ | 840,069 | $ | 814,062 | $ | 784,128 | $ | 745,479 | $ | 740,920 |
Shareholders' equity | $ | 648,228 | $ | 629,163 | $ | 603,857 | $ | 571,700 | $ | 575,448 |
Number of grocery stores | 155 | 156 | 158 | 157 | 158 | |||||
Number of pet supply stores | 31 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 33 |
Page 6 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:
Company Overview
Weis Markets, Inc. was founded in 1912 by Harry and Sigmund Weis in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Today, the company ranks among the top 50 food and drug retailers in the United States in revenues generated. At the end of 2007, the company operated 155 retail food stores in Pennsylvania and four surrounding states: Maryland, New Jersey, West Virginia and New York. In addition to its retail food stores, the company operates 31 SuperPetz pet supply stores in ten states: Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Company revenues are generated in its retail food stores from the sale of a wide variety of consumer products including groceries, dairy products, frozen foods, meats, seafood, fresh produce, floral, prescriptions, deli/bakery products, prepared foods, fuel, and general merchandise items, such as health and beauty care and household products. The company supports its retail operations through a centrally located distribution facility, its own transportation fleet, four manufacturing facilities and its administrative offices. The company's operations are reported as a single reportable segment.
The following analysis should be read in conjunction with Financial Statements included in the 2007 Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the cautionary statement captioned "Forward-Looking Statements" immediately following this analysis.
Results of Operations
Total company sales for the 52-week year ending December 29, 2007 of $2.319 billion, increased $74.0 million or 3.3% compared to sales of $2.245 billion generated in fiscal 2006. Total company sales for 2006 of $2.245 billion, increased $21.9 million or 1.0% compared to sales of $2.223 billion generated in fiscal 2005, a 53-week year. Comparable store sales in 2007 increased 3.5% compared to 2006. Adjusting for the extra week in 2005, sales in 2006 increased 2.8% compared to 2005 and comparable store sales increased 2.0%.
When calculating the percentage change in comparable store sales, the company defines a new store to be comparable the week following one full year of operation. Relocated stores and stores with expanded square footage are included in comparable sales since these units are located in existing markets and are open during construction. When a store is closed, sales generated from that unit in the prior year are subtracted from total company sales starting the same week of closure in the prior year and continuing from that point forward.
The increase in comparable store sales during 2007 was primarily the result of an increase in average sales per customer transaction, which was the result of changes in product mix and inflation. However, the number of customer store visits was flat for the year compared to the same period one year ago. Sales were and continue to be significantly impacted by lower pharmacy sales as the result of lower-priced generic prescriptions supplanting their brand-name equivalents and the shift of Medicare Part D prescriptions to mail order. The company benefited from increased perishable sales and successful sales building strategies, which helped offset the decrease in pharmacy sales. Management does not foresee a change in this trend in the near future.
The company launched its "Where Freshness Matters" campaign and "Weis Steakhouse Angus" program in 2006, highlighting freshness, quality and value of its perishable products, resulting in strong customer acceptance and sales growth in both 2006 and 2007. In the coming year, the company will continue to promote the quality and value of its perishable products and its commitment to customer service.
Although the company experienced product cost inflation for all three years presented, management does not feel it can accurately measure the full impact of product inflation and deflation on retail pricing due to changes in the types of merchandise sold between periods, shifts in customer buying patterns and the fluctuation of competitive factors.
Cost of sales consists of direct product costs (net of discounts and allowances), warehouse costs, transportation costs and manufacturing facility costs. In recent years, many vendors have converted promotional incentives to reimbursements based upon sales movement data recorded at the point of sale rather than for cases purchased. Management expects this trend to have no discernible impact on the company's overall gross profit results.
Page 7 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations: (continued)
Results of Operations (continued)
Gross profit dollars generated from sales increased $4.8 million in 2007, or .8%, to $602.1 million compared to 2006, which increased $9.6 million compared to 2005. Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 26.0% in 2007 compared to 26.6% and 26.4% in 2006 and 2005, respectively. Throughout the past year, the company continued its aggressive promotional activity while keeping its overall pricing competitively low during a time of significant wholesale food inflation.
In 2007, wholesale prices increased much more quickly than the retail prices paid by consumers. According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' report, food-at-home price inflation increased 4.2% in 2007 while wholesale food inflation increased at a higher rate of 6.5%. This difference contributed significantly to the decline in the company's gross profit rate. In the fourth quarter alone, the company's gross profit rate decreased from 26.0% in 2006 to 24.7% in 2007. An area of top priority for management in 2008 will be the reduction of store inventory losses, which increased $6.7 million or 64.6% in 2007. In addition, the company's diesel fuel costs increased 5.6% compared to 2006. At this time, management is unaware of any other events or trends that may cause a material change to its overall financial operation due to fluctuations in product costs.
Operating, general and administrative expenses in 2007 increased $11.7 million to $527.4 million or as a percentage of sales, 22.7% compared to 23.0% and 22.1% in 2006 and 2005, respectively. Employee-related costs such as wages, employer paid taxes, health care benefits and retirement plans, comprise over 60% of the total operating, general and administrative expenses. Employee-related costs increased 4.3% in 2007 compared to 2006. Pennsylvania, where the majority of the company's stores are located, increased the minimum wage rate twice in 2007 totaling $2.00 per hour. Although the company paid its associates more than the minimum wage rate, the increase impacted associate rates well above minimum wage. In addition, the company increased associate rates in neighboring states.
The company's cost for accepting credit/debit cards, known as interchange fees, increased 12.3% to $12.8 million in 2007. Major credit card companies control over 87% of the interchange fee network, which allows them to unilaterally raise their rates at will. According to an independent study conducted by Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, only 13% of the interchange fees represents the actual cost to process these transactions. The company remains extremely concerned about this inequity and the excessive increases in interchange fees for accepting credit/debit card transactions. It is currently working with a wide variety of corporations and trade associations to make credit card interchange fees fair and bring competition to this broken market through legislative and regulatory initiatives.
The company expensed an additional $3.8 million in depreciation and amortization in 2007 due to its capital expenditure spending and its use of an accelerated method of depreciation. Operating, general and administrative expenses were positively affected in 2007 by a pre-tax gain on the sale of two closed store facilities and an undeveloped parcel of land for a total gain of $8.0 million. Conversely, in 2006, the company incurred a pre-tax impairment loss of $1.7 million on two closed store facilities and expensed $417,000 for the environmental remediation on a non-store property. Earnings were further impacted in 2007 and 2006 by a $1.2 million and a $1.4 million adjustment to liabilities for future expenses on closed stores.
In 2007, the company's investment income decreased $1.5 million or 32.9%, to $3.0 million. Due to declining yields on short-term money market funds, the company experienced a $745,000 decrease in interest income in 2007 compared to 2006. In 2006, the company's investment income increased $1.4 million, or 45.5% to $4.5 million, compared to 2005. The company realized a long-term gain of $431,000 on the sale of equities from its investment portfolio in 2006, and a gain of $422,000 in 2005.
The company's combined federal and state effective tax rate was 34.4% in 2007, 34.9% in 2006 and 36.1% in 2005. The effective income tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the effect of state taxes, net of permanent differences relating to tax-free income.
Net income in 2007 was $51.0 million or 2.2% of sales compared to $56.0 million or 2.5% of sales in 2006 and $63.4 million or 2.9% of sales in 2005. Basic and diluted earnings per share of $1.89 in 2007 compared to $2.07 in 2006 and $2.35 in 2005.
Page 8 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations: (continued)
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Net cash provided by operating activities was $85.4 million in 2007 compared with $99.3 million in 2006 and $104.3 million in 2005. Working capital increased 6.7% in 2007, decreased 13.3% in 2006, and increased 18.6% in 2005. The considerable decline in working capital in 2006 was primarily due to the company's increased investment in property and equipment.
Net cash used in investing activities was $39.1 million in 2007 compared to $108.5 million in 2006, and $62.4 million in 2005. These funds were used primarily for the purchases of new securities and property and equipment in the three years presented. Property and equipment purchases during 2007 totaled $64.2 million compared to $100.0 million in 2006 and $55.5 million in 2005. As a percentage of sales, capital expenditures were 2.8%, 4.5% and 2.5% in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
The company's capital expansion program includes the construction of new superstores, the expansion and remodeling of existing units, the acquisition of sites for future expansion, new technology purchases and the continued upgrade of the company's processing and distribution facilities. Company management estimates that its current development plans will require an investment of approximately $78.9 million in 2008.
Net cash used in financing activities during 2007 was $32.7 million compared to $32.5 million in 2006 and $30.8 million in 2005. At December 29, 2007, the company had outstanding letters of credit of $26.9 million.
Total cash dividend payments on common stock, on a per share basis, amounted to $1.16 in 2007, $1.16 in 2006 and $1.12 in 2005. Treasury stock purchases amounted to $2.7 million in 2007, compared to $1.4 million in 2006 and $715,000 in 2005. The Board of Directors' 2004 resolution authorizing the repurchase of up to one million shares of the company's common stock has a remaining balance of 822,833 shares.
The company has no other commitment of capital resources as of December 29, 2007, other than the lease commitments on its store facilities under operating leases that expire at various dates through 2026. The company anticipates funding its working capital requirements and its $78.9 million capital expansion program through internally generated cash flows from operations.
The company's earnings and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in interest rates as they relate to available-for-sale securities and any future long-term debt borrowings. The company's marketable securities portfolio currently consist of Pennsylvania tax-free state and municipal bonds, equity securities and other short-term investments. Other short-term investments are classified as cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
By their nature, these financial instruments inherently expose the holders to market risk. The extent of the company's interest rate and other market risk is not quantifiable or predictable with precision due to the variability of future interest rates and other changes in market conditions. However, the company believes that its exposure in this area is not material.
Under its current policies, the company invests primarily in high-grade marketable securities and does not use interest rate derivative instruments to manage exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Historically, the company's principal investment strategy of obtaining marketable securities with maturity dates between one and five years helps to minimize market risk and to maintain a balance between risk and return. The equity securities owned by the company consist primarily of stock held in large capitalized companies trading on public security exchange markets. The company's management continually monitors the risk associated with its marketable securities. A quantitative tabular presentation of risk exposure is located in Item 7a.
Page 9 of 32 (Form 10-K)
WEIS MARKETS, INC.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations: (continued)
Contractual Obligations
The following table represents scheduled maturities of the company's long-term contractual obligations as of December 29, 2007.
Payments due by period | ||||||||||
Less than | More than | |||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | Total | 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | 5 years | |||||
Operating leases | $ | 226,557 | $ | 28,900 | $ | 51,462 | $ | 37,388 | $ | 108,807 |
Total | $ | 226,557 | $ | 28,900 | $ | 51,462 | $ | 37,388 | $ | 108,807 |
Critical Accounting Estimates
The company has chosen accounting policies that it believes are appropriate to accurately and fairly report its operating results and financial position, and the company applies those accounting policies in a consistent manner. The Significant Accounting Policies are summarized in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires that the company makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical and other factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The company evaluates these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis and may retain outside consultants, lawyers and actuaries to assist in its evaluation. The company believes the following accounting policies are the most critical because they involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
Vendor Allowances
Vendor allowances that relate to the company's buying and merchandising activities are recorded as a reduction of cost of sales as they are earned, in accordance with its underlying agreement. Off-invoice and bill-back allowances are used to reduce direct product costs upon the receipt of goods. Promotional rebates and credits are accounted for as a reduction in the cost of inventory and recognized when the related inventory is sold. Volume incentive discounts are realized as a reduction of cost of sales at the time it is deemed probable and reasonably estimable that the incentive target will be reached. Long-term contract incentives, which require an exclusive vendor relationship, are allocated over the life of the contract. Promotional allowance funds for specific vendor-sponsored programs are recognized as a reduction of cost of sales as the program occurs and the funds are earned per the agreement. Cash discounts for prompt payment of invoices are realized in cost of sales as invoices are paid. Warehouse and back-haul allowances provided by suppliers for distributing their product through our distribution system are recorded in cost of sales as the required performance is completed. Warehouse rack and slotting allowances are recorded in cost of sales when new items are initially set up in the company's distribution system, which is when the related expenses are incurred and performance under the agreement is complete. Swell allowances for damaged goods are realized in cost of sales as provided by the supplier, helping to offset product shrink losses also recorded in cost of sales.
Store Closing Costs
The company provides for closed store liabilities relating to the estimated post-closing lease liabilities and related other exit costs associated with the store closing commitments. The closed store liabilities are usually paid over the lease terms associated with the closed stores having remaining terms ranging from one to five years. At December 29, 2007, closed store lease liabilities totaled $2.0 million. The company estimates the lease liabilities, net of estimated sublease income, using the undiscounted rent payments of closed stores. Other exit costs include estimated real estate taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and utility costs to be incurred after the store closes over the remaining lease term. Store closings are generally completed within one year after the decision to close. Adjustments to closed store liabilities and other exit costs primarily relate to changes in subtenants and actual exit costs differing from original estimates. Adjustments are made for changes in estimates in the period in which changes become known. Any excess store closing liability remaining upon settlement of the obligation is reversed to income in the period that such settlement is determined. Inventory write-downs, if any, in connection with store closings, are classified in cost of sales. Costs to transfer inventory and equipment from closed stores are expensed as incurred. Store closing liabilities are reviewed quarterly to ensure that any accrued amount that is no longer needed for its originally intended purpose is reversed to income in the proper period.
Page 10 of 32 (Form 10-K)
WEIS MARKETS, INC.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations: (continued)
Critical Accounting Estimates (continued)
Self-Insurance
The company is self-insured for a majority of its workers' compensation, general liability, vehicle accident and associate medical benefit claims. The self-insurance liability for most of the workers' compensation claims is determined based on historical data and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported. The other self-insurance liabilities are determined actuarially, based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. The company is liable for associate health claims up to a lifetime aggregate of $1,000,000 per member and for workers compensation claims up to $2,000,000 per claim. Property and casualty insurance coverage is maintained with outside carriers at deductible or retention levels ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000. Significant assumptions used in the development of the actuarial estimates include reliance on the company's historical claims data including average monthly claims and average lag time between incurrence and reporting of the claim.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this Annual Report may contain forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. For example, risks and uncertainties can arise with changes in: general economic conditions, including their impact on capital expenditures; business conditions in the retail industry; the regulatory environment; rapidly changing technology and competitive factors, including increased competition with regional and national retailers; and price pressures. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's analysis only as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in other documents the company files periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Certifications
As required under Section 303A.12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, the company submitted a Chief Executive Officer Certification to the New York Stock Exchange with no qualifications on April 23, 2007. The company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer certifications as required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the prior years as an Exhibit to Form 10-K.
Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk:
(dollars in thousands) | Expected Maturity Dates | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||
December 29, 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | Thereafter | Total | Dec. 29, 2007 | ||||||||
Rate sensitive assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed interest rate securities | $ | 1,200 | $ | 2,020 | $ | 6,135 | $ | 2,040 | $ | --- | $ | --- | $ | 11,395 | $ | 11,774 |
Average interest rate | 2.97 | % | 3.16 | % | 3.48 | % | 4.11 | % | --- | --- | 3.48 | % |
Other Relevant Market
Risks
The company's equity securities at
December 29, 2007 had a cost basis of $1,934,000 and a
fair value of $14,408,000. The dividend yield realized on
these equity investments was 4.34% in 2007. Market risk,
as it relates to equities owned by the company, is
discussed within the "Liquidity and Capital Resources"
section of "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained
within this report.
Page 11 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:
WEIS MARKETS, INC. |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
(dollars in thousands) |
December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006 |
2007 | 2006 | |||||
Assets | ||||||
Current: | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 41,187 | $ | 27,545 | ||
Marketable securities | 26,182 | 38,163 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net | 48,460 | 41,885 | ||||
Inventories | 193,732 | 189,468 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 3,317 | 3,932 | ||||
Income taxes recoverable | 8,074 | --- | ||||
Total current assets | 320,952 | 300,993 | ||||
Property and equipment, net | 499,246 | 492,543 | ||||
Goodwill | 15,722 | 15,722 | ||||
Intangible and other assets, net | 4,149 | 4,804 | ||||
Total assets | $ | 840,069 | $ | 814,062 | ||
Liabilities | ||||||
Current: | ||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 111,555 | $ | 105,859 | ||
Accrued expenses | 23,036 | 22,307 | ||||
Accrued self-insurance | 23,442 | 22,778 | ||||
Payable to employee benefit plans | 1,400 | 1,435 | ||||
Income taxes payable | --- | 865 | ||||
Deferred income taxes | 4,134 | 298 | ||||
Total current liabilities | 163,567 | 153,542 | ||||
Postretirement benefit obligations | 14,027 | 12,912 | ||||
Deferred income taxes | 14,247 | 18,445 | ||||
Total liabilities | 191,841 | 184,899 | ||||
Shareholders' Equity | ||||||
Common stock, no par value, 100,800,000 shares authorized, | ||||||
33,044,357 and 33,009,046 shares issued, respectively | 9,830 | 8,595 | ||||
Retained earnings | 779,760 | 760,531 | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net | 7,339 | 6,084 | ||||
796,929 | 775,210 | |||||
Treasury stock at cost, 6,077,311 and 6,016,291 shares, respectively | (148,701 | ) | (146,047 | ) | ||
Total shareholders' equity | 648,228 | 629,163 | ||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 840,069 | $ | 814,062 | ||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. |
Page 12 of 32 (Form 10-K)
WEIS MARKETS, INC. |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME |
(dollars in thousands, except shares and per share amounts) |
For the Fiscal Years Ended December 29, 2007, |
December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | |||
(52 Weeks) | (52 Weeks) | (53 Weeks) | ||||
Net sales | $ | 2,318,551 | $ | 2,244,512 | $ | 2,222,598 |
Cost of sales, including warehousing and distribution expenses | 1,716,424 | 1,647,233 | 1,634,874 | |||
Gross profit on sales | 602,127 | 597,279 | 587,724 | |||
Operating, general and administrative expenses | 527,378 | 515,675 | 491,499 | |||
Income from operations | 74,749 | 81,604 | 96,225 | |||
Investment income | 3,010 | 4,484 | 3,081 | |||
Income before provision for income taxes | 77,759 | 86,088 | 99,306 | |||
Provision for income taxes | 26,769 | 30,078 | 35,885 | |||
Net income | $ | 50,990 | $ | 56,010 | $ | 63,421 |
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic | 26,987,786 | 27,016,877 | 27,026,748 | |||
Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted | 26,993,997 | 27,027,198 | 27,033,789 | |||
Cash dividends per share | $ | 1.16 | $ | 1.16 | $ | 1.12 |
Basic and diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.89 | $ | 2.07 | $ | 2.35 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. |
Page 13 of 32 (Form 10-K)
WEIS MARKETS, INC. |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
(dollars in thousands, except shares) |
For the Fiscal Years Ended December 29, 2007, |
December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 | Accumulated | |||||||||||||
Other | Total | |||||||||||||
Common Stock | Retained | Comprehensive | Treasury Stock | Shareholders' | ||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Earnings | Income | Shares | Amount | Equity | ||||||||
Balance at December 25, 2004 | 32,997,157 | $ | 8,199 | $ | 702,714 | $ | 4,747 | 5,964,330 | $ | (143,960 | ) $ | 571,700 | ||
Net income | --- | --- | 63,421 | --- | --- | --- | 63,421 | |||||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of reclassification adjustments and tax | --- | --- | --- | (451 | ) | --- | --- | (451 | ) | |||||
Comprehensive income | 62,970 | |||||||||||||
Shares issued for options | 5,200 | 172 | --- | --- | --- | --- | 172 | |||||||
Treasury stock purchased | --- | --- | --- | --- | 18,131 | (715 | ) | (715 | ) | |||||
Dividends paid | --- | --- | (30,270 | ) | --- | --- | --- | (30,270 | ) | |||||
Balance at December 31, 2005 | 33,002,357 | 8,371 | 735,865 | 4,296 | 5,982,461 | (144,675 | ) | 603,857 | ||||||
Net income | --- | --- | 56,010 | --- | --- | --- | 56,010 | |||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of reclassification adjustments and tax | --- | --- | --- | 1,788 | --- | --- | 1,788 | |||||||
Comprehensive income | 57,798 | |||||||||||||
Shares issued for options | 6,689 | 224 | --- | --- | 3,498 | (154 | ) | 70 | ||||||
Treasury stock purchased | --- | --- | --- | --- | 30,332 | (1,218 | ) | (1,218 | ) | |||||
Dividends paid | --- | --- | (31,344 | ) | --- | --- | --- | (31,344 | ) | |||||
Balance at December 30, 2006 | 33,009,046 | 8,595 | 760,531 | 6,084 | 6,016,291 | (146,047 | ) | 629,163 | ||||||
Net income | --- | --- | 50,990 | --- | --- | --- | 50,990 | |||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of reclassification adjustments and tax | --- | --- | --- | 1,255 | --- | --- | 1,255 | |||||||
Comprehensive income | 52,245 | |||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for income taxes | --- | --- | (452 | ) | --- | --- | --- | (452 | ) | |||||
Shares issued for options | 35,311 | 1,235 | --- | --- | 25,561 | (1,155 | ) | 80 | ||||||
Treasury stock purchased | --- | --- | --- | --- | 35,459 | (1,499 | ) | (1,499 | ) | |||||
Dividends paid | --- | --- | (31,309 | ) | --- | --- | --- | (31,309 | ) | |||||
Balance at December 29, 2007 | 33,044,357 | $ | 9,830 | $ | 779,760 | $ | 7,339 | 6,077,311 | $ | (148,701 | ) $ | 648,228 | ||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. |
Page 14 of 32 (Form 10-K)
WEIS MARKETS, INC. |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
(dollars in thousands) |
For the Fiscal Years Ended December 29, 2007, |
December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
(52 Weeks) | (52 Weeks) | (53 Weeks) | |||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||
Net income | $ | 50,990 | $ | 56,010 | $ | 63,421 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to | |||||||
net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||
Depreciation | 47,511 | 45,000 | 43,875 | ||||
Amortization | 7,331 | 6,020 | 6,231 | ||||
(Gain) loss on disposition / impairment of fixed assets | (8,031 | ) | 974 | 519 | |||
Gain on sale of marketable securities | (6 | ) | (431 | ) | (422 | ) | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Inventories | (4,264 | ) | (10,086 | ) | (14,338 | ) | |
Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses | (5,960 | ) | (1,365 | ) | (3,424 | ) | |
Income taxes recoverable | (8,074 | ) | --- | 1,729 | |||
Accounts payable and other liabilities | 8,169 | 10,277 | 7,636 | ||||
Income taxes payable | (1,317 | ) | (1,155 | ) | 2,020 | ||
Deferred income taxes | (1,252 | ) | (5,762 | ) | (2,845 | ) | |
Other | 345 | (201 | ) | (98 | ) | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 85,442 | 99,281 | 104,304 | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||
Purchase of property and equipment | (64,233 | ) | (99,975 | ) | (55,468 | ) | |
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment | 11,374 | 2,696 | 291 | ||||
Purchase of marketable securities | --- | (33,020 | ) | (8,248 | ) | ||
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities | 13,780 | 15,745 | --- | ||||
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities | 7 | 6,010 | 1,000 | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (39,072 | ) | (108,544 | ) | (62,425 | ) | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | 1,235 | 224 | 172 | ||||
Dividends paid | (31,309 | ) | (31,344 | ) | (30,270 | ) | |
Purchase of treasury stock | (2,654 | ) | (1,372 | ) | (715 | ) | |
Net cash used in financing activities | (32,728 | ) | (32,492 | ) | (30,813 | ) | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 13,642 | (41,755 | ) | 11,066 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 27,545 | 69,300 | 58,234 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | 41,187 | $ | 27,545 | $ | 69,300 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. |
Page 15 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies utilized in preparing the company's consolidated financial statements:
(a) Description of Business
Weis Markets, Inc. is a Pennsylvania business corporation formed in 1924. The company is engaged principally in the retail sale of food in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. There was no material change in the nature of the company's business during fiscal 2007.
(b) Definition of Fiscal Year
The company's fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005 were comprised of 52 weeks, 52 weeks and 53 weeks, respectively.
(c) Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
(d) Use of Estimates
Management of the company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(e) Reclassifications
The company reclassified "Other income" as originally reported for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 in the amount of $16.3 million. Prior to the reclassification, "Other income" included net rental income, coupon-handling fees, store service commissions, cardboard salvage, gain or loss on the disposition of fixed assets and interest expense. The majority of items were reclassified as reductions of "Operating, general and administrative expenses." Items which related to distribution were reclassified as "Cost of sales, including warehousing and distribution expenses." An immaterial amount of interest expense was netted with "Investment income."
The following table summarizes the changes to originally reported amounts and subtotals in the 2005 Consolidated Statements of Income:
As | ||||
Originally | As | |||
Reported | Reclassified | |||
(dollars in thousands) | 2005 | 2005 | ||
Net sales (not reclassified, for presentation only) | $ | 2,222,598 | $ | 2,222,598 |
Cost of sales, including warehousing and distribution expenses | 1,636,137 | 1,634,874 | ||
Gross profit on sales | 586,461 | 587,724 | ||
Operating, general and administrative expenses | 506,900 | 491,499 | ||
Income from operations | 79,561 | 96,225 | ||
Investment income | 3,408 | 3,081 | ||
Other income, net | 16,337 | --- | ||
Income before provision for income taxes (not reclassified, for presentation only) | $ | 99,306 | $ | 99,306 |
(f) Cash and Cash Equivalents
The company considers investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Investment amounts classified as cash equivalents as of December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006 totaled $33.0 million and $23.5 million, respectively.
(g) Marketable Securities
Marketable securities consist of Pennsylvania tax-free state and municipal bonds and equity securities. By policy, the company invests primarily in high-grade marketable securities. The company classifies all of its marketable securities as available-for-sale.
Page 16 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(g) Marketable Securities (continued)
Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value as determined by quoted market price based on national markets. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, are excluded from earnings and are reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity until realized. A decline in the fair value below cost that is deemed other than temporary results in a charge to earnings and the establishment of a new cost basis for the security. Dividend and interest income is recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses are included in earnings and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities.
(h) Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are stated net of an allowance for uncollectible accounts of $1.1 million and $1.1 million as of December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006, respectively. The reserve balance relates to amounts due from pharmacy third party providers and customer returned checks. The company maintains an allowance for the amount of receivables deemed to be uncollectible and calculates this amount based upon historical collection activity adjusted for current conditions. Customer electronic payments accepted at the point of sale are classified as accounts receivable until collected.
(i) Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, using both the last-in, first-out (LIFO) and average cost methods. The company evaluates inventory shortages throughout the year based on actual physical counts in its facilities. Allowances for inventory shortages are recorded based on the results of these counts and to provide for estimated shortages from the last phyiscal count to the financial statement date. See additional disclosures regarding inventories in Note 3.
(j) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided on the cost of buildings and improvements and equipment principally using accelerated methods. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight line method over the terms of the leases or the useful lives of the assets, whichever is shorter.
Maintenance and repairs are expensed and renewals and betterments are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the assets and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any profit or loss on the disposition is credited or charged to "Operating, general and administrative expenses."
(k) Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142"), which establishes that intangible assets with an indefinite useful life shall not be amortized until their useful life is determined to be no longer indefinite and should be tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. SFAS 142 states that goodwill should not be amortized but tested for impairment for each reporting unit, on an annual basis and between annual tests in certain circumstances. Intangible assets with a definite useful life are generally amortized over periods ranging from 15 to 20 years. Estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is approximately $374,000 in 2008, $343,000 in 2009, $329,000 in 2010 and 2011, and $325,000 in 2012. As of December 29, 2007, the company has no intangible assets, other than goodwill, with indefinite lives.
(l) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
In accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS 144"), the company periodically evaluates the period of depreciation or amortization for long-lived assets to determine whether current circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives. The company reviews its property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount to the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. An impairment loss would be recorded for the excess of net book value over the fair value of the asset impaired. The fair value is estimated based on expected discounted future cash flows.
With respect to owned property and equipment associated with closed stores, the value of the property and equipment is adjusted to reflect recoverable values based on the company's prior history of disposing of similar assets and current economic conditions.
Page 17 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(l) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (continued)
The results of impairment tests are subject to management's estimates and assumptions of projected cash flows and operating results. The company believes that, based on current conditions, materially different reported results are not likely to result from long-lived asset impairments. However, a change in assumptions or market conditions could result in a change in estimated future cash flows and the likelihood of materially different reported results.
(m) Store Closing Costs
In accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" ("SFAS 146"), the company provides for closed store liabilities relating to the estimated post-closing lease liabilities and related other exit costs associated with the store closing commitments. The closed store liabilities are usually paid over the lease terms associated with the closed stores having remaining terms ranging from one to five years. Closed store lease liabilities totaled $2.0 million and $1.9 million at December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006, respectively. The company estimates the lease liabilities, net of estimated sublease income, using the undiscounted rent payments of closed stores.
(n) Self-Insurance
The company is self-insured for a majority of its workers' compensation, general liability, vehicle accident and associate medical benefit claims. Self-insurance costs are accrued based upon the aggregate of the liability for reported claims and an estimated liability for claims incurred but not reported. The company is liable for associate health claims up to a lifetime aggregate of $1,000,000 per member and for workers' compensation claims up to $2,000,000 per claim. Property and casualty insurance coverage is maintained with outside carriers at deductible or retention levels ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000.
(o) Stock Option Plan
As of December 31, 2004, no awards may be granted under the company's 1995 Stock Option Plan. The last options granted under the Plan in 2002 will expire in 2012. See additional disclosures regarding remaining outstanding options in Note 7.
(p) Income Taxes
Under the asset and liability method of FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"), deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
(q) Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share are based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, plus the incremental shares that would have been outstanding upon the assumed exercise of all dilutive stock options, subject to antidilution limitations. Basic and diluted earnings per share are the same amounts for each period presented.
(r) Revenue Recognition
Revenue from the sale of products to the company's customers is recognized at the point of sale. Discounts provided to customers at the point of sale through the Weis Club Preferred Shopper loyalty program are recognized as a reduction in sales as products are sold. Periodically, the company will run a point based sales incentive program that rewards customers with future sales discounts. The company makes reasonable and reliable estimates of the amount of future discounts based upon historical experience and its customer data tracking software. Sales are reduced by these estimates over the life of the program. Discounts to customers at the point of sale provided by vendors, usually in the form of paper coupons, are not recognized as a reduction in sales provided the discounts are redeemable at any retailer that accepts those discounts. The company does not recognize revenue when it sells gift cards, but rather revenue is recognized at the time of customer redemption for products. The company does not record gift card breakage, thus maintaining gift cards sold at their full liability to the consumer. Merchandise return activity is immaterial to revenues.
Page 18 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(s) Cost of Sales, Including Warehousing and Distribution Expenses
"Cost of sales, including warehousing and distribution expenses" consists of direct product costs (net of discounts and allowances), warehouse costs, transportation costs and manufacturing facility costs.
(t) Vendor Allowances
Vendor allowances that relate to the company's buying and merchandising activities are recorded as a reduction of cost of sales as they are earned, in accordance with its underlying agreement. Off-invoice and bill-back allowances are used to reduce direct product costs upon the receipt of goods. Promotional rebates and credits are accounted for as a reduction in the cost of inventory and recognized when the related inventory is sold. Volume incentive discounts are realized as a reduction of cost of sales at the time it is deemed probable and reasonably estimable that the incentive target will be reached. Long-term contract incentives, which require an exclusive vendor relationship, are allocated over the life of the contract. Promotional allowance funds for specific vendor-sponsored programs are recognized as a reduction of cost of sales as the program occurs and the funds are earned per the agreement. Cash discounts for prompt payment of invoices are realized in cost of sales as invoices are paid. Warehouse and back-haul allowances provided by suppliers for distributing their product through our distribution system are recorded in cost of sales as the required performance is completed. Warehouse rack and slotting allowances are recorded in cost of sales when new items are initially set up in the company's distribution system, which is when the related expenses are incurred and performance under the agreement is complete. Swell allowances for damaged goods are realized in cost of sales as provided by the supplier, helping to offset product shrink losses also recorded in cost of sales.
Vendor allowances recorded as credits in cost of sales totaled $44.6 million in 2007, $42.6 million in 2006, and $40.7 million in 2005. Vendor paid cooperative advertising credits totaled $16.7 million in 2007, $16.5 million in 2006, and $16.8 million in 2005. These credits were netted against advertising costs within "Operating, general and administrative expenses." The company had accounts receivable due from vendors of $800,000 and $600,000 for earned advertising credits and $6.4 million and $7.2 million for earned promotional discounts as of December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006, respectively. The company had $805,000 and $1.5 million in unearned revenue included in accrued liabilities for unearned vendor programs under long-term contracts for display and shelf space allocation as of December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006, respectively.
(u) Operating, General and Administrative Expenses
Business operating costs including expenses generated from administration and purchasing functions, are recorded in "Operating, general and administrative expenses" in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Business operating costs include items such as wages, benefits, utilities, repairs and maintenance, advertising costs and credits, rent, insurance, equipment depreciation, leasehold amortization and costs for outside provided services.
(v) Advertising Costs
The company expenses advertising costs as incurred. The company recorded advertising expense, before vendor paid cooperative advertising credits, of $25.2 million in 2007, $26.1 million in 2006, and $24.6 million in 2005 in "Operating, general and administrative expenses."
(w) Rental Income
The company leases or subleases space to tenants in owned, vacated and open store facilities. Rental income is recorded when earned as a component of "Operating, general and administrative expenses." All leases are operating leases, as disclosed in Note 5, and do not contain upfront considerations.
(x) Current Relevant Accounting Standards
In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes: an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109" ("FIN 48"). FIN 48, which clarifies SFAS 109, establishes the criterion that an individual tax position has to meet for some or all of the benefits of that position to be recognized in the company's financial statements.
The company adopted FIN 48 on December 31, 2006. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material effect on the company's consolidated financial statements. See additional disclosures regarding income taxes in Note 8.
Page 19 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(x) Current Relevant Accounting Standards (continued)
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" ("SFAS 157"). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS 157 on its financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115" ("SFAS 159"). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value at specified election dates. The fair value option may be applied instrument by instrument (with a few exceptions), is irrevocable and is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are to be reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS 159 on its financial statements.
Note 2 Marketable
Securities
Marketable securities, as of December 29, 2007 and December 30,
2006, consisted of:
Gross | Gross | |||||||
Unrealized | Unrealized | |||||||
(dollars in thousands) | Amortized | Holding | Holding | Fair | ||||
December 29, 2007 | Cost | Gains | Losses | Value | ||||
Available-for-sale: | ||||||||
Pennsylvania state and municipal bonds | $ | 11,704 | $ | 76 | $ | 6 | $ | 11,774 |
Equity securities | 1,934 | 12,483 | 9 | 14,408 | ||||
$ | 13,638 | $ | 12,559 | $ | 15 | $ | 26,182 |
Gross | Gross | |||||||
Unrealized | Unrealized | |||||||
(dollars in thousands) | Amortized | Holding | Holding | Fair | ||||
December 30, 2006 | Cost | Gains | Losses | Value | ||||
Available-for-sale: | ||||||||
Pennsylvania state and municipal bonds | $ | 25,830 | $ | 14 | $ | 79 | $ | 25,765 |
Equity securities | 1,935 | 10,464 | 1 | 12,398 | ||||
$ | 27,765 | $ | 10,478 | $ | 80 | $ | 38,163 |
Maturities of marketable securities classified as available-for-sale at December 29, 2007, were as follows:
Amortized | Fair | |||
(dollars in thousands) | Cost | Value | ||
Available-for-sale: | ||||
Due within one year | $ | 1,220 | $ | 1,220 |
Due within one year through five years | 10,484 | 10,554 | ||
Equity securities | 1,934 | 14,408 | ||
$ | 13,638 | $ | 26,182 | |
See additional disclosures regarding marketable securities in Notes 1(g) and 11. |
Page 20 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Note 3 Inventories
Merchandise inventories, as of December 29, 2007 and December
30, 2006, were valued as follows:
(dollars in thousands) | 2007 | 2006 | ||
LIFO | $ | 154,268 | $ | 150,397 |
Average cost | 39,464 | 39,071 | ||
$ | 193,732 | $ | 189,468 |
Management believes the use of the LIFO method for valuing certain inventories represents the most appropriate matching of costs and revenues in the company's circumstances. If all inventories were valued on the average cost method, which approximates current cost, total inventories would have been $54,494,000 and $47,314,000 higher than as reported on the above methods as of December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006, respectively. During 2005, the company had certain decrements in its LIFO pools, which had an insignificant impact on the cost of sales.
Note 4 Property and
Equipment
Property and equipment, as of December 29, 2007 and December
30, 2006, consisted of:
Useful Life | |||||
(dollars in thousands) | (in years) | 2007 | 2006 | ||
Land | $ | 85,158 | $ | 84,094 | |
Buildings and improvements | 10-60 | 404,784 | 391,357 | ||
Equipment | 3-12 | 608,458 | 585,213 | ||
Leasehold improvements | 5-20 | 130,978 | 121,263 | ||
Total, at cost | 1,229,378 | 1,181,927 | |||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | 730,132 | 689,384 | |||
$ | 499,246 | $ | 492,543 |
Note 5 Lease Commitments
At December 29, 2007, the company
leased approximately 55% of its open store facilities
under operating leases that expire at various dates
through 2026. These leases generally provide for fixed
annual rentals; however, several provide for minimum
annual rentals plus contingent rentals as a percentage of
annual sales and a number of leases require the company
to pay for all or a portion of insurance, real estate
taxes, water and sewer rentals, and repairs, the cost of
which is charged to the related expense category rather
than being accounted for as rent expense. Most of the
leases contain multiple renewal options, under which the
company may extend the lease terms from 5 to 20 years.
Rents on operating leases, including agreements with step
rents, are charged to expense on a straight-line basis
over the minimum lease term. The company does not have
any leases that include capital improvement funding or
other lease concessions.
Rent expense and income on all leases consisted of:
(dollars in thousands) | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
Minimum annual rentals | $ | 30,370 | $ | 30,147 | $ | 29,752 | |
Contingent rentals | 354 | 333 | 303 | ||||
Lease or sublease income | (6,466 | ) | (6,757 | ) | (7,820 | ) | |
$ | 24,258 | $ | 23,723 | $ | 22,235 |
Page 21 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Note 5 Lease Commitments (continued)
The following is a schedule by years of future minimum rental payments required under operating leases and total minimum sublease and lease rental income to be received that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 29, 2007.
(dollars in thousands) | Leases | Subleases | |||
2008 |
$ | 28,900 | $ | (4,580 | ) |
2009 |
27,774 | (4,091 | ) | ||
2010 | 23,688 | (3,435 | ) | ||
2011 | 19,781 | (2,462 | ) | ||
2012 | 17,607 | (1,038 | ) | ||
Thereafter | 108,807 | (2,587 | ) | ||
$ | 226,557 | $ | (18,193 | ) |
The company has $1,791,000 accrued as of December 29, 2007, for future minimum rental payments due on previously closed stores, reduced by the estimated sublease income to be received. The future minimum rental payments required under operating leases and estimated sublease income for these locations are included in the above schedule.
Note 6 Retirement Plans
The company has a contributory
retirement savings plan (401(k)) covering substantially
all full-time associates, a noncontributory
profit-sharing plan covering eligible associates, a
noncontributory employee stock bonus plan covering
eligible associates and three supplemental retirement
plans covering highly compensated employees of the
company. An eligible associate as defined in the Weis
Markets, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan and the Weis Markets,
Inc. Employee Stock Bonus Plan includes certain salaried
associates, store management and administrative support
personnel. The company's policy is to fund 401(k),
profit-sharing and stock bonus costs as accrued, but not
supplemental retirement costs. Contributions to the
401(k) plan, the profit-sharing plan and the stock bonus
plan are made at the sole discretion of the
company.
Retirement plan costs:
(dollars in thousands) | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
Retirement savings plan | $ | 1,034 | $ | 1,006 | $ | 988 | |
Profit-sharing plan | 922 | 900 | 896 | ||||
Employee stock bonus plan | --- | 40 | 40 | ||||
Deferred compensation plan | 435 | 500 | 516 | ||||
Supplemental retirement plan | 396 | 965 | 777 | ||||
Pharmacist deferred compensation plan | (75 | ) | 46 | 8 | |||
$ | 2,712 | $ | 3,457 | $ | 3,225 |
The Weis Markets, Inc. Employee Stock Bonus Plan was terminated as of December 31, 2006 and all contributions under the Weis Markets, Inc. Employee Stock Bonus Plan ceased as of December 31, 2006.
The company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for the payment of specific amounts of annual retirement benefits to certain officers or their beneficiaries over an actuarially computed normal life expectancy. The benefits are determined through actuarial calculations dependent on the age of the recipient, using an assumed discount rate. The plan is unfunded and accounted for on an accrual basis. The projected benefit obligations are equal to the liability for pension benefits included in "Payable to employee benefit plans" and "Postretirement benefit obligations" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Page 22 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Note 6 Retirement Plans
(continued)
Change in the benefit obligations:
(dollars in thousands) | 2007 | 2006 | |||
Benefit obligations at beginning of year | $ | 6,571 | $ | 6,303 | |
Interest cost | 475 | 455 | |||
Benefit payments | (232 | ) | (232 | ) | |
Actuarial loss | (39 | ) | 45 | ||
$ | 6,775 | $ | 6,571 | ||
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations: | 2007 | 2006 | |||
Discount rate | 7.50% | 7.50% |
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
(dollars in thousands) | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
Interest cost | $ | 475 | $ | 455 | $ | 434 | |
Amount of recognized gain | 271 | 187 | 150 |
Estimated future benefit payments:
(dollars in thousands) | Benefits | ||||
2008 |
$ | 232 | |||
2009 |
1,195 | ||||
2010 | 1,195 | ||||
2011 | 1,195 | ||||
2012 | 1,195 | ||||
2013 - 2017 | 5,974 |
The company also maintains a non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan and a non-qualified pharmacist deferred compensation plan for certain of its associates. These plans are designed to provide retirement benefits and salary deferral opportunities because of limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code and the Regulations implemented by the Internal Revenue Service. These plans are unfunded and accounted for on an accrual basis. Participants in these plans are excluded from participation in the Profit Sharing and Employee Stock Bonus plans. The Board of Directors annually determines the amount of the allocation to the plans at its sole discretion. The allocation among the various plan participants is made in relationship to their compensation, years of service and job performance. Plan participants are 100% vested in their accounts after six years of service with the company. Benefits are distributed among participants upon reaching the applicable retirement age. Substantial risk of benefit forfeiture does exist for participants in these plans. The present value of accumulated benefits amounted to $7,484,000 and $6,572,000 at December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006, respectively, and is included in "Postretirement benefit obligations" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The company has no other postretirement benefit plans.
Page 23 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Note 7 Stock Option Plan
The company has an
incentive stock option plan for officers and other key
associates. Under the terms of the plan, option exercise
prices are 100% of the "fair market value" of the shares
on the date granted. Options previously granted are
immediately exercisable and expire ten years after date
of grant.
Changes during the three years ended December 29, 2007, in options outstanding under the plan were as follows:
Weighted-Average | Shares | ||||
Exercise Price | Under Option | ||||
Balance, December 25, 2004 | $35.69 | 98,250 | |||
Exercised | $33.11 | (5,200 | ) | ||
Forfeited | $35.97 | (900 | ) | ||
Balance, December 31, 2005 | $35.83 | 92,150 | |||
Exercised | $33.53 | (6,689 | ) | ||
Expired | $31.50 | (700 | ) | ||
Balance, December 30, 2006 | $36.04 | 84,761 | |||
Exercised | $34.97 | (35,311 | ) | ||
Expired | $32.88 | (700 | ) | ||
Forfeited | $36.26 | (1,700 | ) | ||
Balance, December 29, 2007 | $36.88 | 47,050 |
Exercise prices for options outstanding as of December 29, 2007 ranged from $34.31 to $37.94. The weighted-average remaining contractual life of those options is two years. As of December 29, 2007, all options are exercisable.
Note 8 Income Taxes
The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists
of:
(dollars in thousands) | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
Current: | |||||||
Federal | $ | 27,069 | $ | 33,168 | $ | 34,991 | |
State | 952 | 2,672 | 3,739 | ||||
Deferred: | |||||||
Federal | (1,218 | ) | (4,758 | ) | (2,443 | ) | |
State | (34 | ) | (1,004 | ) | (402 | ) | |
$ | 26,769 | $ | 30,078 | $ | 35,885 |
The reconciliation of income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate (35% in 2007, 2006 and 2005) to the provision for income taxes is:
(dollars in thousands) | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
Income taxes at federal statutory rate | $ | 27,216 | $ | 30,131 | $ | 34,757 | |
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit | 597 | 1,084 | 2,169 | ||||
Resolution and accrual of audit contingencies | --- | --- | (300 | ) | |||
Other | (1,044 | ) | (1,137 | ) | (741 | ) | |
Provision for income taxes (effective tax rate 34.4%, 34.9% and 36.1%, respectively) | $ | 26,769 | $ | 30,078 | $ | 35,885 |
The company accrued for probable liabilities resulting from tax assessments by federal and state tax authorities in 2003. During 2003, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") completed its routine audit of the company's federal income tax returns for the years 1997 through 2001. Resolution was completed with respect to the various tax issues in the examination in 2004 and adjustments were made to certain previously filed tax returns.
Page 24 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Note 8 Income Taxes (continued)
Cash paid for income taxes was $37,411,000, $36,844,000 and $34,995,000 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006, are:
(dollars in thousands) | 2007 | 2006 | ||||
Deferred tax assets: | ||||||
Accounts receivable | $ | 147 | $ | 185 | ||
Compensated absences | 470 | 484 | ||||
Employee benefit plans | 7,332 | 7,136 | ||||
General liability insurance | 1,403 | 1,323 | ||||
Nondeductible accruals and other | 92 | 1,860 | ||||
Postretirement benefit obligations | 5,876 | 5,397 | ||||
Total deferred tax assets | 15,320 | 16,385 | ||||
Deferred tax liabilities: | ||||||
Inventories | (8,373 | ) | (6,971 | ) | ||
Unrealized gain on marketable securities | (5,205 | ) | (4,315 | ) | ||
Depreciation | (20,123 | ) | (23,842 | ) | ||
Total deferred tax liabilities | (33,701 | ) | (35,128 | ) | ||
Net deferred tax liability | $ | (18,381 | ) | $ | (18,743 | ) |
Current deferred liability - net | $ | (4,134 | ) | $ | (298 | ) |
Noncurrent deferred liability - net | (14,247 | ) | (18,445 | ) | ||
Net deferred tax liability | $ | (18,381 | ) | $ | (18,743 | ) |
The company adopted FIN 48 on December 31, 2006, the first day of the 2007 fiscal year, and, as a result, recognized a $452,000 decrease to opening retained earnings from the cumulative effect of adoption. As of December 31, 2006, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $692,000.
The following table summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits:
(dollars in thousands) | 2007 | ||
Balance at December 31, 2006 | $ | 692 | |
Increases based on tax positions related to the current year | --- | ||
Additions for tax positions of prior years | 517 | ||
Reductions for tax positions of prior years | (66 | ) | |
Settlements | (452 | ) | |
Expiration of the statute of limitations for assessment of taxes | (13 | ) | |
Balance at December 29, 2007 | $ | 678 |
All of the $678,000 of unrecognized tax benefits would impact the effective tax rate over time and if recognized would reduce the effective tax rate. The company accrues interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a part of the provision for income taxes. The company had $40,000 and $189,000 of accrued interest and penalties at December 29, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. Management anticipates settlement for the majority of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.
The IRS recently completed its examination of the company's federal income tax returns for 2003 and 2004. The IRS proposed one tax deficiency to which the company agreed. The company or one of its subsidiaries files tax returns in various states. The tax years subject to examination in Pennsylvania, where the majority of the company's revenues are generated, are 2002 to 2007.
Page 25 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Note 9 Comprehensive
Income
(dollars in thousands) | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
Net income | $ | 50,990 | $ | 56,010 | $ | 63,421 | |
Other comprehensive income by component, net of tax: | |||||||
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period (Net of deferred taxes of $892, $1,447 and $144, respectively) | 1,259 | 2,040 | (204 | ) | |||
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (Net of deferred taxes of $2, $179 and $175, respectively) | (4 | ) | (252 | ) | (247 | ) | |
Other comprehensive income, net of tax | 1,255 | 1,788 | (451 | ) | |||
Comprehensive income, net of tax | $ | 52,245 | $ | 57,798 | $ | 62,970 |
Note 10 Summary of Quarterly Results
(Unaudited)
Quarterly financial data for 2007 and 2006 are as
follows:
(dollars in thousands, | Thirteen Weeks Ended | |||||||
except per share amounts) | March 31, 2007 | June 30, 2007 | Sep. 29, 2007 | Dec. 29, 2007 | ||||
Net sales | $ | 571,795 | $ | 578,812 | $ | 564,966 | $ | 602,978 |
Gross profit on sales | 151,541 | 154,211 | 147,694 | 148,681 | ||||
Net income | 13,405 | 18,157 | 10,817 | 8,611 | ||||
Basic and diluted earnings per share | .50 | .67 | .40 | .32 |
(dollars in thousands, | Thirteen Weeks Ended | |||||||
except per share amounts) | Apr. 1, 2006 | July 1, 2006 | Sep. 30, 2006 | Dec. 30, 2006 | ||||
Net sales | $ | 547,786 | $ | 561,944 | $ | 557,177 | $ | 577,605 |
Gross profit on sales | 147,911 | 151,255 | 147,973 | 150,140 | ||||
Net income | 14,937 | 15,491 | 11,565 | 14,017 | ||||
Basic and diluted earnings per share | .55 | .57 | .43 | .52 |
Note 11 Fair Value
Information
The carrying amounts for cash,
accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair
value because of the short maturities of these
instruments. The fair values of the company's marketable
securities, as disclosed in Note 2, are based on quoted
market prices.
Note 12
Contingencies
The company is involved in various
legal actions arising out of the normal course of
business. The company also accrues for tax contingencies
when it is probable that a liability to a taxing
authority has been incurred and the amount of the
contingency can be reasonably estimated, based on past
experience. In the opinion of management, the ultimate
disposition of these matters will not have a material
adverse effect on the company's consolidated financial
position, results of operations or
liquidity.
Page 26 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Weis Markets, Inc.
Sunbury, Pennsylvania
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Weis Markets, Inc. as of December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2007, December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 (52 weeks, 52 weeks and 53 weeks, respectively). We have also audited Weis Markets, Inc. internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Weis Market, Inc.'s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting which is included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the effectiveness of Weis Markets, Inc. internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
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.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Weis Markets, Inc. as of December 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2007, December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 (52 weeks, 52 weeks and 53 weeks, respectively) in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, Weis Markets, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
Page 27 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Table of Contents
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (continued)
Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole. Schedule II is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic consolidated financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic consolidated financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
On December 31, 2006, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation 48, Accounting for Uncertain Tax Positions (see Note 1).
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania /S/Grant Thornton
LLP
March 3, 2008
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure:
None.
Item 9a. Controls and Procedures:
Management's Report on Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the company (its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) have concluded, based on their evaluation as of the close of the period covered by this Report, that the company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of the company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The company's internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the company's management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. In making its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management used the criteria issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
With the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, management concluded that the company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 29, 2007.
There were no changes in the company's internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended December 29, 2007, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting.
There was no information required on Form 8-K during this quarter that was not reported.
Page 28 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance:
"Election of Directors" on pages 3 and 4, "Board Committees and Meeting Attendance, Audit Committee" on pages 4 and 5, "Corporate Governance Matters" on pages 5 and 6, "Compensation Tables" on pages 9 and 10 and "Stock Ownership, Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" on page 16 of the Weis Markets, Inc. definitive proxy statement dated March 10, 2008 are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11. Executive Compensation:
"Board Committees and Meeting Attendance, Compensation Committee" on page 5, "Executive Compensation, Compensation Discussion and Analysis" on pages 6 through 9, "Compensation Committee Report" on page 9, "Compensation Tables" on pages 9 through 13 and "Other Information Concerning the Board of Directors, Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" on page 13 of the Weis Markets, Inc. definitive proxy statement dated March 10, 2008 are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters:
"Stock Ownership" on pages 15 and 16 of the Weis Markets, Inc. definitive proxy statement dated March 10, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference. Equity compensation plan information is included in Part II, Item 8, "Note 7 Stock Option Plan" on page 24 of this annual report on Form 10-K.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence:
"Other Information Concerning the Board of Directors, Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions" on pages 13 and 14 and "Independence of Directors" on page 4 of the Weis Markets, Inc. definitive proxy statement dated March 10, 2008 are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services:
"Ratification Of Appointment Of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" on pages 16 and 17 of the Weis Markets, Inc. definitive proxy statement dated March 10, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference.
Page 29 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules:
(a)(1) The company's 2007 Consolidated
Financial Statements and the Report of Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firms are included in Item 8
of Part II.
(a)(2) Financial statement schedules
required to be filed by Item 8 of this form, and by Item
15(c)(3) below:
Schedule
II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts, page 31 of
this annual report on Form
10-K
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.
(a)(3) A listing of exhibits filed or incorporated by reference is as follows:
Exhibit No. | Exhibits |
3-A | Articles of Incorporation, filed as exhibit 4.1 in Form S-8 on September 13, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference. |
3-B |
By-Laws, filed as exhibit under Part IV, Item 14(c) in the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference. |
10-A |
Profit Sharing Plan, filed as exhibit under Part IV, Item 15(c) in the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference. |
10-B |
Stock Bonus Plan, filed as exhibit under Part IV, Item 15(c) in the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference. |
10-C |
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan, filed as exhibit under Part IV, Item 14(c) in annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference. |
10-D |
Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and Norman S. Rich, President and Chief Executive Officer, signed on March 23, 2006, commencing on January 1, 2006 and continuing thereafter through December 31, 2008, filed on Form 8-K March 24, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference. |
10-E | Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and William R. Mills, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, signed on June 27, 2007, commencing on January 1, 2008 and continuing thereafter through December 31, 2010, filed on Form 8-K June 29, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference. |
10-F |
Executive Benefits Agreement between the Company and Robert F. Weis, Chairman of the Board, signed on March 24, 2006, commencing immediately and continuing thereafter through December 31, 2023, filed on Form 8-K March 24, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference. |
21 | Subsidiaries of the Registrant, filed with this annual report on Form 10-K |
23 | Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, filed with this annual report on Form 10-K |
31.1 |
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification - CEO, filed with this annual report on Form 10-K |
31.2 |
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification - CFO, filed with this annual report on Form 10-K |
32 |
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, filed with this annual report on Form 10-K |
The company will provide a copy of any exhibit upon receipt of a written request for the particular exhibit or exhibits desired. All requests should be addressed to the company's principal executive offices.
(b) The company files as
exhibits to this annual report on Form 10-K, those
exhibits listed in Item 15(a)(3) above.
Page 30 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Table of Contents
Item 15(c)(3). Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts:
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||
COL. A | COL. B | COL. C | COL. D | COL. E | ||||||
Additions | ||||||||||
Balance at | Charged to | Charged to | Balance at | |||||||
Beginning | Costs and | Accounts | Deductions | End of | ||||||
Description | of Period | Expenses | Describe | Describe (1) | Period | |||||
Year ended December 29, 2007: | ||||||||||
Deducted from asset accounts: | ||||||||||
Allowance for uncollectible accounts | $ | 1,122 | $ | 1,140 | $ | --- | $ | 1,115 | $ | 1,147 |
Year ended December 30, 2006: | ||||||||||
Deducted from asset accounts: | ||||||||||
Allowance for uncollectible accounts | $ | 1,229 | $ | 1,047 | $ | --- | $ | 1,154 | $ | 1,122 |
Year ended December 31, 2005: | ||||||||||
Deducted from asset accounts: | ||||||||||
Allowance for uncollectible accounts | $ | 1,693 | $ | 496 | $ | --- | $ | 960 | $ | 1,229 |
(1) Deductions are uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries. |
Page 31 of 32 (Form 10-K)
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
WEIS MARKETS, INC. | |||
(Registrant) | |||
Date 03/07/2008 | /S/Norman S. Rich | ||
Norman S. Rich | |||
Chief Executive Officer | |||
and Director |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date 03/07/2008 | /S/Robert F. Weis | ||
Robert F. Weis | |||
Chairman of the Board of Directors | |||
Date 03/07/2008 | /S/Jonathan H. Weis | ||
Jonathan H. Weis | |||
Vice Chairman and Secretary | |||
and Director | |||
Date 03/07/2008 | /S/Norman S. Rich | ||
Norman S. Rich | |||
Chief Executive Officer | |||
and Director | |||
Date 03/07/2008 | /S/William R. Mills | ||
William R. Mills | |||
Senior Vice President, Treasurer | |||
and Chief Financial Officer | |||
and Director | |||
Date 03/07/2008 | /S/Matthew Nimetz | ||
Matthew Nimetz | |||
Director | |||
Date 03/07/2008 | /S/Richard E. Shulman | ||
Richard E. Shulman | |||
Director | |||
Date 03/07/2008 | /S/Steven C. Smith | ||
Steven C. Smith | |||
Director |
Page 32 of 32 (Form 10-K)
WEIS MARKETS, INC.
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
State of Incorporation | Percent Owned by Registrant | ||
Albany Public Markets, Inc. | New York | 100% | |
Dutch Valley Food Company, Inc. | Pennsylvania | 100% | |
King's Supermarkets, Inc. | Pennsylvania | 100% | |
Martin's Farm Market, Inc. | Pennsylvania | 100% | |
Shamrock Wholesale Distributors, Inc. | Pennsylvania | 100% | |
SuperPetz, LLC | Pennsylvania | 100% | |
Weis Transportation, Inc. | Pennsylvania | 100% | |
WMK Financing, Inc. | Delaware | 100% | |
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and its subsidiaries. |
EXHIBIT 23
WEIS MARKETS,
INC.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We have issued our report dated March 3, 2008 (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the application of FIN 48 on December 31, 2006), accompanying the consolidated financial statements and schedule, and on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007. We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of said report in the Registration Statement of Weis Markets, Inc. on Form S-8 (File No. 333-99535, effective September 13, 2002).
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania /S/Grant Thornton
LLP
March 3, 2008
EXHIBIT 31.1
WEIS MARKETS,
INC.
I, Norman S. Rich, Chief
Executive Officer of Weis Markets, Inc., certify
that:
1. I have reviewed this annual
report on Form 10-K of Weis Markets, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this
report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit
to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the
circumstances under which such
statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the periods covered by this annual
report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the
financial statements, and other financial information included
in this report,
fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the
periods presented in this report;
4. |
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: | ||
a) | designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; | ||
b) | designed such internal controls over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | ||
c) | evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | ||
d) | disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and | ||
5. |
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): | ||
a) | all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | ||
b) | any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: March 7, 2008
/S/ Norman S. Rich
Norman
S. Rich
Chief
Executive Officer
EXHIBIT 31.2
WEIS MARKETS,
INC.
I, William R. Mills, Senior Vice President,
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Weis Markets, Inc.,
certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual
report on Form 10-K of Weis Markets, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this
report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit
to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the
circumstances under which such
statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the periods covered by this annual
report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the
financial statements, and other financial information included
in this report,
fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the
periods presented in this report;
4. |
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: | ||
a) | designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; | ||
b) | designed such internal controls over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | ||
c) | evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | ||
d) | disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and | ||
5. |
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): | ||
a) | all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | ||
b) | any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: March 7, 2008
/S/ William R. Mills
William
R. Mills
Senior
Vice President,
Treasurer and
Chief
Financial Officer
WEIS MARKETS, INC.
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT
TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the annual report of Weis Markets, Inc. (the "company") on Form 10-K for the year ending December 29, 2007, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), we, Norman S. Rich, Chief Executive Officer, and William R. Mills, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, of the company, certify, pursuant to and for purposes of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) to my knowledge the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the company.
/S/ Norman S. Rich
Norman S. Rich
Chief Executive Officer
03/07/2008
/S/ William R. Mills
William R. Mills
Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer
03/07/2008
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Weis Markets, Inc. and will be retained by Weis Markets, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.