VILLAGE SUPER MARKET INC
10-Ks and 10-Qs
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM
10-K
For the fiscal year ended
July 27
, 2024
or
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER:
0-33360
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
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| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | ||||||||||||||
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| (Title of Class) | (Trading Symbol) | (Name of exchange on which registered) | ||||||||||||
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None | ||||||||||||||
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes
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No
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes
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No
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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 registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
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No
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).
Yes
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No
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Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§299.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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.
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Large accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Smaller reporting company
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Emerging growth company
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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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C.7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
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If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.
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Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to § 240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
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No
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The aggregate market value of the Class A common stock of Village Super Market, Inc. held by non-affiliates was approximately $
221.3
million and the aggregate market value of the Class B common stock held by non-affiliates was approximately $
0.4
million based upon the closing price of the Class A shares on the NASDAQ on January 27, 2024, the last business day of the second fiscal quarter. There are no other classes of voting stock outstanding.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of latest practicable date.
| Outstanding at | |||||
| Class | October 9, 2024 | ||||
| Class A common stock, no par value |
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| Class B common stock, no par value |
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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Information contained in the 2024 definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission and delivered to security holders in connection with the Annual Meeting scheduled to be held on December 13, 2024 are incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K at Part II, Item 5 and Part III.
PART I
(All dollar amounts are in thousands, except per share and per square foot data).
ITEM I.
BUSINESS
GENERAL
Village Super Market, Inc. (the “Company” or “Village”) was founded in 1937. Village operates a chain of 34 supermarkets in New Jersey (26), New York (6), Maryland (1) and Pennsylvania (1) under the ShopRite and Fairway banners and three Gourmet Garage specialty markets in New York City. Village is the second largest member of Wakefern Food Corporation (“Wakefern”), the nation’s largest retailer-owned food cooperative and owner of the ShopRite, Fairway and Gourmet Garage names. This ownership interest in Wakefern provides Village with many of the economies of scale in purchasing, distribution, advanced retail technology, marketing and advertising associated with chains of greater size and geographic coverage.
The supermarket industry is highly competitive and characterized by narrow profit margins. The Company competes directly with multiple retail formats, both in-store and online, including national, regional and local supermarket chains as well as warehouse clubs, supercenters, drug stores, discount general merchandise stores, fast food chains, restaurants, dollar stores and convenience stores. The Company competes by providing a superior customer service experience, competitive pricing and a broad range of consistently available quality products. The ShopRite Price Plus and Fairway Insider customer loyalty programs enable Village to offer continuity programs, focus on target marketing initiatives and to offer discounts and attach digital coupons directly to a customer's loyalty card.
Online grocery ordering for in-store pick up or home delivery is available in all of our ShopRite stores through shoprite.com, the ShopRite app or through third party service providers. Additionally, the ShopRite Order Express app enables customers to pre-order deli, catering, specialty occasion cakes and other items. Online ordering for home delivery is available in all Fairway stores through fairwaymarket.com, the Fairway app or through third party service providers. Online ordering for home delivery is available in all Gourmet Garage stores through gourmetgarage.com, the Gourmet Garage app or through third party service providers.
To promote production efficiency, product quality and consistency, the Company operates a centralized commissary supplying certain products in deli, bakery, prepared foods and other perishable product categories to all stores.
During fiscal 2024, sales per store were $58,475 and sales per average square foot of selling space were $1,491.
Below is a summary of the range of store sizes at July 27, 2024:
| Total Square Feet | Number of Stores | ||||
| Greater than 60,000 | 17 | ||||
| 50,001 to 60,000 | 9 | ||||
| 40,001 to 50,000 | 5 | ||||
| 20,000 to 40,000 | 3 | ||||
| Less than 20,000 | 3 | ||||
| Total | 37 | ||||
These larger store sizes enable the Company to offer a wide variety of national branded and locally sourced food products, including grocery, meat, produce, dairy, deli, seafood, prepared foods, bakery and frozen foods as well as non-food product offerings, including health and beauty care, general merchandise, liquor and 21 in-store pharmacies. Most product departments include high-quality, competitively priced own-brand offerings under the Wholesome Pantry, Bowl & Basket, Paperbird, Fairway and Gourmet Garage brands. Our Fairway Markets offer a one-stop destination shopping experience with an emphasis on fresh, unique, and high quality offerings paired with an expansive variety of natural, organic, specialty and gourmet products. Our Gourmet Garage specialty markets offer organic produce, signature soups and prepared foods, high-quality meat and seafood, charcuterie and gourmet cheeses, artisan baked bread and pastries, chef-prepared meals to go and pantry staples.
The following table shows the percentage of the Company's sales allocated to various product categories during each of the periods indicated:
| Product Categories | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Groceries | 35.0 | % | 34.9 | % | |||||||
| Dairy and Frozen | 17.0 | 17.3 | |||||||||
| Produce | 13.3 | 13.2 | |||||||||
| Meats | 9.3 | 9.3 | |||||||||
| Non-Foods | 6.9 | 6.8 | |||||||||
| Deli and Prepared Food | 8.2 | 8.3 | |||||||||
| Pharmacy | 3.7 | 3.3 | |||||||||
| Seafood | 2.7 | 2.9 | |||||||||
| Bakery | 2.8 | 2.8 | |||||||||
| Liquor | 0.8 | 0.9 | |||||||||
| Other | 0.3 | 0.3 | |||||||||
| 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||||||
A variety of factors affect the profitability of each of the Company's stores, including competition, size, access and parking, lease terms, management supervision, and the strength of the applicable banner in the local community. The Company gives ongoing attention to the décor and format of its stores and tailors each store's product mix to the preferences of the local community. Village continually evaluates individual stores to determine if they should be closed, remodeled or replaced.
On March 17, 2024, we opened an 83,000 sq. ft. replacement ShopRite store in Old Bridge, NJ, that replaced our existing 32,000 sq. ft. store.
On August 14, 2022, we converted the Pelham, NY store from the Fairway banner to the ShopRite banner and a major remodel of the store was completed in late October 2022.
The Company operated an automated micro-fulfillment center to facilitate online order fulfillment for the south New Jersey stores that was closed on September 1, 2024.
On November 1, 2023, Village closed an 8,400 sq. ft. Gourmet Garage store located in New York City. The impact associated with the closure and ongoing results of operating were not material to Village’s consolidated financial statements.
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ACQUISITIONS, DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION
The Company has an ongoing program to upgrade and expand its supermarket chain. This program has included store remodels as well as the opening or acquisition of additional stores. When remodeling, Village has sought, whenever possible, to increase the amount of selling space in its stores.
We have budgeted $75,000 for capital expenditures in fiscal 2025. Planned expenditures include costs for construction of replacement stores in both East Orange, NJ and Watchung, NJ, real estate purchases, several smaller store remodels and merchandising initiatives and various technology, equipment and facility upgrades. The Company’s primary sources of liquidity in fiscal 2025 are expected to be cash and cash equivalents on hand at July 27, 2024 and operating cash flow generated in fiscal 2025.
During fiscal 2022 the Company entered into a partnership agreement for a 30% interest in the development of a retail center in Old Bridge, New Jersey, which includes Village's Old Bridge replacement store with an operating lease obligation of $4,374 as of July 27, 2024. Village will fund its share of project costs estimated to be $15,000 to $20,000 over the two to three year life of the project. As of July 27, 2024, Village has invested $17,355 into the real estate partnership, which is accounted for as an equity method investment included in Investments in Real Estate Partnerships on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Additional store remodels and sites for new stores are in various stages of development. Village will also consider additional acquisitions should appropriate opportunities arise.
Fiscal 2024
Fiscal 2024 capital expenditures primarily include costs for construction of the Old Bridge, NJ replacement store that opened on March 17, 2024 and initial construction costs for replacement stores in East Orange, NJ and Watchung, NJ which are scheduled to open in fiscal 2025, real estate purchases, several smaller store remodels and merchandising initiatives and various technology, equipment and facility upgrades.
Fiscal 2023
Fiscal 2023 capital expenditures primarily include costs associated with the remodel and conversion of the Pelham, NY Fairway to the ShopRite banner, the new Gourmet Garage store in the West Village of New York City, the purchase of the Vineland store shopping center, costs for construction of the Old Bridge replacement store, installation of electronic shelf labels, continued expansion of self-checkout and various technology, equipment and facility upgrades.
WAKEFERN FOOD CORPORATION
The Company is the second largest member of Wakefern and owns 12.8% of Wakefern’s outstanding stock as of July 27, 2024. Wakefern, which was organized in 1946, is the nation’s largest retailer-owned food cooperative. Wakefern and its 45 shareholder members operate 365 supermarkets and other retail formats, including 80 stores operated by Wakefern. Only Wakefern and its members are entitled to use Wakefern branded names and trademarks, including the ShopRite, Fairway, Gourmet Garage, PriceRite, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market and Di Bruno Bros., and to participate in related advertising and promotional programs.
The principal benefits to the Company from its relationship with Wakefern are the use of the ShopRite, Fairway and Gourmet Garage names and trademarks, volume purchasing, store and own branded products, distribution and warehousing economies of scale, advertising and promotional programs and the development of advanced retail technology. The Company believes that the ShopRite and Fairway names are widely recognized by its customers and is a factor in their decisions about where to shop. Store and own branded products accounted for approximately 18% of sales in fiscal 2024.
Wakefern distributes as a "patronage dividend" to each of its stockholders a share of substantially all of its earnings in proportion to the dollar volume of purchases by the stockholder from Wakefern during each fiscal year.
While Wakefern has a substantial professional staff, it operates as a member owned cooperative. Executives of most members make contributions of time to the business of Wakefern. Executives of the Company spend a significant amount of their time working on various Wakefern committees, which oversee and direct Wakefern purchasing, merchandising and other programs. In addition, Nicholas Sumas, the Company’s Co-President, is a member of the Wakefern Board of Directors.
Most of the Company's advertising is developed and placed by Wakefern's professional advertising staff. Wakefern is responsible for all broadcast television, radio, print and digital advertisements. Wakefern bills its members using various
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formulas which allocate advertising costs in accordance with the estimated proportional benefits to each member from such advertising. The Company also places Wakefern developed materials with local newspapers. In addition, Wakefern and its affiliates provide the Company with other services including liability and property insurance, supplies, certain equipment purchasing, coupon processing, certain financial accounting applications, retail technology support, including shoprite.com, gourmetgarage.com, fairwaymarket.com, branded apps and other store services.
Wakefern operates warehouses and distribution facilities in Elizabeth, Keasbey, Dayton, Newark and Jamesburg, New Jersey and Gouldsboro, Breinigsville and Hatfield, Pennsylvania. The Company and all other members of Wakefern are parties to the Wakefern Stockholders' Agreement which provides for certain commitments by, and restrictions on, all shareholders of Wakefern. This agreement extends until ten years from the date that stockholders representing 75% of Wakefern sales notify Wakefern that those stockholders request the Wakefern Stockholders' Agreement be terminated. Each member is obligated to purchase from Wakefern a minimum of 85% of its requirements for products offered by Wakefern. If this purchase obligation is not met, the member is required to pay Wakefern's profit contribution shortfall attributable to this failure. The Company fulfilled this obligation in fiscal 2024 and 2023. This agreement also requires that in the event of unapproved changes in control of the Company or a sale of the Company or of individual Company stores, except to a qualified successor, the Company in such cases must pay Wakefern an amount equal to the annual profit contribution shortfall attributable to the sale of a store or change in control. No payments are required if the volume lost by a shareholder as a result of the sale of a store is replaced by such shareholder by increased volume in existing or new stores. A "qualified successor" must be, or agree to become, a member of Wakefern, and may not own or operate any supermarkets, other than Wakefern branded stores in the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine or the District of Columbia, or own or operate more than 25 non-Wakefern branded stores in any other locations in the United States.
Wakefern, under circumstances specified in its bylaws, may refuse to sell merchandise to, and may repurchase the Wakefern stock of, any member. Such circumstances include a member's bankruptcy filing, certain unapproved transfers by a member of its supermarket business or its capital stock in Wakefern, unapproved acquisition by a member of certain supermarket or grocery wholesale supply businesses, the material breach by a member of any provision of the bylaws of Wakefern or any agreement with Wakefern, or a failure to fulfill financial obligations to Wakefern.
Any material change in Wakefern's method of operation or a termination or material modification of the Company's relationship with Wakefern following termination of the above agreements, or otherwise, might have an adverse impact on the conduct of the Company's business and could involve additional expense for the Company. The failure of any Wakefern member to fulfill its obligations under these agreements or a member's insolvency or withdrawal from Wakefern could result in increased costs to remaining members.
Wakefern does not prescribe geographical franchise areas to its members. The specific locations at which the Company, other members of Wakefern, or Wakefern itself, may open new Wakefern branded store units are subject to the approval of Wakefern's Site Development Committee. This committee is composed of persons who are not employees or members of Wakefern. Committee decisions to deny a site application may be appealed to the Wakefern Board of Directors. Wakefern assists its members in their site selection by providing appropriate demographic data, volume projections and estimates of the impact of the proposed store on existing member supermarkets in the area.
Each of Wakefern's members is required to make capital contributions to Wakefern based on the number of stores operated by that member and the purchases from Wakefern generated by those stores. As additional stores are opened or acquired by a member, additional capital must be contributed by it to Wakefern. The Company’s investment in Wakefern and affiliates was $33,093 at July 27, 2024. The total amount of debt outstanding from all capital pledges to Wakefern is $1,662 at July 27, 2024. The maximum per store investment is currently $975.
As required by the Wakefern bylaws, the Company’s investment in Wakefern is pledged to Wakefern to secure the Company’s obligations to Wakefern. In addition, four members of the Sumas family have guaranteed the Company’s obligations to Wakefern. These personal guarantees are required of any 5% shareholder of the Company who is active in the operation of the Company. Wakefern does not own any securities of the Company or its subsidiaries. The Company’s investment in Wakefern entitles the Company to enough votes to elect one member to the Wakefern Board of Directors due to cumulative voting rights.
LABOR
As of July 27, 2024, the Company employed approximately 7,300 persons with approximately 70% working part-time. Approximately 91% of the Company’s employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Contracts with the Company’s seven unions have expiration dates between June 2024 and October 2027. Approximately 30% of our associates
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are represented by unions whose contracts have expired or will expire within one year. Many of the Company’s competitors are similarly unionized.
SEASONALITY
The majority of our revenues are generally not seasonal in nature. However, revenues tend to be higher during the major holidays throughout the year.
REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
The Company’s business requires various licenses and the registration of facilities with state and federal health and drug regulatory agencies. These licenses and registration requirements obligate the Company to observe certain rules and regulations, and a violation of these rules and regulations could result in a suspension or revocation of licenses or registrations and fines or penalties. In addition, most licenses require periodic renewals. The Company has not experienced material difficulties with respect to obtaining or retaining licenses and registrations.
COMPETITION
The supermarket business is highly competitive and characterized by narrow profit margins. Village competes directly with multiple retail formats both in-store and online, including national, regional and local supermarket chains as well as warehouse clubs, supercenters, drug stores, discount general merchandise stores, fast food chains, restaurants, dollar stores and convenience stores. Some of the Company's principal competitors include Acme, Aldi, Amazon/Whole Foods, BJs, Costco, Foodtown, Giant, Kings, Lidl, Safeway, Stop & Shop, Target, Trader Joe's, Wal-Mart, Wegmans and Weis. Competition with these outlets is based on price, store location, convenience, promotion, product assortment, quality and service. Some of these competitors have greater financial resources, lower merchandise acquisition costs and lower operating expenses than we do.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
As a member of the Wakefern cooperative, Village relies upon our customer focused websites, shoprite.com, gourmetgarage.com and fairwaymarket.com, for interaction with customers and prospective employees. These websites are maintained by Wakefern for the benefit of all supermarkets under the Wakefern banners, and therefore do not contain any financial information related to the Company.
The Company will provide paper copies of the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and press releases free of charge upon request to any shareholder. In addition, electronic copies of these filings can be obtained at sec.gov.
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
Not applicable.
ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
As of July 27, 2024, Village owns the sites of eight of its supermarkets (containing 539,000 square feet of total space). The remaining 29 stores (containing 1,543,000 square feet of total space), the central commissary and the corporate headquarters are leased, with initial lease terms generally ranging from 20 to 30 years, usually with renewal options. The stores are freestanding or are located in shopping centers or city storefronts. Most of the Company’s leases contain renewal options at increased rents of five years each at the Company’s sole discretion. These options enable Village to retain the use of facilities in desirable operating areas. Each renewal option is evaluated when recognizing the lease right-of-use assets and liabilities, and the Company utilizes the lease term for which it is reasonably certain to use the underlying asset.
Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet.
The Company is obligated under all leases to pay for real estate taxes, utilities and liability insurance, and under certain leases to pay additional amounts based on maintenance and a percentage of sales in excess of stipulated amounts. The Company accounts for rent holidays, escalating rent provisions, and construction allowances on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The Company owns all trade fixtures and equipment in its stores
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and several other properties including retail shopping centers, a warehouse in southern New Jersey and parcels of vacant land, which are available as locations for possible future stores or other development.
On January 27, 2023, Village purchased the Vineland store shopping center for $9,500.
As of July 27, 2024, finance lease right-of-use assets of $9,964 are included in property, equipment and fixtures, net in the Company's consolidated balance sheet.
The annual rental payment, including finance leases, for all of the Company's leased facilities for the year ended July 27, 2024 was approximately $38,307. For additional information on lease obligations, see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.
During fiscal 2022 the Company entered into a partnership agreement for a 30% interest in the development of a retail center in Old Bridge, New Jersey, which includes Village's Old Bridge replacement store with an operating lease obligation of $4,374 as of July 27, 2024. Village will fund its share of project costs estimated to be $15,000 to $20,000 over the two to three year life of the project. As of July 27, 2024, Village has invested $17,355 into the real estate partnership, which is accounted for as an equity method investment included in Investments in Real Estate Partnerships on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Village is a limited partner in two additional partnerships, one of which owns a shopping center in which one of our leased stores is located. The Company is also a general partner in a partnership that is a lessor of one of the Company's freestanding stores.
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is involved in litigation incidental to the normal course of business. Company management is of the opinion that the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings should not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON
EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
(All dollar amounts are in thousands, except per share data).
Stock Price and Dividend Information
The Class A common stock of Village Super Market, Inc. is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “VLGEA.” The table below sets forth the high and low last reported sales price for the fiscal quarter indicated.
| 2024 | High | Low | |||||||||
| 4th Quarter | $30.82 | $24.87 | |||||||||
| 3rd Quarter | $28.61 | $25.01 | |||||||||
| 2nd Quarter | $26.52 | $23.69 | |||||||||
| 1st Quarter | $24.42 | $21.87 | |||||||||
| 2023 | High | Low | |||||||||
| 4th Quarter | $23.74 | $20.42 | |||||||||
| 3rd Quarter | $23.65 | $21.69 | |||||||||
| 2nd Quarter | $24.10 | $20.58 | |||||||||
| 1st Quarter | $22.97 | $19.23 | |||||||||
As of October 9, 2024, there were approximately 265 holders of record of Class A common stock.
During fiscal 2024, Village paid cash dividends of $13,341. Dividends in fiscal 2024 consist of $1.00 per Class A common share and $.65 per Class B common share.
During fiscal 2023, Village paid cash dividends of $13,193. Dividends in fiscal 2023 consist of $1.00 per Class A common share and $.65 per Class B common share.
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ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Selected Financial Data
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data and per square foot data).
Fiscal 2021 contains 53 weeks, with the additional week included in the fourth quarter. All other fiscal years contain 52 weeks.
| For year | July 27, 2024 | July 29, 2023 | July 30, 2022 | July 31, 2021 |
July 25,
2020 |
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| Sales | $ | 2,236,566 | $ | 2,166,654 | $ | 2,061,084 | $ | 2,030,330 | $ | 1,804,594 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 50,462 | (1) | 49,716 | (2) | 26,830 | (3) | 19,994 | (4) | 24,939 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income as a % of sales | 2.26 | % | 2.29 | % | 1.30 | % | 0.98 | % | 1.38 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A common stock: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 3.78 | $ | 3.78 | $ | 2.06 | $ | 1.53 | $ | 1.93 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 3.40 | 3.38 | 1.84 | 1.37 | 1.72 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class B common stock: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 2.46 | 2.45 | 1.34 | 1.00 | 1.25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 2.46 | 2.45 | 1.34 | 1.00 | 1.25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class B | 0.65 | 0.65 | 0.65 | 0.65 | 0.65 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At year-end | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 981,664 | $ | 967,706 | $ | 924,448 | $ | 889,004 | $ | 915,546 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 339,291 | 361,418 | 374,035 | 370,078 | 396,181 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Working capital | 25,485 | 67,714 | 79,796 | 44,023 | 34,522 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 447,559 | 410,166 | 372,109 | 341,473 | 332,320 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Book value per share | 30.32 | 27.61 | 25.64 | 23.48 | 22.84 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Same store sales trend (6) | 2.3 | % | 3.5 | % | 4.1 | % | 2.3 | % | 5.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total square feet | 2,082,000 | 2,040,000 | 2,040,000 | 2,026,000 | 2,091,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average total sq. ft. per store | 56,000 | 54,000 | 54,000 | 55,000 | 55,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling square feet | 1,512,000 | 1,488,000 | 1,488,000 | 1,481,000 | 1,529,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales per average square foot of selling space (7) | $ | 1,491 | $ | 1,460 | $ | 1,390 | $ | 1,349 | $ | 1,275 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of stores | 37 | 38 | 38 | 37 | 38 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales per average number of stores (7) | $ | 58,475 | $ | 57,017 | $ | 55,635 | $ | 52,713 | $ | 53,284 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures and acquisitions | $ | 63,113 | $ | 46,400 | $ | 43,270 | $ | 25,233 | $ | 54,495 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
Includes pre-opening costs of $626 (net of tax) associated with opening of the Old Bridge, NJ ShopRite replacement store opened on March 17, 2024 and $1,466 (net of tax) non-cash impairment charges for long-lived assets due to the closure of the automated micro-fulfillment center in south NJ.
(2)
Includes litigation settlement gains related to claims associated with the Fairway acquisition and liabilities associated thereto of $828 (net of tax).
(3)
Includes pension settlement charges of $8,556 (net of tax) including the result of the termination of the Village Super Market, Inc. Employees’ Retirement Plan, and a $342 (net of tax) gain on the sale of an equity investment.
8
(4)
Includes a $2,802 (net of tax) gain on the sale of the leasehold interest in a non-supermarket related parking lot lease obtained as part of the Fairway acquisition, a gain on the sale of a pharmacy prescription list related to the Silver Spring store, net of store closing costs of $276 (net of tax), non-cash impairment charges for the Fairway trade name and the long lived assets for one Gourmet Garage store of $2,010 (net of tax), pension settlement charges of $409 (net of tax) and estimated net income of $417 due to the fiscal year including a 53rd week.
(5)
Includes a $1,911 (net of tax) gain for Superstorm Sandy insurance proceeds received, an $854 (net of tax) gain on the sale of pharmacy prescription lists related to three store pharmacies closed in March 2020, a $2,512 incremental benefit from a federal net operating loss carryback at a rate higher than the current statutory tax rate, a $1,423 (net of tax) gain arising from the breakup of Village’s initial “stalking horse” bid under the January 20, 2020 Fairway Asset Purchase Agreement, transaction costs incurred for the Fairway acquisition of $1,888 (net of tax), amortization of acquisition related inventory step-up of $355 (net of tax), a non-cash pension charge related to the termination of a company-sponsored pension plan and other pension settlement charges of $1,160 (net of tax), pre-opening costs related to the Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania replacement store of $891 (net of tax) and store closure costs and charges to write off the lease asset and related obligations for the old Stroudsburg store of $557 (net of tax).
(6)
New stores, replacement stores and stores with banner changes are included in same store sales in the quarter after the store has been in operation for four full quarters. Store renovations and expansions are included in same store sales immediately. The change in same store sales in fiscal 2021 excludes the impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022 excludes the impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2021.
(7)
Amounts for the year ended July 27, 2024 exclude the results of the Old Bridge replacement store opened on March 17, 2024 and the closure of a Gourmet Garage location on November 1, 2023. Amounts for the year ended July 30, 2022 exclude the results of the Gourmet Garage store opened in the West Village in Manhattan on April 29, 2022. Amounts for the year ended July 25, 2020 exclude the results of the Fairway stores acquired on May 14, 2020.
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts).
|
First
Quarter |
Second
Quarter |
Third
Quarter |
Fourth
Quarter |
Fiscal
Year |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales | $ | 536,354 | $ | 575,579 | $ | 546,396 | $ | 578,237 | $ | 2,236,566 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 152,948 | 163,442 | 155,932 | 169,653 | 641,975 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 11,585 | 14,480 | 8,966 | 15,431 | 50,462 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A common stock: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 0.87 | 1.09 | 0.67 | 1.16 | 3.78 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 0.78 | 0.97 | 0.60 | 1.04 | 3.40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class B common stock: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 0.56 | 0.71 | 0.44 | 0.75 | 2.46 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 0.56 | 0.71 | 0.44 | 0.75 | 2.46 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales | $ | 519,689 | $ | 563,866 | $ | 529,294 | $ | 553,806 | $ | 2,166,654 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 149,285 | 154,879 | 151,223 | 161,063 | 616,450 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | 11,081 | 12,322 | 11,017 | 15,296 | 49,716 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A common stock: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 0.85 | 0.95 | 0.84 | 1.15 | 3.78 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 0.76 | 0.85 | 0.75 | 1.03 | 3.38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class B common stock: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 0.55 | 0.62 | 0.54 | 0.74 | 2.45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 0.55 | 0.62 | 0.54 | 0.74 | 2.45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share and per square foot data).
OVERVIEW
Village Super Market, Inc. (the “Company” or “Village”) operates a chain of 34 supermarkets in New Jersey (26), New York (6), Maryland (1) and Pennsylvania (1) under the ShopRite and Fairway banners and three Gourmet Garage specialty markets in New York City. Village is the second largest member of Wakefern Food Corporation (“Wakefern”), the nation’s largest retailer-owned food cooperative and owner of the ShopRite, Fairway and Gourmet Garage names. This ownership interest in Wakefern provides Village with many of the economies of scale in purchasing, distribution, advanced retail technology, marketing and advertising associated with larger chains.
The supermarket industry is highly competitive and characterized by narrow profit margins. The Company competes directly with multiple retail formats, both in-store and online, including national, regional and local supermarket chains as well as warehouse clubs, supercenters, drug stores, discount general merchandise stores, fast food chains, restaurants, dollar stores and convenience stores. The Company competes by providing a superior customer service experience, competitive pricing and a broad range of consistently available quality products. The ShopRite Price Plus and Fairway Insider customer loyalty programs enable Village to offer continuity programs, focus on target marketing initiatives and to offer discounts and attach digital coupons directly to a customer's loyalty card.
Online grocery ordering for in-store pick up or home delivery is available in all of our ShopRite stores through shoprite.com, the ShopRite app or through third party service providers. Additionally, the ShopRite Order Express app enables customers to pre-order deli, catering, specialty occasion cakes and other items. Online ordering for home delivery is available in all Fairway stores through fairwaymarket.com, the Fairway app or through third party service providers. Online ordering for home delivery is available in all Gourmet Garage stores through gourmetgarage.com, the Gourmet Garage app or through third party service providers.
To promote production efficiency, product quality and consistency, the Company operates a centralized commissary supplying certain products in deli, bakery, prepared foods and other perishable product categories to all stores.
The Company’s stores, eight of which are owned, average 56,000 total square feet. These larger store sizes enable the Company to offer a wide variety of national branded and locally sourced food products, including grocery, meat, produce, dairy, deli, seafood, prepared foods, bakery and frozen foods as well as non-food product offerings, including health and beauty care, general merchandise, liquor and 21 in-store pharmacies. Most product departments include high-quality, competitively priced own-brand offerings under the Wholesome Pantry, Bowl & Basket, Paperbird, Fairway and Gourmet Garage brands. Our Fairway Markets offer a one-stop destination shopping experience with an emphasis on fresh, unique, and high quality offerings paired with an expansive variety of natural, organic, specialty and gourmet products. Our Gourmet Garage specialty markets offer organic produce, signature soups and prepared foods, high-quality meat and seafood, charcuterie and gourmet cheeses, artisan baked bread and pastries, chef-prepared meals to go and pantry staples.
The Company has an ongoing program to upgrade and expand its supermarket chain. This program has included store remodels as well as the opening or acquisition of additional stores. When remodeling, Village has sought, whenever possible, to increase the amount of selling space in its stores.
On March 17, 2024, we opened an 83,000 sq. ft. replacement ShopRite store in Old Bridge, NJ, that replaced our existing 32,000 sq. ft. store.
On August 14, 2022, we converted the Pelham, NY store from the Fairway banner to the ShopRite banner and a major remodel of the store was completed in late October 2022.
The Company operated an automated micro-fulfillment center to facilitate online order fulfillment for the south New Jersey stores that was closed on September 1, 2024.
On November 1, 2023, Village closed an 8,400 sq. ft. Gourmet Garage store located in New York City. The impact associated with the closure and ongoing results of operating were not material to Village’s consolidated financial statements.
We consider a variety of indicators to evaluate our performance, such as same store sales; percentage of total sales by department (mix); shrink; departmental gross profit percentage; sales per labor hour; units per labor hour; and hourly labor rates.
The Company utilizes a 52 - 53 week fiscal year, ending on the last Saturday in the month of July. Both fiscal 2024 and 2023 contain 52 weeks.
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NON-GAAP MEASURES
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, including the related notes, are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). We provide non-GAAP measures, including Adjusted net income and Adjusted operating and administrative expenses as management believes these supplemental measures are useful to investors and analysts. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be reviewed in isolation or considered as a substitute for our financial results as reported in accordance with GAAP, nor as an alternative to net income, operating and administrative expense or any other GAAP measure of performance. Adjusted net income and Adjusted operating and administrative expense are useful to investors because they provide supplemental measures that exclude the financial impact of certain items that affect period-to-period comparability. Management and the Board of Directors use these measures as they provide greater transparency in assessing ongoing operating performance on a period-to-period basis. Other companies may have different definitions of Non-GAAP Measures and provide for different adjustments, and comparability to the Company's results of operations may be impacted by such differences. The Company's presentation of Non-GAAP Measures should not be construed as an implication that its future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
The following tables reconciles Net income to Adjusted net income and Operating and administrative expenses to Adjusted operating and administrative expenses:
| Years ended | |||||||||||
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 50,462 | $ | 49,716 | |||||||
| Adjustments to Operating Expenses: | |||||||||||
| Store pre-opening costs (1) | $ | 907 | $ | — | |||||||
| Impairment of assets (2) | 2,125 | — | |||||||||
| Litigation settlement gain (3) | — | (1,200) | |||||||||
| Adjustments to Income Taxes: | |||||||||||
| Tax impact of adjustments to operating expenses | (940) | 372 | |||||||||
| Adjusted net income | $ | 52,554 | $ | 48,888 | |||||||
| Operating and administrative expenses | $ | 544,348 | $ | 516,902 | |||||||
| Adjustments to operating and administrative expenses | (907) | 1,200 | |||||||||
| Adjusted operating and administrative expenses | $ | 543,441 | $ | 518,102 | |||||||
| Adjusted operating and administrative expenses as a % of sales | 24.30 | % | 23.91 | % | |||||||
(1) Fiscal 2024 pre-opening costs are associated with opening of the Old Bridge, NJ ShopRite replacement store opened on March 17, 2024.
(2) Fiscal 2024 includes non-cash impairment charges for long-lived assets due to the closure of the automated micro-fulfillment center in south NJ.
(3) Fiscal 2023 litigation settlement gains are related to claims associated with the Fairway acquisition and liabilities associated thereto.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth the components of the consolidated statements of operations of the Company as a percentage of sales:
| July 27, 2024 | July 29, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Sales | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | |||||||
| Cost of sales | 71.30 | % | 71.55 | % | |||||||
| Gross profit | 28.70 | % | 28.45 | % | |||||||
| Operating and administrative expense | 24.34 | % | 23.86 | % | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1.48 | % | 1.58 | % | |||||||
| Impairment of assets | 0.10 | % | — | % | |||||||
| Operating income | 2.78 | % | 3.01 | % | |||||||
| Interest expense | (0.18) | % | (0.19) | % | |||||||
| Interest income | 0.66 | % | 0.53 | % | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | 3.26 | % | 3.35 | % | |||||||
| Income taxes | 1.00 | % | 1.06 | % | |||||||
| Net income | 2.26 | % | 2.29 | % | |||||||
SALES
Sales were $2,236,566 in fiscal 2024 compared to $2,166,654 in fiscal 2023. Sales increased due primarily to an increase in same store sales of 2.3% and the opening of the Old Bridge, NJ replacement store on March 17, 2024 partially offset by the impact of the closure of a Gourmet Garage location on November 1, 2023. Same store sales increased due primarily to retail price inflation, digital sales growth, higher pharmacy sales and continued growth in recently remodeled stores.
New stores, replacement stores and stores with banner changes are included in same store sales in the quarter after the store has been in operation for four full quarters. Store renovations and expansions are included in same store sales immediately.
GROSS PROFIT
Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 28.70% in fiscal 2024 compared to 28.45% in fiscal 2023 due primarily to increased departmental gross margin percentages (.21%), increased patronage dividends and rebates received from Wakefern (.13%), decreased warehouse assessment charges from Wakefern (.10%) and lower LIFO charges (.09%) partially offset by higher promotional spending (.18%) and an unfavorable change in product mix (.11%). Department gross margins increased due primarily to pricing initiatives and improvements in commissary operations partially offset by higher inventory shrink.
OPERATING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE
Operating and administrative expense as a percentage of sales increased to 24.34% in fiscal 2024 compared to 23.86% in fiscal 2023. Adjusted operating and administrative expense as a percentage of sales increased to 24.30% in fiscal 2024 compared to 23.91% in fiscal 2023 due primarily to increased labor costs and fringe benefits (.21%), increased external fees associated with digital sales growth (.08%), expanded store security (.06%) and software licensing associated with retail and commissary technology investments (.05%). Higher labor and fringe benefit costs are due primarily to minimum wage and demand driven pay rate increases and higher union health and welfare plan costs.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 due primarily to the timing of capital expenditures.
IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS
Impairment of assets in fiscal 2024 includes non-cash charges for long-lived assets at the automated micro-fulfillment center which was closed in September 2024.
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INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense decreased in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 due primarily to lower average outstanding debt balances.
INTEREST INCOME
Interest income increased in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 due primarily to higher interest rates and larger amounts invested in variable rate notes receivable from Wakefern and demand deposits invested at Wakefern.
INCOME TAXES
The Company’s effective income tax rate was 30.6% in fiscal 2024 compared to 31.6% in fiscal 2023. The effective tax rate decreased in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 due primarily to increased estimated work opportunity tax credits and a favorable deferred tax asset revaluation to reflect changes in state tax rates.
NET INCOME
Net income was $50,462 in fiscal 2024 compared to $49,716 in fiscal 2023. Adjusted net income was $52,554 in fiscal 2024 compared to $48,888 in fiscal 2023. Adjusted net income increased 7% compared to the prior year due primarily to the 2.3% increase in same store sales, improvements in gross profit and increased interest income.
13
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that management believes are important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. These policies require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
IMPAIRMENT
The Company reviews the carrying values of its long-lived assets, such as property, equipment and fixtures and operating lease assets on an individual store basis for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. Factors considered by the Company that could result in an impairment triggering event include a current period operating or cash flow loss, underperformance of a store relative to historical or expected operating results, and significant negative industry or economic trends. If an impairment triggering event is identified, the Company analyzes the undiscounted estimated future net cash flows from asset groups at the store level to determine if the carrying value of such assets are recoverable from their respective cash flows. If impairment is indicated, it is measured by comparing the fair value of the long-lived asset groups to their carrying value.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested at the end of each fiscal year, or more frequently if circumstances dictate, for impairment. The Company utilizes valuation techniques, such as earnings multiples, in addition to the Company’s market capitalization, to assess goodwill for impairment. Calculating the fair value of a reporting unit requires the use of estimates. Management believes the fair value of Village’s one reporting unit exceeds its carrying value at July 27, 2024. Should the Company’s carrying value of its one reporting unit exceed its fair value, the amount of any resulting goodwill impairment may be material to the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets are estimated based on the discounted cash flow model using the relief from royalty method.
PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS
As a stockholder of Wakefern, Village earns a share of Wakefern’s earnings, which are distributed as a “patronage dividend.” This dividend is based on a distribution of substantially all of Wakefern’s operating profits for its fiscal year (which ends on or about September 30) in proportion to the dollar volume of purchases by each member from Wakefern during that fiscal year. Patronage dividends are recorded as a reduction of cost of sales as merchandise is sold. Village accrues estimated patronage dividends due from Wakefern quarterly based on an estimate of the annual Wakefern patronage dividend and an estimate of Village’s share of this annual dividend based on Village’s estimated proportional share of the dollar volume of business transacted with Wakefern that year. The patronage dividend receivable based on these estimates was $16,068 and $12,466 at July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023, respectively.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
For the disclosure related to recently issued accounting standards, see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
LIQUIDITY and CAPITAL RESOURCES
CASH FLOWS
Net cash provided by operating activities was $80,849 in fiscal 2024 compared to $104,513 in fiscal 2023. The change in cash flows from operating activities in fiscal 2024 was primarily due to changes in working capital partially offset by an increase in net income. Working capital changes, including Other assets and liabilities, decreased cash flows from operating activities by $11,340 in fiscal 2024 compared to an increase of $15,021 in fiscal 2023. The change in impact of working capital is due primarily to the timing of tax payments.
During fiscal 2024, Village used cash to fund capital expenditures of $63,113, dividends of $13,341, principal payments of long-term debt of $11,003, share repurchases of $2,211, an investment in a real estate partnership for the development of a retail center in Old Bridge, New Jersey of $6,480 and additional net investments of $8,653 in notes receivable from Wakefern. Capital expenditures primarily include costs associated with the construction of the Old Bridge replacement store
14
that opened on March 17, 2024, the minor remodel of the Millburn, NJ ShopRite, two other replacement stores scheduled to open in fiscal 2025, the purchase of real estate and various technology, equipment and facility upgrades.
During fiscal 2023, Village used cash to fund capital expenditures of $46,400, dividends of $13,193, principal payments of long-term debt of $10,446, treasury stock purchases of $3,739, an investment in a real estate partnership for the development of a retail center in Old Bridge, New Jersey of $5,865 and additional net investments of $36,425 in notes receivable from Wakefern. Capital expenditures primarily include costs associated with the remodel and conversion of the Pelham, NY Fairway to the ShopRite banner, the new Gourmet Garage store in the West Village of New York City, the purchase of the Vineland store shopping center, costs for construction of the Old Bridge replacement store, installation of electronic shelf labels, continued expansion of self-checkout, and various technology, equipment and facility upgrades.
LIQUIDITY and DEBT
Working capital was $25,485 at July 27, 2024 compared to $67,714 at July 29, 2023. Working capital ratios at the same dates were 1.15 and 1.38 to one, respectively. The decrease in working capital in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 is due primarily to $33,338 in notes receivable from Wakefern that matured on February 15, 2024 and were reinvested in long-term notes receivable from Wakefern. The Company’s working capital needs are reduced, since inventories are generally sold by the time payments to Wakefern and other suppliers are due.
We have budgeted $75,000 for capital expenditures in fiscal 2025. Planned expenditures include costs for construction of replacement stores in both East Orange, NJ and Watchung, NJ, real estate purchases, several smaller store remodels and merchandising initiatives and various technology, equipment and facility upgrades. The Company’s primary sources of liquidity in fiscal 2025 are expected to be cash and cash equivalents on hand at July 27, 2024 and operating cash flow generated in fiscal 2025.
During fiscal 2022 the Company entered into a partnership agreement for a 30% interest in the development of a retail center in Old Bridge, New Jersey, which includes the Village Old Bridge replacement store with an operating lease obligation of $4,374 as of July 27, 2024. Village will fund its share of project costs estimated to be $15,000 to $20,000 over the two to three year life of the project. As of July 27, 2024, Village has invested $17,355 into the real estate partnership, which is accounted for as an equity method investment included in Investments in Real Estate Partnerships on the consolidated balance sheet.
On August 15, 2022, notes receivable due from Wakefern of $28,850 that earned interest at the prime rate plus 1.25% matured. The Company invested all of the proceeds received in variable rate notes receivable from Wakefern that earn interest at the prime rate plus .50% and mature on August 15, 2027. On September 28, 2022, the Company invested an additional $30,000 in variable rate notes receivable from Wakefern that earn interest at the prime rate plus .50% and mature on September 28, 2027. On February 15, 2024, notes receivable due from Wakefern of $33,338 that earned interest at the prime rate plus .75% matured. The Company invested all of the proceeds received in variable rate notes receivable from Wakefern that earn interest at the SOFR plus 2.25% and mature on February 15, 2029.
At July 27, 2024, the Company held variable rate notes receivable due from Wakefern of $33,740 that earn interest at the prime rate plus .50% and mature on August 15, 2027, $34,829 that earn interest at the prime rate plus .50% and mature on September 28, 2027, and $34,293 that earn interest at the SOFR plus 2.25% and mature on February 15, 2029.
Wakefern has the right to prepay these notes at any time. Under certain conditions, the Company can require Wakefern to prepay the notes, although interest earned since inception would be reduced as if it was earned based on overnight money market rates as paid by Wakefern on demand deposits.
At July 27, 2024, Village had demand deposits invested at Wakefern in the amount of $97,126. These deposits earn overnight money market rates.
Credit Facility
The Company has a credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Wells Fargo National Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”). The principal purpose of the Credit Facility is to finance general corporate and working capital requirements, Village’s fiscal 2020 acquisition of certain Fairway assets and certain capital expenditures. Among other things, the Credit Facility provides for:
•
An unsecured revolving line of credit providing a maximum amount available for borrowing of $75,000. Indebtedness under this agreement bears interest at the applicable Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus 1.10% and expires on May 6, 2025.
15
•
An unsecured $25,500 term loan issued on May 12, 2020, repayable in equal monthly installments based on a seven-year amortization schedule through May 4, 2027 and bearing interest at the applicable SOFR plus 1.46%. An interest rate swap with notional amounts equal to the term loan fixes the base SOFR at .26% per annum through May 4, 2027, resulting in a fixed effective interest rate of 1.72% on the term loan.
•
A secured $50,000 term loan issued on September 1, 2020 repayable in equal monthly installments based on a fifteen-year amortization schedule through September 1, 2035 and bearing interest at the applicable SOFR plus 1.61%. An interest rate swap with notional amounts equal to the term loan fixes the base SOFR at .57% per annum through September 1, 2035, resulting in a fixed effective interest rate of 2.18% on the term loan. The term loan is secured by real properties of Village Super Market, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including the sites of three Village stores.
•
A secured $7,350 term loan issued on January 28, 2022 repayable in equal monthly installments based on a fifteen-year amortization schedule through January 28, 2037 and bearing interest at the applicable SOFR plus 1.50%. An interest rate swap with notional amounts equal to the term loan fixes the base SOFR at 1.41% per annum through January 28, 2037, resulting in a fixed effective interest rate of 2.91% on the term loan. The term loan is secured by the Galloway store shopping center.
•
An unsecured $10,000 term loan issued on September 1, 2022 repayable in equal monthly installments based on a seven-year amortization schedule through September 4, 2029 and bearing interest at the applicable SOFR plus 1.35%. An interest rate swap for a notional amount equal to the term loan fixes the base SOFR at 2.95% per annum through September 4, 2029, resulting in a fixed effective interest rate of 4.30% on the term loan. This loan qualified for an interest rate subsidy program with Wakefern on financing related to certain capital expenditure projects. Net of the subsidy, the Company will pay interest at a fixed effective rate of 2.30%.
•
A secured $7,125 term loan issued on January 27, 2023 repayable in equal monthly installments based on a fifteen-year amortization schedule through January 27, 2038 and bearing interest at the applicable SOFR plus 1.75%. An interest rate swap for a notional amount equal to the term loan fixes the base SOFR at 3.59% per annum through January 27, 2038, resulting in a fixed effective interest rate of 5.34% on the term loan. The term loan is secured by the Vineland store shopping center.
The Credit Facility also provides for up to $25,000 of letters of credit ($7,336 outstanding at July 27, 2024), which secure obligations for store leases and construction performance guarantees to municipalities. The Credit Facility contains covenants that, among other conditions, require a minimum tangible net worth, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio. The Company was in compliance with all covenants of the credit agreement at July 27, 2024. As of July 27, 2024, $67,664 remained available under the unsecured revolving line of credit.
Based on current trends, the Company believes cash and cash equivalents on hand at July 27, 2024, operating cash flow and availability under our Credit Facility are sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future beyond the next twelve months.
During fiscal 2024, Village paid cash dividends of $13,341. Dividends in fiscal 2024 consist of $1.00 per Class A common share and $.65 per Class B common share.
During fiscal 2023, Village paid cash dividends of $13,193. Dividends in fiscal 2023 consist of $1.00 per Class A common share and $.65 per Class B common share.
OUTLOOK
This annual report contains certain forward-looking statements about Village’s future performance. These statements are based on management’s assumptions and beliefs in light of information currently available. Such statements relate to, for example: economic conditions; uninsured losses; expected pension plan contributions; projected capital expenditures; expected dividend payments; cash flow requirements; inflation expectations; public health conditions; and legal matters; and are indicated by words such as “will,” “expect,” “should,” “intend,” “anticipates,” “believes” and similar words or phrases. The Company cautions the reader that there is no assurance that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from the results expressed, suggested or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after the date hereof.
•
We expect the increase in same store sales to range from 1.0% to 3.0% in fiscal 2025.
16
•
We have budgeted $75,000 for capital expenditures in fiscal 2025. Planned expenditures include costs for construction of replacement stores in both East Orange, NJ and Watchung, NJ, real estate purchases, several smaller store remodels and merchandising initiatives and various technology, equipment and facility upgrades.
•
The Board’s current intention is to continue to pay quarterly dividends in 2025 at the most recent rate of $.25 per Class A and $.1625 per Class B share.
•
We believe cash and cash equivalents on hand, operating cash flow and the Company's Credit Facility will be adequate to meet anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures and debt payments for the foreseeable future.
•
We expect our effective income tax rate in fiscal 2025 to be in the range of 31.0% - 32.0%.
Various uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements contained in this report. These include:
•
The supermarket business is highly competitive and characterized by narrow profit margins. Results of operations may be materially adversely impacted by competitive pricing and promotional programs, industry consolidation and competitor store openings. Village competes directly with multiple retail formats both in-store and online, including national, regional and local supermarket chains as well as warehouse clubs, supercenters, drug stores, discount general merchandise stores, fast food chains, restaurants, dollar stores and convenience stores. Some of these competitors have greater financial resources, lower merchandise acquisition costs and lower operating expenses than we do.
•
The Company’s stores are concentrated in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland. We are vulnerable to economic downturns in these states in addition to those that may affect the country as a whole. Results of operations may be materially adversely impacted by inflation, deflation, interest rate fluctuations, movements in energy costs, social programs, minimum wage legislation, labor shortages, changing demographics, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, the outbreak of pandemics or other illnesses, disruptions to supply chains and disturbances due to social unrest, geopolitical conflict and political instability.
•
Village purchases substantially all of its merchandise from Wakefern. In addition, Wakefern provides the Company with support services in numerous areas including advertising, liability and property insurance, supplies, certain equipment purchasing, coupon processing, certain financial accounting applications, retail technology support, and other store services. Further, Village receives patronage dividends and other product incentives from Wakefern and also has demand deposits and notes receivable due from Wakefern.
Any material change in Wakefern’s method of operation or a termination or material modification of Village’s relationship with Wakefern could have an adverse impact on the conduct of the Company’s business and could involve additional expense for Village. The failure of any Wakefern member to fulfill its obligations to Wakefern or a member’s insolvency or withdrawal from Wakefern could result in increased costs to the Company. Additionally, an adverse change in Wakefern’s results of operations could have an adverse effect on Village’s results of operations.
•
Approximately 91% of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Any work stoppages could have an adverse impact on our financial results. If we are unable to control health care and pension costs provided for in the collective bargaining agreements, we may experience increased operating costs.
•
The Company could be adversely affected if consumers lose confidence in the safety and quality of the food supply chain. The real or perceived sale of contaminated food products by us could result in a loss of consumer confidence and product liability claims, which could have a material adverse effect on our sales and operations.
•
Certain of the multi-employer plans to which we contribute are underfunded. As a result, we expect that contributions to these plans may increase. Additionally, the benefit levels and related items will be issues in the negotiation of our collective bargaining agreements. Under current law, an employer that withdraws or partially withdraws from a multi-employer pension plan may incur a withdrawal liability to the plan, which represents the portion of the plan’s underfunding that is allocable to the withdrawing employer under very complex actuarial and allocation rules. The failure of a withdrawing employer to fund these obligations can impact remaining employers. The amount of any increase or decrease in our required contributions to these multi-employer pension plans will depend upon the outcome of collective bargaining, actions taken by trustees who manage the plans, government regulations, withdrawals by other participating employers and the actual return on assets held in the plans, among other factors.
17
•
The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance to provide for potential liability for workers’ compensation, automobile, general liability, property, director and officers’ liability, and certain employee health care benefits. Any projection of losses is subject to a high degree of variability. Changes in legal claims, trends and interpretations, variability in inflation rates, changes in the nature and method of claims settlement, benefit level changes due to changes in applicable laws, and insolvency of insurance carriers could all affect our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
•
Our long-lived assets, primarily store property, equipment and fixtures, are subject to periodic testing for impairment. Failure of our asset groups to achieve sufficient levels of cash flow could result in impairment charges on long-lived assets.
•
Our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested at the end of each fiscal year, or more frequently if circumstances dictate, for impairment. Failure of acquired businesses to achieve their forecasted expectations could result in impairment charges to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets.
•
Our effective tax rate may be impacted by the results of tax examinations and changes in tax laws.
•
Wakefern provides all members of the cooperative with information system support that enables us to effectively manage our business data, customer transactions, ordering, communications and other business processes. These information systems are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, computer or telecommunications failures, computer viruses and related malicious software, catastrophic weather events, or human error. Any material interruption of our or Wakefern’s information systems could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.
Due to the nature of our business, personal information about our customers, vendors and associates is received and stored in these information systems. In addition, confidential information is transmitted through our online business at shoprite.com and through the ShopRite app. Unauthorized parties may attempt to access information stored in or to sabotage or disrupt these systems. Wakefern and the Company maintain substantial security measures to prevent and detect unauthorized access to such information, including utilizing third-party service providers for monitoring our networks, security reviews, and other functions. It is possible that computer hackers, cyber terrorists and others may be able to defeat the security measures in place at the Company, Wakefern or those of third-party service providers.
Any breach of these security measures and loss of confidential information, which could be undetected for a period of time, could damage our reputation with customers, vendors and associates, cause Wakefern and Village to incur significant costs to protect any customers, vendors and associates whose personal data was compromised, cause us to make changes to our information systems and could result in government enforcement actions and litigation against Wakefern and/or Village from outside parties. Any such breach could have a material adverse impact on our operations, consolidated financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity if the related costs to Wakefern and Village are not covered or are in excess of carried insurance policies. In addition, a security breach could require Wakefern and Village to devote significant management resources to address problems created by the security breach and restore our reputation.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company holds an investment in Wakefern, its principal supplier. Village purchases substantially all of its merchandise from Wakefern in accordance with the Wakefern Stockholder Agreement. As part of this agreement, Village is required to purchase certain amounts of Wakefern common stock. At July 27, 2024, the Company’s indebtedness to Wakefern for the outstanding amount of this stock subscription was $1,662. The maximum per store investment is currently $975. Wakefern distributes as a “patronage dividend” to each member a share of its earnings in proportion to the dollar volume of purchases by the member from Wakefern during the year. Wakefern provides the Company with support services in numerous areas including advertising, supplies, liability and property insurance, technology support and other store services. Additional information is provided in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
On August 15, 2022, notes receivable due from Wakefern of $28,850 that earned interest at the prime rate plus 1.25% matured. The Company invested all of the proceeds received in variable rate notes receivable from Wakefern that earn interest at the prime rate plus .50% and mature on August 15, 2027. On September 28, 2022, the Company invested an additional $30,000 in variable rate notes receivable from Wakefern that earn interest at the prime rate plus .50% and mature on September 28, 2027. On February 15, 2024, notes receivable due from Wakefern of $33,338 that earned interest at the prime rate plus .75% matured.
18
The Company invested all of the proceeds received in variable rate notes receivable from Wakefern that earn interest at the SOFR plus 2.25% and mature on February 15, 2029.
At July 27, 2024, the Company held variable rate notes receivable due from Wakefern of $33,740 that earn interest at the prime rate plus .50% and mature on August 15, 2027, $34,829 that earn interest at the prime rate plus .50% and mature on September 28, 2027, and $34,293 that earn interest at the SOFR plus 2.25% and mature on February 15, 2029.
Wakefern has the right to prepay these notes at any time. Under certain conditions, the Company can require Wakefern to prepay the notes, although interest earned since inception would be reduced as if it was earned based on overnight money market rates as paid by Wakefern on demand deposits.
At July 27, 2024, Village had demand deposits invested at Wakefern in the amount of $97,126. These deposits earn overnight money market rates.
The Company subleased the Vineland store from Wakefern under a sublease agreement which provided for annual rent of $413 in fiscal 2023. The sublease contained normal periodic rent increases and options to extend the lease. The sublease agreement was terminated upon the acquisition of the Vineland store shopping center in fiscal 2023.
The Company leases a supermarket from a realty firm 30% owned by certain officers of Village. The Company paid rent to related parties under this lease of $735 in both fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively, and has a related lease obligation of $1,144 at July 27, 2024. This lease expires in fiscal 2026 with options to extend at increasing annual rents.
The Company has ownership interests in four real estate partnerships. Village paid aggregate rents to three of these partnerships for leased stores of $1,827 and $1,568 in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively, and has aggregate lease obligations of $15,733 at July 27, 2024 related to these leases.
19
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
|
VILLAGE SUPER MARKET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
|
|||||||||||
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Current Assets | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Merchandise inventories |
|
|
|||||||||
| Patronage dividend receivable |
|
|
|||||||||
| Notes receivable from Wakefern |
|
|
|||||||||
| Income taxes receivable |
|
|
|||||||||
| Other current assets |
|
|
|||||||||
| Total current assets |
|
|
|||||||||
| Property, equipment and fixtures, net |
|
|
|||||||||
| Operating lease assets |
|
|
|||||||||
| Notes receivable from Wakefern |
|
|
|||||||||
| Investment in Wakefern |
|
|
|||||||||
| Investments in Real Estate Partnerships |
|
|
|||||||||
| Goodwill |
|
|
|||||||||
| Other assets |
|
|
|||||||||
| Total assets | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| LIABILITIES and SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Current Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Operating lease obligations | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Finance lease obligations |
|
|
|||||||||
| Notes payable to Wakefern |
|
|
|||||||||
| Current portion of debt |
|
|
|||||||||
| Accounts payable to Wakefern |
|
|
|||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
|
|||||||||
| Accrued wages and benefits |
|
|
|||||||||
| Income taxes payable |
|
|
|||||||||
| Total current liabilities |
|
|
|||||||||
| Long-term debt | |||||||||||
| Operating lease obligations |
|
|
|||||||||
| Finance lease obligations |
|
|
|||||||||
| Notes payable to Wakefern |
|
|
|||||||||
| Long-term debt |
|
|
|||||||||
| Total long-term debt |
|
|
|||||||||
| Pension liabilities |
|
|
|||||||||
| Other liabilities |
|
|
|||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10) |
|
|
|||||||||
| Shareholders' Equity | |||||||||||
|
Preferred stock, no par value: Authorized
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Class A common stock, no par value: Authorized
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Class B common stock, no par value: Authorized
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Retained earnings |
|
|
|||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
|||||||||
|
Less treasury stock, Class A, at cost:
|
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity |
|
|
|||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
20
|
VILLAGE SUPER MARKET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|||||||||||
| Years ended | |||||||||||
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||
| Sales | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Cost of sales |
|
|
|||||||||
| Gross profit |
|
|
|||||||||
| Operating and administrative expense |
|
|
|||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|||||||||
| Impairment of assets |
|
|
|||||||||
| Operating income |
|
|
|||||||||
| Interest expense |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| Interest income |
|
|
|||||||||
| Income before income taxes |
|
|
|||||||||
| Income taxes |
|
|
|||||||||
| Net income | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Net income per share: | |||||||||||
| Class A common stock: | |||||||||||
| Basic | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Diluted | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Class B common stock: | |||||||||||
| Basic | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Diluted | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
21
|
VILLAGE SUPER MARKET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
|
|||||||||||
| Years ended | |||||||||||
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||
| Net income | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Other comprehensive income: | |||||||||||
| Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax (1) |
(
|
|
|||||||||
| Amortization of pension actuarial gain, net of tax (2) |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| Pension remeasurement, net of tax (3) |
|
|
|||||||||
| Pension settlement loss, net of tax (4) |
|
|
|||||||||
| Total other comprehensive (loss) income |
(
|
|
|||||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
(1)
Amounts are net of tax of $
406
and $
807
for 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(2)
Amounts are net of tax of $
59
and $
214
for 2024 and 2023, respectively. All amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to operating and administrative expense.
(3)
Amounts are net of tax of $
31
and $
6
for 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(4)
Amount is net of tax of $
15
for 2023. All amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to operating and administrative expense.
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
22
|
VILLAGE SUPER MARKET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Years ended July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Total
Shareholders' Equity |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Class A
Common Stock |
Class B
Common Stock |
Treasury Stock
Class A |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares Issued | Amount | Shares Issued | Amount | Retained Earnings | Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Balance, July 30, 2022
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
(
|
$ |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — |
|
— | — | — |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax of $
|
— | — | — | — | — |
|
— | — |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends | — | — | — | — |
(
|
— | — | — |
(
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock purchases | — | — | — | — | — | — |
|
(
|
(
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted shares forfeited |
(
|
(
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
(
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expense |
|
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares |
|
|
(
|
(
|
— | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Balance, July 29, 2023
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
(
|
$ |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — |
|
— | — | — |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Other comprehensive income, net of tax of $
|
— | — | — | — | — |
(
|
— | — |
(
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends | — | — | — | — |
(
|
— | — | — |
(
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options | — |
|
— | — | — | — |
(
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock purchases | — | — | — | — | — | — |
|
(
|
(
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted shares forfeited |
(
|
(
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
(
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expense |
|
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Balance, July 27, 2024
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
(
|
$ |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
23
|
VILLAGE SUPER MARKET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
|
|||||||||||
| Years ended | |||||||||||
| July 27, 2024 | July 29, 2023 | ||||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|||||||||
| Non-cash share-based compensation |
|
|
|||||||||
| Deferred taxes |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| Provision to value inventories at LIFO |
|
|
|||||||||
| Impairment of assets |
|
|
|||||||||
| (Gain) Loss on sale of assets |
(
|
|
|||||||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Merchandise inventories |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| Patronage dividend receivable |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| Accounts payable to Wakefern |
|
|
|||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
(
|
|
|||||||||
| Accrued wages and benefits |
|
|
|||||||||
| Income taxes receivable / payable |
(
|
|
|||||||||
| Other assets and liabilities |
|
|
|||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
|
|||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||
| Capital expenditures |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| Proceeds from the sale of assets |
|
|
|||||||||
| Investment in notes receivable from Wakefern |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| Investment in real estate partnerships |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| Maturity of notes receivable from Wakefern |
|
|
|||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
|
|
|||||||||
| Excess tax benefit related to share-based compensation |
|
|
|||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt |
|
|
|||||||||
| Principal payments of long-term debt |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| Debt issuance costs |
|
(
|
|||||||||
| Dividends |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| Treasury stock purchases, including shares surrendered for withholding taxes |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
(
|
|
|||||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR |
|
|
|||||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH PAYMENTS MADE FOR: | |||||||||||
| Interest | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Income taxes |
|
|
|||||||||
| NONCASH SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES: | |||||||||||
| Investment in Wakefern and increase in notes payable to Wakefern | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Capital expenditures included in accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
24
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All amounts are in thousands, except per share data).
NOTE 1 —
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of operations
Village Super Market, Inc. (the “Company” or “Village”) operates a chain of
34
supermarkets under the ShopRite and Fairway names in New Jersey, Maryland, New York and eastern Pennsylvania and
three
specialty markets under the Gourmet Garage name in New York City. The Company is a member of Wakefern Food Corporation ("Wakefern"), the nation's largest retailer-owned food cooperative and owner of the ShopRite, Fairway and Gourmet Garage names. This relationship provides Village many of the economies of scale in purchasing, distribution, store and own branded products, advanced retail technology, marketing and advertising associated with chains of greater size and geographic coverage.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Village Super Market, Inc. and its subsidiaries, which are wholly owned. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Fiscal year
The Company and its subsidiaries utilize a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in the month of July. Fiscal 2024 and 2023 contain 52 weeks.
Use of estimates
In conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Some of the more significant estimates are patronage dividends, accounting for contingencies, accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities, and the impairment of long-lived assets, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Industry segment
The Company consists of
one
operating segment, the retail sale of food and nonfood products.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognized at the point of sale to the customer, including Pharmacy sales. Digital channel sales are recognized either upon pickup in-store or upon delivery to the customer, including any related service revenues. Sales tax is excluded from revenue.
Discounts provided to customers through store coupons and loyalty programs are recognized as a reduction of sales as products are sold. Discounts provided to customers by vendors are not recognized as a reduction in sales. Rather, the Company records a receivable from the vendor for the difference in sales price and payment received from the customer.
25
Disaggregated Revenues
The following table presents the Company's sales by product categories during each of the periods indicated:
| Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 27, 2024 | July 29, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Center Store (1) | $ |
|
|
% | $ |
|
|
% | |||||||||||||||
| Fresh (2) |
|
|
% |
|
|
% | |||||||||||||||||
| Pharmacy |
|
|
% |
|
|
% | |||||||||||||||||
| Other (3) |
|
|
% |
|
|
% | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Sales | $ |
|
|
% | $ |
|
|
% | |||||||||||||||
(1)
Consists primarily of grocery, dairy, frozen, health and beauty care, general merchandise and liquor.
(2)
Consists primarily of produce, meat, deli, seafood, bakery, prepared foods and floral.
Cost of sales
Cost of sales consists of costs of inventory, inbound freight charges, and production costs at the Company's centralized commissary, including materials, labor and overhead. Depreciation expense of $
2,012
and $
1,709
related to the centralized commissary is included in cost of sales in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Company receives vendor allowances and rebates, including the patronage dividend and amounts received as a pass through from Wakefern, related to the Company’s buying and merchandising activities. Vendor allowances and rebates are recognized as a reduction in cost of sales when the related merchandise is sold or when the required contractual terms are completed.
Shipping and handling costs associated with the Company’s digital sales are included in operating and administrative expense.
Operating and administrative expense
Operating and administrative expenses consists primarily of store and corporate costs, including employee salaries, wages, company-sponsored and multi-employer health and welfare, pension, and defined contribution benefits, supplies, advertising, utilities, facility repairs and maintenance, rent, occupancy costs and administrative expenses.
Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Included in cash and cash equivalents are proceeds due from credit and debit card transactions, which typically settle within five business days, of $
11,938
and $
11,891
at July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023, respectively. Included in cash and cash equivalents at July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023 are $
97,126
and $
122,028
, respectively, of demand deposits invested at Wakefern at overnight money market rates.
Merchandise inventories
At July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023, approximately
64
% of merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of LIFO (last-in, first-out) cost or market. If the FIFO (first-in, first-out) method had been used, inventories would have been $
21,789
and $
21,238
higher than reported in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. All other inventories are stated at the lower of FIFO cost or market.
26
Property, equipment and fixtures
Property, equipment and fixtures are recorded at cost. Interest cost incurred to finance construction is capitalized as part of the cost of the asset. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.
Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of
thirty years
for buildings,
to
seven years
for store fixtures and equipment, and
to
seven years
for computer equipment and software, shopping carts and vehicles. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the related lease terms or the estimated useful lives of the related assets.
When assets are sold or retired, their cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated financial statements.
Investments
The Company’s investments in its principal supplier, Wakefern, and a Wakefern affiliate, Insure-Rite, Ltd., are stated at cost (see Note 3). Village evaluates its investments in Wakefern and Insure-Rite, Ltd. for impairment through consideration of previous, current and projected levels of profit of those entities.
The Company’s 20%-50% investments in certain real estate partnerships are accounted for under the equity method.
One
of these partnerships is a variable interest entity which does not require consolidation as Village is not the primary beneficiary (see Note 7).
Store opening and closing costs
All store opening costs are expensed as incurred. The Company records a liability for the future minimum lease payments and related costs for closed stores from the date of closure to the end of the remaining lease term, net of estimated cost recoveries that may be achieved through subletting, discounted using a risk-adjusted interest rate.
Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception, and recognizes a finance and operating lease liability and asset for all leases with terms of more than 12 months at the lease commencement date. Finance and operating lease liabilities represent the present value of minimum lease payments not yet paid. For purposes of measuring the present value of its fixed payment obligations for a given lease, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate implicit within its leases is generally not determinable. The Company's incremental borrowing rate reflects the rate it would pay to borrow on a secured basis, and incorporates the term and economic environment of the lease. Each renewal option is evaluated when recognizing the lease right-of-use assets and liabilities, and the Company utilizes the lease term for which it is reasonably certain to use the underlying asset. The Company is obligated under all leases to pay for real estate taxes, utilities and liability insurance, and under certain leases to pay additional amounts based on maintenance and a percentage of sales in excess of stipulated amounts. The Company accounts for rent holidays, escalating rent provisions, and construction allowances related to operating leases in rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Finance lease payments are charged to interest expense and depreciation and amortization expense over the lease term. Additional information on leases is provided in Note 7.
Advertising
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $
12,174
and $
10,658
in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Income taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment date.
27
The Company recognizes a tax benefit for uncertain tax positions if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable, based on its technical merits. The tax benefit of a qualifying position is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon effective settlement with a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows are considered cash flow hedges. The Company records changes in the fair value of its interest rate swap contracts to Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes, as the Company has elected to designate its swaps as cash flow hedges and apply hedge accounting when the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Additional information on derivative and hedging activities is provided in Note 5.
Fair value
Fair value is defined as the exit price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined using assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The fair value guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in measuring fair value. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
Cash and cash equivalents, patronage dividend receivable, income taxes receivable/payable, accounts payable and accrued expenses are reflected in the consolidated financial statements at carrying value, which approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. The carrying values of the Company’s notes receivable from Wakefern approximate their fair value as interest is earned at variable market rates. As the Company’s investment in Wakefern can only be sold to Wakefern at amounts that approximate the Company’s cost, it is not practicable to estimate the fair value of such investment.
Long-lived assets
The Company reviews the carrying values of its long-lived assets, such as property, equipment and fixtures and operating lease assets on an individual store basis for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. Factors considered by the Company that could result in an impairment triggering event include a current period operating or cash flow loss, underperformance of a store relative to historical or expected operating results, and significant negative industry or economic trends. If an impairment triggering event is identified, the Company analyzes the undiscounted estimated future net cash flows from asset groups at the store level to determine if the carrying value of such assets are recoverable from their respective cash flows. If impairment is indicated, it is measured by comparing the fair value of the long-lived asset groups to their carrying value.
In Fiscal 2024, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $
2,125
related to the closure of the automated micro-fulfillment center in south NJ.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested at the end of each fiscal year, or more frequently if circumstances dictate, for impairment. The Company's indefinite-lived intangible assets balance of $
13,299
as of July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023 are related to the Fairway and Gourmet Garage trade names. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets exceeds its implied fair value. Village considers earnings multiples and other valuation techniques to measure fair value of goodwill at the reporting unit level, in addition to the value of the Company’s stock. The fair value of trade names are estimated based on the discounted cash flow model using the relief from royalty method.
Net income per share
The Company has
two
classes of common stock. Class A common stock is entitled to cash dividends as declared
54
% greater than those paid on Class B common stock. Shares of Class B common stock are convertible on a share-for-share basis for Class A common stock at any time.
28
The Company utilizes the two-class method of computing and presenting net income per share. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that calculates basic and diluted net income per share for each class of common stock separately based on dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under the two-class method, Class A common stock is assumed to receive a
54
% greater participation in undistributed earnings than Class B common stock, in accordance with the classes' respective dividend rights. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are treated as participating securities and therefore included in computing net income per share using the two-class method.
Diluted net income per share for Class A common stock is calculated utilizing the if-converted method, which assumes the conversion of all shares of Class B common stock to Class A common stock on a share-for-share basis, as this method is more dilutive than the two-class method. Diluted net income per share for Class B common stock does not assume conversion of Class B common stock to shares of Class A common stock.
The table below reconciles Net income to Net income available to Class A and Class B shareholders:
| Years ended | ||||||||||||||
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
|||||||||||||
| Net income | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||||||||
|
Distributed and allocated undistributed Net income to unvested restricted shareholders
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Net income available to Class A and Class B shareholders
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||||||
The tables below reconcile the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted net income per share for all periods presented.
| Years ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A | Class B | Class A | Class B | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Numerator: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income allocated, basic | $ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||
| Conversion of Class B to Class A shares |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Net income allocated, diluted | $ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||
| Denominator: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding, basic |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of Class B to Class A shares |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net income per share is as follows:
| Years ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A | Class B | Class A | Class B | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||
Outstanding stock options to purchase Class A shares of
88
were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share at July 29, 2023 as a result of their anti-dilutive effect. In addition,
456
and
503
non-vested restricted Class A shares, which are considered participating securities, and their allocated net income were excluded from the diluted net income per share calculation at July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023, respectively, due to their anti-dilutive effect.
29
Share-based compensation
All share-based payments to employees are recognized in the financial statements as compensation costs based on the fair market value on the date of the grant.
Benefit plans
The Company recognizes the funded status of its Company sponsored retirement plans on the consolidated balance sheet. Actuarial gains or losses, curtailments, prior service costs or credits, and transition obligations not previously recognized are recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income. The Company uses July 31 as the measurement date for these plans.
The Company also contributes to several multi-employer pension plans under the terms of collective bargaining agreements that cover certain union-represented employees. Pension expense for these plans is recognized as contributions are made.
Recently issued accounting standards
The Company monitors accounting standards recently issued by the FASB to assess their impact on the consolidated financial statements, if any. There were no recently issued accounting standards that will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 2 —
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT and FIXTURES
Property, equipment and fixtures are comprised as follows:
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||
| Land and buildings | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Store fixtures and equipment |
|
|
|||||||||
| Leasehold improvements |
|
|
|||||||||
| Leased property under finance leases |
|
|
|||||||||
| Construction in progress |
|
|
|||||||||
| Vehicles |
|
|
|||||||||
| Total property, equipment and fixtures |
|
|
|||||||||
| Accumulated depreciation |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| Accumulated amortization of property under finance leases |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| Property, equipment and fixtures, net | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
Amortization of leased property under finance leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense.
NOTE 3 —
RELATED PARTY INFORMATION - WAKEFERN
The Company’s ownership interest in its principal supplier, Wakefern, which is operated on a cooperative basis for its stockholder members, is
12.8
% of the outstanding shares of Wakefern at July 27, 2024. The investment is stated at cost and is pledged as collateral for any obligations to Wakefern. In addition, all obligations to Wakefern are personally guaranteed by certain shareholders of Village.
The Company is obligated to purchase
85
% of its primary merchandise requirements from Wakefern until
ten years
from the date that stockholders representing
75
% of Wakefern sales notify Wakefern that those stockholders request that the Wakefern Stockholder Agreement be terminated. If this purchase obligation is not met, Village is required to pay Wakefern’s profit contribution shortfall attributable to this failure. Similar payments are due if Wakefern loses volume by reason of the sale of Company stores or a merger with another entity. Village fulfilled the above obligation in fiscal 2024 and 2023. The Company also has an investment of approximately
8.9
% in Insure-Rite, Ltd., a Wakefern affiliated company, which provides Village with liability and property insurance coverage.
30
Wakefern has increased from time to time the required investment in its common stock for each supermarket owned by a member, with the exact amount per store computed based on the amount of each store’s purchases from Wakefern. At July 27, 2024, the Company’s indebtedness to Wakefern for the outstanding amount of these stock subscriptions was $
1,662
. Installment payments are due as follows: 2025 - $
751
; 2026 - $
534
; 2027 - $
352
; 2028 - $
25
; and $
0
thereafter. The maximum per store investment remained $
975
in fiscal 2024. Village receives additional shares of common stock to the extent paid for at the end of each fiscal year (which ends on or about September 30) of Wakefern calculated at the then book value per share. The payments, together with any stock issued thereunder, at the option of Wakefern, may be null and void and all payments on this subscription shall become the property of Wakefern in the event the Company does not complete the payment of this subscription in a timely manner.
Village purchases substantially all of its merchandise from Wakefern. As a stockholder of Wakefern, Village earns a share of Wakefern’s earnings, which are distributed as a “patronage dividend.” This dividend is based on a distribution of substantially all of Wakefern’s operating profits for its fiscal year in proportion to the dollar volume of purchases by each member from Wakefern during that fiscal year. Patronage dividends are recorded as a reduction of cost of sales as merchandise is sold. Village accrues estimated patronage dividends due from Wakefern quarterly based on an estimate of the annual Wakefern patronage dividend and an estimate of Village’s share of this annual dividend based on Village’s estimated proportional share of the dollar volume of business transacted with Wakefern that year. Patronage dividends and other vendor allowances and rebates amounted to $
46,302
and $
43,967
in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Wakefern provides the Company with support services in numerous areas including advertising, liability and property insurance, supplies, certain equipment purchasing, coupon processing, certain financial accounting applications, retail technology support, and other store services. Village incurred charges of $
42,459
and $
42,678
from Wakefern in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively, for non-merchandise products and services, which are reflected in operating and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, the Company has certain related party leases (see Note 7) with Wakefern.
On August 15, 2022, notes receivable due from Wakefern of $
28,850
that earned interest at the prime rate plus
1.25
% matured. The Company invested all of the proceeds received in variable rate notes receivable from Wakefern that earn interest at the prime rate plus
.50
% and mature on August 15, 2027. On September 28, 2022, the Company invested an additional $
30,000
in variable rate notes receivable from Wakefern that earn interest at the prime rate plus
.50
% and mature on September 28, 2027. On February 15, 2024, notes receivable due from Wakefern of $
33,338
that earned interest at the prime rate plus
.75
% matured. The Company invested all of the proceeds received in variable rate notes receivable from Wakefern that earn interest at the SOFR plus
2.25
% and mature on February 15, 2029.
At July 27, 2024, the Company held variable rate notes receivable due from Wakefern of $
33,740
that earn interest at the prime rate plus
.50
% and mature on August 15, 2027, $
34,829
that earn interest at the prime rate plus
.50
% and mature on September 28, 2027 and $
34,293
that earn interest at the SOFR plus
2.25
% and mature on February 15, 2029.
Wakefern has the right to prepay these notes at any time. Under certain conditions, the Company can require Wakefern to prepay the notes, although interest earned since inception would be reduced as if it was earned based on overnight money market rates as paid by Wakefern on demand deposits.
At July 27, 2024, the Company had demand deposits invested at Wakefern in the amount of $
97,126
. These deposits earn overnight money market rates.
Interest income earned on investments with Wakefern was $
14,717
and $
11,295
in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively.
31
NOTE 4 —
DEBT
Long-term debt consists of:
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
|||||||||||||
| Secured term loan | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||||||||
| Unsecured term loan |
|
|
||||||||||||
| New Market Tax Credit Financing |
|
|
||||||||||||
| Total debt, excluding obligations under leases |
|
|
||||||||||||
| Less current portion |
|
|
||||||||||||
| Total long-term debt, excluding obligations under leases | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||||||||
Credit Facility
The Company has a credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Wells Fargo National Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”). The principal purpose of the Credit Facility is to finance general corporate and working capital requirements, Village’s fiscal 2020 acquisition of certain Fairway assets and certain capital expenditures. Among other things, the Credit Facility provides for:
•
An unsecured revolving line of credit providing a maximum amount available for borrowing of $
75,000
. Indebtedness under this agreement bears interest at the applicable Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus
1.10
% and expires on May 6, 2025.
•
An unsecured $
25,500
term loan issued on May 12, 2020, repayable in equal monthly installments based on a
-year amortization schedule through May 4, 2027 and bearing interest at the applicable SOFR plus
1.46
%. An interest rate swap with notional amounts equal to the term loan fixes the base SOFR at
.26
% per annum through May 4, 2027, resulting in a fixed effective interest rate of
1.72
% on the term loan.
•
A secured $
50,000
term loan issued on September 1, 2020 repayable in equal monthly installments based on a
-year amortization schedule through September 1, 2035 and bearing interest at the applicable SOFR plus
1.61
%. An interest rate swap with notional amounts equal to the term loan fixes the base SOFR at
.57
% per annum through September 1, 2035, resulting in a fixed effective interest rate of
2.18
% on the term loan. The term loan is secured by real properties of Village Super Market, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including the sites of three Village stores.
•
A secured $
7,350
term loan issued on January 28, 2022 repayable in equal monthly installments based on a
-year amortization schedule through January 28, 2037 and bearing interest at the applicable SOFR plus
1.50
%. An interest rate swap for a notional amount equal to the term loan fixes the base SOFR at
1.41
% per annum through January 28, 2037, resulting in a fixed effective interest rate of
2.91
% on the term loan. The term loan is secured by the Galloway store shopping center.
•
An unsecured $
10,000
term loan issued on September 1, 2022 repayable in equal monthly installments based on a
-year amortization schedule through September 4, 2029 and bearing interest at the applicable SOFR plus
1.35
%. An interest rate swap for a notional amount equal to the term loan fixes the base SOFR at
2.95
% per annum through September 4, 2029, resulting in a fixed effective interest rate of
4.30
% on the term loan. This loan qualified for an interest rate subsidy program with Wakefern on financing related to certain capital expenditure projects. Net of the subsidy, the Company will pay interest at a fixed effective rate of
2.30
%.
•
A secured $
7,125
term loan issued on January 27, 2023 repayable in equal monthly installments based on a
-year amortization schedule through January 27, 2038 and bearing interest at the applicable SOFR plus
1.75
%. An interest rate swap for a notional amount equal to the term loan fixes the base SOFR at
3.59
% per annum through January 27, 2038, resulting in a fixed effective interest rate of
5.34
% on the term loan. The term loan is secured by the Vineland store shopping center.
32
The Credit Facility also provides for up to $
25,000
of letters of credit ($
7,336
outstanding at July 27, 2024), which secure obligations for store leases and construction performance guarantees to municipalities. The Credit Facility contains covenants that, among other conditions, require a minimum tangible net worth, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio. The Company was in compliance with all covenants of the credit agreement at July 27, 2024. As of July 27, 2024, $
67,664
remained available under the unsecured revolving line of credit.
The carrying values of the Company’s long-term debt related to the Company's Credit Facility approximate their fair value as interest is charged at variable market rates. The estimated fair values of the Company's long-term debt are based on Level 2 inputs.
New Markets Tax Credit
On December 29, 2017, the Company entered into a financing transaction with Wells Fargo Community Investment Holdings, LLC (“Wells Fargo”) under a qualified New Markets Tax Credit (“NMTC”) program related to the construction of a new store in the Bronx, New York. The NMTC program was provided for in the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (the “Act”) and is intended to induce capital investment in qualified lower income communities. The Act permits taxpayers to claim credits against their Federal income taxes for up to 39% of qualified investments in the equity of community development entities (“CDEs”). CDEs are privately managed investment institutions that are certified to make qualified low-income community investments.
In connection with the financing, the Company loaned $
4,835
to VSM Investment Fund, LLC (the "Investment Fund") at an interest rate of
1.403
% per year and with a maturity date of December 31, 2044. Repayments on the loan commence in March 2025. Wells Fargo contributed $
2,375
to the Investment Fund and, by virtue of such contribution, is entitled to substantially all of the tax benefits derived from the NMTC. The Investment Fund is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo. The loan to the Investment Fund is recorded in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
The Investment Fund then contributed the proceeds to a CDE, which, in turn, loaned combined funds of $
6,563
, net of debt issuance costs, to Village Super Market of NY, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, at an interest rate of
1.000
% per year with a maturity date of December 31, 2051. These loans are secured by the leasehold improvements and equipment related to the construction of the Bronx store. Repayment of the loans commences in March 2025. The proceeds of the loans from the CDE were used to partially fund the construction of the Bronx store. The Notes payable related to New Markets Tax Credit, net of debt issuance costs, are recorded in long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets.
NOTE 5 —
DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
The Company is exposed to interest rate risk arising from fluctuations in SOFR related to the Company’s Credit Facility. The Company manages exposure to this risk and the variability of related cash flows primarily by the use of derivative financial instruments, specifically, interest rate swaps.
The Company’s objectives in using interest rate swaps are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.
As of July 27, 2024, the Company had
five
interest rate swaps with an aggregate initial notional value of $
99,975
to hedge the variable cash flows associated with variable-rate loans under the Company's Credit Facility. The interest rate swaps were executed for risk management and are not held for trading purposes. The objective of the interest rate swaps is to hedge the variability of cash flows resulting from fluctuations in the reference rate. The swaps replaced the applicable reference rate with fixed interest rates and payments are settled monthly when payments are made on the variable-rate loans. The Company's
33
derivatives qualify and have been designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. The gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the variable-rate loans. The Company reclassified $
3,027
and $
2,179
during the fiscal years ended July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023, respectively, from Accumulated other comprehensive income to Interest expense.
The notional value of the interest rate swaps were $
67,543
as of July 27, 2024.
The fair value of interest rate swaps are included in the following captions on the consolidated balance sheets at July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023:
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||
| Other assets |
|
|
|||||||||
The fair values of the Company’s interest rate swaps are based on Level 2 inputs, including the present value of estimated future cash flows based on market expectations of the yield curve on variable interest rates.
NOTE 6 —
INCOME TAXES
The components of the provision for income taxes are:
| Years ended | |||||||||||
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||
| Federal: | |||||||||||
| Current | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Deferred |
|
(
|
|||||||||
| State: | |||||||||||
| Current |
|
|
|||||||||
| Deferred |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
| $ |
|
$ |
|
||||||||
34
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.
Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets: | |||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Compensation related costs |
|
|
|||||||||
| Pension costs |
|
|
|||||||||
| Other |
|
|
|||||||||
| Total deferred tax assets |
|
|
|||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Tax over book depreciation |
|
|
|||||||||
| Lease assets |
|
|
|||||||||
| Patronage dividend receivable |
|
|
|||||||||
| Investment in partnerships |
|
|
|||||||||
| Other |
|
|
|||||||||
| Total deferred tax liabilities |
|
|
|||||||||
| Net deferred tax liability | $ |
(
|
$ |
(
|
|||||||
Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are included in the following captions on the consolidated balance sheets at July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023:
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||
| Other assets |
|
|
|||||||||
| Other liabilities |
(
|
(
|
|||||||||
A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In management’s opinion, in view of the Company’s previous, current and projected taxable income and reversal of deferred tax liabilities, such tax assets will more likely than not be fully realized. Accordingly,
no
valuation allowance was deemed to be required at July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023.
The effective income tax rate differs from the statutory federal income tax rate as follows:
| Years ended | |||||||||||
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||
| Statutory federal income tax rate |
|
% |
|
% | |||||||
| State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit |
|
% |
|
% | |||||||
| Other |
(
|
% |
|
% | |||||||
| Effective income tax rate |
|
% |
|
% | |||||||
35
NOTE 7 —
LEASES
Description of leasing arrangements
The Company leases
30
retail stores, as well as a commissary, the corporate headquarters and equipment at July 27, 2024. The majority of initial lease terms range from
20
to
30
years. Most of the Company’s leases contain renewal options at increased rents of
five years
each at the Company’s sole discretion. These options enable Village to retain the use of facilities in desirable operating areas.
The composition of total lease cost is as follows:
| Years ended | |||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Statement of Operations Classification |
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
|||||||||||||||
| Operating lease cost | Operating and administrative expense | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||||||||||
| Finance lease cost | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of leased assets | Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Interest on lease liabilities | Interest expense |
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Variable lease cost | Operating and administrative expense |
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Total lease cost | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||
As of July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023, finance lease right-of-use assets of $
9,964
and $
10,912
, respectively, are included in
in the Company's consolidated balance sheet.
Maturities of operating and finance lease liabilities, including options to extend lease terms that are reasonably certain of being exercised. The Company's lease liabilities mature as follows as of July 27, 2024:
| Operating leases | Finance leases | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | $ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||||||||||
| 2026 |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| 2027 |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| 2028 |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| 2029 |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Thereafter |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Total lease payments |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Less amount representing interest |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Present value of lease liabilities | $ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||||||||||
The Company has approximately $
21,359
of future payment obligations related to lease agreements that have not yet commenced but have been executed as of July 27, 2024.
As of July 27, 2024, the Company's lease terms and discount rates are as follows:
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||
| Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) | |||||||||||
| Operating leases |
|
|
|||||||||
| Finance leases |
|
|
|||||||||
| Weighted-average discount rate | |||||||||||
| Operating leases |
|
% |
|
% | |||||||
| Finance leases |
|
% |
|
% | |||||||
36
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows:
| Years ended | ||||||||||||||
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
|||||||||||||
| Cash paid for amounts in the measurement of lease liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Operating cash flows from operating leases | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||||||||
| Operating cash flows from finance leases |
|
|
||||||||||||
| Financing cash flows from finance leases |
|
|
||||||||||||
| Lease obligations obtained in exchange for right-of-use assets (non-cash) |
|
|
||||||||||||
Related party leases
The Company leases a supermarket from a realty firm
30
% owned by certain officers of Village. The Company paid rent to related parties under this lease of $
735
in both fiscal 2024 and 2023, and has a related lease obligation of $
1,144
at July 27, 2024. This lease expires in fiscal 2026 with options to extend at increasing annual rent.
The Company has ownership interests in
four
real estate partnerships. Village paid aggregate rents to
three
of these partnerships for leased stores of $
1,827
and $
1,568
in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively, and has related aggregate lease obligations of $
15,733
at July 27, 2024.
NOTE 8 —
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The Company has
two
classes of common stock. Class A common stock is entitled to
one
vote per share and to cash dividends as declared
54
% greater than those paid on Class B common stock. Class B common stock is entitled to
10
votes per share. Class A and Class B common stock share equally on a per share basis in any distributions in liquidation. Shares of Class B common stock are convertible on a share-for-share basis for Class A common stock at any time. Class B common stock is not transferable except to another holder of Class B common stock or by will or under the laws of intestacy or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company approving the transfer. As a result of this voting structure, the holders of the Class B common stock control greater than
50
% of the total voting power of the shareholders of the Company and control the election of the Board of Directors.
The Company has authorized
10,000
shares of preferred stock.
No
shares have been issued. The Board of Directors is authorized to designate series, preferences, powers and participation of any preferred stock issued.
The Company maintains share repurchase programs that comply with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Repurchases of Village Class A common stock may be made from time to time through a variety of methods, including open market purchases and other negotiated transactions. In September 2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an incremental $
5,000
share repurchase program, supplementing the existing authorization. The Company made open market purchases of $
1,854
under this repurchase program in fiscal 2024 and
none
in fiscal 2023. The Company's share repurchase program had $
1,349
and $
3,203
remaining at July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023, respectively. In fiscal 2024 and 2023, the Company purchased $
357
and $
3,739
, respectively, in shares of Class A Common Stock that were surrendered in satisfaction of withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted shares in each of the fiscal years.
Village has
two
share-based compensation plans, which are described below. The compensation cost charged against income for these plans was $
3,993
and $
3,274
in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. Total income tax benefit recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for share-based compensation arrangements was $
868
and $
1,100
in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively.
37
On December 16, 2016, the shareholders of the Company approved the Village Super Market, Inc. 2016 Stock Plan (the “2016 Plan”) under which awards of incentive and non-qualified stock options and restricted stock may be made. There are
1,200
shares of Class A common stock authorized for issuance to employees and directors under the 2016 Plan. Terms and conditions of awards are determined by the Board of Directors. Restricted stock awards primarily cliff vest
three years
from the date of grant. There are
685
shares remaining for future grants under the 2016 Plan.
The following table summarizes option activity under all plans for the following years:
| Years ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares |
Weighted-average
exercise price |
Shares |
Weighted-average
exercise price |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at beginning of year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Exercised |
(
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited |
(
|
|
(
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at end of year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Options exercisable at end of year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||||
As of July 27, 2024, the weighted-average remaining contractual term of options outstanding and options exercisable was
1.4
years. As of July 27, 2024, the aggregate intrinsic value was $
11
for both options outstanding and options exercisable. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model. The Company uses historical data for similar groups of employees in order to estimate the expected life of options granted. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock for a period of years corresponding to the expected life of the option. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the time of grant for securities with a maturity period similar to the expected life of the option.
The following table summarizes restricted stock activity under all plans for the following years:
| Years ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares |
Weighted-average
grant date fair value |
Shares |
Weighted-average
grant date fair value |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonvested at beginning of year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Granted |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Vested |
(
|
|
(
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited |
(
|
|
(
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Nonvested at end of year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||||||||||||||
The total fair value of restricted shares vested during fiscal 2024 and 2023 was $
1,141
and $
8,227
, respectively.
As of July 27, 2024, there was $
6,048
of total unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested restricted stock granted under the above plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of
1.6
years.
38
The Company declared and paid cash dividends on common stock as follows:
| Years ended | |||||||||||
|
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
||||||||||
| Per share: | |||||||||||
| Class A common stock | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Class B common stock |
|
|
|||||||||
| Aggregate: | |||||||||||
| Class A common stock | $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||||
| Class B common stock |
|
|
|||||||||
| $ |
|
$ |
|
||||||||
NOTE 9 —
BENEFIT PLANS
Multi-Employer Pension Plans
The Company contributes to
three
multi-employer pension plans under collective bargaining agreements covering union-represented employees. These plans provide benefits to participants that are generally based on a fixed amount for each year of service. Based on the most recent information available, certain of these multi-employer plans are underfunded. The amount of any increase or decrease in Village’s required contributions to these multi-employer pension plans will depend upon the outcome of collective bargaining, actions taken by trustees who manage the plans, government regulations and the actual return on assets held in the plans, among other factors.
The risks of participating in multi-employer pension plans are different from the risks of participating in single-employer pension plans in the following respects:
•
Assets contributed to a multi-employer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.
•
If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan allocable to such withdrawing employer may be borne by the remaining participating employers.
•
If the Company stops participating in some of its multi-employer pension plans, the Company may be required to pay those plans an amount based on its allocable share of the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.
The Company’s participation in these plans is outlined in the following tables. The “EIN / Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employer Identification Number (“EIN”) and the three-digit pension plan number. The most recent “Pension Protection Act Zone Status” available in 2023 and 2022 is for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, unless otherwise noted. Among other factors, generally, plans in the red zone are less than 65 percent funded, plans in the yellow zone are between 65 and 80 percent funded and plans in the green zone are at least 80 percent funded. The “FIP/RP Status Pending / Implemented” column indicates plans for which a funding improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented.
39
| Pension Protection Act Zone Status |
FIP/RP Status
Pending / Implemented |
Contributions for the
year ended (5) |
Expiration
date of Collective- Bargaining Agreement |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Pension Fund
|
EIN / Pension Plan Number
|
2023 | 2022 |
July 27,
2024 |
July 29,
2023 |
Surcharge
Imposed (6) |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension Plan of Local 464A (1) |
22-6051600-
|
|
|
N/A | $ |
|
$ |
|
N/A | August 2025 | ||||||||||||||||
| UFCW Local 1262 & Employers Pension Fund (2), (4) |
22-6074414-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||
| UFCW Regional Pension Plan (3), (4) |
16-6062287-
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
|
June 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Contributions | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
(2)
The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
(3)
The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan’s year-end at September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.
(4)
This plan has elected to utilize special amortization provisions provided under the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010. There were no changes to the plan’s zone status as a result of this election.
(5)
The Company’s contributions represent more than
5
% of the total contributions received by each applicable pension fund for all periods presented.
(6)
Under the Pension Protection Act, a surcharge may be imposed when employers make contributions under a collective bargaining agreement that is not in compliance with a rehabilitation plan. As of July 27, 2024, the collective bargaining agreements under which the Company was making contributions were in compliance with rehabilitation plans adopted by each applicable pension fund.
Other Multi-Employer Benefit Plans
The Company also contributes to various other multi-employer benefit plans that provide health and welfare benefits to active and retired participants. Total contributions made by the Company to these other multi-employer benefit plans were $
37,216
and $
33,741
in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company sponsors a 401(k) savings plan for certain eligible associates. Company contributions under that plan, which are based on specified percentages of associate contributions, were $
2,028
and $
1,865
in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company also contributes to union sponsored defined contribution plans for certain eligible associates. Company contributions under these plans were $
3,339
and $
3,118
in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Defined Benefit Plans
40
NOTE 10 —
COMMITMENTS and CONTINGENCIES
Approximately
91
% of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Contracts with the Company’s
seven
unions have or will expire between June 2024 and October 2027.
30
% of our associates are represented by unions whose contracts have already expired or expire within
one year
. Any work stoppages could have an adverse impact on our financial results.
41
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Village Super Market, Inc.:
Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Village Super Market, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of July 27, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of July 27, 2024 based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
42
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Assessment of indicators of impairment of long-lived assets
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company reviews its long-lived assets, such as property, equipment and fixtures and operating lease assets, for events or changes in circumstances that might indicate the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. The Company’s judgment regarding the identification of impairment indicators is based, in part, on operational performance at the store level. Factors considered by the Company that could result in an impairment triggering event include a current period operating or cash flow loss, underperformance of a store relative to historical or expected operating results, and significant negative industry or economic trends. At July 27, 2024, the Company had property, equipment and fixtures, net and operating lease assets of $303,217 thousand and $259,764 thousand, respectively.
We identified the assessment of impairment triggering events related to long-lived assets as a critical audit matter. A high degree of auditor judgment was required to evaluate the Company’s assessment of whether any of the following were indicators of impairment: (1) stores with current period operating or cash flow losses, (2) underperforming stores based on current period operating or cash flow results relative to their respective historical and expected results, and (3) negative industry or economic trends.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s long-lived asset impairment process. This included a control related to the Company’s assessment of impairment triggering events. We assessed the Company’s identification and evaluation of potential impairment triggering events by:
•
inspecting operating results and cash flows by store to identify stores with current period losses
•
comparing actual operating and cash flow results to historical results, expected results, industry and economic trends, and to the net book value of store assets for a selection of stores
•
reading board of directors meeting minutes and available industry information
/s/
KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1987.
October 9, 2024
43
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH
ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
As required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, the Company carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures at the end of the period covered by this report. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision, and with the participation, of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer along with the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, along with the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. With the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of July 27, 2024.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as stated in their report, which is included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
| Robert P. Sumas | John L. Van Orden | ||||
| Chief Executive Officer | Chief Financial Officer | ||||
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
44
PART III
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this Item 10 is incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed on or before October 28, 2024, in connection with its Annual Meeting scheduled to be held on December 13, 2024.
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed on or before October 28, 2024, in connection with its Annual Meeting scheduled to be held on December 13, 2024.
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information in the table below is as of July 27, 2024. All data relates to the Village Super Market, Inc. 2010 and 2016 Stock Plans as described in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
| Plan category |
Number of
securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options |
Weighted-average
exercise price of outstanding options |
Number of
securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
||||||||||||||
| (a) | (b) | (c) | |||||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 2,000 | $ | 25.47 | 684,593 | |||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Additional information required by this Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed on or before October 28, 2024, in connection with its annual meeting scheduled to be held on December 13, 2024.
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed on or before October 28, 2024, in connection with its annual meeting scheduled to be held on December 13, 2024.
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed on or before October 28, 2024, in connection with its annual meeting scheduled to be held on December 13, 2024.
45
PART IV
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES
| (a)(1) | Financial Statements: | |||||||
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets – July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023
|
||||||||
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations - years ended July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023
|
||||||||
|
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - years ended July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023
|
||||||||
|
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity – years ended July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023
|
||||||||
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - years ended July 27, 2024 and July 29, 2023
|
||||||||
| Notes to consolidated financial statements | ||||||||
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (KPMG LLP, Short Hills, NJ, Auditor Firm ID:
|
||||||||
| (a)(2) | Financial Statement Schedules: | |||||||
| All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, or not required, or because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes hereto. | ||||||||
| (a)(3) | Exhibits | |||||||
| 3.1 | ||||||||
| 3.2 | ||||||||
| 4.1 | ||||||||
| 4.2 | ||||||||
| 4.3 | ||||||||
| 4.4 | ||||||||
| 4.5 | ||||||||
| 4.10 | ||||||||
| 4.11 | ||||||||
| 4.12 | ||||||||
| 4.13 | ||||||||
| 4.14 | ||||||||
| 4.15 | ||||||||
| 4.16 | ||||||||
| 4.17 | ||||||||
| 4.18 | ||||||||
| 4.19 | ||||||||
| 10.1 | ||||||||
| 10.2 | ||||||||
| 10.7 | ||||||||
| 10.8 | ||||||||
| 10.9 | ||||||||
| 10.10 | ||||||||
| 10.11 | ||||||||
| 10.12 | ||||||||
| 10.13 | ||||||||
| 10.14 | ||||||||
| 10.15 | ||||||||
| 10.16 | ||||||||
| 10.17 | ||||||||
| 10.18 | ||||||||
46
| 10.19 | ||||||||
| 10.20 | ||||||||
| 10.21 | ||||||||
| 10.22 | ||||||||
| 10.23 | ||||||||
| 10.24 | ||||||||
| 10.25 | ||||||||
| 10.26 | ||||||||
| 14 | ||||||||
| 21 | ||||||||
| 23 | ||||||||
| 31.1 | ||||||||
| 31.2 | ||||||||
| 32.1 | ||||||||
| 32.2 | ||||||||
| 99.1 | ||||||||
| 101 INS | XBRL Instance Document* | |||||||
| 101 SCH | XBRL Schema Document* | |||||||
| 101 CAL | XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document* | |||||||
| 101 DEF | XBRL Definition Linkbase Document* | |||||||
| 101 LAB | XBRL Labels Linkbase Document* | |||||||
| 101 PRE | XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document* | |||||||
| The XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability of that section and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing or document. | ||||||||
| * The following exhibits are incorporated by reference from the following previous filings: | |||||
| Form 10-Q filed on March 8, 2023: 4.5, 4.19 | |||||
| Form 10-K for 2022: 4.4, 4.18, 10.18, 10.19, 10.20, 10.21, 10.22, 10.23, 10.24, 10.25, 10.26 | |||||
| Form 10-Q filed on March 10, 2022: 4.3, 4.12, 4.14, 4.16, 4.17 | |||||
| Form 8-K filed on May 13, 2020: 4.1, 4.10, 4.13 | |||||
| Form 8-K filed on September 8, 2020: 4.2, 4.11, 4.15 | |||||
| Form 10-K for 2017: 3.1, 10.2, 10.15, 10.16, 10.17, 14 | |||||
| DEF 14A Proxy Statement filed October 31, 2016: 10.10 | |||||
| Form 10-K for 2014: 10.7 | |||||
| Form 10-Q for April 2014: 10.11, 10.12, 10.13, 10.14 | |||||
| DEF 14A Proxy Statement filed November 1, 2010: 10.9 | |||||
| Form 10-K for 2004: 3.2 | |||||
| DEF 14A proxy statement filed October 25, 2004: 10.8 | |||||
47
| SIGNATURES | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| VILLAGE SUPER MARKET, INC. | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Robert P. Sumas | /s/ John Van Orden | |||||||||
| Robert P. Sumas | John Van Orden | ||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||||
| Date: October 9, 2024 | |||||||||||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on dates indicated:
| /s/ Robert P. Sumas | /s/ Steven Crystal | |||||||
| Robert P. Sumas, Director | Steven Crystal, Director | |||||||
| October 9, 2024 | October 9, 2024 | |||||||
| /s/ John P. Sumas | /s/ Stephen Rooney | |||||||
| John P. Sumas, Director | Stephen Rooney, Director | |||||||
| October 9, 2024 | October 9, 2024 | |||||||
| /s/ John J. Sumas | /s/ Perry J. Blatt | |||||||
| John J. Sumas, Director | Perry J. Blatt, Director | |||||||
| October 9, 2024 | October 9, 2024 | |||||||
| /s/ Nicholas J. Sumas II | /s/ Prasad Pola | |||||||
| Nicholas J. Sumas II, Director | Prasad Pola, Director | |||||||
| October 9, 2024 | October 9, 2024 | |||||||
| /s/ Kevin Begley | /s/ Luigi Perri | |||||||
| Kevin Begley, Director | Luigi Perri, Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) | |||||||
| October 9, 2024 | October 9, 2024 | |||||||
| /s/ John L. Van Orden | ||||||||
| John L. Van Orden, Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| October 9, 2024 | ||||||||
48
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part IItem I. BusinessItem 1A. Risk FactorsItem 1B. Unresolved Staff CommentsItem 2. PropertiesItem 3. Legal ProceedingsItem 4. Mine Safety DisclosuresPart IIItem 5. Market For Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases Of Equity SecuritiesItem 6. Selected Financial DataItem 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results Of OperationsItem 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary DataNote 1 Summary Of Significant Accounting PoliciesNote 2 Property, Equipment and FixturesNote 3 Related Party Information - WakefernNote 4 DebtNote 5 Derivatives and Hedging ActivitiesNote 6 Income TaxesNote 7 LeasesNote 8 Shareholders EquityNote 9 Benefit PlansNote 10 Commitments and ContingenciesItem 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial DisclosureItem 9A. Controls and ProceduresPart IIIItem 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate GovernanceItem 11. Executive CompensationItem 12. Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder MattersItem 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director IndependenceItem 14. Principal Accounting Fees and ServicesPart IVItem 15. Exhibits, Financial Statements Schedules