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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended
OR
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from _______ to
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
| (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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(Address of principal executive offices) |
| (Zip Code) |
(
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
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No ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
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No ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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| Accelerated filer ¨ | |
Non-accelerated filer ¨ |
| Smaller Reporting Company |
| Emerging growth company | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
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Yes ¨ | No |
The registrant had
PRICESMART, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart,” “we” or the “Company”) unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of November 30, 2021 and the consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2021, the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020, the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020, the unaudited consolidated statements of equity for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020, and the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020 are included herein. Also included herein are the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
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| November 30, |
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| 2021 |
| August 31, | ||
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| (Unaudited) |
| 2021 | ||
ASSETS |
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Current Assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Short-term restricted cash |
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Short-term investments |
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| |
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $ |
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Merchandise inventories |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets (includes $ |
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Total current assets |
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Long-term restricted cash |
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Property and equipment, net |
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Operating lease right-of-use assets, net |
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Goodwill |
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Other intangibles, net |
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Deferred tax assets |
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Other non-current assets (includes $ |
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Investment in unconsolidated affiliates |
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Total Assets |
| $ | |
| $ | |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
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Current Liabilities: |
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Short-term borrowings |
| $ | |
| $ | — |
Accounts payable |
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Accrued salaries and benefits |
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Deferred income |
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Income taxes payable |
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Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
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Operating lease liabilities, current portion |
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Long-term debt, current portion |
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Total current liabilities |
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Deferred tax liability |
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Long-term income taxes payable, net of current portion |
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Long-term operating lease liabilities |
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Long-term debt, net of current portion |
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Other long-term liabilities (includes $ |
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Total Liabilities |
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Stockholders Equity: |
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Common stock $ |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
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| ( |
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| ( |
Retained earnings |
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Less: treasury stock at cost, |
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| ( |
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| ( |
Total stockholders equity attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. stockholders |
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Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries |
|
| — |
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Total Stockholders Equity |
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| |
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Total Liabilities and Equity |
| $ | |
| $ | |
See accompanying notes.
PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
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| Three Months Ended | ||||
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| November 30, |
| November 30, | ||
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| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
Revenues: |
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Net merchandise sales |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Export sales |
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Membership income |
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Other revenue and income |
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Total revenues |
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Operating expenses: |
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Cost of goods sold: |
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Net merchandise sales |
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Export sales |
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Non-merchandise |
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Selling, general and administrative: |
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Warehouse club and other operations |
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General and administrative |
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Pre-opening expenses |
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Loss on disposal of assets |
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Total operating expenses |
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Operating income |
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Other income (expense): |
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Interest income |
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Interest expense |
|
| ( |
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| ( |
Other income (expense), net |
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| ( |
Total other income (expense) |
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| ( |
Income before provision for income taxes and |
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Provision for income taxes |
|
| ( |
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| ( |
Loss of unconsolidated affiliates |
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| ( |
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| ( |
Net income |
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Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest |
|
| ( |
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| ( |
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. per share available for distribution: |
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Basic |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Diluted |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Shares used in per share computations: |
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Basic |
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Diluted |
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See accompanying notes.
PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
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| Three Months Ended | ||||
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| November 30, |
| November 30, | ||
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| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
Net income |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. |
| $ | |
| $ | |
|
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Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax: |
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Foreign currency translation adjustments (1) |
|
| ( |
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Defined benefit pension plan: |
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Net gain arising during period |
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| |
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Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial gains included in net periodic pensions cost |
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Total defined benefit pension plan |
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Derivative instruments: (2) |
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Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in derivative obligations |
|
| ( |
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Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in |
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|
| ( |
Total derivative instruments |
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Other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
| ( |
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Comprehensive income |
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Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest |
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Comprehensive income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. |
| $ | |
| $ | |
|
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|
(1)
(2)
See accompanying notes.
PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
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| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Total |
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| Accumulated |
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| Stockholders |
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| Additional |
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| Other |
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| Equity |
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| ||
|
| Common Stock |
| Paid-in |
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| Comprehensive |
| Retained |
| Treasury Stock |
|
| Attributable to |
|
| Noncontrolling |
| Total | ||||||||||
|
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Capital |
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| Loss |
| Earnings |
| Shares |
| Amount |
|
| PriceSmart, Inc. |
|
| Interest |
| Equity | ||||||
Balance at August 31, 2020 |
| |
| $ | |
| $ | |
|
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
| |
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Purchase of treasury stock |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
| — |
| |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
|
| — |
|
| ( |
Issuance of treasury stock |
| ( |
|
| — |
|
| ( |
|
|
| — |
|
| — |
| ( |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
Issuance of restricted stock award |
| |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
| — |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards |
| ( |
|
| — |
|
| — |
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|
| — |
|
| — |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
Stock-based compensation |
| — |
|
| — |
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| |
|
|
| — |
|
| — |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| |
|
| — |
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| |
Net income |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
| |
| — |
|
| — |
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| |
|
| |
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Other comprehensive income |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
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| |
|
| — |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| |
|
| |
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| |
Balance at November 30, 2020 |
| |
| $ | |
| $ | |
|
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
| |
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
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Balance at August 31, 2021 |
| |
| $ | |
| $ | |
|
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
| |
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Purchase of treasury stock |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
| — |
| |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
|
| — |
|
| ( |
Issuance of treasury stock |
| ( |
|
| — |
|
| ( |
|
|
| — |
|
| — |
| ( |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
Issuance of restricted stock award |
| |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
| — |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards |
| ( |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
| — |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
Stock-based compensation |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| |
|
|
| — |
|
| — |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| |
Net income |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
|
| — |
|
| |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
|
| ( |
|
| — |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| ( |
|
| |
|
| ( |
Sale of Aeropost stock |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| |
|
|
| — |
|
| — |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
Balance at November 30, 2021 |
| |
| $ | |
| $ | |
|
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
| |
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
| $ | — |
| $ | |
See accompanying notes
PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
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| Three Months Ended | ||||
|
| November 30, |
| November 30, | ||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
Operating Activities: |
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Net income |
| $ | |
|
| |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
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Depreciation and amortization |
|
| |
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| |
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
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| |
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Loss on sale of property and equipment |
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| |
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Deferred income taxes |
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| |
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| |
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates |
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| |
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Stock-based compensation |
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| |
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Change in operating assets and liabilities: |
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Receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets, non-current assets, accrued salaries and benefits, deferred membership income and other accruals |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
Merchandise inventories |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
Accounts payable |
|
| |
|
| |
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
Investing Activities: |
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Proceeds from the disposal of Aeropost, net of divested cash |
|
| |
|
| — |
Additions to property and equipment |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
Purchases of short-term investments |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
Proceeds from settlements of short-term investments |
|
| |
|
| |
Purchases of long-term investments |
|
| — |
|
| ( |
Proceeds from settlements of long-term investments |
|
| |
|
| — |
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment |
|
| |
|
| |
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
Financing Activities: |
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|
|
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|
Proceeds from long-term bank borrowings |
|
| |
|
| — |
Repayment of long-term bank borrowings |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
Proceeds from short-term bank borrowings |
|
| |
|
| — |
Repayment of short-term bank borrowings |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
Purchase of treasury stock |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
Other financing activities |
|
| — |
|
| ( |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
| |
|
| ( |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash |
|
| |
|
| ( |
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period |
|
| |
|
| |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period |
| $ | |
| $ | |
|
|
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|
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|
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Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing activities: |
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|
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Capital expenditures accrued, but not yet paid |
| $ | |
|
| |
PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — (Continued)
(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
The following table provides a breakdown of cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the statement of cash flows:
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|
| Three Months Ended | ||||
|
| November 30, |
| November 30, | ||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Short-term restricted cash |
|
| |
|
| |
Long-term restricted cash |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows |
| $ | |
| $ | |
See accompanying notes.
PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
November 30, 2021
PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart,” the “Company,” or we) business consists primarily of international membership shopping warehouse clubs similar to, but typically smaller in size than, warehouse clubs in the United States. As of November 30, 2021, the Company had
PriceSmart continues to invest in technology and related talent for two main purposes:
To drive growth by:
oIncreasing membership benefits and creating greater value and connectivity with our Members, by optimizing use of our membership data;
oInforming and guiding our plans for physical and geographic expansion; and
oDriving incremental sales through PriceSmart.com.
To increase our efficiencies and provide valuable tools that will support better decision-making.
Basis of Presentation – The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q for interim financial reporting pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 (the “2021 Form 10-K”). The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PriceSmart, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company determines whether any of the joint ventures in which it has made investments is a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) at the start of each new venture and if a reconsideration event has occurred. At this time, the Company also considers whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement in a VIE. A reporting entity must consolidate a VIE if that reporting entity has a variable interest (or combination of variable interests) and is determined to be the primary beneficiary. If the Company determines that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE, then the Company records its investment in, and the Companys share of the income (loss) of, joint ventures recorded under the equity method. Due to the nature of the joint ventures that the Company participates in and the continued commitments for additional financing, the Company determined these joint ventures are VIEs.
In the case of the Companys ownership interest in real estate development joint ventures, both parties to each joint venture share all rights, obligations and the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIEs economic performance. As a result, the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIEs and, therefore, has accounted for these entities under the equity method. Under the equity method, the Companys investments in unconsolidated affiliates are initially recorded as an investment in the stock of an investee at cost and are adjusted for the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the investors share of the earnings or losses of the investee after the date of the initial investment. The Companys ownership interest in real estate development joint ventures the Company has recorded under the equity method as of November 30, 2021 are listed below:
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Real Estate Development Joint Ventures |
| Countries |
| Ownership |
| Basis of | |
GolfPark Plaza, S.A. |
| Panama |
| | % |
| Equity(1) |
Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A. |
| Costa Rica |
| | % |
| Equity(1) |
(1)
The Company disposed of its entire ownership in Aeropost to an unrelated third party. However, as part of the consideration of the sale, Aeropost will provide $
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| November 30, |
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| August 31, | ||
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2021 | ||
Short-term restricted cash |
| $ | |
|
| $ | |
Long-term restricted cash |
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| |
|
|
| |
Total restricted cash(1) |
| $ | |
|
| $ | |
(1)Restricted cash consists mainly of cash deposits held within banking institutions in compliance with federal regulatory requirements in Costa Rica and Panama. In addition, the Company is required to maintain a certificate of deposit and/or security deposits of Trinidad dollars, as measured in U.S. dollars, of approximately $
In most countries where the Company operates, there are defined and structured processes to recover VAT receivables via refunds or offsets. However, in one country without a clearly defined refund process, the Company is actively engaged with the local government to recover VAT receivables totaling $
The Company’s policy for classification and presentation of VAT receivables, income tax receivables and other tax receivables is as follows:
Short-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Prepaid expenses and other current assets: This classification is used for any countries where the Company’s subsidiary has generally demonstrated the ability to recover the VAT or income tax receivable within one year. The Company also classifies as short-term any approved refunds or credit notes to the extent that the Company expects to receive the refund or use the credit notes within one year.
Long-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other non-current assets: This classification is used for amounts not approved for refund or credit in countries where the Company’s subsidiary has not demonstrated the ability to obtain refunds within one year and/or for amounts which are subject to outstanding disputes. An allowance is provided against VAT and income tax receivable balances in dispute when the Company does not expect to eventually prevail in its recovery. The Company does not currently have any allowances provided against VAT and income tax receivables.
The following table summarizes the VAT receivables reported by the Company (in thousands):
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|
| November 30, |
| August 31, | ||
|
| 2021 |
| 2021 | ||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| $ | |
|
| |
Other non-current assets |
|
| |
|
| |
Total amount of VAT receivables reported |
| $ | |
| $ | |
The following table summarizes the Income tax receivables reported by the Company (in thousands):
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| November 30, |
| August 31, | ||
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| 2021 |
| 2021 | ||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| $ | |
|
| |
Other non-current assets |
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| |
|
| |
Total amount of income tax receivables reported |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Operating lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The Company’s leases generally do not have a readily determinable implicit rate; therefore, the Company uses a collateralized incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The incremental borrowing rate is based on a yield curve derived from publicly traded bond offerings for companies with credit characteristics that approximate the Companys market risk profile. In addition, we adjust the incremental borrowing rate for jurisdictional risk derived from quoted interest rates from financial institutions to reflect the cost of borrowing in the Company’s local markets. The Company’s lease terms may include options to purchase, extend or terminate the lease, which are recognized when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The Company does not combine lease and non-lease components.
The Company measures Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets based on the corresponding lease liabilities, adjusted for any initial direct costs and prepaid lease payments made to the lessor before or at the commencement date (net of lease incentives). The lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease payments are not included in the calculation of the ROU asset and the related lease liability and are recognized as this lease expense is incurred. The Company’s variable lease payments generally relate to amounts the Company pays for additional contingent rent based on a contractually stipulated percentage of sales.
The Company accounts for actual forfeitures as they occur. The Company records the tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of expense for stock-based compensation and the tax deficiency resulting from stock-based compensation in excess of the related tax deduction as income tax expense or benefit. In addition, the Company reflects the tax savings (deficiency) resulting from the taxation of stock-based compensation as an operating cash flow in its consolidated statement of cash flows.
RSAs are outstanding shares of common stock and have the same cash dividend and voting rights as other shares of common stock. Shares of common stock subject to RSUs are not issued nor outstanding until vested, and RSUs do not have the same dividend and voting rights as common stock. However, all outstanding RSUs have accompanying dividend equivalents, requiring payment to the employees and directors with unvested RSUs of amounts equal to the dividend they would have received had the shares of common stock underlying the RSUs been actually issued and outstanding. Payments of dividend equivalents to employees are recorded as compensation expense.
PSUs, similar to RSUs, are awarded with dividend equivalents, provided that such amounts become payable only if the performance metric is achieved. At the time the Compensation Committee confirms the performance metric has been achieved, the accrued dividend equivalents are paid on the PSUs.
The Company has established a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring and revaluing fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. The Company was not required to revalue any assets or liabilities utilizing Level 1 or Level 3 inputs at the balance sheet dates. The Companys Level 2 assets and liabilities revalued at the balance sheet dates, on a recurring basis, consisted of cash flow hedges (interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps) and forward foreign exchange contracts. In addition, the Company utilizes Level 2 inputs in determining the fair value of long-term debt.
Non-financial assets and liabilities are revalued and recognized at fair value subsequent to initial recognition when there is evidence of impairment. For the periods reported,
The Company’s current and long-term financial assets and 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 and debt issuance costs. There have been no significant changes in fair market value of the Company’s current and long-term financial assets, and there have been no material changes to the valuation techniques utilized in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities disclosed in the Company’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Cash Flow Instruments. The Company is a party to receive floating interest rate, pay fixed-rate interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate risk of certain U.S. dollar denominated debt within its international subsidiaries. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of interest expense risk. These instruments are considered effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting. The Company is also a party to receive variable interest rate, pay fixed interest rate cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate and currency exposure associated with the expected payments of principal and interest of U.S. denominated debt within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of the currency risk and interest-rate risk related to payments on the U.S. denominated debt. These instruments are also considered to be effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting. Under cash flow hedging, the entire gain or loss of the derivative, calculated as the net present value of the future cash flows, is reported on the consolidated balance sheets in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss are released to earnings in the same period that the hedged transaction impacts consolidated earnings. Refer to “Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” for information on the fair value of interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps as of November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021.
Fair Value Instruments. The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations in the normal course of business. This includes exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts that are intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to currency exchange movements. The contracts are intended primarily to economically address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar.
Currently, these contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value instruments and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting, and as such the Company does not apply derivative hedge accounting to record these transactions. As a result, these contracts are valued at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings during the period of the change. The Company seeks to mitigate foreign currency exchange-rate 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 and are limited to less than one year in duration.
For export sales, the Company includes the cost of merchandise and external and internal distribution and handling costs for supplying merchandise in cost of goods sold, exports.
For the marketplace and casillero operations, the Company includes the costs of external and internal shipping, handling and other direct costs incurred to provide delivery, insurance and customs processing services in cost of goods sold, non-merchandise.
Vendor consideration consists primarily of volume rebates, time-limited product promotions, cooperative marketing efforts, digital advertising, slotting fees, demonstration reimbursements and prompt payment discounts. Volume rebates and time-limited promotions are recognized on a systematic and rational allocation of the cash consideration as the Company progresses toward earning the rebate, provided the amounts to be earned are probable and reasonably estimable. Cooperative marketing efforts and digital advertising are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for non-distinct online advertising services on the Company’s website and social media platforms. Slotting fees are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for preferential end cap placement of the vendors products within the warehouse club. Demonstration reimbursements are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for the in-club promotion of the vendors products. The Company records the reduction in cost of goods sold on a transactional basis for these programs. On a quarterly basis, the Company calculates the amount of rebates recorded in cost of goods sold that relates to inventory on hand and this amount is reclassified as a reduction to inventory, if significant. Prompt payment discounts are taken in substantially all cases and therefore are applied directly to reduce the acquisition cost of the related inventory, with the resulting effect recorded to cost of goods sold when the inventory is sold.
The following table discloses the net effect of translation into the reporting currency on other comprehensive loss for these local currency denominated accounts for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
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| Three Months Ended |
| ||||
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| November 30, |
| November 30, |
| ||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| ||
Effect on other comprehensive income (loss) due to foreign currency translation |
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
|
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity (primarily U.S. dollars) are revalued to the functional currency using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. These foreign exchange transaction gains (losses), including transactions recorded involving these monetary assets and liabilities, are recorded as Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income (in thousands):
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| Three Months Ended |
| ||||
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| November 30, |
| November 30, |
| ||
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| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| ||
Currency loss |
| $ | ( |
| $ | ( |
|
FASB ASC 740 ASU 2019-12—Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. ASU No. 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU No. 2019-12 on September 1, 2021, the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Performance Obligations
The Company identifies each distinct performance obligation to transfer goods (or bundle of goods) or services. The Company recognizes revenue when (or as) it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of the goods or services to the customer.
Net Merchandise Sales. The Company recognizes net merchandise sales revenue, net of sales taxes, on transactions where the Company has determined that it is the principal in the sale of merchandise. These transactions may include shipping commitments and/or shipping revenue if the transaction involves delivery to the customer.
Non-merchandise Sales. The Company recognizes non-merchandise revenue, net of sales taxes, on transactions where the Company has determined that it is the agent in the transaction. These transactions primarily consist of contracts the Company enters into with its customers to provide delivery, insurance and customs processing services for products its customers purchase online in the United States either directly from other vendors utilizing the vendor’s website or through the Company’s marketplace site. Revenue is recognized when the Company’s performance obligations have been completed (that is when delivery of the items have been made to the destination point) and is recorded in “non-merchandise revenue” on the consolidated statements of income. Prepayment for orders for which the Company has not fulfilled its performance obligation are recorded as deferred income. Additionally, the Company records revenue at the net amounts retained, i.e., the amount paid by the customer less amounts remitted to the respective merchandise vendors, as the Company is acting as an agent and is not the principal in the sale of those goods being purchased from the vendors by the Company’s customers.
Membership Fee Revenue. Membership income represents annual membership fees paid by the Company’s warehouse club Members, which are recognized ratably over the 12-month term of the membership. Our membership policy allows Members to cancel their membership in the first 60 days and receive a full refund. After the 60-day period, membership refunds are prorated over the remaining term of the membership. The Company has significant experience with membership refund patterns and expects membership refunds will not be material. Therefore, no refund reserve was required for the periods presented. Membership fee revenue is included in membership income in the Companys consolidated statements of income. The deferred membership fee is included in deferred income in the Companys consolidated balance sheets.
Platinum Points Reward Programs. The Company currently offers Platinum Memberships in all of its
Co-branded Credit Card Points Reward Programs. Most of the Company’s subsidiaries have points reward programs related to co-branded credit cards. These points reward programs provide incremental points that can be used at a future time to acquire merchandise within the Company’s warehouse clubs. This results in two performance obligations, the first performance obligation being the initial sale of the merchandise or services purchased with the co-branded credit card and the second performance obligation being the future use of the points rewards to purchase merchandise or services. As a result, upon the initial sale, the Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation with the amount allocated to the future use points rewards recorded as a contract liability within other accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The portion of the selling price allocated to the reward points is recognized as Net merchandise sales when the points are used or when the points expire. The Company reviews on an annual basis expired points rewards outstanding, and the expired rewards are recognized as Net merchandise sales on the consolidated statements of income within markets where the co-branded credit card agreement allows for such treatment.
Gift Cards. Members’ purchases of gift cards to be utilized at the Companys warehouse clubs are not recognized as sales until the card is redeemed and the customer purchases merchandise using the gift card. The outstanding gift cards are reflected as other accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. These gift cards generally have a one-year stated expiration date from the date of issuance and are generally redeemed prior to expiration. However, the absence of a large volume of transactions for gift cards impairs the Companys ability to make a reasonable estimate of the redemption levels for gift certificates; therefore, the Company assumes a
Co-branded Credit Card Revenue Sharing Agreements. As part of the co-branded credit card agreements that the Company has entered into with financial institutions within its markets, the Company often enters into revenue sharing agreements. As part of these agreements, in some countries, the Company receives a portion of the interest income generated from the average outstanding balances on the co-branded credit cards from these financial institutions (“interest generating portfolio” or “IGP”). The Company recognizes its portion of interest received as revenue during the period it is earned. The Company has determined that this revenue should be recognized as “Other revenue and income” on the consolidated statements of income.
Contract Performance Liabilities
Contract performance liabilities as a result of transactions with customers primarily consist of deferred membership income, other deferred income, deferred gift card revenue, Platinum points programs, and liabilities related to co-branded credit card points rewards programs which are included in deferred income and other accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The following table provides these contract balances from transactions with customers as of the dates listed (in thousands):
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|
| Contract Liabilities | ||||
| November 30, 2021 |
| August 31, 2021 | ||
Deferred membership income | $ | |
| $ | |
Other contract performance liabilities | $ | |
| $ | |
Disaggregated Revenues
In the following table, net merchandise sales are disaggregated by merchandise category (in thousands):
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| Three Months Ended | |||
|
| November 30, 2021 |
|
| November 30, 2020 |
Foods Sundries | $ | |
| $ | |
Fresh Foods |
| |
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| |
Hardlines |
| |
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| |
Softlines |
| |
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| |
Other Business |
| |
|
| |
Net Merchandise Sales | $ | |
| $ | |
NOTE 4 – EARNINGS PER SHARE
The Company presents basic net income per share using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that treats a participating security as having rights to earnings that otherwise would have been available to common stockholders and that determines basic net income per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings that would have been available to common stockholders. A participating security is defined as a security that may participate in undistributed earnings with common stock. The Company’s capital structure includes securities that participate with common stock on a one-for-one basis for distribution of dividends. These are the restricted stock awards and restricted stock units issued pursuant to the 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan. The Company does not include performance stock units as participating securities until the performance criteria are satisfied. The Company determines the diluted net income per share by using the more dilutive of the two class-method or the treasury stock method and by including the basic weighted average of outstanding performance stock units for which performance criteria have not been met in the calculation of diluted net income per share under the two-class method and including all potential common shares assumed issued in the calculation of diluted net income per share under the treasury stock method.
The following table sets forth the computation of net income per share for the three-months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
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| Three Months Ended | ||||
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| November 30, |
| November 30, | ||
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| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Less: Allocation of income to unvested stockholders |
|
| ( |
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| ( |
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. per share available for distribution |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Basic weighted average shares outstanding |
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Add dilutive effect of performance stock units (two-class method) |
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Diluted average shares outstanding |
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Basic net income per share |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Diluted net income per share |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Dividends
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| First Payment |
| Second Payment | ||||||||||
Declared |
| Amount |
| Record |
| Date |
| Amount |
| Record |
| Date |
| Amount | |||
| $ | |
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The Company anticipates the ongoing payment of semi-annual dividends in subsequent periods, although the actual declaration of future dividends, if any, the amount of such dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates is subject to final determination by the Board of Directors at its discretion after its review of the Company’s financial performance and anticipated capital requirements, taking into account the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results of operations and cash flows.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following tables disclose the effects on accumulated other comprehensive loss of each component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (in thousands):
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| Attributable to |
| Noncontrolling |
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| ||
| PriceSmart |
| Interests |
| Total | |||
Beginning balance, September 1, 2021 | $ | ( |
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| |
| $ | ( |
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
| ( |
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| ( |
Defined benefit pension plans (1) |
| |
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| — |
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Derivative instruments (2) |
| |
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| — |
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Sale of Aeropost |
| — |
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| ( |
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| ( |
Ending balance, November 30, 2021 | $ | ( |
| $ | — |
| $ | ( |
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| Attributable to |
| Noncontrolling |
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| PriceSmart |
| Interests |
| Total | |||
Beginning balance, September 1, 2020 | $ | ( |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
| |
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Defined benefit pension plans (1) |
| |
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| — |
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| |
Derivative Instruments (2) |
| |
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| — |
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| |
Ending balance, November 30, 2020 | $ | ( |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
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| Attributable to |
| Noncontrolling |
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| PriceSmart |
| Interests |
| Total | |||
Beginning balance, September 1, 2020 | $ | ( |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
| ( |
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| |
|
| ( |
Defined benefit pension plans (1) |
| ( |
|
| — |
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| ( |
Derivative Instruments (2) |
| |
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| — |
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Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss |
| |
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| — |
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Ending balance, August 31, 2021 | $ | ( |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
(1)
(2)
Retained Earnings Not Available for Distribution
The following table summarizes retained earnings designated as legal reserves of various subsidiaries which cannot be distributed as dividends to PriceSmart, Inc. according to applicable statutory regulations (in thousands):
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| November 30, |
| August 31, | ||
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| 2021 |
| 2021 | ||
Retained earnings not available for distribution |
| $ | |
| $ | |
NOTE 6 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business related to the Company’s operations and property ownership. The Company evaluates such matters on a case by case basis, and vigorously contests any such legal proceedings or claims which the Company believes are without merit. The Company believes that the final disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. It is possible, however, that the Companys results of operations for a particular quarter or fiscal year could be impacted by changes in circumstances relating to such matters.
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. If it is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss will occur, the Company will provide disclosure regarding the contingency.
Income Taxes – For interim reporting, the Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate (AETR), pursuant to ASC 740-270, to calculate income tax expense. Income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best estimate of current and future taxes to be paid. The Company is subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in the determination of the consolidated income tax expense. Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, which will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. In evaluating its ability to recover deferred tax assets in the jurisdictions from which they arise, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In projecting future taxable income, the Company begins with historical results adjusted for the results of discontinued operations and incorporates assumptions about the amount of future state, federal, and foreign pretax operating income adjusted for items that do not have tax consequences. The assumptions about future taxable income require the use of significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, the Company considers three years of cumulative operating income (loss).
The Company is required to file federal and state tax returns in the United States and various other tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The preparation of these tax returns requires the Company to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax paid by the Company. The Company, in consultation with its tax advisors, bases its tax returns on interpretations that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The tax returns, however, are subject to routine reviews by the various taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which the Company files its returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with the interpretations the Company used to calculate its tax liability and therefore require the Company to pay additional taxes.
The Company accrues an amount for its estimate of probable additional income tax liability. In certain cases, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50% likelihood of being sustained. There were no material changes in the Company’s uncertain income tax positions during the three months ended November 30, 2021.
In evaluating the exposure associated with various non-income tax filing positions, the Company accrues for probable and estimable exposures for non-income tax related tax contingencies. As of November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021, the Company has recorded within other accrued expenses and other current liabilities a total of $
While the Company believes the recorded liabilities are adequate, there are inherent limitations in projecting the outcome of litigation, in estimating probable additional income tax liability taking into account uncertain tax positions and in evaluating the probable additional tax associated with various non-income tax filing positions. As such, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of the sensitivity to change of estimates affecting its recorded liabilities. As additional information becomes available, the Company assesses the potential liability and revises its estimates as appropriate.
In two countries where the Company operates, minimum income tax rules require the Company to pay taxes based on a percentage of sales rather than income. As a result, the Company is making income tax payments substantially in excess of those it would expect to pay based on taxable income. The Company had income tax receivables of $
Other Commitments
The Company is also committed to non-cancelable construction service obligations for various warehouse club developments and expansions. As of November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $
From time to time, the Company has entered into general land purchase and land purchase option agreements. The Company’s land purchase agreements are typically subject to various conditions, including, but not limited to, the ability to obtain necessary governmental permits or approvals. A deposit under an agreement is typically returned to the Company if all permits or approvals are not obtained. Generally, the Company has the right to cancel any of its agreements to purchase land without cause by forfeiture of some or all of the deposits it has made pursuant to the agreement. As of November 30, 2021, the Company had entered into two land purchase agreements that, if completed, would result in the use of approximately $
The table below summarizes the Company’s interest in real estate joint ventures, commitments to additional future investments and the Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement in these joint venture as of November 30, 2021 (in thousands):
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Entity |
| % |
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| Additional |
| Net Income |
| Company’s |
| Commitment |
| Companys | |||||||
GolfPark Plaza, S.A. |
| | % |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A. |
| | % |
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Total |
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| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
(1)
(2)
Short-term borrowings consist of unsecured lines of credit. The following table summarizes the balances of total facilities, facilities used and facilities available (in thousands):
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| Facilities Used |
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| ||||
|
| Total Amount |
| Short-term |
| Letters of |
| Facilities |
| Weighted average |
| ||||
|
| of Facilities |
| Borrowings |
| Credit |
| Available |
| interest rate |
| ||||
November 30, 2021 |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | — |
| $ | |
| | % |
August 31, 2021 |
| $ | |
| $ | — |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| — | % |
As of November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all covenants or amended covenants for each of its short-term facility agreements. These facilities generally expire annually or bi-annually and are normally renewed.
The following table provides the changes in long-term debt for the three months ended November 30, 2021:
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(Amounts in thousands) |
| Current |
| Long-term |
| Total |
| |||
Balances as of August 31, 2021 |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | | (1) |
Proceeds from long-term debt incurred during the period: |
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Guatemala subsidiary |
|
| — |
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| |
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| |
|
Repayments of long-term debt: |
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Guatemala subsidiary |
|
| ( |
|
| — |
|
| ( |
|
Costa Rica subsidiary |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
|
Regularly scheduled loan payments |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
|
Reclassifications of long-term debt due in the next 12 months |
|
| |
|
| ( |
|
|
|
|
Translation adjustments on foreign currency debt of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar (2) |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
|
Balances as of November 30, 2021 |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | | (3) |
(1)
(2)
(3)
As of November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $
Annual maturities of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
Twelve Months Ended November 30, |
| Amount | |
2022 |
| $ | |
2023 |
|
| |
2024 |
|
| |
2025 |
|
| |
2026 |
|
| |
Thereafter |
|
| |
Total |
| $ | |
The Company is exposed to interest rate risk relating to its ongoing business operations. To manage interest rate exposure, the Company enters into hedge transactions (interest rate swaps) using derivative financial instruments. The objective of entering into interest rate swaps is to eliminate the variability of cash flows in the LIBOR interest payments associated with variable-rate loans over the life of the loans. As changes in interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedges provide a synthetic offset to interest rate movements.
In addition, the Company is exposed to foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure related to non-functional currency long-term debt of two of its wholly owned subsidiaries. To manage this foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure, the Company’s subsidiaries entered into cross-currency interest rate swaps that convert their U.S. dollar denominated floating interest payments to functional currency fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument. As changes in foreign exchange and interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedges are intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate and foreign exchange movements.
These derivative instruments (cash flow hedging instruments) are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, with the entire gain or loss on the derivative reported as a component of other comprehensive loss. Amounts are deferred in other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings in the same income statement line item that is used to present the earnings effect of the hedged item when the hedged item affects earnings.
The Company is exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations in the normal course of business, including foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts (NDFs) that are intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements. These contracts are intended primarily to economically address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The Company seeks to mitigate foreign-currency exchange-rate 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.
Cash Flow Hedges
As of November 30, 2021, all of the Company’s interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap derivative financial instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. The Company formally documents the hedging relationships for its derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting.
The following table summarizes agreements for which the Company has recorded cash flow hedge accounting for the three months ended November 30, 2021:
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Subsidiary |
| Date |
| Derivative |
| Derivative |
| Initial |
| Bank |
| Floating Leg |
| Fixed Rate |
| Settlement |
| Effective | ||
Colombia |
| 17-Nov-21 |
| Citibank, N.A. (Citi) |
| Cross currency interest rate swap |
| $ | |
| PriceSmart, Inc. |
|
| | % |
| 17th day of each February, May, August, and November, beginning on February 17, 2022 |
| November 17, 2021 - | |
Colombia |
| 3-Dec-19 |
| Citibank, N.A. (Citi) |
| Cross currency interest rate swap |
| $ | |
| Citibank, N.A. |
| Variable rate 3-month Libor plus |
| | % |
| 3rd day of each December, March, June, and September, beginning on March 3, 2020 |
| December 3, 2019 - |
Colombia |
| 27-Nov-19 |
| Citibank, N.A. (Citi) |
| Cross currency interest rate swap |
| $ | |
| Citibank, N.A. |
| Variable rate 3-month Libor plus |
| | % |
| 27th day of each November, February, May and August beginning February 27, 2020 |
| November 27, 2019 - |
Colombia |
| 24-Sep-19 |
| Citibank, N.A. (Citi) |
| Cross currency interest rate swap |
| $ | |
| PriceSmart, Inc. |
| Variable rate 3-month Libor plus |
| | % |
| 24th day of each December, March, June and September beginning December 24, 2019 |
| September 24, 2019 - |
Panama |
| 25-Jun-18 |
| Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) |
| Interest rate swap |
| $ | |
| Bank of Nova Scotia |
| Variable rate 3-month Libor plus |
| | % |
| 23rd day of each month beginning on July 23, 2018 |
| June 25, 2018 - |
Honduras |
| 26-Feb-18 |
| Citibank, N.A. (Citi) |
| Cross currency interest rate swap |
| $ | |
| Citibank, N.A. |
| Variable rate 3-month Libor plus |
| | % |
| 29th day of May, August, November and February beginning May 29, 2018 |
| February 26, 2018 - |
PriceSmart, Inc |
| 7-Nov-16 |
| MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (Union Bank) |
| Interest rate swap |
| $ | |
| Union Bank |
| Variable rate 1-month Libor plus |
| | % |
| 1st day of each month beginning on April 1, 2017 |
| March 1, 2017 - |
For the three months ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, the Company included the gain or loss on the hedged items (that is, variable-rate borrowings) in the same line item—interest expense—as the offsetting gain or loss on the related interest rate swaps as follows (in thousands):
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Income Statement Classification |
| Interest |
| Cost of |
| Total | |||
Interest expense for the three months ended November 30, 2021 |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Interest expense for the three months ended November 30, 2020 |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
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|
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(1)
(2)
The total notional balance of the Company’s pay-fixed/receive-variable interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps was as follows (in thousands):
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|
| Notional Amount as of | ||||
|
| November 30, |
| August 31, | ||
Floating Rate Payer (Swap Counterparty) |
| 2021 |
| 2021 | ||
Union Bank |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Citibank N.A. |
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| |
|
| |
Scotiabank |
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| |
|
| |
Total |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Derivatives listed on the table below were designated as cash flow hedging instruments. The table summarizes the effect of the fair value of interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap derivative instruments that qualify for derivative hedge accounting and its associated tax effect on accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss (in thousands):
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|
| November 30, 2021 |
| August 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments |
| Balance Sheet |
| Fair |
| Net Tax |
| Net |
| Fair |
| Net Tax |
| Net | ||||||
Cross-currency interest rate swaps |
| Other non-current assets |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
Cross-currency interest rate swaps |
| Other current assets |
|
| |
|
| ( |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
Interest rate swaps |
| Other long-term liabilities |
|
| ( |
|
| |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
|
| |
|
| ( |
Cross-currency interest rate swaps |
| Other long-term liabilities |
|
| ( |
|
| |
|
| ( |
|
| ( |
|
| |
|
| ( |
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments |
|
|
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
Fair Value Instruments
From time to time the Company enters into non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts. These contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value contracts and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts is intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements. These 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 other than the U.S. dollar.
The following table summarizes the non-deliverable forward foreign exchange contracts that are open as of November 30, 2021.
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Subsidiary |
| Dates |
| Financial |
| Derivative |
| Notional |
| Settlement Date |
| Effective Period | |
Colombia |
| 28-Apr-21 |
| Scotiabank Colpatria, S.A. |
| Forward foreign |
| $ | |
| 28-Dec-21 |
| April 28, 2021 - December 28, 2021 |
Colombia |
| 28-May-21 |
| Scotiabank Colpatria, S.A. |
| Forward foreign |
| $ | |
| 29-Dec-21 |
| May 28, 2021 - December 29, 2021 |
Forward derivative gains and (losses) on non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts are included in Other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of income in the period of change, but the amounts were immaterial for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020.
The Company and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the international operation of membership shopping in
The following tables summarize by segment certain revenues, operating costs and balance sheet items (in thousands):
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|
| United |
| Central |
| Caribbean |
| Colombia Operations |
| Reconciling |
| Total | ||||||
Three Months Ended November 30, 2021 |
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Revenue from external customers |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | — |
| $ | |
Intersegment revenues |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| ( |
|
| — |
Depreciation, Property and equipment |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| |
Amortization, Intangibles |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| |
Operating income (loss) |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| ( |
|
| |
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| ( |
|
| |
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets) |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| |
Intangibles, net |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| |
Goodwill |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| |
Total assets |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| |
Capital expenditures, net |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| |
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|
|
Three Months Ended November 30, 2020 |
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from external customers |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | — |
| $ | |
Intersegment revenues |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| ( |
|
| — |
Depreciation, Property and equipment |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| |
Amortization, Intangibles |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| |
Operating income (loss) |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| ( |
|
| |
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. |
|
| ( |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| ( |
|
| |
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets) |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| |
Intangibles, net |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| |
Goodwill |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| |
Total assets |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| |
Capital expenditures, net |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| |
|
|
|
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|
|
As of August 31, 2021 |
|
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets) |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | — |
| $ | |
Intangibles, net |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| |
Goodwill |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| |
Total assets |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| — |
|
| |
(1)
(2)
The Company has evaluated all events subsequent to the balance sheet date as of November 30, 2021 through the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements and has determined that, except as set forth below, there are no subsequent events that require disclosure.
Financing Transactions
On December 3, 2021, the Companys Trinidad subsidiary entered into a long-term loan agreement for $
PRICESMART, INC.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements concerning PriceSmart, Inc.s (PriceSmart, the Company or we) anticipated future revenues and earnings, adequacy of future cash flows, omni-channel initiatives, proposed warehouse club openings, the Companys performance relative to competitors and related matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements containing the words “expect,” “believe,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipated,” “scheduled,” “intend,” and like expressions, and the negative thereof. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, but not limited to: adverse changes in economic conditions in our markets, natural disasters, compliance risks, volatility in currency exchange rates and illiquidity of certain local currencies in our markets, competition, consumer and small business spending patterns, political instability, increased costs associated with the integration of online commerce with our traditional business, whether the Company can successfully execute strategic initiatives, cybersecurity breaches that could cause disruptions in our systems or jeopardize the security of Member or business information, cost increases from product and service providers, interruption of supply chains, novel coronavirus (COVID-19) related factors and challenges, including among others, the duration of the pandemic, the unknown long-term economic impact, the impact of government policies and restrictions that have limited access for our Members, and shifts in demand away from discretionary or higher priced products to lower priced products, exposure to product liability claims and product recalls, recoverability of moneys owed to PriceSmart from governments, and other important factors discussed under the captions “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on October 21, 2021. These risk factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date that they are made, and the Company does not undertake to update them, except as required by law. In addition, these risks are not the only risks that the Company faces. The Company could also be affected by additional factors that apply to all companies operating globally and in the U.S., as well as other risks that are not presently known to the Company or that the Company currently considers to be immaterial.
Overview
PriceSmart exists to improve the lives and businesses of our Members, our employees and our communities by reliably and consistently providing quality goods and valuable services at the lowest possible prices. We believe that lower prices on products and services drive sales volume, which increases the Company’s buying leverage, which in turn leads to better pricing that we can then offer to our Members, validating the value of the annual membership fee.
PriceSmart began operations in 1996 in San Diego, California, with the intent to bring our U.S. style membership shopping warehouse club concept to underserved countries. We currently operate 49 warehouse clubs in Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia. Our Members also are able to shop on our e-commerce platform, PriceSmart.com, which is available in all 13 markets.
We offer our individual and business Members a carefully-curated selection of high quality, brand name and private label consumer products, essential goods and direct-from-farm fresh produce. We also provide prepared foods and fresh-baked goods. Most all merchandise is available for delivery or contactless curbside pickup through our Click Go™ service. Some of our clubs also provide services that include Optical, Pharmacy, Audiology and Tire departments and serve food at our food courts. Historically, our typical warehouse buildings have ranged in sales floor size from approximately 40,000 to 60,000 square feet and are located in and around the major cities in our markets to take advantage of dense populations and relatively higher levels of disposable income. Additionally, we operate smaller format clubs, with sales floors ranging from approximately 30,000 to 40,000 square feet. These smaller format clubs serve markets where the population may be less dense and/or where there may be significant business to business opportunities. We also have utilized the smaller format option to access and serve urban areas where it is difficult to secure sufficient real estate at a reasonable cost. The option of using a smaller format club, coupled with our omni-channel initiatives, helps us expand our membership base and geographic reach in existing markets. We strategically invest in technology to enhance Member experience and convenience. Technology allows us to use valuable membership and other data to increase efficiencies and use our insights about our Members to positively impact their lives. We also provide wholesale supply services to a retailer in the Philippines.
Logistics and distribution efficiencies are fundamental to delivering high quality merchandise at low prices to our Members. We utilize regional distribution centers in the U.S. and Costa Rica as well as several local distribution centers to distribute merchandise efficiently, retain flexibility and provide alternatives to source and transport goods, and mitigate the risk of supply-chain disruption. As our business grows and includes more e-commerce activity, we continually evaluate how to utilize our logistics and distribution system to most efficiently provide merchandise to our Members. We also seek to drive membership value and efficiencies by expanding our network of Produce Distribution Centers and are exploring centralizing production activities, such as bakery and meat processing.
Purchasing land and constructing warehouse clubs is generally our largest ongoing capital investment. Securing land for warehouse club locations is challenging in several of our markets because suitable sites at economically feasible prices are difficult to find. Ownership of our real estate in many of our markets provides several advantages, including lower operating expenses, flexibility to expand or otherwise enhance our buildings, long-term control over the use of the property and potential increase of value in future years. We own and lease our real estate, depending upon the best available opportunities.
Our warehouse clubs currently operate in emerging markets that historically have had higher growth rates and lower warehouse club market penetration than the U.S. market. In the countries in which we operate, we do not currently face direct competition from U.S. membership warehouse club operators. However, we do face competition from various retail formats such as hypermarkets, supermarkets, cash and carry, home improvement centers, electronic retailers, specialty stores, convenience stores, traditional wholesale distribution and online sales.
The number of warehouse clubs for each country or territory were as follows:
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| Number of |
| Number of |
|
| Warehouse Clubs |
| Warehouse Clubs |
|
| in Operation as of |
| in Operation as of |
Country/Territory |
| November 30, 2021 |
| November 30, 2020 |
Colombia |
| 9 |
| 7 |
Costa Rica |
| 8 |
| 8 |
Panama |
| 7 |
| 7 |
Dominican Republic |
| 5 |
| 5 |
Guatemala |
| 5 |
| 4 |
Trinidad |
| 4 |
| 4 |
Honduras |
| 3 |
| 3 |
El Salvador |
| 2 |
| 2 |
Nicaragua |
| 2 |
| 2 |
Aruba |
| 1 |
| 1 |
Barbados |
| 1 |
| 1 |
U.S. Virgin Islands |
| 1 |
| 1 |
Jamaica |
| 1 |
| 1 |
Totals |
| 49 |
| 46 |
Our warehouse clubs, one regional distribution center and several smaller local distribution centers are located in Latin America and the Caribbean, and our corporate headquarters, U.S. buying operations and our larger regional distribution center are located primarily in the United States. Our operating segments are the United States, Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia.
We are currently proceeding with the construction of a standard format warehouse club located within the city of Portmore, Jamaica. Portmore is a suburb west of the capital city of Kingston. We expect to open this warehouse club, which will be our second warehouse club in Jamaica, in April 2022; it will also be our 50th warehouse club.
Factors Affecting Our Business
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant challenges across our 13 markets since March 2020. Many markets imposed limitations, varying by market and in frequency, on access to the Company’s clubs and on the Company’s club operations, including in some cases frequent temporary club closures, a reduction in the number of days during the week and hours per day the Company’s clubs were permitted to be open, restrictions on segments of the population permitted to shop or circulate on particular days, and significant limits on the number of people permitted to be in the club at the same time. We also experienced product mix shifts due to changing consumer habits and/or government imposed limitations on many non-food categories, decreases in purchases by many business Members, particularly restaurants and hotels, and sporadic supply chain challenges, which can impact inventory levels.
We are currently focused on these four main priorities:
Protect the safety and well-being of our employees and our Members.
Take proactive measures to protect and expand our supply chain options.
Expand technology-enabled shopping and more effective use of data.
Manage cash and capital resources.
We recognize that this is an evolving and fluid situation; therefore, we are vigilantly adapting to shifting consumer demands emerging from the pandemic. The situation remains unpredictable in duration and intensity, and we continue to see periodic reinstatements of stay-at-home orders and other restrictions. In addition, we expect continued uncertainty in the economies of our markets as a result of the pandemic and anticipate volatility in employment trends, industry and consumer confidence and demand; volatility and liquidity of foreign currency exchange rates; volatility of commodity prices; and possible fiscal austerity measures taken by governments in our markets, which will likely impact our results for the foreseeable future. For additional information, refer to the risk factors discussed in Part I. “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2021.
Overall economic trends, foreign currency exchange volatility, and other factors impacting the business
Our sales and profits vary from market to market depending on general economic factors, including GDP growth; consumer preferences; foreign currency exchange rates; political policies and social conditions; local demographic characteristics (such as population growth); the number of years we have operated in a particular market; and the level of retail and wholesale competition in that market. The economies of many of our markets are dependent on foreign trade, tourism, and foreign direct investments. Global and local travel restrictions and a general slow-down in global economic activity as a result of COVID-19 have significantly impacted and may continue to impact the economies in several of our markets, causing significant declines in GDP and employment and devaluations of local currencies against the U.S. dollar.
During the last half of fiscal year 2021 and continuing into fiscal 2022, we saw several factors pressuring supply chains, including container shortages, port delays, and truck and driver shortages. These disruptions and shortages are impacting the timing of deliveries and leading to higher freight costs. Despite all these issues, we continue to see strong sales. We are working to hold down and/or mitigate the price increases passed on to the Members and maintain sufficient inventory to grow sales. One key mitigating factor has been our expanded network of distribution centers, which has facilitated alternative routings of shipments, increased throughput, and provided flexibility to more effectively mitigate these challenges. In addition, we have made strategic investments in inventory and worked with our local vendors to source alternative products, in order to reduce future out-of-stocks on high demand items that have been impacted by these disruptions or that have been affected by electronic part shortages. We expect pandemic-related conditions to continue throughout fiscal 2022.
Currency fluctuations can be one of the largest variables affecting our overall sales and profit performance, as we have experienced in prior fiscal years, because many of our markets are susceptible to foreign currency exchange rate volatility. During the first three months of both fiscal year 2022 and 2021, approximately 77.8% of our net merchandise sales were in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Of those sales, 48.5% and 49.5% consisted of sales of products we purchased in U.S. dollars for each period, respectively.
A devaluation of local currency reduces the value of sales and membership income that is generated in that country when translated to U.S. dollars for our consolidated results. In addition, when local currency experiences devaluation, we may elect to increase the local currency price of imported merchandise to maintain our target margins, which could impact demand for the merchandise affected by the price increase. We may also modify the mix of imported versus local merchandise and/or the source of imported merchandise in an effort to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations. Information about the effect of local currency devaluations is discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Net Merchandise Sales and Comparable Sales.”
Our capture of total retail and wholesale sales can vary from market to market due to competition and the availability of other shopping options for our Members. Demographic characteristics within each of our markets can affect both the overall level of sales and future sales growth opportunities. Certain island markets, such as Aruba, Barbados and the U.S. Virgin Islands offer us limited upside for sales growth given their overall market size.
Political and other factors in each of our markets may have significant effects on our business. For example, the civil unrest in Colombia paralyzed significant portions of the country’s infrastructure as roadblocks and riots disrupted normal economic activity during the third quarter of fiscal 2021. Austerity and tax reform measures for Colombia and other Latin American countries with high national debt levels and income disparity pose a risk for political instability. Similar unrest happened in Nicaragua and Honduras in 2018 and 2019, respectively; Costa Rica also had a general strike against tax reform measures that significantly impeded regular economic activity in 2018. Events of this sort have, and may continue to have, an adverse effect on our business.
Our operations are subject to volatile weather conditions and natural disasters. In November 2020, Hurricanes Eta and Iota brought severe rainfall, winds, and flooding to a significant portion of Central America, especially Honduras, that caused significant damage to parts of that country’s infrastructure. Although our warehouse clubs were not significantly affected and we were able to manage our supply chain to keep our warehouse clubs stocked with merchandise, these natural disasters could adversely impact our overall sales, costs and profit performance in the future.
In the past, we have experienced a lack of availability of U.S. dollars in certain markets (U.S. dollar illiquidity), particularly in Trinidad. This can and has impeded our ability to convert local currencies obtained through merchandise sales into U.S. dollars to settle the U.S. dollar liabilities associated with our imported products and to otherwise redeploy these funds in our Company. This illiquidity also increases our foreign exchange exposure to any devaluation of the local currency relative to the U.S. dollar. During fiscal year 2021 and continuing into fiscal year 2022, we continue to experience significant limitations on our ability to convert Trinidad dollars to U.S. dollars or other tradeable currencies. As liquidity conditions have tightened, we have raised prices on imported goods in Trinidad due to increased costs of conversion of Trinidad dollars to U.S. dollars and risks associated with continued illiquidity. We have also sought to shift the purchase of certain goods to local sources where appropriate, and we are actively seeking to exchange Trinidad dollars for tradeable currencies to manage our exposure to any potential devaluation. In addition, we significantly limited shipments of goods from the U.S. to Trinidad during most of fiscal 2021 and continuing into fiscal 2022 due to the illiquidity of the Trinidad dollar. We further reduced our already limited shipments in the last quarter of fiscal 2021 because of the government imposed restrictions on non-essential items during that period. However, while shipments remained low relative to historic levels, shipments did increase sequentially from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 to the first quarter of fiscal 2022 in connection with the government’s lifting of restrictions on sales of non-essential items during the first quarter.
We continue to explore and execute several options to increase our ability to generate more reliable sources of U.S. dollars in Trinidad, some of which may lead us to incur additional expenses. For instance, in December 2021, we executed a loan whereby we received $25 million of U.S. dollars, but the associated principal and interest will be repaid in Trinidad dollars (converted at rates in effect in December 2021) over a four-year period, thereby locking in the conversion of a significant amount of Trinidad dollars at current conversion rates and freeing up this cash in U.S. dollars for deployment for general corporate purposes.
As of November 30, 2021, our Trinidad subsidiary had Trinidad dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents and short and long-term investments measured in U.S. dollars of approximately $49.9 million, a decrease of $3.0 million from August 31, 2021 when these same balances were approximately $52.9 million. The Trinidad central bank manages the exchange rate of the Trinidad dollar with the U.S. dollar. While the Trinidad government has publicly stated it has no intention to devalue the Trinidad dollar, it could in the future decide to devalue the currency to improve market liquidity, resulting in a devaluation in the U.S. dollar value of these cash and investments balances.
If, for example, a hypothetical 20% devaluation of the Trinidad dollar were to occur, the value of our Trinidad dollar cash and investments position, measured in U.S. dollars, would decrease by approximately $10.0 million, with a corresponding increase in Accumulated other comprehensive loss reflected on our consolidated balance sheet. Separate from the Trinidad dollar denominated cash and investments balances described above, as of November 30, 2021, we had a U.S. dollar denominated monetary asset position of approximately $21.1 million in Trinidad (net of U.S. dollar denominated liabilities), which would produce a gain from a potential devaluation of Trinidad dollars. If, for example, a hypothetical 20% devaluation of the Trinidad dollar occurred, the net effect on Other income (expense), net on our consolidated statement of operations of revaluing these U.S. dollar denominated net monetary assets would be an approximate $4.2 million gain. While we may pay premiums or enter into financial transactions at a discount from the official government rate to convert our Trinidad dollars into U.S. dollars, we use the official exchange rate published by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago to measure the U.S. dollar equivalent of Trinidad dollar-based revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities and the Trinidad dollar equivalent of U.S. dollar-based monetary assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes, as there are no other reliable references available to translate or remeasure our revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities.
Our Barbados subsidiary also began facing a U.S. dollar illiquidity situation in fiscal 2020. The Barbados dollar has a conventional fixed-peg currency arrangement, in which the Barbados dollar exchange rate is fixed to the U.S. dollar. Thus, we do not expect a devaluation of this currency at this time. As of November 30, 2021, our Barbados subsidiary had Barbados dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents measured in U.S. dollars of approximately $3.3 million, which could not be readily converted to U.S. dollars for general use within the Company. However, this balance has decreased significantly from the $12.4 million balance as of August 31, 2021.
Mission and Business Strategy
PriceSmart exists to improve the lives and businesses of our Members, our employees, and our communities through the responsible delivery of the best quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices. Our mission is to serve as a model company, which operates profitably and provides a good return to our investors, by providing Members in emerging and developing markets with exciting, high-quality merchandise sourced from around the world and valuable services at compelling prices in safe U.S.-style clubs and through PriceSmart.com. We prioritize the well-being and safety of our Members and employees. We provide good jobs, fair wages and benefits and the opportunity for growth. We strive to treat our suppliers right and empower them when we can. We conduct ourselves in a socially responsible manner as we endeavor to improve the quality of the lives of our Members and their businesses, while respecting the environment and the laws of all the countries in which we operate. The annual membership fee enables us to operate our business with lower margins than traditional retail stores. As we increase our technological capabilities, we are increasing our tools to drive sales and operational efficiencies. We believe we are well-positioned to blend the excitement and appeal of our brick-and-mortar business with the convenience and additional benefits of online shopping and services.
Growth
As we look to the future, our Company is focused on three major drivers of growth:
Real Estate – New Clubs and Distribution facilities
Membership Value
Incremental sales generated from PriceSmart.com and digital and online capabilities
Real Estate - New Clubs and Distribution Facilities. We continue to actively seek opportunities to expand our geographic footprint for brick-and-mortar warehouse clubs. Our 50th club is scheduled to open in Jamaica in April 2022. We intend to continue, and even accelerate, our current pace of club growth over the next 3-5 years and to continue to explore and evaluate opportunities in new markets. Our growth strategy, as it pertains to real estate, includes physical distribution centers of various types to most efficiently support the flow of merchandise from the supplier to the Member, be it sales generated from the clubs or through PriceSmart.com. Also, the need for optionality in today’s world has proven essential. Therefore, we plan to make appropriate investments in our distribution network to maximize efficiencies, minimize supply chain disruption, and to provide optimal support for a growing e-commerce business. In addition to our distribution center in Miami, Florida, we also operate a regional distribution center in Costa Rica and are actively considering others. We also intend to expand our network of Produce Distribution Centers. In some cases, these facilities also provide the opportunity to capture efficiencies by centralizing certain production activities, such as bakery, meat processing, packaging and labeling.
Membership Value. Driving membership value leads to a higher membership base, the opportunity to increase the membership fee when appropriate, and contributes to the bottom line of the business. We focus on growth of our membership base, member renewal rates and spend per Member as part of how we determine how Members see our value. By adding more
benefits that Members can only obtain with us, we expect to see growth in Membership income. Recent examples include: additional services such as the ability for all of our Members to transact on PriceSmart.com; Click Go™ curbside pickup and delivery service in all of our clubs; and the implementation and expansion of our Well-being initiative, which offers Optical services with free eye exams for the member and additional members of their families and deeply discounted eyeglass frames, Audiology services with free hearing exams and deeply discounted hearing aids, and Pharmacy, which provides a significant convenience to our Members.
Another driver of Membership value is our private label offering, which we are working to expand. Private label also provides us the opportunity to source quality items locally when appropriate. Select local sourcing has multiple benefits including support of local communities in which we operate by developing industry and creating direct and indirect jobs, mitigation of foreign currency exchange risk, local currency procurement, and reduced supply chain exposure. These initiatives offer additional benefits and services for our Members whether they choose to shop on-line, in-club, or both.
Incremental sales generated from PriceSmart.com and digital and online capabilities. Members continue to seek all the great value our distinct business model provides in terms of quality, pricing and an exciting experience. However, there is a growing expectation of consumers in our markets for convenience. We continue to build capabilities and our offerings on PriceSmart.com. We also build and apply technological tools to continue to learn more about and strengthen our relationships with each of our Members. Together with data analytics, we have been able to provide our Members with enhancements to the membership experience. PriceSmart.com and these tools provide the opportunity for us to continually strengthen and expand the scope of our relationship with each Member and offer incremental products and services in the future.
Financial highlights for the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 included:
Total revenues increased 11.2% over the comparable prior year period.
Net merchandise sales increased 12.6% over the comparable prior year period. We ended the quarter with 49 warehouse clubs compared to 46 warehouse clubs at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacted net merchandise sales negatively by 1.0% versus the comparable three-month period.
Comparable net merchandise sales (that is, sales in the 46 warehouse clubs that have been open for greater than 13 ½
calendar months) for the 13 weeks ended November 28, 2021 increased 9.4%. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacted comparable net merchandise sales negatively by 1.0%.
Membership income for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 11.2% to $14.8 million.
Total gross margins (net merchandise sales less associated cost of goods sold) increased 11.9% over the prior-year period, and merchandise gross profits as a percent of net merchandise sales were 16%, a decrease of 10 basis points (0.1%) from the same period in the prior year.
Operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 was $46.0 million, an increase of 3.3%, or $1.5 million, compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
We recorded a $1.4 million gain in Other income (expense), net, primarily from a $2.7 million gain from the sale of Aeropost, Inc., partially offset by a $1.9 million loss from foreign currency transactions, in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 compared to a $1.5 million net currency loss in the same period last year. The gain from the sale of Aeropost, net of tax, resulted in a $1.5 million net income gain and contributed $0.05 to basic and diluted net income per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.
Our effective tax rate increased in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 to 34.1% from 32.9% in first quarter of fiscal 2021, primarily related to changes in uncertain tax positions.
Net income attributable to PriceSmart for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 was $30.5 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, compared to $27.7 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
COMPARISON OF THE three months ended NOVEMBER 30, 2021 and 2020
The following discussion and analysis compares the results of operations for the three-month period ended on November 30, 2021 with the three-month period ended on November 30, 2020 and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this report. Unless otherwise noted, all tables on the following pages present U.S. dollar amounts in thousands. Certain percentages presented are calculated using actual results prior to rounding.
Net Merchandise Sales
The following tables indicate the net merchandise club sales in the segments in which we operate and the percentage growth in net merchandise sales by segment during the three months ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020.
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| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
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| November 30, 2021 |
| November 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
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| Amount |
| % of net |
| Increase from prior year |
| Change |
| Amount |
| % of net | ||||||
Central America |
| $ | 560,596 |
| 59.4 | % |
| $ | 75,556 |
| 15.6 | % |
| $ | 485,040 |
| 57.8 | % |
Caribbean |
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| 268,334 |
| 28.4 |
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| 13,728 |
| 5.4 |
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| 254,606 |
| 30.4 |
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Colombia |
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| 115,113 |
| 12.2 |
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| 16,390 |
| 16.6 |
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| 98,723 |
| 11.8 |
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Net merchandise sales |
| $ | 944,043 |
| 100.0 | % |
| $ | 105,674 |
| 12.6 | % |
| $ | 838,369 |
| 100.0 | % |
Comparison of Three Months Ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020
Overall, total net merchandise sales grew 12.6% for the first quarter. The increase resulted from an 11.3% increase in transactions and a 1.2% increase in average ticket. Transactions represent the total number of visits our Members make to our warehouse clubs and Click Go™ curbside pickup and delivery service transactions. Average ticket represents the amount our Members spend on each visit or Click Go™ order. We had 49 clubs in operation as of November 30, 2021 compared to 46 clubs as of November 30, 2020.
Net merchandise sales in our Central America segment increased 15.6% for the three-months ended November 30, 2021. The increase had a 900 basis point (9.0%) positive impact on total net merchandise sales growth. All markets within this segment had positive net merchandise sales growth for the three-month period. We added one new club to the segment when compared to the comparable prior-year periods. We opened our fifth club in Guatemala in October 2021.
Net merchandise sales in our Caribbean segment increased 5.4% for the first quarter. The increase for the quarter had a 160 basis point (1.6%) positive impact on net merchandise sales growth. Our Dominican Republic market continued its strong performance in the quarter with 16.8% growth. Our Aruba and Jamaica markets also showed strong performance this quarter with 12.4% and 10.7% growth, respectively. This strong performance was offset by our Trinidad market which had declines in net merchandise sales for the same period. Trinidad sales were adversely affected by our measured approach to rebalance our merchandise mix following the reopening of the economy from the pandemic restrictions, and we generally continue to manage our imports to be in line with the amounts of U.S. dollars we expect to source in Trinidad. Net merchandise sales growth for Trinidad improved during the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 as the Trinidad government lifted restrictions on sales of non-essential merchandise, but sales have still not returned to the level we achieved in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Refer to “Management’s Discussion Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” for more information regarding the impact on us of the illiquidity of the Trinidad dollar.
Net merchandise sales in our Colombia segment increased 16.6% for the first quarter. This increase had a 200 basis point (2.0%) basis point positive impact on total net merchandise sales growth. The primary driver of the increased revenue for the quarter was the addition of two clubs to the segment when compared to the comparable prior year period. We opened our eighth club in Colombia in December 2020 and our ninth club in Colombia in November 2021.
The following table indicates the impact that currency exchange rates had on our net merchandise sales in dollars and the percentage change from the three-month period ended November 30, 2021. The term “currency exchange rates” refers to the currency exchange rates we use to convert net merchandise and comparable net merchandise sales for all countries where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar into U.S. dollars. We calculate the effect of changes in currency exchange rates as the difference between current period activities translated using the current period’s currency exchange rates and the comparable prior year period’s currency exchange rates. We believe the disclosure of the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations on our results permits investors to understand better the Company’s underlying performance.
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| Currency exchange rate fluctuations for the | ||||
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| Three months ended | ||||
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| November 30, 2021 | ||||
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| Amount |
| % change |
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Central America |
| $ | (6,642) |
| (1.4) | % |
Caribbean |
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| 874 |
| 0.4 |
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Colombia |
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| (2,649) |
| (2.7) |
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Net merchandise sales |
| $ | (8,417) |
| (1.0) | % |
Overall, the effects of currency fluctuations within our markets had an approximately $8.4 million, or 100 basis point (1.0%), negative impact on net merchandise sales for the quarter ended November 30, 2021.
Currency fluctuations had a $6.6 million, or 140 basis point (1.4%), negative impact on net merchandise sales in our Central America segment for the quarter ended November 30, 2021. These currency fluctuations contributed approximately 80 basis points (0.8%) of the total negative impact on total net merchandise sales for the current period. The Costa Rica Colón depreciated significantly against the dollar as compared to the same three-month period a year ago, and was a significant factor in the contribution to the unfavorable currency fluctuations in this segment.
Currency fluctuations had a $0.9 million, or 40 basis point (0.4%), positive impact on net merchandise sales in our Caribbean segment for the quarter ended November 30, 2021. These currency fluctuations contributed approximately 10 basis points (0.1%) of positive impact on total net merchandise sales for the period. The Dominican Republic experienced currency appreciation when compared to the same period last year.
Currency fluctuations had a $2.6 million, or 270 basis point (2.7%), negative impact on net merchandise sales in our Colombia segment for the quarter. These currency fluctuations contributed approximately 30 basis points (0.3%) of the total negative impact on total net merchandise sales for the quarter.
Comparable Merchandise Sales
We report comparable net merchandise sales on a “same week” basis with 13 weeks in each quarter beginning on a Monday and ending on a Sunday. The periods are established at the beginning of the fiscal year to provide as close of a match as possible to the calendar month and quarter that is used for financial reporting purposes. This approach equalizes the number of weekend days and weekdays in each period for improved sales comparison, as we experience higher merchandise club sales on the weekends. Each of the warehouse clubs used in the calculations was open for at least 13 ½ calendar months before its results for the current period were compared with its results for the prior period. As a result, sales related to one of our warehouse clubs opened during calendar year 2021 will not be used in the calculation of comparable sales until they have been open for at least 13 ½ months. Therefore, comparable net merchandise sales includes 46 warehouse clubs for the thirteen-week period ended November 28, 2021.
The following tables indicate the comparable net merchandise sales in the reportable segments in which we operate and the percentage changes in net merchandise sales by segment during the thirteen-week period ended November 28, 2021 and November 29, 2020 compared to the prior year.
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| Thirteen Weeks Ended | ||||
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| November 28, 2021 |
| November 29, 2020 | ||
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| % Increase/(decrease) in comparable net merchandise sales |
| % Increase/(decrease) in comparable net merchandise sales | ||
Central America |
| 14.1 | % |
| (0.7) | % |
Caribbean |
| 5.0 |
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| 9.9 |
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Colombia |
| (2.8) |
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| 8.6 |
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Consolidated comparable net merchandise sales |
| 9.4 | % |
| 3.6 | % |
Comparison of Thirteen-Week Periods Ended November 28, 2021 and November 29, 2020
Comparable net merchandise sales for those warehouse clubs that were open for at least 13 ½ months for some or all of the thirteen-week period ended November 28, 2021 increased 9.4%.
Comparable net merchandise sales in our Central America segment increased 14.1% for the thirteen-week period ended November 28, 2021. All of our markets in Central America had positive comparable net merchandise sales growth and this increase contributed approximately 820 basis points (8.2%) of positive impact in total comparable merchandise sales for the period.
Comparable net merchandise sales in our Caribbean segment increased 5.0% for the thirteen-week period ended November 28, 2021. The increase contributed approximately 150 basis points (1.5%) of positive impact on total comparable merchandise sales for the period.
Our Dominican Republic market continued its strong performance in the thirteen-week period with 16.8% comparable sales growth. Our Aruba and Jamaica markets also showed strong performance this quarter with 12.9% and 7.7% comparable sales growth, respectively. This strong performance was offset by our Trinidad market, which declined in comparable net merchandise sales by 6.2% for the thirteen-week period. Trinidad sales were adversely affected during most of the first quarter because we limited merchandise shipments to the market due to the ongoing U.S. dollar illiquidity situation. Refer to “Management’s Discussion Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” for more discussion on the Trinidad illiquidity situation.
Comparable net merchandise sales in our Colombia segment decreased 2.8% for the thirteen-week period ended November 28, 2021. This decrease contributed approximately 30 basis points (0.3%) of negative impact in total comparable merchandise sales for the period. The decrease in Colombia during the current quarter was primarily due to the foreign currency devaluation and sales transfers from existing clubs included in the comparable net merchandise sales calculation to new clubs not included in the calculation.
The following tables illustrate the impact that changes in foreign currency exchange rates had on our comparable merchandise sales in dollars and the percentage change for the thirteen-week period ended November 28, 2021.
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| Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations for the | ||||
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| Thirteen Weeks Ended | ||||
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| November 28, 2021 | ||||
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| Amount |
| % change |
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Central America |
| $ | (6,800) |
| (1.4) | % |
Caribbean |
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| 867 |
| 0.3 |
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Colombia |
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| (2,538) |
| (2.5) |
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Consolidated comparable net merchandise sales |
| $ | (8,471) |
| (1.0) | % |
Overall, the mix of currency fluctuations within our markets had an approximately $8.5 million, or 100 basis point (1.0%) negative impact on comparable net merchandise sales for the thirteen-week period ended November 28, 2021.
Currency fluctuations within our Central America segment contributed approximately 80 basis points (0.8%) of negative impact in total comparable merchandise sales for the thirteen-week period. Our Costa Rica market was the main contributor as the market experienced currency devaluation when compared to the same period last year.
Currency fluctuations within our Caribbean segment contributed approximately 10 basis points (0.1%) points of positive impact in total comparable merchandise sales for the thirteen-week period. Our Dominican Republic market experienced currency appreciation, which was partially offset by our Jamaica market, which experienced currency devaluation when compared to the same period last year.
Currency fluctuations within our Colombia segment contributed approximately 30 basis points (0.3%) of negative impact in total comparable merchandise sales for the thirteen-week period. This reflects the movement of the Colombian peso’s foreign currency exchange rate when compared to the same period a year ago.
Membership Income
Membership income is recognized ratably over the one-year life of the membership.
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| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||
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| November 30, |
| November 30, | |||||||||||
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| 2021 |
| 2020 | |||||||||||
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| Amount |
| Increase from prior year |
| % Change |
| Membership |
| Amount | |||||
Membership income - Central America |
| $ | 8,776 |
| $ | 901 |
| 11.4 | % |
| 1.6 | % |
| $ | 7,875 |
Membership income - Caribbean |
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| 3,973 |
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| 262 |
| 7.1 |
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| 1.5 |
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| 3,711 |
Membership income - Colombia |
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| 2,042 |
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| 329 |
| 19.2 |
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| 1.8 |
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| 1,713 |
Membership income - Total |
| $ | 14,791 |
| $ | 1,492 |
| 11.2 | % |
| 1.6 | % |
| $ | 13,299 |
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Number of accounts - Central America |
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| 917,929 |
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| 78,542 |
| 9.4 | % |
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| 839,387 |
Number of accounts - Caribbean |
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| 432,144 |
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| 4,273 |
| 1.0 |
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| 427,871 |
Number of accounts - Colombia |
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| 341,412 |
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| 27,252 |
| 8.7 |
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| 314,160 |
Number of accounts - Total |
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| 1,691,485 |
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| 110,067 |
| 7.0 | % |
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| 1,581,418 |
Comparison of Three Months Ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020
The number of Member accounts as of November 30, 2021 was 7.0% higher than the prior year period. Membership income increased 11.2% over the three-month period ended November 30, 2021, compared to the prior-year period.
Membership income increased across all of our operating segments in the three months ended November 30, 2021. The consolidated increase in membership income is due to an increasing membership base since the start of fiscal year 2021. Since August 31, 2021, all segments have increased their membership base. Central America had the largest increase in membership in the first three months of fiscal year 2022, with 9.4% growth, due primarily to the opening of our fifth club in Guatemala in November 2021, followed by Colombia with an 8.7% increase due primarily to the opening of our ninth club in that country and the Caribbean with a 1.0% increase.
We now offer the Platinum Membership program in all locations where PriceSmart operates. The annual fee for a Platinum Membership in most markets is approximately $75. The Platinum Membership program provides Members with a 2% rebate on most items, up to an annual maximum of $500. We record the 2% rebate as a reduction on net merchandise sales at the time of the sales transaction. Platinum Membership accounts are 6.5% of our total membership base as of November 30, 2021, an increase from 5.3% as of November 30, 2020. Platinum Members tend to have higher renewal rates than our Diamond Members.
Our trailing twelve-month renewal rate was 89.0% and 81.9% for the periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, respectively. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a decrease in in-club traffic in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, resulting in fewer in-club visits and thus fewer renewals as most of our renewals occur in the warehouse club. However, approximately 15% and 11% of our membership sign-ups were completed using our online platform for the three-month periods ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, respectively. Our online platform facilitates capturing data and provides the opportunity for automatic renewal of memberships, as well as improving our digital connection with our Members.
Other Revenue
Other revenue primarily consists of non-merchandise revenue from freight and handling fees generated from the marketplace and casillero operations we sold in October 2021, interest-generating portfolio from our co-branded credit cards, and rental income from operating leases where the Company is the lessor.
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| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
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| November 30, 2021 |
| November 30, 2020 | ||||||||
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| Amount |
| Increase (decrease) from |
| % Change |
| Amount | ||||
Non-merchandise revenue |
| $ | 3,307 |
| $ | (9,348) |
| (73.9) | % |
| $ | 12,655 |
Miscellaneous income |
|
| 2,046 |
|
| 549 |
| 36.7 |
|
|
| 1,497 |
Rental income |
|
| 635 |
|
| (96) |
| (13.1) |
|
|
| 731 |
Other revenue |
| $ | 5,988 |
| $ | (8,895) |
| (59.8) | % |
| $ | 14,883 |
Comparison of Three Months Ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020
The primary driver of the decrease in other revenue for the quarter is due to the sale of our Aeropost subsidiary and its marketplace and casillero operations on October 1, 2021. For additional information on the results of the disposition, refer to “Item 1. Financial Statements: Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
Results of Operations
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| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
Results of Operations Consolidated |
|
| November 30, 2021 |
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| November 30, 2020 |
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| Increase/(Decrease) |
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(Amounts in thousands, except percentages and |
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Net merchandise sales |
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Net merchandise sales |
| $ | 944,043 |
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| $ | 838,369 |
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| $ | 105,674 |
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Total gross margin |
| $ | 150,850 |
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| $ | 134,750 |
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| $ | 16,100 |
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Total gross margin percentage |
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| 16.0 | % |
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| 16.1 | % |
|
| (0.1) | % |
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Revenues |
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Total revenues |
| $ | 975,356 |
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| $ | 877,432 |
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| $ | 97,924 |
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Percentage change from prior period |
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| 11.2 | % |
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Comparable net merchandise sales |
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Total comparable net merchandise sales increase |
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| 9.4 | % |
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| 3.6 | % |
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| 5.8 | % |
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Total revenue margin |
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Total revenue margin |
| $ | 170,287 |
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| $ | 157,556 |
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| $ | 12,731 |
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Total revenue margin percentage |
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| 17.4 | % |
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| 18.0 | % |
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| (0.6) | % |
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Selling, general and administrative |
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Selling, general and administrative |
| $ | 124,270 |
|
| $ | 113,025 |
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| $ | 11,245 |
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Selling, general and administrative percentage of total revenues |
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| 12.7 | % |
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| 12.9 | % |
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| (0.2) | % |
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Warehouse clubs |
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Warehouse clubs at period end |
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| 49 |
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| 46 |
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|
| 3 |
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Warehouse club sales square feet at period end |
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| 2,424 |
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| 2,267 |
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| 157 |
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| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
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|
| November 30, |
| % of |
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| November 30, |
| % of |
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Results of Operations Consolidated |
|
| 2021 |
| Total Revenue |
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|
| 2020 |
| Total Revenue |
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Operating income- by segment |
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Central America |
| $ | 43,379 |
| 4.4 | % |
| $ | 34,445 |
| 3.9 | % |
Caribbean |
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| 19,878 |
| 2.0 |
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| 21,594 |
| 2.5 |
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Colombia |
|
| 6,378 |
| 0.7 |
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|
| 5,565 |
| 0.6 |
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United States |
|
| 6,257 |
| 0.7 |
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|
| 5,742 |
| 0.7 |
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Reconciling Items (1) |
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| (29,875) |
| (3.1) |
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|
| (22,815) |
| (2.6) |
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Operating income - Total |
| $ | 46,017 |
| 4.7 | % |
| $ | 44,531 |
| 5.1 | % |
(1)The reconciling items reflect the amount eliminated upon consolidation of intersegment transactions.
The following table summarizes the selling, general and administrative expense for the periods disclosed.
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| Three Months Ended |
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| November 30, |
| % of |
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| November 30, |
| % of |
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| 2021 |
| Total Revenue |
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| 2020 |
| Total Revenue |
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Warehouse club and other operations |
| $ | 91,196 |
| 9.4 | % |
| $ | 84,832 |
| 9.7 | % |
General and administrative |
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| 31,693 |
| 3.2 |
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| 27,521 |
| 3.1 |
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Pre-opening expenses |
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| 970 |
| 0.1 |
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|
| 602 |
| 0.1 |
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Loss on disposal of assets |
|
| 411 |
| — |
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|
| 70 |
| — |
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Total Selling, general and administrative |
| $ | 124,270 |
| 12.7 | % |
| $ | 113,025 |
| 12.9 | % |
Comparison of Three Months Ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020 —
Total gross margin is derived from our Revenue – Net merchandise sales less our Cost of goods sold – Net merchandise sales and represents our sales and cost of sales generated from the business activities of our warehouse clubs. We express our Total gross margin percentage as a percentage of our Net merchandise sales.
On a consolidated basis, total gross margin for the three months ended November 30, 2021 was 16.0%, 10 basis points (0.1%) lower than the comparable prior year period. The primary driver of the decrease for the quarter was a decrease in sales in Trinidad, where our gross margins have recently been higher because of the foreign currency exchange premium we include in prices we charge there due to increased costs of conversion of Trinidad dollars to U.S. dollars and risks associated with continued illiquidity of the Trinidad dollar. Trinidad sales were adversely affected by our measured approach to rebalance our merchandise mix following the reopening of the economy from the pandemic restrictions, and we generally continue to manage our imports to be in line with the amounts of U.S. dollars we expect to source in Trinidad.
Total revenue margin is derived from Total revenues, which includes our Net merchandise sales, Membership income, Export sales, and Other revenue and income less our Cost of goods sold for net merchandise sales, Export sales, and Non-merchandise revenues. We express our Total revenue margin as percentage of Total revenues.
Total revenue margin decreased 60 basis points (0.6%) for the three months ended November 30, 2021 compared to the prior-year period, which is primarily the result of lower revenue margins from our casillero and marketplace business of 50 basis points (0.5%) along with the lower total gross margins of 10 basis points (0.1%).
Selling, general, and administrative expenses consist of warehouse club and other operations, general and administrative expenses, pre-opening expenses, and loss on disposal of assets. In total, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $11.2 million compared to the prior year but decreased as a percentage of total revenue, declining 20 basis points (0.2%) to 12.7% of total revenue compared to 12.9% of total revenues for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021.
Warehouse club and other operations expenses decreased to 9.4% of total revenues for the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 compared to 9.7% for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 primarily due to 40 basis points (0.40%) of lower operations expenses from our casillero and marketplace business due to the sale of Aeropost on October 1, 2021. This decrease was partially offset by 10 basis points (0.10%) from the new clubs in Colombia and Guatemala that had not reached sales maturity as of November 30, 2021.
General and administrative expenses increased to 3.2% of total revenues for the current quarter compared to 3.1% for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. The 10 basis point (0.1%) increase is primarily due to a 20 basis point (0.2%) increase from our continued investments to support our technology development, talent acquisition, and employee development offset by a 10 basis point (0.1%) decrease from the reduction in general and administrative expenses due to the sale of Aeropost. Given our strategic initiatives, we anticipate that we will continue to make investments at comparable levels (as a percentage of revenue) to further our omni-channel, technology and employee development initiatives.
Operating income in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 increased to $46.0 million (4.7% of total revenue) compared to $44.5 million (5.1% of total revenue) for the same period last year.
Interest Expense
Net interest expense reflects borrowings by PriceSmart, Inc. and our wholly owned foreign subsidiaries to finance new land acquisition and construction for new warehouse clubs, warehouse club expansions and distribution centers, the capital requirements of warehouse club and other operations and ongoing working capital requirements.
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| Three Months Ended | |||||||
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| November 30, |
| November 30, | |||||
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| 2021 |
| 2020 | |||||
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| Amount |
| Change |
| Amount | |||
Interest expense on loans |
| $ | 1,335 |
| $ | (390) |
| $ | 1,725 |
Interest expense related to hedging activity |
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| 850 |
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| (75) |
|
| 925 |
Less: Capitalized interest |
|
| (595) |
|
| 22 |
|
| (617) |
Net interest expense |
| $ | 1,590 |
| $ | (443) |
| $ | 2,033 |
Comparison of Three Months Ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020
Net interest expense decreased for the three-month period ended November 30, 2021 primarily due to lower short-term borrowings compared to the comparable prior year period. We drew down on short-term lines of credit in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 as a part of our efforts to secure adequate cash to cover contingencies arising from COVID-19 related risks.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net, consists of currency gains or losses, as well as net benefit costs related to our defined benefit plans and other items considered to be non-operating in nature.
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| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
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| November 30, |
| November 30, | ||||||||
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| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||||||||
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| Amount |
| Increase from prior year |
| % Change |
| Amount | ||||
Other income (expense), net |
| $ | 1,409 |
| $ | 2,954 |
| 191.2 | % |
| $ | (1,545) |
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity (primarily U.S. dollars) are revalued to the functional currency using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. These foreign exchange transaction gains/(losses) are recorded as currency gains or losses. Additionally, gains or losses from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity also generate currency gains or losses.
Comparison of Three Months Ended November 30, 2021 and 2020
For the three-months ended November 30, 2021 the primary driver of Other income (expense), net included a gain of $2.7 million associated with the sale of our Aeropost subsidiary on October 1, 2021. This gain was partially offset by a $1.9 million loss associated with foreign currency transactions and the revaluation of monetary assets and liabilities in several of our markets. The foreign currency gains and losses resulted from the revaluation of net U.S. dollar assets and liabilities in markets where the local functional currency revalued or devalued against the U.S. dollar and from exchange transactions.
The primary foreign currency impacts during the quarter were higher transaction costs associated with converting Trinidad dollars into available tradeable currencies such as Euros or Canadian dollars before converting them to U.S. dollars. Additionally, the devaluation of the Colombian Peso resulted in a loss recognized on our net U.S. dollar liability position in that market. These losses were partially offset by a devaluation of the Jamaican dollar, which resulted in a gain recognized on our U.S. dollar asset position in that market.
Provision for Income Taxes
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| Three Months Ended | |||||||||
|
| November 30, |
| November 30, | |||||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |||||||
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| Amount |
| Increase from prior year |
| Amount | |||||
Provision for income taxes |
| $ | 15,814 |
|
| $ | 2,196 |
| $ | 13,618 |
|
Effective tax rate |
|
| 34.1 | % |
|
|
|
|
| 32.9 | % |
Comparison of Three Ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020
For the three months ended November 30, 2021, the effective tax rate was 34.1% compared to 32.9% for the prior year period. The increase in the effective tax rate versus the prior year was primarily attributable to the following factors:
A comparably favorable benefit from recurring items of 0.5%, primarily resulting from valuation allowances we took with respect to deferred tax assets from foreign tax credits that are no longer deemed recoverable; and
A comparably unfavorable net tax impact from non-recurring items of 1.7%, primarily related to changes in uncertain tax positions.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
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| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
|
| November 30, |
| November 30, | ||||||||
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| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||||||||
|
| Amount |
| Change |
| % Change |
| Amount | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
| $ | (6,131) |
| $ | (9,293) |
| (293.9) | % |
| $ | 3,162 |
Comparison of Three Months Ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020
Our other comprehensive loss of approximately $6.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 resulted primarily from the comprehensive loss of approximately $8.1 million from foreign currency translation adjustments related to assets and liabilities and the translation of revenue, costs and expenses on the statements of income of our subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, offset by approximately $2.0 million related to unrealized gains on changes in our derivative obligations. For the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, the Colombia Peso, Costa Rica Colón and Jamaican Dollar exchange rate with the U.S. Dollar declined significantly.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Financial Position and Cash Flow
Our operations have historically supplied us with a significant source of liquidity. We generate cash from operations primarily through net merchandise sales and membership fees. Cash used in operations generally consist of payments to our merchandise vendors, warehouse club and distribution center operating costs (including payroll, employee benefits and utilities), as well as payments for income taxes. Our cash flows provided by operating activities, supplemented with our long-term debt and short-term borrowings, have generally been sufficient to fund our operations while allowing us to invest in activities that support the long-term growth of our operations and to pay dividends on our common stock. We evaluate our funding requirements on a regular basis to cover any shortfall in our ability to generate sufficient cash from operations to meet our capital requirements. We may consider funding alternatives to provide additional liquidity if necessary. Refer to “Item 1. Financial Statements: Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 7 - Debt” for additional information regarding our available short-term facilities, short-term and long-term borrowings, and any repayments.
Repatriation of cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries may require us to accrue and pay taxes. We have no plans at this time to repatriate cash through the payment of cash dividends by our foreign subsidiaries to our domestic operations and, therefore, have not accrued taxes that would be due from repatriation.
The following table summarizes the cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, held by our foreign subsidiaries and domestically (in thousands).
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| November 30, |
| August 31, | ||
|
| 2021 |
| 2021 | ||
Amounts held by foreign subsidiaries |
| $ | 174,429 |
| $ | 160,808 |
Amounts held domestically |
|
| 18,171 |
|
| 54,671 |
Total cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash |
| $ | 192,600 |
| $ | 215,479 |
The following table summarizes the short-term investments held by our foreign subsidiaries and domestically (in thousands).
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| November 30, |
| August 31, | ||
|
| 2021 |
| 2021 | ||
Amounts held by foreign subsidiaries |
| $ | 39,201 |
| $ | 50,233 |
Amounts held domestically |
|
| — |
|
| — |
Total short-term investments |
| $ | 39,201 |
| $ | 50,233 |
As of November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021, certificates of deposit with a maturity of over one year held by our foreign subsidiaries and domestically were $0 and $1.5 million, respectively.
From time to time, we have experienced a lack of availability of U.S. dollars in certain markets (U.S. dollar illiquidity). This impedes our ability to convert local currencies obtained through merchandise sales into U.S. dollars to settle the U.S. dollar liabilities associated with our imported products or otherwise fund our operations. Since fiscal 2017, we have experienced this situation in Trinidad and have been unable to source a sufficient level of tradeable currencies. We are working with our banks in Trinidad and government officials to source tradeable currencies. We expect the illiquid market conditions in Trinidad to continue and are considering various measures to address the adverse effect of this situation on the Company’s liquidity. In addition, our Barbados subsidiary recently began facing a similar U.S. dollar liquidity situation. Refer to “Management’s Discussion Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” for our quantitative analysis and discussion.
Our cash flows are summarized as follows (in thousands):
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| Three Months Ended | |||||||
|
| November 30, |
| November 30, |
|
| |||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| Change | |||
Net cash used in operating activities |
| $ | (13,339) |
| $ | (17,773) |
| $ | 4,434 |
Net cash used in investing activities |
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| (12,050) |
|
| (50,310) |
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| 38,260 |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
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| 1,198 |
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| (22,198) |
|
| 23,396 |
Effect of exchange rates |
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| 1,312 |
|
| (1,095) |
|
| 2,407 |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
| $ | (22,879) |
| $ | (91,376) |
| $ | 68,497 |
Net cash used in operating activities totaled $13.3 million and $17.8 million for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, respectively. The decrease in net cash used is primarily a result of the increase in profits during the quarter when compared to the prior year, with changes in operating assets and liabilities largely offsetting each other. However, inventory was $500.8 million as of November 30, 2021, compared with $389.7 million and $373.2 million at August 31, 2021 and November 30, 2020, respectively. The increase over the balances as of November 30, 2021 reflects our efforts to bring our inventory levels in-line with our sales trends. In addition, we have made strategic investments in inventory to avoid future out-of-stocks on high volume items that have been impacted from container, commodity, and electronic part shortages. Lastly, we have two additional clubs in the current year.
Net cash used in investing activities totaled $12.1 million and $50.3 million for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020. The decrease is primarily the result of a decrease in purchases of certificates of deposits compared to the same three-month period a year-ago, primarily due to the significant improvement (decrease) in our balance of Trinidad dollars on hand. Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” for additional discussion of the current U.S. dollar illiquidity we are experiencing in that market.
Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $1.2 million and net cash used in financing activities was $22.2 million for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and November 30, 2020, respectively. We use cash flows provided by financing primarily to fund our working capital needs, our warehouse club and distribution center acquisitions and expansions, and investments in technology to support our omni-channel initiatives. The $23.4 million shift from cash used in, to cash provided by financing activities is primarily the result of higher net repayments of short-term debt compared to the same three-month period a year-ago, when we were repaying short-term facilities accessed at the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following table summarizes the dividends declared and paid during fiscal year 2021 (amounts are per share).
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| First Payment |
| Second Payment | ||||||||||
Declared |
| Amount |
| Record |
| Date |
| Amount |
| Record |
| Date |
| Amount | |||
2/4/2021 |
| $ | 0.70 |
| 2/15/2021 |
| 2/26/2021 |
|
| 0.35 |
| 8/15/2021 |
| 8/31/2021 |
|
| 0.35 |
Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt
Our financing strategy is to ensure liquidity and access to capital markets while minimizing our borrowing costs. The proceeds of these borrowings were or will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, funding for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, and repayment of existing debt. Please refer to “Item 1. Financial Statements: Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 7 – Debt.”
Derivatives
Please refer to “Item 1. Financial Statements: Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” for further discussion.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a material current or future effect on its financial condition or consolidated financial statements.
Repurchase of Equity Securities and Reissuance of Treasury Shares
At the vesting dates for restricted stock awards to our employees, we repurchase a portion of the shares that have vested at the prior days closing price per share and apply the proceeds to pay the employees minimum statutory tax withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted stock awards. The Company expects to continue this practice going forward. We do not currently have a stock repurchase program.
Shares of common stock repurchased by us are recorded at cost as treasury stock and result in the reduction of stockholders’ equity in our consolidated balance sheets. We may reissue these treasury shares in the future.
We have reissued treasury shares as part of our stock-based compensation programs. During the three-months ended November 30, 2021, we reissued approximately 9,000 treasury shares.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires that management make estimates and judgments 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 revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Some of our accounting policies require management to make difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Management continues to review its accounting policies and evaluate its estimates, including those related to business acquisitions, contingencies and litigation, income taxes, value added taxes, and long-lived assets. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the present circumstances. Using different estimates could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Income Taxes
For interim reporting, we estimate an annual effective tax rate (AETR) pursuant to ASC 740-270 to calculate income tax expense. Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best estimate of current and future taxes to be paid. We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in the determination of the consolidated income tax expense. Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, which will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets in the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In projecting future taxable income, we begin with historical results adjusted for the results of discontinued operations and incorporate assumptions about the amount of future state, federal, and foreign pretax operating income adjusted for items that do not have tax consequences. The assumptions about future taxable income require the use of significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, we consider three years of cumulative operating income (loss).
We are required to file federal and state income tax returns in the United States and various other tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The preparation of these tax returns requires us to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax we pay. We, in consultation with our tax advisors, base our tax returns on interpretations that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The tax returns, however, are subject to routine reviews by the various taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which we file our tax returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with respect to the interpretations we used to calculate our tax liability and, therefore, require us to pay additional taxes.
We accrue an amount for our estimate of probable additional income tax liability. In certain cases, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50% likelihood of being sustained. This requires significant judgment, the use of estimates, and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. When facts and circumstances change, we reassess these probabilities and record any changes in the consolidated financial statements as appropriate. There were no material changes in our uncertain income tax positions in the three months ended November 30, 2021.
Tax Receivables
We pay Value Added Tax (“VAT”) or similar taxes, income taxes, and other taxes within the normal course of our business in most of the countries in which we operate related to the procurement of merchandise and/or services we acquire and/or on sales and taxable income. VAT is a form of indirect tax applied to the value added at each stage of production (primary, manufacturing, wholesale and retail). This tax is similar to, but operates somewhat differently than, sales tax paid in the United States. We generally collect VAT from our Members upon sale of goods and services and pay VAT to our vendors upon purchase of goods and services. Periodically, we submit VAT reports to governmental agencies and reconcile the VAT paid and VAT received. The net overpaid VAT may be refunded or applied to subsequent returns, and the net underpaid VAT must be remitted to the government. With respect to income taxes paid, if the estimated income taxes paid or withheld exceed the actual income tax due this creates an income tax receivable. In most countries where we operate, the governments have implemented additional collection procedures, such as requiring credit card processors to remit a portion of sales processed via credit and debit cards directly to the government as advance payments of VAT and/or income tax. This collection mechanism generally leaves us with net VAT and/or income tax receivables, forcing us to process significant refund claims on a recurring basis. These refund or offset processes can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete.
In most countries where we operate, there are defined and structured processes to recover VAT receivables via refunds or offsets. However, in one country without a clearly defined refund process, the Company is actively engaged with the local government to recover VAT receivables totaling $11.1 million and $9.7 million as of November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021, respectively. In addition, in two other countries where the Company operates, there have been changes in the method of computing minimum tax payments under which the governments have sought to require the Company to pay taxes based on a percentage of sales rather than taxable income. As a result, we have made and may continue to make income tax payments substantially in excess of those we would expect to pay based on taxable income. The Company had income tax receivables of $11.1 million and $11.0 million and deferred tax assets of $3.5 million and $3.3 million as of November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021, respectively, in these countries. While the rules related to refunds of income tax receivables in these countries are either unclear or complex, the Company has not placed any type of allowance on the recoverability of these tax receivables or deferred tax assets because the Company believes that it is more likely than not that it will ultimately succeed in its refund requests. Similarly, we have not placed any recoverability allowances on tax receivables that arise from payments we are required to make originating from tax assessments that we are appealing, as we believe it is more likely than not that we will ultimately prevail in the related appeals. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be successful in recovering all tax receivables or deferred tax assets.
Our policy for classification and presentation of VAT receivables, income tax receivables and other tax receivables is as follows:
Short-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other current assets: This classification is used for any countries where our subsidiary has generally demonstrated the ability to recover the VAT or income tax receivable within one year. We also classify as short-term any approved refunds or credit notes to the extent that we expect to receive the refund or use the credit notes within one year.
Long-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other non-current assets: This classification is used for amounts not approved for refund or credit in countries where our subsidiary has not demonstrated the ability to obtain refunds within one year and/or for amounts which are subject to outstanding disputes. An allowance is provided against VAT and income tax receivable balances in dispute when we do not expect to eventually prevail in our recovery of such balances. We do not currently have any allowances provided against VAT and income tax receivables.
Long-lived Assets
We evaluate quarterly our long-lived assets for indicators of impairment. Indicators that an asset may be impaired are:
the assets inability to continue to generate income from operations and positive cash flow in future periods;
loss of legal ownership or title to the asset;
significant changes in its strategic business objectives and utilization of the asset(s); and
the impact of significant negative industry or economic trends.
Managements judgments are based on market and operational conditions at the time of the evaluation and can include managements best estimate of future business activity, which in turn drives estimates of future cash flows from these assets. These periodic evaluations could cause management to conclude that impairment factors exist, which could require an adjustment of these assets to their then-current fair market value. Loss/(gain) on disposal of assets recorded during the years reported resulted from improvements to operations and normal preventive maintenance.
Goodwill
Goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value of a certain asset may be impaired. Generally, this evaluation begins with a qualitative assessment to determine whether a quantitative impairment test is necessary. If we determine, after performing an assessment based on the qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount, or that a fair value of the reporting unit substantially in excess of the carrying amount cannot be assured, then a quantitative impairment test would be performed. The quantitative test for impairment requires management to make judgments relating to future cash flows, growth rates and economic and market conditions. These evaluations are based on determining the fair value of a reporting unit or asset using a valuation method such as discounted cash flow or a relative, market-based approach. Historically, our reporting units have generated sufficient returns to recover the cost of our goodwill. Because of the nature of the factors used in these tests, if different conditions occur in future periods, future operating results could be materially impacted. For approximately $45.3 million of certain acquired goodwill, the fair value was greater than the carrying value; any deterioration in the fair value may result in an impairment charge.
Seasonality
Historically, our merchandising businesses have experienced holiday retail seasonality in their markets. In addition to seasonal fluctuations, our operating results fluctuate quarter-to-quarter as a result of economic and political events in markets that we serve, the timing of holidays, weather, the timing of shipments, product mix, and currency effects on the cost of U.S.-sourced products which may make these products more or less expensive in local currencies and therefore more or less affordable. Because of such fluctuations, the results of operations of any quarter are not indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year or any future quarter. In addition, there can be no assurance that our future results will be consistent with past results or the projections of securities analysts.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risks relating to our operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in currency exchange rates. There have been no material changes in our market risk factors at November 30, 2021 compared to those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
From time to time, we have experienced a lack of availability of U.S. dollars in certain markets (U.S. dollar illiquidity). This impedes our ability to convert local currencies obtained through merchandise sales into U.S. dollars to settle the U.S. dollar liabilities associated with our imported products. Since fiscal year 2017, we have experienced this situation in Trinidad and have been unable to source a sufficient level of tradeable currencies. We are working with our banks in Trinidad and Barbados to source tradeable currencies. We expect the illiquid market conditions in both markets to continue. Refer to “Item 2. Management’s Discussion Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” and “Item 2. Management’s Discussion Analysis – Liquidity: Financial Position and Cash Flow” for our quantitative analysis and discussion.
Information about the financial impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations for the three-month period ended November 30, 2021 is disclosed in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion Analysis – Other Expense, net”.
Information about the change in the fair value of our hedges and the financial impact thereof for the three-month period ended November 30, 2021 is disclosed in “Item 1. Financial Statements: Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”
Information about the movements in currency exchange rates and the related impact on the translation of the balance sheets of our subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar for the three-month period ended November 30, 2021 is disclosed in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion Analysis – Other Comprehensive Loss.”
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the timelines specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decision regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and in reaching a reasonable level of assurance, management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Also, we have investments in certain unconsolidated entities. Because we do not control or manage those entities, our control procedures with respect to those entities were substantially more limited than those we maintain with respect to our consolidated subsidiaries.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by SEC Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e), we carried out an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon their evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
In the ordinary course of business, we review our system of internal control over financial reporting and make changes to our systems and processes to improve controls and increase efficiency, while ensuring that we maintain an effective internal control environment. Changes may include such activities as implementing new, more efficient systems and automating manual processes. 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 quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
The certifications required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are filed as Exhibit 31.1 and 31.2 to this report.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are often involved in claims arising in the ordinary course of business seeking monetary damages and other relief. Based upon information currently available to us, none of these claims is expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the reader should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I. “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2021. There have been no material changes in the Companys risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
(a) None.
(b) None.
(c) Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers.
Upon vesting of restricted stock awarded by the Company to employees, the Company repurchases shares and withholds the amount of the repurchase payment to cover employees’ tax withholding obligations. As set forth in the table below, during the quarter ended November 30, 2021, the Company repurchased 31,551 shares in the indicated months. These were the only repurchases of equity securities made by the Company during the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. The Company does not have a stock repurchase program.
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Period |
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| (c) |
| (d) | ||||
September 1, 2021 - September 30, 2021 |
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| N/A |
October 1, 2021 - October 31, 2021 |
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| 31,437 |
| $ | 77.12 |
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| N/A |
November 1, 2021 - November 30, 2021 |
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| 114 |
| $ | 72.65 |
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Total |
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| 31,551 |
| $ | 77.11 |
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ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits:
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3.1(1) | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. |
3.2(2) | Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. |
3.3(3) | Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. |
3.4(4) | |
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
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* | Identifies management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
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** | These certifications are being furnished solely to accompany this Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, and are not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of PriceSmart, Inc., whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing. |
(1)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1997 filed with the Commission on November 26, 1997.
(2)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004 filed with the Commission on April 14, 2004.
(3)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2004 filed with the Commission on November 24, 2004.
(4)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 17, 2015.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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| PRICESMART, INC. | |
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Date: | January 6, 2022 |
| By: | /s/ SHERRY S. BAHRAMBEYGUI |
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| Sherry S. Bahrambeygui |
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| Chief Executive Officer |
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| (Principal Executive Officer) |
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Date: | January 6, 2022 |
| By: | /s/ MICHAEL L. MCCLEARY |
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| Michael L. McCleary |
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| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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| (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
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