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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 512-477-4455
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act: None
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 x No ¨
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 ¨ No x
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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, 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 x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and
will not be contained, to the best of 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. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,”“accelerated filer,”“smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨
Smaller reporting company ¨
(Do not check if smaller reporting company)
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by the check mark if the
registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
The aggregate market value of all common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of April 9, 2017 was $9,809,550,055.
At
November 10, 2017, there were 100 shares of the registrant’s common stock, no par value, outstanding, all of which were held by an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc.
The Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction I(2) of Form 10-K.
Certain statements in this Report on Form 10-K and from time to time in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, news releases, reports, and other written and oral communications made by us and our representatives, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “anticipate,”“believe,”“intend,”“estimate,”“expect,”“continue,”“could,”“can,”“may,”“will,”“likely,”“depend,”“would,”“plan,”“project,”“predict,”“goal,”“target,”“sustain,”“seek” and similar expressions, and include references to assumptions
and relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this report are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to be materially different from such forward-looking statements and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. These risks and uncertainties include general business conditions, changes in overall economic conditions that impact consumer spending, the impact of competition and other factors which are often beyond the control of the Company, as well other risks listed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” of this report and risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial. We wish to caution you that you should not place
undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
This information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this report.
Unless otherwise specified, references to “Whole Foods Market,”“Company,” or “we” in this report include Whole Foods Market, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
PART I
Item
1. Business.
Whole Foods Market, based in Austin, Texas, is the leading natural and organic foods supermarket, the first national “Certified Organic” grocer, and uniquely positioned as America’s Healthiest Grocery StoreTM. The Company incorporated in 1978, opened the first Whole Foods Market store in 1980, and became an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN) on August 28, 2017.
We have one operating segment, natural and organic foods supermarkets. We are the largest natural and organic foods supermarket in the U.S. and the 9th largest food retailer overall
based on 2016 sales rankings from Progressive Grocer.
Product Offering
We offer a broad and differentiated selection of high-quality natural and organic products with a strong emphasis on perishable foods. Our quality standards ban hundreds of ingredients commonly found in products sold by other retailers, as well as products grown or produced by manufacturing, farming, fishing and ranching practices that don’t measure up.
We carry both national and private label brands. Our product selection includes, but is not limited to: produce, grocery, meat and poultry, seafood, bakery, prepared foods, coffee and tea, beer and wine, cheese, nutritional supplements, vitamins, body care, pet foods and household
goods. Our stores also feature a wide variety of non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and other special diet foods; and certain stores offer sit-down wine bars and tap rooms.
The following is a summary of annual percentage sales by product category for the fiscal years indicated:
As
of September 24, 2017, we operated 470 stores: 448 stores in 42 U.S. states and the District of Columbia; 13 stores in Canada; and 9 stores in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”), compared to 456 stores at the beginning of the fiscal year. We opened 31 stores including seven relocations and closed nine stores and three commissary kitchens during fiscal year 2017. We also closed one store for a major remodel. Three of the openings were Whole Foods Market 365 stores, our smaller-footprint value format launched in fiscal year 2016. As of September 24, 2017,
we had 464 Whole Foods Market stores and 6 stores operating under the Whole Foods Market 365 banner.
All Whole Foods Market retail stores in North America are “Certified Organic” by California Certified Organic Farmers, an independent, USDA-accredited, third-party certifier. Additionally, certain facilities and product lines have been certified organic through their own organic handling plans, including all of our regional distribution centers and several of our bakehouses; our 365 Organic Everyday Value™ private label product line; and our Allegro Coffee™ line.
For financial information on our geographic areas, see Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this report.
Purchasing
and Distribution
The majority of our purchasing occurs at the regional and national levels. Our produce procurement center facilitates the procurement and distribution of the majority of the produce we sell. We also operate three seafood processing and distribution facilities, a specialty coffee and tea procurement and roasting operation, and 11 regional distribution centers that focus primarily on perishables distribution to our stores across the U.S., Canada and the U.K. In addition, we have four bakehouse facilities which distribute products to our stores. Other products are typically procured through a combination of specialty wholesalers and direct distributors. United Natural Foods, Inc. (“UNFI”) is our single largest third-party supplier, accounting for approximately 33% of our total purchases in fiscal year 2017.
Team
Members
As of September 24, 2017, we had approximately 89,000 team members. We consider our team member relations to be very strong.
Seasonality
The Company’s average weekly sales and gross profit as a percentage of sales are typically highest in the second and third fiscal quarters, and lowest in the fourth fiscal quarter due to seasonally slower sales during the summer months. Gross profit as a percentage of sales is also lower in the first fiscal quarter due to the product mix of holiday sales.
Competition
Our
competition includes but is not limited to local, regional, national and international conventional and specialty supermarkets, natural foods stores, warehouse membership clubs, online retailers, smaller specialty stores, farmers’ markets, restaurants, and home delivery and meal solution companies, each of which competes with us on the basis of store ambiance and experience, product selection and quality, customer service, price, convenience or a combination of these factors.
Trademarks
The Company and its subsidiaries have registered or applied to register numerous trademarks, service marks, stylized logos, and brand names in the U.S. and in many additional countries
throughout the world. In addition, the Company licenses certain other trademarks. The Company considers certain of its trademarks to be of material importance and actively defends and enforces such trademarks. The duration of trademark registrations varies from country to country; however, trademarks are generally valid and may be renewed indefinitely as long as they are in use and/or their registrations are properly maintained.
Available Information
Our corporate website (www.wholefoodsmarket.com)
includes additional information about the Company. The Company’s SEC filings, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, have been made available through our website, free of charge. We have included our website as an inactive textual reference only. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference
into this Report on Form 10-K.
Our growth depends on increasing sales in comparable stores and on new store openings, and our failure to achieve these goals could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Our continued growth depends on our ability to increase sales in our comparable
stores and open new stores. Our operating results may be materially impacted by fluctuations in our comparable store sales. Our comparable store sales growth could be lower than our historical average for many reasons including the impact of new and acquired stores entering into the comparable store base, the opening of new stores that cannibalize store sales in existing areas, general economic conditions, increased competition, price changes in response to competitive factors, possible supply shortages, and cycling against any year of above-average sales results.
Our growth strategy includes opening new stores in existing and new areas and operating those stores successfully. Successful implementation of this strategy is dependent on finding suitable locations, and we face competition from other retailers for such sites. There can be no assurance that we will continue to grow
through new store openings. We may not be able to open new stores timely or operate them successfully. Also, we may not be able to successfully hire and train new team members or integrate those team members into the programs and policies of the Company. We may not be able to adapt our distribution, management information and other operating systems to adequately supply products to new stores at competitive prices so that we can operate the stores in a successful and profitable manner.
A failure to maintain the privacy and security of customer-related and business information could damage our reputation and business.
A compromise of our security systems or those of our business associates that results in our customers’, team members’ or suppliers’ information
being obtained by unauthorized persons or a breach of information security laws and regulations could adversely affect our reputation with our customers, team members and others, as well as our operations, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and could result in litigation against us or the imposition of penalties. In addition, a security breach could require that we expend significant additional resources related to remediation, including changes in the information security systems, and could result in a disruption of our operations, particularly our online business. On September 23, 2017, we discovered unauthorized access of payment card information used at certain venues such as tap rooms and full table-service restaurants located within some stores. We are still in the process of assessing the financial and other impacts of the unauthorized access.
Disruptions
in our information systems could harm our ability to run our business.
We rely extensively on information systems for point-of-sale processing in our stores, supply chain, financial reporting, human resources and various other processes and transactions. Our information systems are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches, including breaches of our transaction processing or other systems that could result in the compromise of confidential customer data, catastrophic events, and usage errors by our team members. If our systems are breached, damaged or cease to function properly, we may have to make significant investments to fix or replace them, suffer interruptions in our operations, and face costly litigation, and our reputation with our customers may be harmed. Any material interruption in our information systems may have a material
adverse effect on our operating results. As discussed above, we discovered unauthorized access of payment card information used at certain venues within some stores and we are still in the process of assessing the financial and other impacts of the unauthorized access.
Disruption of significant supplier relationships could negatively affect our business.
UNFI is our single largest third-party supplier, accounting for approximately 33% of our total purchases in fiscal year 2017. Due to this concentration of purchases from a single third-party supplier, the cancellation of our distribution arrangement or the disruption, delay or inability of UNFI to deliver product to our stores may materially and adversely affect our operating results while we establish
alternative distribution channels.
The loss of key management or difficulties recruiting and retaining qualified team members could negatively affect our business.
We are dependent upon a number of key management and other team members. If we were to lose the services of a significant number of key team members within a short period of time, this could have a material adverse effect on our operations. We do not maintain key person insurance on any team member. Our continued success also is dependent upon our ability to attract and retain qualified team members to meet our future growth needs. We face intense competition for qualified team members, many of whom are subject to offers from competing employers. We may not be able to attract and retain necessary team members to operate our business.
A loss in consumer confidence in the safety and quality of certain food products could materially impact our results of operations.
We believe our high quality standards differentiate our stores from other supermarkets and enable us to attract and maintain a broad base of loyal customers. Concerns regarding the quality or safety of our food products or our food supply chain, whether true or not, could cause consumers to avoid purchasing certain products from us, or to seek alternative food sources. Any report linking the Company to food contamination, food tampering, mislabeling, or other food safety issues could adversely impact sales and possibly lead to product liability claims or litigation.
Claims
under our self-insurance program may differ from our estimates, which could materially impact our results of operations.
The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance plans to provide for the potential liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability, property insurance, director and officers’ liability insurance, vehicle liability and team member health care benefits. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are estimated, in part, by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. In addition, a significant number of our stores are in locations that could be affected by natural disasters. In the event of a natural disaster, the
Company could incur significant losses and significant expenditures in order to resume operations. Our results could be materially impacted by claims and other expenses related to such plans if future occurrences and claims differ from these assumptions and historical trends.
Market and Other External Risks
Increased competition may adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
Our competitors include but are not limited to local, regional, national and international supermarkets, natural food stores, warehouse membership clubs, online retailers, small specialty stores, farmers’ markets, restaurants, home delivery and meal solution companies. Their businesses compete with us for products, customers and locations. In addition, some are expanding more aggressively in offering a range of
natural and organic foods. Some of these competitors may have been in business longer or may have greater financial or marketing resources than we do and may be able to devote greater resources to sourcing, promoting and selling their products. As competition in certain areas intensifies, our operating results may be negatively impacted through a loss of sales, reduction in margin from competitive price changes, and/or greater operating costs such as marketing.
Adverse publicity may reduce our brand value and negatively impact our business.
We believe our Company has built an excellent reputation as a food retailer, socially responsible corporation and employer, and we believe our continued success depends on our ability to preserve, grow and leverage
the value of our brand. Brand value is based in large part on perceptions of subjective qualities, and even isolated incidents can erode trust and confidence, particularly if they result in adverse publicity, governmental investigations or litigation, which can negatively impact these perceptions and our business. We believe that many customers choose to shop our stores because of their interest in health, nutrition and food safety and that they hold us to a higher food safety standard than other supermarkets. There is increasing governmental scrutiny of and public awareness regarding food safety. The real or perceived sale of contaminated food products by us could result in government enforcement action, private litigation, product recalls and other liabilities, the settlement or outcome of which might have a material adverse effect on our operating results and brand value.
Economic
conditions that adversely impact consumer spending could materially impact our business.
Our operating results may be materially impacted by changes in overall economic conditions that impact consumer confidence and spending, including discretionary spending. Future economic conditions affecting disposable consumer income such as employment levels, business conditions, changes in housing market conditions, the availability of credit, interest rates, tax rates, fuel and energy costs, the impact of natural disasters or acts of terrorism, and other matters could reduce consumer spending or cause consumers to shift their spending to lower-priced competitors. In addition, there can be no assurance that various governmental activities to stimulate the economy will restore consumer confidence or change spending habits.
Changes in the availability
of quality natural and organic products could impact our business.
We source our products from a variety of local, regional, national and international suppliers, and we rely on them to meet our quality standards and supply products in a timely and efficient manner. There is, however, no assurance that quality natural and organic products will be available to meet our needs. Competition has increased for natural, organic, sustainably-sourced, and responsibly-grown products. As other competitors significantly increase their natural and organic product offerings, if new laws require the reformulation of certain products to meet tougher standards, or if natural disasters or other catastrophic events occur, the supply of these products may be constrained.
A widespread health epidemic could materially impact our business.
The Company’s business could be severely impacted by a widespread regional, national or global health epidemic. Our stores are a place where customers come together, interact and learn and at the same time discover the many joys of eating and sharing food. A widespread health epidemic may cause customers to avoid public gathering places or otherwise change their shopping behaviors. Additionally, a widespread health epidemic could also adversely impact our business by disrupting production and delivery of products to our stores and by impacting our ability to appropriately staff our stores.
Financial Reporting,
Legal and Other Regulatory Risks
Pending or future legal proceedings could materially impact our results of operations.
From time to time, we are party to legal proceedings, including matters involving personnel and employment issues, personal injury, product liability, protecting our intellectual property, acquisitions, and other proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Additionally, we are occasionally subject to industry-wide or class-action claims arising from the products we carry or industry-specific business practices. Further, we are involved in several securities class action litigation matters. Additional volatility in the price of our securities could result in additional securities class action litigation matters. Our results could be materially impacted by the decisions and expenses related to pending or future proceedings.
Our
indebtedness or inability to comply with debt covenants could materially impact our future cash flows.
During fiscal year 2016, we completed an offering of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.2% senior notes due 2025. Changes in our credit ratings, or in the interest rate environment, could have an adverse impact on our financing costs. A significant portion of our future cash flow from operating activities may be dedicated to the repayment of our indebtedness. Our indebtedness could limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, acquisitions or other purposes in the future. There is no guarantee that we will be able to meet our debt service obligations. If we fail to comply with our debt covenants, we will be in default, in which case there can be no assurance that we would be able to cure the default, receive waivers from our lenders, amend the
loan agreement or refinance the debt. See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this report.
Changes in accounting standards and estimates could materially impact our results of operations.
Generally accepted accounting principles and related accounting pronouncements, implementation guidelines, and interpretations for many aspects of our business, such as accounting for insurance and self-insurance, inventories, goodwill and intangible assets, store closures, leases, income taxes and share-based payments, are highly complex and involve subjective judgments. Changes in these rules or their interpretation or changes in underlying estimates, assumptions or judgments by our management could significantly change or add significant volatility to
our reported earnings without a comparable underlying change in cash flow from operations.
Effective tax rate changes and results of examinations by taxing authorities could materially impact our results of operations.
Our future effective tax rates could be adversely affected by the earnings mix being lower than historical results in states or countries where we have lower statutory rates and higher-than-historical results in states or countries where we have higher statutory rates, by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, or by changes in tax laws or interpretations thereof. In addition, we are subject to periodic audits and examinations by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other state and local taxing authorities. Our results could be materially impacted by the determinations and expenses
related to proceedings by the IRS and other state and local taxing authorities. See Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this report.
Unfavorable changes in governmental regulation could harm our business.
The Company is subject to various local, state, federal and international laws, regulations and administrative practices affecting our business, and we must comply with provisions regulating health and sanitation standards, weights and measures, food labeling, equal employment, minimum wages, and licensing for the sale of food and, in some stores, alcoholic beverages. Our new store openings could be delayed or prevented or our existing stores could be impacted
by difficulties or failures in our ability to obtain or maintain required approvals or licenses. Changes in existing laws, changes in the enforcement of existing laws, or implementation of new laws, regulations and practices could have a significant impact on our business.
The USDA’s Organic Rule facilitates interstate commerce and the marketing of organically produced food, and provides assurance to our customers that such products meet consistent, uniform standards. Compliance with this rule could pose a significant burden on some of our suppliers, which may cause a disruption in some of our product offerings.
We cannot predict the nature of future laws, regulations, interpretations or applications, or determine what effect either additional government regulations or administrative orders, when and if promulgated, or disparate local, state, federal and international regulatory schemes would have on our business in the future. They could, however, require the reformulation of certain products to meet new standards, the recall or discontinuance of certain products not able to be reformulated, additional recordkeeping, expanded documentation of the properties of certain products, expanded or different labeling and/or scientific substantiation. Any or all of such requirements could have an adverse effect on our operating results.
A failure or our internal control over financial reporting could materially impact
our business.
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. An internal control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all internal control systems, internal control over financial reporting could limit our ability to report our financial results accurately and timely or to detect and prevent fraud, and could expose us to litigation. The Company’s management concluded
that its internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 24, 2017. See Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting in Part 11, “Item 9A. Controls and Procedures,” of this report.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
Not applicable.
Item 2. Properties.
As of September 24, 2017,
we operated 470 stores totaling 18.7 million gross square feet. We own 17 stores and three distribution facilities. All other stores, distribution centers, bakehouses and administrative facilities are leased, and we have options to renew most of our leases in five-year increments.
The following table shows the number of our stores by U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Canada and the U.K. as of September 24, 2017:
Location
Number
of stores
Location
Number of stores
Location
Number of stores
Alabama
4
Kansas
4
New
York
20
Arizona
10
Kentucky
2
North Carolina
13
Arkansas
2
Louisiana
7
Ohio
10
California
84
Maine
1
Oklahoma
3
Canada
13
Maryland
10
Oregon
10
Colorado
19
Massachusetts
31
Pennsylvania
12
Connecticut
9
Michigan
7
Rhode
Island
3
District of Columbia
4
Minnesota
7
South Carolina
4
Florida
26
Mississippi
1
Tennessee
6
Georgia
10
Missouri
3
Texas
32
Hawaii
3
Nebraska
2
United
Kingdom
9
Idaho
1
Nevada
5
Utah
4
Illinois
26
New
Hampshire
2
Virginia
13
Indiana
4
New Jersey
17
Washington
10
Iowa
1
New
Mexico
3
Wisconsin
3
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
Information related to our legal proceedings is discussed in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this report.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
With the consummation
of the merger contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Company, Amazon.com, Inc., and Walnut Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. (the “Merger”) on August 28, 2017, the Company became an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. and the Company’s common stock was delisted from the Nasdaq Global Select Market. There is no established trading market for our equity securities as of the closing date of the Merger. An indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. is the sole holder of record of our equity. Prior
to the closing of the Merger, the common stock of the Company was traded on Nasdaq under the symbol “WFM.”
Dividends
The following table provides a summary of dividends declared per common share during fiscal years 2017 and 2016 (in millions, except per share amounts):
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Results of Operations
Prepared
under the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction I(2)(a) of Form 10-K.
The following table sets forth the Company’s consolidated statements of operations data expressed as a percentage of sales:
2017
2016
2015
Sales
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
Cost
of goods sold and occupancy costs
66.3
65.6
64.8
Gross profit
33.7
34.4
35.2
Selling,
general and administrative expenses
28.9
28.5
29.1
Merger-related expenses
1.0
—
—
Pre-opening
expenses
0.4
0.4
0.4
Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs
0.6
0.1
0.1
Operating
income
2.9
5.5
5.6
Interest expense
(0.3
)
(0.4
)
—
Investment
and other income
—
0.1
0.1
Income before income taxes
2.6
5.3
5.7
Provision
for income taxes
1.1
2.0
2.2
Net income
1.5
%
3.2
%
3.5
%
Figures
may not sum due to rounding.
Sales
Sales totaled approximately $16.0 billion, $15.7 billion and $15.4 billion in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, representing increases of 2.0%, 2.2% and 8.4% over the previous fiscal years, respectively. Comparable store sales are reflected in the table below for the fiscal years indicated.
2017
2016
2015
Comparable
store sales
(1.5
)%
(2.5
)%
2.5
%
Change in transactions
(2.4
)%
(2.6
)%
0.8
%
Change
in basket size
0.9
%
0.1
%
1.7
%
The rapidly increasing availability of fresh, healthy foods across many existing as well as new channels has had a negative impact on our comparable store sales growth over the last two years. During fiscal year 2017, the decline in transaction count was partially offset by an improvement in basket size over the
prior fiscal year. Comparable store sales contributed approximately 95.3%, 94.3% and 93.3% to total sales in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In fiscal year 2017, there were 455 locations in the comparable store base as compared to 427 locations and 390 locations as of September 25, 2016 and September 27, 2015, respectively.
Gross
Profit
Gross profit totaled approximately $5.4 billion, $5.4 billion and $5.4 billion in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased 74 basis points in fiscal year 2017 compared to the prior fiscal year. Net LIFO inventory reserves increased approximately $5 million and $1 million during fiscal years 2017 and 2015, respectively, compared
to a decrease of approximately $7 million in fiscal year 2016. Results during fiscal year 2015 also include a supplier credit of approximately $9 million. Excluding these charges, gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased 66 basis points and 77 basis points in fiscal years 2017 and 2016, respectively, compared to the prior fiscal year due primarily to increases in cost of goods sold, reflecting our ongoing value strategy, and occupancy costs as a percentage of sales.
Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled approximately $4.6 billion, $4.5 billion and $4.5 billion in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During fiscal year 2017, selling, general, and administrative included asset impairment charges totaling $26 million, advisory fees of $11 million, and $13 million associated with Mr. Robb’s separation agreement. Excluding these charges, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 9 basis points as a percentage of sales as compared to the prior year. During fiscal
year 2015, selling, general, and administrative expenses included asset impairment charges totaling approximately $47 million, one-time termination charges of $34 million, and approximately $8 million of expense related to the implementation of California’s new paid sick leave law. Excluding these charges, selling, general and administrative expenses increased eight basis points as a percentage of sales in fiscal year 2015 compared to the prior year. Selling, general, and administrative expenses also include marketing expenses totaling approximately $58 million, $30 million and $13 million in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, associated with the Company’s national brand campaign. Additionally, selling, general and administrative expenses included $8 million in expenses related to the Affinity program in fiscal year 2017.
Share-based
payment expense before income taxes during fiscal years 2017, 2016, and 2015 totaled approximately $114 million, $49 million, and $64 million, respectively. The total included in share-based payment expense due to the Merger was approximately $78 million in fiscal 2017. Share-based payment expense was included in the following line items on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years indicated (in millions):
2017
2016
2015
Cost
of goods sold and occupancy costs
$
3
$
2
$
2
Selling, general and administrative expenses
33
47
62
Merger-related
expense
78
—
—
Share-based payment expense before income taxes
114
49
64
Income
tax benefit
44
(19
)
(25
)
Net share-based payment expense
$
158
$
30
$
39
Merger-related
Expenses
Merger-related expenses totaled approximately $156 million in fiscal year 2017 in connection with the Merger. There were no merger-related expenses incurred in fiscal years 2016 or 2015.
Pre-opening Expenses
Pre-opening expenses totaled approximately $60 million, $64 million and $67 million in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Relocation,
Store Closure and Lease Termination Costs
Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs totaled approximately $95 million, $13 million and $16 million in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase in relocation, store closure and lease termination costs in fiscal year 2017 primarily relates to the nine stores and three commissary kitchens closed in the second fiscal quarter, including approximately $52 million in asset impairment charges. The numbers of stores opened, acquired and relocated were as follows:
2017
2016
2015
New
and acquired stores
24
25
32
Relocated stores
7
3
6
Interest
Expense
Interest expense, primarily related to the Company’s $1.0 billion offering of 5.2% senior notes completed on December 3, 2015, totaled approximately $49 million and $41 million in fiscal years 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest expense was not material during fiscal year 2015.
Investment and Other Income
Investment and other income which
includes gift card breakage, interest income, investment gains and losses and other income, totaled approximately $7 million, $11 million and $17 million in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Income taxes resulted in an effective tax rate of approximately 41.2%,
38.7% and 39.0% in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The higher effective tax rate in fiscal year 2017 primarily reflects certain transaction costs incurred as a part of the Merger and adjustments to our uncertain tax positions.
Data Breach
On September 23, 2017, we discovered unauthorized access of payment card information used at certain venues such as tap rooms and full table-service restaurants located within some stores. These venues use a different point of sale system than our primary store checkout systems, and payment cards used at the
primary store checkout systems were not affected. We conducted an investigation, obtained the help of a leading cyber security forensics firm, and contacted law enforcement. We are using a different system for payment card acceptance at these venues and stopped the unauthorized activity. We are still in the process of assessing the financial and other impacts of the unauthorized access, but we currently do not believe that it is material to our financial statements. Although no final determination has been made, we have cyber liability insurance coverage that we expect to cover the related liabilities, subject to a customary deductible.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are
primarily exposed to interest rate changes on our investments. We do not use financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. We are also exposed to foreign exchange fluctuations on our foreign subsidiaries.
The analysis presented for each of our market risk sensitive instruments is based on a 10% change in interest or currency exchange rates. These changes are hypothetical scenarios used to calibrate potential risk and do not represent our view of future market changes. As the hypothetical figures discussed below indicate, changes in fair value based on the assumed change in rates generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in assumption to the change in fair value may not be linear. The effect of a variation in a particular assumption is calculated
without changing any other assumption. In reality, changes in one factor may result in changes in another, which may magnify or counteract the sensitivities.
Interest Rate Risk
We seek to minimize the risks from interest rate fluctuations through ongoing evaluation of the composition of our investments.
The Company holds short-term investments that are classified as cash equivalents. We had cash equivalent investments totaling approximately $45 million and $138 million at September 24, 2017
and September 25, 2016, respectively. The Company also holds available-for-sale securities generally consisting of state and local municipal obligations and corporate bonds and commercial paper which hold high credit ratings. We had short-term and long-term investments totaling approximately $504 million and $121 million, respectively, at September 24, 2017. At September 25, 2016, we held short-term investments totaling approximately $379 million.
We
have outstanding $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2025 (the “Notes”). The Notes bear interest at a fixed rate equal to 5.2% per year, payable semiannually. The interest rate payable on the Notes is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain credit rating events described in the governing indenture. A downgrade in credit rating from either Moody’s or S&P would not materially affect annual interest payments.
Additional information on the Notes as of September 24, 2017 is as follows (in millions):
The
nature and amount of our long-term debt may vary as a result of future business requirements, market conditions, and other factors. Fluctuations in interest rates may affect the fair value of the fixed-rate debt. The estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is included in Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
These investments are recorded at fair value and are generally short term in nature, and therefore changes in interest rates would not have a material impact on the valuation of these investments. During fiscal years 2017 and 2016, a hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in interest rates would not have materially affected interest income earned on these investments.
The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk. We own and operate thirteen stores in Canada and nine stores in the U.K. Sales made from stores in Canada and the U.K. are made in exchange for Canadian dollars and Great Britain pound sterling, respectively. The Company does not currently hedge against the risk of exchange rate fluctuations.
At September 24, 2017, a hypothetical
10% change in value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar or Great Britain pound sterling would not have materially affected our consolidated financial statements.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Sole Shareholder of Whole Foods Market, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Whole Foods Market, Inc. as of September 24, 2017 and September 25, 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 24, 2017. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated
financial position of Whole Foods Market, Inc. at September 24, 2017 and September 25, 2016, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 24, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Whole Foods Market, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of September 24, 2017 based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated November
17, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The
Sole Shareholder of Whole Foods Market, Inc.
We have audited Whole Foods Market, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 24, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). Whole Foods Market, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We
conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Whole Foods Market, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 24, 2017 based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited,
in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Whole Foods Market, Inc. as of September 24, 2017 and September 25, 2016 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 24, 2017 of Whole Foods Market, Inc. and our report dated November 17, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
68
74
Deferred
income taxes
74
100
Other assets
44
40
Total assets
$
6,676
$
6,341
Liabilities
and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
$
2
$
3
Accounts
payable
371
307
Accrued payroll, bonus and other benefits due team members
397
407
Dividends payable
—
43
Other
current liabilities
585
581
Total current liabilities
1,355
1,341
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current installments
1,081
1,048
Deferred
lease liabilities
690
640
Other long-term liabilities
120
88
Total liabilities
3,246
3,117
Commitments
and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity:
Common
stock, no par value, 600,000,000 and 1,200,000,000 shares authorized at 2017 and 2016, respectively; 100 and 376,988,000 shares issued; 100 and 318,323,000 shares outstanding at 2017 and 2016, respectively
2,972
2,933
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 0 and 58,665,000 shares at 2017 and 2016, respectively
—
(2,026
)
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
(38
)
(32
)
Retained earnings
496
2,349
Total shareholders’ equity
3,430
3,224
Total
liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
6,676
$
6,341
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Whole Foods Market is the leading natural and organic foods supermarket and is a mission-driven company that aims to set the standards of excellence in food retailing.
Through our growth, we have had a significant and positive impact on the natural and organic foods movement throughout the United States, helping lead the industry to nationwide acceptance over the last 39 years. As of September 24, 2017, we operated 470 stores: 448 stores in 42 United States (“U.S.”) states and the District of Columbia; 13 stores in Canada; and 9 stores in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”). The Company has one operating segment and a single reportable
segment, natural and organic foods supermarkets. Whole Foods Market became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. (the “Parent”) (Nasdaq: AMZN) on August 28, 2017.
The following is a summary of annual percentage sales and net long-lived assets by geographic area for the fiscal years indicated:
2017
2016
2015
Sales:
United
States
97.0
%
97.1
%
96.9
%
Canada and United Kingdom
3.0
2.9
3.1
Total
sales
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
Long-lived assets, net:
United
States
97.3
%
97.5
%
97.4
%
Canada and United Kingdom
2.7
2.5
2.6
Total
long-lived assets, net
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
The following is a summary of annual percentage sales by product category for the fiscal years indicated:
2017
2016
2015
Perishables:
Prepared
foods and bakery
18.8
%
18.9
%
19.0
%
Other perishables
48.4
47.6
47.5
Total
perishables
67.2
66.5
66.5
Non-perishables
32.8
33.5
33.5
Total
sales
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Definition of Fiscal Year
The
Company reports its results of operations on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in September. Fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 were 52-week years.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All significant majority-owned subsidiaries are consolidated on a line-by-line basis, and all significant intercompany accounts and transactions with majority-owned subsidiaries are eliminated
upon consolidation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents.
Investments
Available-for-sale investments are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on available-for-sale investments are excluded from earnings and are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized. A decline in the fair value of any available-for-sale security below cost that is deemed to be other than temporary results in a reduction of the carrying amount to fair value. The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost basis of the security is established. The
Company considers several factors when determining whether an impairment is other than temporary, including the extent and duration of the decline in fair value and whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its basis. Cost basis is established and maintained utilizing the specific identification method.
The Company also holds certain equity interests accounted for using the cost method of accounting. Equity investments without readily determinable fair values for
which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for using the cost method of accounting and classified as “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Under the cost method, investments are carried at cost and are adjusted only for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, certain distributions, and additional investments. Additionally, the Company holds certain equity interests accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash primarily relates to cash held as collateral to support a portion of our projected workers’ compensation obligations. Additionally, the Company
holds restricted cash as a rent guarantee on certain operating leases through fiscal year 2020.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are shown net of related allowances and consist primarily of credit card receivables, vendor receivables, customer purchases, and occupancy-related receivables. Vendor receivable balances are generally presented on a gross basis separate from any related payable due. Allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated based on historical experience, customer credit risk and application of the specific identification method and was not material in fiscal year 2017 or 2016.
Inventories
The
Company values inventories at the lower of cost or market. Cost was determined using the dollar value retail last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for approximately 92.9% and 91.8% of inventories in fiscal years 2017 and 2016, respectively. Under the LIFO method, the cost assigned to items sold is based on the cost of the most recent items purchased. As a result, the costs of the first items purchased remain in inventory and are used to value ending inventory. The excess of estimated current costs over LIFO carrying value, or LIFO reserve, was approximately $47 million and $42 million at September 24, 2017
and September 25, 2016, respectively. Costs for remaining inventories are determined by the first-in, first-out method. Cost before the LIFO adjustment is principally determined using the item cost method, which is calculated by counting each item in inventory, assigning costs to each of these items based on the actual purchase cost (net of vendor allowances) of each item and recording the actual cost of items sold.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. The Company provides depreciation of equipment over the estimated useful lives (generally 3
to 15 years) using the straight-line method, and provides amortization of leasehold improvements and real estate assets under capital leases on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the improvements or the expected terms of the related leases. The Company provides depreciation of buildings over the estimated useful lives (generally 20 to 50 years) using the straight-line method. Costs related to a projected site determined to be unsatisfactory and general site selection costs that cannot be identified with a specific store location are charged to operations currently. The Company recognizes a liability for the fair value of a conditional
asset retirement obligation when the obligation is incurred. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Upon retirement or disposal of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet and any gain or loss is reflected in earnings.
Leases
The Company generally leases stores, non-retail facilities and administrative offices under operating leases. Store lease agreements generally include rent holidays, rent escalation clauses and contingent rent provisions for percentage of sales in excess of specified levels. We recognize rent on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the lease, which includes rent holiday periods and scheduled rent increases. The expected lease term begins with the date the
Company has the right to possess the leased space for construction and other purposes. The expected lease term may also include the exercise of renewal options if the exercise of the option is determined to be reasonably assured. The expected lease term is also used in the determination of whether a store lease is a capital or operating lease. Amortization of land and building under capital lease is included with occupancy costs, while the amortization of equipment under capital lease is included with depreciation expense. Additionally, we review leases for which we are involved in construction to determine whether build-to-suit and sale-leaseback criteria are met. For those leases that trigger specific build-to-suit accounting, developer assets are recorded during the construction period with an offsetting liability. Developer assets recorded as of September 24, 2017
totaling approximately $19 million, with the offsetting liability included in the “Other current liabilities” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 25, 2016, developer assets were not material. Sale-leaseback transactions are recorded as financing lease obligations. We record tenant improvement allowances and rent holidays as deferred rent liabilities, and amortize the deferred rent over the expected lease term to rent. We record rent liabilities for contingent percentage of sales lease provisions when we determine that it is probable that the specified levels as defined by the lease will be reached.
Goodwill consists of the excess of cost of acquired enterprises over the sum of the amounts assigned to identifiable assets acquired less liabilities assumed. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually at the Company’s fiscal year end, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise, on a reporting unit level. We allocate goodwill to one reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing. A qualitative assessment, based on macroeconomic factors, industry and market conditions and company-specific performance, is performed to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is impaired. If it is more likely than not, we compare our fair value, which is determined utilizing both a market value method
and discounted projected future cash flows, to our carrying value for the purpose of identifying impairment.
Intangible assets include acquired leasehold rights, favorable lease assets, trade names, brand names, patents, liquor licenses, license agreements, and non-competition agreements. The Company amortizes definite-lived intangible assets on a straight-line basis over the period the intangible asset is expected to generate cash flows, generally the life of the related agreement. Currently, the Company’s intangible assets are comprised solely of contract-based intangible assets. The weighted average life is approximately
16 years. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment quarterly, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an intangible asset may not be recoverable.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of
The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as unplanned negative cash flow, short lease life, or a plan to close is established, indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.
If such assets are determined to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. The fair value, based on hierarchy input Level 3, is determined using management’s best estimate based on a discounted cash flow model based on future store operating results using internal projections of future net sales and comparable store sales, or based on a review of the future benefit the Company anticipates receiving from the related assets. Additionally for closing locations, the Company estimates net future cash flows based on its experience and knowledge of the area in which the closed property is located and, when necessary, utilizes local real estate brokers. Estimates of future net sales and comparable store
sales may vary based upon current and anticipated business trends, including increased competition and the opening of new stores that cannibalize store sales in existing areas. Changes in these forecasts could significantly change the amount of impairment recorded, if any. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. When the Company impairs assets related to an operating location, a charge to write down the related assets is included in the “Selling, general and administrative expenses” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. When the Company commits to relocate, close, or dispose of a location, a charge to write down the related assets to their estimated recoverable value is included in the “Relocation, store closure
and lease termination costs” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company records its financial assets and liabilities at fair value in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles. This framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value:
•
Level 1: Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities
traded in active markets.
•
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
•
Level 3: Inputs that are generally unobservable. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.
The
Company holds money market fund investments that are classified as cash equivalents that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The Company also holds available-for-sale securities generally consisting of state and local municipal obligations and corporate bonds and commercial paper which hold high credit ratings. These instruments are valued using a series of multi-dimensional relational models and series of matrices with standard inputs obtained from readily available pricing sources and other observable market data, such as benchmark yields and base spread. Investments are stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of related tax effect, included as a component of shareholders’ equity until realized. Declines in fair value below the
Company’s carrying value deemed to be other than temporary are charged against net earnings.
The carrying amounts of accrued payroll, bonuses and other benefits due team members, and other accrued expenses approximate fair value because of their short maturities. Store closure reserves and estimated workers’ compensation claims are recorded at net present value to approximate fair value.
The Company
uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance plans to provide for the potential liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability, property insurance, director and officers’ liability insurance, vehicle liability, and employee health care benefits. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are estimated, in part, by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. The Company had insurance liabilities totaling approximately $198 million and $180 million at September 24, 2017 and September 25,
2016, respectively, included in the “Other current liabilities” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Reserves for Closed Properties
The Company maintains reserves for retail stores and other properties that are no longer being utilized in current operations. The Company provides for closed property operating lease liabilities using the present value of the remaining noncancelable lease payments and lease termination fees after the closing date, net of estimated subtenant income. The closed property lease liabilities are expected to be paid over the remaining lease terms, which generally range from four
months to nineteen years. The Company estimates subtenant income and future cash flows based on the Company’s experience and knowledge of the area in which the closed property is located, the Company’s previous efforts to dispose of similar assets and existing economic conditions. Reserves for closed properties are included in the “Other current liabilities” and “Other long-term liabilities” line items on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The reserves for closed properties include management’s estimates for lease subsidies, lease terminations and
future payments on exited real estate. Adjustments to closed property reserves primarily relate to changes in existing economic conditions, subtenant income or actual exit costs differing from original estimates. Adjustments are made for changes in estimates in the period in which the changes become known.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue for sales of our products at the point of sale. Discounts provided to customers at the point of sale are recognized as a reduction in sales as the products are sold. Sales taxes are not included in revenue.
Cost of Goods Sold and Occupancy Costs
Cost of goods sold includes cost of inventory sold during the period (net of discounts and allowances), distribution
and food preparation costs, and shipping and handling costs. The Company receives various rebates from third-party vendors in the form of purchase or sales volume discounts and payments under cooperative advertising agreements. Purchase volume discounts are calculated based on actual purchase volumes. Volume discounts and cooperative advertising discounts in excess of identifiable advertising costs are recognized as a reduction of cost of goods sold when the related merchandise is sold. The Company utilizes forward purchases to limit its exposures to changes in commodity prices. All forward purchase commitments are established at current prices and recorded through cost of goods sold at settlement. Occupancy costs include store rental costs, property taxes, utility costs, repair and maintenance costs,
and property insurance. Our largest supplier, United Natural Foods, Inc., accounted for approximately 33.2%, 32.5% and 32.0% of our total purchases in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of retail operational expenses, marketing, and corporate and regional administrative support costs. Advertising expense for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015
was approximately $113 million, $96 million and $89 million, respectively. Advertising costs are charged to expense when incurred, except for certain production costs that are charged to expense when the advertising first takes place.
Pre-opening Expenses
Pre-opening expenses include rent expense incurred during construction of new facilities and costs related to new location openings, including costs associated with hiring and training personnel, smallwares, supplies and other miscellaneous costs. Rent expense is generally incurred approximately nine months prior to a store’s opening date. Other pre-opening expenses are incurred primarily in the 60
days prior to a new store opening. Pre-opening costs are expensed as incurred.
Relocation, Store Closure and Lease Termination Costs
Relocation costs consist of moving costs, estimated remaining net lease payments, accelerated depreciation costs, related asset impairment, and other costs associated with replaced facilities. Store closure costs consist of estimated remaining lease payments, accelerated depreciation costs, related asset impairment, and other costs associated with closed facilities. Lease termination costs consist of estimated remaining net lease payments for terminated leases and idle properties, and associated asset impairments.
In connection with the Company’s acquisition by Amazon.com, Inc. on August 28, 2017, all outstanding options were canceled and those for which the merger consideration per share exceeded the exercise price per share were converted into cash for the excess amount. Expense associated with the acceleration of the vesting period for stock options is included in “merger-related expenses” on the Statement of Operations. Stock options with an exercise price per share greater than or equal to the merger consideration per share were canceled for no consideration or payment. The Company maintained several share-based
incentive plans. We granted both options to purchase common stock and restricted common stock under our Whole Foods Market 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. All options outstanding were governed by the original terms and conditions of the grants, unless modified by a subsequent agreement. Options were granted at an option price equal to the market value of the stock at the grant date and generally vested ratably over a four- or nine-year period beginning one year from grant date and had a five, seven, or ten year term. The grant date was established once the Company’s Board of Directors approved the grant and all key terms
were determined. The exercise prices of our stock option grants were the closing price on the grant date. Stock option grant terms and conditions were communicated to team members within a relatively short period of time. The Company generally approved one primary stock option grant annually, occurring during a trading window. Restricted common stock was granted at the market price of the stock on the day of grant and generally vested over a four- or six-year period.
The Company used the Black-Scholes multiple option pricing model which required extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimates, including estimates
of the expected term team members retained their vested stock options before exercising them, the estimated volatility of the Company’s common stock price over the expected term, and the number of options that were forfeited prior to the completion of their vesting requirements. The related share-based payment expense was recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of expense reflected in the Company’s financial statements was reflected as a financing cash flow.
All full-time team members with a minimum of 400 hours of service could purchase our common stock through payroll deductions under the
Company’s Team Member Stock Purchase Plan (“TMSPP”). The TMSPP provided for a 5% discount on the shares’ purchase date market value, which meets the share-based payment “Safe Harbor” provisions, and therefore was non-compensatory. As a result, no compensation expense was recognized for our team member stock purchase plan.
Income Taxes
The Company recognizes deferred income tax assets and liabilities by applying statutory tax rates in effect at the balance sheet date to differences between the book basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. 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 reverse. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted to reflect changes in tax laws or rates in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained by the taxing authorities based on technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Significant accounting judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes and related accruals, deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company believes that its tax positions are consistent with applicable tax law,
but certain positions may be challenged by taxing authorities. In the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. In addition, we are subject to periodic audits and examinations by the IRS and other state and local taxing authorities. Although we believe that our estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.
Treasury Stock
Under the Company’s stock repurchase program, the Company could repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market that were held in treasury at cost.
Shares held in treasury could be reissued to satisfy exercises of stock options and issuances of restricted stock awards. The Company’s common stock has no par value. The Company retired its treasury shares on August 28, 2017 in connection with the Amazon merger, which was recorded as an offsetting reduction of retained earnings totaling $1.95 billion.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of: net income; foreign currency translation adjustments; and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of income tax, and is reflected in the Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive Income.
The Company’s operations in Canada and the U.K. use their local currency as their functional currency. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses related to Canadian intercompany operations are charged to net income in the period incurred. Foreign currency gains and losses were not material in fiscal year 2017, 2016 or 2015.
Intercompany transaction gains and losses associated with our U.K. operations are excluded from the determination of net income since these transactions are considered long-term investments in nature. Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expense accounts are translated at the average exchange rates during the fiscal year. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses
during the period reported. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications
Where appropriate, we have reclassified prior years’ financial statements to conform to current year presentation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The following table provides a brief description of recently issued accounting pronouncements:
Standard
Description
Effective
Date
Effect on financial statements and other significant matters
ASU No. 2017-04
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (Topic 350)
The amendments eliminate Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value should be recognized; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss should also be considered, if applicable. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis.
We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of these provisions will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2016-13
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments(Topic 326)
The amendments guide on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available-for-sale debt securities. The amendments require a financial asset measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The amendments also require that credit losses on available-for-sale debt
securities be presented as an allowance. The amendments should be applied on either a prospective transition or modified-retrospective approach depending on the subtopic.
We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of these provisions will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2016-09
Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718)
The amendments aim to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions,
including the income tax consequences, forfeitures, and certain classifications on the statement of cash flows. The amendments should be applied on either a prospective, retrospective, or modified-retrospective basis depending on the subtopic.
Effect on financial statements and other significant matters
ASU No. 2016-08
Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) (Topic 606)
The amendments, which do not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606, clarify the implementation guidance on
principal versus agent considerations, including how an entity should identify the unit of accounting (i.e., the specified good or service) for the principal versus agent evaluation and how it should apply the control principle to certain types of arrangements, such as service transactions. The amendments may be applied on either a full or modified retrospective basis.
We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of these provisions will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2016-07
Simplifying the Transition
to the Equity Method of Accounting (Topic 323)
The amendments eliminate the requirement to retroactively apply the equity method of accounting when an investment qualifies for the use of the equity method due to an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis.
We do not expect the adoption of these provisions to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2016-04
Recognition
of Breakage for Certain Prepaid Stored-Value Products (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force) (Subtopic 405-20)
The amendments require entities to recognize liabilities related to the sale of prepaid stored-value products redeemable for goods, services or cash as financial liabilities in the scope of ASC 405. Additionally, the new guidance amends ASC 405-20 to include a narrow scope exception requiring entities to recognize breakage for these liabilities in a way that is consistent with how gift card breakage will be recognized under the new revenue recognition standard. The amendments may be applied on either a full or modified retrospective basis.
We are currently evaluating
the impact that the adoption of these provisions will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2016-02
Leases (Topic 842)
The amendments require lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all leases with terms of more than 12 months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses will depend on classification as a finance or operating lease. The amendments also require certain quantitative and qualitative disclosures. Accounting guidance for lessors is largely unchanged. The amendments should be applied on a modified retrospective basis.
The adoption of this ASU will result in a significant increase to the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets for lease liabilities and right-of-use assets, and the Company is currently evaluating the other effects of adoption of this ASU on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
ASU No. 2016-01
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (Subtopic 825-10)
The amendments address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments.
The amendments should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet in year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted for only certain amendments of the update.
We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of these provisions will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2015-17
Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (Topic 740)
The amendments simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes by requiring that
all deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in the statement of financial position. The amendments may be applied on either a prospective or retrospective basis.
Effect on financial statements and other significant matters
ASU No. 2015-11
Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (Topic 330)
The amendments, which apply to inventory that is measured using any method other than the last-in, first-out (LIFO) or retail inventory method, require that
entities measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis.
The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity will recognize
revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Additionally, the guidance requires disclosures related to the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The amendments may be applied on either a full or modified retrospective basis.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Assets recognized or disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include items such as property and equipment, intangible assets, and other assets. These assets are measured at fair value if determined to be impaired. During fiscal years 2017 and 2015, the Company recorded fair value adjustments, based on hierarchy input Level 3, totaling approximately $26 million and $46 million, respectively, related to certain locations for which asset value exceeded expected future cash flows, which were primarily included in the “Selling, general and administrative expenses” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
These asset impairment charges reduced the carrying value of related long-term assets to fair value of zero. Fair value adjustments, based on hierarchy input Level 3, were not material during fiscal year 2016.
(4) Investments
The Company holds investments primarily in marketable securities that are classified as either short- or long-term available-for-sale securities. The Company held the following investments at fair value as of the dates indicated (in millions):
Gross
unrealized holding gains and losses were not material at September 24, 2017 or September 25, 2016. Available-for-sale securities totaling approximately $156 million and $33 million were in unrealized loss positions at September 24, 2017 and September 25, 2016, respectively. The aggregate value of available-for-sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months was not material at September 24, 2017
or September 25, 2016. The Company did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairments during the last three fiscal years. At September 24, 2017, the average effective maturity of the Company’s short- and long-term available-for-sale securities was approximately one month and 20 months, respectively. The average effective maturity of the Company’s short-term available-for-sale securities was less than one
month, at September 25, 2016.
Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment totaled approximately $554
million, $478 million and $422 million for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During fiscal year 2017 and 2015, asset impairment charges related to property and equipment totaled approximately $78 million and $48 million, respectively, related to locations as discussed in Note 3, Fair Value Measurements. Asset impairment charges related to property and equipment were not material in fiscal year 2016. These charges were incurred because future estimated cash flows were less than the
carrying value of assets. The Company reduced the future estimated cash flows based on current comparable store sales trends and reductions in estimated future net sales projections based on future and anticipated business trends, including increased competition. Development costs of new locations totaled approximately $348 million, $395 million and $516 million in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Construction accruals related to development sites, remodels, and expansions were included in the “Other current liabilities” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and totaled approximately
$56 million and $94 million at September 24, 2017 and September 25, 2016, respectively.
(6) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
There were no additions or adjustments to goodwill during fiscal year 2017 and 2016. There were no impairments of goodwill during fiscal years 2017, 2016 or 2015.
Additions of other intangible assets were not material during fiscal years 2017 and 2016. The components of intangible assets as of the dates indicated were as follows (in millions):
Amortization
expense associated with intangible assets was not material during fiscal year 2017, 2016 or 2015. Future amortization expense associated with the net carrying amount of definite-lived intangible assets is estimated to be as follows (in millions):
Fiscal year 2018
$
5
Fiscal year 2019
5
Fiscal
year 2020
5
Fiscal year 2021
4
Fiscal year 2022
4
Future fiscal years
36
Total
$
59
(7) Reserves
for Closed Properties
The following table provides a summary of activity in reserves for closed properties during the fiscal years indicated (in millions):
2017
2016
Beginning balance
$
26
$
28
Additions
30
6
Usage
(16
)
(10
)
Adjustments
4
2
Ending
balance
$
44
$
26
In 2017, $25 million of additions to store closure reserves related to eighteen location and three commissary kitchen closures. Additions related to six location
closures during fiscal year 2016, were not material. The remainder of additions to store closure reserves primarily relate to the accretion of interest on existing reserves. Usage primarily related to ongoing cash rental payments totaled approximately $16 million and $10 million for fiscal years 2017 and 2016, respectively.
On November 2, 2015, the Company entered into a credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) that provided for an unsecured revolving credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of $500 million, with an ability to increase by up to $250 million in the aggregate pursuant to an expansion feature set forth in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement also provided for a letter of credit subfacility of up to $250 million and a swingline subfacility of up to $50 million. The Credit Agreement was terminated
effective August 28, 2017.
Commitment fees paid on undrawn amounts were not material during the fifty-two weeks ended September 24, 2017.
Senior Notes
On December 3, 2015, the Company completed the offering of $1.0 billion of 5.2% senior notes due 2025 (the “Notes”). The Notes were
offered in the United States to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. In fiscal year 2017, the Company commenced a registered exchange offer to exchange the Notes for new notes that are identical in all material respects to the Notes, except that the new notes have been registered under the Securities Act. The exchange offer expired on October 28, 2016, and approximately 99.1% of the Notes were exchanged. The Notes that were not exchanged have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration
requirements or a transaction not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act or any state securities laws.
The Notes bear interest at a fixed rate equal to 5.2% per year, payable semiannually, and mature on December 3, 2025. The interest rate payable on the Notes is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain credit rating events described in the indenture.
The Notes are subject to customary covenants including certain restrictions with respect to, among other things, the
Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur debt secured by liens or to enter into sale and leaseback transactions and restricting the Company’s ability to merge or consolidate with another entity or sell substantially all of its assets to another person without obtaining a waiver prior to the event. Prior to September 3, 2025, the Company may redeem the Notes at the Company’s option at any time either in whole or in part for a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus the applicable make-whole premium described in
the indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. On or after September 3, 2025, the Company may redeem the Notes at the Company’s option at any time either in whole or in part for a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon.
The components of long-term debt as of the dates indicated were as follows (in millions):
Less: unamortized discount and debt issuance costs related to senior notes
(6
)
(7
)
Carrying
value of senior notes
993
993
Capital lease obligations
90
58
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations
1,083
1,051
Less:
current installments
(2
)
(3
)
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current installments
$
1,081
$
1,048
The
Notes are recorded at cost net of discount and issuance costs. The effective interest rate of the Notes, which includes interest on the Notes and amortization of discount and issuance costs, is approximately 5.28%. The estimated fair value of the Notes at September 24, 2017, based on observable market prices (Level 1), exceeded the carrying value by approximately $160.4 million.
(9) Leases
The Company is committed under certain capital leases for rental of certain buildings, land and equipment,
and certain operating leases for rental of facilities and equipment. These leases expire or become subject to renewal clauses at various dates from 2017 to 2054. The Company had capital lease obligations totaling approximately $90 million and $58 million at September 24, 2017 and September 25, 2016, respectively.
Rental expense charged to operations under operating leases for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 totaled approximately $508 million, $477 million and $441 million, respectively, which included contingent rentals totaling approximately $11 million, $12 million and $14 million during those same periods. Sublease rental income was not material during fiscal year 2017, 2016 or 2015.
Prepaid rent is included in the “Other current assets” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and totaled approximately $48 million and $44 million at September 24, 2017 and September 25, 2016, respectively.
Minimum rental commitments and sublease rental income required by all noncancelable leases are approximately as follows (in millions):
Capital
Operating
Sublease
Fiscal
year 2018
$
7
$
469
$
8
Fiscal year 2019
7
556
7
Fiscal
year 2020
6
580
5
Fiscal year 2021
7
582
3
Fiscal
year 2022
7
582
2
Future fiscal years
122
6,304
3
156
$
9,073
$
28
Less
amounts representing interest
66
Net present value of capital lease obligations
$
90
The
present values of future minimum obligations for capital leases shown above are calculated based on interest rates determined at the inception of the lease, or upon acquisition of the original lease. The future minimum obligations for operating leases shown above include locations in development.
(10) Income Taxes
Components of income tax expense for the fiscal years indicated were as follows (in millions):
2017
2016
2015
Current
federal income tax
$
168
$
223
$
310
Current state income tax
58
52
76
Current
foreign income tax
1
(1
)
(1
)
Total current tax
227
274
385
Deferred
federal income tax
(56
)
41
(40
)
Deferred state income tax
2
8
(2
)
Deferred
foreign income tax
(1
)
(3
)
(1
)
Total deferred tax
(55
)
46
(43
)
Total
income tax expense
$
172
$
320
$
342
Actual income tax expense for the fiscal years indicated differed from the amount computed by applying statutory
corporate income tax rates to income before income taxes as follows (in millions):
2017
2016
2015
Federal
income tax based on statutory rates
$
146
$
289
$
307
Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:
Tax-exempt
interest
(1
)
—
(1
)
Excess charitable contributions
(11
)
(10
)
(9
)
Merger
transaction costs
12
—
—
Federal income tax credits
(3
)
(4
)
(3
)
Other,
net
(2
)
10
2
Total federal income taxes
141
285
296
State
income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows (in millions):
At September 24, 2017, the Company had international operating loss carryforwards totaling approximately $70 million, all of which have an indefinite
life. The Company provided a valuation allowance totaling approximately $24 million for deferred tax assets associated with international operating loss carryforwards, federal credit carryforwards, and certain equity investments, for which management has determined it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Management believes that it is more likely than not that we will fully realize the remaining domestic deferred tax assets in the form of future tax deductions based on the nature of these deductible temporary differences and a history of profitable operations.
The Company intends to utilize earnings in foreign operations for an indefinite
period of time, or to repatriate such earnings only when tax-efficient to do so. If these amounts were distributed to the United States, in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company would be subject to additional U.S. income taxes. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred income tax liabilities on these earnings is not practicable because such liability, if any, is dependent on circumstances existing if and when remittance occurs.
The Company and its domestic subsidiaries file income tax returns with federal, state and local tax authorities within the United States. The
Company’s foreign affiliates file income tax returns in Canada and the United Kingdom. The IRS of the United States completed its examination of the Company’s federal tax returns for fiscal year 2015 during the first quarter of fiscal year 2017. With limited exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal income tax examinations for fiscal years before 2015 and is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations for fiscal years before 2011. Additionally, the Company entered into a Compliance Agreement Program (“CAP”) with the IRS under which the
Company’s federal income tax return is reviewed and accepted by the Internal Revenue Service in conjunction with the filing of its tax return.
The following table provides a summary of dividends declared per common share during fiscal years 2017 and 2016 (in millions, except per share amounts):
The Company’s share repurchase program was canceled in connection with the Amazon merger and no share repurchase program remained in effect at September 24, 2017. The Company repurchased and retired approximately 56.7 million shares totaling approximately $1.95
billion related to the Amazon merger.
Share repurchase activity for fiscal year 2017 was immaterial. Share repurchase activity for fiscal year 2016 was as follows (in millions, except per share amounts):
2016
Number of common shares acquired
31.7
Average
price per common share acquired
$
29.82
Total cost of common shares acquired
$
944
The Company reissued approximately 2.2 million treasury shares at cost of approximately $76 million and approximately 1.1 million
treasury shares at cost of approximately $42 million to satisfy the issuance of common stock pursuant to team member stock plans during fiscal years 2017 and 2016, respectively. At September 24, 2017, the Company held no treasury shares. As of September 25, 2016, the Company held in treasury 58.7 million shares totaling approximately $2.0 billion.
(12) Share-Based
Payments
Share-based payment expense, primarily included in the “Selling, general and administrative expenses” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, totaled approximately $114 million, $49 million and $64 million, respectively, during fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015. The 2017 share-based payment expense included accelerated expense of approximately $78 million due to the Amazon merger included in the “Merger-related expenses” line item. At September 25, 2016
and September 27, 2015 approximately 29.8 millionshares and 32.9 million shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively, were available for future stock incentive grants. As of September 24, 2017, the Company’s stock option plan was canceled and no shares were available for grant as a result of the merger with Amazon.
The
weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $7.23, $6.71 and $10.19, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options at exercise, represented in the table above, was approximately $24 million, $16 million and $46 million during fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The
Company realized a tax benefit from stock options exercised during fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 totaling approximately $44 million, $15 million and $46 million, respectively. The total fair value of shares vested during fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $145 million, $141 million and $209 million, respectively, including the value of vested options exercised during those same periods.
As of the end of fiscal year 2016, there was approximately $73 million of unrecognized share-based payment expense, related to unvested stock options, net of estimated forfeitures, related to approximately 10.5 million shares. There was no unrecognized share-based payment expense at the end of fiscal year 2017.
Share-based payment expense related to vesting stock options recognized during fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 totaled approximately $114 million, $45
million and $60 million, respectively. Upon a change in control, the vesting is accelerated for any unvested options in accordance with the Company’s stock option plan. The total share-based payment expense related to acceleration due to the Amazon merger was approximately $78 million in fiscal year 2017. In connection with the Company’s acquisition by Amazon on August 28, 2017, all outstanding options were canceled and those in which the merger consideration exceeded the exercise price per share were converted into cash for the excess amount. The
Company recorded an intercompany receivable from Amazon totaling approximately $124 million for the cash payout of all outstanding options, RSUs, and SARs. Stock options with an exercise price per share greater than or equal to the merger consideration per share were canceled for no consideration or payment.
The fair value of stock option grants has been estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
2017
2016
2015
Expected
dividend yield
2.20
%
1.73
%
1.00
%
Risk-free interest rate
1.63
%
1.08
%
1.20
%
Expected
volatility
28.70
%
31.30
%
29.73
%
Expected life, in years
4.12
4.05
4.04
Risk-free
interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve on the date of the grant for the time period equal to the expected term of the grant. Expected volatility was calculated using a ratio of implied volatility based on the Newton-Raphson method of bisection, and four or six year historical volatilities based on the expected life of each tranche of options. The Company determined the use of blended volatility versus historical or implied volatility represents a more accurate calculation of option fair value. Expected life is calculated in two tranches based on weighted average percentage of unexpired options and exercise-after-vesting information over the last five or seven
years. Unvested options were included in the term calculation which used the “mid-point scenario” which assumed that unvested options will be exercised halfway between vest and expiration date. The assumptions used to calculate the fair value of options granted were evaluated and revised, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and experience. In addition to the above valuation assumptions, the Company estimated an annual forfeiture rate for unvested options and adjusted fair value expense accordingly. The Company monitored actual forfeiture experience and adjusted the rate from time to time as necessary.
(13) Quarterly Results
(unaudited)
The Company’s first fiscal quarter consists of 16 weeks, the second and third fiscal quarters each are 12 weeks, and the fourth fiscal quarter is 12 or 13 weeks. Fiscal years 2017 and 2016 were 52-week years with twelve weeks in the fourth quarter. Because the first fiscal quarter is longer than the remaining quarters, it typically represents a larger share of the Company’s annual sales from existing stores. Quarter-to-quarter comparisons of results of operations have been and may be materially impacted by the timing of new store openings. The first and second fiscal quarters included store closure costs related to the nine
store and three commissary kitchen closures announced in the first fiscal quarter. The fourth fiscal quarter included approximately $153 million in merger expenses related to the Amazon merger. The Company believes that the following information reflects all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.
The following tables set forth selected unaudited quarterly Consolidated Statements of Operations information for the fiscal years ended September 24, 2017 and September 25,
2016 (in millions):
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
Fiscal
Year 2017 (1)
Sales
$
4,918
$
3,737
$
3,725
$
3,650
Cost
of goods sold and occupancy costs
3,268
2,463
2,457
2,445
Gross profit
1,650
1,274
1,268
1,205
Selling,
general and administrative expenses
1,417
1,057
1,069
1,084
Merger-related expenses
—
—
3
153
Pre-opening
expenses
21
12
13
14
Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs
Relocation,
store closure and lease termination costs
3
3
2
5
Operating income
252
241
209
155
Interest
expense
(7
)
(11
)
(12
)
(11
)
Investment and other income
4
5
(1
)
3
Income
before income taxes
249
235
196
147
Provision for income taxes
92
93
76
59
Net
income
$
157
$
142
$
120
$
88
(1)
Sum of quarterly amounts may not equal fiscal year totals due to the effect of rounding.
(14) Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is exposed to claims and litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business and uses various methods to resolve these matters in a manner that we believe best serves the interests of our stakeholders. From time to time we are a party to legal proceedings including matters involving shareholder claims, personnel and employment issues, personal injury, product liability, protecting our intellectual property, acquisitions and other proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. These matters have not resulted in any material losses
to date. Certain litigation cases have been certified as class or collective actions and may seek substantial damages.
Our primary contingencies are associated with insurance and self-insurance obligations and litigation matters. Additionally, the Company has retention agreements with certain members of Company management which provide for payments under certain circumstances including change of control. Estimation of our insurance and self-insurance liabilities requires significant judgments, and actual claim settlements and associated expenses may differ from our current provisions for loss. We have exposures to loss contingencies arising from pending or threatened litigation for which assessing and estimating the outcomes of these matters involve substantial uncertainties.
The
Company evaluates contingencies on an ongoing basis and has established loss provisions for matters in which losses are probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, and is not currently a party to any legal proceeding that management believes could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Insurance and legal settlement liabilities are included in the “Other current liabilities” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We believe the recorded reserves in our consolidated financial statements are adequate in light of the probable and estimable liabilities.
The Company is committed under certain capital leases for rental of certain buildings, land and equipment, and certain operating leases for rental of facilities and equipment. These leases expire
or become subject to renewal clauses at various dates through 2054. The following table shows payments due by period on contractual obligations as of September 24, 2017 (in millions):
Total
Less than 1
year
1-3
years
3-5
years
More than 5
years
Senior
notes
$
993
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
993
Estimated
interest on senior notes
442
52
104
104
182
Capital
lease obligations (including interest)
156
7
13
14
122
Operating
lease obligations (1)
9,073
469
1,136
1,164
6,304
Unconditional
purchase obligations (2)
23,041
2,880
5,760
5,760
8,641
Total
$
33,705
$
3,408
$
7,013
$
7,042
$
16,242
(1) Amounts
exclude taxes, insurance and other related expense
(2) Includes unconditional purchase obligations related to certain products offered in our stores that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets arising from the change in control that occurred in the fourth fiscal quarter.
Prior to the closing of the
Company’s merger with Amazon.com, Inc., the Notes issued on December 3, 2015 were fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured, unsubordinated basis by certain 100% owned domestic subsidiaries of the Company (the “Guarantors”). At the time of the closing, the Company’s Credit Agreement was terminated and the related guarantees by the Guarantors were released. Pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing the Notes, upon release of the guarantees under the Credit Agreement, the guarantees of the Notes by the Guarantors were automatically
terminated. The Notes are now the sole obligation of the Company. Supplemental condensed consolidating financial information of the Company, including such information for the Guarantors, is presented below. The financial information may not necessarily be indicative of results of operations, cash flows or financial position had the non-Guarantor subsidiaries operated as independent entities. Investments in subsidiaries are presented using the equity method of accounting. The principal elimination entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries
and intercompany balances and transactions. Separate financial statements of the Guarantors are not provided as the consolidating financial information contained herein provides a more meaningful disclosure to allow investors to determine the nature of the assets held by, and the operations of, the combined groups.
On August 28, 2017the Company completed its previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among Amazon.com, Inc., the Company, and Walnut Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Walnut Merger Sub, Inc. was merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the
Company continuing as the surviving company in the Merger.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, each share of common stock, no par value, of the Company issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger was converted into the right to receive $42.00 per Company share in cash, without interest.
For the fifty-two weeks ended September 24, 2017, the
Company incurred $156 million of merger-related expenses in connection with the Merger.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the
Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The
Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act.
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.
Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including our principal executive officers and principal financial officer, the
Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework). Based on this evaluation, the Company’s management concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 24, 2017.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst
& Young LLP, audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Ernst & Young LLP has issued their attestation report which is included in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Report on Form 10-K.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and has omitted the information called for by this Item pursuant to General Instruction I(2)(c) of Form 10-K.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The
Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and has omitted the information called for by this Item pursuant to General Instruction I(2)(c) of Form 10-K.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and has omitted the information called for by this Item pursuant to General Instruction I(2)(c) of Form 10-K.
Item
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and has omitted the information called for by this Item pursuant to General Instruction I(2)(c) of Form 10-K.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
Independent Public Accountants
Ernst & Young LLP has served as our independent
auditor since April 2001. Ernst & Young has issued its reports, included in the Company’s Form 10-K, on the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and internal control over financial reporting for the fiscal year ended September 24, 2017. Our Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young as our independent auditor for fiscal year 2017.
Services
rendered by Ernst & Young in connection with fees presented above were as follows:
Audit Fees. In fiscal years 2017 and 2016, audit fees consist of fees paid for the annual audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, review of the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and consents and review of other documents filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Audit-Related Fees. We did not engage Ernst & Young for audit-related services in fiscal year 2017 or 2016.
Tax Fees. We did not engage Ernst & Young for tax compliance matters in fiscal year 2017 or 2016.
All Other Fees. We did not engage Ernst & Young for other services in fiscal year 2017 or 2016.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. Among its other duties, the Audit Committee was responsible for appointing, setting compensation for and overseeing the work of the independent auditor. The Audit Committee established a policy regarding pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditor. On an ongoing basis, management communicated specific projects and categories of service for which the advance approval of the Audit Committee was requested. The Audit Committee reviewed these requests and advised management if the committee approved the engagement of the independent auditor. On a periodic basis, management reported to the Audit Committee regarding the actual spending for such projects and services compared to the approved amounts. All services performed by Ernst & Young for fiscal years 2017
and 2016 were approved in accordance with the Audit Committee’s pre-approval guidelines.
The following financial information from the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the period ended September 24, 2017, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (7)
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.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on November 17, 2017.