Item 1. Business
Shoppers Food Warehouse Corp. ("Shoppers" or the "Company") was incorporated in Delaware in 1956 and its principal executive offices are located at 4600 Forbes Blvd., Lanham, Maryland 20706. The telephone number of Shoppers is 301-306-8600.
Acquisition of Dart Group Corporation by Richfood Holdings, Inc.
On May 18, 1998, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Richfood Holdings, Inc. ("Richfood") acquired all of the outstanding shares of Dart Group Corporation ("Dart"), which indirectly owns 100% of the outstanding common stock of the Company, for approximately $201 million (the "Dart Acquisition"). In connection with the Dart Acquisition, Richfood caused its subsidiary to merge with and into Dart (the "Merger") in a transaction in which Dart became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Richfood. As a result of the Merger, Richfood indirectly owns 100% of the outstanding common stock of Shoppers.
Richfood accounted for the Dart Acquisition using the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, a new accounting basis began as of May 18, 1998 and the assets and liabilities of Shoppers were restated to reflect their estimated fair market values as of that date. The excess of the Dart Acquisition purchase price over net assets acquired (goodwill) related to the acquisition has been pushed-down to Shoppers. This goodwill of approximately $317.2 million is based on a preliminary allocation of the purchase price and is being amortized on a straight line basis over 40 years.
Richfood is operating Shoppers as a distinct unit within its retail division and does not presently plan to make any material changes to Shoppers' strategic focus or operational format.
Item 1. Business (Continued)
Acquisition of the Company by Dart Group Corporation
In June 1988, Dart indirectly acquired an initial 50% interest of Shoppers. On February 6, 1997, Dart indirectly acquired the remaining 50% interest in Shoppers for $210 million (the "Shoppers Acquisition"). Dart financed the Shoppers Acquisition through the application of $137.2 million in net proceeds raised from an offering of Increasing Rate Senior Notes due 2000 (the "Increasing Rate Notes") of SFW Acquisition Corp., a newly created wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Dart, and $72.8 million of bridge financing provided by a bank. Immediately after the Shoppers Acquisition, SFW Acquisition Corp. merged into Shoppers (with Shoppers becoming the obligor on the Increasing Rate Notes) and Shoppers repaid the bridge financing from its existing cash and the liquidation of certain short-term investments. In June 1997, Shoppers refinanced the Increasing Rate Notes with $200 million aggregate principal amount 9:% Senior Notes due 2004 (the "Senior Notes"). The net proceeds from the Senior Notes were $193.5 million (after fees and expenses of approximately $6.5 million) of which $143.5 million was used to repay the Increasing Rate Notes (including interest).
Operations
Shoppers is a leading supermarket operator in Greater Washington, D.C. (as defined below), operating 38 stores under the "Shoppers Food Warehouse" and "Shoppers Club" names, that targets the price-conscious segment of its market area in densely populated suburban areas. Shoppers operates warehouse-style, price impact supermarkets that are designed to offer the lowest overall prices in its market area by passing on to the consumer savings achieved through labor efficiencies and lower overhead associated with the warehouse format, while providing the product selection and quality associated with a conventional supermarket format. Shoppers' store equipment and facilities are generally in good condition. Shoppers stores are generally open 18 hours per day seven days a week (allowing for shelf restocking while the stores are closed) and offer a full range of fresh produce, fresh baked goods, fresh meats and seafood, frozen foods, traditional grocery items and certain non-food items such as health and beauty aids, cookware, greeting cards, magazines and seasonal items. Shoppers' stores also have service delicatessens, with some stores offering hot and cold prepared food and self-service soup and salad bars.
The Company's stores offer products at prices that are generally below those of its primary supermarket competitors. Customers bag their own groceries and merchandise is presented on warehouse-style racks in full cartons, reducing labor-intensive unpacking. In-store operations are also designed to allow customers to perform certain labor-intensive services usually offered in conventional supermarkets. For example, the Company's stores generally do not provide service staff to support the bakery and floral departments or the meat and seafood refrigerated cases, although the stores provide service in these departments at the request of customers.
The Company's stores generally are constructed with high ceilings to accommodate warehouse racking with overhead pallet storage. Wide aisles accommodate forklifts and, compared to conventional supermarkets, a higher percentage of total store square footage is devoted to retail selling space because the top of the warehouse-style grocery racks on the sales floor are used to store
Item 1. Business (Continued)
inventory, which reduces the need for large backroom storage and restocking trips.
Notwithstanding the "warehouse" name, physical features and low-price reputation, Shoppers' stores have more in common with conventional supermarket chains than with so-called "warehouse clubs." No membership fee is charged at Shoppers stores, which offer a selection of popular-sized national brands and private label products, as well as high quality produce, meat and seafood. The product offerings are similar to those of conventional supermarkets with slightly more emphasis on larger package sizes and with less emphasis on extensive brand and size selection. All 38 of the Company's supermarkets have a delicatessen, a bakery and a floral department and 21 stores have a beer and wine department.
While similar in most respects to conventional supermarket operators, Shoppers distinguishes itself by providing low-price leadership while still emphasizing quality. Shoppers does this by offering an unusual combination of higher-end specialty departments with self-service and discount price features. In addition, unlike traditional supermarkets, Shoppers stores offer a greater selection of "club size" products, along with popular-sized brands. Through this approach, Shoppers has established a unique niche among supermarket operators in Greater Washington, D.C.
The Company's stores range in size from approximately 20,000 to 77,000 total square feet and average approximately 47,000 square feet. Shoppers' stores can be categorized by size as follows: (i) 10 stores smaller than 40,000 square feet; (ii) 12 stores ranging from 40,000 to 50,000 square feet; and (iii) 16 stores between 50,000 and 77,000 square feet. The stores in the first category generally are older stores located in densely populated areas in which little or no supermarket expansion is expected due to the limited availability of real estate locations. Despite their age and size, as a group, these stores generally continue to perform well in terms of sales per square foot and profitability. The next size category represents stores that more closely resemble the store sizes operated by conventional supermarket competitors in the local area. Finally, the category representing the largest size stores includes the nine "Shoppers Club" supermarkets (averaging approximately 67,900 total square feet per store). These larger size supermarkets generally have more space devoted to specialty departments and offer more "club pack" size products.
Shoppers is the largest supermarket chain targeting the price-conscious segment in Greater Washington, D.C. The two primary competitors of Shoppers are Giant Food, Inc. ("Giant") and Safeway Inc. ("Safeway"), both of which operate in the higher-service, higher-price segment. Overall, Shoppers has the third largest market share in Greater Washington, D.C. "Greater Washington, D.C." includes Washington, D.C.; Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery and Prince Georges counties in Maryland; Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford counties in Virginia; and the independent cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church in Virginia. Shoppers does not, however, operate any stores in the city of Washington, D.C.
Item 1. Business (Continued)
Store Expansion and Remodeling
Shoppers has plans to open large new stores and upgrade existing stores. Shoppers opened four new stores since July 1997 and has signed a lease to open one new store (between 65,000 and 75,000 square feet) during the fiscal year ending January 29, 2000 ("fiscal 2000"). Shoppers is currently considering expanding or remodeling at least 17 stores during fiscal 2000. Of its existing 38 stores, 28 are larger than 40,000 square feet, and all but one of the Company's stores were opened, remodeled or expanded during the last ten years. The Company believes that its existing supermarkets generally have well-established locations with favorable lease terms (including multiple options), are in good condition and require only routine maintenance.
The following chart sets forth certain information concerning Shoppers stores during the past five fiscal years:
During the 52 weeks ended January 30, 1999 ("fiscal 1999"), Shoppers opened a 67,590 square foot store in College Park, Maryland.
Product Selection
The Company believes that in recent years consumers have shown an increasing preference for food stores that offer not only the wide variety of food and non-food items carried by conventional supermarkets, but also an expanded assortment of high-quality specialty food items and fresh produce. To respond to this trend, Shoppers offers a complete line of produce, fresh baked goods, freshly packaged meat, seafood products and floral assortments and provides service in these departments at the customer's request. This strategy provides consumers with a wider selection of higher quality products and convenience foods, while shifting its sales mix toward higher gross margin products.
Shoppers' largest supermarkets carry over 25,000 Stock Keeping Units ("SKU's"). Its merchandising program is designed to offer customers a wide selection of products at prices that are generally below those of its primary supermarket competitors. Shoppers accomplishes this by carrying slightly fewer items than its local supermarket competitors, primarily through pursuing less duplication of products in smaller sizes. This program also includes a critical assessment of existing store layouts, shelving and product mix. The Company monitors SKUs to identify slow-moving products that may be replaced with new products.
Shoppers stores carry a variety of grocery and general merchandise under private label names, including "Richfood" and "Shoppers Food Warehouse," which currently account for approximately 10% of its sales. Private label products are of a quality generally comparable to that of national brands, at significantly lower
Item 1. Business (Continued)
prices, while Shoppers' gross margins on private label products are generally higher than on national brands.
Purchasing, Warehousing and Distribution
Shoppers purchases approximately 75% of its inventory from subsidiaries of Richfood. Because Shoppers' stores receive most of their deliveries from Richfood's subsidiaries almost daily, Shoppers maintains no warehouse storage space. Richfood's large volume purchasing results in significant cost savings to Shoppers.
Shoppers also purchases merchandise sold in its supermarkets, in particular, beverages and snack products, from sources other than Richfood.
Advertising and Promotion
Shoppers uses a broad-based advertising program to emphasize its "Low Price" image. Over two million 12 page, four color circulars are printed and distributed weekly in the Washington Post to subscribers, and to nonsubscribers via the "Post-Plus" program, which insures that the circulars are placed in every home in the Greater Washington, D.C. Market. The "Low price" image is reinforced with a television and radio campaign supported by vendors' and Shoppers' funds.
Media broadcasts support the Bonus Saving Program, in which manufacturers' allowances are passed on to customers in the form of lower priced products. Broadcasts also support Shoppers Discounted Program, whereby pre-priced items are discounted 10% to 40% for the customer. Extensive in-store point of purchase signs are located throughout the stores to communicate Shoppers' low price image.
Competition
The supermarket industry is highly competitive and characterized by narrow profit margins. Shoppers' competitors include national, regional and local supermarket chains, independent grocery stores, specialty food stores, warehouse club stores, drug stores and convenience stores. Supermarket chains generally compete on the basis of location, quality of products, service, price, product variety and store condition. Shoppers competes by providing its customers with exceptional value by offering quality produce and fresh foods, self-service specialty departments, and a selection of national brand groceries and private label goods, all at competitive prices. Shoppers monitors the prices offered by its competitors on a weekly basis and uses a computerized price management system to verify pricing positions. The Company's ability to remain competitive in its markets depends in part on its ability to remodel and update its stores in response to remodelings and new store openings by its competitors.
The number and type of competitors vary by location. Shoppers' two principal competitors are conventional supermarket chains, Giant and Safeway, which have market shares in Greater Washington, D.C. of approximately 44% and 26%, respectively. The Company believes that Shoppers' market share of approximately 13% exceeds the next highest competitor by almost four times. However, Shoppers believes that it will face increased competition in the future from other
Item 1. Business (Continued)
supermarket chains and intends to compete aggressively against existing and new competition.
Employees
As of January 30, 1999, Shoppers employed approximately 4,700 people, of whom approximately 1,400 were full-time. Approximately 4,300 employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements with various locals of two unions. Shoppers has an agreement with United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 400, which will expire July 1, 2000 and covers approximately 4,000 retail clerks and meat cutters, and an agreement with United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 27, which will expire September 30, 2001 and covers approximately 300 retail clerks and meat cutters.
Trade Names, Service Marks and Trademarks
Shoppers uses a variety of trade names, service marks and trademarks. Except for "Shoppers," "SFW," "Shoppers Food Warehouse" and "Shoppers Club," Shoppers does not believe any of such trade names, service marks or trademarks are material to its business. Shoppers presently has federal registrations of the "Shoppers Food Warehouse" and "Colossal Donuts" trademarks. It has federal registration of "Shoppers Club" as a service mark and is seeking federal registration of it as a trademark. Shoppers also has federally registered "Shoppers," "Shoppers Food Warehouse" and "SFW" as service marks and has also registered the "Shoppers Food Warehouse" and "SFW" designs.
Government Regulation
Shoppers is subject to regulation by a variety of governmental agencies, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state and local health departments and other agencies, including those regulating the sale of beer and wine.
Environmental Matters
Shoppers is subject to federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances that (i) govern activities or operations that may have adverse environmental effects, such as discharges to air and water, as well as handling and disposal practices for solid and hazardous wastes, and (ii) impose liability for the costs of cleaning up, and certain damages resulting from, sites of past spills, disposals or other releases of hazardous materials. Shoppers believes it conducts its operations in compliance with applicable environmental laws. Shoppers has not incurred material capital expenditures for environmental controls during the previous three years.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
Shoppers has supermarkets in Virginia and Maryland, all of which are leased. The following chart sets forth certain information regarding its stores by size:
- -------------------------- (1) Shoppers Club supermarket.
Most of the Company's stores are operated under long-term leases that the Company believes have favorable terms. The lease for one of the Company's smallest stores was on a month-to-month basis, which was terminated in February 1999.
Shoppers leases an 86,000 square foot office building located in Lanham, MD that serves as its corporate offices. The lease commenced in 1990 and expires in
Item 2. Properties (Continued)
2010. The Company subleases approximately 35,600 square feet of this office building to unrelated third parties.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of its business, Shoppers is a party to various legal actions that the Company believes are routine in nature and incidental to the operation of its business. The Company believes that the outcome of the proceedings to which Shoppers currently is a party will not have a material adverse effect upon its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Item 4.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Information omitted in accordance with General Instruction I (2)(c).
Part II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
The Common Stock of Shoppers Food Warehouse Corp. is not publicly traded.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Information omitted in accordance with General Instruction I(2)(a).
Item 7.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Outlook
Except for historical information, statements in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are "forward-looking" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results may differ materially due to a variety of factors, including the Company's ability to open new stores and the effect of regional economic conditions. Shoppers undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update, revise or otherwise publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect future events or circumstances, other than through its regular quarterly and annual reports filed with the SEC.
Richfood operates Shoppers as a distinct unit within its retail division and does not presently plan to make any material changes to Shoppers' strategic focus or operational format.
Financial Condition
In connection with the Dart Acquisition, the portion of the Dart purchase price allocated to Shoppers was pushed-down to the Company's financial statements. As a result, Assets and Stockholder's Equity on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet each increased by approximately $171.9 million.
Results of Operations
Reference to "fiscal 1999" means the 52 weeks ended January 30, 1999, "fiscal 1998" means the 52 weeks ended January 31, 1998 and "fiscal 1997" means the 52 weeks ended February 1, 1997.
Fiscal 1999 Compared with Fiscal 1998
Sales increased by $29.8 million, or 3.5%, from $855.8 million during fiscal 1998 to $885.6 million during fiscal 1999. The sales increase was primarily due to additional sales associated with four new stores opened since July 1997 (including one store that opened in July 1998). Comparable store sales decreased 6.0% during fiscal 1999, compared to the prior fiscal year. The decrease in comparable store sales was primarily due to the new Shoppers' stores drawing customers from existing Shoppers' stores and competitive market conditions.
Gross profit increased by approximately $14.4 million (7.2%), from $199.2 million during fiscal 1998 to $213.6 million during fiscal 1999. Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, increased to 24.1% during fiscal 1999 compared to 23.3% during fiscal 1998. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to the reduced number of items with special discount pricing as well as an increase in allowances received from vendors associated with the introduction of new products.
Selling and administrative expenses increased by approximately $9.6 million (6.0%), from $160.7 million during fiscal 1998 to $170.3 million during fiscal 1999. Selling and administrative expenses, as a percentage of sales, increased
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
from 18.8% during fiscal 1998 to 19.2% during fiscal 1999. The increase was primarily attributable to higher advertising expenses and one-time promotional expenses at certain locations.
Depreciation and amortization increased by $2.4 million from $11.1 million during fiscal 1998 to $13.5 million during fiscal 1999. The increase was primarily due to increased amortization of goodwill as a result of the Dart Acquisition.
Operating income was $29.8 million for fiscal 1999 compared to $27.4 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase was primarily due to the increase in gross profit and was partially offset by the increased selling and administrative expenses and amortization of goodwill.
Interest income increased approximately $0.6 million during fiscal 1999 compared to fiscal 1998 due to interest accrued on the loans to Dart and the interest recorded on the note receivable from an affiliate of Dart (see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
Interest expense decreased approximately $2.6 million from $21.1 million during fiscal 1998 to $18.5 million during fiscal 1999. The decrease was primarily the result of a reduction in interest expense due to amortization of the adjustment to market value of the Senior Notes.
The effective income tax rate for fiscal 1999 was 54.3% compared to 48.5% for fiscal 1998. The increase was attributable to the increase in nondeductible amortization of acquisition related goodwill as a result of the Dart Acquisition in May 1998.
Net income increased by $3.4 million, from $3.7 million during fiscal 1998 to $7.1 million during fiscal 1999. The increase was primarily attributable to the inclusion of an extraordinary item comprised of the loss on the early extinguishment of debt during fiscal 1998 and to the increase in operating income during fiscal 1999.
Fiscal 1998 Compared with Fiscal 1997
Sales increased by $4.9 million, from $850.9 million during fiscal 1997 to $855.8 million during fiscal 1998. The sales increases were due to three new stores opened since July 1997. Comparable store sales decreased 4.5% during fiscal 1998. The decrease in comparable store sales was primarily due to the new stores drawing customers from existing stores and competitive market conditions.
Gross profit increased by $8.3 million (4.3%), from $190.9 million during fiscal 1997 to $199.2 million during fiscal 1998. Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, increased to 23.3% during fiscal 1998 from 22.4% during fiscal 1997. The increases were primarily due to a more proactive pricing strategy on selected items, a reduction in the number of items that were offered at special discounts on a weekly basis in stores, a higher allowance income achieved through increased vendor participation and a reduction in the charge to
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
operations for LIFO, from $0.9 million during fiscal 1997 to $0.4 million during fiscal 1998.
Selling and administrative expenses increased by $6.1 million (3.9%), from $154.6 million during fiscal 1997 to $160.7 million during fiscal 1998. Selling and administrative expenses, as a percentage of sales, increased from 18.2% during fiscal 1997 to 18.8% during fiscal 1998. The increases were primarily attributable to increased payroll costs associated with negotiated union rates and to expenses associated with three new stores opened after July 1997.
Depreciation and amortization increased by $2.4 million from $8.7 million during fiscal 1997 to $11.1 million during fiscal 1998. The increases were primarily due to additional depreciation and amortization associated with goodwill and lease rights, as well as with fixed assets purchased for three new stores opened after July 1997, offset in part by assets becoming fully depreciated in 1997. In connection with the Shoppers Acquisition, the Company commenced using Dart's method of depreciating property and equipment on a straight-line basis. Prior to the Shoppers Acquisition, the Company used accelerated methods. The cumulative effect of this change in accounting principle has been recorded in the financial statements for fiscal 1998. Depreciation expense for fiscal 1997 would have been $0.6 million more using the straight-line basis.
Operating income was $27.4 million for fiscal 1998 compared to $27.6 million during the prior fiscal year. The decrease was primarily due to higher selling and administrative expenses and increased depreciation and amortization and was partially offset by the increase in gross profit.
Interest income decreased $2.4 million during fiscal 1998 compared to fiscal 1997 primarily due to a reduction of funds available for short-term investing as a result of the repayment of the bridge financing associated with the Shoppers Acquisition.
Interest expense increased approximately $19.4 million from $1.6 million during fiscal 1997 to $21.1 million during fiscal 1998 as a result of interest paid on the Increasing Rate Notes, interest accrued on the Senior Notes and the amortization of financing costs.
The effective income tax rate for fiscal 1998 was 48.5% compared to 35.7% for fiscal 1997. The increase was primarily attributable to nondeductible amortization of acquisition related goodwill.
On June 26, 1997, the Company sold $200 million aggregate principal amount of its 9.75% senior notes due 2004. On July 25, 1997, the proceeds were used to repay $143.3 million (including approximately $3.3 million of accrued and unpaid interest) of the existing Increasing Rate Notes and to pay $50.0 million into an escrow account, which was used by Dart when it consummated a settlement with certain of its shareholders. As a result of this transaction, $5.3 million, representing an unamortized portion of the financing costs incurred to secure initial senior indebtedness, were expensed as an extraordinary item, net of taxes of approximately $2.2 million.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
Net income decreased by $16.9 million, from $20.6 million during fiscal 1997 to $3.7 million during fiscal 1998. The decrease was primarily attributable to increased interest expense associated with the Company's indebtedness and the extraordinary item discussed above, offset by the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle.
Effects of Inflation
During the last three fiscal years, the rate of general inflation has been relatively low and has not had a significant impact on Shoppers' net sales or income from continuing operations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company's principal source of liquidity is expected to be its cash flow from operations. It is anticipated that Shoppers' principal uses of liquidity will be to provide working capital, finance capital expenditures and meet debt service requirements.
During fiscal 1999, operating activities generated net cash of $9.1 million compared to $16.6 million during the prior fiscal year. The decrease was primarily due to shorter payment terms on inventory purchases from Richfood compared to payment terms on trade accounts payable.
Investing activities used $5.9 million of Shoppers' cash during fiscal 1999 compared to providing $85.6 million during fiscal 1998. The change was primarily due to the Company's disposition of its short-term investments during fiscal 1998 in order to provide funds for the repayment of the Bridge Loan associated with the Shoppers Acquisition. During fiscal 1999, cash was used primarily for capital expenditures relating to one new store that opened in July 1998, as well as routine expenditures for equipment, and was partially offset by the net disposition of short-term investments. Shoppers estimates that it will make total capital expenditures of approximately $22.5 million during the 52 weeks ending January 29, 2000. Management expects that these capital expenditures will be financed primarily through cash flow from operations.
Financing activities used $0.6 million of the Company's cash during fiscal 1999, compared to using $111.9 million during fiscal 1998. The decrease was primarily due to payments on the Bridge Loan, other financing costs and acquisition costs associated with the Shoppers Acquisition during the prior fiscal year (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
Shoppers' current interest expense consists primarily of interest on the Senior Notes and capital lease obligations. Interest on the Senior Notes is accrued from the date of issuance and is payable semi-annually in arrears on each June 15 and December 15. The Senior Notes are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all secured indebtedness of the Company and contain certain restrictive covenants including, (i) limitation on restricted payments, (ii) limitation on indebtedness, (iii) limitation on investments, loans and advances, (iv) limitation on liens, (v) limitation on transactions with affiliates, (vi) restriction on mergers, consolidations and transfers of assets, (vii) limitation
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
on lines of business, (viii) limitations on asset sales and (ix) limitation on issuance and sale of capital stock of subsidiaries. The amount of dividend payments that the Company can make to Dart is also subject to certain restrictions.
The Company believes that cash flows from Shoppers' operations will be adequate to meet its anticipated requirements for working capital, debt service and capital expenditures.
Year 2000 Compliance
References herein to Richfood are based on information provided by Richfood to the Company.
The "Year 2000" issue is the result of computer systems and software programs using only two digits rather than four to define a year. As a result, computer systems that have date--sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. Unless remedied, the Year 2000 issue could result in system failures, miscalculations, and the inability to process necessary transactions or engage in similar normal business activities. In addition to computer systems and software, any equipment using embedded chips, such as switchgear, controllers and telephone exchanges, could also be at risk.
As a result of the Dart Acquisition, the Company's computer systems and software programs are being incorporated into Richfood's. Richfood has developed, and has begun implementing, a strategic, long--term information technology plan (the "Strategic Plan") to upgrade its core application systems. Concurrently, Richfood has developed and is implementing a plan (the "Y2K Plan") to ensure that its information systems are Year 2000 compliant. The Y2K Plan focuses on the following three major areas:
o Information technology systems ("IT").
o Embedded technology and other systems ("Non-IT").
o Key third party relationships.
Based on the Strategic Plan and assessments conducted as part of the Y2K Plan, Richfood determined that it would be necessary to modify or replace portions of its software and certain hardware systems so that such systems will properly recognize dates beyond December 31, 1999. Richfood presently believes that with the modification or replacement of existing software and certain hardware systems, the Year 2000 issue can be significantly mitigated. However, if such modifications and replacements are not made, or are not completed in a timely manner, the Year 2000 issue could have a material adverse impact on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
Richfood's Y2K Plan, as it pertains to the Company, involves the following three phases:
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
o Assessment -- locating, listing and prioritizing the specific technology that is potentially subject to Year 2000 issues, assessing the actual exposure of such technology to the Year 2000 issue, and planning/scheduling the allocation of internal and third party resources for the remediation effort.
o Remediation/Testing of non-compliant systems - selecting and executing the method necessary to resolve the Year 2000 issues that were identified, including replacement, upgrade, repair or abandonment and testing the remediated or converted technology to determine the efficacy of the resolutions.
o Implementation- placing remediated technology into operation.
The assessment phase has been completed with respect to IT and Non--IT systems that Richfood believes could be adversely affected by the Year 2000 issue. The assessment indicated that many of the Company's significant information systems could be adversely affected, particularly the general ledger, human resources, payroll, and point of sale systems. Non-IT systems, including telephones, loss-prevention and food production systems, are also being validated; however, the Company believes that non-compliance of the Non-IT systems does not pose a significant risk to the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
With respect to IT systems, the remediation/testing phase is approximately 60% complete, with an expected completion date of mid 1999, and the implementation phase is expected to continue until September 1999. Certain point of sale software systems and all time and attendance systems will be upgraded or replaced during 1999. Additionally, human resources, payroll and general ledger system software upgrades are expected to be completed by mid 1999.
The majority of the Company's Non--IT systems are currently Year 2000 compliant; however, certain systems, which include telephones, will need to be upgraded or replaced. The Non--IT systems remediation/testing phase is approximately 65% complete and full implementation is expected by mid 1999.
Richfood's evaluation of the Year 2000 readiness of the Company's material suppliers(Richfood is the Company's primary supplier), customers and other third parties, has not identified any class of third party providers that could materially impact the Company's results of operations in the event of their failure to become Year 2000 compliant. However, there can be no assurance that the failure of any unrelated third parties to become Year 2000 compliant in a timely manner would not result in a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
Total costs associated with the Company's Year 2000 remediation are expected to be approximately $3.4 million. Of this amount, approximately $3.0 million has, or is expected to be capitalized, in accordance with GAAP, with approximately $150,000 capitalized during fiscal 1999, and the Company expects to pay the majority of the remaining costs over the next eight months. All expenditures by the Company related to the Y2K Plan will be funded by cash flow from operations and are not expected to impact other operating or investment plans.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
No material information technology projects have been deferred as a result of the implementation of the Y2K Plan.
The aforementioned costs of the Y2K Plan and the completion dates are based on management's best estimates, which were derived from assumptions of future events, including the availability of resources, key third party modification plans and other factors. There can be no assurance that these estimates will prove to be accurate, and actual results could vary due to uncertainties.
Although the Y2K Plan is expected to be adequate to address the Company's Year 2000 concerns, the Company could experience a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition if its Year 2000 compliance schedule is not met, if the costs to remediate the Company's Year 2000 issues significantly exceed current estimates or if material suppliers, customers and other businesses encounter serious problems in their Year 2000 remediation efforts. Therefore, Richfood and the Company are in the process of developing plans to address such contingencies, with a focus on mission critical systems. The Company and Richfood expect to complete contingency plans in mid 1999 and expect that such plans may include provisions relating to, among other things, manual workarounds and adjusting staffing strategies, and will describe the communications, operations and IT activities that will be utilized if the contingency plans must be executed.
Richfood's Year 2000 efforts are ongoing and the Y2K Plan will continue to evolve as new information becomes available. The failure to correct a material Year 2000 issue could result in an interruption in certain normal business activities and operations. Due to the general uncertainty inherent in the Year 2000 issue, resulting in part from the uncertainty of the Year 2000 readiness of third parties upon whom Richfood and the Company rely, the Company is unable to determine at this time whether the consequences of Year 2000 failures will have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations. However, the Company believes that, with the implementation of the Y2K Plan as scheduled, the possibility of significant interruptions of normal operations should be reduced.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The registrant's market risk exposure is not material. Interest on both the Company's notes receivable and Senior Notes are at fixed rates. The Company does not have any other financial instruments that result in material exposure to interest rate risk.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Shoppers Food Warehouse Corp. (a Delaware corporation and wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Dart Group Corporation) and subsidiaries (the "Company"), as of January 30, 1999, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholder's equity and cash flows for the thirty-seven week period ended January 30, 1999 and the fifteen week period ended May 18, 1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. The consolidated balance sheet of Shoppers Food Warehouse Corp. and subsidiaries as of January 31, 1998 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholder's equity and cash flows for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 1998, the 31 weeks ended February 1, 1997 and the 52 weeks ended June 29, 1996 were audited by other auditors whose report, dated April 28, 1998, expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Shoppers Food Warehouse Corp. and subsidiaries as of January 30, 1999, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the thirty-seven week period ended January 30, 1999 and the fifteen week period ended May 18, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Richmond, Virginia April 26, 1999
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Shoppers Food Warehouse Corp. (a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Dart Group Corporation) and subsidiaries (the "Company" or "successor"), as of January 31, 1998, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the fifty-two weeks ended January 31, 1998 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows of Shoppers Food Warehouse Corp. and subsidiaries (the "Predecessor") for the thirty-one weeks ended February 1, 1997 and for the fifty-two weeks ended June 29, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's and the Predecessor's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Shoppers Food Warehouse Corp. (Successor) and subsidiaries as of January 31, 1998, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the fifty-two weeks ended January 31, 1998, and the results of their operations and their cash flows of Shoppers Food Warehouse Corp. (Predecessor) and subsidiaries for the thirty-one weeks ended February 1, 1997 and for the fifty-two week period ended June 29, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Effective February 6, 1997, the Company changed its method of depreciating property and equipment (see Note 1).
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Washington, D.C. April 28, 1998
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (dollars in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated balance sheets.
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated balance sheets.
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share data)
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SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued) (in thousands, except per share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands)
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SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED) (in thousands)
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SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED) (in thousands)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
General
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Shoppers Food Warehouse Corp. (a Delaware corporation) and its subsidiaries, (collectively "Shoppers" or the "Company") for the 37 weeks ended January 30, 1999 ("37 weeks of fiscal 1999"), the 15 weeks ended May 18, 1998 ("15 weeks of fiscal 1999"), the 52 weeks ended January 31, 1998 ("fiscal 1998"), the 31 weeks ended February 1, 1997 ("fiscal 1997") and the 52 weeks ended June 29, 1996 ("fiscal 1996"). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. On February 6, 1997, Dart Group Corporation ("Dart") indirectly acquired the 50% interest in Shoppers that it did not already own (the "Shoppers Acquisition") and the Company became a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Dart (see Note 2). On May 18, 1998, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Richfood Holdings, Inc. ("Richfood") acquired all the outstanding shares of Dart (the "Dart Acquisition") and as a result, Richfood indirectly owns 100% of the outstanding common stock of Shoppers (see Note 2). The Company is engaged in the business of operating discount grocery stores in Maryland and Virginia.
Fiscal Year
In connection with the Shoppers Acquisition, the Company changed its fiscal year end to the Saturday closest to January 31. Prior to that, the Company's fiscal years ended on the Saturday closest to June 30.
Use of Estimates in Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash Equivalents and Marketable Debt Securities
The Company considers all highly liquid temporary cash investments with initial maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At January 30, 1999, short-term investments of approximately $2.1 million were invested in money market funds. At January 31, 1998, the Company owned marketable debt securities with a fair value of $522,000, which approximated the cost of such securities.
Inventories
The Company's inventories are priced at the lower of cost or market. For substantially all inventories, cost is determined using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method. If replacement cost, which approximates the first-in, first-out method ("FIFO"), had been used, inventories would have been greater by approximately $4,743,000 as of January 31, 1998. At January 30, 1999, the LIFO value of inventories approximated their replacement cost. Net income would have
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
been higher by approximately $200,000, $368,000, $530,000, and $905,000 for the 15 weeks ended May 18, 1998, fiscal 1998, fiscal 1997, and fiscal 1996, respectively, if inventory had been priced on a FIFO basis.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable include amounts due from vendors for coupons remitted, cooperative advertising and merchandise rebates.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. In connection with the Shoppers Acquisition, the Company adopted Dart's method of depreciating property and equipment on a straight line basis. Property and equipment is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the assets, generally five to ten years. Property and equipment includes $8.0 million of assets under a capital lease, less the related accumulated amortization of $476,000 at January 30, 1999. Depreciation and amortization expense relating to property and equipment, including assets under capital lease, was approximately $3.7 million, $2.1 million, $5.0 million, $4.6 million, and $8.9 million during the 37 weeks of fiscal 1999, the 15 weeks of fiscal 1999, fiscal 1998, fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996, respectively. Prior to the Shoppers Acquisition, the Company depreciated property and equipment using accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally five to seven years. The following pro forma information gives effect to the change in depreciation method assuming the depreciation method was applied retroactively.
Insurance
The Company maintains general liability and workers' compensation insurance with self-insured deductibles and maintains health coverage liabilities on a self-funded basis. An estimate of the obligation for self-insured claims is accrued annually and adjusted periodically based on historical data and management's expectations regarding obligations for reported claims. Expenses arising from claims are accrued as claims become subject to estimation. Self-insurance liabilities are based on claims filed plus an additional amount for incurred but not reported claims. These liabilities are not discounted.
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Income Taxes
The Company provides a deferred tax expense or benefit equal to the change in the net deferred taxes during the period. Deferred income taxes represent the future net tax effects resulting from temporary differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the period in which the differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
Lease Rights
Favorable lease rights are amortized over the term of the leases using the straight-line method.
Store Opening and Closing Costs
All costs of a noncapital nature incurred in opening a new store are charged to expense as incurred. The Company opened one new store, three new stores and one new store during the 37 weeks of fiscal 1999, fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1996, respectively. No stores were opened during fiscal 1997.
The costs associated with store closings are charged to selling and administrative expense when management makes the decision to close a store. Such costs consist primarily of lease payments and other costs, net of estimated sublease income.
Deferred Income
The Company has entered into various agreements with vendors and suppliers that provide for the payment of cash or the receipt of merchandise at the beginning or during the contract period. These amounts are deferred and amortized over the expected lives of the contracts.
Long Lived Assets
The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets to be held and used, and goodwill for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. An evaluation is made periodically and is based on such factors as the occurrence of a significant change in the environment in which the business operates or if the expected future undiscounted net cash flows would become less than the carrying amount of the asset. If an evaluation is required, the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset are compared to the asset's carrying amount to determine if an adjustment to fair value is required. The Company has determined that as of January 30, 1999, there has been no impairment in the carrying value of long-lived assets.
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company's assets that are exposed to credit risk consist primarily of cash and equivalents, short-term investments, and accounts receivable. The Company maintains cash and equivalents with major banks in its marketplace. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of the financial institutions with which it does business. The Company's short-term investments are invested in money market funds. The Company's accounts receivable balance results primarily from the amounts due from its vendors for various promotional programs. The Company periodically reviews the collectibility of its accounts receivable balance and provides for estimated uncollectible accounts.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
At January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998, the carrying amount of financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities approximates fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments.
The fair value for the Company's fixed rate Senior Notes (see Note 3) is based on quoted market prices. The fair value of the Company's Senior outstanding Notes on January 30, 1999 was approximately $211.3 million. The fair value of Notes Receivable from Dart (see Note 7) approximates the carrying value.
Earnings Per Share
Earnings per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding during the periods presented. The Company has no dilutive securities therefore earnings per common share represents both basic and diluted earnings per share.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.
NOTE 2 - ACQUISITIONS
Dart Acquisition
On May 18, 1998, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Richfood acquired all of the outstanding shares of Dart, which indirectly owns 100% of the outstanding common stock of the Company, for $160 per share, net to the seller in cash, or approximately $201 million. In connection with the Dart Acquisition, Richfood caused its subsidiary to merge with and into Dart in a transaction in which Dart became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Richfood. As a result of the Dart Acquisition, Richfood indirectly owns 100% of the outstanding common stock of Shoppers.
Richfood has accounted for the Dart Acquisition using the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, a new accounting basis began as of May 18, 1998 and the assets and liabilities of Shoppers were restated to reflect their estimated
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
fair market values as of that date. Fiscal 1999 includes the results of operations for 37 weeks under this new basis of accounting. The excess of the Dart Acquisition purchase price allocated to Shoppers over net assets of Shoppers acquired (goodwill) has been pushed-down to the Company. This goodwill of approximately $317.2 million is based on a preliminary allocation of the purchase price and is being amortized on a straight line basis over 40 years.
Pro forma operating results for the 52 week periods ended January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998 reflect the Dart Acquisition as if it had occurred on February 2, 1997. The following unaudited pro forma results of the Company reflect the push down of acquisition entries, including, but not limited to, additional amortization of goodwill, amortization of the fair market adjustment of the Senior Notes (see Note 3 - Long-Term Debt) and reversal of amortization of the acquisition costs associated with the Shoppers Acquisition (in thousands, except per share data).
Richfood is operating Shoppers as a distinct unit within its retail division and has indicated that it does not presently plan to make any material changes to Shoppers' strategic focus or operational format.
Shoppers Acquisition
On February 6, 1997, Dart indirectly acquired the 50% interest in Shoppers that it did not already own for $210 million and Shoppers became a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Dart. The Shoppers Acquisition was recorded using the purchase method of accounting and Dart's interest in Shoppers was pushed down into the accompanying financial statements. The purchase price was allocated to the assets and liabilities of Shoppers and the excess purchase price over the net assets acquired of $148.8 million was allocated to goodwill, which was amortized over 40 years. In conjunction with the Shoppers Acquisition, the Company adopted Dart's method of depreciating property and equipment on a straight-line basis. Prior to the Shoppers Acquisition, the Company used accelerated depreciation methods.
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 3 - LONG-TERM DEBT
Senior Notes
In June 1997, the Company issued $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2004 (the "Senior Notes"). The net proceeds from the Senior Notes was $193.5 million (after fees and expenses of approximately $6.5 million) of which $143.5 million was used to repay acquisition debt incurred by Dart in connection with Shopper Acquisition and $50.0 million (the "Restricted Proceeds") was paid to Dart in the form of a $40.0 million dividend and a $10.0 million loan for settlements with certain Dart shareholders.
The early extinguishment of Shoppers Acquisition debt resulted in the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs of $5.3 million, which has been presented in the consolidated statement of operations as an extraordinary loss, net of the related tax benefit of $2.2 million.
Interest on the Senior Notes is accrued from the date of issuance and is payable semi-annually in arrears on each June 15 and December 15. The Senior Notes are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all secured indebtedness of the Company and contain certain restrictive covenants including, (i) limitation on restricted payments, (ii) limitation on indebtedness, (iii) limitation on investments, loans and advances, (iv) limitation on liens, (v) limitation on transactions with affiliates, (vi) restriction on mergers, consolidations and transfers of assets, (vii) limitation on lines of business, (viii) limitations on asset sales and (ix) limitation on issuance and sale of capital stock of subsidiaries. The amount of dividend payments that the Company can make to Dart is also subject to certain restrictions.
The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by SFW Holding Corp. ("Holdings"), the immediate parent of the Company. Holdings holds 100% of the common stock of Shoppers and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dart. The guarantee is secured by a first priority security interest in the capital stock of the Company owned by Holdings.
On May 18, 1998, in connection with the Dart Acquisition, the Senior Notes were adjusted on the Company's Balance Sheet to their fair value of $221.5 million. The $21.5 million of fair value in excess of face value of the Senior Notes is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the stated maturity period. In June 1998, Richfood purchased $6.5 million in face amount of the outstanding Senior Notes in an open market transaction for a total cash payment of approximately $7.2 million, including accrued interest.
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 4 - INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes before extraordinary items and cumulative effect of accounting change is comprised of the following (in thousands):
This effective income tax rate is reconciled to the Federal statutory rate as follows:
As a result of the Dart Acquisition and the Shoppers Acquisition, certain differences have arisen between the book and tax basis of various assets and liabilities of the Company (see Note 2) and are reflected in the table that follows. Temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities on a consolidated basis are as follows (in thousands):
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company believes that no valuation allowance is necessary due to its history of profitable operations.
Tax Sharing Agreement with Dart
In February 1997, Dart and the Company entered into a tax sharing agreement whereby the federal and certain state and local income tax returns of the Company would be consolidated in the federal income tax returns to be filed by Dart. This tax sharing arrangement was intended to allow Dart to utilize its net operating loss carryforwards. The Company's consolidated financial statements provide income taxes on a separate Company basis. As a result of the Dart Acquisition, the Company's federal and certain state income tax returns are consolidated with Richfood's tax returns.
NOTE 5 - LEASE COMMITMENTS
The Company leases retail store space under noncancelable lease agreements ranging from 1 to 20 years. Renewal options are available on the majority of the leases for one or more periods of five years each. Most leases require the payment of taxes and maintenance costs, and some leases provide for additional rentals based on sales in excess of specified minimums. All store leases have stated periodic rental increases. The increases are amortized over the lives of the leases. Rent expense includes approximately $712,000, $294,000, $991,000, $281,000, and $687,000 of amortized rental increases for the 37 weeks of fiscal 1999, the 15 weeks of fiscal 1999, fiscal 1998, fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996, respectively.
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Following is a schedule of annual future minimum payments under the capital lease for office space, assuming future annual increases of 3 percent, and noncancelable operating leases, which have initial or remaining terms in excess of one year at January 30, 1999 (in thousands):
Minimum capital lease and operating lease obligations have not been reduced by future minimum sublease rentals of $529,000 under noncancelable sublease agreements discussed below.
Rent expense for operating leases charged to operations is as follows (in thousands):
Related-Party Leases
For periods prior to February 1, 1998, the Company leased its office space and certain store locations from related parties. The following lease agreements were no longer related party for periods subsequent to January 31, 1998.
In July 1990, the Company entered into an agreement to lease an 86,000 square foot office building in Lanham, Maryland, from a private partnership (the "Partnership") which is owned by former stockholders of the Company (members of the Herman family) and former stockholders of Dart (members of the Haft family). The lease is for 20 years and it commenced December 10, 1990. The lease provides for yearly increasing rental payments, based upon the Consumer Price Index for the Washington D.C., metropolitan statistical area; however, the annual increases will not be more than 6 percent nor less than 3 percent. Rental
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
payments for fiscal 1998, fiscal 1997, and fiscal 1996 were approximately $1.3 million, $0.7 million and $1.2 million respectively, and all remaining payments over the life of the lease aggregate approximately $19.6 million at January 30, 1999. The Company accounts for the lease as a capital lease and is included in the lease commitment table above. The lease requires the Company to pay for maintenance, utilities, insurance and taxes. The Partnership purchased the office building for approximately $8.7 million in July 1990.
During fiscal 1998, fiscal 1997, and fiscal 1996, the Company made rental payments of approximately $5.9 million, $3.6 million and $5.4 million, respectively, on store leases to partnerships related to former stockholders of Dart. As of January 31, 1998, the Company had ten store operating leases with partnerships related to the former stockholders of Dart.
Subleasing Agreements
The Company subleases space within one store for the sale of beer and wine to an entity affiliated with its officers. The Company received rental income of approximately $207,000, $40,000, $209,000, $58,000, and $155,000, during the 37 weeks of fiscal 1999, the 15 weeks of fiscal 1999, fiscal 1998, fiscal 1997, and fiscal 1996, respectively, from this entity, which is included in selling and administrative expenses.
As of January 30, 1999, there were three unaffiliated subtenants in the Lanham office building. The subtenants are leasing approximately 35,600 square feet. The subleases expire between September 1999 and September 2000. The Company received rental income of approximately $443,000, $194,000, $600,000, $321,000, and $551,000 during the 37 weeks of fiscal 1999, the 15 weeks of fiscal 1999, fiscal 1998, fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996, respectively, from its subtenants.
NOTE 6 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
401(k) Plan
The Company has a defined contribution 401(k) plan (the "401K Plan"), which is available to substantially all employees over the age of 21 who have completed one year of continuous service. Discretionary contributions are made by the Company in trust for the exclusive benefit of employees who participate in the 401K Plan. The Board of Directors authorized contributions of $400,000, $233,000, and $400,000 to the 401K Plan during fiscal 1998, fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996, respectively. The Company has accrued $624,000 as of January 30, 1999 for fiscal 1999 contributions to be made to the 401K Plan. Amounts accrued for the contributions to be made to the 401K Plan are included in accrued salaries and benefits in the accompanying financial statements.
Multiemployer Plans
The Company makes contributions to multiemployer plans for its union employees as follows (in thousands):
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 7 - TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Transactions with Richfood
The January 30, 1999 Consolidated Balance Sheet includes $26.0 million due to affiliates, which consists primarily of $9.7 million for the payment of inventory purchases from subsidiaries of Richfood, approximately $8.4 million for income tax payments and $7.2 million due to Richfood for its purchase of $6.5 million in face amount of the Senior Notes on June 26, 1998. Inventory purchases from Richfood during the 37 weeks of fiscal 1999 were approximately $361.3 million.
Transactions with Dart
Dart charged the Company, on a monthly basis, for actual expenses which related directly to the Company's operations (primarily insurance and legal expenses). Substantially all such charges were supported by invoices from unrelated parties designating the Company as recipient of the related goods or services. Such charges were approximately $0.1 million, $0.4 million and $1.6 million during the 37 weeks of fiscal 1999, the 15 weeks of fiscal 1999, and fiscal 1998, respectively.
Dart Notes Receivable
In connection with the 1992 sale of the assets of Total Beverage Corp. by the Company to Dart, the Company received a note receivable from Dart of approximately $1.5 million. In May 1998, the Company realized $1.2 million representing full settlement of this note. As a result, the Company received approximately $0.7 million in excess of the recorded estimated realizable value of the note which was recognized in the Company's consolidated statement of operations during the 13 week period ended May 2, 1998.
On September 26, 1997, Shoppers loaned Dart $10.0 million from the Restricted Proceeds that Dart used to fund a portion of a settlement with certain members of the Haft family who were stockholders of Dart. The loan is in the form of a promissory note that bears interest at 9 3/4% per annum, compounded annually. Interest and principal are payable on June 15, 2004, however, Dart may make interest payments prior to that time.
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
On January 28, 1998, Shoppers loaned Dart an additional $25.0 million that Dart used to fund a portion of a settlement with Herbert H. Haft, who was a stockholder of Dart. The loan is in the form of a promissory note that bears interest at 9:% per annum, compounded annually. Interest and principal are payable on June 15, 2004, however, Dart may make interest payments prior to that time.
NOTE 8 - LITIGATION
In the ordinary course of business, Shoppers is a party to various legal actions that the Company believes are routine in nature and incidental to the operation of its business. The Company believes that the outcome of the proceedings to which Shoppers currently is a party will not have a material adverse effect upon Shoppers' business, financial condition or results of operations.
NOTE 9 - INTERIM FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
Selected interim financial data for the fiscal years ended January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998 are as follows:
(1) Includes two weeks results of operations prior to the Dart Acquisition and eleven weeks under the new basis of accounting established in connection with the Dart Acquisition (Note 2).
(2) Includes income of $1,729 ($51.87 per share), net of income taxes, during the 13 weeks ended May 3, 1997 for the cumulative effect of an accounting change and a loss of $3,126 ($93.78 per share), net of income taxes, during the 13 weeks ended July 2, 1997 for an extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Not required to be included in this Form 10-K in accordance with the instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons of the Registrant.
Information omitted in accordance with General Instruction I(2)(c).
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Information omitted in accordance with General Instruction I(2)(c).
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
Information omitted in accordance with General Instruction I(2)(c).
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
Information omitted in accordance with General Instruction I(2)(c).
Part IV
Item 14.
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
Shoppers Food Warehouse Corp. filed a Current Report on Form 8-K on February 12, 1999 reporting under Item 4 - Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.
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.
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORP.
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.
SHOPPERS FOOD WAREHOUSE CORPORATION
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
11.1 Statement re Computation of Per Share Net Income
27.1 Financial Data Schedule