UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(X) |
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
SECTION 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 28, 2003 |
OR | |
( ) |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
SECTION 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________ TO __________ |
Commission file number 0-21577
WILD OATS MARKETS, INC.
Delaware |
84-1100630 |
3375 Mitchell Lane
Boulder, Colorado 80301
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(303) 440-5220
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90
days:
Yes ( X ) No (
)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer
(as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2):
Yes ( X ) No (
)
As of August 1, 2003, there were 29,882,306 shares outstanding of the Registrant's Common Stock (par value $.001 per share).
2
WILD OATS MARKETS, INC.
(in thousands, except share data)
June 28, |
December 28, |
||||||
2003 |
2002 |
||||||
ASSETS | |||||||
Current assets: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 15,275 |
$ 11,367 |
|||||
Inventories | 47,785 |
47,175 |
|||||
Accounts receivable | 3,087 |
2,524 |
|||||
Income tax receivable | 328 |
250 |
|||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 2,252 |
2,163 |
|||||
Deferred tax asset | 4,910 |
4,656 |
|||||
Total current assets | 73,637 |
68,135 |
|||||
Property and equipment, net | 123,963 |
122,359 |
|||||
Goodwill, net | 106,404 |
106,404 |
|||||
Other intangible assets, net | 7,244 |
7,415 |
|||||
Deposits and other assets | 3,926 |
3,622 |
|||||
Deferred tax asset | 13,050 |
15,650 |
|||||
$ 328,224 |
$ 323,585 |
||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY | |||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ 42,622 |
$ 34,819 |
|||||
Book overdraft | 22,483 |
22,777 |
|||||
Accrued liabilities | 35,955 |
37,943 |
|||||
Current portion of debt and capital leases | 16 |
146 |
|||||
Total current liabilities | 101,076 |
95,685 |
|||||
Long-term debt and capital leases | 39,886 |
43,075 |
|||||
Other long-term obligations | 14,330 |
17,923 |
|||||
155,292 |
156,683 |
||||||
Commitments and contingencies | |||||||
Stockholders equity: | |||||||
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding | - |
- |
|||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized, 29,826,948 and 29,658,660 shares issued and outstanding, respectively | 30 |
30 |
|||||
Additional paid-in capital | 215,175 |
213,482 |
|||||
Note receivable, related party | (10,482) |
(10,200) |
|||||
Accumulated deficit | (31,745) |
(35,368) |
|||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (46) |
(1,042) |
|||||
Total stockholders equity | 172,932 |
166,902 |
|||||
$ 328,224 |
$ 323,585 |
||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
3
WILD OATS MARKETS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per-share data) (unaudited)
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
SIX MONTHS ENDED |
||||||||||
June 28, |
June 29, |
June 28, |
June 29, |
||||||||
2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
||||||||
Sales | $ 242,248 |
$ 236,186 |
$ 478,235 |
$ 469,200 |
|||||||
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs | 171,026 |
164,758 |
336,154 |
330,129 |
|||||||
Gross profit | 71,222 |
71,428 |
142,081 |
139,071 |
|||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||
Direct store expenses | 50,327 |
51,510 |
101,191 |
101,922 |
|||||||
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets | (100) |
- |
1,368 |
- |
|||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 16,797 |
14,761 |
32,774 |
28,934 |
|||||||
Pre-opening expenses | 101 |
645 |
1,023 |
1,014 |
|||||||
Restructuring and asset impairment income | (145) |
- |
(1,881) |
(652) |
|||||||
Income from operations | 4,242 |
4,512 |
7,606 |
7,853 |
|||||||
Interest income | 179 |
193 |
355 |
373 |
|||||||
Interest expense | (842) |
(2,347) |
(1,835) |
(4,782) |
|||||||
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | - | - | (186) |
- | |||||||
Income before income taxes | 3,579 |
2,358 |
5,940 |
3,444 |
|||||||
Income tax expense | 1,396 |
860 |
2,317 |
1,278 |
|||||||
Net income | $ 2,183 |
$ 1,498 |
$ 3,623 |
$ 2,166 |
|||||||
Net income per common share: | |||||||||||
Basic | $ 0.07 |
$ 0.06 |
$ 0.12 |
$ 0.09 |
|||||||
Diluted | $ 0.07 |
$ 0.06 |
$ 0.12 |
$ 0.09 |
|||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic | 29,775 |
25,016 |
29,739 |
24,919 |
|||||||
Dilutive effect of stock options | 487 |
929 |
323 |
632 |
|||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution |
|
|
|
|
|||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4WILD OATS MARKETS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in thousands) (unaudited)
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
SIX MONTHS ENDED |
||||||||||
June 28, |
June 29, |
June 28, |
June 29, |
||||||||
2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
||||||||
Net income | $ 2,183 |
$ 1,498 |
$ 3,623 |
$ 2,166 |
|||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the period |
270 |
210 |
488 |
118 |
|||||||
Recognition of hedge results to interest expense during the period, net of tax of $153, $182, $316, and 370, respectively |
256 |
303 |
528 |
617 |
|||||||
Change in market value of cash flow hedge during the period, net of tax of $0, $194, $12, and $167, respectively |
|
(323) |
(20) |
(277) |
|||||||
Other comprehensive income | 527 |
190 |
996 |
458 |
|||||||
Comprehensive income | $ 2,710 |
$ 1,688 |
$ 4,619 |
$ 2,624 |
|||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements
5
WILD OATS MARKETS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands) (unaudited)
SIX MONTHS ENDED |
|||||||||
June 28, |
June 29, |
||||||||
2003 |
2002 |
||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||
Net income | $ 3,623 |
$ 2,166 |
|||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities: | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 10,866 |
10,528 |
|||||||
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment | 1,368 |
(39) |
|||||||
Deferred tax expense | 1,983 |
820 |
|||||||
Income tax benefit from employee exercise of stock options | 111 |
||||||||
Restructuring and asset impairment income | (1,881) |
(652) |
|||||||
Loss on early extinguishment of long-term debt | 186 |
- |
|||||||
Other | (5) |
(60) |
|||||||
Change in assets and liabilities: | |||||||||
Inventories, net | (455) |
6,596 |
|||||||
Receivables, net, and other assets | (281) |
2,746 |
|||||||
Accounts payable | 7,416 |
(236) |
|||||||
Accrued liabilities | (2,884) |
1,900 |
|||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 20,047 |
23,769 |
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||
Capital expenditures | (13,516) |
(4,644) |
|||||||
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 4 |
5 |
|||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (13,512) |
(4,639) |
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||
Net repayments under line-of-credit agreement | (4,100) |
(21,000) |
|||||||
Repayments on notes payable, long-term debt and capital leases | (37,098) |
(5,730) |
|||||||
Proceeds from long term debt | 37,879 |
- | |||||||
Payment of debt issuance costs | (721) |
- | |||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | 1,343 |
1,434 |
|||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (2,697) |
(25,296) |
|||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | 70 |
54 |
|||||||
Net increase(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 3,908 |
(6,112) |
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 11,367 |
18,840 |
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ 15,275 |
$ 12,728 |
|||||||
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||
Stock issued in payment of note payable | $ 1,210 |
||||||||
Settlement of note payable against accounts receivable | $ 200 |
||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
6
WILD OATS MARKETS, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
1. |
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation |
Wild Oats Markets, Inc. ("Wild Oats" or the "Company"), headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, owns and operates natural foods grocery stores in the United States and Canada. The Company also operates commissary kitchens and warehouses that supply the stores. The Companys operations are concentrated in one market segment, grocery stores, and are geographically concentrated in the western and central parts of the United States.
The consolidated balance sheet as of June 28, 2003, the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three months and six months ended June 28, 2003 and June 29, 2002, as well as the consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 28, 2003 and June 29, 2002 have been prepared without an audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement thereof, have been made.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.
The unaudited information included in the consolidated financial statements for the three months and six months ended June 28, 2003 and June 29 2002 includes the results of operations of the Company for the 13 weeks and 26 weeks then ended.
2. |
Implementation of New Accounting Pronouncements |
The Company receives allowances from its vendors through a variety of programs and arrangements, including cooperative advertising and markdown reimbursement programs. The allowances are intended to offset the Companys costs of promoting, advertising and selling the vendors products in its stores. Vendor allowances are recognized as a reduction of cost of sales or related selling expense when the intended purpose of the vendor funds is satisfied. Cooperative advertising allowances are reported as a reduction of advertising expense in the period in which the advertising occurs. Markdown reimbursements are credited to cost of goods sold during the period in which the related promotional markdown is taken.
The FASBs Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue No. 02-16, Accounting By a Customer (Including a Reseller) for Cash Consideration Received From a Vendor addressed the accounting treatment for vendor allowances. The adoption of EITF Issue No. 02-16 in fiscal 2003 did not have a material impact on the Companys financial position or results of operations.
The FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, An Interpretation of ARB 51 ("FIN 46"). The primary objectives of FIN 46 are to provide guidance on the identification of entities for which control is achieved through means other than through voting rights ("variable interest entities" or "VIEs") and how to determine when and which business enterprise should consolidate the VIE (the "primary beneficiary"). This new model for consolidation applies to an entity which either (1) the equity investors (if any) do not have a controlling financial interest or (2) the equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance that entitys activities without receiving additional subordinated financial support from other parties. In addition, FIN 46 requires that both the primary beneficiary and all other enterprises with a significant variable interest in a VIE make additional disclosures. As of June 28, 2003, the Company was not party to a VIE; therefore, management believes FIN 46 will not have a material effect on the Company.
7
In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, Guarantors Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others ("FIN 45"). FIN 45 elaborates on the disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements about its obligations under certain guarantees that it has issued. It also clarifies that a guarantor is required to recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. The initial measurement provisions of FIN 45 are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The Company has adopted the disclosure provisions as of December 28, 2002 and it had no impact.
SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, was issued on July 30, 2002. SFAS No. 146 will require companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they occur rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. SFAS No. 146 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2003 and management believes it will have no material effect on the Companys financial position or historical financial results.
During the quarter ended June 29, 2002, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 145, Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections. SFAS No. 145, among other things, rescinds SFAS No. 4, which required that gains and losses from extinguishment of debt be classified as an extraordinary item, net of related income tax effects. SFAS No. 145 is to be applied in fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002 and encourages early application of the rescission of SFAS No. 4. In connection with the refinancing of its credit facility, the Company incurred a non-cash charge to write off the remaining unamortized debt issuance cost from its prior credit facility in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 of approximately $186,000, which is included in income from continuing operations.
3. |
New Accounting Pronouncements |
During April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. This statement amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments and hedging activities, resulting primarily from decisions reached by the FASB Derivatives Implementation Group subsequent to the original issuance of SFAS No. 133. This Statement is generally effective prospectively for contracts and hedging relationships entered into after June 30, 2003. Management believes that adoption of SFAS No. 149 will have minimal impact on the Company.
During May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments With Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity." This Statement establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability, or an asset in some circumstances. This Statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. It is to be implemented by reporting the cumulative effect of a change in an accounting principle for financial instruments created before the issuance date of the Statement and still existing at the beginning of the interim period of adoption. Restatement is not permitted. The Company currently has no financial instruments falling within the scope of this Statement, therefore, management believes that adoption of SFAS No. 150 will have minimal impact on the Company.
4. |
Stock-Based Compensation |
In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation Transition and Disclosure ("SFAS 148"). The statement amends SFAS 123 to provide alternative methods of transition for voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, SFAS 148 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. SFAS 148 improves the prominence and clarity of the pro forma disclosures required by SFAS 123 by prescribing a specific tabular format and by requiring disclosure in the "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" or its equivalent. In addition, SFAS 148 improves the timeliness of those disclosures by requiring their inclusion in financial reports for interim periods. SFAS 148 is effective for financial statements for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002.
8
At June 28, 2003, the Company has seven stock-based employee compensation plans, six of which are described more fully in Note 10 Stock Plans and Options in our fiscal 2002 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the period ended December 28, 2002, and one of which was created in the second fiscal quarter of 2003 as an inducement to employment for a new executive. The Company accounts for those plans under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and Related Interpretations. Some stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income for options issued at a discount as Board of Directors compensation. All other options granted under the plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant; therefore, no other employee compensation cost is reflected in net income.
The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended, to stock-based employee compensation:
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
SIX MONTHS ENDED |
||||||||||
June 28, |
June 29, |
June 28, |
June 29, |
||||||||
2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
||||||||
Net income, as reported | $ 2,183 |
$ 1,498 |
$ 3,623 |
$ 2,166 |
|||||||
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of tax |
23 |
117 |
155 |
131 |
|||||||
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of tax |
|
(709) |
(1,409) |
(1,198) |
|||||||
Pro forma net income | 1,435 |
906 |
2,369 |
1,099 |
|||||||
Earnings per share | |||||||||||
Basic as reported | $ 0.07 |
$ 0.06 |
$ 0.12 |
$ 0.09 |
|||||||
Basic pro forma | $ 0.05 |
$ 0.04 |
$ 0.08 |
$ 0.04 |
|||||||
Diluted as reported | $ 0.07 |
$ 0.06 |
$ 0.12 |
$ 0.09 |
|||||||
Diluted - pro forma | $ 0.05 |
$ 0.03 |
$ 0.08 |
$ 0.04 |
|||||||
5. | Property and Equipment |
As a result of the significant store closings, remodels and resets, the Company undertook a review of all fixtures and equipment in its stores, including a physical inventory in conjunction with an asset tagging exercise. During the first quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company substantially completed the review and recorded a $1.5 million loss on disposal of fixtures and equipment that will no longer be used in the stores. This loss approximates a 1.2% write-down of the fixed assets carrying value.
9
6. | Debt Covenant Compliance and Liquidity |
In February of 2003, the Company completed the refinancing of its credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank N.A. The Companys new facility has a $75.0 million limit, with a three-year term with a one-year renewal option. Under the new credit facility, the Company has the option to increase the total facility to $135.0 million through the addition of new lenders and through the agreement of the current lending group to increase their total commitments.
As part of the new credit facility, the Company gave the lenders collateral in the form of security interest in accounts, equipment and fixtures, inventory and other assets. The Company has also granted a leasehold mortgage in those leasehold interests previously mortgaged to secure the former credit facility, although it has no obligation to provide an interest in any new leaseholds. The new credit facility contains limitations on capital expenditures and the signing of new leases. The interest rate on the facility is currently either prime plus 1.0% or one-month LIBOR plus 2.25%, at the Companys election, and the rates modify depending on the ratio of average total funded debt, as defined under the credit facility, plus six times rent expense, to EBITDAR for the four fiscal quarter periods then ended, as calculated on the Companys quarterly compliance certificate. The Company believes that cash generated from operations and available under its credit facility will be sufficient to meet its capital expenditure requirements in fiscal 2003.
The Company anticipates that it will comply with the monthly and quarterly financial covenants in the credit agreement. In the event that business conditions worsen, management has identified contingency actions to enable the Company to remain in compliance with the financial covenants. Even if the Company remains in compliance with its monetary covenants, a technical default could result due to a breach of the financial covenants. In the absence of a waiver or amendment to such financial covenants, such non-compliance would constitute a default under the credit agreement, and the lenders would be entitled to accelerate the maturity of the indebtedness outstanding thereunder. In the event that such non-compliance appears likely, or occurs, the Company will seek approval, as it has in the past, from the lenders to renegotiate financial covenants and/or obtain waivers, as required. However, there can be no assurance that future amendments or waivers will be obtained.
7. |
Derivatives and Hedging Activities |
In accordance with the Companys interest rate risk-management strategy and as required by the terms of the Companys credit facility, in September 2000, the Company entered into a swap agreement to hedge the interest rate on $30.0 million of its borrowings as of March 29, 2003. The swap agreement locks in a one-month LIBOR rate of 6.7% and expires in August 2003. The fair value of the swap at June 28, 2003 was ($136,000), which has been recorded in the accompanying balance sheet in accrued liabilities. There is no obligation to renew the swap under the refinanced facility.
8. |
Earnings Per Share |
Earnings per share are calculated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share. SFAS No. 128 requires the Company to report both basic earnings per share, which is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, and diluted earnings per share, which is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and all dilutive potential common shares outstanding, except where the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Anti-dilutive stock options of 1,212,503 and 1,420,861 for the three months and 1,701,874 and 1,288,177 for the six months ended June 28, 2003 and June 29, 2002, respectively, were not included in the earnings per share calculations.
10
9. |
Goodwill and Finite Lived Intangible Assets |
During the second quarter of fiscal 2003, no goodwill was recognized as a result of acquisitions, no goodwill was impaired, and no other changes in the carrying amount of goodwill occurred.
Finite lived intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):
June 28, |
December 28, |
||||||
2003 |
2002 |
||||||
Leasehold interests | $ 9,035 |
$ 9,035 |
|||||
Liquor licenses and other intangibles | 168 |
104 |
|||||
9,203 |
9,139 |
||||||
Less accumulated amortization | (1,959) |
(1,724) |
|||||
$ 7,244 |
$ 7,415 |
||||||
Amortization expense related to finite lived intangible assets was $121,000 and $119,000 for the three months and $243,000 and $237,000 for the six months ended June 28, 2003 and June 29, 2002, respectively. The estimated amortization of finite lived intangible assets for each of the five fiscal years ending in fiscal 2007 is as follows (in thousands):
FISCAL |
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE |
|||
2003 |
$ 484 |
|||
2004 |
$ 485 |
|||
2005 |
$ 485 |
|||
2006 |
$ 469 |
|||
2007 |
$ 465 |
10. |
Restructuring and Asset Impairment Income |
During the second quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company recorded restructuring income of $145,000 consisting of the following components:
Change in estimate related to lease-related liabilities for sites previously identified for closure or sale that were closed, sold or disposed of during the second quarter of fiscal 2003 |
$ (2,195,000) |
||||
Severance for employees terminated during the second quarter of fiscal 2003 |
117,000 |
||||
Change in estimate related to lease-related liabilities for sites previously identified for closure or sale |
1,933,000 |
||||
Total restructuring income |
$ (145,000) |
||||
Details of the significant components are as follows:
11
During the first quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company recorded restructuring income of $1,736,000 consisting of the following components:
Change in estimate related to lease related liabilities for sites previously identified for closure or sale that were closed, sold or disposed of during the first quarter of fiscal 2003 |
$ (441,000) |
||||
Change in estimate related to lease-related liabilities for sites previously identified for closure or sale |
(1,295,000) |
||||
Total restructuring income |
$ (1,736,000) |
||||
Details of the significant components are as follows:
12
The following table summarizes accruals related to the Companys restructuring activities during the first six months of fiscal 2003 (in thousands):
1999 |
||||||||||||||
EXIT | AND |
Q2 |
Q4 |
Q2 |
Q4 |
Q4 |
||||||||
PLANS | PRIOR |
2000 |
2000 |
2001 |
2001 |
2002 |
TOTAL |
|||||||
Balance: |
||||||||||||||
December 28, 2002 |
$ 2,123 |
$ 1,162 |
$ 2,351 |
$ 6,032 |
$ 2,844 |
$ 3,552 |
$ 18,064 |
|||||||
New accruals: |
||||||||||||||
Lease-related liabilities |
313 |
(250) |
(230) |
(701) |
(868) |
- |
(1,736) |
|||||||
Cash paid: |
||||||||||||||
Severance |
- | - | - | (1) |
- |
- |
(1) |
|||||||
Lease-related liabilities |
(133) |
(73) |
(170) |
(494) |
(133) |
(1,003) |
||||||||
Balance: |
||||||||||||||
March 29, 2003 | $ 2,303 |
$ 839 |
$ 1,951 |
$ 4,836 |
$ 1,843 |
$ 3,552 |
$ 15,324 |
|||||||
New accruals: |
||||||||||||||
Severance |
- | - | - | - | - | 117 |
117 |
|||||||
Lease-related liabilities |
477 |
1,726 |
(107) |
(26) |
(2,332) |
(262) |
||||||||
Cash paid: |
||||||||||||||
Severance |
- | - | - | - | - | (41) |
(41) |
|||||||
Lease-related liabilities |
|
(76) |
(295) |
(148) |
(1,817) |
(52) |
(2,598) |
|||||||
Balance: |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|||||||||
June 28, 2003 | $ 2,570 |
$ 763 |
$ 3,382 |
$ 4,581 |
$ - |
$ 1,244 |
$ 12,540 |
|||||||
Note: | 1. The restructuring accrual balance consists of lease-related liabilities. |
2. The restructuring accrual balance consists of lease-related liabilities and $76,000 for employee termination benefits. |
As of June 28, 2003, the components of the accruals related to the Companys restructuring activities are accrued liabilities of $3.1 million and other long-term obligations of $9.4 million.
11. |
Income Taxes |
The Company has a $19.3 million net deferred tax asset as of June 28, 2003, primarily as a result of the $54.9 million of restructuring and asset impairment charges recorded during fiscal 2001. For the three months ended June 28, 2003, the Company recorded $1.4 million of income tax expense, primarily as a result of income before income taxes of $3.6 million during the period. For the six months ended June 28, 2003, the Company recorded $2.3 million of income tax expense, as a result of income before income taxes of $5.9 million during the period. The recoverability of the net deferred tax asset is primarily dependent upon the Company generating sufficient taxable income in the future. Although realization of the net deferred tax asset is not assured, the Company believes it is more likely than not that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income in the future to realize the full amount of the deferred tax asset. The Company's assessment is based on projections that assume that the Company can maintain its current store contribution margin. Furthermore, the Company expects to maintain the aggregate sales growth experienced over the past five years, which would generate additional taxable income. The primary uncertainty related to the realization of the deferred tax asset is the Companys ability to achieve its four-year business plan and generate future taxable income to realize the full amount of the deferred tax asset. The Company believes that the sales, gross margin, store contribution margin, and selling, general and administrative expenses assumptions in its four-year business plan are reasonable and, more likely than not, attainable. The Company will continue to assess the recoverability of the net deferred tax asset, and to the extent it is determined in the future that a valuation allowance is required, it will be recognized as a charge to earnings at that time.
13
12. |
Related Party Transactions |
In September 2002, the Company filed suit against Michael Gilliland and Elizabeth Cook, former officers and directors and greater than 5% stockholders of the Company, together with two individuals and three limited liability corporations, for a temporary restraining order and damages related to a breach of Mr. Gillilands noncompetition covenant, contained in his 1996 employment agreement, arising from the opening of a competitive grocery store in New Mexico. A jury trial is scheduled for October 2004.
13. |
Contingencies |
Wild Oats Markets Canada, Inc., as successor to Alfalfas Canada, Inc., a Canadian subsidiary of the Company, is a defendant in Helen Fakhri and Ady Aylon, as Representative Plaintiffs v. Alfalfas Canada, Inc., a class action suit brought in the Supreme Court, British Columbia, Canada in October 2002 by representative plaintiffs alleging to represent two classes of plaintiffs those who contracted Hepatitis A allegedly through the consumption of food purchased at a Capers Community Market in the spring of 2002, and those who were inoculated against Hepatitis A as a result of news alerts by Capers and the Vancouver Health Authority. In April 2003, the plaintiffs filed a motion for certification of the litigation as a class action lawsuit. The Company intends to vigorously defend both class certification and the suit itself. The Company is not able to estimate the potential outcome of the suit at this time.
The Company is named as defendant in various actions and proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In all of these cases, the Company is denying the allegations and is vigorously defending against them and, in some cases, has filed counterclaims. Although the eventual outcome of the various lawsuits cannot be predicted, it is managements opinion that these lawsuits will not result in liabilities that would materially affect the Companys consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
During the normal course of its business, the Company has provided certain indemnities under which it may be required to make payments in relation to certain transactions. These indemnities include indemnities to the Companys landlords for losses arising from the Companys use and occupation of leased premises and indemnities to directors and officers of the Company to the maximum extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware. The duration of these indemnities varies, and in certain cases, is indefinite. In addition, the majority of these indemnities do not provide for any limitation of the maximum potential future payments the Company would be obligated to make. As such, the Company is unable to estimate with any reasonableness its potential exposure under the indemnities. The Company has not recorded any liability for the indemnities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company does, however, accrue for losses for any known contingent liability, including those that may arise from indemnification provisions, when future payment is both reasonably determinable and probable. The Company carries specific and general liability insurance policies, which the Company believes would provide, in most circumstances, some, if not total, recourse to any claims arising from these indemnifications.
14
Item 2. Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations
This report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements regarding our future results of operations and performance. Important factors that could cause differences in results of operations include, but are not limited to, the timing and execution of new store openings, relocations, remodels, sales and closures; the timing and impact of promotional and advertising campaigns; the impact of competition; changes in product supply or suppliers; changes in management information needs; changes in customer needs and expectations; governmental and regulatory actions; general industry or business trends or events; changes in economic or business conditions in general or affecting the natural foods industry in particular; and competition for and the availability of sites for new stores and potential acquisition candidates. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."
Overview
Marketing and Merchandising Initiatives and Operational Improvements. In fiscal 2003, we are implementing or completing initiatives and controls, designed to drive continued improvement in our business and, ultimately, promote steady growth in value to our stakeholders. These initiatives include, but are not limited to:
We continue to execute our real estate strategy. To the date of this report, we have signed leases or letters of intent for 30 proposed new sites opening in fiscal 2003, fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2005. In the second quarter of fiscal 2003 and continuing to the date of filing this report on Form 10-Q, we signed 13 new leases for stores scheduled to open in fiscal 2003 and 2004. These include locations for both our Wild Oats and Henrys Marketplace stores.
New Marketing Initiatives: In the second quarter of fiscal 2003, we launched new marketing initiatives to complement our existing advertising flyer program in key markets, including Denver, Colorado, Albuquerque, New Mexico and Portland, Oregon. These initiatives included direct mail with coupons and radio advertising. Based on the early positive results of these programs, we intend to use these marketing tactics on a market-by-market basis in the future where store densities in a market warrant their use, or where we face increasing competition.
Store formats. We operate two store formats: the natural foods supermarket and farmers market formats. The natural foods supermarket format store, operated under the Wild Oats(R) Natural Marketplace trade name, is generally 20,000 to 35,000 gross square feet, and the farmers market store, operated under the Henrys Marketplace(R) and Sun Harvest(TM) tradenames, is generally 15,000 to 25,000 gross square feet.
Store openings, closing, remodels and property dispositions. At June 28, 2003, we had 100 stores located in 25 states and Canada, as compared to 102 stores in 23 states and Canada at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2002. In the second quarter of fiscal 2003, we opened no new stores and closed under-performing stores in Los Angeles and Irvine, California. In fiscal 2003, through the date of this report, we have opened four new stores, including one new store in Lexington, Kentucky opened in August 2003. We currently have new store sites under construction and scheduled for opening in 2003 in Chino Hills, California; Colorado Springs and Denver, Colorado; Franklin, Tennessee and Park City, Utah. In fiscal 2003, we have commenced remodeling and/or major resetting of 15 of our stores, six of which were completed in the second quarter of fiscal 2003.
15
We currently have an inventory of 10 vacant sites comprising closed store and office locations and excess unoccupied space acquired during acquisitions or other leasing transactions, for which we have rent obligations; appropriate accruals have been made for such obligations. In the second quarter of fiscal 2003, we added one closed store to the inventory of vacant sites, sublet one store site and negotiated the termination of two leases.
Factors Impacting Results of Operations
Our results of operations have been and will continue to be affected by, among other things:
Our quarterly results of operations may differ materially from quarter to quarter for a variety of reasons, including the timing and success of new store openings, overall store performance, changes in the economy, seasonality and the timing of holidays, significant increases or decreases in prices for or availability of goods and services, competitive pressure and labor disturbances, as well as other factors mentioned in this section.
New stores build their sales volumes and refine their merchandise selection gradually and, as a result, generally have lower gross margins and higher operating expenses as a percentage of sales than more mature stores. We anticipate that the new stores opened in fiscal 2003 will experience operating losses for the first six months of operation, in accordance with trends for new, prototype stores opened in fiscal 2002 and 2003.
The construction or acquisition of new stores, remodeling of existing stores, as well as completion of capital purchases of new technology systems necessary for efficient operation of our business require substantial capital expenditures. In the past, our capital expenditures have been funded by cash generated from operations, bank debt and equity financing proceeds. These sources of capital may not be available to us in the future; in addition, our credit agreement contains limitations on our ability to make capital expenditures.
We have implemented and continue to implement merchandising and marketing initiatives in our stores. There can be no assurances that these programs will be successful in those stores.
Downturns in general economic conditions in communities, states, regions or the nation as a whole can affect our results of operations. While purchases of food generally do not decrease in a slower economy, consumers may choose less expensive alternative sources for food purchases. In addition, downturns in the economy make the disposition of excess properties, for which the Company continues to pay rent and other carrying costs, substantially more difficult as the markets become saturated with vacant space and market rents decrease.
As mentioned previously, we compete with both natural foods and conventional grocers. As competition in certain markets intensifies, our results of operations may be negatively impacted through loss of sales, reduction in margin from competitive price modifications, and disruptions in our employee base.
Our ability to attract, hire and retain qualified employees at store and home-office levels is critical to our continued success. Our future direction and success is dependent in large part on the continued services of certain key executive officers. Loss of any key officer may have an adverse affect on current operations and future growth programs.
16
We are subject to a myriad of local, state and federal regulations governing the operation of our stores and support facilities. Such laws can have a material impact on our sales volume, costs of goods and direct store expenses. In addition, from time to time we are audited by various governmental agencies for compliance with existing laws, and we could be subject to fines or operational modifications as a result of noncompliance.
The Company currently purchases approximately 28.2% of its aggregate cost of goods for all product categories for all stores from its existing primary distributor, Tree of Life, Inc. Any significant disruption in the supply of goods from Tree of Life or other distributors or vendors could have a material impact on our overall sales volume and cost of goods.
Our stock price has been and continues to be fairly volatile. Volatility in our stock price may affect our future ability to raise proceeds from equity financings, enter into borrowing relationships, or affect our ability to obtain new store sites on favorable economic terms.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates. Our discussion and analysis of the Companys financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are contingent upon future events or otherwise not readily determinable. The appropriateness of these policies and estimates are evaluated on an on going basis with the resulting adjustments from any revisions reflected in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from our estimates.
We believe the following accounting policies affect the material estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
See our Fiscal 2002 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the period ended December 28, 2002, for additional disclosures of critical accounting policies. See also "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 2 Implementation of New Accounting Pronouncements and Note 3 New Accounting Pronouncements" for disclosure of the effect of new accounting pronouncements during the second quarter of fiscal 2003.
17
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated, certain selected income statement data expressed as a percentage of sales:
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
SIX MONTHS ENDED |
|||||||||
June 28, |
June 29, |
June 28, |
June 29, |
|||||||
2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
|||||||
Sales | 100.0% |
100.0% |
100.0% |
100.0% |
||||||
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs |
|
69.8 |
70.3 |
70.4 |
||||||
Gross margin | 29.4 |
30.2 |
29.7 |
29.6 |
||||||
Direct store expenses | 20.8 |
21.8 |
21.1 |
21.7 |
||||||
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets | 0.0 |
(0.0) |
0.3 |
(0.0) |
||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 6.9 |
6.2 |
6.9 |
6.2 |
||||||
Pre-opening expenses | 0.0 |
0.3 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
||||||
Restructuring and asset impairment income |
|
(0.0) |
(0.4) |
(0.1) |
||||||
Income from operations | 1.8 |
1.9 |
1.6 |
1.7 |
||||||
Interest income | 0.1 |
0.0 |
0.1 |
0.0 |
||||||
Interest expense | (0.4) |
0.9 |
(0.4) |
0.9 |
||||||
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | 0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
||||||
Income before income taxes | 1.5 |
1.0 |
1.3 |
0.7 |
||||||
Income tax expense | 0.6 |
0.4 |
0.5 |
0.3 |
||||||
Net income | 0.9% |
0.6% |
0.8% |
0.5% |
||||||
Sales. Sales for the three months ended June 28, 2003, increased 2.6% to $242.2 million from $236.2 million in the same period in fiscal 2002. Sales for the six months ended June 28, 2003, increased 1.9% to $478.2 million from $469.2 million in the same period in fiscal 2002. The quarter and year-to-date increases were primarily attributed to three new store openings in the first six months of fiscal 2003, as compared to one new store opening in the first six months of fiscal 2002. We calculate comparable store sales net of coupons and discounts commencing in the thirteenth full month of operations for new, relocated and acquired stores. Comparable store sales were negative 0.1% for the second quarter of fiscal 2003, as compared to a positive 5.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2002, due to increased competitive pressures, continued operational modifications and issues, a continued weak economy and road construction adjacent to 5% of our stores. We anticipate sales will slowly increase as we open five additional new stores in the remainder of fiscal 2003 and move into the holiday season.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for the three months ended June 28, 2003 decreased 0.3% to $71.2 million from $71.4 million in the same period in fiscal 2002. Gross profit for the six months ended June 28, 2003, increased 2.2% to $142.1 million from $139.1 million in the same period in fiscal 2002, primarily due to the higher merchandise margins in key product categories in the first quarter of fiscal 2003. As a percentage of sales, gross profit decreased to 29.4% in the second quarter of fiscal 2003 from 30.2 % in the same period in fiscal 2002, due partly to increased produce costs, coupon redemptions from direct marketing campaigns in targeted markets, as well as discounts given on close out merchandise as part of the closure of two stores in the second quarter of fiscal 2003 and the Companys on-going efforts to reduce slow-moving items to make room for new products in its stores.
18
Direct Store Expenses. Direct store expenses for the three months ended June 28, 2003 decreased 2.3% to $50.3 million from $51.5 million in the same period in fiscal 2002. Direct store expenses for the six months ended June 28, 2003 decreased 0.7% to $101.2 million from $101.9 million in the same period in fiscal 2002, due to a continued focus on store-level expenses, as well as a significant decline in workers compensation liability estimates resulting from lower rates of injury incidents. See "Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates." As a percentage of sales, direct store expenses decreased to 20.7% in the second quarter of fiscal 2003 from 21.8% in the same period in fiscal 2002, as a result of consistent execution of operational improvements.
Loss (Gain) on Disposal of Assets. Loss (gain) on disposal of assets for the six months ended June 28, 2003 increased to a $1.4 million loss from a $57,000 gain in the same period in fiscal 2002. During the first quarter of fiscal 2003, we substantially completed a physical inventory of fixtures and equipment and recorded a $1.5 million loss on disposal of fixtures and equipment (approximately 1.2% of our fixed assets carrying value) that we will no longer use in our stores.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 28, 2003 increased 13.8% to $16.8 million from $14.8 million in the same period in fiscal 2002. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 28, 2003 increased 13.3% to $32.8 million from $28.9 million in the same period in fiscal 2002, due to increased marketing spending and increases in staffing to support certain IT initiatives focused on back door receiving, order replenishment, and labor scheduling, as well as the addition of regional staff to open and support new store growth. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 6.9% in the second quarter of fiscal 2003 from 6.2% in the same period in fiscal 2002. We anticipate that selling, general and administrative expenses will gradually decrease as a percentage of sales during the remainder of the year as we focus on expense control and add five new stores to our sales base.
Pre-Opening Expenses. Pre-opening expenses for the three months ended June 28, 2003, decreased to $101,000 compared to $645,000 during the same period in fiscal 2002. Pre-opening expenses for the six months ended June 28, 2003, increased 0.9% over the same period in fiscal 2002 due to the opening of three stores in the first six months of fiscal 2003, as compared to one store opening in the same period in 2002. As a percentage of sales, pre-opening expenses decreased to zero percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2003 from 0.3% in the same period in fiscal 2002, due to the opening of no new stores, as compared to the opening of one new store in the same period in 2002. Pre-opening expenses should increase in the aggregate in the third and fourth quarters as we prepare for five new store openings in the remainder of fiscal 2003.
Restructuring and Asset Impairment Income. During the second quarter of fiscal 2003, we recorded restructuring income of $145,000. Details of the significant components are as follows:
19
During the first quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company recorded restructuring income of $1,736,000 consisting of the following components:
Interest Income. Interest income for the three months ended June 28, 2003 decreased 7.3% to $179,000 from $193,000 for the same period in fiscal 2002, as a result of a lower level of daily-invested funds. Interest income for the six months ended June 28, 2003 decreased 4.8% to $355,000 from $373,000 for the same period in fiscal 2002, due to a lower level of invested funds.
Interest Expense. Interest expense for the three months ended June 28, 2003 decreased 64.1% to $842,000 from $2.3 million in the same period in fiscal 2002, due to decreased borrowings during the three-month period. Interest expense for the six-month period ended June 28, 2003 decreased 61.6% to $1.8 million from $4.8 million as compared with the same period in fiscal 2002, due to decreased borrowings and the lower interest rate on our current credit facility entered into in February 2003. Due to the current state of the U.S. economy, we believe that the variable interest rates will remain constant during the next six to 12 months. See "Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources" below.
Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt. Loss on early extinguishment of debt for the six months ended June 28, 2003 was $186,000 due to the refinancing of the credit facility in the first quarter, which required the write-off of the unamortized debt costs associated with the old facility.
Income Tax Expense. For the three months ended June 28, 2003, we recorded $1.4 million of income tax expense, as a result of income before income taxes of $3.6 million during the period. Income tax expense for the six months ended June 28, 2003 is $2.3 million as a result of income before taxes of $5.9 million during the same period. Our effective tax rate on income from continuing operations is expected to be in the range of 38.5% to 40.0% for fiscal 2003 as compared to a fiscal 2002 rate of 40.7%. See "Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources" below.
20
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of capital have been cash flow from operations (which includes trade payables), bank indebtedness, and the sale of equity securities. Primary uses of cash have been the financing of new store development, new store openings, relocations, remodels and acquisitions and repayment of debt.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $20.0 million during the first six months of fiscal 2003 as compared to $23.8 million during the same period in fiscal 2002. Cash from operating activities decreased during this period primarily due to changes in net income and working capital items. We have not required significant external financing to support inventory requirements at our existing and new stores because we have been able to rely on vendor financing for most of the inventory costs, and we anticipate that vendor financing will continue to be available for new store openings.
Net cash used in investing activities was $13.5 million during the first six months of fiscal 2003 as compared to $4.6 million during the same period in fiscal 2002. The increase is due to an increase in capital expenditures for new stores and remodels.
Net cash used in financing activities was $2.7 million during the first six months of fiscal 2003 as compared to $25.3 million during the same period in fiscal 2002. The decrease reflects lower debt repayments under the new credit facility due to an increase in capital expenditures and a decrease in cash flow from operations.
We have a net deferred tax asset of $17.9 million on our balance sheet as of June 28, 2003, primarily as a result of $54.9 million of restructuring and asset impairment charges recorded during fiscal 2001. The recoverability of the net deferred tax asset is primarily dependent upon the Company generating sufficient taxable income in the future which, if achieved, will reduce cash required for payment of federal and state income taxes. Although realization of the net deferred tax asset is not assured, we believe it is more likely than not that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income in the future to realize the full amount of the deferred tax asset. Our assessment is based on projections that assume that the Company can maintain its current store contribution margin. Furthermore, we expect to maintain the sales growth experienced over the past five years that would generate additional taxable income. The primary uncertainty related to the realization of the deferred tax asset is the Companys ability to achieve its four-year business plan and generate future taxable income to realize the full amount of the deferred tax asset. We believe that the sales, gross margin, store contribution margin, and selling, general and administrative expenses assumptions in our four-year business plan are reasonable and, more likely than not, attainable. We will continue to assess the recoverability of the net deferred tax asset and to the extent it is determined in the future that a valuation allowance is required, it will be recognized as a charge to earnings at that time.
Credit Facility. Our credit facility has a $75.0 million limit, which we believe to be adequate for our current borrowing needs, with a three-year term maturing February 2006, with a one-year renewal option. Under the facility, we have the option to increase the total facility to $135.0 million through the addition of new lenders and through the agreement of the current lending group to increase their total commitments. Outstanding borrowings under the facility were approximately $39.9 million as of June 28, 2003.
As part of the facility, we have given our lenders collateral in the form of cash, equipment and fixtures, inventory, and other assets. We have also granted certain leasehold mortgages. The facility contains limitations on capital expenditures and the signing of new leases, although we believe such limitations will not restrict our announced growth plans. The interest rate on the facility is currently either prime plus 1.0% or one-month LIBOR plus 2.25% at our election, and the rates modify depending on the ratio of average total funded debt, as defined under the credit facility, plus six times rent expense, to EBITDAR for the four fiscal quarter periods then ended, as calculated on our quarterly compliance certificate. Additionally, we are charged a commitment fee on the unused portion of the line ranging from 0.25% to 0.5% based on performance objectives as defined in the credit agreement. We believe that cash generated from operations and available under our credit facility will be sufficient to meet our capital expenditure requirements in fiscal 2003
21
Capital Expenditures. We spent approximately $6.9 million during the second quarter and $13.5 million during the first six months of fiscal 2003 for new store construction, remodels and other capital expenditures. Our average capital expenditures to open a leased store, including leasehold improvements, equipment and fixtures, have ranged from approximately $2.0 million to $5.0 million historically, excluding inventory costs and initial operating losses. We anticipate that the average capital expenditures to open a natural foods supermarket format store will be $2.5 million to $3.0 million in the future; however, our ability to negotiate turnkey leases in the future will result in substantially lower capital expenditure per store, in return for a slightly higher rent rate over the lease term. Our average capital expenditures to open a farmers market format store are estimated at $1.5 million to $2.0 million in the future. Delays in opening new stores may result in increased capital expenditures and increased pre-opening costs for the site, as well as lower than planned sales for the Company.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Report on Form 10-Q contains "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve known and unknown risks. Such forward-looking statements include statements as to the Company's plans to open, acquire or relocate additional stores; the anticipated performance of such stores; the impact of competition and current economic uncertainty; the sufficiency of funds to satisfy the Company's cash requirements through the remainder of fiscal 2003, our expectations for comparable store sales; the impact of changes resulting from our merchandising, advertising and pricing programs; expected pre-opening expenses and capital expenditures; and other statements containing words such as "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "may," "intends" and words of similar import or statements of management's opinion. These forward-looking statements and assumptions involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, market performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause differences in results of operations include, but are not limited to, the timing and execution of new store openings, relocations, remodels, sales and closures; the impact of competition; changes in product supply or suppliers and supplier performance levels; changes in management information needs; changes in customer needs and expectations; governmental and regulatory actions; general industry or business trends or events; changes in economic or business conditions in general or affecting the natural foods industry in particular; and competition for and the availability of sites for new stores and potential acquisition candidates. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this Report.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to fluctuations in interest rates and the value of foreign currency. The Company employs various financial instruments to manage certain exposures when practical.
The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk. The Company owns and operates three natural foods supermarkets and a commissary kitchen in British Columbia, Canada. The commissary supports the three Canadian stores and does not independently generate sales revenue. Sales made from the Canadian stores are made in exchange for Canadian dollars. To the extent that those revenues are repatriated to the United States, the amounts repatriated are subject to the exchange rate fluctuations between the two currencies. The Company does not hedge against this risk because of the small amounts of funds at risk.
The Company's exposure to interest rate changes is primarily related to its variable rate debt issued under its credit facility. On February 26, 2003, the Company refinanced the credit facility and reduced the total commitment available to a $75.0 million revolving line of credit, with a three-year term expiring February 25, 2006. The interest rate on the amended facility is currently either prime plus 1.0% or one-month LIBOR plus 2.25%, at our election, and the rates modify depending on the ratio of average total funded debt, as defined under the credit facility, plus six times rent expense, to EBITDAR for the four fiscal quarter periods then ended, as calculated on our quarterly compliance certificate. Because the interest rate on the facility is variable, based upon the prime rate or LIBOR, the Company's interest expense and net income are affected by interest rate fluctuations. If interest rates were to increase or decrease by 100 basis points, the result, based upon the existing outstanding non-hedged variable rate debt as of June 28, 2003, would be an annual increase or decrease of approximately $99,000 in interest expense and a corresponding decrease or increase of approximately $60,000 in the Companys net income after taxes.
22
In September 2000, as required by the Companys former credit facility, the Company entered into an interest rate swap to hedge its exposure on variable rate debt positions. Variable rates are predominantly linked to LIBOR as determined by one-month intervals. The interest rate provided by the swap fixed one-month LIBOR at 6.7%. At June 28, 2003, the notional principal amount of the interest rate swap agreement was $30.0 million, expiring in August 2003. There is no obligation to renew the swap under the refinanced facility. The notional amount is the amount used for the calculation of interest payments that are exchanged over the life of the swap transaction on the amortized principal balance. In the second quarter of fiscal 2003, the loss, net of taxes, included in other comprehensive income for this cash flow hedge was approximately $256,000.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
We maintain a system of controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of the financial statements and other disclosures included in this report, as well as to safeguard assets from unauthorized use or disposition. We evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a14 under supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as of June 28, 2003. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in our periodic Securities and Exchange Commission filings. No significant changes were made to our internal controls or other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation. The design of any future system of controls and procedures is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. There can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions regardless of how remote.
23
The Company is named as defendant in various actions and proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In all of these cases, the Company is denying the allegations and is vigorously defending against them and, in some cases, has filed counterclaims. Although the eventual outcome of the various lawsuits cannot be predicted, it is managements opinion that these lawsuits will not result in liabilities that would materially affect the Companys consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
At the Companys Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on May 5, 2003, the Companys stockholders elected each of the following directors, and the Companys Board of Directors for a three-year term: David Chamberlain, Perry Odak and Mark Retzloff. The following number of votes elected the directors
Director |
For |
Withheld |
David Chamberlain | 23,528,284 |
2,293,307 |
Perry Odak | 22,113,964 |
3,707,627 |
Mark Retzloff | 22,189,284 |
3,632,307 |
The remaining directors whose terms continue after the meeting date are John Shields, Brian Devine, David Gallitano, James McElwee and Stacey Bell. One additional director, Ann-Marie Austin-Stephens, was elected by the Board to fill a newly created Board seat in May 2003.
The Companys stockholders ratified the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants for the Company for its fiscal year ended December 27, 2003. The shareholders voted for the ratification by the following number of votes:
For |
Against |
Abstain |
Broker Non-Votes |
25,043,910 |
736,822 |
50,859 |
0 |
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors pre-approves all non-audit services provided by the Companys independent accountants, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The aggregate fees billed for non-audit services rendered for the second quarter of fiscal 2003 were $11,000 for tax services.
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(a) | Exhibits. The following
exhibits to this report filed on Form 10-Q are furnished as required by Item 601 of
Regulation S-K:
|
||
Exhibit Number |
Description of Document | ||
10.1#+ | David B. Clark Equity Incentive Plan | ||
10.2#+ | Severance Agreement between Registrant and David B. Clark, dated June 2, 2003 | ||
31.1+ | CEO Certification under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||
31.2+ | CFO Certification under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||
32.1+ | CEO Certification under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||
32.2+ | CFO Certification
under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
(b) | Reports on Form 8-K. The Company filed the following report on Form 8-K during the quarterly period ended June 28, 2003: | ||
(1) | Report dated May 9, 2003, filed on Form 8-K, under Item 5, "Other Events" announcing the addition of a new Board member. | ||
(2) | Report dated May 13, 2003, filed on Form 8-K, under Item 12, "Results of
Operations and Financial Condition" regarding Registrants results of operations
and financial condition for the period ended March 29, 2003.
|
__________________________________ |
# | Management Compensation Plan. | |
+ | Included herewith. |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boulder, County of Boulder, State of Colorado, on the 11th day of August 2003.
Wild Oats Markets, Inc. | |
(Registrant) | |
By: /s/ Edward F. Dunlap | |
Edward F. Dunlap | |
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer | |
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |
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