Item 1 - Business
Costco Wholesale Corporation and its subsidiaries (Costco or the Company) began operations in 1983 in Seattle, Washington. We are principally engaged in the operation of membership warehouses in the United States (U.S.) and Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Japan, Australia, and through majority-owned subsidiaries in Taiwan and Korea. Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “COST.”
Historically, our operations in Mexico were through a 50% owned joint venture (Mexico). On July 10, 2012 we acquired the remaining 50% interest in Mexico from our joint venture partner. At the beginning of fiscal 2011, we began consolidating our Mexico joint venture due to the adoption of a new accounting standard. Mexico’s results previously were accounted for under the equity method and our 50% share was included in “interest income and other, net” in the consolidated statements of income. In fiscal 2011 and 2012, Mexico’s operations are fully consolidated and the joint venture partner’s 50% share, through the acquisition date, is included in “net income attributable to noncontrolling interest” in the consolidated statement of income. After the acquisition date, 100% of Mexico’s operations are included in “net income attributable to Costco.” See discussion in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
We report on a 52/53-week fiscal year, consisting of thirteen four-week periods and ending on the Sunday nearest the end of August. The first three quarters consist of three periods each, and the fourth quarter consists of four periods (five weeks in the thirteenth period in a 53-week year). The material seasonal impact in our operations is an increased level of net sales and earnings during the winter holiday season. References to 2012 relate to the 53-week fiscal year ended September 2, 2012. References to 2011 and 2010 relate to the 52-week fiscal years ended August 28, 2011 and August 29, 2010, respectively.
General
We operate membership warehouses based on the concept that offering our members low prices on a limited selection of nationally branded and select private-label products in a wide range of merchandise categories will produce high sales volumes and rapid inventory turnover. This turnover, when combined with the operating efficiencies achieved by volume purchasing, efficient distribution and reduced handling of merchandise in no-frills, self-service warehouse facilities, enables us to operate profitably at significantly lower gross margins than traditional wholesalers, mass merchandisers, supermarkets, and supercenters.
We buy the majority of our merchandise directly from manufacturers and route it to a cross-docking consolidation point (depot) or directly to our warehouses. Our depots receive container-based shipments from manufacturers and reallocate these goods for shipment to our individual warehouses, generally in less than twenty-four hours. This process maximizes freight volume and handling efficiencies, eliminating many of the costs associated with traditional multiple-step distribution channels. Such traditional steps include purchasing from distributors as opposed to manufacturers, use of central receiving, storing and distributing warehouses, and storage of merchandise in locations off the sales floor.
Because of our high sales volume and rapid inventory turnover, we generally sell inventory before we are required to pay many of our merchandise vendors, even though we take advantage of early payment discounts when available. To the extent that sales increase and inventory turnover becomes more rapid, a greater percentage of inventory is financed through payment terms provided by suppliers rather than by our working capital.
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Our typical warehouse format averages approximately 143,000 square feet; newer units tend to be slightly larger. Floor plans are designed for economy and efficiency in the use of selling space, the handling of merchandise, and the control of inventory. Because shoppers are attracted principally by the quality of merchandise and the availability of low prices, our warehouses are not elaborate facilities. By strictly controlling the entrances and exits of our warehouses and using a membership format, we have limited inventory losses (shrinkage) to amounts well below those of typical discount retail operations.
Marketing and promotional activities generally relate to new warehouse openings, occasional direct mail to prospective new members, and regular direct marketing programs (such as The Costco Connection, a magazine we publish for our members, coupon mailers, weekly emails from costco.com and costco.ca, and handouts) to existing members promoting selected merchandise. These practices result in lower marketing expenses as compared to typical retailers.
Our warehouses generally operate on a seven-day, 69-hour week, open weekdays between 10:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., with earlier weekend closing hours. Gasoline operations generally have extended hours. Because the hours of operation are shorter than those of traditional retailers, discount retailers and supermarkets, and due to other efficiencies inherent in a warehouse-type operation, labor costs are lower relative to the volume of sales. Merchandise is generally stored on racks above the sales floor and displayed on pallets containing large quantities, thereby reducing labor required for handling and stocking.
Our strategy is to provide our members with a broad range of high quality merchandise at prices consistently lower than they can obtain elsewhere. We seek to limit specific items in each product line to fast-selling models, sizes, and colors. Therefore, we carry an average of approximately 3,300 to 3,800 active stock keeping units (SKUs) per warehouse in our core warehouse business, as opposed to a significantly higher number of SKUs at discount retailers, supermarkets, and supercenters. Many consumable products are offered for sale in case, carton, or multiple-pack quantities only.
In keeping with our policy of member satisfaction, we generally accept returns of merchandise. On certain electronic items, we typically have a 90-day return policy and provide, free of charge, technical support services, as well as an extended warranty. Additional third-party warranty coverage is sold on certain electronic item purchases.
The following table indicates the approximate percentage of annual net sales accounted for by major category of items:
Excludes Mexico
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Ancillary businesses within or next to our warehouses provide expanded products and services and encourage members to shop more frequently. The following table indicates the number of ancillary businesses in operation at fiscal year-end:
Excludes the 32 warehouses operated in Mexico
Our online businesses at costco.com in the U.S. and costco.ca in Canada, provide our members additional products generally not found in our warehouses, in addition to services such as digital photo processing, pharmacy, travel, and membership services.
Our warehouses accept cash, checks, certain debit cards, American Express and a private label Costco credit card. Losses associated with dishonored checks have been minimal, as members who have issued dishonored checks are identified and prevented from making further purchases until restitution is made.
We have direct buying relationships with many producers of national brand-name merchandise. We do not obtain a significant portion of merchandise from any one supplier. We have not experienced any difficulty in obtaining sufficient quantities of merchandise, and believe that if one or more of our current sources of supply became unavailable, we would be able to obtain alternative sources without substantial disruption of our business. We also purchase private label merchandise, as long as quality and customer demand are comparable and the value to our members is greater as compared to brand-name items.
Certain financial information for our segments and geographic areas is included in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
Membership Policy
Our membership format is designed to reinforce member loyalty and provide a continuing source of membership fee revenue. Members can utilize their membership at any Costco warehouse location in any country. We have two primary types of members: Business and Gold Star (individual). Our member renewal rate was approximately 89.7% in the U.S. and Canada, and approximately 86.4% on a worldwide basis in 2012, consistent with recent years. The renewal rate is a trailing calculation that captures renewals during the period seven to eighteen months prior to the reporting date. Businesses, including individuals with a business license, retail sales license or other evidence of business existence, may become Business members. Business members generally pay an annual membership fee of approximately $55 for the primary card-holder, with add-on membership cards available for an annual fee of approximately $55 each. Many of our business members also shop at Costco for their personal needs. Gold Star memberships are also available for an annual fee of approximately $55 to individuals who may not qualify for a Business membership. All paid memberships include a free household card.
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Our membership was made up of the following (in thousands):
Excludes approximately 2,900 cardholders in Mexico.
Executive membership is available to all members, with the exception of Business Add-on members, in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom for an annual fee of approximately $110. This program, excluding Mexico, offers additional savings and benefits on various business and consumer services, such as check printing services, auto and home insurance, the Costco auto purchase program, online investing, and merchant credit-card processing. The services are generally provided by third-parties and vary by country and state. In addition, Executive members qualify for a 2% annual reward (which can be redeemed at Costco warehouses), up to a maximum of approximately $750 per year, on qualified purchases. At the end of 2012, 2011, and 2010, Executive members represented 38%, 38%, and 36%, respectively, of our primary membership. Executive members generally spend more than other members, and the percentage of our net sales attributable to these members continues to increase.
Effective November 1, 2011, for new members, and January 1, 2012, for renewing members, we increased our annual membership fee by $5 for U.S. Goldstar (individual), Business, Business Add-on and Canada Business members to $55. Our U.S. and Canada Executive Membership annual fee increased from $100 to $110 annually and the Executive Membership 2% reward annual limit increased from $500 to $750. We account for membership fee revenue on a deferred basis, whereby revenue is recognized ratably over the one-year membership period.
Labor
Our employee count approximated:
Excludes approximately 9,000 individuals employed in Mexico.
Approximately 13,700 hourly employees in certain of our locations in five states are represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. All remaining employees are non-union. We consider our employee relations to be very good.
Competition
Our industry is highly competitive, based on factors such as price, merchandise quality and selection, warehouse location and member service. We compete with over 800 warehouse club locations across
Item 1 - Business (Continued)
the U.S. and Canada (primarily Wal-Mart’s Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club), and every major metropolitan area has multiple club operations. In addition, we compete with a wide range of global, national and regional wholesalers and retailers, including supermarkets, supercenter stores, department and specialty stores, gasoline stations, and internet-based retailers. Competitors such as Wal-Mart, Target, Kohl’s and Amazon.com are among our significant general merchandise retail competitors. We also compete with low-cost operators selling a single category or narrow range of merchandise, such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, Office Depot, PetSmart, Staples, Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, CVS, Walgreens and Best Buy. Our international operations face similar types of competitors.
Regulation
Certain state laws require that we apply minimum markups to our selling prices for specific goods, such as tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and gasoline. While compliance with such laws may cause us to charge higher prices, other retailers are also typically governed by the same restrictions, and we believe that compliance with such laws currently in effect do not have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Intellectual Property
We believe that, to varying degrees, our trademarks, trade names, copyrights, proprietary processes, trade secrets, patents, trade dress, domain names and similar intellectual property add significant value to our business and are important factors in our success. We have invested significantly in the development and protection of our well-recognized brands, including the Costco Wholesale® series of trademarks and our private label brand, Kirkland Signature®. We believe that Kirkland Signature products are premium products offered to our members at prices that are generally lower than those for national brand products and that they help lower costs, differentiate our merchandise offerings from other retailers, and generally earn higher margins. We expect to increase the sales penetration of our private label items in the future.
We rely on trademark and copyright laws, trade secret protection, and confidentiality and license agreements with our suppliers, employees and others to protect our proprietary rights. The availability and duration of trademark registrations vary from country to country; however, trademarks are generally valid and may be renewed indefinitely as long as they are in use and their registrations are properly maintained.
Available Information
Our internet website is www.costco.com. We make available through the Investor Relations section of that site, free of charge, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statements and Forms 3, 4 and 5, and any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such materials with, or furnishing such documents to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The information found on our website is not part of this or any other report filed with or furnished to the SEC. In addition, the public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, such as the Company, that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.
We have adopted a code of ethics for senior financial officers pursuant to Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Copies of the code are available free of charge by writing to Secretary, Costco Wholesale
Item 1 - Business (Continued)
Corporation, 999 Lake Drive, Issaquah, WA 98027. If the Company makes any amendments to this code (other than technical, administrative, or non-substantive amendments) or grants any waivers, including implicit waivers, from this code to the CEO, chief financial officer or controller, we will disclose (on our website or in a Form 8-K report filed with the SEC) the nature of the amendment or waiver, its effective date, and to whom it applies.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The executive officers of Costco, their position, and ages are listed below. All executive officers have 25 or more years of service with the Company. Effective January 1, 2012, Jim Sinegal retired as our Chief Executive Officer but is continuing with the Company in an advisory role until February 2013. In addition, he will continue to serve on the Board of Directors.
Item 1A
Item 1A - Risk Factors
The risks described below could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. These risks are not the only risks that we face. We could also be affected by additional factors that apply to all companies operating in the U.S. and globally, as well as other risks that are not presently known to us or that we currently consider to be immaterial. You should review these Risk Factors carefully in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 and our consolidated financial statements and related notes in Item 8 of this Report.
We face strong competition from other retailers and warehouse club operators, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The retail business is highly competitive. We compete for members, employees, sites, products and services and in other important respects with a wide range of local, regional and national wholesalers and retailers, both in the United States and in foreign countries, including other warehouse club operators, supermarkets, supercenter stores, department and specialty stores, gasoline stations, and internet-based retailers. Such retailers and warehouse club operators compete in a variety of ways, including merchandise pricing, selection and availability, services, location, convenience, and store hours. Our inability to respond effectively to competitive pressures, changes in the retail markets and member expectations could result in lost market share and negatively affect our financial results. Some competitors may have greater financial resources, better access to merchandise and greater market penetration than we do.
General economic factors, domestically and internationally, may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Higher energy costs, inflation, levels of unemployment, healthcare costs, consumer debt levels, foreign currency exchange rates, unsettled financial markets, weaknesses in housing and real estate markets, reduced consumer confidence, changes related to government fiscal and tax policies, sovereign debt crises, and other economic factors could adversely affect demand for our products and services or require a change in the mix of products we sell. Prices of certain commodity products, including gasoline and other food products, are historically volatile and are subject to fluctuations arising from changes in domestic and international supply and demand, labor costs, competition, market speculation, government regulations, taxes and periodic delays in delivery. Rapid and significant changes in commodity prices may affect our sales and profit margins. These factors could also increase our merchandise costs and/or selling, general and administrative expenses, and otherwise adversely affect our operations and financial results. General economic conditions can also be affected by the outbreak of war, acts of terrorism, or other significant national or international events.
We are highly dependent on the financial performance of our U.S. and Canadian operations.
Our financial and operational performance is highly dependent on our U.S. and Canadian operations, which comprised 88% and 83% of consolidated net sales and operating income in 2012, respectively. Within the U.S., we are highly dependent on our California operations, which comprised 24% of consolidated net sales in 2012. Our California market, in general, has a larger percentage of higher volume warehouses as compared to our other markets. Any substantial slowing or sustained decline in these operations could materially adversely affect our business and financial results. Declines in financial performance of our U.S. operations, particularly in California, and our Canadian operations could arise from, among other things: failing to meet targets for warehouse openings; declines in actual or estimated comparable warehouse sales growth rates and expectations; negative trends in operating expenses, including increased labor, healthcare and energy costs; cannibalizing existing locations with
Item 1A - Risk Factors (Continued)
new warehouses; shifts in sales mix toward lower gross margin products; changes or uncertainties in economic conditions in our markets, including higher levels of unemployment and depressed home values; and failing to consistently provide high quality products and innovative new products to retain our existing member base and attract new members.
We may be unsuccessful implementing our growth strategy, including expanding our business, both in existing markets and in new markets, which could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our future growth is dependent, in part, on our ability to acquire property, and build or lease new warehouses. We compete with other retailers and businesses for suitable locations. Local land use and other regulations restricting the construction and operation of our warehouses, as well as local community actions opposed to the location of our warehouses at specific sites and the adoption of local laws restricting our operations and environmental regulations may impact our ability to find suitable locations, and increase the cost of constructing, leasing and operating our warehouses. We also may have difficulty negotiating leases or real estate purchase agreements on acceptable terms. In addition, certain jurisdictions have enacted or proposed laws and regulations that would prevent or restrict the operation or expansion plans of certain large retailers and warehouse clubs, including us, within their jurisdictions. Failure to manage these and other similar factors effectively may affect our ability to timely build or lease new warehouses, which could have a material adverse affect on our future growth and profitability.
We seek to expand our business in existing markets in order to attain a greater overall market share. Because our warehouses typically draw members from their local areas, a new warehouse may draw members away from our existing warehouses and adversely affect comparable warehouse sales performance and member traffic at those existing warehouses.
We also intend to open warehouses in new markets. The risks associated with entering a new market include difficulties in attracting members due to a lack of familiarity with us, attracting members of other wholesale club operators currently operating in the new market, our lack of familiarity with local member preferences, and seasonal differences in the market. In addition, entry into new markets may bring us into competition with new competitors or with existing competitors with a large, established market presence. In new markets, we cannot ensure that our new warehouses will be profitably deployed and, as a result, our future profitability could be delayed or otherwise materially adversely affected.
We may not timely identify or effectively respond to consumer trends, which could negatively affect our relationship with our members, the demand for our products and services, and our market share.
It is difficult to consistently and successfully predict the products and services our members will demand. Our success depends, in part, on our ability to identify and respond to trends in demographics and consumer preferences. Failure to timely identify or effectively respond to changing consumer tastes, preferences (including those relating to sustainability of product sources) and spending patterns could negatively affect our relationship with our members, the demand for our products and services and our market share. If we are not successful at predicting our sales trends and adjusting our purchases accordingly, we may have excess inventory, which could result in additional markdowns and reduce our operating performance. This could have an adverse effect on margins (net sales less merchandise costs) and operating income.
Item 1A - Risk Factors (Continued)
Our failure to maintain positive membership loyalty and brand recognition could adversely affect our results of operations.
Membership loyalty is essential to our business model. Damage to our brands or reputation may negatively impact comparable warehouse sales, lower employee morale and productivity, diminish member trust, and reduce member renewal rates and, accordingly, membership fee revenues, resulting in a reduction in shareholder value.
In addition, we sell many products under our owned and exclusive Kirkland Signature brand. Maintaining consistent product quality, competitive pricing, and availability of our Kirkland Signature products for our customers is essential to developing and maintaining customer loyalty. These products also generally carry higher margins than national brand products and represent a growing portion of our overall sales. If the Kirkland Signature brand experiences a loss of consumer acceptance or confidence, our sales and gross margin results could be adversely affected.
Vendors may be unable to supply us with quality merchandise at the right prices in a timely manner or may fail to adhere to our high standards resulting in adverse affects on our business, merchandise inventories, sales and profit margins.
We depend heavily on our ability to purchase merchandise in sufficient quantities at competitive prices. We have no assurances of continued supply, pricing or access to new products, and any vendor could at any time change the terms upon which it sells to us or discontinue selling to us. Member demands may lead to out-of-stock positions of our merchandise leading to loss of sales and profits.
We purchase our merchandise from numerous domestic and foreign manufacturers and importers and have thousands of vendor relationships. Our inability to acquire suitable merchandise on acceptable terms or the loss of key vendors could negatively affect us. We may not be able to develop relationships with new vendors, and products from alternative sources, if any, may be of a lesser quality or more expensive than those from existing vendors. Because of our efforts to adhere to high quality standards for which available supply may be limited, particularly for certain food items, the large volume we demand may not be consistently available.
Our suppliers are subject to risks, including labor disputes, union organizing activities, financial liquidity, inclement weather, natural disasters, supply constraints, and general economic and political conditions that could limit their ability to timely provide us with acceptable merchandise. For these or other reasons, one or more of our suppliers might not adhere to our quality control, legal or regulatory standards. These deficiencies may delay or preclude delivery of merchandise to us and might not be identified before we sell such merchandise to our members. This failure could lead to litigation and recalls, which could damage our reputation and our brands, increase our costs, and otherwise adversely impact our business.
Disruptions in our depot operations could adversely affect sales and member satisfaction.
We depend on the orderly operation of the merchandise receiving and distribution process, primarily through our depots. Although we believe that our receiving and distribution process is efficient, unforeseen disruptions in operations due to fires, hurricanes, earthquakes or other catastrophic events, labor shortages or shipping problems, may result in delays in the delivery of merchandise to our warehouses, which could adversely affect sales and the satisfaction of our members.
Item 1A - Risk Factors (Continued)
Natural disasters or other catastrophic events could negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, typhoons or earthquakes, particularly in California or in Washington state, where our centralized operating systems and administrative personnel are located, could negatively affect our operations and financial performance. Such events could result in physical damage to one or more of our properties, the temporary closure of one or more warehouses or depots, the temporary lack of an adequate work force in a market, the temporary or long-term disruption in the supply of products from some local or overseas suppliers, the temporary disruption in the transport of goods to or from overseas, delays in the delivery of goods to our warehouses or depots within the countries in which we operate, and the temporary reduction in the availability of products in our warehouses. Public health issues, such as a potential H1N1 flu (swine flu) pandemic, whether occurring in the U.S. or abroad, could disrupt our operations, disrupt the operations of suppliers or members, or have an adverse impact on consumer spending and confidence levels. These events could also reduce demand for our products or make it difficult or impossible to receive products from suppliers. We may be required to suspend operations in some or all of our locations, which could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Factors associated with climate change could adversely affect our business.
We use natural gas, diesel fuel, gasoline, and electricity in our distribution and warehouse operations. Increased U.S and foreign government and agency regulations to limit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions may result in increased compliance costs and legislation or regulation affecting energy inputs that could materially affect our profitability. In addition, climate change could affect our ability to procure needed commodities at costs and in quantities we currently experience. We also sell a substantial amount of gasoline, the demand for which could be impacted by concerns about climate change and which also could face increased regulation. Climate change may be associated with extreme weather conditions, such as more intense hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes and snow or ice storms, as well as rising sea levels. Extreme weather conditions increase our costs and damage resulting from extreme weather may not be fully insured.
Our international operations subject us to risks associated with the legislative, judicial, accounting, regulatory, political and economic factors specific to the countries or regions in which we operate which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
During 2012, our international operations, including Canada, generated 28% of our consolidated net sales. We plan to continue expanding our international operations. As a result of these expansion activities in countries outside the U.S., we expect that our international operations could account for a larger portion of our net sales in future years. Future operating results internationally could be negatively affected by a variety of factors, many similar to those we face in the U.S., but many of which are beyond our control. These factors include political conditions, economic conditions, regulatory constraints, currency regulations and exchange rates, and other matters in any of the countries or regions in which we operate, now or in the future. Other factors that may impact international operations include foreign trade, monetary and fiscal policies and the laws and regulations of the U.S. and foreign governments, agencies and similar organizations, and risks associated with having major facilities located in countries which have been historically less stable than the U.S. Risks inherent in international operations also include, among others, the costs and difficulties of managing international operations, adverse tax consequences and greater difficulty in enforcing intellectual property rights. Additionally, foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations could have an adverse impact on our future costs or on future profits and cash flows from our international operations.
Item 1A - Risk Factors (Continued)
Changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters could significantly affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Generally accepted accounting principles and related accounting pronouncements, implementation guidelines and interpretations with regard to a wide range of matters that are relevant to our business, including, but not limited to, revenue recognition, sales returns reserves, impairment of long-lived assets, inventories, vendor rebates and other vendor consideration, self-insurance liabilities, income taxes, unclaimed property laws and litigation, and other contingent liabilities are highly complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by our management. Changes in these rules or their interpretation or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates or judgments by our management could significantly change our reported or expected financial performance.
Provisions for losses related to self-insured risks are generally based upon independent actuarially determined estimates. The assumptions underlying the ultimate costs of existing claim losses can be highly unpredictable, which can affect the liability recorded for such claims. For example, variability in inflation rates of health care costs inherent in these claims can affect the amounts realized. In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 were enacted. This legislation expands health care coverage to many uninsured individuals and expands coverage to those already insured. We expect our healthcare costs to increase, though not materially, as a result of this legislation. Similarly, changes in legal trends and interpretations, as well as a change in the nature and method of how claims are settled can impact ultimate costs. Although our estimates of liabilities incurred do not anticipate significant changes in historical trends for these variables, any changes could have a considerable effect upon future claim costs and currently recorded liabilities and could materially impact our consolidated financial statements.
Unfavorable changes in tax rates could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We compute our income tax provision based on enacted tax rates in the countries in which we operate. As the tax rates vary among countries, a change in earnings attributable to the various jurisdictions in which we operate could result in an unfavorable change in our overall tax provision. Additionally, any change in the enacted tax rates, any adverse outcome in connection with any income tax audits in any jurisdiction, including transfer pricing disputes, or any change in the pronouncements relating to accounting for income taxes could have a material adverse affect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Significant changes in, or failure to comply with, federal, state, regional, local and international laws and regulations relating to the use, storage, discharge and disposal of hazardous materials, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes and other environmental matters could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to a wide variety of federal, state, regional, local and international laws and regulations relating to the use, storage, discharge and disposal of hazardous materials, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes and other environmental matters. Any failure to comply with these laws could result in significant costs to satisfy environmental compliance, remediation or compensatory requirements, or the imposition of severe penalties or restrictions on operations by governmental agencies or courts that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Item 1A - Risk Factors (Continued)
We are involved in a number of legal proceedings and audits and, while we cannot predict the outcomes of such proceedings and other contingencies with certainty, some of these outcomes could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business requires compliance with a great variety of laws and regulations. Failure to achieve compliance could subject us to lawsuits and other proceedings, and lead to damage awards, fines and penalties. We are, or may become involved, in a number of legal proceedings and audits including grand jury investigations, government and agency investigations, and consumer, employment, tort and other litigation (see discussion of Legal Proceedings in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report). We cannot predict with certainty the outcomes of these legal proceedings and other contingencies, including environmental remediation and other proceedings commenced by governmental authorities. The outcome of some of these legal proceedings, audits, unclaimed property laws, and other contingencies could require us to take, or refrain from taking, actions which could negatively affect our operations or could require us to pay substantial amounts of money adversely affecting our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, defending against these lawsuits and proceedings may involve significant expense and diversion of management’s attention and resources.
We are subject to the risks of selling unsafe products which could result in illness or injury to our members, harm our reputation and subject us to litigation.
If our merchandise offerings, including food and prepared food products for human consumption, drugs, childrens’ products, and pet products, do not meet or are perceived not to meet applicable safety standards or our members’ expectations regarding safety, we could experience lost sales, increased costs and be exposed to legal and reputational risk. The sale of these items involves the risk of health-related illness or injury to our members. Such illnesses or injuries could result from tampering by unauthorized third parties, product contamination or spoilage, including the presence of foreign objects, substances, chemicals, other agents, or residues introduced during the growing, manufacturing, storage, handling and transportation phases. Our vendors are generally contractually required to comply with applicable product safety laws, and we are dependent on them to ensure that the products we buy comply with all safety standards. While we are subject to governmental inspection and regulations and work to comply in all material respects with applicable laws and regulations, we cannot be sure that consumption of our products will not cause a health-related illness or injury in the future or that we will not be subject to claims, lawsuits or government investigations relating to such matters resulting in costly product recalls and other liabilities that could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Even if a product liability claim is unsuccessful or is not fully pursued, the negative publicity surrounding any assertion that our products caused illness or injury could adversely affect our reputation with existing and potential members and our corporate and brand image and these effects could be long term.
If we do not maintain the privacy and security of member-related and business information, we could damage our reputation with members, incur substantial additional costs and become subject to litigation.
We receive, retain, and transmit certain personal information about our members. In addition, our online operations at www.costco.com and www.costco.ca depend upon the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks, including information permitting cashless payments. A compromise of our security systems or those of our business partners that results in our members’ personal information being obtained by unauthorized persons could adversely affect our reputation with our members and others, as well as our operations, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and could result in litigation against us or the imposition of penalties. In addition, a security
Item 1A - Risk Factors (Continued)
breach could require that we expend significant additional resources related to the security of information systems and could result in a disruption of our operations, particularly our online sales operations.
Additionally, the use of individually identifiable data by our business and our business associates is regulated at the international, federal and state levels. Privacy and information security laws and regulations change, and compliance with them may result in cost increases due to necessary systems changes and the development of new administrative processes. If we or those with whom we share information fail to comply with these laws and regulations or experience a data security breach, our reputation could be damaged, possibly resulting in lost future business, and we could be subjected to additional legal risk as a result of non-compliance.
Our security measures may be undermined due to the actions of outside parties, employee error, malfeasance, or otherwise, and, as a result, an unauthorized party may obtain access to our data systems and misappropriate business and personal information. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and may not immediately produce signs of intrusion, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Any such breach or unauthorized access could result in significant legal and financial exposure, damage to our reputation, and potentially have an adverse effect on our business.
We rely extensively on computer systems to process transactions, summarize results and manage our business. Failure to adequately update our systems and disruptions in both our primary and back-up systems could harm our ability to run our business and adversely affect our results of operations.
Although we believe that we have independent, redundant primary and secondary computer systems, given the number of individual transactions we have each year it is important that we maintain uninterrupted operation of our business-critical computer systems. Our computer systems, including our back-up systems, are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, internal or external security breaches, catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes, and errors by our employees. If our computer systems and our back-up systems are damaged or cease to function properly, we may have to make significant investments to fix or replace them, and we may suffer interruptions in our operations in the interim. Any material interruption in our computer systems could have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations.
We expect to make significant technology investments in the coming years, which are key to managing our business. We must monitor and choose the right investments and implement them at the right pace. Excessive technological change could impact the effectiveness of adoption, and could make it more difficult for us to realize benefits from the technology. Targeting the wrong opportunities, failing to make the best investments or making an investment commitment significantly above or below our needs could result in the loss of our competitive position and adversely impact our financial condition or results of operations. Additionally, the potential problems and interruptions associated with implementing technology initiatives could disrupt or reduce the efficiency of our operations in the short term. These initiatives might not provide the anticipated benefits or may provide them on a delayed schedule or at a higher cost.
Item 1A - Risk Factors (Continued)
If we do not successfully develop and maintain a relevant multichannel experience for our members, our results of operations could be adversely impacted.
Multichannel retailing is rapidly evolving and we must keep pace with changing member expectations and new developments by our competitors. Our members are increasingly using computers, tablets, mobile phones, and other devices to shop online. As part of our multichannel strategy, we are making technology investments in our websites and recently launched a mobile application for mobile phones and other electronic devices. If we are unable to make, improve, or develop relevant member-facing technology in a timely manner, our ability to compete and our results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, if our online businesses or our other member-facing technology systems do not function as designed, we may experience a loss of member confidence, data security breaches, lost sales, or be exposed to fraudulent purchases, which could adversely affect our reputation and results of operations.
Our inability to attract, train and retain highly qualified employees could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our success depends to a significant degree on the continued contributions of members of our senior management and other key operations, merchandising and administrative personnel, and the loss of any such person(s) could have a material adverse effect on our business. Other than an annual agreement with our CEO, Mr. Jelinek, we have no employment agreements with our officers. We must attract, train and retain a large and growing number of highly qualified employees, while controlling related labor costs and maintaining our core values. Our ability to control labor costs is subject to numerous external factors, including prevailing wage rates and healthcare and other insurance costs. We compete with other retail and non-retail businesses for these employees and invest significant resources in training and motivating them. There is no assurance that we will be able to attract or retain highly qualified employees in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We do not maintain key man insurance.
Failure to meet market expectations for our financial performance could adversely affect the market price and volatility of our stock.
We believe that the price of our stock generally reflects high market expectations for our future operating results. Any failure to meet or delay in meeting these expectations, including our comparable warehouse sales growth rates, margins, earnings and earnings per share or new warehouse openings could cause the market price of our stock to decline, as could changes in our dividend or stock repurchase policies.
Item 1B
Item 1B - Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2
Item 2 - Properties
Warehouse Properties
At September 2, 2012, we operated 608 membership warehouses:
NUMBER OF WAREHOUSES
(1) 91 of the 130 leases are land-leases only, where Costco owns the building.
The following schedule shows warehouse openings (net of closings) by region for the past five fiscal years and expected warehouse openings (net of closings) through December 31, 2012:
(2) This number includes the 32 Mexico warehouses in operation at the beginning of 2011, when we began consolidating Mexico. Mexico opened 31 warehouses prior to 2009 and one in 2009.
At the end of 2012, our warehouses contained approximately 86.9 million square feet of operating floor space: 63.7 million in the U.S.; 11.2 million in Canada; and 12.0 million in other international locations.
Our executive offices are located in Issaquah, Washington and occupy approximately 590,000 square feet. We operate eight regional offices in the U.S., two regional offices in Canada and six regional offices internationally, containing approximately 423,000 square feet. Additionally, we operate regional cross-docking facilities (depots) for the consolidation and distribution of most merchandise shipments to the warehouses, and various processing, packaging, and other facilities to support ancillary and other businesses. We operate 12 depots in the U.S., four in Canada and five internationally, consisting of approximately 8.7 million square feet.
Item 3
Item 3 - Legal Proceedings
See discussion of Legal Proceedings in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
Item 4
Item 4 - Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5
Item 5 - Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information and Dividend Policy
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “COST.” On October 5, 2012, we had 8,154 stockholders of record.
The following table shows the quarterly high and low closing sale prices as reported by NASDAQ for each quarter during the last two fiscal years and the quarterly cash dividend declared per share of our common stock.
(1) Our current quarterly dividend rate is $0.275 per share. The amount shown includes the dividend declared on May 9, 2012, in addition to the fourth quarter dividend declared on July 23, 2012. See footnote 2.
(2) On May 9, 2012, subsequent to the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2012, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.275 per share.
Payment of future dividends is subject to declaration by the Board of Directors. Factors considered in determining dividends are our profitability and expected capital needs. Subject to these qualifications, we presently expect to continue to pay dividends on a quarterly basis.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table sets forth information on our common stock repurchase program activity for the 17-week fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 (dollars in millions, except per share data):
(3) Monthly information is presented by reference to our fiscal periods during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.
(4) Our stock repurchase program is conducted under a $4,000 authorization of our Board of Directors approved in April 2011, which expires in April 2015.
Item 6
Item 6 - Selected Financial Data
The following table sets forth certain information concerning our consolidated financial condition, operating results, and key operating metrics. This information should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, included in Item 7
Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share, membership fee data, and warehouse number data)
OVERVIEW
We believe that the most important driver of increasing our profitability is sales growth, particularly comparable sales growth (we report comparable sales as sales in warehouses open for at least one year, including relocations, remodels, and expansions). Comparable sales growth is achieved through increasing the frequency with which our members shop and the amounts that they spend on each visit. Sales comparisons can also be particularly influenced by two factors that are beyond our control, including fluctuations in currency exchange rates (with respect to the consolidation of the results of our international operations) and changes in the cost of gasoline and associated competitive conditions (primarily impacting domestic operations). The higher our comparable sales exclusive of currency fluctuations, the more we can leverage certain of our selling, general and administrative expenses, reducing them as a percentage of sales and enhancing profitability. Generating comparable sales growth is foremost a question of making available to our members the right merchandise at the right prices, a skill that we believe we have repeatedly demonstrated over the long term. Another substantial factor in sales growth is the health of the economies in which we do business, especially the United States. Sales growth and gross margins are also impacted by our competition, which is vigorous and widespread, including a wide range of global, national and regional wholesalers and retailers, including supermarkets, supercenter stores, and department and specialty stores, gasoline stations, and internet-based retailers. While we cannot control or reliably predict general economic health or changes in competition, we believe that we have been successful historically in adapting our business to these changes, such as through adjustments to our pricing and to our merchandise mix, including increasing the penetration of our private label items. Our philosophy is not to focus in the short term on maximizing prices that our members can be charged, but to maintain what we believe is a perception among our members of our “pricing authority”-consistently providing the most competitive values. This may cause us, for example, to absorb increases in merchandise costs at certain times rather than immediately passing them along to our members, negatively impacting gross margin.
We also achieve sales growth by opening new warehouses and relocating existing warehouses to larger and better-located facilities. As our warehouse base grows, available and desirable potential sites become more difficult to secure, and square footage growth becomes a comparatively less substantial component of growth. However, the negative aspects of such growth, including lower initial operating profitability relative to existing warehouses and cannibalization of sales at existing warehouses when openings occur in existing markets, are lessened. Our rate of square footage growth is higher in foreign markets, due to the smaller base in those markets, and we expect that to continue.
Our financial performance also depends heavily on our ability to control costs. While we believe that we have achieved successes in this area historically, some significant costs are partially outside our control, most particularly health care and utility expenses. With respect to expenses relating to the compensation of our employees, our philosophy is not to seek to minimize the wages and benefits that they earn. Rather, we believe that achieving our longer-term objectives of reducing employee turnover and enhancing employee satisfaction requires maintaining compensation levels that are better than the industry average for much of our workforce. This may cause us, for example, to absorb costs that other employers might seek to pass through to their workforces. Because our business is operated on very low margins, modest changes in various items in the income statement, particularly gross margin and selling, general and administrative expenses, can have substantial impacts on net income.
Our operating model is generally the same across our U.S., Canada, and Other International segments (see Item 8, Note 12 of this Report). Certain countries in the Other International segment have relatively higher rates of square footage growth, lower wage and benefits as a percentage of country sales, and/or less direct membership warehouse competition. Additionally, we operate our lower-margin gasoline business only in the United States and Canada.
Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share, membership fee data, and warehouse number data) (Continued)
In discussions of our consolidated operating results, we refer to the impact of changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, which are references to the differences between the foreign-exchange rates we use to convert the financial results of our international operations from local currencies into U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. This impact of foreign-exchange rate changes is typically calculated as the difference between the current year currency exchange rates and the comparable prior-year currency exchange rates.
Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to August 31. Fiscal 2012 is a 53-week year ending on September 2, 2012, while fiscal years 2011 and 2010 were 52-week periods. Certain percentages presented are calculated using actual results prior to rounding. Unless otherwise noted, references to net income relate to net income attributable to Costco.
Highlights for fiscal year 2012 included:
•
Net sales increased 11.5% to $97,062, driven by a 7% increase in comparable sales, sales at warehouses opened in 2011 and 2012 to the extent that they have been excluded from comparable warehouse sales, and the benefit of one additional week of sales in 2012. Net sales were favorably impacted by increases in the price of gasoline, partially offset by the weakening of certain foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar;
•
Membership fees increased 11.1% to $2,075, primarily due to new member sign-ups at warehouses open for more than one year, an extra week of membership fees in fiscal 2012, the impact of raising our annual membership fees, increased penetration of our higher-fee Executive Membership program, and additional member sign-ups at new warehouses opened since the end of fiscal 2011;
•
Gross margin (net sales less merchandise costs) as a percentage of net sales decreased 14 basis points. This comparison was positively impacted by eight basis points due to a $66 lower LIFO inventory charge in 2012 compared to 2011;
•
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses as a percentage of net sales improved 17 basis points;
•
Net income in 2012 increased 16.9% to $1,709, or $3.89 per diluted share compared to $1,462, or $3.30 per diluted share in 2011;
•
The Board of Directors approved an increase in the quarterly cash dividend from $0.24 to $0.275 per share;
•
We repurchased 7,272 shares of our common stock, at an average cost of $84.75 per share, totaling approximately $617; and
•
In July, we purchased from our joint venture partner, Controladora Comercial Mexicana, its 50% equity interest in Costco Mexico for $789.
Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share, membership fee data, and warehouse number data) (Continued)
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS(1)
Net Sales
(1) Only the 2012 and 2011 data in the accompanying tables includes Mexico.
(2) The percentage increase in net sales for 2011 from 2010 was positively impacted by the initial consolidation of Mexico beginning in fiscal 2011. Excluding Mexico, the International and Total Company increases in net sales would have been 17.6% and 11.0%, respectively.
(3) For 2012, the prior year includes the comparable 53 weeks.
2012 vs. 2011
Net Sales
Net sales increased $10,014 or 11.5% during 2012 compared to 2011. This increase was attributable to a 7% increase in comparable warehouse sales, sales at warehouses opened in 2011 and 2012 to the extent that they have been excluded from comparable warehouse sales, and the benefit of one additional week of sales in 2012.
Gasoline price inflation positively impacted net sales by approximately $801 or 92 basis points, which resulted from an 8% increase in the average sales price per gallon during 2012. Changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar negatively impacted net sales by approximately $597, or 69 basis points during 2012. The negative impact in 2012 was primarily due to negative impacts of the Canadian dollar, the Mexican peso and the Korean won of approximately $310, $255 and $57, respectively, partially offset by a positive impact of the Japanese yen of approximately $81.
Comparable Sales
Comparable sales increased 7% during 2012, and were positively impacted by increases in both shopping frequency and the average amount spent by our members. Gasoline price inflation positively impacted comparable sales results during 2012, while changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar negatively impacted comparable sales. The increase in comparable sales includes the negative impact of cannibalization (established warehouses losing sales to our newly opened locations).
Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share, membership fee data, and warehouse number data) (Continued)
2011 vs. 2010
Net Sales
Net sales increased $10,793 or 14.2% during 2011 compared to 2010. Excluding sales of Mexico (not consolidated in 2010), the increase would have been 11%. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in comparable warehouse sales, and the remainder primarily from sales at the 20 net new warehouses opened during 2011.
Gasoline price inflation positively impacted net sales by approximately $1,699 or 223 basis points, which resulted from a 24% increase in the average sales price per gallon during 2011. Changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar positively impacted net sales by approximately $1,308, or 172 basis points during 2011. The positive impact in 2011 was primarily due to positive impacts in the exchange rates of the Canadian dollar, the Japanese yen and the Mexican peso of approximately $728, $157 and $152, respectively.
Comparable Sales
Comparable sales, including Mexico for both 2011 and 2010, increased 10% during 2011, and were positively impacted by increases in the average amount spent by our members and in their shopping frequency. Gasoline price inflation and changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar positively impacted comparable sales results in 2011. The increase in comparable sales includes the negative impact of cannibalization (established warehouses losing sales to our newly opened locations).
Membership Fees
2012 vs. 2011
Membership fees increased 11.1% in 2012. The increase was due to new member sign-ups at warehouses open for more than one year, an extra week of membership fee revenue in fiscal 2012, the impact of raising our annual membership fees, increased penetration of our higher-fee Executive Membership program, and additional member sign-ups at new warehouses opened since the end of fiscal 2011. Our member renewal rates are consistent with recent years, currently 89.7% in the U.S. and Canada, and 86.4% on a worldwide basis.
As previously reported, effective November 1, 2011, for new members, and January 1, 2012, for renewal members, we increased our annual membership fee by $5 for U.S. Goldstar (individual), Business, Business add-on and Canada Business members to $55. Also, our U.S. and Canada Executive Membership annual fees increased from $100 to $110, and the maximum 2% reward associated with Executive Membership increased from $500 to $750 annually. We account for membership fee revenue on a deferred basis, whereby revenue is recognized ratably over the one-year membership period. These fee increases had a positive impact on membership fee revenues during 2012 of approximately $37 and will continue to have an impact in the next several quarters. We expect this increase to positively impact membership fee revenue by approximately $121 in fiscal 2013.
Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share, membership fee data, and warehouse number data) (Continued)
Changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar negatively impacted membership fees in 2012 by approximately $10.
2011 vs. 2010
Membership fees increased 10.4% in 2011 compared to 2010. Excluding membership fees from Mexico (not consolidated in 2010), the increase would have been 8.3% in 2011. This increase was due to the higher penetration of our higher-fee Executive Membership program and the additional membership sign-ups at the 20 net new warehouses opened during 2011.
Changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar positively impacted membership fees by approximately $30 in 2011, primarily due to the positive impacts of the Canadian dollar of $17.
Gross Margin
2012 vs. 2011
Gross margin as a percent of net sales decreased 14 basis points compared to 2011. Gross margin for core merchandise categories (food and sundries, hardlines, softlines, and fresh foods) decreased 21 basis points, primarily due to decreases in hardlines and food and sundries resulting from our investment in merchandise pricing. Excluding the effect of gasoline price inflation on net sales, gross margin for core merchandise categories decreased 13 basis points. The gross margin comparison was positively impacted by eight basis points due to a $21 LIFO inventory charge in 2012 compared to an $87 LIFO charge recorded in 2011. The LIFO charge resulted from higher costs for our merchandise inventories, primarily food and sundries and gasoline. Increased penetration of the Executive Membership 2% reward program negatively impacted gross margin by two basis points due to increased spending by Executive Members. Changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar negatively impacted gross margin by approximately $64 in 2012, primarily due to the negative impacts of the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso of approximately $33 and $29, respectively.
2011 vs. 2010
Gross margin as a percent of net sales decreased 14 basis points compared to 2010. Gross margin for core merchandise categories, when expressed as a percent of core merchandise sales rather than total net sales, increased 18 basis points, primarily due to hardlines and food and sundries. However, when the core merchandise gross margin is expressed as a percentage of total net sales, it decreased two basis points from the prior year due primarily to the increased sales penetration of the lower-margin gasoline business. Warehouse ancillary and other businesses gross margins decreased by two basis points as a percent of total net sales. The gross margin comparison was also negatively impacted by $87 or 10 basis points, due to a LIFO inventory charge recorded in 2011. The charge resulted from higher costs for our merchandise inventories, primarily food and sundries and gasoline. There was no LIFO inventory charge recorded in 2010.
Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share, membership fee data, and warehouse number data) (Continued)
Excluding the impact of consolidating Mexico, the gross margin comparison as a percent of net sales would have been a decrease of 18 basis points during 2011. Changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar positively impacted gross margin by approximately $149 in 2011, primarily due to the positive impacts of the Canadian dollar, Mexican peso, and Japanese yen of approximately $84, $18, and $18, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
2012 vs. 2011
SG&A expenses as a percent of net sales improved 17 basis points compared to 2011. Excluding the effect of gasoline price inflation, SG&A expenses improved nine basis points, primarily due to an eleven basis point improvement in our warehouse operating costs, largely payroll. This improvement was partially offset by contributions to an initiative reforming alcohol beverage laws in Washington State and higher stock compensation expense, which had negative impacts of two basis points each. Higher costs related to the modernization of our information systems and related activities, which includes the re-platforming of our e-commerce sites, also adversely impacted our SG&A percentage. Changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar positively impacted SG&A expenses by approximately $45 in 2012, primarily due to the positive impacts of the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso by approximately $27 and $18, respectively.
2011 vs. 2010
SG&A expenses as a percent of net sales improved 31 basis points in 2011 compared to 2010. Excluding the effect of gasoline price inflation, SG&A expenses improved 11 basis points, primarily due to a 15 basis point improvement in our warehouse operating costs, largely payroll. This improvement was partially offset by a non-recurring benefit of $24, or three basis points, recorded in fiscal 2010 related to the refund of a previously recorded Canadian employee tax liability.
The consolidation of Mexico, which compared to our other operating segments has lower SG&A expenses as a percent of its own net sales, favorably impacted SG&A expenses as a percent of net sales by seven basis points in 2011. Changes in foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar negatively impacted SG&A expenses by approximately $116 in 2011, primarily due to the negative impacts of the Canadian dollar, Japanese yen, and Mexican peso by approximately $65, $16, and $12, respectively.
Preopening Expenses
Preopening expenses include costs for startup operations related to new warehouses and the expansion of ancillary operations at existing warehouses. Preopening expenses vary due to the number of warehouse openings, the timing of the opening relative to our year-end, whether the warehouse is owned or leased, and whether the opening is in an existing, new, or international market.
Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share, membership fee data, and warehouse number data) (Continued)
Interest Expense
Interest expense primarily relates to our $900 of 5.3% and $1,100 of 5.5% Senior Notes issued in fiscal 2007 (described in further detail under the heading “Financing Activities” below and in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report). The outstanding principal balance and associated interest on the 5.3% Senior Notes was paid on March 15, 2012, resulting in a decrease in interest expense in 2012. This debt was paid with existing sources of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Interest Income and Other, Net
2012 vs. 2011
The increase in interest income in 2012 compared to 2011 was attributable to higher cash balances and interest rates in our foreign subsidiaries. The changes in foreign-currency transaction gains and losses, net in 2012 compared to 2011 were related to the revaluation or settlement of monetary assets and monetary liabilities, primarily our Canadian subsidiary’s U.S. dollar-denominated payables. See Derivatives and Foreign Currency sections in Item 8, Note 1 of this Report.
2011 vs. 2010
The increase in interest income in 2011 compared to 2010 was attributable to increases in our cash and cash equivalents, including short-term investments, slightly higher interest rates, and the consolidation of our Mexico operations. See the section titled “Derivatives” in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report. In addition, the decrease in earnings of affiliates and other, net is primarily due to the previously discussed change in the accounting treatment of Mexico (see further discussion in Note 1 included in Item 8 of this Report).
Provision for Income Taxes
Our provision for income taxes for fiscal year 2012 was adversely impacted by nonrecurring net tax expense of $25 relating primarily to the following items: the adverse impact of an audit of Costco Mexico by the Mexican tax authority; the tax effects of a cash dividend declared by Costco Mexico; and the tax effects of nondeductible expenses for our contribution to an initiative reforming alcohol beverage laws in Washington State.
Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share, membership fee data, and warehouse number data) (Continued)
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows
The following table itemizes components of our most liquid assets:
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows generated from warehouse operations, cash and cash equivalents and short-term investment balances. Of these balances, approximately $1,161 and $982 at the end of 2012 and 2011, respectively, represented debit and credit card receivables, primarily related to sales within the last week of our fiscal year.
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $3,057 in 2012 compared to $3,198 in 2011, a decrease of $141. This decrease was primarily attributable to an increase in our net investment in merchandise inventories (change in merchandise inventories less changes in accounts payable) of $314, an $87 decrease in deferred income taxes and a $38 decrease in other current operating assets and liabilities. These items were partially offset by a $225 increase in net income including noncontrolling interests, a $53 increase in depreciation and amortization and a $34 increase in stock-based compensation.
Net cash used in investing activities totaled $1,236 in 2012 compared to $1,180 in 2011, an increase of $56. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $190 used for property and equipment additions in 2012 as compared to 2011. Additionally, in 2011, cash increased by $165 resulting from the initial consolidation of Costco Mexico. These items were partially offset by net cash provided by purchases, maturities and sales of investments of $255 in 2012, compared to net cash used by these activities of $60 in 2011.
Net cash used in financing activities totaled $2,281 in 2012 compared to $1,277 in 2011, an increase of $1,004. This increase was primarily attributable to the $900 repayment of our 5.3% Senior Notes (2012 Notes), and $789 used to purchase the noncontrolling interest in Costco Mexico from our joint venture partner. In addition, proceeds from the exercise of stock options decreased $176 and our Mexico subsidiary made a distribution to our former joint venture partner of $161. These items were partially offset by an increase in bank checks outstanding of $971. In 2012 the increase in bank checks outstanding was due to maintaining lower balances in banks on which our checks are drawn.
The effect of changes in foreign-exchange rates decreased cash and cash equivalents by $21 in 2012, compared to an increase of $54 in 2011, a decrease of $75.
Management believes that our current cash position and operating cash flows will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements for the foreseeable future. We have not provided for U.S. deferred taxes on cumulative undistributed earnings of $3,162 and $2,646 at the end of 2012 and 2011, respectively, of certain non-U.S. consolidated subsidiaries as such earnings are deemed by us to be indefinitely reinvested. We believe that our U.S. current asset position is sufficient to meet our U.S. liquidity requirements and have no current plans to repatriate for use in the U.S. the cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments held by these subsidiaries. At September 2, 2012, cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $2,039 were held by these non-U.S. consolidated subsidiaries.
Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share, membership fee data, and warehouse number data) (Continued)
Dividends
In May 2012, our Board of Directors increased our quarterly cash dividend from $0.24 to $0.275 per share. Our quarterly cash dividends paid in 2012 totaled $1.03 per share, as compared to $0.89 per share in 2011.
Contractual Obligations
As of September 2, 2012, our commitments to make future payments under contractual obligations were as follows:
(1) Includes open merchandise purchase orders.
(2) Includes contractual interest payments.
(3) Operating lease obligations exclude amounts for common area maintenance, taxes, and insurance and have been reduced by $177 to reflect sub-lease income.
(4) The amounts exclude certain services negotiated at the individual warehouse or regional level that are not significant and generally contain clauses allowing for cancellation without significant penalty.
(5) Consists of $44 in asset retirement obligations, $41 in deferred compensation obligations and $2 of current unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain tax positions. The total amount excludes $206 of deferred compensation, $58 of noncurrent unrecognized tax benefits and $20 of other obligations due to uncertainty regarding the timing of future cash payments.
Expansion Plans
Our primary requirement for capital is the financing of land, buildings, and equipment costs for new and remodeled warehouses. To a lesser extent, capital is required for initial warehouse operations and working capital. While there can be no assurance that current expectations will be realized and plans are subject to change upon further review, it is our current intention to spend approximately $1,800 to $2,000 during fiscal 2013 for real estate, construction, remodeling, equipment for warehouses and related operations, and the modernization of our information systems and related activities. These expenditures are expected to be financed with a combination of cash provided from operations and existing cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.
We plan to open 27 to 30 net new warehouses in 2013.
We opened 16 net new warehouses in 2012, including the reopening of our Tamasakai, Japan warehouse (damaged in the March 2011 Japan earthquake) and the relocation of our Ancaster, Ontario warehouse to a larger and better-located facility. We spent a total of $1,480 on capital expenditures in 2012.
Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share, membership fee data, and warehouse number data) (Continued)
Bank Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper Programs
As of September 2, 2012, we had total borrowing capacity within our bank credit facilities of $438, of which $370 was maintained by our international operations. Of the $370 maintained by our international operations, $224 is guaranteed by the Company. We maintain bank credit facilities for working capital and general corporate purposes. There were no outstanding short-term borrowings under any of the bank credit facilities at the end of 2012 and 2011. The Company has letter of credit facilities, for commercial and stand-by letters of credit, totaling $160. The outstanding commitments under these facilities at the end of 2012 totaled $125, including $101 million in stand-by letters of credit with expiration dates within one year. All of the bank credit facilities have various expiration dates, all within one year, and generally, we intend to renew these facilities prior to their expiration. The amount of borrowings available at any time under our bank credit facilities is reduced by the amount of standby and commercial letters of credit outstanding at that time.
Financing Activities
In the first and second quarters of fiscal 2012, our Japanese subsidiary issued 1.18% yen-denominated promissory notes through a private placement. These notes were issued in two series, with the first funding in October 2011 and the second funding in December 2011. For both series, interest is payable semi-annually, and principal is due in October 2018.
In April 2010, our Japanese subsidiary paid the outstanding principal and interest balances totaling $44 related to the 0.92% promissory notes due April 2010, originally issued in April 2003.
In June 2008, our Japanese subsidiary entered into a ten-year term loan in the amount of $38, with a variable rate of interest of yen TIBOR (6-month) plus a 0.35% margin (0.78% and 0.79% at the end of 2012 and 2011, respectively) on the outstanding balance. Interest is payable semi-annually and principal is due in June 2018.
In October 2007, our Japanese subsidiary issued promissory notes through a private placement in the amount of $83, bearing interest at 2.695%. Interest is payable semi-annually, and principal is due in October 2017.
In February 2007, we issued $900 of 5.3% Senior Notes that were due March 15, 2012 (2012 Notes) at a discount of $2 and issued $1,100 of 5.5% Senior Notes due March 15, 2017 at a discount of $6 (together the 2007 Senior Notes). Interest on the 2007 Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The discount and issuance costs associated with the 2007 Senior Notes are being amortized to interest expense over the terms of those notes. At our option, we may redeem the 2007 Senior Notes at any time, in whole or in part, at a redemption price plus accrued interest. The redemption price is equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount of the 2007 Senior Notes to be redeemed, or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest to maturity. Additionally, we will be required to make an offer to purchase the 2007 Senior Notes at a price of 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase, upon certain events as defined by the terms of the 2007 Senior Notes. On March 15, 2012, we paid the outstanding principal balance and associated interest on the 2012 Notes with our existing sources of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.
In August 1997, we sold $900 principal amount at maturity 3.5% Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes (Zero Coupon Notes) due in August 2017. The Zero Coupon Notes were priced with a yield to maturity of 3.5%, resulting in gross proceeds of $450. The remaining Zero Coupon Notes outstanding are convertible into a maximum of 832,000 shares of Costco Common Stock at an initial
Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share, membership fee data, and warehouse number data) (Continued)
conversion price of $22.71. At our option, we may redeem the Zero Coupon Notes (at the discounted issue price plus accrued interest to date of redemption) any time after August 2002. As of September 2, 2012, $864 in principal amount of Zero Coupon Notes had been converted by note holders into shares of Costco Common Stock.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a material current or future effect on our financial condition or consolidated financial statements.
Stock Repurchase Programs
In April 2011, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program in the amount of $4,000, expiring in April 2015, bringing total authorizations by our Board of Directors since inception of the program in 2001 to $10,800. The authorization in April 2011 revoked previously authorized but unused amounts totaling $792.
During 2012 and 2011, we repurchased 7,272,000 and 8,939,000 shares of common stock, at an average price of $84.75 and $71.74, totaling approximately $617 and $641, respectively. The remaining amount available to be purchased under our approved plan was $3,089 at the end of 2012. Purchases are made from time-to-time, as conditions warrant, in the open market or in block purchases and pursuant to plans under SEC Rule 10b5-1. Repurchased shares are retired, in accordance with the Washington Business Corporation Act.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires that we make estimates and judgments. We continue to review our accounting policies and evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, investments, merchandise inventory valuation, impairment of long-lived assets, insurance/self-insurance liabilities, and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable. For further information on key accounting policies, see discussion in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
Revenue Recognition
We generally recognize sales, which include shipping fees where applicable, net of estimated returns, at the time the member takes possession of merchandise or receives services. When we collect payment from customers prior to the transfer of ownership of merchandise or the performance of services, the amount received is generally recorded as deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheets until the sale or service is completed. We provide for estimated sales returns based on historical trends in merchandise returns, net of the estimated net realizable value of merchandise inventories to be returned and any estimated disposition costs. Amounts collected from members that under common trade practices are referred to as sales taxes are recorded on a net basis.
We evaluate whether it is appropriate to record the gross amount of merchandise sales and related costs or the net amount earned as commissions. Generally, when we are the primary obligor, subject to inventory risk, have latitude in establishing prices and selecting suppliers, influence product or service specifications, or have several but not all of these indicators, revenue and related shipping fees are
Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share, membership fee data, and warehouse number data) (Continued)
recorded on a gross basis. If we are not the primary obligor and do not possess other indicators of gross reporting as noted above, we record the net amounts as commissions earned, which is reflected in net sales.
Membership fee revenue represents annual membership fees paid by our members. We account for membership fee revenue, net of estimated refunds, on a deferred basis, whereby revenue is recognized ratably over the one-year membership period.
Our Executive members qualify for a 2% reward (which can be redeemed only at Costco warehouses), up to a maximum of approximately $750 per year, on qualified purchases made at Costco. We account for this 2% reward as a reduction in sales. The sales reduction and corresponding liability are computed after giving effect to the estimated impact of non-redemptions based on historical data.
Investments
Investments are reviewed quarterly for indicators of other-than-temporary impairment. This determination requires significant judgment. We employ a methodology that considers available quantitative and qualitative evidence. If the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value, we evaluate, among other factors, general market conditions, the duration and extent to which the fair value is less than cost, and our intent and ability to hold the investment. We also consider specific adverse conditions related to the financial health of and business outlook for the issuer, including industry and sector performance, operational and financing cash flow factors, and rating agency actions. Once a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded and a new cost basis in the investment is established. If market, industry, or issuer conditions deteriorate, we may incur future impairments.
Merchandise Inventories
Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, as determined primarily by the retail inventory method, and are stated using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for substantially all U.S. merchandise inventories. Merchandise inventories for all foreign operations are primarily valued by the retail inventory method and are stated using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. We believe the LIFO method more fairly presents the results of operations by more closely matching current costs with current revenues. We record an adjustment each quarter, if necessary, for the estimated effect of inflation or deflation, and these estimates are adjusted to actual results determined at year-end.
We provide for estimated inventory losses (shrink) between physical inventory counts as a percentage of net sales. The provision is adjusted periodically to reflect results of the actual physical inventory counts, which generally occur in the second and fourth quarters of the year.
Inventory cost, where appropriate, is reduced by estimates of vendor rebates when earned or as we progress toward earning those rebates, provided they are probable and reasonably estimable. Other consideration received from vendors is generally recorded as a reduction of merchandise costs upon completion of contractual milestones, terms of agreement, or other systematic and rational approaches.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We periodically evaluate our long-lived assets for indicators of impairment, such as a decision to relocate or close a warehouse facility. Our judgments are based on existing market and operational conditions. Future events could cause us to conclude that impairment factors exist, requiring a downward adjustment of these assets to their then-current fair market value.
Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share, membership fee data, and warehouse number data) (Continued)
Insurance/Self-Insurance Liabilities
We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance mechanisms, including a wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary and participation in a reinsurance pool, to provide for potential liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability, property damage, directors’ and officers’ liability, vehicle liability, and employee health care benefits. Liabilities associated with the risks that we retain are not discounted and are estimated, in part, by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. The estimated accruals for these liabilities could be significantly affected if future occurrences and claims differ from these assumptions and historical trends.
Income Taxes
The determination of our provision for income taxes requires significant judgment, the use of estimates, and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. Significant judgment is required in assessing the timing and amounts of deductible and taxable items and the probability of sustaining uncertain tax positions. The benefits associated with uncertain tax positions are recorded in our consolidated financial statements only after determining a more-likely-than-not probability that the positions will withstand challenge from tax authorities. When facts and circumstances change, we reassess these probabilities and record any changes in the consolidated financial statements as appropriate.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report for a detailed description of recent accounting pronouncements. We do not expect these recently issued accounting pronouncements to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity in future periods.
Item 7A
Item 7A - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Our exposure to financial market risk results from fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We do not engage in speculative or leveraged transactions or hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment holdings that are diversified among money market funds, U.S. government and agency securities, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured corporate bonds, and corporate notes and bonds with effective maturities of generally three months to five years at the date of purchase. The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal and secondarily to generate yields. The majority of our short-term investments are in fixed interest rate securities. These securities are subject to changes in fair value due to interest rate fluctuations. Our Board of Directors have approved a policy that limits investments in the U.S. to direct U.S. government and government agency obligations, repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government and government agency obligations, and U.S. government and government agency money market funds.
The investment policies of our subsidiaries are consistent with our primary objective to preserve principal and secondarily to generate yields. Our wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary invests in U.S. government and government agency obligations, corporate notes and bonds, and asset and mortgage-
Item 7A - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (Continued)
backed securities with a minimum overall portfolio average credit rating of AA+. All of our foreign subsidiaries’ investments are primarily in money market funds, investment grade securities, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit and term deposits, all denominated in their local currencies. Additionally, our Canadian subsidiary may invest a portion of its investments in U.S. dollar investment grade securities and bank term deposits to meet current U.S. dollar obligations.
We performed a sensitivity analysis to determine the impact an assumed 100 basis point change in interest rates would have on the value of our investment portfolio. At the end of 2012 and 2011, the incremental change in the fair market value was immaterial. For those investments that are classified as available-for-sale, the unrealized gains or losses related to fluctuations in market volatility and interest rates are reflected within stockholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income.
The nature and amount of our long-term debt may vary as a result of future business requirements, market conditions and other factors. As of the end of 2012, the majority of our fixed-rate long-term debt included $1,100 of 5.5% Senior Notes carried at $1,097. Fluctuations in interest rates may affect the fair value of the fixed-rate debt and may affect the interest expense related to the variable rate debt. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8
Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The following documents are filed as part of Part II, Item 8 of this Report on the pages listed below:
Management’s Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements
Costco’s management is responsible for the preparation, integrity and objectivity of the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the related financial information. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and necessarily include certain amounts that are based on estimates and informed judgments. The Company’s management is also responsible for the preparation of the related financial information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and its accuracy and consistency with the consolidated financial statements.
The consolidated financial statements have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, who conducted their audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). The independent registered public accounting firm’s responsibility is to express an opinion as to the fairness with which such consolidated financial statements present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Item 9
Item 9 - Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A
Item 9A - Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act)). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during our most recently completed fiscal year that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9A - Controls and Procedures (Continued)
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and the dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that our transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with appropriate authorizations; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, we assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 2, 2012, using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on its assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 2, 2012. The attestation of KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is included with the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Report.
/S/ W. CRAIG JELINEK
W. Craig Jelinek
President and Chief Executive Officer
/S/ RICHARD A. GALANTI
Richard A. Galanti
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Item 9B
Item 9B - Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10
Item 10 - Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Information relating to the availability of our code of ethics for senior financial officers and a list of our executive officers appear in Item 1 of this Report. The information required by this Item concerning our directors and nominees for director is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Proposal 1: Election of Directors,” “Directors,” “Committees of the Board” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in Costco’s Proxy Statement for its annual meeting of stockholders to be held on January 24, 2013, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the end of our fiscal year (“Proxy Statement”).
Item 11
Item 11 - Executive Compensation
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Compensation of Directors,” “Executive Compensation,” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in Costco’s Proxy Statement.
Item 12
Item 12 - Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Principle Shareholders” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in Costco’s Proxy Statement.
Item 13
Item 13 - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Proposal 1: Election of Directors,” “Directors,” “Committees of the Board,” “Shareholder Communications to the Board,” “Meeting Attendance,” “Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors,” “Certain Relationships and Transactions” and “Report of the Audit Committee” in Costco’s Proxy Statement.
Item 14
Item 14 - Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Independent Public Accountants” in Costco’s Proxy Statement.
PART IV
Item 15
Item 15 - Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Documents filed as part of this report are as follows:
1. Financial Statements:
See the listing of Financial Statements included as a part of this Form 10-K on Item 8 of Part II.
2. Financial Statement Schedules:
All schedules have been omitted because the required information is not present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto.
3. Exhibits:
The required exhibits are included at the end of the Form 10-K Annual Report and are described in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the first exhibit.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules-None.
SIGNATURES
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.
October 19, 2012
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By
/s/ RICHARD A. GALANTI
Richard A. Galanti
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
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.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Costco Wholesale Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Costco Wholesale Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 2, 2012 and August 28, 2011 and the related consolidated statements of income, equity and comprehensive income and cash flows for the 53-week period ended September 2, 2012, and the 52-week periods ended August 28, 2011, and August 29, 2010. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Costco Wholesale Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 2, 2012 and August 28, 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the 53-week period ended September 2, 2012, and the 52-week periods ended August 28, 2011, and August 29, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 2, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated October 19, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Seattle, Washington
October 19, 2012
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Costco Wholesale Corporation:
We have audited Costco Wholesale Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 2, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting included in Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
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 Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 2, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of September 2, 2012 and August 28, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income, equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for the 53-week period ended September 2, 2012, and the 52-week periods ended August 28, 2011, and August 29, 2010, and our report dated October 19, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Seattle, Washington
October 19, 2012
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions, except par value and share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(dollars in millions, except per share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(dollars in millions)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data)
Note 1-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business
Costco Wholesale Corporation and its subsidiaries operate membership warehouses based on the concept that offering our members low prices on a limited selection of nationally branded and select private-label products in a wide range of merchandise categories will produce high sales volumes and rapid inventory turnover. At September 2, 2012, Costco operated 608 warehouses worldwide which included: 439 United States (U.S.) locations (in 40 U.S. states and Puerto Rico), 82 Canadian locations (in 9 Canadian provinces), 32 Mexico locations, 22 United Kingdom (U.K.) locations, 13 Japan locations, 9 Taiwan locations, 8 Korea locations, and 3 Australia locations. The Company also operates online businesses at costco.com in the U.S. and costco.ca in Canada.
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Costco Wholesale Corporation, a Washington corporation, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest, consolidated entities in which it has made equity investments, or has other interests through which it has majority-voting control or it exercises the right to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s performance (Costco or the Company). The Company reports noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities as a component of equity separate from the Company’s equity. All material inter-company transactions between and among the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and other consolidated entities have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s net income excludes income attributable to noncontrolling interests in its operations in Costco Mexico (Mexico) (prior to the July 2012 acquisition of the 50% noncontrolling interest described below), Taiwan, and Korea. Unless otherwise noted, references to net income relate to net income attributable to Costco.
At the beginning of fiscal 2011, the Company began consolidating Mexico, at that time a 50% owned joint venture, on a prospective basis due to the adoption of a new accounting standard. Mexico’s results for fiscal 2010 were accounted for under the equity method and the Company’s 50% share was included in “interest income and other, net.” For fiscal 2012 (prior to the acquisition) and 2011, the financial position and results of Mexico’s operations are fully consolidated and the joint venture partner’s share is included in “net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.” The initial consolidation of Mexico increased total assets, liabilities, and revenue by approximately 3%, with no impact on net income or net income per common share attributable to Costco. The Company’s equity method investment in Mexico as of August 29, 2010 was derecognized and the noncontrolling interest in Mexico totaling $357 was recognized as part of the initial consolidation of the joint venture on August 30, 2010 as shown in the accompanying consolidated statements of total equity and comprehensive income.
Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interest in Mexico
In July 2012, Costco purchased its former joint venture partner’s 50% equity interest of Mexico for $789. In addition, Mexico declared a cash dividend of $366, 50% payable to the Company and 50% payable to Costco’s former joint venture partner. The Company used dividend proceeds and existing cash and investment balances to fund the purchase.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 1-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Fiscal Year End
The Company operates on a 52/53-week fiscal year basis with the fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to August 31. References to 2012 relate to the 53-week fiscal year ended September 2, 2012, with the 53rd week falling in the fourth fiscal quarter. References to 2011 and 2010 relate to the 52-week fiscal years ended August 28, 2011 and August 29, 2010, respectively.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure 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 and assumptions.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior fiscal year amounts or balances to conform to the presentation in the current fiscal year. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on the Company’s previously reported consolidated financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers as cash and cash equivalents all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase and proceeds due from credit and debit card transactions with settlement terms of up to one week. Credit and debit card receivables were $1,161 and $982 at the end of 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Short-Term Investments
In general, short-term investments have a maturity at the date of purchase of three months to five years. Investments with maturities beyond five years may be classified, based on the Company’s determination, as short-term based on their highly liquid nature and because they represent the investment of cash that is available for current operations. Short-term investments classified as available-for-sale are recorded at fair value using the specific identification method with the unrealized gains and losses reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income until realized. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities, if any, are determined on a specific identification basis and all are recorded in interest income and other, net in the consolidated statements of income. Short-term investments classified as held-to-maturity are financial instruments that the Company has the intent and ability to hold to maturity and are reported net of any related amortization and are not remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis.
The Company periodically evaluates unrealized losses in its investment securities for other-than-temporary impairment, using both qualitative and quantitative criteria. In the event a security is deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company recognizes the credit loss component in interest income and other, net in the consolidated statements of income. The majority of the Company’s investments are in debt securities.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 1-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to their short-term nature or variable interest rates. See Notes 2, 3, and 4 for the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s investments, derivative instruments, and fixed-rate debt, respectively.
The Company accounts for certain asets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is estimated by applying a fair value hierarchy, which requires maximizing the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of inputs are:
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
The Company’s valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of money market mutual funds are based on quoted market prices, such as quoted net asset values published by the fund as supported in an active market. Valuation methodologies used to measure the fair value of all other non-derivative financial instruments are based on “consensus pricing,” using market prices from a variety of industry-standard independent data providers or pricing that considers various assumptions, including time value, yield curve, volatility factors, credit spreads, default rates, loss severity, current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments or debt, broker and dealer quotes, as well as other relevant economic measures. All are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data, for which the Company typically receives independent external valuation information.
The Company reports transfers in and out of Levels 1, 2, and 3, as applicable, using the fair value of the individual securities as of the beginning of the reporting period in which the transfer(s) occurred.
The Company’s current financial liabilities have fair values that approximate their carrying values. The Company’s long-term financial liabilities consist of long-term debt, which is recorded on the balance sheet at issuance price and adjusted for any applicable unamortized discounts or premiums.
Receivables, Net
Receivables consist of the following at the end of 2012 and 2011:
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 1-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Vendor receivables include payments from vendors in the form of volume rebates or other purchase discounts that are evidenced by signed agreements and are reflected in the carrying value of the inventory when earned or as the Company progresses towards earning the rebate or discount and as a component of merchandise costs as the merchandise is sold. Vendor receivable balances are generally presented on a gross basis, separate from any related payable due. In certain circumstances, these receivables may be settled against the related payable to that vendor. Other consideration received from vendors is generally recorded as a reduction of merchandise costs upon completion of contractual milestones, terms of the related agreement, or by another systematic approach.
Reinsurance receivables are held by the Company’s wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary. The receivable balance primarily represents amounts ceded through reinsurance arrangements, and are reflected on a gross basis, separate from the amounts assumed under reinsurance, which are presented on a gross basis within other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Third-party pharmacy receivables generally relate to amounts due from members’ insurance companies for the amount above their co-pay, which is collected at the point-of-sale. Receivables from governmental entities largely consist of tax related items.
Receivables are recorded net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical experience and application of the specific identification method. Write-offs of receivables were immaterial for fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010.
Merchandise Inventories
Merchandise inventories consist of the following at the end of 2012 and 2011:
Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, as determined primarily by the retail inventory method, and are stated using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for substantially all U.S. merchandise inventories. Merchandise inventories for all foreign operations are primarily valued by the retail inventory method and are stated using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The Company believes the LIFO method more fairly presents the results of operations by more closely matching current costs with current revenues. The Company records an adjustment each quarter, if necessary, for the projected annual effect of inflation or deflation, and these estimates are adjusted to actual results determined at year-end, when actual inflation rates and inventory levels have been determined.
Due to net inflationary trends in 2012 and 2011, merchandise inventories valued at LIFO were lower than FIFO, resulting in a charge to merchandise costs of $21 and $87, respectively. At the end 2012 and 2011, the cumulative impact of the LIFO valuation on merchandise inventories was $108 and $87, respectively. At the end of 2010, merchandise inventories valued at LIFO approximated FIFO after considering the lower of cost or market principle.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 1-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
The Company provides for estimated inventory losses between physical inventory counts as a percentage of net sales, using estimates based on the Company’s experience. The provision is adjusted periodically to reflect the results of the actual physical inventory counts, which generally occur in the second and fourth fiscal quarters of the fiscal year. Inventory cost, where appropriate, is reduced by estimates of vendor rebates when earned or as the Company progresses towards earning those rebates, provided that they are probable and reasonably estimable.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. In general, new building additions are separated into components, each with its own estimated useful life, generally five to fifty years for buildings and improvements and three to twenty years for equipment and fixtures. Depreciation and amortization expense is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives or the lease term, if shorter. Leasehold improvements incurred after the beginning of the initial lease term are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the remaining term of the initial lease plus any renewals that are reasonably assured at the date the leasehold improvements are made.
Repair and maintenance costs are expensed when incurred. Expenditures for remodels, refurbishments and improvements that add to or change the way an asset functions or that extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Assets that were removed during the remodel, refurbishment or improvement are retired. Assets classified as held for sale were not material at the end of 2012 or 2011.
The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment on an annual basis, when relocating or closing a facility, or when events or changes in circumstances occur that may indicate the carrying amount of the asset group, generally an individual warehouse, may not be fully recoverable. For asset groups held and used, including warehouses to be relocated, the carrying value of the asset group is considered recoverable when the estimated future undiscounted cash flows generated from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group exceed the group’s net carrying value. In the event that the carrying value is not considered recoverable, an impairment loss would be recognized for the asset group to be held and used equal to the excess of the carrying value above the estimated fair value of the asset group. For asset groups classified as held for sale (disposal group), the carrying value is compared to the disposal group’s fair value less costs to sell. The Company estimates fair value by obtaining market appraisals from third party brokers or other valuation techniques. Impairment charges, included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of income, in 2012, 2011, and 2010 were immaterial.
Software Costs
The Company capitalizes certain computer software and software development costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining computer software for internal use. These costs are included in property, plant, and equipment and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the software, generally three to seven years.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 1-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Other Assets
Other assets consist of the following at the end of 2012 and 2011:
Receivables from governmental entities largely consists of various tax related items including amounts deposited with taxing authorities in connection with ongoing income tax audits and long term deferred tax assets. The Company adjusts the carrying value of its employee life insurance contracts to the net cash surrender value at the end of each reporting period. Goodwill resulting from certain business combinations is reviewed for impairment in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if circumstances dictate. No impairment of goodwill has been incurred to date.
Accounts Payable
The Company’s banking system provides for the daily replenishment of major bank accounts as checks are presented. Included in accounts payable at the end of 2012 and 2011 are $565 and $108, respectively, representing the excess of outstanding checks over cash on deposit at the banks on which the checks were drawn.
Insurance/Self-Insurance Liabilities
The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance mechanisms, including a wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary and participation in a reinsurance pool, to provide for potential liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability, property damage, directors’ and officers’ liability, vehicle liability, and employee health care benefits. The reinsurance agreement is one year in duration and new agreements are entered into by each participant at their discretion at the commencement of the next fiscal year. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are not discounted and are estimated, in part, by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors, and other actuarial assumptions. The estimated accruals for these liabilities could be significantly affected if future occurrences and claims differ from these assumptions and historical trends. As of the end of 2012 and 2011, these insurance liabilities were $688 and $595 in the aggregate, respectively, and were included in accounts payable, accrued salaries and benefits, and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, classified based on their nature.
The Company’s wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary (the captive) receives direct premiums, which are netted against the Company’s premium costs in selling, general and administrative expenses, in the consolidated statements of income. The captive participates in a reinsurance program that includes other third-party members. The member agreements and practices of the reinsurance program limit any participating members’ individual risk. Income statement adjustments related to the
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 1-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
reinsurance program and related impacts to the consolidated balance sheets are recognized as information becomes known. In the event the Company leaves the reinsurance program, the Company is not relieved of its primary obligation to the policyholders for activity prior to the termination of the annual agreement.
Other Current Liabilities
Other current liabilities consist of the following at the end of 2012 and 2011:
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company’s asset retirement obligations (ARO) are related to leasehold improvements that at the end of a lease must be removed in order to comply with the lease agreement. These obligations are recorded as a liability with an offsetting capital asset at the inception of the lease term based upon the estimated fair market value of the costs to remove the leasehold improvements. These liabilities, included in deferred income taxes and other liabilities, are accreted over time to the projected future value of the obligation using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. The capitalized ARO assets are depreciated using the same depreciation convention as the respective leasehold improvement assets and are included with buildings and improvements.
Derivatives
The Company is exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations in the normal course of business. The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of forward foreign-exchange contracts, seeking to economically hedge the impact of fluctuations of foreign exchange on known future expenditures denominated in a non-functional foreign-currency. The contracts are intended primarily to economically hedge exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries, whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The Company seeks to mitigate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features. The aggregate notional amounts of open, unsettled forward foreign-exchange contracts were $284 and $247 at the end of 2012 and 2011, respectively.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 1-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
The Company seeks to manage counterparty risk associated with these contracts by limiting transactions to counterparties with which the Company has an established banking relationship. There can be no assurance, however, that this practice effectively mitigates counterparty risk. The contracts are limited to less than one year in duration. See Note 3 for information on the fair value of open, unsettled forward foreign-exchange contracts at the end of 2012 and 2011.
The unrealized gains or (losses) recognized in interest income and other, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of income relating to the net changes in the fair value of open, unsettled forward foreign-exchange contracts were immaterial in 2012, 2011, and 2010.
The Company is exposed to fluctuations in prices for the energy it consumes, particularly electricity and natural gas, which it seeks to partially mitigate through the use of fixed-price contracts for certain of its warehouses and other facilities, primarily in the U.S. and Canada. The Company also enters into variable-priced contracts for some purchases of natural gas, in addition to fuel for its gas stations, on an index basis. These contracts meet the characteristics of derivative instruments, but generally qualify for the “normal purchases or normal sales” exception under authoritative guidance and, thus, require no mark-to-market adjustment.
Foreign-Currency
The functional currencies of the Company’s international subsidiaries are the local currency of the country in which the subsidiary is located. Assets and liabilities recorded in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. Revenues and expenses of the Company’s consolidated foreign operations are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year.
The Company recognizes foreign-currency transaction gains and losses related to revaluing all monetary assets and revaluing or settling monetary liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency (generally the U.S. dollar cash and cash equivalents and the U.S. dollar payables of consolidated subsidiaries to their functional currency) in interest income and other, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. Also included are realized foreign-currency gains or losses from all settlements of forward foreign-exchange contracts. These items resulted in a net gain of $41, $8 and $13 in 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
The Company generally recognizes sales, which include shipping fees where applicable, net of estimated returns, at the time the member takes possession of merchandise or receives services. When the Company collects payments from customers prior to the transfer of ownership of merchandise or the performance of services, the amounts received are generally recorded as deferred sales, included in other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, until the sale or service is completed. The Company reserves for estimated sales returns based on historical trends in merchandise returns, net of the estimated net realizable value of merchandise inventories to be returned and any estimated disposition costs. Amounts collected from members, which under common trade practices are referred to as sales taxes, are recorded on a net basis.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 1-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
The Company evaluates whether it is appropriate to record the gross amount of merchandise sales and related costs or the net amount earned as commissions. Generally, when Costco is the primary obligor, is subject to inventory risk, has latitude in establishing prices and selecting suppliers, can influence product or service specifications, or has several but not all of these indicators, revenue and related shipping fees are recorded on a gross basis. If the Company is not the primary obligor and does not possess other indicators of gross reporting as noted above, it records the net amounts as commissions earned, which is reflected in net sales.
Membership fee revenue represents annual membership fees paid by substantially all of the Company’s members. The Company accounts for membership fee revenue, net of estimated refunds, on a deferred basis, whereby revenue is recognized ratably over the one-year membership period. The Company’s Executive Members qualify for a 2% reward (beginning November, 1, 2011 the reward increased from a maximum of $500 to $750 per year on qualified purchases), which can be redeemed at Costco warehouses. The Company accounts for this reward as a reduction in sales. The sales reduction and corresponding liability are computed after giving effect to the estimated impact of non-redemptions based on historical data. The net reduction in sales was $900, $790, and $688 in 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.
Merchandise Costs
Merchandise costs consist of the purchase price of inventory sold, inbound and outbound shipping charges and all costs related to the Company’s depot operations, including freight from depots to selling warehouses, and are reduced by vendor consideration. Merchandise costs also include salaries, benefits, and depreciation on production equipment in fresh foods and certain ancillary departments.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, benefits and workers’ compensation costs for warehouse employees, other than fresh foods departments and certain ancillary businesses, as well as all regional and home office employees, including buying personnel. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include utilities, bank charges, rent and substantially all building and equipment depreciation, as well as other operating costs incurred to support warehouse operations.
Marketing and Promotional Expenses
Marketing and promotional costs are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
Stock-Based Compensation
Compensation expense for all stock-based awards granted is recognized using the straight-line method. The fair value of restricted stock units (RSUs) is calculated as the market value of the common stock on the measurement date less the present value of the expected dividends forgone during the vesting period. The fair value of stock options was measured using the Black-Scholes valuation model.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 1-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
While options and RSUs granted to employees generally vest over five years, all grants allow for either daily or quarterly vesting of the pro-rata number of stock-based awards that would vest on the next anniversary of the grant date in the event of retirement or voluntary termination. The historical experience rate of actual forfeitures has been minimal. As such, the Company does not reduce stock-based compensation for an estimate of forfeitures because the estimate is inconsequential in light of historical experience and considering the awards vest on either a daily or quarterly basis. The impact of actual forfeitures arising in the event of involuntary termination is recognized as actual forfeitures occur, which generally has been infrequent. Stock options have a ten-year term. Stock-based compensation expense is predominantly included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of income. See Note 7 for additional information on the Company’s stock-based compensation plans.
Leases
The Company leases land and/or buildings at warehouses and certain other office and distribution facilities, primarily under operating leases. Operating leases expire at various dates through 2052, with the exception of one lease in the Company’s United Kingdom subsidiary, which expires in 2151. These leases generally contain one or more of the following options which the Company can exercise at the end of the initial lease term: (a) renewal of the lease for a defined number of years at the then-fair market rental rate or rate stipulated in the lease agreement; (b) purchase of the property at the then-fair market value; or (c) right of first refusal in the event of a third-party purchase offer.
The Company accounts for its lease expense with free rent periods and step-rent provisions on a straight-line basis over the original term of the lease and any exercised extension options, from the date the Company has control of the property. Certain leases provide for periodic rental increases based on the price indices, and some of the leases provide for rents based on the greater of minimum guaranteed amounts or sales volume.
The Company has entered into capital leases for warehouse locations, expiring at various dates through 2040. Capital lease assets are included in buildings and improvements in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Amortization expense on capital lease assets is recorded as depreciation expense and is predominately included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Capital lease liabilities are recorded at the lesser of the estimated fair market value of the leased property or the net present value of the aggregate future minimum lease payments and are included in other current liabilities and deferred income taxes and other liabilities. Interest on these obligations is included in interest expense.
Preopening Expenses
Preopening expenses related to new warehouses, new regional offices and other startup operations are expensed as incurred.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 1-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Interest Income and Other, Net
Interest income and other, net includes:
For 2010, the equity in earnings of Costco Mexico, $41, is included in interest income and other, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributed to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and tax credits and loss carry-forwards. 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 and carry-forwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts expected to be realized.
The determination of the Company’s provision for income taxes requires significant judgment, the use of estimates, and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. Significant judgment is required in assessing the timing and amounts of deductible and taxable items and the probability of sustaining uncertain tax positions. The benefits of uncertain tax positions are recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements only after determining a more-likely-than-not probability that the uncertain tax positions will withstand challenge, if any, from tax authorities. When facts and circumstances change, the Company reassesses these probabilities and records any changes in the consolidated financial statements as appropriate. See Note 9 for additional information.
Net Income per Common Share Attributable to Costco
The computation of basic net income per share uses the weighted average number of shares that were outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted net income per share uses the weighted average number of shares in the basic net income per share calculation plus the number of common shares that would be issued assuming exercise and vesting to the participant of all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding using the treasury stock method for shares subject to stock options and restricted stock units and the “if converted” method for the convertible note securities.
Stock Repurchase Programs
Repurchased shares of common stock are retired, in accordance with the Washington Business Corporation Act. The par value of repurchased shares is deducted from common stock and the excess repurchase price over par value is deducted from additional paid-in capital and retained earnings. See Note 6 for additional information.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 1-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance related to fair value measurement that changes the wording used to describe many requirements in GAAP for measuring and disclosing fair values. Additionally, the amendments clarify the application of existing fair value measurement requirements. The amended guidance is effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted this guidance at the beginning of its third quarter of 2012. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statement disclosures.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity. Instead, an entity will be required to either present a continuous statement of net income and other comprehensive income or present the information in two separate but consecutive statements. The new guidance must be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company plans to adopt this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal year 2013. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and will impact the financial statements’ presentation only. A portion of the new comprehensive income guidance required entities to present reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component in both the statement in which net income is presented and the statement in which other comprehensive income is presented. In December 2011, the FASB issued guidance which indefinitely defers the guidance related to the presentation of reclassification adjustments on the face of the financial statements.
In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance to amend and simplify the rules related to testing goodwill for impairment. The revised guidance allows an initial qualitative evaluation, based on the entity’s events and circumstances, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The results of this qualitative assessment determine whether it is necessary to perform the currently required two-step impairment test. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The Company plans to adopt this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal year 2013. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 2-Investments
The Company’s investments at the end of 2012 and 2011 were as follows:
At the end of 2012, 2011 and 2010 the Company’s available-for-sale securities that were in continuous unrealized-loss position were not material. Gross unrealized gains and losses on cash equivalents were not material at the end of 2012 and 2011.
The proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities during 2012, 2011, and 2010 are provided in the following table:
Gross realized gains or losses from sales of available-for-sale securities were not material in 2012, 2011, and 2010.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 2-Investments (Continued)
The maturities of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities at the end of 2012 were as follows:
Note 3-Fair Value Measurement
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The tables below present information at the end 2012 and 2011, respectively, regarding the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and indicate the level within the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value. As of these dates, the Company’s holdings of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities were immaterial.
(1) Included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
(2) $12 and $782 included in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at the end of 2012. $73 and $1,104 included in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at the end of 2011.
(3) The asset and the liability values are included in deferred income taxes and other current assets and other current liabilities, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. See Note 1 for additional information on derivative instruments.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 3-Fair Value Measurement (Continued)
All financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during 2012 and 2011 were immaterial. There were no transfers in or out of Level 1, 2, or 3 during 2012 and 2011.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include held-to-maturity investments that are carried at amortized cost and are not remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis. There were no fair value adjustments to these financial assets during 2012 and 2011. See Note 4 for discussion on the fair value of long-term debt.
Nonfinancial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include items such as long lived assets resulting from impairment, if deemed necessary. Fair value adjustments to these nonfinancial assets and liabilities during 2012 and 2011 were immaterial.
Note 4-Debt
Short-Term Borrowings
The Company enters into various short-term bank credit facilities. There were no amounts outstanding under these facilities at the end of 2012 and 2011, and the total credit available was $438 and $391, respectively. The various credit facilities provide for applicable interest rates ranging from 0.58% to 3.96% in 2012 and 0.58% to 4.39% in 2011.
The weighted average borrowings, maximum borrowings, and weighted average interest rate under all short-term borrowing arrangements were as follows for 2012 and 2011:
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 4-Debt (Continued)
Long-Term Debt
The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt at the end of 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following:
The estimated fair value of the Company’s debt was based primarily on reported market values, recently completed market transactions and estimates based upon interest rates, maturities, and credit risk.
In February 2007, the Company issued $900 of 5.3% Senior Notes that were due March 15, 2012 (2012 Notes) at a discount of $2 and $1,100 of 5.5% Senior Notes due March 15, 2017 at a discount of $6 (together the 2007 Senior Notes). Interest on the 2007 Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year until their respective maturity date. The discount and issuance costs associated with the Senior Notes have been amortized to interest expense over the terms of those notes. The Company, at its option, may redeem the remaining 2007 Senior Notes at any time, in whole or in part, at a redemption price plus accrued interest. The redemption price is equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount of the remaining 2007 Senior Notes to be redeemed or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest to maturity. Additionally, the Company will be required to make an offer to purchase the remaining 2007 Senior Notes at a price of 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase, upon certain events as defined by the terms of the 2007 Senior Notes. In March 2011, the Company reclassified its 2012 Notes, to a current liability within the current portion of long-term debt of the consolidated balance sheets to reflect its remaining maturity of less than one year. On March 15, 2012, the Company paid the outstanding principal balance and associated interest on the 2012 Notes with its existing sources of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. These notes are classified as a Level 2 measurement in the fair value hierarchy.
In October and December 2011, the Company’s Japanese subsidiary issued two series of 1.18% Yen-denominated promissory notes through a private placement. For both series, interest is payable semi-annually, and principal is due in October 2018. These notes are included in other long-term debt in the table above and are classified as a Level 3 measurement in the fair value hierarchy.
In June 2008, the Company’s Japanese subsidiary entered into a ten-year term loan with a variable rate of interest of Yen TIBOR (6-month) plus a 0.35% margin (0.78% and 0.79% at the end of 2012 and 2011, respectively) on the outstanding balance. Interest is payable semi-annually and principal is due in June 2018. This debt is included in other long-term debt in the table above and is classified as a Level 3 measurement in the fair value hierarchy.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 4-Debt (Continued)
In October 2007, the Company’s Japanese subsidiary issued promissory notes through a private placement, bearing interest at 2.695%. Interest is payable semi-annually, and principal is due in October 2017. These notes are included in other long-term debt in the table above and are classified as a Level 3 measurement in the fair value hierarchy.
In August 1997, the Company sold $900 principal amount at maturity 3.5% Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes (Zero Coupon Notes) due in August 2017. The Zero Coupon Notes were priced with a yield to maturity of 3.5%, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $450. The remaining Zero Coupon Notes outstanding are convertible into a maximum of 832,000 shares of Costco Common Stock shares at an initial conversion price of $22.71. The Company, at its option, may redeem the Zero Coupon Notes (at the discounted issue price plus accrued interest to date of redemption) any time after August 2002. These notes are included in other long-term debt in the table above and are classified as a Level 2 measurement in the fair value hierarchy. At the end of 2012, $864 in principal amount of Zero Coupon Notes had been converted by note holders into shares of Costco Common Stock.
Maturities of long-term debt during the next five fiscal years and thereafter are as follows:
Note 5-Leases
Operating Leases
The aggregate rental expense for 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $220, $208, and $187, respectively. Sublease income, included in interest income and other, net, and contingent rents are not material.
Capital Leases
Gross assets recorded under capital leases were $187 and $170, at the end of 2012 and 2011, respectively. These assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $19 and $13 at the end of 2012 and 2011, respectively.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 5-Leases (Continued)
At the end of 2012, future minimum payments, net of sub-lease income of $177 for all years combined, under non-cancelable operating leases with terms of at least one year and capital leases were as follows:
(1) Included in other current liabilities.
(2) Included in deferred income taxes and other liabilities.
Certain leases may require the Company to incur costs to return leased property to its original condition, such as the removal of gas tanks. Estimated asset retirement obligations associated with these leases, which amounted to $44 and $31 at the end of 2012 and 2011, respectively, are included in deferred income taxes and other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Note 6-Stockholders’ Equity
Dividends
The Company’s current quarterly dividend rate is $0.275 per share.
Stock Repurchase Programs
The Company’s stock repurchase program is conducted under a $4,000 authorization by the Board of Directors approved in April 2011, which expires in April 2015. As of the end of 2012, the total amount repurchased under this plan was $911. The following table summarizes the Company’s stock repurchase activity:
These amounts differ from the stock repurchase balances in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows due to changes in unsettled stock repurchases at the end of each fiscal year.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 6-Stockholders’ Equity (Continued)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax where applicable, was $156 and $373 at the end of 2012 and 2011, respectively, and was comprised primarily of unrealized foreign-currency translation adjustments. In 2012, as part of the acquisition of the noncontrolling interest in Mexico, the Company reclassified $155 of accumulated unrealized losses on foreign-currency translation adjustments to Costco’s accumulated other comprehensive income. This balance was previously included as a component of non-controlling interest.
Note 7-Stock-Based Compensation Plans
The Company grants stock-based compensation to employees and non-employee directors. Stock options awards were granted under the Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Incentive Plan, amended as of January 2006 (Second Restated 2002 Plan), and predecessor plans until, effective in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company began awarding restricted stock units (RSUs) under the Second Restated 2002 Plan in lieu of stock options. Through a series of shareholder approvals, there have been a series of amended and restated plans and new provisions implemented by the Company. Under revisions in the Fourth Restated 2002 Plan in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, prospective grants of RSUs are subject, upon certain terminations of employment, to quarterly vesting, as opposed to daily vesting. Previously awarded RSU grants continue to involve daily vesting upon certain terminations of employment. Additionally, employees who attain certain years of service with the Company will receive shares under accelerated vesting provisions on the annual vesting date rather than upon qualified retirement. The first grant impacted by these amendments occurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Each share issued in respect of stock bonus or stock unit awards is counted as 1.75 shares toward the limit of shares made available under the Fourth Restated 2002 Plan. The Sixth Restated 2002 Plan, amended in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, is the Company’s only active stock-based compensation plan at the end of 2012. The Sixth Restated 2002 Plan authorized the issuance of 16,000,000 shares (9,143,000 RSUs) of common stock for future grants in addition to shares previously authorized. The Company issues new shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options and upon vesting of RSUs. RSUs are delivered to participants annually, net of shares equal to the minimum statutory withholding taxes.
Summary of Stock Option Activity
All outstanding stock options were fully vested and exercisable at the end of 2012 and 2011. The following table summarizes stock option transactions during 2012:
(1) The difference between the exercise price and market value of common stock at the end of 2012.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 7-Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Continued)
The following is a summary of stock options outstanding at the end of 2012:
Options exercisable and the weighted average exercise price at the end of 2010 were 13,032 shares and $39.43, respectively.
The tax benefits realized, derived from the compensation deductions resulting from the option exercises, and intrinsic value related to total stock options exercised during 2012, 2011, and 2010 are provided in the following table:
(1) The difference between the exercise price and market value of common stock measured at each individual exercise date.
Employee Tax Consequences on Certain Stock Options
In 2010, the Company recorded a non-recurring benefit of $24 to selling, general and administrative expense related to a refund of a previously recorded Canadian employee tax liability.
Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity
RSUs granted to employees and to non-employee directors generally vest over five years and three years, respectively; however, the Company provides for accelerated vesting for employees and non-employee directors that have attained twenty-five or more years and five or more years of service with the Company, respectively. Recipients are not entitled to vote or receive dividends on non-vested and undelivered shares. At the end of 2012, 14,345,000 shares were available to be granted as RSUs under the Sixth Restated 2002 Plan.
The following awards were outstanding at the end of 2012:
•
8,558,000 time-based RSUs that vest upon continued employment over specified periods of time;
•
702,000 performance-based RSUs, of which 304,000 will be formally granted to certain executive officers of the Company upon the official certification of the attainment of specified performance targets for 2012. Once formally granted, the restrictions lapse upon continued employment over specified periods of time.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 7-Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Continued)
The following table summarizes RSU transactions during 2012:
The remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs at the end of 2012 was $422 and the weighted-average period of time over which this cost will be recognized is 1.7 years. At the end of 2012, there were approximately 2,900,000 RSUs vested, but not yet delivered.
Summary of Stock-Based Compensation
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense and the related tax benefits under the Company’s plans:
Note 8-Retirement Plans
The Company has a 401(k) Retirement Plan available to all U.S. employees who have completed 90 days of employment. For all U.S. employees, with the exception of California union employees, the plan allows pre-tax deferrals which the Company matches (50% of the first one thousand dollars of employee contributions). In addition, the Company provides each eligible participant an annual discretionary contribution based on salary and years of service.
California union employees are allowed to make pre-tax deferrals into the 401(k) plan which the Company matches (50% of the first five hundred dollars of employee contributions) and provides each eligible participant a contribution based on hours worked and years of service.
California union employees participate in a defined benefit plan sponsored by their union under a multi-employer plan, and the Company makes contributions to this plan based upon its union agreement. The Company’s contributions to this plan are not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The Company has a defined contribution plan for Canadian and United Kingdom employees and contributes a percentage of each employee’s salary. Certain other foreign operations have defined benefit and
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 8-Retirement Plans (Continued)
defined contribution plans that are not material. Amounts expensed under all plans were $382, $345, and $313 for 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, and were included in selling, general and administrative expenses and merchandise costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
Note 9-Income Taxes
Income before income taxes is comprised of the following:
The provisions for income taxes for 2012, 2011, and 2010 are as follows:
Tax benefits associated with the exercise of employee stock options and other employee stock programs were allocated to equity attributable to Costco in the amount of $65, $59, and $15, in 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.
The reconciliation between the statutory tax rate and the effective rate for 2012, 2011, and 2010 is as follows:
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 9-Income Taxes (Continued)
The Company’s provision for income taxes for 2012 was adversely impacted by nonrecurring net tax expense of $25 relating primarily to the following items: the adverse impact of an audit of Costco Mexico by the Mexican tax authority; the tax effects of the cash dividend declared by Costco Mexico (included in Other in the table above); and the tax effects of nondeductible expenses for the Company’s contribution to an initiative reforming alcohol beverage laws in Washington State.
The components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
The deferred tax accounts at the end of 2012 and 2011 include current deferred income tax assets of $393 and $360 respectively, included in deferred income taxes and other current assets; non-current deferred income tax assets of $58 and $53, respectively, included in other assets; and non-current deferred income tax liabilities of $412 and $387, respectively, included in deferred income taxes and other liabilities.
The Company has not provided for U.S. deferred taxes on cumulative undistributed earnings of $3,162 and $2,646 at the end of 2012 and 2011, respectively, of certain non-U.S. consolidated subsidiaries as such earnings are deemed by the Company to be indefinitely reinvested. Because of the availability of U.S. foreign tax credits and complexity of the computation, it is not practicable to determine the U.S. federal income tax liability that would be associated with such earnings if such earnings were not deemed to be indefinitely reinvested. The Company believes that its U.S. current assets position is sufficient to meet its U.S. liquidity requirements and has no current plans to repatriate for use in the U.S. the cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments held by these subsidiaries.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits for 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 9-Income Taxes (Continued)
Included in the balance at the end of 2012, are $70 of tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility. Because of the impact of deferred tax accounting, other than interest and penalties, the disallowance of these tax positions would not affect the annual effective tax rate but would accelerate the payment of cash to the taxing authority to an earlier period.
The total amount of such unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods is $36 and $34 at the end of 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Accrued interest and penalties related to income tax matters are classified as a component of income tax expense. Interest and penalties were not material in 2012 and 2011, respectively. Accrued interest and penalties were $16 and $12 at the end of 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The Company is currently under audit by several taxing jurisdictions in the United States and in several foreign countries. Some audits may conclude in the next 12 months and the unrecognized tax benefits we have recorded in relation to the audits may differ from actual settlement amounts. It is not practical to estimate the effect, if any, of any amount of such change during the next 12 months to previously recorded uncertain tax positions in connection with the audits. The Company does not anticipate that there will be a material increase or decrease in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.
The Company files income tax returns in the United States, various state and local jurisdictions, in Canada and in several other foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local examination for years before fiscal 2007. The Company is currently subject to examination in Canada for fiscal years 2008 to present and in California for fiscal years 2004 to present. No other examinations are believed to be material.
Note 10-Net Income per Common and Common Equivalent Share
The following table shows the amounts used in computing net income per share and the effect on income and the weighted average number of shares of potentially dilutive common shares outstanding (shares in 000’s):
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 11-Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
The Company is involved in a number of claims, proceedings and litigation arising from its business and property ownership. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes an accrual for legal proceedings if and when those matters reach a stage where they present loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. In such cases, there may be a possible exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. The Company monitors those matters for developments that would affect the likelihood of a loss and the accrued amount, if any, thereof, and adjusts the amount as appropriate. If the loss contingency at issue is not both probable and reasonably estimable, the Company does not establish an accrual, but will continue to monitor the matter for developments that will make the loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. As of the date of this report, the Company has recorded an accrual with respect to one matter described below, which accrual is not material to the Company’s financial statements. In each case, there is a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred, including a loss in excess of the applicable accrual. For matters where no accrual has been recorded, the possible loss or range of loss (including any loss in excess of our accrual) cannot in our view be reasonably estimated because, among other things, (i) the remedies or penalties sought are indeterminate or unspecified, (ii) the legal and/or factual theories are not well developed; and/or (iii) the matters involve complex or novel legal theories or a large number of parties.
The Company is a defendant in the following matters, among others:
A case brought as a class action on behalf of certain present and former female managers, in which plaintiffs allege denial of promotion based on gender in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and California state law. Shirley “Rae” Ellis v. Costco Wholesale Corp., United States District Court (San Francisco), Case No. C-04-3341-MHP. Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, interest and attorneys’ fees. Class certification was granted by the district court on January 11, 2007. On September 16, 2011, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed the order of class certification and remanded to the district court for further proceedings. On September 25, 2012, the district court certified a class of women in the United States denied promotion to warehouse general manager or assistant general manager since January 3, 2002. Currently the class is believed to be approximately 1,250 people. Costco has sought permission to file an interlocutory appeal to the Ninth Circuit.
Numerous putative class actions have been brought around the United States against motor fuel retailers, including the Company, alleging that they have been overcharging consumers by selling gasoline or diesel that is warmer than 60 degrees without adjusting the volume sold to compensate for heat-related expansion or disclosing the effect of such expansion on the energy equivalent received by the consumer. The Company is named in the following actions: Raphael Sagalyn, et al., v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-430 (D. Md.); Phyllis Lerner, et al., v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, et al., Case No. 07-1216 (C.D. Cal.); Linda A. Williams, et al., v. BP Corporation North America, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-179 (M.D. Ala.); James Graham, et al. v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 07-193 (E.D. Va.); Betty A. Delgado, et al., v. Allsups, Convenience Stores, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-202 (D.N.M.); Gary Kohut, et al. v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-285 (D. Nev.); Mark Rushing, et al., v. Alon USA, Inc., et al., Case No. 06-7621 (N.D. Cal.); James Vanderbilt, et al., v. BP Corporation North America, Inc., et al., Case No. 06-1052 (W.D. Mo.); Zachary Wilson, et al., v. Ampride, Inc., et al., Case No. 06-2582 (D. Kan.); Diane Foster, et al., v. BP North America Petroleum, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-02059 (W.D. Tenn.); Mara Redstone, et al., v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al., Case No. 07-20751 (S.D. Fla.); Fred Aguirre, et al. v. BP West Coast Products LLC, et al., Case No. 07-1534
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 11-Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
(N.D. Cal.); J.C. Wash, et al., v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al.; Case No. 4:07cv37 (E.D. Mo.); Jonathan Charles Conlin, et al., v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al.; Case No. 07 0317 (M.D. Tenn.); William Barker, et al. v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al.; Case No. 07-cv-00293 (D.N.M.); Melissa J. Couch, et al. v. BP Products North America, Inc., et al., Case No. 07cv291 (E.D. Tex.); S. Garrett Cook, Jr., et al., v. Hess Corporation, et al., Case No. 07cv750 (M.D. Ala.); Jeff Jenkins, et al. v. Amoco Oil Company, et al., Case No. 07-cv-00661 (D. Utah); and Mark Wyatt, et al., v. B. P. America Corp., et al., Case No. 07-1754 (S.D. Cal.). On June 18, 2007, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation assigned the action, entitled In re Motor Fuel Temperature Sales Practices Litigation, MDL Docket No 1840, to Judge Kathryn Vratil in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. On April 12, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the actions in which it is named as a defendant. Under the settlement, which is subject to final approval by the court, the Company agreed, to the extent allowed by law, to install over five years from the effective date of the settlement temperature-correcting dispensers in the States of Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. Other than payments to class representatives, the settlement does not provide for cash payments to class members. On September 22, 2011, the court preliminarily approved a revised settlement, which did not materially alter the terms. On April 24, 2012, the court granted final approval of the revised settlement. A class member who objected has filed a notice of appeal from the order approving the settlement. Plaintiffs have moved for an award of $10 million in attorneys’ fees, as well as an award of costs and payments to class representatives. The Company has opposed the motion.
On October 4, 2006, the Company received a grand jury subpoena from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, seeking records relating to the Company’s receipt and handling of hazardous merchandise returned by Costco members and other records. The Company has entered into a tolling agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an Information Request to the Company, dated November 1, 2007, regarding warehouses in the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada and relating to compliance with regulations concerning air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment. On March 4, 2009, the Company was advised by the Department of Justice that the Department was prepared to allege that the Company has committed at least nineteen violations of the leak-repair requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 82.156(i) and at least seventy-four violations of the recordkeeping requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 82.166(k), (m) at warehouses in these states. The Company has responded to these allegations, is engaged in communications with the Department about these and additional allegations, and has entered into tolling agreements. Substantial penalties may be levied for violations of the Clean Air Act. The Company is cooperating with this inquiry.
On October 7, 2009, the District Attorneys for San Diego, San Joaquin and Solano Counties filed a complaint, People of the State of California v. Costco Wholesale Corp., et al, No. 37-2009-00099912 (Superior Court for the County of San Diego), alleging on information and belief that the Company has violated and continues to violate provisions of the California Health and Safety Code and the Business and Professions Code through the use of certain spill clean-up materials at its gasoline stations. Relief sought includes, among other things, requests for preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, civil penalties, costs and attorneys’ fees.
The Company has received notices from most states stating that they have appointed an agent to conduct an examination of the books and records of the Company to determine whether it has com-
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 11-Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
plied with state unclaimed property laws. In addition to seeking the turnover of unclaimed property subject to escheat laws, the states may seek interest, penalties, costs of examinations, and other relief. The State of Washington conducted such an examination on its own behalf and on February 4, 2011 issued an assessment of $3.3 million. The Company filed suit on March 4, 2011, to contest the assessment. In July 2012, summary judgment on liability was granted in favor of the State; damages will be determined at trial.
The Company does not believe that any pending claim, proceeding or litigation, either alone or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position; however, it is possible that an unfavorable outcome of some or all of the matters, however unlikely, could result in a charge that might be material to the results of an individual fiscal quarter.
Note 12-Segment Reporting
The Company and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the operation of membership warehouses in the U.S., Canada, Mexico (see Note 1), the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia and through majority-owned subsidiaries in Taiwan and Korea. The Company’s reportable segments are largely based on management’s organization of the operating segments for operational decisions and assessments of financial performance, which considers geographic locations. As discussed in Note 1, the Company began consolidating Mexico on August 30, 2010. For segment reporting, these operations are included as a component of other international operations for 2012 and 2011. For 2010, Mexico is only included in total assets under U.S. operations in the table below, representing the equity method investment in the joint venture. The material accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1. All material inter-segment net sales and expenses have been eliminated in computing total revenue and operating income. Certain home office operating expenses are incurred on behalf of the Company’s Canadian and other international operations, but are included in the U.S. operations because those costs are not allocated internally and generally come under the responsibility of the Company’s U.S. management team.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 13-Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
The two tables that follow reflect the unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2012 and 2011.
(1) Includes a $17 charge to selling, general and administrative for contributions to an initiative reforming alcohol beverage laws in Washington State.
(2) Includes a $24 charge relating to the settlement of an income tax audit in Mexico (See Note 9-Income Taxes).
(3) On May 9, 2012, subsequent to the end of the third quarter of 2012, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.275 per share.
(4) Includes a $12 increase to merchandise costs for a LIFO inventory adjustment (see Note 1-Merchandise Inventories).
(5) Our current quarterly dividend rate is $0.275 per share.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in millions, except share data) (Continued)
Note 13-Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Continued)
(1) Includes a $6, $49 and $32 increase to merchandise costs for a LIFO inventory adjustment for the second, third and fourth quarters, respectively (see Note 1-Merchandise Inventories).
EXHIBIT INDEX
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or are incorporated herein by reference.
* Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.