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Quotes & Info
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| VLGEA > SEC Filings for VLGEA > Form 10-Q on 3-Jun-2009 | All Recent SEC Filings |
3-Jun-2009
Quarterly Report
The Company operates a chain of 26 ShopRite supermarkets in New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania. Village opened its newest store in Marmora, NJ on May 31, 2009. Village is the second largest member of Wakefern Food Corporation ("Wakefern"), the nation's largest retailer-owned food cooperative and owner of the Shop Rite name. As further described in the Company's Form 10-K, this ownership interest in Wakefern provides the Company many of the economies of scale in purchasing, distribution, advanced retail technology and advertising associated with larger chains.
The Company's stores, five of which are owned, average 56,000 total square feet. Larger store sizes enable the Company to offer the specialty departments that customers desire for one-stop shopping, including pharmacies, natural and organic departments, ethnic and international foods, and home meal replacement.
The supermarket industry is highly competitive. The Company competes directly with multiple retail formats, including national, regional and local supermarket chains as well as warehouse clubs, supercenters, drug stores, discount general merchandise stores, fast food chains, dollar stores and convenience stores. Village competes by using low pricing, superior customer service, and a broad range of consistently available quality products, including ShopRite private labeled products. The ShopRite Price Plus card and the co-branded ShopRite credit card also strengthen customer loyalty.
During fiscal 2009, the supermarket industry has been impacted by changing consumer behavior due to the weaker economy and increased unemployment. Consumers are increasingly cooking meals at home, trading down to lower priced items, including private label, and concentrating their buying on sale items. Management believes Village has benefited from these trends due to ShopRite's position as a price leader in New Jersey. As a result, our customer counts and same store sales increased substantially during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. Food price inflation has continued in 2009, although at lower levels than 2008.
We consider a variety of indicators to evaluate our performance, such as same store sales; percentage of total sales by department (mix); shrink; departmental gross profit percentage; sales per labor hour; and hourly labor rates.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth the major components of the Consolidated
Condensed Statements of Operations as a percentage of sales:
13 Weeks Ended 39 Weeks Ended
4/25/09 4/26/08 4/25/09 4/26/08
Sales 100.00 % 100.00 % 100.00 % 100.00 %
Cost of sales 72.72 72.37 72.74 72.86
Gross profit 27.28 27.63 27.26 27.14
Operating and administrative expense 22.29 23.20 22.03 22.67
Depreciation and amortization expense 1.27 1.29 1.23 1.23
Operating income 3.72 3.14 4.00 3.24
Interest expense (0.24 ) (0.28 ) (0.24 ) (0.27 )
Interest income 0.17 0.26 0.17 0.30
Income before taxes 3.65 3.12 3.93 3.27
Income taxes 1.52 1.32 1.64 1.38
Net income 2.13 % 1.80 % 2.29 % 1.89 %
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Sales. Sales were $293,474 in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, an increase of 7.3% from the third quarter of the prior year. Same store sales also increased 7.3% as the Franklin and Galloway stores, which opened in fiscal 2008, are now included in same store sales. The large same store sales increase is due to higher sales at the Franklin and Galloway stores, substantially improved transaction counts at most stores, and comparison to a weak third quarter of fiscal 2008 when same store sales increased only .4%. Inflation in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 was lower than the average inflation for calendar 2008. The Company believes the substantially improved transaction counts combined with minimal increases in the average transaction size in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 indicates customers continue to be cautious about the economy and, as a result, the Company continues to experience increased sale item penetration, coupon usage and trading down. Based on the sales trend in May, and a difficult comparison to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 when sales benefited from the distribution of economic stimulus checks, the Company expects same store sales to increase by 1.5% to 3.5% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. New stores and replacement stores are included in same store sales in the quarter after the store has been in operation for four full quarters. Store renovations are included in same store sales immediately.
Sales were $897,172 in the nine-month period of fiscal 2009, an increase of 8.1% from the prior year. Sales increased due to the opening of the two new stores and a 5.9% increase in same store sales. Same store sales increased due to improved transaction counts and, to a lesser extent, average transaction size.
Gross Profit. Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased .35% in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to the third quarter of the prior year primarily due to higher promotional spending (.23%) and lower departmental gross margin percentages (.15%). These decreases were partially offset by lower LIFO expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 (.08%). Promotional expense increased and departmental gross margin percentages decreased as the Company became more aggressive on promotions and price in response to the needs of customers in a difficult economic environment.
Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased .12% in the nine-month period of fiscal 2009 compared to the corresponding period of the prior year primarily due to improved departmental gross margin percentages (.14%) and improved product mix (.06%). These improvements were partially offset by higher promotional spending (.07%).
Operating and Administrative Expense. Operating and administrative expense decreased .91% as a percentage of sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to the third quarter of the prior year primarily due to reduced payroll (.54%) and other costs as a result of operating leverage due to the 7.3% same store sales increase.
Operating and administrative expense decreased .64% as percentage of sales in the nine-month period of fiscal 2009 compared to the corresponding period of the prior year primarily due to reduced payroll costs (.55%), the prior year including store pre-opening costs (.08%), and operating leverage due to the 5.9% same store sales increase. These decreases were partially offset by the prior year including refunds of property and liability insurance premiums (.09%) and increased snow removal costs (.05%) in fiscal 2009.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased in the third quarter and nine-month periods of fiscal 2009 compared to the corresponding periods of the prior year due to depreciation related to fixed asset additions, including the two new stores.
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased in the third quarter and nine-month periods of fiscal 2009 compared to the corresponding periods of the prior year due to debt payments.
Interest Income. Interest income decreased in the third quarter and nine-month periods of fiscal 2009 compared to the corresponding periods of the prior year due to lower interest rates received.
Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate was 41.7% in both the third quarter and nine-month periods of fiscal 2009 compared to 42.3% in the corresponding periods of the prior year. The effective income tax rate for all of fiscal 2008 was 41.9%.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that management believes are important to the portrayal of the Company's financial condition and results of operations. These policies require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company's critical accounting policies relating to the impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, accounting for patronage dividends earned as a stockholder of Wakefern, accounting for pension plans, accounting for share-based compensation, and accounting for uncertain tax positions are described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 26, 2008. As of April 25, 2009, there have been no changes to any of the critical accounting policies contained therein.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Net cash provided by operating activities was $30,923 in the nine-month period ended April 25, 2009 compared with $24,686 in the corresponding period of the prior year. This increase was primarily attributable to improved net income, increased accounts payable and accrued expenses, and a smaller increase in inventories in fiscal 2009. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable to Wakefern in fiscal 2009. Inventories increased less in fiscal 2009 than in fiscal 2008 due to the addition of the two new stores in fiscal 2008. The changes in payable balances outstanding are due to differences in the timing of payments.
During the first nine months of fiscal 2009, Village used cash to fund capital expenditures of $20,170, debt payments of $5,400 and dividends of $6,080. Capital expenditures consisted primarily of the construction of the replacement store in Washington, New Jersey and a new store in Marmora, New Jersey, and several small remodels. Debt payments made include the sixth installment of $4,286 on Village's unsecured Senior Notes.
Working capital was $28,845 at April 25, 2009 compared to $8,871 at July 26, 2008. The working capital ratio was 1.3 to 1 at April 25, 2009 compared to 1.1 to 1 at July 26, 2008. The increase in working capital is due to a portion of the note receivable from Wakefern becoming due within one year. The Company's working capital needs are reduced, since inventories are generally sold by the time payments to Wakefern and other suppliers are due.
Village has budgeted $27,000 for capital expenditures in fiscal 2009, of which $20,170 has been expended as of April 25, 2009. Planned fourth quarter expenditures include the completion of the new store in Marmora, which opened May 31, 2009.
On December 19, 2008, Village amended its unsecured revolving credit agreement, which would have expired on September 16, 2009. The amended agreement increases the maximum amount available for borrowing to $25,000 from $20,000. This loan agreement expires on December 31, 2011 with two one-year extensions available if exercised by both parties. Other terms of the amended revolving loan agreement, including covenants, are similar to the previous agreement. The Company's primary sources of liquidity in fiscal 2009 are expected to be cash and cash equivalents on hand and operating cash flow generated in fiscal 2009.
Under EITF Issue No. 97-10, "The Effect of Lessee Involvement in Asset Construction," Village is considered the owner of the Marmora land and building during the construction period as Village has an unlimited obligation to cover building construction costs over a certain amount. Therefore, $8,700 of land, site costs and construction costs paid by the landlord to date are recorded as property and long-term debt at April 25, 2009.
There have been no substantial changes as of April 25, 2009 to the contractual obligations and commitments discussed on page 8 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 26, 2008, except for an additional $658 required investment in Wakefern common stock.
OUTLOOK
This discussion and analysis contains certain forward-looking statements about Village's future performance. These statements are based on management's assumptions and beliefs in light of information currently available. Such statements relate to, for example: economic conditions; expected pension plan contributions; projected capital expenditures; cash flow requirements; and legal matters; and are indicated by words such as "will," 'expect," "should," 'intend," "believes" and similar words or phrases. The Company cautions the reader that there is no assurance that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from the results expressed, suggested or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after the date hereof.
? We expect same store sales growth of 1.5%-3.5% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.
? During fiscal 2009, the supermarket industry has been impacted by changing consumer behavior due to the weaker economy and increased unemployment. Consumers are increasingly cooking meals at home, trading down to lower priced items, including private label, and concentrating their buying on sale items. As a result, the Company has been more aggressive on promotions and price. Management expects these trends to continue for at least the next two quarters.
? We expect less inflation in fiscal 2010 than in fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008.
? We have budgeted $27,000 for capital expenditures in fiscal 2009, of which $20,170 has been expended as of April 25, 2009. Planned fourth quarter expenditures include the completion of the new store in Marmora, which opened May 31, 2009.
? We believe cash flow from operations and other sources of liquidity will be adequate to meet anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures and debt payments for the foreseeable future.
? We expect our effective income tax rate to be approximately 42%.
? We expect operating expenses will be affected by increased costs in certain areas, such as energy, pension costs, and credit card fees.
Various uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements contained in this report. These include:
? The supermarket business is highly competitive and characterized by narrow profit margins. Results of operations may be materially adversely impacted by competitive pricing and promotional programs, industry consolidation and competitor store openings. Village competes with national and regional supermarkets, local supermarkets, warehouse club stores, supercenters, drug stores, convenience stores, dollar stores, discount merchandisers, restaurants and other local retailers. Some of these competitors have greater financial resources, lower merchandise acquisition cost and lower operating expenses than we do.
? The Company's stores are concentrated in New Jersey, with one store in northeastern Pennsylvania. We are vulnerable to economic downturns in New Jersey in addition to those that may affect the country as a whole. Economic conditions such as inflation, interest rates, energy costs and unemployment rates may adversely affect our sales and profits.
? Village purchases substantially all of its merchandise from Wakefern. In addition, Wakefern provides the Company with support services in numerous areas including supplies, advertising, liability and property insurance, technology support and other store services. Further, Village receives patronage dividends and other product incentives from Wakefern. Any material change in Wakefern's method of operation or a termination or material modification of Village's relationship with Wakefern could have an adverse impact on the conduct of the Company's business and could involve additional expense for Village. The failure of any Wakefern member to fulfill its obligations to Wakefern or a member's insolvency or withdrawal from Wakefern could result in increased costs to the Company. Additionally, an adverse change in Wakefern's results of operations could have an adverse affect on Village's results of operations.
? Approximately 91% of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Any work stoppages could have an adverse impact on our financial results. If we are unable to control health care and pension costs provided for in the collective bargaining agreements, we may experience increased operating costs.
? Village could be adversely affected if consumers lose confidence in the safety and quality of the food supply chain. The real or perceived sale of contaminated food products by us could result in a loss of consumer confidence and product liability claims, which could have a material adverse effect on our sales and operations.
? We believe a number of the multi-employer plans to which we contribute are underfunded. As a result, we expect that contributions to these plans may increase. Additionally, the benefit levels and related items will be issues in the negotiation of our collective bargaining agreements. Under current law, an employer that withdraws or partially withdraws from a multi-employer pension plan may incur withdrawal liability to the plan, which represents the portion of the plan's underfunding that is allocable to the withdrawing employer under very complex actuarial and allocation rules. The failure of a withdrawing employer to fund these obligations can impact remaining employers. The amount of any increase or decrease in our required contributions to these multi-employer pension plans will depend upon the outcome of collective bargaining, actions taken by trustees who manage the plans, government regulations and the actual return on assets held in the plans, among other factors.
? On April 22, 2009, the Court formally invalidated the developer's approval for our Washington replacement store. The developer anticipates submitting a complete application in June. Management believes, based on consultation with outside counsel, that approval will be obtained within approximately six months. The Company's investment in construction and equipment is $9,700. If the developer is unsuccessful in obtaining the required approvals, the Company may record an impairment charge for this investment, which could be material to the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations.
? The Company's leasehold interest in the current Washington store remains in litigation. We continue to claim that conditions in the lease remain which have effectively extended our leasehold interest through January 2010. The outcome of the above two issues related to Washington will determine any potential time period between the closing of the current Washington store and the opening of the replacement store, and the related adverse impact, if any, to the Company's consolidated operating results and cash flows.
? We maintain significant amounts of cash and cash equivalents at financial institutions that are in excess of federally insured limits. Given the current instability of financial institutions, we cannot be assured that we will not experience losses on these deposits.
? Our effective tax rate may be impacted by the results of tax examinations and changes in tax laws.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A description of the Company's transactions with Wakefern, its principal supplier, and with other related parties is included on pages 9, 18 and 21 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 26, 2008. There have been no significant changes in the Company's relationship or nature of the transactions with related parties during the nine months of fiscal 2009, except for additional required investments in Wakefern stock of $658.
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