Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI)
SIC breadcrumb: Retail Trade > SIC Major Group 54 > SIC 5411 Retail-Grocery Stores
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1646972. Latest filing source: 0001646972-26-000032.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read ACI's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read ACI's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 83,172,500,000 | USD | 2026 | 2026-04-27 |
| Net income | 217,400,000 | USD | 2026 | 2026-04-27 |
| Assets | 26,765,900,000 | USD | 2026 | 2026-04-27 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-04-27. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001646972.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 59,678,200,000 | 59,924,600,000 | 60,534,500,000 | 62,455,100,000 | 69,690,400,000 | 71,887,000,000 | 77,649,700,000 | 79,237,700,000 | 80,390,900,000 | 83,172,500,000 |
| Net income | -373,300,000 | 46,300,000 | 131,100,000 | 466,400,000 | 850,200,000 | 1,619,600,000 | 1,513,500,000 | 1,296,000,000 | 958,600,000 | 217,400,000 |
| Operating income | 607,600,000 | -56,600,000 | 787,300,000 | 1,437,100,000 | 1,617,500,000 | 2,436,900,000 | 2,307,100,000 | 2,068,900,000 | 1,546,100,000 | 727,600,000 |
| Gross profit | 16,640,500,000 | 16,361,100,000 | 16,894,600,000 | 17,594,200,000 | 20,414,500,000 | 20,722,400,000 | 21,755,600,000 | 22,045,700,000 | 22,255,600,000 | 22,606,700,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 0.08 | 0.23 | 0.80 | 1.47 | 2.70 | 2.27 | 2.23 | 1.64 | 0.40 | |
| Operating cash flow | 1,813,500,000 | 1,018,800,000 | 1,687,900,000 | 1,903,900,000 | 3,902,500,000 | 3,513,400,000 | 2,853,900,000 | 2,659,500,000 | 2,680,600,000 | 2,366,700,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 1,414,900,000 | 1,547,000,000 | 1,362,600,000 | 1,475,100,000 | 1,630,200,000 | 1,606,500,000 | 2,153,900,000 | 2,031,300,000 | 1,931,200,000 | 1,839,400,000 |
| Dividends paid | 0.00 | 0.00 | 93,700,000 | 207,400,000 | 255,100,000 | 276,200,000 | 295,100,000 | 322,700,000 | ||
| Share buybacks | 0.00 | 0.00 | 25,800,000 | 0.00 | 1,881,200,000 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 82,500,000 | 1,478,200,000 |
| Assets | 23,755,000,000 | 21,812,300,000 | 20,776,600,000 | 24,735,100,000 | 26,598,000,000 | 28,123,000,000 | 26,168,200,000 | 26,221,100,000 | 26,755,700,000 | 26,765,900,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | 1,398,200,000 | 1,450,700,000 | 2,278,100,000 | 1,324,300,000 | 3,024,600,000 | 1,610,700,000 | 2,747,500,000 | 3,385,900,000 | 1,836,200,000 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1,219,200,000 | 670,300,000 | 926,100,000 | 470,700,000 | 1,717,000,000 | 2,902,000,000 | 455,800,000 | 188,700,000 | 293,600,000 | 198,600,000 |
| Free cash flow | 398,600,000 | -528,200,000 | 325,300,000 | 428,800,000 | 2,272,300,000 | 1,906,900,000 | 700,000,000 | 628,200,000 | 749,400,000 | 527,300,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | -0.63% | 0.08% | 0.22% | 0.75% | 1.22% | 2.25% | 1.95% | 1.64% | 1.19% | 0.26% |
| Operating margin | 1.02% | -0.09% | 1.30% | 2.30% | 2.32% | 3.39% | 2.97% | 2.61% | 1.92% | 0.87% |
| Return on equity | 3.31% | 9.04% | 20.47% | 64.20% | 53.55% | 93.97% | 47.17% | 28.31% | 11.84% | |
| Return on assets | -1.57% | 0.21% | 0.63% | 1.89% | 3.20% | 5.76% | 5.78% | 4.94% | 3.58% | 0.81% |
| Liabilities / equity | 14.60 | 13.32 | 9.86 | 19.08 | 8.30 | 15.25 | 8.54 | 6.90 | 13.58 | |
| Current ratio | 1.18 | 1.22 | 1.21 | 0.97 | 1.02 | 1.00 | 0.74 | 0.84 | 0.90 | 0.86 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Income statement bridge from reported figures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2026. Revenue: accession 0001646972-26-000032; concept RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax; source concepts us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax | Gross profit: accession 0001646972-26-000032; concept GrossProfit; source concepts us-gaap:GrossProfit | Operating income: accession 0001646972-26-000032; concept OperatingIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss | Net income: accession 0001646972-26-000032; concept NetIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2026. Operating cash flow: accession 0001646972-26-000032; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001646972-26-000032; concept PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets | Free cash flow: accession 0001646972-26-000032; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-02-28; accession 0001646972-26-000032; filed 2026-04-27. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-02-28; accession 0001646972-26-000032; filed 2026-04-27. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-02-28; accession 0001646972-26-000032; filed 2026-04-27. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-02-28; accession 0001646972-26-000032; filed 2026-04-27. Concept: GrossProfit. Source concepts: us-gaap:GrossProfit.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-02-28; accession 0001646972-26-000032; filed 2026-04-27. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-02-28; accession 0001646972-26-000032; filed 2026-04-27. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-02-28; accession 0001646972-26-000032; filed 2026-04-27. Concept: PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-02-28; accession 0001646972-26-000032; filed 2026-04-27. Concept: PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-02-28; accession 0001646972-26-000032; filed 2026-04-27. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-02-28; accession 0001646972-26-000032; filed 2026-04-27. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-02-28; accession 0001646972-26-000032; filed 2026-04-27. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-02-28; accession 0001646972-26-000032; filed 2026-04-27. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-02-28; accession 0001646972-26-000032; filed 2026-04-27. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-04-27. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001646972.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-Q4 | 2019-02-23 | 14,016,600,000 | 135,600,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2019-Q4 | 2020-02-29 | 15,436,800,000 | 67,800,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2022-Q4 | 2023-02-25 | 18,265,100,000 | 311,100,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2023-Q4 | 2024-02-24 | 18,339,500,000 | 250,500,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q4 | 2025-02-22 | 18,799,500,000 | 171,800,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q4 | 2026-02-28 | 20,252,200,000 | -480,800,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2026-02-28; accession 0001646972-26-000032; filed 2026-04-27. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2026-02-28; accession 0001646972-26-000032; filed 2026-04-27. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001646972-26-000046.
Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND FACTORS THAT IMPACT OUR OPERATING RESULTS AND TRENDS
This Form 10-Q contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The "forward-looking statements" include our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our business and our industry. They include statements relating to our future operating or financial performance which the Company believes to be reasonable at this time. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "outlook," "may," "should," "could," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "anticipates," "believes," "plans," "expects," "future" and "intends" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements and may adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations include:
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•changes in macroeconomic conditions such as rates of food price inflation or deflation, fuel and commodity prices and macroeconomic uncertainty, including in international trade and current and potential future tariffs;
•changes in consumer behavior and spending patterns including those resulting from macroeconomic conditions such as inflation and shifts in state and federal assistance programs;
•changes in wage rates and our ability to negotiate acceptable contracts with labor unions, including the outcome of pending union negotiations;
•changes in price of goods sold in our stores and cost of goods used in our food products, as well as limitations in our ability to provide certain services, due to changes in various state and federal government legislation, regulation and executive orders;
•uncertainty regarding the geopolitical environment including armed hostilities, acts of war and disruption in the distribution of goods;
•our ability to succeed in a competitive environment;
•our ability to execute on our business and value-creating strategies, including our operating structure realignment;
•our ability to attract and retain qualified or specialized associates who are critical to the success of our business strategy;
•failure to achieve productivity initiatives, including those related to artificial intelligence, unexpected changes in our objectives and plans, inability to implement our strategies, plans, programs and initiatives, or enter into strategic transactions, investments or partnerships in the future on terms acceptable to us, or at all;
•challenges with our supply chain;
•operational and financial effects resulting from cyber incidents at the Company or at a third party, including outages in the cloud environment and the effectiveness of business continuity plans during a ransomware or other cyber incident; and
•changes in tax rates, tax laws, and regulations that directly impact our business or our customers.
All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements and risk factors. Forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q reflect our view only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation, other than as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
In evaluating our financial results and forward-looking statements, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties more fully described in the "Risk Factors" section or other sections in our reports filed with the SEC including the most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.
As used in this Form 10-Q, unless the context otherwise requires, references to "Albertsons," the "Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Albertsons Companies, Inc. and, where appropriate, its subsidiaries.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We define EBITDA as GAAP earnings (net loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings (net loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to eliminate the effects of items management does not consider in assessing our ongoing core performance. We define Adjusted net income as GAAP Net income adjusted to eliminate the effects of items management does not consider in assessing our ongoing core performance. We define Adjusted net income per Class A common share as Adjusted net income divided by the weighted average diluted Class A common shares outstanding, as adjusted to
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reflect all RSUs outstanding at the end of the period. See "Results of Operations" for further discussion and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per Class A common share.
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per Class A common share (collectively, the "Non-GAAP Measures") are performance measures that provide supplemental information we believe is useful to analysts and investors to evaluate our ongoing results of operations, when considered alongside other GAAP measures such as net income, operating income, gross margin and net income per Class A common share. These Non-GAAP Measures exclude the financial impact of items management does not consider in assessing our ongoing core operating performance, and thereby provide useful measures to analysts and investors of our operating performance on a period-to-period basis. Other companies may have different definitions of Non-GAAP Measures and provide for different adjustments, and comparability to our results of operations may be impacted by such differences. We also use Adjusted EBITDA for board of director and bank compliance reporting. Our presentation of Non-GAAP Measures should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
Non-GAAP Measures should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using Non-GAAP Measures only for supplemental purposes.
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FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL 2026 OVERVIEW
We are one of the largest food retailers in the United States, with 2,240 stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia as of June 20, 2026. We operate 22 well known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs, Jewel-Osco, ACME, Shaw's, Star Market, United Supermarkets, Market Street, Haggen, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market, with approximately 275,000 talented and dedicated employees, as of June 20, 2026, who serve on average 36.5 million customers each week. Additionally, as of June 20, 2026, we operated 1,708 pharmacies, 1,238 in-store branded coffee shops, 408 associated fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers, 19 manufacturing facilities and various digital platforms.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2026, we continued to execute our business strategy, including investments in our digital and loyalty platforms, media business, customer value proposition, technology capabilities, and productivity initiatives. Our growth initiatives remain focused on eCommerce, loyalty, pharmacy and health offerings, and digital tools that support both online and in-store customer experiences.
On July 23, 2026, we announced ACI Edge, an operating structure realignment intended to simplify operations, increase accountability, and more effectively leverage enterprise scale. As part of the realignment, we consolidated our 11 divisions into four regions and centralized center-store merchandising under a single enterprise team. The new structure aligns category management, supplier management, and merchandising functions across the enterprise and is intended to improve consistency and execution across banners and regions.
Identical sales, excluding fuel, decreased 0.8% during the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Digital sales, including Drive Up & Go curbside pickup and home delivery, increased 13% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Flash delivery continued to be the fastest-growing component of our digital offering during the quarter, and we continued to build our digital capabilities, personalization tools, and fulfillment operations. Our media business also grew during the quarter, driven primarily by increased monetization of existing and new advertising placements. During the quarter, we expanded our advertising offerings through the introduction of branded entertainment solutions for advertising partners.
We continue to invest in our customer value proposition through a combination of pricing, Own Brands offerings, personalized promotions, digital capabilities, and improving the customer experience. In response to a more pressured unit environment and increasingly value-conscious consumers, we are accelerating execution and making targeted investments in our customer value proposition. These investments are intended to improve customer engagement, traffic and unit trends, and strengthen customer loyalty over time.
Technology and artificial intelligence capabilities continue to be advanced across multiple areas of the business. Following the ACI Edge operating structure realignment, we expect to deploy technology-enabled tools and operating practices more consistently across the enterprise. During the quarter, we continued to enhance customer-facing digital capabilities by building AI-powered experiences that we believe will improve engagement, increase basket size, and create a more seamless shopping journey. Within supply chain operations, we are expanding the use of advanced analytics and machine learning to support forecasting, inventory management, and replenishment processes.
Our capital allocation strategy balances investing for the future, strengthening our balance sheet and returns to shareholders through a combination of dividends and opportunistic share repurchases. Capital expenditures were approximately $522 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, primarily including the completion of 15 remodels, the opening of four new stores and continued investment in our digital and technology platforms. On April 14, 2026, we increased the quarterly cash dividend from $0.15 per common share to $0.17 per common share. Also on April 14, 2026, we increased the remaining share repurchase authorization to $2.0 billion in total. Capital returns to
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shareholders during the first quarter of fiscal 2026 included $84.0 million of common stock dividends ($0.17 per common share) and the repurchase of 13.4 million shares of common stock for a total of $226.5 million.
First quarter of fiscal 2026 highlights
In summary, our financial and operating highlights for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 include:
•Identical sales decreased 0.8%
•Digital sales increased 13%
•Net income of $85 million, or $0.17 per Class A common share
•Adjusted net income of $210 million, or $0.42 per Class A common share
•Adjusted EBITDA of $1,013 million
Stores
The following table shows stores operating, acquired, opened and closed during the periods presented:
[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","","","16 weeks ended"],["","","","","","June 20, 2026","","June 14, 2025"],["Stores, beginning of period","","","","","2,244","","","2,270"],["Acquired","","","","","2","","","
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes found in "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" in this Form 10-K, as well as "Part II—Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 22, 2025 filed with the SEC on April 21, 2025, which provides comparisons of fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023. This discussion contains forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in the section entitled "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" set forth in Part I and in Item 1A. "Risk Factors."
Our last three fiscal years consisted of the 53 weeks ended February 28, 2026 ("fiscal 2025"), the 52 weeks ended February 22, 2025 ("fiscal 2024") and the 52 weeks ended February 24, 2024 ("fiscal 2023"). In this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Albertsons Companies, Inc., the words "Albertsons," the "Company," "we," "us," "our" and "ours" refer to Albertsons Companies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - FISCAL 2025 OVERVIEW
We are one of the largest food retailers in the United States, with 2,244 stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia as of February 28, 2026. We operate 22 well known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs, Jewel-Osco, ACME, Shaw's, Star Market, United Supermarkets, Market Street, Haggen, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market, with approximately 280,000 talented and dedicated employees, as of February 28, 2026, who serve on average 36.5 million customers each week. Additionally, as of February 28, 2026, we operated 1,713 in-store pharmacies, 1,240 in-store branded coffee shops, 405 associated fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers, 19 manufacturing facilities and various digital platforms.
During fiscal 2025, we continued to execute on our business strategy, which is centered around driving customer growth and engagement through digital connection and loyalty, expanding our Media Collective, enhancing the customer value proposition, modernizing capabilities through technology and AI, and driving transformational productivity. We continue to invest in growth through our four digital platforms of eCommerce, Loyalty, Pharmacy & Health and the use of our mobile app in our stores. This integrated ecosystem is intended to enhance our ability to innovate, improve marketing efficiency, and support revenue growth over time, while strengthening customer engagement and loyalty.
Identical sales, excluding fuel, increased 2.0% during fiscal 2025. Our digital investments are continuing to drive engagement, customer acquisition and retention. During fiscal 2025, digital sales, which include Drive Up & Go curbside pickup and home delivery, increased 21% compared to fiscal 2024 as we continue to elevate our customer experience. In loyalty, membership grew 12% to 51.2 million in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024, while program enhancements and simplification continue to fuel deeper engagement through more frequent transactions and easier reward redemption. During fiscal 2025, in-store pharmacy sales were influenced by evolving regulatory and reimbursement dynamics, while management actions remained focused on improving underlying profitability, operational efficiency and customer engagement
Our customer value proposition focuses on making shopping more affordable, intuitive and personalized across our markets. By combining data-driven personalization with disciplined price investments, we aim to deliver clearer, more consistent value. Through targeted pricing actions, improved loyalty-driven promotions and continued Own Brands innovation, we are reinforcing trust with customers who increasingly expect transparency and consistency in
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their weekly shop. These efforts are designed to support both value perception and longer-term margin sustainability.
Technology and AI are an important component of our transformation and long-term growth strategy. In the digital customer experience, AI-driven capabilities are helping to modernize the way customers shop, delivering increased personalization intended to drive engagement, basket size and loyalty. Our AI-enabled shopping assistant continues to evolve as customer adoption increases. As part of our investments in an AI-enabled supply chain, we have launched a proprietary forecasting capability we call Gateway to enhance replenishment performance and improve efficiency across promotional center store SKUs. Execution of these initiatives occurs within a dynamic macroeconomic and competitive environment and requires continued investment, discipline and adaptability.
Our capital allocation strategy balances investing for the future, strengthening our balance sheet and returning capital to shareholders through a combination of dividends and opportunistic share repurchases. Capital expenditures were approximately $1,833.6 million during fiscal 2025, primarily including the completion of 94 remodels, the opening of nine new stores and continued investment in our digital and technology platforms. Capital returns to shareholders during fiscal 2025 included $322.7 million of common stock dividends ($0.60 per common share) and the investment of $1,492.5 million for the repurchase of common stock, inclusive of the $750 million ASR Agreement. On April 14, 2026, we increased the quarterly cash dividend from $0.15 per common share to $0.17 per common share. Also on April 14, 2026, we increased the remaining share repurchase authorization to $2.0 billion in total.
Fiscal 2025 highlights
In summary, our financial and operating highlights for fiscal 2025 include:
•Identical sales increased 2.0%
•Digital sales increased 21%
•Loyalty members increased 12% to 51.2 million
•Net income of $217 million, or $0.40 per Class A common share, inclusive of the $600 million charge, net of tax, or $(1.10) per Class A common share, related to the Opioid Settlement Framework (as defined herein)
•Adjusted net income of $1,209 million, or $2.18 per Class A common share
•Adjusted EBITDA of $3,902 million
•Operating cash flows of $2,367 million
•Continued modernization of our store fleet, including completing 94 remodels and opening nine new stores
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Stores
The following table shows stores operating, opened and closed during the periods presented:
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stores, beginning of period | 2,270 | 2,269 | 2,271 | |||||
| Opened | 9 | 11 | 6 | |||||
| Closed | (35) | (10) | (8) | |||||
| Stores, end of period | 2,244 | 2,270 | 2,269 |
The following table summarizes our stores by size:
| Number of Stores | Percent of Total | Retail Square Feet (1) | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square Footage | February 28, 2026 | February 22, 2025 | February 28, 2026 | February 22, 2025 | February 28, 2026 | February 22, 2025 | |||||||||||
| Less than 30,000 | 206 | 214 | 9.2 | % | 9.4 | % | 4.7 | 4.9 | |||||||||
| 30,000 to 50,000 | 763 | 777 | 34.0 | % | 34.2 | % | 32.0 | 32.6 | |||||||||
| More than 50,000 | 1,275 | 1,279 | 56.8 | % | 56.4 | % | 75.3 | 75.5 | |||||||||
| Total Stores | 2,244 | 2,270 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 112.0 | 113.0 |
(1) In millions, reflects total square footage of retail stores operating at the end of the period.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We define EBITDA as generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") earnings (net loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings (net loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to eliminate the effects of items management does not consider in assessing our ongoing core performance. We define Adjusted net income as GAAP net income adjusted to eliminate the effects of items management does not consider in assessing our ongoing core performance. We define Adjusted net income per Class A common share as Adjusted net income divided by the weighted average diluted Class A common shares outstanding, as adjusted to reflect all restricted stock units and awards outstanding at the end of the period, as well as the conversion of Convertible Preferred Stock when it is antidilutive for GAAP.
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per Class A common share (collectively, the "Non-GAAP Measures") are performance measures that provide supplemental information we believe is useful to analysts and investors to evaluate our ongoing results of operations, when considered alongside other GAAP measures such as net income, operating income, gross margin and net income per Class A common share. These Non-GAAP Measures exclude the financial impact of items management does not consider in assessing our ongoing core operating performance, and thereby provide useful measures to analysts and investors of our operating performance on a period-to-period basis. Other companies may have different definitions of Non-GAAP Measures and provide for different adjustments, and comparability to our results of operations may be impacted by such differences. We also use Adjusted EBITDA for board of director and bank compliance reporting. Our presentation of Non-GAAP Measures should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
Non-GAAP Measures should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using Non-GAAP Measures only for supplemental purposes.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following information summarizes the components of our Consolidated Statements of Operations for fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024.
Summary of Consolidated Statements of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share data):
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net sales and other revenue | $ | 83,172.5 | 100.0 | % | $ | 80,390.9 | 100.0 | % | $ | 79,237.7 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of sales | 60,565.8 | 72.8 | 58,135.3 | 72.3 | 57,192.0 | 72.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 22,606.7 | 27.2 | 22,255.6 | 27.7 | 22,045.7 | 27.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | 21,891.3 | 26.3 | 20,613.7 | 25.6 | 19,932.9 | 25.2 | ||||||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on property dispositions and impairment losses, net | (12.2) | — | 95.8 | 0.1 | 43.9 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 727.6 | 0.9 | 1,546.1 | 2.0 | 2,068.9 | 2.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 504.2 | 0.6 | 459.8 | 0.6 | 492.1 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | (44.4) | — | (43.4) | — | (12.2) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 267.8 | 0.3 | 1,129.7 | 1.4 | 1,589.0 | 2.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 50.4 | — | 171.1 | 0.2 | 293.0 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 217.4 | 0.3 | % | $ | 958.6 | 1.2 | % | $ | 1,296.0 | 1.6 | % | ||||||||
| Basic net income per Class A common share | $ | 0.40 | $ | 1.65 | $ | 2.25 | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted net income per Class A common share | 0.40 | 1.64 | 2.23 |
Net Sales and Other Revenue
Net sales and other revenue increased $2,781.6 million, or 3.5%, to $83,172.5 million in fiscal 2025 from $80,390.9 million in fiscal 2024. The increase in Net sales and other revenue in fiscal 2025 as compared to fiscal 2024 was driven by our 2.0% increase in identical sales, with growth in pharmacy sales being the primary driver of the identical sales increase, as well as the impact of the additional 53rd week. We also continued to grow our digital sales with a 21% increase during fiscal 2025. These increases in Net sales and other revenue were partially offset by a net reduction in sales driven by store closures since the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 and lower fuel sales. The components of the change in Net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2025 were as follows (in millions):
| Fiscal 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2024 | $ | 80,390.9 |
| Identical sales increase of 2.0% | 1,569.0 | |
| Estimated impact of 53rd week | 1,360.0 | |
| Decrease in fuel sales | (177.6) | |
| Decrease in sales due to store closures, net of new store openings | (63.4) | |
| Other, net | 93.6 | |
| Net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2025 | $ | 83,172.5 |
Identical Sales, Excluding Fuel
Identical sales include stores operating during the same period in both the current year and the prior year, comparing sales on a daily basis. Direct to consumer digital sales are included in identical sales, and fuel sales are excluded
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from identical sales. Acquired stores become identical on the one-year anniversary date of the acquisition. Identical sales results, on an actual basis, for the past three fiscal years were as follows:
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identical sales, excluding fuel | 2.0% | 2.0% | 3.0% |
The following table represents Net sales and other revenue by product type (dollars in millions):
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount (1) | % of Total | Amount (1) | % of Total | ||||||||||
| Non-perishables (2) | $ | 40,624.8 | 48.8 | % | $ | 40,102.8 | 49.9 | % | |||||
| Fresh (3) | 26,024.2 | 31.3 | % | 25,507.3 | 31.7 | % | |||||||
| Pharmacy | 11,414.9 | 13.7 | % | 9,597.2 | 11.9 | % | |||||||
| Fuel | 3,803.0 | 4.6 | % | 3,980.6 | 5.0 | % | |||||||
| Other (4) | 1,305.6 | 1.6 | % | 1,203.0 | 1.5 | % | |||||||
| Total (5) | $ | 83,172.5 | 100.0 | % | $ | 80,390.9 | 100.0 | % |
(1) Digital related sales are included in the categories to which the revenue pertains.
(2) Consists primarily of general merchandise, grocery, dairy and frozen foods.
(3) Consists primarily of produce, meat, deli and prepared foods, bakery, floral and seafood.
(4) Consists primarily of wholesale sales to third parties, commissions, rental income, media advertising revenue and other miscellaneous revenue.
(5) Fiscal 2025 includes an estimated $1.4 billion of incremental Net sales and other revenue due to the additional 53rd week.
Gross Margin
Gross margin rate decreased to 27.2% in fiscal 2025 compared to 27.7% in fiscal 2024. Excluding the impacts of fuel and LIFO, gross margin rate decreased 59 basis points. This decrease in gross margin rate was primarily driven by strong growth in pharmacy sales, which carries an overall lower gross margin rate, and increases in delivery and handling costs related to the continued growth in our digital sales. We also continue to make incremental investments in our customer value proposition which were largely funded by the benefits from our productivity initiatives.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses increased to 26.3% of Net sales and other revenue in fiscal 2025 compared to 25.6% in fiscal 2024. Excluding the impacts of fuel and the Opioid Settlement Framework, Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales and other revenue decreased 38 basis points during fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024. The decrease in Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales and other revenue was primarily attributable to the sales leveraging of employee costs and lower Merger-related costs, partially offset by an increase in business transformation costs. The benefits from our productivity initiatives continue to partially offset increasing wage rates and other inflationary pressures on our operating expenses.
(Gain) Loss on Property Dispositions and Impairment Losses, Net
For fiscal 2025, net gain on property dispositions and impairment losses was $12.2 million, driven by $59.8 million of net gains primarily from the sale of real estate assets, partially offset by $28.4 million of retail store impairment losses and $19.2 million from the impairment and disposal of certain technology assets. For fiscal 2024, net loss on property dispositions and impairment losses was $95.8 million, primarily driven by $104.2 million of asset
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impairments including impairment losses of $60.9 million of retail store impairment losses, $39.8 million primarily related to equipment from the closing of our micro-fulfillment centers and $3.5 million related to certain technology assets, partially offset by $8.4 million of net gains from the sale of real estate assets.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net was $504.2 million in fiscal 2025 compared to $459.8 million in fiscal 2024. The increase in Interest expense, net was primarily attributable to higher average outstanding borrowings.
Other Income, Net
For fiscal 2025, Other income, net was $44.4 million primarily driven by non-service cost components of net pension and post-retirement income, including $29.4 million of pension settlement income, and realized gains from non-operating investments, partially offset by unrealized losses from non-operating investments. For fiscal 2024, Other income, net was $43.4 million primarily driven by unrealized gains from non-operating investments and non-service cost components of net pension and post-retirement income.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $50.4 million in fiscal 2025, representing an 18.8% effective tax rate. Income tax expense was $171.1 million in fiscal 2024, representing a 15.1% effective tax rate. The increase in the effective income tax rate during fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by the recognition of $81.0 million of discrete state income tax benefits related to the settlement of audits during the third quarter of fiscal 2024. Refer to "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 9 - Income Taxes" for additional information on our effective tax rate.
Net Income and Adjusted Net Income
Net income was $217.4 million or $0.40 per diluted share during fiscal 2025 compared to $958.6 million or $1.64 per diluted share during fiscal 2024. Fiscal 2025 included the $599.8 million charge, net of tax, or $(1.10) per share loss related to the Opioid Settlement Framework. Fiscal 2024 included the $81.0 million or $0.14 per share benefit related to certain discrete state income tax benefits related to the settlement of audits. Adjusted net income was $1,209.3 million, or $2.18 per share, during fiscal 2025 compared to $1,382.4 million, or $2.34 per share, during fiscal 2024. Adjusted net income per share during fiscal 2025 includes an estimated incremental $0.03 per share related to the extra week in fiscal 2025.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA was $3,901.5 million, or 4.7% of Net sales and other revenue, during fiscal 2025 compared to $4,004.7 million, or 5.0% of Net sales and other revenue, during fiscal 2024. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA reflects an estimated incremental $68 million related to the extra week in fiscal 2025.
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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
The following table reconciles Net income to Adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA (in millions):
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | 217.4 | $ | 958.6 | $ | 1,296.0 | ||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||
| Business transformation (1)(b) | 153.7 | 105.2 | 45.1 | |||||||
| Equity-based compensation expense (b) | 95.5 | 106.2 | 104.5 | |||||||
| (Gain) loss on property dispositions and impairment losses, net | (12.2) | 95.8 | 43.9 | |||||||
| LIFO expense (a) | 66.0 | 28.6 | 52.0 | |||||||
| Merger-related costs (2)(b) | 84.1 | 254.8 | 180.6 | |||||||
| Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements, net (3)(b) | 802.9 | 6.1 | (6.7) | |||||||
| Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs (c) | 23.5 | 16.1 | 15.5 | |||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions (b) | 48.2 | 47.9 | 48.6 | |||||||
| Miscellaneous adjustments (4)(e) | 25.8 | 0.6 | 38.2 | |||||||
| State income tax benefits related to the settlement of audits | — | (81.0) | — | |||||||
| Tax impact of adjustments to Adjusted net income | (295.6) | (156.5) | (124.0) | |||||||
| Adjusted net income | $ | 1,209.3 | $ | 1,382.4 | $ | 1,693.7 | ||||
| Tax impact of adjustments to Adjusted net income | 295.6 | 156.5 | 124.0 | |||||||
| State income tax benefits related to the settlement of audits | — | 81.0 | — | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 50.4 | 171.1 | 293.0 | |||||||
| Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs (c) | (23.5) | (16.1) | (15.5) | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 504.2 | 459.8 | 492.1 | |||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions (b) | (48.2) | (47.9) | (48.6) | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization (d) | 1,913.7 | 1,817.9 | 1,779.0 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA (5) | $ | 3,901.5 | $ | 4,004.7 | $ | 4,317.7 |
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The following tables reconcile diluted net income per Class A common share to Adjusted net income per Class A common share (in millions, except per share data):
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numerator: | ||||||||||
| Adjusted net income (6) | $ | 1,209.3 | $ | 1,382.4 | $ | 1,693.7 | ||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||||
| Weighted average Class A common shares outstanding - diluted | 547.2 | 583.8 | 581.1 | |||||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||
| Convertible preferred stock (7) | — | — | 0.3 | |||||||
| Restricted stock units and awards (8) | 8.2 | 6.5 | 6.4 | |||||||
| Adjusted weighted average Class A common shares outstanding - diluted | 555.4 | 590.3 | 587.8 | |||||||
| Adjusted net income per Class A common share - diluted (9) | $ | 2.18 | $ | 2.34 | $ | 2.88 |
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income per Class A common share - diluted | $ | 0.40 | $ | 1.64 | $ | 2.23 | ||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments (10) | 1.81 | 0.73 | 0.68 | |||||||
| Restricted stock units and awards (8) | (0.03) | (0.03) | (0.03) | |||||||
| Adjusted net income per Class A common share - diluted (9) | $ | 2.18 | $ | 2.34 | $ | 2.88 |
(1) Primarily includes costs associated with third-party consulting fees related to our business transformation strategy and costs related to employee terminations, as follows (see table below):
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Third-party consulting fees | $ | 107.1 | $ | 71.7 | $ | 45.1 | ||||
| Employee termination and other related costs | 46.6 | 33.5 | — | |||||||
| Total Business transformation | $ | 153.7 | $ | 105.2 | $ | 45.1 |
(2) Fiscal 2025 primarily relates to litigation costs and retention program expense related to the terminated merger. Fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023 primarily include third-party legal and advisor fees and retention program expense related to the merger.
(3) Includes the $773.8 million charge in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 related to the Opioid Settlement Framework. Refer to "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 12" for additional information.
(4) Miscellaneous adjustments include the following (see table below):
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Closed stores and surplus properties | $ | 45.1 | $ | 15.9 | $ | 19.4 | ||||
| Pension settlement (income) loss | (26.8) | 4.7 | — | |||||||
| Net realized and unrealized (gain) loss on non-operating investments | (0.2) | (40.1) | 8.6 | |||||||
| Non-cash lease-related adjustments | 7.6 | 4.5 | 4.2 | |||||||
| Other (i) | 0.1 | 15.6 | 6.0 | |||||||
| Total Miscellaneous adjustments | $ | 25.8 | $ | 0.6 | $ | 38.2 |
(i) Primarily includes adjustments for unconsolidated equity investments and other costs not considered in our core performance.
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(5) Fiscal 2025 includes an estimated $68 million of incremental Adjusted EBITDA due to the impact of the additional 53rd week.
(6) See the reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted net income above for further details.
(7) Represents the conversion of Convertible Preferred Stock to the fully outstanding as-converted Class A common shares as of the end of each respective period, for periods in which the Convertible Preferred Stock is antidilutive under GAAP.
(8) Represents incremental unvested RSUs and unvested RSAs to adjust the diluted weighted average Class A common shares outstanding during each respective period to the fully outstanding RSUs and RSAs as of the end of each respective period.
(9) Adjusted net income per share for fiscal 2025 includes an estimated incremental $0.03 per share due to the impact of the additional 53rd week.
(10) Reflects the per share impact of Non-GAAP adjustments for each period. See the reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted net income above for further details.
Non-GAAP adjustment classifications within the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
(a) Cost of sales
(b) Selling and administrative expenses
(c) Interest expense, net
(d) Depreciation and amortization:
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of sales | $ | 202.9 | $ | 181.4 | $ | 169.0 | ||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | 1,710.8 | 1,636.5 | 1,610.0 | |||||||
| Total Depreciation and amortization | $ | 1,913.7 | $ | 1,817.9 | $ | 1,779.0 |
(e) Miscellaneous adjustments:
| Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Sales | $ | (3.3) | $ | 1.0 | $ | (2.2) | ||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | 56.0 | 35.9 | 33.7 | |||||||
| Other income, net | (26.9) | (36.3) | 6.7 | |||||||
| Total Miscellaneous adjustments | $ | 25.8 | $ | 0.6 | $ | 38.2 |
LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The following table sets forth the major sources and uses of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash for each period (in millions):
| February 28, 2026 | February 22, 2025 | February 24, 2024 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 203.0 | $ | 297.9 | $ | 193.2 | ||||
| Cash flows provided by operating activities | 2,366.7 | 2,680.6 | 2,659.5 | |||||||
| Cash flows used in investing activities | (1,679.4) | (1,891.8) | (1,746.7) | |||||||
| Cash flows used in financing activities | (782.2) | (684.1) | (1,183.4) |
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $2,366.7 million during fiscal 2025 compared to $2,680.6 million during fiscal 2024. The decrease in cash flow from operating activities during fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by a decrease in Adjusted EBITDA and increases in cash paid for income and indirect taxes, insurance claims, operating leases and business transformation costs, as well as changes in working capital related
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to inventory, accounts payable and other prepaids. These decreases in cash flow from operating activities were partially offset by lower Merger-related costs and contributions to our defined benefit pension plans.
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2025 was $1,679.4 million primarily due to payments for property, equipment and intangibles of $1,833.6 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of assets of $109.5 million, primarily related to real estate. Payments for property, equipment and intangibles included the completion of 94 remodels, the opening of nine new stores and continued investment in our digital and technology platforms.
Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2024 was $1,891.8 million primarily due to payments for property, equipment and intangibles of $1,927.5 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of assets of $31.4 million, primarily related to real estate. Payments for property, equipment and intangibles included the completion of 127 remodels, the opening of 11 new stores and continued investments in our digital and technology platforms.
In fiscal 2026, we expect capital expenditures to be in the range of $2.0 billion to $2.2 billion.
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $782.2 million in fiscal 2025 primarily consisting of the repurchase of common stock, dividends paid on our Class A common stock, payments for debt financing costs, payments of obligations under finance leases and tax withholding payments on vesting of RSUs, partially offset by $4,200.0 million of issuances and subsequent $3,450.0 million of redemptions of senior unsecured notes (as further discussed below under the caption Debt Management). Net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt also includes $425.0 million from the asset-based loan facility (as amended, the "ABL Facility"), including the $750 million of borrowings related to the ASR Agreement and subsequent repayment using proceeds from the issuance of senior unsecured notes in fiscal 2025.
Net cash used in financing activities was $684.1 million in fiscal 2024 primarily consisting of the $250.0 million repayment of the ABL Facility, dividends paid on our Class A common stock, the repurchase of common stock, payments of obligations under finance leases and tax withholding payments on vesting of RSUs, partially offset by $50.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of debt under the ABL Facility.
See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 5 and Note 7" for additional information.
Debt Management
Total debt, including both the current and long-term portions of finance lease obligations, net of debt discounts and deferred financing costs, increased $1,126.5 million to $8,946.6 million as of the end of fiscal 2025 compared to $7,820.1 million as of the end of fiscal 2024.
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Outstanding debt, including current maturities, net of debt discounts and deferred financing costs, principally consisted of (in millions):
| February 28, 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Senior Unsecured Notes, New Albertson's L.P. Notes and Safeway Inc. Notes | $ | 8,094.7 |
| ABL Facility | 425.0 | |
| Finance lease obligations | 412.9 | |
| Other financing obligations | 14.0 | |
| Total debt, including finance leases | $ | 8,946.6 |
As of February 28, 2026, there was $425.0 million outstanding under the ABL Facility and total availability of $3,562.3 million (net of letter of credit usage). On August 27, 2025, the existing ABL Facility was amended and restated to, among other things, extend the maturity date of the facility to August 27, 2030. The new ABL Facility has an interest rate of term SOFR plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.50% and also provides for a letters of credit sub-facility of $1,500.0 million.
On February 2, 2026, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (the "Subsidiary Co-Issuers") completed the issuance of $1,200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.625% senior unsecured notes due March 31, 2032 (the "2032 Notes") and $900.0 million in aggregate principal amount of additional 5.750% 2034 Notes, as defined below (the "Additional 2034 Notes" and together with the 2032 Notes, the "New Notes"). The Additional 2034 Notes were issued as "additional securities" under the indenture governing the outstanding 2034 Notes. The Additional 2034 Notes are treated as a single class with the outstanding 2034 Notes for all purposes and have the same terms as those of the outstanding 2034 Notes. The New Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of our existing and future direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries (other than the Subsidiary Co-Issuers) that are obligors under the ABL Facility. Interest on the 2032 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, with the first payment commencing on July 15, 2026. Proceeds from the New Notes, together with approximately $20.7 million of cash on hand, were used to (i) redeem in full the $1,350.0 million outstanding of our 4.625% senior unsecured notes due January 15, 2027 (the "2027 Notes Refinancing"), (ii) redeem in full the $750.0 million outstanding of our 5.875% senior unsecured notes due February 15, 2028 (the "2028 Notes Refinancing" and together with the 2027 Notes Refinancing, the “Refinancing”); and (iii) pay fees and expenses related to the Refinancing and the issuance of the New Notes.
On November 10, 2025, the Company and the Subsidiary Co-Issuers completed the issuance of $700.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.500% senior unsecured notes due March 31, 2031 (the "2031 Notes") and $800.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.750% senior unsecured notes due March 31, 2034 (the "2034 Notes" and together with the 2031 Notes, the "Notes"). The Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of our existing and future direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries (other than the Subsidiary Co-Issuers) that are obligors under the ABL Facility. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, with the first payment commencing on May 15, 2026. During fiscal 2025, the proceeds from the Notes were used to (i) redeem in full the $750.0 million outstanding of our 3.250% senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2026 (the "November Refinancing"); (ii) repay a portion of the borrowings under the ABL Facility; and (iii) pay fees and expenses related to the November Refinancing and the issuance of the Notes.
On March 11, 2025, the Company and the Subsidiary Co-Issuers completed the issuance of $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.250% senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2033 (the "2033 Notes"). The 2033 Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of our existing and future direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries (other than the Subsidiary Co-Issuers) that are obligors under the ABL Facility. Interest on the 2033 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, and the first payment commenced on September 15, 2025. Proceeds from the 2033 Notes, together with approximately $5.7 million of cash on hand, were used to (i) redeem in full the $600.0 million outstanding of our 7.500% senior unsecured notes
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due March 15, 2026 (the "March Refinancing") and (ii) pay fees and expenses related to the March Refinancing and the issuance of the 2033 Notes.
During fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, there were no financial maintenance covenants in effect under the ABL Facility because the conditions had not been met.
See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 5" for additional information.
Dividends
We have established a dividend policy pursuant to which we intend to pay a quarterly dividend on our Class A common stock. Cash dividends paid on our Class A common stock were $322.7 million ($0.60 per common share), $295.1 million ($0.51 per common share) and $276.2 million ($0.48 per common share) during fiscal 2025, fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively. On April 14, 2026 subsequent to the end of fiscal 2025, we announced that the Board of Directors (the "Board") increased the quarterly cash dividend 13% from $0.15 per common share to $0.17 per common share. Also on April 14, 2026, we announced the next quarterly dividend payment of $0.17 per share of Class A common stock to be paid on May 8, 2026 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 24, 2026.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
On October 14, 2025, the Board authorized an increase to the share repurchase program from $2.0 billion to $2.75 billion of our common stock. The share repurchase program could include open market repurchases, accelerated share repurchase programs, tender offers, block trades, potential privately negotiated transactions, or trading plans in compliance with the federal securities laws. Also on October 14, 2025, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (the "ASR Agreement") with JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association ("JPMorgan") to repurchase $750 million of shares of our common stock. The ASR Agreement was funded with $750.0 million of borrowings under the ABL Facility. Pursuant to the ASR Agreement, on October 15, 2025, we paid JPMorgan $750.0 million in cash and received an initial delivery of 35.4 million shares of common stock with a value equal to $600.0 million as of the date the ASR Agreement was executed, representing an estimated 80% of the total shares initially underlying the ASR Agreement. Final settlement of the ASR Agreement occurred during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, and the Company received a final delivery of 7.3 million shares on January 8, 2026. The Company repurchased a total of 42.7 million shares under the ASR Agreement at an average price of $17.57 per share, based on the average of the volume-weighted average share price of the Company's common stock on specified dates during the term of the ASR Agreement, less a discount.
During fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, we repurchased an aggregate of 78.7 million shares and 4.1 million shares of our common stock for a total of $1,492.5 million and $82.5 million, respectively. We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during fiscal 2023. On April 14, 2026, the Board authorized an increase to the remaining share repurchase authorization of $900 million, resulting in a total remaining authorization of $2.0 billion as of April 14, 2026.
Liquidity and Factors Affecting Liquidity
Based on current operating trends, we believe that we have significant sources of cash to meet our liquidity needs for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future, including cash on hand, cash flows from operating activities and other sources of liquidity, including the ABL Facility. We estimate our liquidity needs over the next 12 months to be in the range of $6.0 billion to $6.5 billion. This includes $425.0 million related to the outstanding borrowings under our ABL Facility for which we may, at our discretion, elect to pay all or a portion of the outstanding balance within the next 12 months, and anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, pension obligations, interest payments and scheduled principal payments of debt, operating leases, finance leases, legal
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settlements, quarterly dividends on Class A common stock and common stock repurchases. In addition, we may enter into refinancing and sale leaseback transactions from time to time. We believe we have adequate cash flow to continue to maintain our current debt ratings and to respond effectively to competitive conditions.
The table below presents our material cash requirements as of February 28, 2026 (in millions):
| Payments Due Per Fiscal Year (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2026 | 2027-2028 | 2029-2030 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt (2) | $ | 8,626.8 | $ | 485.1 | $ | 950.6 | $ | 2,874.9 | $ | 4,316.2 | |||||||||
| Estimated interest on long-term debt (3) | 2,505.9 | 473.0 | 836.8 | 633.7 | 562.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases (4) | 8,751.4 | 1,038.5 | 2,041.7 | 1,663.5 | 4,007.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Finance leases (4) | 610.1 | 72.8 | 133.5 | 103.9 | 299.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Other obligations (5) | 2,538.0 | 545.5 | 727.9 | 381.2 | 883.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations (6) | 566.2 | 181.5 | 151.0 | 57.1 | 176.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Total contractual obligations | $ | 23,598.4 | $ | 2,796.4 | $ | 4,841.5 | $ | 5,714.3 | $ | 10,246.2 |
(1) The cash requirements table excludes funding of pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, which totaled $56.9 million in fiscal 2025 and is expected to total approximately $50 million in fiscal 2026. This table also excludes recurring contributions under various multiemployer pension plans, which totaled $583.3 million in fiscal 2025 and is expected to total approximately $610 million in fiscal 2026.
(2) Long-term debt amounts exclude any debt discounts and deferred financing costs. See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 5" for additional information.
(3) Amounts include contractual interest payments using the stated fixed interest rate or the variable interest rate in effect as of February 28, 2026. See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 5" for additional information.
(4) Represents the minimum rents payable under operating and finance leases, excluding common area maintenance, insurance or tax payments, for which we are obligated.
(5) Consists of self-insurance liabilities, which have not been reduced by insurance-related receivables, as well as payment obligations related to withdrawal liabilities. The table also includes expected cash outflows related to the Opioid Settlement Framework estimated liability. The table excludes the unfunded pension and postretirement benefit obligation of $98.8 million. The potential settlement payments related to unrecognized tax benefits have been excluded from the contractual obligations table because a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of future tax settlements cannot be determined. Also excludes deferred tax liabilities and certain other deferred liabilities that will not be settled in cash.
(6) Purchase obligations include various obligations that have specified purchase commitments. As of February 28, 2026, future purchase obligations primarily relate to energy, fixed asset, information technology and marketing commitments, including fixed price contracts. In addition, not included in the contractual obligations table are supply contracts to purchase product for resale to consumers which are typically of a short-term nature with limited or no purchase commitments. We also enter into supply contracts which typically include either volume commitments or fixed expiration dates, termination provisions and other customary contractual considerations. The supply contracts that are cancelable have not been included above.
Multiemployer Pension Plans
We currently contribute to 28 multiemployer pension plans for a substantial majority of employees represented by unions pursuant to collective bargaining agreements that require us to contribute to these plans. The benefits are paid from assets held in trust for that purpose and the respective plan trustees are responsible for determining the level of benefits to be provided to participants, the management of the plan assets and plan administration. We continue to monitor any potential exposure to underfunded multiemployer plans for our associates who are beneficiaries of these plans.
Based on an assessment of the most recent information available, we believe that a majority of the multiemployer plans to which we contribute are underfunded, which is the amount by which the actuarial determined plan liabilities exceed the value of the plan assets. We are only one of many employers that contribute to these plans, and we are neither obligated to fund nor act as a guarantor of any plan's underfunded status. Accordingly, the underfunding of these plans does not represent a liability of the Company.
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The American Rescue Plan Act ("ARP Act") establishes a special financial assistance program for financially troubled multiemployer pension plans. Under the ARP Act, eligible multiemployer plans can apply to receive a one-time cash payment in the amount projected by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") to pay pension benefits through the plan year ending 2051. The payment received by the multiemployer plan under this special financial assistance program would not be considered a loan and would not need to be paid back. Any financial assistance received by the multiemployer plan would need to be segregated from the other assets of the multiemployer plans and invested in investment grade bonds or other investments permitted by the PBGC.
Of the 28 multiemployer plans to which we contribute, 16 plans are classified as "Critical" or "Critical and Declining" and eligible for relief under the special financial assistance program through the ARP Act. A substantial majority of the eligible multiemployer plans have either received, or have been approved to receive, special financial assistance funds, which have already resulted in, or are expected to result in, a significant reduction in the underfunding of these plans. Based on current expectations and the plans' funding status, we expect the special financial assistance provided under these regulations will allow these plans to remain solvent for at least the next 30 years and continue to provide benefits to our associates who are beneficiaries of these multiemployer plans.
The amount of underfunding is an estimate and may change based on factors including investment returns on plan assets, benefit payments, plan amendments, collective bargaining, trustee actions, or legislative changes. The Company's share of the underfunding could increase or decrease depending on changes in asset values, employer participation, or other actions affecting the plans. The Company continues to monitor its potential exposure to underfunded multiemployer pension plans.
We will continue to make our contributions based on collective bargaining agreements for each of the multiemployer plans to which we contribute. Our contributions to multiemployer plans were $583.3 million, $547.7 million and $545.5 million during fiscal 2025, fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively, and we expect to contribute approximately $610 million in fiscal 2026. In the event we were to exit certain markets or otherwise cease contributing to certain multiemployer plans, such actions could result in a substantial withdrawal liability. Any resulting withdrawal liability is recognized when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Refer to "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 10" for additional information.
Guarantees
We are party to a variety of contractual agreements pursuant to which we may be obligated to indemnify the other party for certain matters. These contracts primarily relate to our commercial contracts, operating leases and other real estate contracts, trademarks, intellectual property, financial agreements and various other agreements. Under these agreements, we may provide certain routine indemnifications relating to representations and warranties (for example, ownership of assets, environmental or tax indemnifications) or personal injury matters. The terms of these indemnifications range in duration and may not be explicitly defined. We believe that if we were to incur a loss in any of these matters, the loss would not have a material effect on our financial statements.
We are liable for certain operating leases that were assigned to third parties. If any of these third parties fail to perform their obligations under the leases, we could be responsible for the lease obligation. Because of the wide dispersion among third parties and the variety of remedies available, we believe that if an assignee became insolvent it would not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into various supply contracts to purchase products for resale and purchase and service contracts for fixed asset and information technology commitments. We have also entered into fixed price contracts to purchase electricity and natural gas for a portion of our energy needs. These contracts
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typically include volume commitments or fixed expiration dates, termination provisions and other standard contractual considerations.
Letters of Credit
We had letters of credit of $12.7 million outstanding as of February 28, 2026. The letters of credit are maintained primarily to support our performance, payment, deposit or surety obligations. We typically pay bank fees of 1.25% plus a fronting fee of 0.125% on the face amount of the letters of credit.
NEW ACCOUNTING POLICIES
See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1" for new accounting pronouncements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
We have chosen accounting policies that we believe are appropriate to report accurately and fairly our operating results and financial position, and we apply those accounting policies in a fair and consistent manner. See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1" for a discussion of our significant accounting policies.
Management believes the following critical accounting policies reflect its more subjective or complex judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Self-Insurance Liabilities
We are primarily self-insured for workers' compensation, property, automobile and general liability. The self-insurance liability is undiscounted and determined actuarially, based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. We have established stop-loss amounts that limit our further exposure after a claim reaches the designated stop-loss threshold. In determining our self-insurance liabilities, we perform a continuing review of our overall position and reserving techniques. Since recorded amounts are based on estimates, the ultimate cost of all incurred claims and related expenses may be more or less than the recorded liabilities.
Any actuarial projection of self-insured losses is subject to a high degree of variability. Litigation trends, legal interpretations, benefit level changes, claim settlement patterns and similar factors influenced historical development trends that were used to determine the current year expense and, therefore, contributed to the variability in the annual expense. However, these factors are not direct inputs into the actuarial projection, and thus their individual impact cannot be quantified.
Contingencies
We are involved in a number of legal proceedings and certain regulatory matters. We record a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. We also perform an assessment of the materiality of loss contingencies where a loss is either reasonably possible or it is reasonably possible that an estimated liability could materially change. If a loss or change in the estimated liability has at least a reasonable possibility of occurring and the impact on the financial statements would be material, we provide disclosure of the nature of the uncertainty and estimate of possible loss or range of loss to the extent such estimate can be made. We
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review all contingencies at least quarterly to determine whether the likelihood of loss has changed and whether a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made. The assessment of the outcome of litigation can be very difficult to predict as it is subject to legal processes that are highly complex, subject to many factors, including those that are not within our control, and highly dependent on individual facts and circumstances. While management currently believes that the estimated liabilities currently recorded are reasonable, it remains possible that differences in actual outcomes or changes in management's evaluation or predictions could arise that could be material to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, although we are not able to predict the outcome or reasonably estimate a range of possible losses in certain matters described in "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 12" and have not recorded an associated estimated liability related to these matters, an adverse judgment or negotiated settlement in these matters could be material to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2025 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001646972-25-000052.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following information summarizes the components of our Consolidated Statements of Operations for fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023.
Summary of Consolidated Statements of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share data):
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net sales and other revenue | $ | 80,390.9 | 100.0 | % | $ | 79,237.7 | 100.0 | % | $ | 77,649.7 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of sales | 58,135.3 | 72.3 | 57,192.0 | 72.2 | 55,894.1 | 72.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 22,255.6 | 27.7 | 22,045.7 | 27.8 | 21,755.6 | 28.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | 20,613.7 | 25.6 | 19,932.9 | 25.2 | 19,596.0 | 25.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss (gain) on property dispositions and impairment losses, net | 95.8 | 0.1 | 43.9 | — | (147.5) | (0.2) | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 1,546.1 | 2.0 | 2,068.9 | 2.6 | 2,307.1 | 3.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 459.8 | 0.6 | 492.1 | 0.6 | 404.6 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | (43.4) | — | (12.2) | — | (33.0) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 1,129.7 | 1.4 | 1,589.0 | 2.0 | 1,935.5 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 171.1 | 0.2 | 293.0 | 0.4 | 422.0 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 958.6 | 1.2 | % | $ | 1,296.0 | 1.6 | % | $ | 1,513.5 | 2.0 | % | ||||||||
| Basic net income per Class A common share | $ | 1.65 | $ | 2.25 | $ | 2.29 | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted net income per Class A common share | 1.64 | 2.23 | 2.27 |
Net Sales and Other Revenue
Net sales and other revenue increased $1,153.2 million, or 1.5%, to $80,390.9 million in fiscal 2024 from $79,237.7 million in fiscal 2023. The increase in Net sales and other revenue in fiscal 2024 as compared to fiscal 2023 was driven by our 2.0% increase in identical sales, with growth in pharmacy sales being the primary driver of the identical sales increase, while our digital sales also increased 24% during fiscal 2024. The increase in Net sales and other revenue was partially offset by lower fuel sales. The components of the change in Net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2024 were as follows (in millions):
| Fiscal 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2023 | $ | 79,237.7 |
| Identical sales increase of 2.0% | 1,479.7 | |
| Decrease in fuel sales | (416.1) | |
| Increase in sales due to new store openings, net of store closures | 60.0 | |
| Other, net | 29.6 | |
| Net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2024 | $ | 80,390.9 |
Identical Sales, Excluding Fuel
Identical sales include stores operating during the same period in both the current year and the prior year, comparing sales on a daily basis. Direct to consumer digital sales are included in identical sales, and fuel sales are excluded
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from identical sales. Acquired stores become identical on the one-year anniversary date of the acquisition. Identical sales results, on an actual basis, for the past three fiscal years were as follows:
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identical sales, excluding fuel | 2.0% | 3.0% | 6.9% |
The following table represents Net sales and other revenue by product type (dollars in millions):
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount (1) | % of Total | Amount (1) | % of Total | ||||||||||
| Non-perishables (2) | $ | 40,102.8 | 49.9 | % | $ | 39,977.3 | 50.5 | % | |||||
| Fresh (3) | 25,507.3 | 31.7 | % | 25,442.7 | 32.1 | % | |||||||
| Pharmacy | 9,597.2 | 11.9 | % | 8,240.0 | 10.4 | % | |||||||
| Fuel | 3,980.6 | 5.0 | % | 4,396.7 | 5.5 | % | |||||||
| Other (4) | 1,203.0 | 1.5 | % | 1,181.0 | 1.5 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 80,390.9 | 100.0 | % | $ | 79,237.7 | 100.0 | % |
(1) Digital related sales are included in the categories to which the revenue pertains.
(2) Consists primarily of general merchandise, grocery, dairy and frozen foods.
(3) Consists primarily of produce, meat, deli and prepared foods, bakery, floral and seafood.
(4) Consists primarily of wholesale sales to third parties, commissions, media advertising revenue, rental income and other miscellaneous revenue.
Gross Margin
Gross margin rate decreased to 27.7% in fiscal 2024 compared to 27.8% in fiscal 2023. Excluding the impacts of fuel and LIFO, gross margin rate decreased 34 basis points. The strong growth in pharmacy sales, which carries an overall lower gross margin rate, increases in delivery and handling costs related to the 24% growth in our digital sales and investment in our customer value proposition were the primary drivers of the decrease, partially offset by the benefits from our productivity initiatives.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses increased to 25.6% of Net sales and other revenue in fiscal 2024 compared to 25.2% in fiscal 2023. Excluding the impact of fuel, Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales and other revenue increased 34 basis points during fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023. The increase in Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales and other revenue was primarily attributable to an increase in operating expenses related to the ongoing development of our digital and omnichannel capabilities, Merger-related costs, increased business transformation costs, higher employee costs and increased store occupancy costs including additional third-party store security services, partially offset by the benefits from our productivity initiatives.
Loss (Gain) on Property Dispositions and Impairment Losses, Net
For fiscal 2024, net loss on property dispositions and impairment losses was $95.8 million, primarily driven by $104.2 million of asset impairments including impairment losses of $60.9 million of retail store impairment losses, $39.8 million primarily related to equipment from the closing of our micro-fulfillment centers and $3.5 million related to certain technology assets, partially offset by $8.4 million of net gains from the sale of real estate assets. For fiscal 2023, net loss on property dispositions and impairment losses was $43.9 million, primarily driven by the impairment and disposal of certain technology assets, partially offset by net gains from the sale of assets.
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Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net was $459.8 million in fiscal 2024 compared to $492.1 million in fiscal 2023. The decrease in Interest expense, net was primarily attributable to lower average outstanding borrowings. The weighted average interest rate was 5.6% during both fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, excluding amortization of debt discounts and deferred financing costs.
Other Income, Net
For fiscal 2024, Other income, net was $43.4 million primarily driven by unrealized gains from non-operating investments and non-service cost components of net pension and post-retirement income. For fiscal 2023, Other income, net was $12.2 million primarily driven by non-service cost components of net pension and post-retirement income, realized gains from non-operating investments and income related to our equity interest and gain on sale of El Rancho during fiscal 2023, partially offset by realized and unrealized losses from non-operating investments.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $171.1 million, representing a 15.1% effective tax rate, in fiscal 2024, and $293.0 million, representing an 18.4% effective tax rate, in fiscal 2023. The decrease in the effective income tax rate during fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was primarily driven by the recognition of $81.0 million of discrete state income tax benefits related to audit settlements, compared to a reduction of a reserve of $49.7 million for an uncertain tax position due to the expiration of a foreign statute during the first quarter of fiscal 2023.
Net Income and Adjusted Net Income
Net income was $958.6 million or $1.64 per diluted share during fiscal 2024 compared to $1,296.0 million or $2.23 per diluted share during fiscal 2023. Fiscal 2024 included the $81.0 million or $0.14 per share benefit related to certain discrete state income tax benefits related to the settlement of audits, and fiscal 2023 included the $49.7 million or $0.09 per share benefit related to the reduction in the reserve for an uncertain tax position. Adjusted net income was $1,382.4 million, or $2.34 per share, during fiscal 2024 compared to $1,693.7 million, or $2.88 per share (which includes the $49.7 million tax benefit discussed above), during fiscal 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA was $4,004.7 million, or 5.0% of Net sales and other revenue, during fiscal 2024 compared to $4,317.7 million, or 5.4% of Net sales and other revenue, during fiscal 2023.
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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
The following table reconciles Net income to Adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA (in millions):
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | 958.6 | $ | 1,296.0 | $ | 1,513.5 | ||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||
| Loss (gain) on interest rate swaps and energy hedges, net (d) | 0.9 | (3.2) | (8.4) | |||||||
| Business transformation (1)(b) | 105.2 | 45.1 | 78.3 | |||||||
| Equity-based compensation expense (b) | 106.2 | 104.5 | 138.3 | |||||||
| Loss (gain) on property dispositions and impairment losses, net | 95.8 | 43.9 | (147.5) | |||||||
| LIFO expense (a) | 28.6 | 52.0 | 268.0 | |||||||
| Government-mandated incremental COVID-19 pandemic related pay (2)(b) | — | — | 10.8 | |||||||
| Merger-related costs (3)(b) | 254.8 | 180.6 | 56.5 | |||||||
| Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements, net (b) | 6.1 | (6.7) | 100.7 | |||||||
| Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs (c) | 16.1 | 15.5 | 16.8 | |||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions (b) | 47.9 | 48.6 | 50.9 | |||||||
| Combined Plan (4)(b) | — | — | (19.0) | |||||||
| Miscellaneous adjustments (5)(f) | (0.3) | 41.4 | 52.1 | |||||||
| State income tax benefits related to the settlement of audits | (81.0) | — | — | |||||||
| Tax impact of adjustments to Adjusted net income | (156.5) | (124.0) | (145.9) | |||||||
| Adjusted net income | $ | 1,382.4 | $ | 1,693.7 | $ | 1,965.1 | ||||
| Tax impact of adjustments to Adjusted net income | 156.5 | 124.0 | 145.9 | |||||||
| State income tax benefits related to the settlement of audits | 81.0 | — | — | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 171.1 | 293.0 | 422.0 | |||||||
| Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs (c) | (16.1) | (15.5) | (16.8) | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 459.8 | 492.1 | 404.6 | |||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions (b) | (47.9) | (48.6) | (50.9) | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization (e) | 1,817.9 | 1,779.0 | 1,807.1 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 4,004.7 | $ | 4,317.7 | $ | 4,677.0 |
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The following tables reconcile diluted net income per Class A common share to Adjusted net income per Class A common share (in millions, except per share data):
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numerator: | ||||||||||
| Adjusted net income (6) | $ | 1,382.4 | $ | 1,693.7 | $ | 1,965.1 | ||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||||
| Weighted average Class A common shares outstanding - diluted | 583.8 | 581.1 | 534.0 | |||||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||
| Convertible preferred stock (7) | — | 0.3 | 42.7 | |||||||
| Restricted stock units and awards (8) | 6.5 | 6.4 | 5.9 | |||||||
| Adjusted weighted average Class A common shares outstanding - diluted | 590.3 | 587.8 | 582.6 | |||||||
| Adjusted net income per Class A common share - diluted | $ | 2.34 | $ | 2.88 | $ | 3.37 |
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income per Class A common share - diluted | $ | 1.64 | $ | 2.23 | $ | 2.27 | ||||
| Convertible Preferred Stock (7) | — | — | 0.36 | |||||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments (9) | 0.73 | 0.68 | 0.78 | |||||||
| Restricted stock units and awards (8) | (0.03) | (0.03) | (0.04) | |||||||
| Adjusted net income per Class A common share - diluted | $ | 2.34 | $ | 2.88 | $ | 3.37 |
(1) Includes costs associated with third-party consulting fees related to our Customers for Life strategy and employee termination costs related to our reduction in workforce during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, as follows (see table below):
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Third-party consulting fees | $ | 71.7 | $ | 45.1 | $ | 78.3 | ||||
| Employee termination costs | 33.5 | — | — | |||||||
| Total Business transformation | $ | 105.2 | $ | 45.1 | $ | 78.3 |
(2) Represents incremental COVID-19 related pay legislatively required in certain municipalities in which we operate.
(3) Primarily relates to third-party legal and advisor fees and retention program expense related to the Merger and costs in connection with our previously-announced Board-led review of potential strategic alternatives.
(4) Related to the Combined Plan during the second quarter of fiscal 2022. See "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 11" for more information.
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(5) Miscellaneous adjustments include the following (see table below):
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-cash lease-related adjustments | $ | 4.5 | $ | 4.2 | $ | 5.6 | ||||
| Lease and lease-related costs for surplus and closed stores | 15.9 | 19.4 | 22.7 | |||||||
| Net realized and unrealized (gain) loss on non-operating investments | (40.1) | 8.6 | 25.2 | |||||||
| Other (i) | 19.4 | 9.2 | (1.4) | |||||||
| Total Miscellaneous adjustments | $ | (0.3) | $ | 41.4 | $ | 52.1 |
(i) Primarily includes adjustments for pension settlement loss, unconsolidated equity investments and other costs not considered in our core performance.
(6) See the reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted net income above for further details.
(7) Represents the conversion of Convertible Preferred Stock to the fully outstanding as-converted Class A common shares as of the end of each respective period, for periods in which the Convertible Preferred Stock is antidilutive under GAAP. Fiscal 2022 reflects the impact of the Special Dividend (as defined below) that is attributable to the holders of Convertible Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis.
(8) Represents incremental unvested RSUs and unvested RSAs to adjust the diluted weighted average Class A common shares outstanding during each respective period to the fully outstanding RSUs and RSAs as of the end of each respective period.
(9) Reflects the per share impact of Non-GAAP adjustments for each period. See the reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted net income above for further details.
Non-GAAP adjustment classifications within the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
(a) Cost of sales
(b) Selling and administrative expenses
(c) Interest expense, net
(d) Loss (gain) on interest rate swaps and energy hedges, net:
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of sales | $ | 1.0 | $ | (2.2) | $ | (4.8) | ||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | (0.1) | (1.0) | 4.8 | |||||||
| Other income, net | — | — | (8.4) | |||||||
| Total Loss (gain) on interest rate swaps and energy hedges, net | $ | 0.9 | $ | (3.2) | $ | (8.4) |
(e) Depreciation and amortization:
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of sales | $ | 181.4 | $ | 169.0 | $ | 162.7 | ||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | 1,636.5 | 1,610.0 | 1,644.4 | |||||||
| Total Depreciation and amortization | $ | 1,817.9 | $ | 1,779.0 | $ | 1,807.1 |
(f) Miscellaneous adjustments:
| Fiscal 2024 | Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selling and administrative expenses | $ | 36.0 | $ | 34.7 | $ | 28.9 | ||||
| Other income, net | (36.3) | 6.7 | 23.2 | |||||||
| Total Miscellaneous adjustments | $ | (0.3) | $ | 41.4 | $ | 52.1 |
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LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The following table sets forth the major sources and uses of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash for each period (in millions):
| February 22, 2025 | February 24, 2024 | February 25, 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 297.9 | $ | 193.2 | $ | 463.8 | ||||
| Cash flows provided by operating activities | 2,680.6 | 2,659.5 | 2,853.9 | |||||||
| Cash flows used in investing activities | (1,891.8) | (1,746.7) | (1,977.3) | |||||||
| Cash flows used in financing activities | (684.1) | (1,183.4) | (3,365.4) |
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $2,680.6 million during fiscal 2024 compared to $2,659.5 million during fiscal 2023. The increase in cash flow from operating activities during fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 was due to less cash paid for taxes, legal settlements, multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liabilities and interest, partially offset by a decrease in Adjusted EBITDA, higher Merger-related costs, changes in working capital and an increase in contributions to our defined benefit pension plans during fiscal 2024.
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2024 was $1,891.8 million primarily due to payments for property, equipment and intangibles of $1,927.5 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of assets of $31.4 million, primarily related to real estate. Payments for property, equipment and intangibles included the completion of 127 remodels, the opening of 11 new stores and continued investment in our digital and technology platforms.
Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2023 was $1,746.7 million primarily due to payments for property, equipment and intangibles of $2,036.6 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of assets of $217.6 million, which includes $166.1 million related to the sale of our equity interest in El Rancho during fiscal 2023. Payments for property, equipment and intangibles included the completion of 150 remodels, the opening of six new stores and continued investments in our digital and technology platforms.
In fiscal 2025, we expect capital expenditures to be in the range of $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion.
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $684.1 million in fiscal 2024 primarily consisting of the $250.0 million repayment of the asset-based loan facility (as amended, the "ABL Facility"), dividends paid on our Class A common stock, the repurchase of common stock, payments of obligations under finance leases and tax withholding payments on vesting of RSUs, partially offset by $50.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of debt under the ABL Facility.
Net cash used in financing activities was $1,183.4 million in fiscal 2023 primarily consisting of the $950.0 million partial repayment of the ABL Facility, dividends paid on our Class A common stock, payments of obligations under
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finance leases and tax withholding payments on vesting of RSUs, partially offset by $150.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of debt under the ABL Facility.
See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 6 and Note 8" for additional information.
Debt Management
Total debt, including both the current and long-term portions of finance lease obligations, net of debt discounts and deferred financing costs, decreased $248.5 million to $7,820.1 million as of the end of fiscal 2024 compared to $8,068.6 million as of the end of fiscal 2023.
Outstanding debt, including current maturities, net of debt discounts and deferred financing costs, principally consisted of (in millions):
| February 22, 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Senior Unsecured Notes, New Albertson's L.P. Notes and Safeway Inc. Notes | $ | 7,377.5 |
| Finance lease obligations | 427.9 | |
| Other financing obligations | 14.7 | |
| Total debt, including finance leases | $ | 7,820.1 |
During fiscal 2024, we repaid $200.0 million, net, of the ABL Facility. As of February 22, 2025, we had no borrowings outstanding under the ABL Facility and total availability of $3,972.6 million (net of letter of credit usage).
On March 11, 2025, subsequent to the end of fiscal 2024, we completed the issuance of $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.250% senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2033 (the "2033 Notes"). Interest on the 2033 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, with the first payment commencing on September 15, 2025. On March 17, 2025, subsequent to the end of fiscal 2024, proceeds from the 2033 Notes, together with approximately $5.6 million of cash on hand, were used to (i) redeem in full the $600.0 million outstanding of our 7.500% senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2026 and (ii) pay fees and expenses related to the issuance of the 2033 Notes.
During fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, there were no financial maintenance covenants in effect under the ABL Facility because the conditions had not been met.
See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 6" for additional information.
Dividends
We have established a dividend policy pursuant to which we intend to pay a quarterly dividend on our Class A common stock. Cash dividends paid on our Class A common stock were $295.1 million ($0.51 per common share), $276.2 million ($0.48 per common share) and $255.1 million ($0.48 per common share) during fiscal 2024, fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively. On December 11, 2024, the Board increased the quarterly cash dividend 25% from $0.12 per common share to $0.15 per common share. On April 15, 2025, we announced the next quarterly dividend payment of $0.15 per share of Class A common stock to be paid on May 9, 2025 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 25, 2025.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, the conversion of the remaining Convertible Preferred Stock was completed. The holders of Convertible Preferred Stock were entitled to a quarterly dividend at a rate per annum of 6.75% of the liquidation preference per share of the Convertible Preferred Stock. In addition, the holders of Convertible Preferred
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Stock participated in cash dividends that we pay on our common stock to the extent that such cash dividends exceed $206.25 million per fiscal year and shares of Convertible Preferred Stock remain outstanding as of the applicable record date to participate in such dividends. Cash dividends paid to holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock were $0.8 million and $65.3 million during fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively.
On October 13, 2022, we declared the Special Dividend, payable to stockholders of record, including holders of Series A preferred stock on an as-converted basis, as of the close of business on October 24, 2022. On January 20, 2023, the Special Dividend of $3,916.9 million was paid.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
On December 11, 2024, the Board authorized a share repurchase program of up to $2.0 billion of our common stock. The share repurchase program could include open market repurchases, accelerated share repurchase programs, tender offers, block trades, potential privately negotiated transactions, or trading plans in compliance with the federal securities laws. Subsequent to the Board authorization, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, we repurchased an aggregate of 4.1 million shares of our common stock for a total of $82.5 million pursuant to such share repurchase authorization. We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022.
Liquidity and Factors Affecting Liquidity
Based on current operating trends, we believe that we have significant sources of cash to meet our liquidity needs for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future, including cash on hand, cash flows from operating activities and other sources of liquidity, including the ABL Facility. We estimate our liquidity needs over the next 12 months to be approximately $5.5 billion, which includes anticipated requirements for incremental working capital, capital expenditures, pension obligations, interest payments, quarterly dividends on Class A common stock, common stock repurchases, operating leases and finance leases. In addition, we may enter into refinancing and sale leaseback transactions from time to time. We believe we have adequate cash flow to continue to maintain our current debt ratings and to respond effectively to competitive conditions.
The table below presents our material cash requirements as of February 22, 2025 (in millions):
| Payments Due Per Fiscal Year (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2025 | 2026-2027 | 2028-2029 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt (2) | $ | 7,452.4 | $ | 0.6 | $ | 4,416.7 | $ | 2,521.9 | $ | 513.2 | |||||||||
| Estimated interest on long-term debt (3) | 1,297.5 | 389.1 | 604.3 | 264.0 | 40.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases (4) | 8,878.5 | 1,010.6 | 2,011.4 | 1,661.7 | 4,194.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Finance leases (4) | 623.1 | 81.3 | 145.7 | 109.4 | 286.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Other obligations (5) | 1,780.3 | 397.3 | 503.0 | 234.5 | 645.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations (6) | 481.9 | 254.0 | 148.4 | 37.4 | 42.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total contractual obligations | $ | 20,513.7 | $ | 2,132.9 | $ | 7,829.5 | $ | 4,828.9 | $ | 5,722.4 |
(1) The cash requirements table excludes funding of pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, which totaled $91.3 million in fiscal 2024 and is expected to total approximately $57 million in fiscal 2025. This table also excludes recurring contributions under various multiemployer pension plans, which totaled $547.7 million in fiscal 2024 and is expected to total approximately $560 million in fiscal 2025.
(2) Long-term debt amounts exclude any debt discounts and deferred financing costs. See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 6" for additional information.
(3) Amounts include contractual interest payments using the stated fixed interest rate or the variable interest rate in effect as of February 22, 2025. See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 6" for additional information.
(4) Represents the minimum rents payable under operating and finance leases, excluding common area maintenance, insurance or tax payments, for which we are obligated.
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(5) Consists of self-insurance liabilities, which have not been reduced by insurance-related receivables, as well as payment obligations related to the Combined Plan. The table excludes the unfunded pension and postretirement benefit obligation of $170.3 million. The potential settlement payments related to unrecognized tax benefits have been excluded from the contractual obligations table because a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of future tax settlements cannot be determined. Also excludes deferred tax liabilities and certain other deferred liabilities that will not be settled in cash.
(6) Purchase obligations include various obligations that have specified purchase commitments. As of February 22, 2025, future purchase obligations primarily relate to energy, fixed asset, information technology and marketing commitments, including fixed price contracts. In addition, not included in the contractual obligations table are supply contracts to purchase product for resale to consumers which are typically of a short-term nature with limited or no purchase commitments. We also enter into supply contracts which typically include either volume commitments or fixed expiration dates, termination provisions and other customary contractual considerations. The supply contracts that are cancelable have not been included above.
Multiemployer Pension Plans
We currently contribute to 27 multiemployer plans which provide retirement benefits to participants based on their service to contributing employers. The benefits are paid from assets held in trust for that purpose and the respective plan trustees are responsible for determining the level of benefits to be provided to participants, the management of the plan assets and plan administration. We continue to monitor any potential exposure to underfunded multiemployer plans for our associates who are beneficiaries of these plans.
The American Rescue Plan Act ("ARP Act") establishes a special financial assistance program for financially troubled multiemployer pension plans. Under the ARP Act, eligible multiemployer plans can apply to receive a one-time cash payment in the amount projected by the PBGC to pay pension benefits through the plan year ending 2051. The payment received by the multiemployer plan under this special financial assistance program would not be considered a loan and would not need to be paid back. Any financial assistance received by the multiemployer plan would need to be segregated from the other assets of the multiemployer plans and invested in investment grade bonds or other investments permitted by the PBGC.
The underfunding of any of these plans to which we contribute are not our liability and though we are not obligated nor the guarantor for any of the underfunding, we have estimated, based on the ratio of our contributions to the total of all contributions to these plans, our allocable share of the underfunding (the amount by which the actuarial determined plan liabilities exceed the value of the plan assets) of these multiemployer plans to which we contribute to be approximately $4.9 billion. Of the 27 multiemployer plans to which we contribute, 15 plans are classified as "Critical" or "Critical and Declining" and eligible for relief under the special financial assistance program through the ARP Act. As of February 22, 2025, four of these 15 plans have received special financial assistance funds, reducing our estimated $4.9 billion allocable share of underfunding to approximately $3.6 billion. The remaining 11 plans have applied for special financial assistance and though the amounts each plan could receive will vary, we currently estimate that these 11 plans represent over 85% of our remaining $3.6 billion allocable share of underfunding. We expect the special financial assistance program under these regulations to provide the funding for these plans to remain solvent for at least the next 25 to 30 years and continue to provide benefits to our associates who are beneficiaries of these multiemployer plans.
We will continue to make our contributions based on collective bargaining agreements for each of the multiemployer plans to which we contribute. Our contributions to multiemployer plans were $547.7 million, $545.5 million and $546.5 million during fiscal 2024, fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively, and we expect to contribute approximately $560 million in fiscal 2025. Refer to "Part I—Item 1A. Risk Factors" and "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 11" for additional information.
Guarantees
We are party to a variety of contractual agreements pursuant to which we may be obligated to indemnify the other party for certain matters. These contracts primarily relate to our commercial contracts, operating leases and other real estate contracts, trademarks, intellectual property, financial agreements and various other agreements. Under
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these agreements, we may provide certain routine indemnifications relating to representations and warranties (for example, ownership of assets, environmental or tax indemnifications) or personal injury matters. The terms of these indemnifications range in duration and may not be explicitly defined. We believe that if we were to incur a loss in any of these matters, the loss would not have a material effect on our financial statements.
We are liable for certain operating leases that were assigned to third parties. If any of these third parties fail to perform their obligations under the leases, we could be responsible for the lease obligation. Because of the wide dispersion among third parties and the variety of remedies available, we believe that if an assignee became insolvent it would not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into various supply contracts to purchase products for resale and purchase and service contracts for fixed asset and information technology commitments. We have also entered into fixed price contracts to purchase electricity and natural gas for a portion of our energy needs. These contracts typically include volume commitments or fixed expiration dates, termination provisions and other standard contractual considerations.
Letters of Credit
We had letters of credit of $27.4 million outstanding as of February 22, 2025. The letters of credit are maintained primarily to support our performance, payment, deposit or surety obligations. We typically pay bank fees of 1.25% plus a fronting fee of 0.125% on the face amount of the letters of credit.
NEW ACCOUNTING POLICIES
See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1" for new accounting pronouncements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
We have chosen accounting policies that we believe are appropriate to report accurately and fairly our operating results and financial position, and we apply those accounting policies in a fair and consistent manner. See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1" for a discussion of our significant accounting policies.
Management believes the following critical accounting policies reflect its more subjective or complex judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Self-Insurance Liabilities
We are primarily self-insured for workers' compensation, property, automobile and general liability. The self-insurance liability is undiscounted and determined actuarially, based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. We have established stop-loss amounts that limit our further exposure after a claim reaches the designated stop-loss threshold. In determining our self-insurance liabilities, we perform a continuing review of our overall position and reserving techniques. Since recorded amounts are based on estimates, the ultimate cost of all incurred claims and related expenses may be more or less than the recorded liabilities.
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Any actuarial projection of self-insured losses is subject to a high degree of variability. Litigation trends, legal interpretations, benefit level changes, claim settlement patterns and similar factors influenced historical development trends that were used to determine the current year expense and, therefore, contributed to the variability in the annual expense. However, these factors are not direct inputs into the actuarial projection, and thus their individual impact cannot be quantified.
Contingencies
We are involved in a number of legal proceedings and certain regulatory matters. We record a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. We also perform an assessment of the materiality of loss contingencies where a loss is either reasonably possible or it is reasonably possible that an estimated liability could materially change. If a loss or change in the estimated liability has at least a reasonable possibility of occurring and the impact on the financial statements would be material, we provide disclosure of the nature of the uncertainty and estimate of possible loss or range of loss to the extent such estimate can be made. We review all contingencies at least quarterly to determine whether the likelihood of loss has changed and whether a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made. The assessment of the outcome of litigation can be very difficult to predict as it is subject to legal processes that are highly complex, subject to many factors, including those that are not within our control, and highly dependent on individual facts and circumstances. While management currently believes that the estimated liabilities currently recorded are reasonable, it remains possible that differences in actual outcomes or changes in management's evaluation or predictions could arise that could be material to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, although we are not able to predict the outcome or reasonably estimate a range of possible losses in certain matters described in Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 13" and have not recorded an associated accrual related to these matters, an adverse judgment or negotiated settlement in these matters could be material to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001646972-24-000060.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following information summarizes the components of our Consolidated Statements of Operations for fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022.
Summary of Consolidated Statements of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share data):
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net sales and other revenue | $ | 79,237.7 | 100.0 | % | $ | 77,649.7 | 100.0 | % | $ | 71,887.0 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of sales | 57,192.0 | 72.2 | 55,894.1 | 72.0 | 51,164.6 | 71.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 22,045.7 | 27.8 | 21,755.6 | 28.0 | 20,722.4 | 28.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | 19,932.9 | 25.2 | 19,596.0 | 25.2 | 18,300.5 | 25.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss (gain) on property dispositions and impairment losses, net | 43.9 | — | (147.5) | (0.2) | (15.0) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 2,068.9 | 2.6 | 2,307.1 | 3.0 | 2,436.9 | 3.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 492.1 | 0.6 | 404.6 | 0.5 | 481.9 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | — | — | — | — | 3.7 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | (12.2) | — | (33.0) | — | (148.2) | (0.2) | ||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 1,589.0 | 2.0 | 1,935.5 | 2.5 | 2,099.5 | 2.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 293.0 | 0.4 | 422.0 | 0.5 | 479.9 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,296.0 | 1.6 | % | $ | 1,513.5 | 2.0 | % | $ | 1,619.6 | 2.1 | % | ||||||||
| Basic net income per Class A common share | $ | 2.25 | $ | 2.29 | $ | 2.73 | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted net income per Class A common share | 2.23 | 2.27 | 2.70 |
Net Sales and Other Revenue
Net sales and other revenue increased $1,588.0 million, or 2.0%, to $79,237.7 million in fiscal 2023 from $77,649.7 million in fiscal 2022. The increase in Net sales and other revenue in fiscal 2023 as compared to fiscal 2022 was primarily driven by our 3.0% increase in identical sales, with growth in pharmacy sales and increasing digital sales being the primary contributors to the identical sales increase. The increase in Net sales and other revenue was partially offset by lower fuel sales. The components of the change in Net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2023 were as follows (in millions):
| Fiscal 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2022 | $ | 77,649.7 |
| Identical sales increase of 3.0% | 2,164.6 | |
| Decrease in fuel sales | (460.9) | |
| Decrease in sales due to store closures, net of new store openings | (1.2) | |
| Other, net | (114.5) | |
| Net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2023 | $ | 79,237.7 |
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Identical Sales, Excluding Fuel
Identical sales include stores operating during the same period in both the current year and the prior year, comparing sales on a daily basis. Direct to consumer digital sales are included in identical sales, and fuel sales are excluded from identical sales. Acquired stores become identical on the one-year anniversary date of the acquisition. Identical sales results, on an actual basis, for the past three fiscal years were as follows:
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identical sales, excluding fuel | 3.0% | 6.9% | (0.1)% |
The following table represents Net sales and other revenue by product type (dollars in millions):
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount (1) | % of Total | Amount (1) | % of Total | ||||||||||
| Non-perishables (2) | $ | 39,977.3 | 50.5 | % | $ | 39,142.4 | 50.4 | % | |||||
| Fresh (3) | 25,442.7 | 32.1 | % | 25,585.4 | 32.9 | % | |||||||
| Pharmacy | 8,240.0 | 10.4 | % | 6,769.3 | 8.7 | % | |||||||
| Fuel | 4,396.7 | 5.5 | % | 4,857.6 | 6.3 | % | |||||||
| Other (4) | 1,181.0 | 1.5 | % | 1,295.0 | 1.7 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 79,237.7 | 100.0 | % | $ | 77,649.7 | 100.0 | % |
(1) Digital related sales are included in the categories to which the revenue pertains.
(2) Consists primarily of general merchandise, grocery, dairy and frozen foods.
(3) Consists primarily of produce, meat, deli and prepared foods, bakery, floral and seafood.
(4) Consists primarily of wholesale sales to third parties, commissions, rental income and other miscellaneous revenue.
Gross Margin
Gross margin represents the portion of Net sales and other revenue remaining after deducting Cost of sales during the period, including purchase and distribution costs. These costs include, among other things, purchasing and sourcing costs, inbound freight costs, product quality testing costs, warehousing and distribution costs, Own Brands program costs and digital-related delivery and handling costs. Advertising, promotional expenses and vendor allowances are also components of Cost of sales.
Gross margin rate decreased 20 basis points to 27.8% in fiscal 2023 compared to 28.0% in fiscal 2022. Excluding the impacts of fuel and LIFO, gross margin rate decreased 64 basis points. The rate decrease was primarily driven by pharmacy operations, increases in shrink and increases in picking and delivery costs related to the continued growth in our digital sales, partially offset by our procurement and sourcing productivity initiatives. The gross margin rate decrease in fiscal 2023 related to pharmacy operations was primarily due to growth in pharmacy sales and a lower margin rate on COVID-19 vaccines. In addition, the benefits from our productivity initiatives allowed us to provide incremental targeted price investments to our customers during fiscal 2023.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses consist primarily of store level costs, including wages, employee benefits, rent, depreciation and utilities, in addition to certain back-office expenses related to our corporate and division offices.
Selling and administrative expenses remained flat at 25.2% of Net sales and other revenue in both fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022. Excluding the impact of fuel, Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales and other
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revenue decreased 29 basis points during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. The decrease in Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales and other revenue was primarily attributable to sales leverage of employee costs, which includes the benefit of ongoing productivity initiatives, lower legal and regulatory accruals and settlements and lower depreciation and amortization, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses related to the ongoing development of our digital and omnichannel capabilities, ongoing Merger-related costs and increased store occupancy costs and additional third-party store security services. We expect a continued trend in increased digital spend as we enhance and maintain the modernization of our technology platforms.
Loss (Gain) on Property Dispositions and Impairment Losses, Net
For fiscal 2023, net loss on property dispositions and impairment losses was $43.9 million, primarily driven by the impairment and disposal of certain technology assets, partially offset by net gains from the sale of assets. For fiscal 2022, net gain on property dispositions and impairment losses was $147.5 million, primarily driven by $152.6 million of gains from the sale of real estate assets, partially offset by $5.1 million of asset impairments.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net was $492.1 million in fiscal 2023 compared to $404.6 million in fiscal 2022. The increase in Interest expense, net was primarily due to lower interest income, as well as higher average outstanding borrowings and higher average interest rates. The weighted average interest rate was 5.6% and 5.3% during fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively, excluding amortization of debt discounts and deferred financing costs.
Other Income, Net
For fiscal 2023, Other income, net was $12.2 million primarily driven by non-service cost components of net pension and post-retirement income, realized gains from non-operating investments and income related to our equity interest and gain on sale of El Rancho during fiscal 2023, partially offset by realized and unrealized losses from non-operating investments. For fiscal 2022, Other income, net was $33.0 million primarily driven by non-service cost components of net pension and post-retirement income and income related to our equity investment, partially offset by unrealized losses from non-operating investments.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $293.0 million, representing a 18.4% effective tax rate, in fiscal 2023, and $422.0 million, representing a 21.8% effective tax rate, in fiscal 2022. The favorability in the effective income tax rate during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was driven by incremental benefits in the reduction of reserves for uncertain tax positions primarily due to the expiration of a foreign statute during fiscal 2023, and additional federal tax credits.
Net Income and Adjusted Net Income
Net income was $1,296.0 million or $2.23 per diluted share during fiscal 2023 compared to $1,513.5 million or $2.27 per diluted share during fiscal 2022. Adjusted net income was $1,693.7 million, or $2.88 per share, during fiscal 2023 compared to $1,965.1 million, or $3.37 per share, during fiscal 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA was $4,317.7 million, or 5.4% of Net sales and other revenue, during fiscal 2023 compared to $4,677.0 million, or 6.0% of Net sales and other revenue, during fiscal 2022.
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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
The following tables reconcile Net income to Adjusted net income, and diluted net income per Class A common share to Adjusted net income per Class A common share (in millions, except per share data):
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numerator: | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,296.0 | $ | 1,513.5 | $ | 1,619.6 | ||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||
| Gain on interest rate swaps and energy hedges, net (d) | (3.2) | (8.4) | (22.8) | |||||||
| Business transformation (1)(b) | 45.1 | 78.3 | 56.6 | |||||||
| Equity-based compensation expense (b) | 104.5 | 138.3 | 101.2 | |||||||
| Loss (gain) on property dispositions and impairment losses, net | 43.9 | (147.5) | (15.0) | |||||||
| LIFO expense (a) | 52.0 | 268.0 | 115.2 | |||||||
| Government-mandated incremental COVID-19 pandemic related pay (2)(b) | — | 10.8 | 57.9 | |||||||
| Merger-related costs (3)(b) | 180.6 | 56.5 | — | |||||||
| Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements, net (b) | (6.7) | 100.7 | (31.0) | |||||||
| Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs (c) | 15.5 | 16.8 | 23.2 | |||||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | — | — | 3.7 | |||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions (b) | 48.6 | 50.9 | 48.5 | |||||||
| Combined Plan (4)(b) | — | (19.0) | (106.3) | |||||||
| Miscellaneous adjustments (5)(f) | 41.4 | 52.1 | (23.8) | |||||||
| Tax impact of adjustments to Adjusted net income | (124.0) | (145.9) | (46.0) | |||||||
| Adjusted net income | $ | 1,693.7 | $ | 1,965.1 | $ | 1,781.0 | ||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||||
| Weighted average Class A common shares outstanding - diluted | 581.1 | 534.0 | 475.3 | |||||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||
| Convertible Preferred Stock (6) | 0.3 | 42.7 | 97.7 | |||||||
| Restricted stock units and awards (7) | 6.4 | 5.9 | 7.4 | |||||||
| Adjusted weighted average Class A common shares outstanding – diluted | 587.8 | 582.6 | 580.4 | |||||||
| Adjusted net income per Class A common share - diluted | $ | 2.88 | $ | 3.37 | $ | 3.07 |
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| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income per Class A common share - diluted | $ | 2.23 | $ | 2.27 | $ | 2.70 | ||||
| Convertible Preferred Stock (6) | — | 0.36 | 0.13 | |||||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments (8) | 0.68 | 0.78 | 0.28 | |||||||
| Restricted stock units and awards (7) | (0.03) | (0.04) | (0.04) | |||||||
| Adjusted net income per Class A common share - diluted | $ | 2.88 | $ | 3.37 | $ | 3.07 |
The following table is a reconciliation of Adjusted net income to Adjusted EBITDA:
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted net income (9) | $ | 1,693.7 | $ | 1,965.1 | $ | 1,781.0 | ||||
| Tax impact of adjustments to Adjusted net income | 124.0 | 145.9 | 46.0 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 293.0 | 422.0 | 479.9 | |||||||
| Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs (c) | (15.5) | (16.8) | (23.2) | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 492.1 | 404.6 | 481.9 | |||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions (b) | (48.6) | (50.9) | (48.5) | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization (e) | 1,779.0 | 1,807.1 | 1,681.3 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 4,317.7 | $ | 4,677.0 | $ | 4,398.4 |
(1) Includes costs associated with third-party consulting fees related to our operational priorities and associated business transformation.
(2) Represents incremental COVID-19 related pay legislatively required in certain municipalities in which we operate.
(3) Primarily relates to third-party legal and advisor fees and retention program expense related to the proposed Merger and costs in connection with our previously-announced Board-led review of potential strategic alternatives.
(4) Related to the Combined Plan during the second quarter of fiscal 2022 and fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. See "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 11" for more information.
(5) Miscellaneous adjustments include the following (see table below):
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-cash lease-related adjustments | $ | 4.2 | $ | 5.6 | $ | 9.7 | ||||
| Lease and lease-related costs for surplus and closed stores | 19.4 | 22.7 | 27.5 | |||||||
| Net realized and unrealized loss (gain) on non-operating investments | 8.6 | 25.2 | (57.8) | |||||||
| Other (i) | 9.2 | (1.4) | (3.2) | |||||||
| Total miscellaneous adjustments | $ | 41.4 | $ | 52.1 | $ | (23.8) |
(i) Primarily includes adjustments for unconsolidated equity investments, certain contract terminations and other costs not considered in our core performance.
(6) Represents the conversion of Convertible Preferred Stock to the fully outstanding as-converted Class A common shares as of the end of each respective period, for periods in which the Convertible Preferred Stock is antidilutive under GAAP. Fiscal 2022 reflects the impact of the Special Dividend (as defined below) that is attributable to the holders of Convertible Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis.
(7) Represents incremental unvested RSUs and unvested RSAs to adjust the diluted weighted average Class A common shares outstanding during each respective period to the fully outstanding RSUs and RSAs as of the end of each respective period.
(8) Reflects the per share impact of Non-GAAP adjustments for each period. See the reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted net income above for further details.
(9) See the reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted net income above for further details.
Non-GAAP adjustment classifications within the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
(a) Cost of sales
(b) Selling and administrative expenses
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(c) Interest expense, net
(d) Gain on interest rate swaps and energy hedges, net:
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of sales | $ | (2.2) | $ | (4.8) | $ | (15.9) | ||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | (1.0) | 4.8 | (3.6) | |||||||
| Other income, net | — | (8.4) | (3.3) | |||||||
| Total Gain on interest rate swaps and energy hedges, net | $ | (3.2) | $ | (8.4) | $ | (22.8) |
(e) Depreciation and amortization:
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of sales | $ | 169.0 | $ | 162.7 | $ | 164.7 | ||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | 1,610.0 | 1,644.4 | 1,516.6 | |||||||
| Total Depreciation and amortization | $ | 1,779.0 | $ | 1,807.1 | $ | 1,681.3 |
(f) Miscellaneous adjustments:
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selling and administrative expenses | $ | 34.7 | $ | 28.9 | $ | 32.7 | ||||
| Other income, net | 6.7 | 23.2 | (56.5) | |||||||
| Total Miscellaneous adjustments | $ | 41.4 | $ | 52.1 | $ | (23.8) |
LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The following table sets forth the major sources and uses of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash for each period (in millions):
| February 24, 2024 | February 25, 2023 | February 26, 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 193.2 | $ | 463.8 | $ | 2,952.6 | ||||
| Cash flows provided by operating activities | 2,659.5 | 2,853.9 | 3,513.4 | |||||||
| Cash flows used in investing activities | (1,746.7) | (1,977.3) | (1,538.9) | |||||||
| Cash flows used in financing activities | (1,183.4) | (3,365.4) | (789.5) |
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $2,659.5 million during fiscal 2023 compared to $2,853.9 million during fiscal 2022. The decrease in cash flow from operating activities during fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was due to a decrease in Adjusted EBITDA and more cash paid for income taxes, ongoing Merger-related costs, legal settlements and interest. The decrease was partially offset by changes in working capital primarily related to inventory and accounts payable, including the final payment in fiscal 2022 related to the CARES Act deferral of the employer-paid portion of social security taxes.
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2023 was $1,746.7 million primarily due to payments for property, equipment and intangibles of $2,036.6 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of assets of
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$217.6 million, which includes $166.1 million related to the sale of our equity interest in El Rancho during fiscal 2023. Payments for property, equipment and intangibles included the completion of 150 remodels, the opening of six new stores and continued investment in our digital and technology platforms.
Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2022 was $1,977.3 million primarily due to payments for property, equipment and intangibles of $2,156.7 million, partially offset by proceeds primarily from the sale of real estate assets of $195.2 million. Payments for property, equipment and intangibles included continued investments in our digital and technology platforms, the completion of 173 remodels, and the opening of five new stores.
In fiscal 2024, we expect capital expenditures to be in the range of $2.0 billion to $2.1 billion.
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $1,183.4 million in fiscal 2023 primarily consisting of the $950.0 million partial repayment of the asset-based loan facility (as amended, the "ABL Facility") and dividends paid on our Class A common stock, partially offset by $150.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of debt under the ABL Facility.
Net cash used in financing activities was $3,365.4 million in fiscal 2022 primarily consisting of dividends paid on our Class A common stock and Convertible Preferred Stock, including the $3,916.9 million payment of the special cash dividend of $6.85 per share of Class A common stock (the "Special Dividend") during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, partially offset by the $1,400.0 million borrowing and $400.0 million subsequent partial repayment of the ABL Facility in respect of the Special Dividend. Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and payments on long-term debt also included a $750 million issuance and subsequent $750 million redemption of senior unsecured notes.
See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 6 and Note 8" for additional information.
Debt Management
Total debt, including both the current and long-term portions of finance lease obligations, net of debt discounts and deferred financing costs, decreased $841.5 million to $8,068.6 million as of the end of fiscal 2023 compared to $8,910.1 million as of the end of fiscal 2022.
Outstanding debt, including current maturities, net of debt discounts and deferred financing costs, principally consisted of (in millions):
| February 24, 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Senior Unsecured Notes, New Albertson's L.P. Notes and Safeway Inc. Notes | $ | 7,361.9 |
| ABL Facility | 200.0 | |
| Finance lease obligations | 460.4 | |
| Other financing obligations and mortgage notes payable | 46.3 | |
| Total debt, including finance leases | $ | 8,068.6 |
During fiscal 2023, we repaid $800.0 million, net, of the ABL Facility. As of February 24, 2024, we had $200.0 million of borrowings that remained outstanding under the ABL Facility and total availability of $3,751.7 million (net of letter of credit usage).
During fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, there were no financial maintenance covenants in effect under the ABL Facility because the conditions had not been met.
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See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 6" for additional information.
Dividends
We have established a dividend policy pursuant to which we intend to pay a quarterly dividend on our Class A common stock. Cash dividends paid on our Class A common stock were $276.2 million ($0.48 per common share), $255.1 million ($0.48 per common share) and $207.4 million ($0.44 per common share) during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively. On April 11, 2024, we announced the next quarterly dividend payment of $0.12 per share of Class A common stock to be paid on May 10, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 26, 2024.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, the conversion of the remaining Convertible Preferred Stock was completed. The holders of Convertible Preferred Stock were entitled to a quarterly dividend at a rate per annum of 6.75% of the liquidation preference per share of the Convertible Preferred Stock. In addition, the holders of Convertible Preferred Stock participated in cash dividends that we pay on our common stock to the extent that such cash dividends exceed $206.25 million per fiscal year and shares of Convertible Preferred Stock remain outstanding as of the applicable record date to participate in such dividends. Cash dividends paid to holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock were $0.8 million, $65.3 million and $114.6 million during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively.
On October 13, 2022, we declared the Special Dividend, payable to stockholders of record, including holders of Series A preferred stock on an as-converted basis, as of the close of business on October 24, 2022. On January 20, 2023, the Special Dividend of $3,916.9 million was paid.
Liquidity and Factors Affecting Liquidity
Based on current operating trends, we believe that we have significant sources of cash to meet our liquidity needs for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future, including cash on hand, cash flows from operating activities and other sources of liquidity, including borrowings under our ABL Facility. We estimate our liquidity needs over the next 12 months to be in the range of $5,100 million to $5,300 million. This includes $200.0 million related to outstanding borrowings under our ABL Facility for which we may, at our discretion, elect to pay all or a portion of the outstanding balance within the next 12 months, and anticipated requirements for incremental working capital, incremental Merger-related costs, capital expenditures, pension obligations, interest payments, quarterly dividends on Class A common stock, operating leases and finance leases. In addition, we may enter into refinancing and sale leaseback transactions from time to time. We believe we have adequate cash flow to continue to maintain our current debt ratings and to respond effectively to competitive conditions.
The table below presents our material cash requirements as of February 24, 2024 (in millions):
| Payments Due Per Fiscal Year (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2024 | 2025-2026 | 2027-2028 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt (2) | $ | 7,684.2 | $ | 217.0 | $ | 2,774.2 | $ | 1,700.6 | $ | 2,992.4 | |||||||||
| Estimated interest on long-term debt (3) | 1,700.6 | 403.0 | 741.3 | 399.1 | 157.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases (4) | 8,727.4 | 974.3 | 1,932.9 | 1,598.3 | 4,221.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Finance leases (4) | 666.2 | 94.7 | 166.7 | 120.5 | 284.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Other obligations (5) | 1,774.9 | 390.9 | 491.6 | 222.7 | 669.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations (6) | 493.0 | 285.2 | 180.6 | 14.1 | 13.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total contractual obligations | $ | 21,046.3 | $ | 2,365.1 | $ | 6,287.3 | $ | 4,055.3 | $ | 8,338.6 |
(1) The cash requirements table excludes funding of pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, which totaled $18.3 million in fiscal 2023 and is expected to total approximately $85 million in fiscal 2024. This table also excludes recurring contributions under various multiemployer pension plans, which totaled $545.5 million in fiscal 2023 and is expected to total approximately $560 million in fiscal 2024.
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(2) Long-term debt amounts exclude any debt discounts and deferred financing costs. See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 6" for additional information.
(3) Amounts include contractual interest payments using the stated fixed interest rate or the variable interest rate in effect as of February 24, 2024. See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 6" for additional information.
(4) Represents the minimum rents payable under operating and finance leases, excluding common area maintenance, insurance or tax payments, for which we are obligated.
(5) Consists of self-insurance liabilities, which have not been reduced by insurance-related receivables, as well as payment obligations related to the Combined Plan. The table excludes the unfunded pension and postretirement benefit obligation of $259.8 million. The potential settlement payments related to unrecognized tax benefits have been excluded from the contractual obligations table because a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of future tax settlements cannot be determined. Also excludes deferred tax liabilities and certain other deferred liabilities that will not be settled in cash.
(6) Purchase obligations include various obligations that have specified purchase commitments. As of February 24, 2024, future purchase obligations primarily relate to fixed asset, marketing and information technology commitments, including fixed price contracts. In addition, not included in the contractual obligations table are supply contracts to purchase product for resale to consumers which are typically of a short-term nature with limited or no purchase commitments. We also enter into supply contracts which typically include either volume commitments or fixed expiration dates, termination provisions and other customary contractual considerations. The supply contracts that are cancelable have not been included above.
Multiemployer Pension Plans
We currently contribute to 27 multiemployer plans which provide retirement benefits to participants based on their service to contributing employers. The benefits are paid from assets held in trust for that purpose and the respective plan trustees are responsible for determining the level of benefits to be provided to participants, the management of the plan assets and plan administration. We continue to monitor any potential exposure to underfunded multiemployer plans for our associates who are beneficiaries of these plans. The underfunding of any of these plans to which we contribute are not our liability and though we are not obligated nor the guarantor for any of the underfunding, we have estimated, based on the ratio of our contributions to the total of all contributions to these plans, our allocable share of the underfunding (the amount by which the actuarial determined plan liabilities exceed the value of the plan assets) of these multiemployer plans to which we contribute to be approximately $4.5 billion.
The American Rescue Plan Act ("ARP Act") establishes a special financial assistance program for financially troubled multiemployer pension plans. Under the ARP Act, eligible multiemployer plans can apply to receive a one-time cash payment in the amount projected by the PBGC to pay pension benefits through the plan year ending 2051. The payment received by the multiemployer plan under this special financial assistance program would not be considered a loan and would not need to be paid back. Any financial assistance received by the multiemployer plan would need to be segregated from the other assets of the multiemployer plans and invested in investment grade bonds or other investments permitted by the PBGC.
Of the 27 multiemployer plans to which we contribute, 16 plans are classified as "Critical" or "Critical and Declining" and potentially eligible for some level of relief under the special financial assistance program through the ARP Act. On July 9, 2021, the PBGC issued its interim final rule with respect to the special financial assistance program. The PBGC interim final rule provides direction on the application requirements, identifies which plans will have priority, eligibility requirements, the determination of the amount of financial assistance to be provided and establishes conditions and restrictions that apply to plans that receive assistance. During the second quarter of fiscal 2022, the PBGC issued the final rule with respect to the special financial assistance program which allowed for both additional funding and the investment of one third of the special financial assistance funds into return-seeking investments. Though the amount of financial assistance that each of these 16 plans could receive will vary by plan, we currently estimate that these 16 plans represent over 90% of the $4.5 billion estimated underfunding. Under the PBGC guidance, these multiemployer plans can apply for assistance based on a priority designation set by the PBGC starting in March 2023 through December 2025. We expect the special financial assistance program
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under these regulations to provide the funding for these plans to remain solvent for at least the next 25 to 30 years and continue to provide benefits to our associates who are beneficiaries of these multiemployer plans.
We will continue to make our contributions based on collective bargaining agreements for each of the multiemployer plans to which we contribute. Our contributions to multiemployer plans were $545.5 million, $546.5 million and $523.7 million during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively, and we expect to contribute approximately $560 million in fiscal 2024. Refer to "Part I—Item 1A. Risk Factors" and "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 11" for additional information.
Guarantees
We are party to a variety of contractual agreements pursuant to which we may be obligated to indemnify the other party for certain matters. These contracts primarily relate to our commercial contracts, operating leases and other real estate contracts, trademarks, intellectual property, financial agreements and various other agreements. Under these agreements, we may provide certain routine indemnifications relating to representations and warranties (for example, ownership of assets, environmental or tax indemnifications) or personal injury matters. The terms of these indemnifications range in duration and may not be explicitly defined. We believe that if we were to incur a loss in any of these matters, the loss would not have a material effect on our financial statements.
We are liable for certain operating leases that were assigned to third parties. If any of these third parties fail to perform their obligations under the leases, we could be responsible for the lease obligation. Because of the wide dispersion among third parties and the variety of remedies available, we believe that if an assignee became insolvent it would not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into various supply contracts to purchase products for resale and purchase and service contracts for fixed asset and information technology commitments. We have also entered into fixed price contracts to purchase electricity and natural gas for a portion of our energy needs. These contracts typically include volume commitments or fixed expiration dates, termination provisions and other standard contractual considerations.
Letters of Credit
We had letters of credit of $48.3 million outstanding as of February 24, 2024. The letters of credit are maintained primarily to support our performance, payment, deposit or surety obligations. We typically pay bank fees of 1.25% plus a fronting fee of 0.125% on the face amount of the letters of credit.
NEW ACCOUNTING POLICIES
See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1" for new accounting pronouncements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
We have chosen accounting policies that we believe are appropriate to report accurately and fairly our operating results and financial position, and we apply those accounting policies in a fair and consistent manner. See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1" for a discussion of our significant accounting policies.
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Management believes the following critical accounting policies reflect its more subjective or complex judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Self-Insurance Liabilities
We are primarily self-insured for workers' compensation, property, automobile and general liability. The self-insurance liability is undiscounted and determined actuarially, based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. We have established stop-loss amounts that limit our further exposure after a claim reaches the designated stop-loss threshold. In determining our self-insurance liabilities, we perform a continuing review of our overall position and reserving techniques. Since recorded amounts are based on estimates, the ultimate cost of all incurred claims and related expenses may be more or less than the recorded liabilities.
Any actuarial projection of self-insured losses is subject to a high degree of variability. Litigation trends, legal interpretations, benefit level changes, claim settlement patterns and similar factors influenced historical development trends that were used to determine the current year expense and, therefore, contributed to the variability in the annual expense. However, these factors are not direct inputs into the actuarial projection, and thus their individual impact cannot be quantified.
Contingencies
We are involved in a number of legal proceedings and certain regulatory matters. We record a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. We also perform an assessment of the materiality of loss contingencies where a loss is either reasonably possible or it is reasonably possible that an estimated liability could materially change. If a loss or change in the estimated liability has at least a reasonable possibility of occurring and the impact on the financial statements would be material, we provide disclosure of the nature of the uncertainty and estimate of possible loss or range of loss to the extent such estimate can be made. We review all contingencies at least quarterly to determine whether the likelihood of loss has changed and whether a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made. The assessment of the outcome of litigation can be very difficult to predict as it is subject to legal processes that are highly complex, subject to many factors, including those that are not within our control, and highly dependent on individual facts and circumstances. While management currently believes that the estimated liabilities currently recorded are reasonable, it remains possible that differences in actual outcomes or changes in management's evaluation or predictions could arise that could be material to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, although we are not able to predict the outcome or reasonably estimate a range of possible losses in certain matters described in Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 13" and have not recorded an associated accrual related to these matters, an adverse judgment or negotiated settlement in these matters could be material to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001646972-23-000045.
Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes found in "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" in this Form 10-K, as well as "Part II—Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2022 filed with the SEC on April 26, 2022, which provides comparisons of fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020. This discussion contains forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in the section entitled "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" set forth in Part I and in Item 1A. "Risk Factors."
Our last three fiscal years consisted of the 52 weeks ended February 25, 2023 ("fiscal 2022"), the 52 weeks ended February 26, 2022 ("fiscal 2021") and the 52 weeks ended February 27, 2021 ("fiscal 2020"). In this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Albertsons Companies, Inc., the words "Albertsons," the "Company," "we," "us," "our" and "ours" refer to Albertsons Companies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - FISCAL 2022 OVERVIEW
We are one of the largest food retailers in the United States, with 2,271 stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia as of February 25, 2023. We operate 24 banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs, Jewel-Osco, Acme, Shaw's, Star Market, United Supermarkets, Market Street, Haggen, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market, with approximately 290,000 talented and dedicated employees, as of February 25, 2023, who serve on average 34.7 million customers each week. Additionally, as of February 25, 2023, we operated 1,722 pharmacies, 1,328 in-store branded coffee shops, 401 adjacent fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers, 19 manufacturing facilities and various digital platforms.
Merger Agreement
On October 13, 2022, the Company, Kroger and Merger Sub entered into the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger"), with the Company surviving the Merger as the surviving corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (i) each share of Class A common stock of the Company issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), shall be converted automatically at the Effective Time into the right to receive from Parent $34.10 per share in cash, without interest, and (ii) each share of Series A preferred stock of the Company issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted automatically at the Effective Time into the right to receive from Parent $34.10 per share in cash on an as-converted basis, without interest. The $34.10 per share is subject to certain reductions as described in "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 2".
The Company has filed with the SEC a definitive information statement on Schedule 14C with respect to the approval of the Merger and commenced mailing of the definitive information statement to the Company's stockholders on April 21, 2023. You may obtain copies of all documents filed by the Company with the SEC regarding this transaction, free of charge, at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov or from the Company's website at https://www.albertsonscompanies.com/investors/overview/.
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Special Dividend
On October 13, 2022, we declared a special cash dividend of $6.85 per share of Class A common stock (the "Special Dividend"), payable to stockholders of record, including holders of Series A preferred stock on an as-converted basis, as of the close of business on October 24, 2022, and was originally scheduled to be paid on November 7, 2022. As discussed in "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 9", on January 17, 2023 the temporary restraining order issued by the courts of the State of Washington was lifted, and on January 20, 2023, the Special Dividend of $3,916.9 million was paid.
Fiscal 2022 highlights
In summary, our financial and operating highlights for fiscal 2022 include:
•Identical sales increased 6.9%
•Digital sales increased 28%
•Loyalty members increased 15% to over 34 million
•Net income of $1,514 million, or $2.27 per Class A common share
•Adjusted net income of $1,965 million, or $3.37 per Class A common share
•Adjusted EBITDA of $4,677 million
•Operating cash flows of $2,854 million
•Continued modernization of our store fleet, including completing 173 remodels and opening five new stores
Stores
The following table shows stores operating, acquired, opened and closed during the periods presented:
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stores, beginning of period | 2,276 | 2,277 | 2,252 | |||||
| Acquired (1) | — | 3 | 26 | |||||
| Opened | 5 | 7 | 9 | |||||
| Closed | (10) | (11) | (10) | |||||
| Stores, end of period | 2,271 | 2,276 | 2,277 |
(1) Fiscal 2021 includes one store acquired from Kings and Balducci's in fiscal 2020 that transferred to us in fiscal 2021.
The following table summarizes our stores by size:
| Number of Stores | Percent of Total | Retail Square Feet (1) | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square Footage | February 25, 2023 | February 26, 2022 | February 25, 2023 | February 26, 2022 | February 25, 2023 | February 26, 2022 | |||||||||||
| Less than 30,000 | 219 | 221 | 9.6 | % | 9.7 | % | 5.0 | 5.0 | |||||||||
| 30,000 to 50,000 | 779 | 781 | 34.3 | % | 34.3 | % | 32.6 | 32.7 | |||||||||
| More than 50,000 | 1,273 | 1,274 | 56.1 | % | 56.0 | % | 75.2 | 75.3 | |||||||||
| Total Stores | 2,271 | 2,276 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 112.8 | 113.0 |
(1) In millions, reflects total square footage of retail stores operating at the end of the period.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We define EBITDA as generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") earnings (net loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings (net loss) before interest,
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income taxes, depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to eliminate the effects of items management does not consider in assessing our ongoing core performance. We define Adjusted net income as GAAP net income adjusted to eliminate the effects of items management does not consider in assessing our ongoing core performance. We define Adjusted net income per Class A common share as Adjusted net income divided by the weighted average diluted Class A common shares outstanding, as adjusted to reflect all restricted stock units and awards outstanding for the period, as well as the conversion of Convertible Preferred Stock when it is antidilutive for GAAP.
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per Class A common share (collectively, the "Non-GAAP Measures") are performance measures that provide supplemental information we believe is useful to analysts and investors to evaluate our ongoing results of operations, when considered alongside other GAAP measures such as net income, operating income, gross margin and net income per Class A common share. These Non-GAAP Measures exclude the financial impact of items management does not consider in assessing our ongoing core operating performance, and thereby provide useful measures to analysts and investors of our operating performance on a period-to-period basis. Other companies may have different definitions of Non-GAAP Measures and provide for different adjustments, and comparability to our results of operations may be impacted by such differences. We also use Adjusted EBITDA for board of director and bank compliance reporting. Our presentation of Non-GAAP Measures should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
Non-GAAP Measures should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using Non-GAAP Measures only for supplemental purposes.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following information summarizes the components of our Consolidated Statements of Operations for fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021.
Summary of Consolidated Statements of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share data):
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net sales and other revenue | $ | 77,649.7 | 100.0 | % | $ | 71,887.0 | 100.0 | % | $ | 69,690.4 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of sales | 55,894.1 | 72.0 | 51,164.6 | 71.2 | 49,275.9 | 70.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 21,755.6 | 28.0 | 20,722.4 | 28.8 | 20,414.5 | 29.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | 19,596.0 | 25.2 | 18,300.5 | 25.5 | 18,835.8 | 27.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Gain on property dispositions and impairment losses, net | (147.5) | (0.2) | (15.0) | — | (38.8) | (0.1) | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 2,307.1 | 3.0 | 2,436.9 | 3.3 | 1,617.5 | 2.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 404.6 | 0.5 | 481.9 | 0.7 | 538.2 | 0.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | — | — | 3.7 | — | 85.3 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | (33.0) | — | (148.2) | (0.2) | (134.7) | (0.2) | ||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 1,935.5 | 2.5 | 2,099.5 | 2.8 | 1,128.7 | 1.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 422.0 | 0.5 | 479.9 | 0.7 | 278.5 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,513.5 | 2.0 | % | $ | 1,619.6 | 2.1 | % | $ | 850.2 | 1.3 | % | ||||||||
| Basic net income per Class A common share | $ | 2.29 | $ | 2.73 | $ | 1.53 | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted net income per Class A common share | 2.27 | 2.70 | 1.47 |
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Net Sales and Other Revenue
Net sales and other revenue increased $5,762.7 million, or 8.0%, from $71,887.0 million in fiscal 2021 to $77,649.7 million in fiscal 2022. The increase in Net sales and other revenue in fiscal 2022 as compared to fiscal 2021 was driven by our 6.9% increase in identical sales and higher fuel sales, with retail price inflation, growth in pharmacy and our 28% increase in digital sales as the primary drivers of the identical sales increase. The components of the change in Net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2022 were as follows (in millions):
| Fiscal 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2021 | $ | 71,887.0 |
| Identical sales increase of 6.9% | 4,593.4 | |
| Increase in fuel sales | 1,110.1 | |
| Decrease in sales due to store closures, net of new store openings | (32.4) | |
| Other, net | 91.6 | |
| Net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2022 | $ | 77,649.7 |
Identical Sales, Excluding Fuel
Identical sales include stores operating during the same period in both the current year and the prior year, comparing sales on a daily basis. Direct to consumer digital sales are included in identical sales, and fuel sales are excluded from identical sales. Acquired stores become identical on the one-year anniversary date of the acquisition. Identical sales results, on an actual basis, for the past three fiscal years were as follows:
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identical sales, excluding fuel | 6.9% | (0.1)% | 16.9% |
The following table represents Net sales and other revenue by product type (in millions):
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount (1) | % of Total | Amount (1) | % of Total | ||||||||||
| Non-perishables (2) | $ | 39,142.4 | 50.4 | % | $ | 36,486.7 | 50.8 | % | |||||
| Fresh (3) | 25,585.4 | 32.9 | % | 24,636.8 | 34.3 | % | |||||||
| Pharmacy | 6,769.3 | 8.7 | % | 5,823.3 | 8.1 | % | |||||||
| Fuel | 4,857.6 | 6.3 | % | 3,747.5 | 5.2 | % | |||||||
| Other (4) | 1,295.0 | 1.7 | % | 1,192.7 | 1.6 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 77,649.7 | 100.0 | % | $ | 71,887.0 | 100.0 | % |
(1) Digital related sales are included in the categories to which the revenue pertains.
(2) Consists primarily of general merchandise, grocery, dairy and frozen foods.
(3) Consists primarily of produce, meat, deli and prepared foods, bakery, floral and seafood.
(4) Consists primarily of wholesale revenue to third parties, commissions and other miscellaneous revenue.
Gross Margin
Gross margin represents the portion of Net sales and other revenue remaining after deducting the Cost of sales during the period, including purchase and distribution costs. These costs include, among other things, purchasing and sourcing costs, inbound freight costs, product quality testing costs, warehousing and distribution costs, Own Brands program costs and digital-related delivery and handling costs. Advertising, promotional expenses and vendor allowances are also components of Cost of sales.
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Gross margin rate decreased 80 basis points to 28.0% in fiscal 2022 compared to 28.8% in fiscal 2021. Excluding the impacts of fuel and LIFO, gross margin rate decreased 46 basis points. Pharmacy operations drove approximately half of the rate decrease with the remaining decrease being the result of increases in product, shrink and supply chain costs, as well as increases in picking and delivery costs related to the continued growth in digital sales, partially offset by the benefits of ongoing productivity initiatives. The decrease in rate related to pharmacy operations was primarily due to fewer COVID-19 vaccines in fiscal 2022. We administered approximately 4.1 million COVID-19 vaccinations during fiscal 2022, compared to approximately 11.0 million during fiscal 2021.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses consist primarily of store level costs, including wages, employee benefits, rent, depreciation and utilities, in addition to certain back-office expenses related to our corporate and division offices.
Selling and administrative expenses decreased 30 basis points to 25.2% of Net sales and other revenue in fiscal 2022 from 25.5% in fiscal 2021. Excluding the impacts of fuel and the withdrawal from the Combined Plan, Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales and other revenue decreased eight basis points during fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021. The decrease in Selling and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to the benefit of ongoing productivity initiatives, lower COVID-19 related expenses and sales leverage, partially offset by incremental legal and regulatory accruals and settlements, higher employee costs, investments related to the acceleration of our digital and omnichannel capabilities and merger-related costs. The increase in employee costs was the result of market-driven wage rate increases and higher equity-based compensation expense.
Gain on Property Dispositions and Impairment Losses, Net
For fiscal 2022, net gain on property dispositions and impairment losses was $147.5 million, primarily driven by $152.6 million of gains from the sale of real estate assets, partially offset by $5.1 million of asset impairments. For fiscal 2021, net gain on property dispositions and impairment losses was $15.0 million, primarily driven by $44.6 million of gains from the sale of assets, partially offset by $31.1 million of asset impairments, primarily related to right-of-use assets and intangible assets.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net was $404.6 million in fiscal 2022 compared to $481.9 million in fiscal 2021. The decrease in Interest expense, net was primarily due to higher interest income, as well as lower average interest rates. The weighted average interest rate was 5.3% and 5.5% during fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively, excluding amortization of debt discounts and deferred financing costs.
Loss on Debt Extinguishment
There was no Loss on debt extinguishment during fiscal 2022. During fiscal 2021, we redeemed the remaining $200.0 million aggregate principal amount outstanding (the "2025 Redemption") of our 5.750% senior unsecured notes due September 2025 (the "2025 Notes"), using cash on hand, at a redemption price of 101.438% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recorded a $3.7 million loss on debt extinguishment related to the 2025 Redemption, comprised of a $2.9 million redemption premium and a $0.8 million write-off of deferred financing costs.
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Other Income, Net
For fiscal 2022, other income, net was $33.0 million primarily driven by non-service cost components of net pension and post-retirement income and income related to our equity investment, partially offset by unrealized losses from non-operating investments. For fiscal 2021, other income, net was $148.2 million primarily driven by non-service cost components of net pension and post-retirement income, realized and unrealized gains from non-operating investments and income related to our equity investment, partially offset by unrealized losses from non-operating investments.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $422.0 million, representing a 21.8% effective tax rate, in fiscal 2022, and $479.9 million, representing a 22.9% effective tax rate, in fiscal 2021. The favorability in the effective tax rate during fiscal 2022 was primarily driven by the recognition of discrete income tax benefits related to expired statutes and audit settlements, as well as certain tax credits.
Net Income and Adjusted Net Income
Net income was $1,513.5 million or $2.27 per share during fiscal 2022 compared to $1,619.6 million or $2.70 per share during fiscal 2021. Adjusted net income was $1,965.1 million, or $3.37 per share, during fiscal 2022 compared to $1,781.0 million, or $3.07 per share, during fiscal 2021.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA was $4,677.0 million, or 6.0% of Net sales and other revenue, during fiscal 2022 compared to $4,398.4 million, or 6.1% of Net sales and other revenue, during fiscal 2021.
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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
The following tables reconcile Net income to Adjusted net income, and Net income per Class A common share to Adjusted net income per Class A common share (dollars in millions, except per share data):
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numerator: | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,513.5 | $ | 1,619.6 | $ | 850.2 | ||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on interest rate swaps and energy hedges, net (d) | (8.4) | (22.8) | 16.9 | |||||||
| Business transformation (1)(b) | 78.3 | 56.6 | 58.0 | |||||||
| Equity-based compensation expense (b) | 138.3 | 101.2 | 59.0 | |||||||
| Gain on property dispositions and impairment losses, net | (147.5) | (15.0) | (38.8) | |||||||
| LIFO expense (a) | 268.0 | 115.2 | 58.7 | |||||||
| Discretionary COVID-19 pandemic related costs (2)(b) | — | — | 134.6 | |||||||
| Government-mandated incremental COVID-19 pandemic related pay (3)(b) | 10.8 | 57.9 | 1.8 | |||||||
| Civil disruption related costs (4)(b) | — | — | 13.0 | |||||||
| Transaction and reorganization costs related to Convertible Preferred Stock issuance and initial public offering (b) | — | — | 23.8 | |||||||
| Merger-related costs (5)(b) | 56.5 | — | — | |||||||
| Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements, net (b) | 100.7 | (31.0) | 12.0 | |||||||
| Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs (c) | 16.8 | 23.2 | 20.3 | |||||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | — | 3.7 | 85.3 | |||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions (b) | 50.9 | 48.5 | 55.8 | |||||||
| Combined Plan and UFCW National Fund withdrawal (6)(b) | (19.0) | (106.3) | 892.9 | |||||||
| Miscellaneous adjustments (7)(f) | 52.1 | (23.8) | 3.0 | |||||||
| Tax impact of adjustments to Adjusted net income | (145.9) | (46.0) | (355.1) | |||||||
| Adjusted net income | $ | 1,965.1 | $ | 1,781.0 | $ | 1,891.4 | ||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||||
| Weighted average Class A common shares outstanding - diluted | 534.0 | 475.3 | 578.1 | |||||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||
| Convertible Preferred Stock (8) | 42.7 | 97.7 | — | |||||||
| Restricted stock units and awards (9) | 5.9 | 7.4 | 6.3 | |||||||
| Adjusted weighted average Class A common shares outstanding – diluted | 582.6 | 580.4 | 584.4 | |||||||
| Adjusted net income per Class A common share - diluted | $ | 3.37 | $ | 3.07 | $ | 3.24 |
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| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income per Class A common share - diluted | $ | 2.27 | $ | 2.70 | $ | 1.47 | ||||
| Convertible Preferred Stock (8) | 0.36 | 0.13 | — | |||||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments (10) | 0.78 | 0.28 | 1.80 | |||||||
| Restricted stock units and awards (9) | (0.04) | (0.04) | (0.03) | |||||||
| Adjusted net income per Class A common share - diluted | $ | 3.37 | $ | 3.07 | $ | 3.24 |
The following table is a reconciliation of Adjusted net income to Adjusted EBITDA:
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted net income (11) | $ | 1,965.1 | $ | 1,781.0 | $ | 1,891.4 | ||||
| Tax impact of adjustments to Adjusted net income | 145.9 | 46.0 | 355.1 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 422.0 | 479.9 | 278.5 | |||||||
| Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs (c) | (16.8) | (23.2) | (20.3) | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 404.6 | 481.9 | 538.2 | |||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions (b) | (50.9) | (48.5) | (55.8) | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization (e) | 1,807.1 | 1,681.3 | 1,536.9 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 4,677.0 | $ | 4,398.4 | $ | 4,524.0 |
(1) Includes costs associated with third-party consulting fees related to our operational priorities and associated business transformation, as well as closures of operating facilities.
(2) Includes $44.7 million in bonus payments to front-line associates during the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Also includes $53 million of charitable contributions to our communities for hunger relief and $36.9 million in final reward payments to front-line associates at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2020.
(3) Represents temporary incremental pay that was legislatively required in certain municipalities in which we operate.
(4) Primarily includes costs related to store damage, inventory losses and community support as a result of the civil disruption during late May 2020 and early June 2020 in certain markets.
(5) Primarily relates to third-party advisor fees and retention program expense related to the proposed Merger with Kroger and costs in connection with our previously-announced Board-led review of potential strategic alternatives.
(6) Related to the Combined Plan during the second quarter of fiscal 2022, fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, and the withdrawal from the UFCW National Fund during the third quarter of fiscal 2020. See "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 12" for more information.
(7) Miscellaneous adjustments include the following (see table below):
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-cash lease-related adjustments | $ | 5.6 | $ | 9.7 | $ | 5.3 | ||||
| Lease and lease-related costs for surplus and closed stores | 22.7 | 27.5 | 46.0 | |||||||
| Net realized and unrealized loss (gain) on non-operating investments | 25.2 | (57.8) | (85.1) | |||||||
| Other (i) | (1.4) | (3.2) | 36.8 | |||||||
| Total miscellaneous adjustments | $ | 52.1 | $ | (23.8) | $ | 3.0 |
(i) Primarily includes adjustments for unconsolidated equity investments, certain contract terminations and other costs not considered in our core performance.
(8) Represents the conversion of Convertible Preferred Stock to the fully outstanding as-converted Class A common shares as of the end of each respective period, for periods in which the Convertible Preferred Stock is antidilutive under GAAP. Fiscal 2022 reflects the impact of the Special Dividend that is attributable to the holders of Convertible Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis.
(9) Represents incremental unvested RSUs and unvested RSAs to adjust the diluted weighted average Class A common shares outstanding during each respective period to the fully outstanding RSUs and RSAs for each respective period.
(10) Reflects the per share impact of Non-GAAP adjustments for each period. See the reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted net income above for further details.
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(11) See the reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted net income above for further details.
Non-GAAP adjustment classifications within the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
(a) Cost of sales
(b) Selling and administrative expenses
(c) Interest expense, net
(d) (Gain) loss on interest rate swaps and energy hedges, net:
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of sales | $ | (4.8) | $ | (15.9) | $ | (2.4) | ||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | 4.8 | (3.6) | (0.2) | |||||||
| Other income, net | (8.4) | (3.3) | 19.5 | |||||||
| Total (Gain) loss on interest rate swaps and energy hedges, net | $ | (8.4) | $ | (22.8) | $ | 16.9 |
(e) Depreciation and amortization:
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of sales | $ | 162.7 | $ | 164.7 | $ | 172.6 | ||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | 1,644.4 | 1,516.6 | 1,364.3 | |||||||
| Total Depreciation and amortization | $ | 1,807.1 | $ | 1,681.3 | $ | 1,536.9 |
(f) Miscellaneous adjustments:
| Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selling and administrative expenses | $ | 28.9 | $ | 32.7 | $ | 74.4 | ||||
| Other income, net | 23.2 | (56.5) | (71.4) | |||||||
| Total Miscellaneous adjustments | $ | 52.1 | $ | (23.8) | $ | 3.0 |
LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The following table sets forth the major sources and uses of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash for each period (in millions):
| February 25, 2023 | February 26, 2022 | February 27, 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 463.8 | $ | 2,952.6 | $ | 1,767.6 | ||||
| Cash flows provided by operating activities | 2,853.9 | 3,513.4 | 3,902.5 | |||||||
| Cash flows used in investing activities | (1,977.3) | (1,538.9) | (1,572.0) | |||||||
| Cash flows used in financing activities | (3,365.4) | (789.5) | (1,041.8) |
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $2,853.9 million during fiscal 2022 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $3,513.4 million during fiscal 2021. The decrease in cash flow from operating activities during fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was due to changes in working capital primarily related to inventory and accounts payable. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in Adjusted EBITDA and less cash paid for interest and income taxes during fiscal 2022.
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Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2022 was $1,977.3 million primarily due to payments for property, equipment and intangibles of $2,156.7 million, partially offset by proceeds primarily from the sale of real estate assets of $195.2 million. Payments for property, equipment and intangibles included continued investment in our digital and technology platforms, the completion of 173 remodels and the opening of five new stores.
Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2021 was $1,538.9 million primarily due to payments for property, equipment and intangibles of $1,594.8 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of assets of $51.9 million. Payments for property, equipment and intangibles included the completion of 236 remodels, the opening of 10 new stores and continued investment in our digital and technology platforms.
In fiscal 2023, we expect capital expenditures to be in the range of $2.0 billion to $2.1 billion.
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $3,365.4 million in fiscal 2022 primarily consisting of dividends paid on our Class A common stock and Convertible Preferred Stock, including the $3,916.9 million payment of the Special Dividend during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, partially offset by the $1,400.0 million borrowing and $400.0 million subsequent partial repayment of the ABL Facility in respect of the Special Dividend. Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and payments on long-term debt also included a $750 million issuance and subsequent $750 million redemption of senior unsecured notes (as further discussed below under the caption Debt Management).
Net cash used in financing activities was $789.5 million in fiscal 2021 primarily consisting of payments on long-term debt and finance leases of $408.9 million and dividends paid on our Class A common stock and Convertible Preferred Stock. Payments on long-term debt principally consisted of the 2025 Redemption and the full payment on our Safeway 4.75% notes at maturity.
See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 7 and Note 9" for additional information.
Debt Management
Total debt, including both the current and long-term portions of finance lease obligations, net of debt discounts and deferred financing costs, increased $945.0 million to $8,910.1 million as of the end of fiscal 2022 compared to $7,965.1 million as of the end of fiscal 2021.
Outstanding debt, including current maturities, net of debt discounts and deferred financing costs, principally consisted of (in millions):
| February 25, 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Senior Unsecured Notes, Safeway Inc. Notes and New Albertson's L.P. Notes | $ | 7,347.5 |
| ABL Facility | 1,000.0 | |
| Finance lease obligations | 517.1 | |
| Other financing obligations and mortgage notes payable | 45.5 | |
| Total debt, including finance leases | $ | 8,910.1 |
On November 2, 2022, we provided notice to the lenders to borrow $1,400.00 million under the amended and restated senior secured asset-based loan facility (as amended, the "ABL Facility"), which together with cash on hand was to be used to fund the payment of the Special Dividend during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. As of
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February 25, 2023, we had $1,000.0 million of borrowings that remained outstanding under the ABL Facility and total availability of $2,946.7 million (net of letter of credit usage).
On February 13, 2023, we completed the issuance of $750.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.500% senior unsecured notes due February 15, 2028 (the "New 2028 Notes"). Interest on the New 2028 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing on August 15, 2023. On February 15, 2023, proceeds from the New 2028 Notes, together with approximately $7.1 million of cash on hand, were used to (i) repay in full all $750.0 million outstanding of our 3.50% senior unsecured notes due February 15, 2023 and (ii) pay fees and expenses related to the issuance of the New 2028 Notes.
During fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, there were no financial maintenance covenants in effect under the ABL Facility because the conditions had not been met.
See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 7" for additional information.
Dividends
The holders of Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to a quarterly dividend at a rate per annum of 6.75% of the liquidation preference per share of the Convertible Preferred Stock. In addition, the holders of Convertible Preferred Stock will participate in cash dividends that we pay on our common stock to the extent that such cash dividends exceed $206.25 million per fiscal year. Cash dividends paid to holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock were $65.3 million, $114.6 million and $66.0 million during fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. On March 15, 2023, we declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.8 million to holders of Convertible Preferred Stock, which was paid on March 31, 2023.
We have established a dividend policy pursuant to which we intend to pay a quarterly dividend on our Class A common stock. Cash dividends paid on our Class A common stock were $255.1 million ($0.48 per common share), $207.4 million ($0.44 per common share) and $93.7 million ($0.20 per common share) during fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. On April 11, 2023, we announced the next quarterly dividend payment of $0.12 per share of Class A common stock to be paid on May 10, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 26, 2023.
On October 13, 2022, we declared the Special Dividend, payable to stockholders of record, including holders of Series A preferred stock on an as-converted basis, as of the close of business on October 24, 2022, and was originally scheduled to be paid on November 7, 2022. As discussed in Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 9, on January 17, 2023 the temporary restraining order issued by the courts of the State of Washington was lifted, and on January 20, 2023, the Special Dividend of $3,916.9 million was paid.
Liquidity and Factors Affecting Liquidity
Based on current operating trends, we believe that we have significant sources of cash to meet our liquidity needs for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future, including cash on hand, cash flows from operating activities and other sources of liquidity, including borrowings under our ABL Facility. We estimate our liquidity needs over the next 12 months to be in the range of $5,200 million to $6,200 million. This includes $1,000.0 million related to outstanding borrowings under our ABL Facility for which we may, at our discretion, elect to pay all or a portion of the outstanding balance within the next 12 months; and anticipated requirements for incremental working capital, incremental merger costs, including costs related to the separation and establishment of SpinCo, capital expenditures, pension obligations, interest payments, quarterly dividends on Class A common stock and Convertible Preferred Stock, operating leases and finance leases. In addition, we may enter into refinancing and sale leaseback transactions from time to time. We believe we have adequate cash flow to continue to maintain our current debt ratings and to respond effectively to competitive conditions.
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The table below presents our material cash requirements as of February 25, 2023 (in millions) (1):
| Payments Due Per Year | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2023 | 2024-2025 | 2026-2027 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt (2) | $ | 8,483.7 | $ | 1,000.9 | $ | 31.0 | $ | 4,416.7 | $ | 3,035.1 | |||||||||
| Estimated interest on long-term debt (3) | 2,138.6 | 451.0 | 779.3 | 604.3 | 304.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases (4) | 8,568.7 | 953.4 | 1,854.3 | 1,528.6 | 4,232.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Finance leases (4) | 744.8 | 104.8 | 195.7 | 137.3 | 307.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Other obligations (5) | 1,836.7 | 450.8 | 477.5 | 216.0 | 692.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations (6) | 480.3 | 226.9 | 183.5 | 17.3 | 52.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Total contractual obligations | $ | 22,252.8 | $ | 3,187.8 | $ | 3,521.3 | $ | 6,920.2 | $ | 8,623.5 |
(1) The cash requirements table excludes funding of pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, which totaled $27.3 million in fiscal 2022 and is expected to total approximately $18 million in fiscal 2023. This table also excludes recurring contributions under various multiemployer pension plans, which totaled $546.5 million in fiscal 2022 and is expected to total approximately $570 million in fiscal 2023.
(2) Long-term debt amounts exclude any debt discounts and deferred financing costs. See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 7" for additional information.
(3) Amounts include contractual interest payments using the stated fixed interest rate or the variable interest rate in effect as of February 25, 2023. See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 7" for additional information.
(4) Represents the minimum rents payable under operating and finance leases, excluding common area maintenance, insurance or tax payments, for which we are obligated.
(5) Consists of self-insurance liabilities, which have not been reduced by insurance-related receivables, as well as payment obligations related to the Combined Plan and the UFCW National Fund. The table excludes the unfunded pension and postretirement benefit obligation of $302.6 million. The potential settlement payments related to unrecognized tax benefits have been excluded from the contractual obligations table because a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of future tax settlements cannot be determined. Also excludes deferred tax liabilities and certain other deferred liabilities that will not be settled in cash.
(6) Purchase obligations include various obligations that have specified purchase commitments. As of February 25, 2023, future purchase obligations primarily relate to fixed asset, marketing and information technology commitments, including fixed price contracts. In addition, not included in the contractual obligations table are supply contracts to purchase product for resale to consumers which are typically of a short-term nature with limited or no purchase commitments. We also enter into supply contracts which typically include either volume commitments or fixed expiration dates, termination provisions and other customary contractual considerations. The supply contracts that are cancelable have not been included above.
Multiemployer Pension Plans
We currently contribute to 27 multiemployer plans which provide retirement benefits to participants based on their service to contributing employers. The benefits are paid from assets held in trust for that purpose and the respective plan trustees are responsible for determining the level of benefits to be provided to participants, the management of the plan assets and plan administration. We continue to monitor any potential exposure to underfunded multiemployer plans for our associates who are beneficiaries of these plans. The underfunding of any of these plans to which we contribute are not our liability and though we are not obligated nor the guarantor for any of the underfunding, we have estimated, based on the ratio of our contributions to the total of all contributions to these plans, our allocable share of the underfunding (the amount by which the actuarial determined plan liabilities exceed the value of the plan assets) of these multiemployer plans to which we contribute to be approximately $5.1 billion.
The American Rescue Plan Act ("ARP Act") establishes a special financial assistance program for financially troubled multiemployer pension plans. Under the ARP Act, eligible multiemployer plans can apply to receive a one-time cash payment in the amount projected by the PBGC to pay pension benefits through the plan year ending 2051. The payment received by the multiemployer plan under this special financial assistance program would not be considered a loan and would not need to be paid back. Any financial assistance received by the multiemployer plan would need to be segregated from the other assets of the multiemployer plans and invested in investment grade bonds or other investments permitted by the PBGC.
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Of the 27 multiemployer plans to which we contribute, 18 plans are classified as "Critical" or "Critical and Declining" and potentially eligible for some level of relief under the special financial assistance program through the ARP Act. On July 9, 2021, the PBGC issued its interim final rule with respect to the special financial assistance program. The PBGC interim final rule provides direction on the application requirements, identifies which plans will have priority, eligibility requirements, the determination of the amount of financial assistance to be provided and establishes conditions and restrictions that apply to plans that receive assistance. During the second quarter of fiscal 2022, the PBGC issued the final rule with respect to the special financial assistance program which allowed for both additional funding and the investment of one third of the special financial assistance funds into return-seeking investments. Though the amount of financial assistance that each of these 18 plans could receive will vary by plan, we currently estimate that these 18 plans represent over 90% of the $5.1 billion estimated underfunding. Under the PBGC guidance, these multiemployer plans can apply for assistance based on a priority designation set by the PBGC starting in March 2023 through March 2024. We expect the special financial assistance program under these regulations to provide the funding for these plans to remain solvent for at least the next 25 to 30 years and continue to provide benefits to our associates who are beneficiaries of these multiemployer plans.
We will continue to make our contributions based on collective bargaining agreements for each of the multiemployer plans to which we contribute. Our contributions to multiemployer plans were $546.5 million, $523.7 million and $524.0 million during fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively, and we expect to contribute approximately $570 million in fiscal 2023. Refer to "Part I—Item 1A. Risk Factors" and "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 12" for additional information.
Guarantees
We are party to a variety of contractual agreements pursuant to which we may be obligated to indemnify the other party for certain matters. These contracts primarily relate to our commercial contracts, operating leases and other real estate contracts, trademarks, intellectual property, financial agreements and various other agreements. Under these agreements, we may provide certain routine indemnifications relating to representations and warranties (for example, ownership of assets, environmental or tax indemnifications) or personal injury matters. The terms of these indemnifications range in duration and may not be explicitly defined. We believe that if we were to incur a loss in any of these matters, the loss would not have a material effect on our financial statements.
We are liable for certain operating leases that were assigned to third parties. If any of these third parties fail to perform their obligations under the leases, we could be responsible for the lease obligation. Because of the wide dispersion among third parties and the variety of remedies available, we believe that if an assignee became insolvent it would not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into various supply contracts to purchase products for resale and purchase and service contracts for fixed asset and information technology commitments. We have also entered into fixed price contracts to purchase electricity and natural gas for a portion of our energy needs. These contracts typically include volume commitments or fixed expiration dates, termination provisions and other standard contractual considerations.
Letters of Credit
We had letters of credit of $53.3 million outstanding as of February 25, 2023. The letters of credit are maintained primarily to support our performance, payment, deposit or surety obligations. We typically pay bank fees of 1.25% plus a fronting fee of 0.125% on the face amount of the letters of credit.
NEW ACCOUNTING POLICIES
See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1" for new accounting pronouncements.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
We have chosen accounting policies that we believe are appropriate to report accurately and fairly our operating results and financial position, and we apply those accounting policies in a fair and consistent manner. See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1" for a discussion of our significant accounting policies.
Management believes the following critical accounting policies reflect its more subjective or complex judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Self-Insurance Liabilities
We are primarily self-insured for workers' compensation, property, automobile and general liability. The self-insurance liability is undiscounted and determined actuarially, based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. We have established stop-loss amounts that limit our further exposure after a claim reaches the designated stop-loss threshold. In determining our self-insurance liabilities, we perform a continuing review of our overall position and reserving techniques. Since recorded amounts are based on estimates, the ultimate cost of all incurred claims and related expenses may be more or less than the recorded liabilities.
Any actuarial projection of self-insured losses is subject to a high degree of variability. Litigation trends, legal interpretations, benefit level changes, claim settlement patterns and similar factors influenced historical development trends that were used to determine the current year expense and, therefore, contributed to the variability in the annual expense. However, these factors are not direct inputs into the actuarial projection, and thus their individual impact cannot be quantified.
Long-Lived Asset Impairment
We regularly review our individual stores' operating performance, together with current market conditions, for indications of impairment. When events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an individual store's assets may not be recoverable, its future undiscounted cash flows are compared to the carrying value. If the carrying value of store assets to be held and used is greater than the future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized to record the assets at fair value. For property and equipment held for sale, we recognize impairment charges for the excess of the carrying value plus estimated costs of disposal over the fair value. Fair values are based on discounted cash flows or current market rates. These estimates of fair value can be significantly impacted by factors such as changes in the current economic environment and real estate market conditions. Long-lived asset impairment losses were $5.1 million, $31.1 million and $30.2 million in fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively.
Contingencies
We are involved in a number of legal proceedings and certain regulatory matters. We record a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. We also perform an assessment of the materiality of loss contingencies where a loss is either reasonably possible or it is reasonably possible that an estimated liability could materially change. If a loss or change in the estimated liability has at least a reasonable possibility of occurring and the impact on the financial statements would be material, we provide disclosure of the
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nature of the uncertainty and estimate of possible loss or range of loss to the extent such estimate can be made. We review all contingencies at least quarterly to determine whether the likelihood of loss has changed and whether a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made. The assessment of the outcome of litigation can be very difficult to predict as it is subject to legal processes that are highly complex, subject to many factors, including those that are not within our control, and highly dependent on individual facts and circumstances. While management currently believes that the estimated liabilities currently recorded are reasonable, it remains possible that differences in actual outcomes or changes in management's evaluation or predictions could arise that could be material to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, although we are not able to predict the outcome or reasonably estimate a range of possible losses in certain matters described in Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 14" and have not recorded an associated accrual related to these matters, an adverse judgment of negotiated settlement in these matters could be material to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001646972-22-000031.
Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes found in "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" in this Form 10-K, as well as "Part II—Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 27, 2021 filed with the SEC on April 28, 2021, which provides comparisons of fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019. This discussion contains forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in the section entitled "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" set forth in Part I and in Item 1A. "Risk Factors."
Our last three fiscal years consisted of the 52 weeks ended February 26, 2022 ("fiscal 2021"), the 52 weeks ended February 27, 2021 ("fiscal 2020") and the 53 weeks ended February 29, 2020 ("fiscal 2019"). In this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Albertsons Companies, Inc., the words "Albertsons," the "Company," "we," "us," "our" and "ours" refer to Albertsons Companies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - FISCAL 2021 OVERVIEW
We are one of the largest food retailers in the United States, with 2,276 stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia. We operate 24 banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs, Jewel-Osco, Acme, Shaw's, Star Market, United Supermarkets, Market Street, Haggen, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market, with approximately 290,000 talented and dedicated employees, as of February 26, 2022, who serve on average 34 million customers each week. Additionally, as of February 26, 2022, we operated 1,722 pharmacies, 1,317 in-store branded coffee shops, 402 adjacent fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers, 20 manufacturing facilities and various digital platforms.
During fiscal 2021, we made significant progress against all of our strategic priorities, including in-store excellence, accelerating our digital and omnichannel capabilities, driving productivity and strengthening our talent and culture. Identical sales, excluding fuel, decreased 0.1% during fiscal 2021, which was impacted by the significantly elevated demand at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. On a two-year stacked basis, identical sales, excluding fuel, increased 16.8%. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, we gained market share in food market and Multi Outlet ("MULO") on both a one and two-year basis. Food market generally includes traditional supermarkets while MULO includes most food market, drug, mass merchants, club, dollar and military stores that sell food.
Our digital initiatives continue to resonate with our customers, underscoring our strong omnichannel capabilities that allow customers to complete their shopping with us in any way they want. During fiscal 2021, digital sales, which include home delivery and Drive Up & Go curbside pickup, increased 5% compared to fiscal 2020 and 263% on a two-year stacked basis. During fiscal 2021, we expanded our Drive Up & Go curbside pickup service to over 2,000 locations and added five micro fulfillment centers ("MFCs") for a total of seven MFCs in operation. In our online delivery service, we expanded third-party partnerships to offer more choices and accelerate the speed of delivery.
In digital, we are beginning to capitalize on our rich and proprietary data, recently launching the Albertsons Media Collective ("AMC") in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. AMC offers new and existing business partners a robust digital marketing platform that reaches our extensive customer network and leverages our strong market share, especially in the 68% of markets where we hold a #1 or #2 share position. We believe AMC will be a leading growth and profit driver over the next several years.
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In the just for U loyalty program, ongoing benefit enhancements continued to accelerate membership growth, which increased 18% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, reaching 29.9 million members, and is up approximately 45% or more than 9 million members since the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. Within the program, our retention rate of actively engaged members, those that redeemed coupons, fuel or grocery rewards, was over 90% at the end of fiscal 2021. In loyalty, we launched a new unified mobile app (the "UMA") and we introduced a meal planning tool that offers recipes, including those that address dietary preferences, such as vegetarian or gluten-free. Customers can seamlessly add all recipe ingredients to their shopping list or immediately purchase them in the UMA.
We offer nearly 14,000 high-quality products under our Own Brands portfolio. Our Own Brands products resonate well with our shoppers, as evidenced by Own Brands sales of over $15.3 billion in fiscal 2021. Own Brands continues to deliver on innovation with 837 new items launched in fiscal 2021. During fiscal 2021, Own Brands was awarded four Private Label Manufacturing Association awards and won recognition from Store Brands Magazine for innovation in private brand marketing.
Driving productivity allowed us to continue to fund future growth and offset inflation. During fiscal 2021, we continued to drive incremental productivity savings as we enhanced our pricing and promotion capabilities, further rationalized indirect spend and expanded our national buying initiatives. We expect to achieve our targeted three-year $1.5 billion savings by the end of fiscal 2022 and are working on the next phase to identify incremental productivity savings beyond fiscal 2022.
Our capital allocation strategy balances investing for the future, strengthening our balance sheet and returns to shareholders through a combination of dividends and opportunistic share repurchases. Capital expenditures were approximately $1,607 million during fiscal 2021, primarily including investments in the modernization of our store fleet, including 236 remodels and the opening of 10 new stores, and the building of our digital and technology platforms. We continue to make progress in strengthening the balance sheet, reducing our Net debt ratio to 1.2x as of the end of fiscal 2021 compared to 1.5x at the end of fiscal 2020. Capital returns to shareholders in fiscal 2021 included $207.4 million in common stock dividends ($0.44 per common share).
In addition, during fiscal 2021, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, we contributed nearly $200 million in food and financial support, including approximately $40 million through our Nourishing Neighbors program to ensure those living in our communities have enough to eat. We have continued to partner with the Department of Health and Human Services and local health authorities to administer COVID-19 vaccines to our local communities and have administered more than 12 million doses.
We have continued to settle labor contracts that provide an overall wage and benefit package that rewards our existing team members for their significant contributions and strengthens our competitive positioning in the markets we serve. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, we settled contracts in Denver, Portland, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and the Mid-Atlantic. Subsequent to the end of fiscal 2021, through April 22, 2022, we have also reached tentative settlements in our Northern California, Southern California and Seattle divisions.
Fiscal 2021 highlights
In summary, our financial and operating highlights for fiscal 2021 include:
•Identical sales decreased 0.1%; on a two-year stacked basis identical sales growth was 16.8%
•Digital sales increased 5%; on a two-year stacked basis digital sales growth was 263%
•Net income of $1,620 million, or $2.70 per Class A common share
•Adjusted net income of $1,781 million, or $3.07 per Class A common share
•Adjusted EBITDA of $4,398 million
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•Operating cash flows of $3,513 million
•Reduced Net debt ratio to 1.2x at the end of fiscal 2021 compared to 1.5x at the end of fiscal 2020
•Continued modernization of our store fleet, including completing 236 remodels and opening 10 new stores
•Expanded Drive Up & Go to over 2,000 locations
•Added five MFCs for a total of seven in operation
Stores
The following table shows stores operating, acquired, opened and closed during the periods presented:
| Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | Fiscal 2019 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stores, beginning of period | 2,277 | 2,252 | 2,269 | |||||
| Acquired (1) | 3 | 26 | — | |||||
| Opened | 7 | 9 | 14 | |||||
| Closed | (11) | (10) | (31) | |||||
| Stores, end of period | 2,276 | 2,277 | 2,252 |
(1) Fiscal 2021 includes one store acquired from Kings and Balducci's in fiscal 2020 that transferred to us in fiscal 2021.
The following table summarizes our stores by size:
| Number of Stores | Percent of Total | Retail Square Feet (1) | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square Footage | February 26, 2022 | February 27, 2021 | February 26, 2022 | February 27, 2021 | February 26, 2022 | February 27, 2021 | |||||||||||
| Less than 30,000 | 221 | 221 | 9.7 | % | 9.7 | % | 5.0 | 5.1 | |||||||||
| 30,000 to 50,000 | 781 | 789 | 34.3 | % | 34.7 | % | 32.7 | 33.0 | |||||||||
| More than 50,000 | 1,274 | 1,267 | 56.0 | % | 55.6 | % | 75.3 | 74.9 | |||||||||
| Total Stores | 2,276 | 2,277 | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 113.0 | 113.0 |
(1) In millions, reflects total square footage of retail stores operating at the end of the period.
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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We define EBITDA as generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") earnings (net loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings (net loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to eliminate the effects of items management does not consider in assessing our ongoing core performance. We define Adjusted net income as GAAP net income adjusted to eliminate the effects of items management does not consider in assessing our ongoing core performance. We define Adjusted net income per Class A common share as Adjusted net income divided by the weighted average diluted Class A common shares outstanding, as adjusted to reflect all restricted stock units and awards outstanding at the end of the period, as well as the conversion of Convertible Preferred Stock when it is antidilutive for GAAP. We define Net debt as total debt (which includes finance lease obligations and is net of deferred financing costs and original issue discount) minus unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and we define Net debt ratio as the ratio of Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA for the rolling 52 or 53 week period.
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income, Adjusted net income per Class A common share and Net debt ratio (collectively, the "Non-GAAP Measures") are performance measures that provide supplemental information we believe is useful to analysts and investors to evaluate our ongoing results of operations, when considered alongside other GAAP measures such as net income, operating income, gross margin and net income per Class A common share. These Non-GAAP Measures exclude the financial impact of items management does not consider in assessing our ongoing core operating performance, and thereby provide useful measures to analysts and investors of our operating performance on a period-to-period basis. Other companies may have different definitions of Non-GAAP Measures and provide for different adjustments, and comparability to our results of operations may be impacted by such differences. We also use Adjusted EBITDA and Net debt ratio for board of director and bank compliance reporting. Our presentation of Non-GAAP Measures should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
Non-GAAP Measures should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using Non-GAAP Measures only for supplemental purposes.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following information summarizes the components of our Consolidated Statements of Operations for fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020.
Summary of Consolidated Statements of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share data):
| Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | Fiscal 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net sales and other revenue | $ | 71,887.0 | 100.0 | % | $ | 69,690.4 | 100.0 | % | $ | 62,455.1 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of sales | 51,164.6 | 71.2 | 49,275.9 | 70.7 | 44,860.9 | 71.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 20,722.4 | 28.8 | 20,414.5 | 29.3 | 17,594.2 | 28.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | 18,300.5 | 25.5 | 18,835.8 | 27.0 | 16,641.9 | 26.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Gain on property dispositions and impairment losses, net | (15.0) | — | (38.8) | (0.1) | (484.8) | (0.7) | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 2,436.9 | 3.3 | 1,617.5 | 2.4 | 1,437.1 | 2.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 481.9 | 0.7 | 538.2 | 0.8 | 698.0 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | 3.7 | — | 85.3 | 0.1 | 111.4 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (148.2) | (0.2) | (134.7) | (0.2) | 28.5 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 2,099.5 | 2.8 | 1,128.7 | 1.7 | 599.2 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 479.9 | 0.7 | 278.5 | 0.4 | 132.8 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,619.6 | 2.1 | % | $ | 850.2 | 1.3 | % | $ | 466.4 | 0.8 | % | ||||||||
| Basic net income per Class A common share | $ | 2.73 | $ | 1.53 | $ | 0.80 | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted net income per Class A common share | 2.70 | 1.47 | 0.80 |
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Net Sales and Other Revenue
Net sales and other revenue increased $2,196.6 million, or 3.2%, from $69,690.4 million in fiscal 2020 to $71,887.0 million in fiscal 2021. The primary increase in Net sales and other revenue in fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020 was driven by higher fuel sales and sales related to the stores acquired and opened since fiscal 2020, offset by our 0.1% decrease in identical sales, which was impacted by the significantly elevated demand at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Our identical sales for fiscal 2021 was favorably impacted by retail price inflation and incremental pharmacy sales related to administering COVID-19 vaccines. The components of the change in Net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2021 were as follows (in millions):
| Fiscal 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2020 | $ | 69,690.4 |
| Increase in fuel sales | 1,511.0 | |
| Increase in sales due to new store openings, net of store closures | 602.9 | |
| Identical sales decrease of 0.1% | (67.8) | |
| Other, net | 150.5 | |
| Net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2021 | $ | 71,887.0 |
Identical Sales, Excluding Fuel
Identical sales include stores operating during the same period in both the current year and the prior year, comparing sales on a daily basis. Direct to consumer digital sales are included in identical sales, and fuel sales are excluded from identical sales. Acquired stores become identical on the one-year anniversary date of the acquisition. Identical sales results, on an actual basis, for the past three fiscal years were as follows:
| Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | Fiscal 2019 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identical sales, excluding fuel | (0.1)% | 16.9% | 2.1% |
The following table represents Net sales and other revenue by product type (in millions):
| Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount (1) | % of Total | Amount (1)(2) | % of Total | ||||||||||
| Non-perishables (3) | $ | 36,486.7 | 50.8 | % | $ | 37,520.0 | 53.8 | % | |||||
| Fresh (4) | 24,636.8 | 34.3 | % | 23,674.5 | 34.0 | % | |||||||
| Pharmacy | 5,823.3 | 8.1 | % | 5,195.8 | 7.4 | % | |||||||
| Fuel | 3,747.5 | 5.2 | % | 2,236.5 | 3.2 | % | |||||||
| Other (5) | 1,192.7 | 1.6 | % | 1,063.6 | 1.6 | % | |||||||
| Total (6) | $ | 71,887.0 | 100.0 | % | $ | 69,690.4 | 100.0 | % |
(1) Digital related sales are included in the categories to which the revenue pertains.
(2) In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, to better align with internal management reporting, the Company revised its presentation of sales revenue by product type, primarily to reclassify dairy sales from "Perishables" to "Non-perishables" and then titled its former "Perishables" product category "Fresh." Fiscal 2020 has been adjusted to reflect this presentation.
(3) Consists primarily of general merchandise, grocery, dairy and frozen foods.
(4) Consists primarily of produce, meat, deli, floral and seafood.
(5) Consists primarily of wholesale revenue to third parties, commissions and other miscellaneous revenue.
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Gross Margin
Gross margin represents the portion of Net sales and other revenue remaining after deducting the Cost of sales during the period, including purchase and distribution costs. These costs include, among other things, purchasing and sourcing costs, inbound freight costs, product quality testing costs, warehousing and distribution costs, Own Brands program costs and digital-related third-party delivery and handling costs. Advertising, promotional expenses and vendor allowances are also components of Cost of sales.
Gross margin rate decreased 50 basis points to 28.8% in fiscal 2021 compared to 29.3% in fiscal 2020. Excluding the impact of fuel, gross margin rate increased five basis points. The increase in fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020 was primarily due to productivity initiatives, improved pharmacy margins related to administering COVID-19 vaccines and favorable product mix, offset by lower gross margin rates across certain product categories due to the rate impact of increased product costs and higher supply chain costs driven by the current inflationary environment predominantly experienced in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2021.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses consist primarily of store level costs, including wages, employee benefits, rent, depreciation and utilities, in addition to certain back-office expenses related to our corporate and division offices.
Selling and administrative expenses decreased 150 basis points to 25.5% of Net sales and other revenue in fiscal 2021 from 27.0% in fiscal 2020. Excluding the impacts of fuel and the Combined Plan and UFCW National Fund withdrawals, Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales and other revenue increased 35 basis points during fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020. The increase in Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of Net sales and other revenue during fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 was primarily attributable to higher employee costs, depreciation and other expenses related to our investments in our digital and omnichannel capabilities and other strategic priorities. The increase in employee costs was the result of additional labor to support the increase in fresh sales, market-driven wage rate increases and higher equity-based compensation expense. These increases were partially offset by lower COVID-19 related costs and execution of productivity initiatives.
Gain on Property Dispositions and Impairment Losses, Net
For fiscal 2021, net gain on property dispositions and impairment losses was $15.0 million, primarily driven by $44.6 million of gains from the sale of assets, partially offset by $31.1 million of asset impairments, primarily related to right-of-use assets and intangible assets. For fiscal 2020, net gain on property dispositions and impairment losses was $38.8 million, primarily driven by $69.0 million of gains from the sale of assets, including the sale of a distribution center, partially offset by $30.2 million of asset impairments, primarily related to underperforming or closed stores and certain surplus properties.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net was $481.9 million in fiscal 2021 and $538.2 million in fiscal 2020. The decrease in Interest expense, net for fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 was primarily due to lower average outstanding borrowings and lower average interest rates. The weighted average interest rate was 5.5% and 5.8% during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively, excluding amortization of debt discounts and deferred financing costs.
Loss on Debt Extinguishment
During fiscal 2021, we redeemed the remaining $200.0 million aggregate principal amount outstanding (the "2025 Redemption") of our 5.750% senior unsecured notes due September 2025 (the "2025 Notes"), using cash on hand, at a redemption price of 101.438% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company
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recorded a $3.7 million loss on debt extinguishment related to the 2025 Redemption, comprised of a $2.9 million redemption premium and a $0.8 million write-off of deferred financing costs.
During fiscal 2020, we completed the issuance of $750.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.250% senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2026, $750.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.500% senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2029 (the "2029 Notes) and $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of additional 2029 Notes. The proceeds from these issuances along with cash on hand were used to fund various redemptions of senior unsecured notes. In connection with these redemptions, we incurred a loss on debt extinguishment of $85.3 million, comprised of $71.6 million of redemption premiums and $13.7 million of write-offs of debt discounts.
Other (Income) Expense, Net
For fiscal 2021, other income, net was $148.2 million primarily driven by non-service cost components of net pension and post-retirement expense, realized and unrealized gains from non-operating investments and income related to our equity investment, partially offset by unrealized losses from non-operating investments. For fiscal 2020, other income, net was $134.7 million primarily driven by unrealized gains from non-operating investments, non-service cost components of net pension and post-retirement expense and income related to our equity investment, partially offset by recognized losses on interest rate swaps.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $479.9 million, representing a 22.9% effective tax rate, in fiscal 2021, and $278.5 million, representing a 24.7% effective tax rate, in fiscal 2020. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by incremental discrete state income tax benefits related to statute expirations and audit settlements, as well as non-deductible transaction costs in fiscal 2020.
Net Income and Adjusted Net Income
Net income was $1,619.6 million or $2.70 per share during fiscal 2021 compared to $850.2 million or $1.47 per share during fiscal 2020. Adjusted net income was $1,781.0 million, or $3.07 per share, during fiscal 2021 compared to $1,891.4 million, or $3.24 per share, during fiscal 2020.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA was $4,398.4 million, or 6.1% of Net sales and other revenue, during fiscal 2021 compared to $4,524.0 million, or 6.5% of Net sales and other revenue, during fiscal 2020.
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Supplemental Two-Year Results - Fiscal 2021 Compared to Fiscal 2019
The following table provides a comparison of fiscal 2021 to fiscal 2019 for certain financial measures, including a compounded annual growth rate ("CAGR"), to demonstrate the two-year growth in the Company's business. The Company believes these supplemental comparisons provide meaningful and useful information to investors about the trends in its business relative to pre-COVID-19 pandemic periods.
| Fiscal 2021 Supplemental Two-Year Results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identical sales two-year stacked (1) | 16.8 | % |
| Net income per Class A common share two-year CAGR | 83.7 | % |
| Adjusted net income per Class A common share two-year CAGR | 71.8 | % |
| Net income two-year CAGR | 86.3 | % |
| Adjusted net income two-year CAGR | 70.6 | % |
| Adjusted EBITDA two-year CAGR | 24.6 | % |
| % of net sales and other revenue: | ||
| Gross margin (2) | Increased 60 basis points | |
| Selling and administrative expenses (3) | Decreased 115 basis points |
(1) Calculated as the sum of fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 identical sales, excluding fuel, of (0.1)% and 16.9%, respectively.
(2) Excluding fuel.
(3) Excluding fuel and the Combined Plan withdrawal.
Net Sales and Other Revenue
Net sales and other revenue was $71.9 billion during fiscal 2021 compared to $62.5 billion during fiscal 2019. The increase in sales compared to fiscal 2019 was primarily due to the 16.8% increase in two-year stacked identical sales, partially offset by the impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2019.
Gross Margin
Gross margin rate increased to 28.8% during fiscal 2021 compared to 28.2% during fiscal 2019. Excluding the impact of fuel, gross margin rate increased by approximately 60 basis points compared to fiscal 2019, primarily driven by productivity initiatives, sales leverage and improved pharmacy margins related to administering COVID-19 vaccines, partially offset by an increase in product and supply chain costs and growth in digital sales.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses decreased to 25.5% of net sales and other revenue during fiscal 2021 compared to 26.6% of net sales and other revenue for fiscal 2019. Excluding the impacts of fuel and the Combined Plan withdrawal, selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales and other revenue decreased approximately 115 basis points primarily due to sales leverage and the execution of productivity initiatives, partially offset by increases in employee costs and other expenses related to the Company's investments in its digital and omnichannel capabilities and strategic priorities, as well as incremental COVID-19 expenses.
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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
The following tables reconcile Net income to Adjusted net income, and Net income per Class A common share to Adjusted net income per Class A common share (dollars in millions, except per share data):
| Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | Fiscal 2019 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numerator: | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,619.6 | $ | 850.2 | $ | 466.4 | ||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on interest rate and commodity hedges, net (d) | (22.8) | 16.9 | 50.6 | |||||||
| Facility closures and transformation (1)(b) | 56.6 | 58.0 | 18.3 | |||||||
| Acquisition and integration costs (2)(b) | 8.6 | 12.6 | 60.5 | |||||||
| Equity-based compensation expense (b) | 101.2 | 59.0 | 32.8 | |||||||
| Gain on property dispositions and impairment losses, net (3) | (15.0) | (38.8) | (484.8) | |||||||
| LIFO expense (a) | 115.2 | 58.7 | 18.4 | |||||||
| Discretionary COVID-19 pandemic related costs (4)(b) | — | 134.6 | — | |||||||
| Government-mandated incremental COVID-19 pandemic related pay (5)(b) | 57.9 | 1.8 | — | |||||||
| Civil disruption related costs (6)(b) | — | 13.0 | — | |||||||
| Transaction and reorganization costs related to Convertible Preferred Stock issuance and initial public offering (b) | — | 23.8 | 3.7 | |||||||
| Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs (c) | 23.2 | 20.3 | 73.9 | |||||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | 3.7 | 85.3 | 111.4 | |||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions (b) | 48.5 | 55.8 | 273.6 | |||||||
| Combined Plan and UFCW National Fund withdrawal (7)(b) | (106.3) | 892.9 | — | |||||||
| Miscellaneous adjustments (8)(f) | (63.4) | 2.4 | 35.0 | |||||||
| Tax impact of adjustments to Adjusted net income | (46.0) | (355.1) | (47.7) | |||||||
| Adjusted net income | $ | 1,781.0 | $ | 1,891.4 | $ | 612.1 | ||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||||
| Weighted average Class A common shares outstanding - diluted | 475.3 | 578.1 | 580.3 | |||||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||
| Convertible Preferred Stock (9) | 97.7 | — | — | |||||||
| Restricted stock units and awards (10) | 7.4 | 6.3 | 6.6 | |||||||
| Adjusted weighted average Class A common shares outstanding – diluted | 580.4 | 584.4 | 586.9 | |||||||
| Adjusted net income per Class A common share - diluted | $ | 3.07 | $ | 3.24 | $ | 1.04 | ||||
| Supplemental Two-Year CAGR: | ||||||||||
| Net income two-year CAGR | 86.3 | % | ||||||||
| Adjusted net income two-year CAGR | 70.6 | % |
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| Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | Fiscal 2019 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income per Class A common share - diluted | $ | 2.70 | $ | 1.47 | $ | 0.80 | ||||
| Convertible Preferred Stock (9) | 0.13 | — | — | |||||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments (11) | 0.28 | 1.80 | 0.25 | |||||||
| Restricted stock units and awards (10) | (0.04) | (0.03) | (0.01) | |||||||
| Adjusted net income per Class A common share - diluted | $ | 3.07 | $ | 3.24 | $ | 1.04 | ||||
| Supplemental Two-Year CAGR: | ||||||||||
| Net income per Class A common share two-year CAGR | 83.7 | % | ||||||||
| Adjusted net income per Class A common share two-year CAGR | 71.8 | % |
The following table is a reconciliation of Adjusted net income to Adjusted EBITDA:
| Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | Fiscal 2019 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted net income (12) | $ | 1,781.0 | $ | 1,891.4 | $ | 612.1 | ||||
| Tax impact of adjustments to Adjusted net income | 46.0 | 355.1 | 47.7 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 479.9 | 278.5 | 132.8 | |||||||
| Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs (c) | (23.2) | (20.3) | (73.9) | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 481.9 | 538.2 | 698.0 | |||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions (b) | (48.5) | (55.8) | (273.6) | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization (e) | 1,681.3 | 1,536.9 | 1,691.3 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA (13) | $ | 4,398.4 | $ | 4,524.0 | $ | 2,834.4 | ||||
| Supplemental Two-Year CAGR: | ||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA two-year CAGR | 24.6 | % |
(1) Includes costs related to closures of operating facilities and third-party consulting fees related to our strategic priorities and associated business transformation.
(2) Related to conversion activities and related costs associated with integrating acquired businesses. Also includes expenses related to management fees paid in prior fiscal years connection with acquisition and financing activities.
(3) Primarily due to gains related to sale leaseback transactions in the second quarter of fiscal 2019.
(4) Includes $44.7 million in bonus payments to front-line associates during the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Also includes $53 million of charitable contributions to our communities for hunger relief and $36.9 million in final reward payments to front-line associates at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2020.
(5) Represents incremental pay that is legislatively required in certain municipalities in which we operate.
(6) Primarily includes costs related to store damage, inventory losses and community support as a result of the civil disruption during late May 2020 and early June 2020 in certain markets.
(7) Related to the Combined Plan during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, and the withdrawal from the UFCW National Fund during the third quarter of fiscal 2020. See "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 12" for more information.
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(8) Miscellaneous adjustments include the following (see table below):
| Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | Fiscal 2019 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-cash lease-related adjustments | $ | 9.7 | $ | 5.3 | $ | 21.2 | ||||
| Lease and lease-related costs for surplus and closed stores | 27.5 | 46.0 | 21.5 | |||||||
| Net realized and unrealized gain on non-operating investments | (57.8) | (85.1) | (1.1) | |||||||
| Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements, net | (31.0) | 12.0 | (22.2) | |||||||
| Other (i) | (11.8) | 24.2 | 15.6 | |||||||
| Total miscellaneous adjustments | $ | (63.4) | $ | 2.4 | $ | 35.0 |
(i) Primarily includes adjustments for pension settlement gain, unconsolidated equity investments and certain contract terminations.
(9) Represents the conversion of Convertible Preferred Stock to the fully outstanding as-converted Class A common shares as of the end of each respective period, for periods in which the Convertible Preferred Stock is antidilutive under GAAP.
(10) Represents incremental unvested RSUs and unvested RSAs to adjust the diluted weighted average Class A common shares outstanding during each respective period to the fully outstanding RSUs and RSAs as of the end of each respective period.
(11) Reflects the per share impact of Non-GAAP adjustments for each period. See the reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted net income above for further details.
(12) See the reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted net income above for further details.
(13) Fiscal 2019 includes an estimated $54 million of incremental Adjusted EBITDA due to the impact of the additional week in fiscal 2019.
Non-GAAP adjustment classifications within the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
(a) Cost of sales
(b) Selling and administrative expenses
(c) Interest expense, net
(d) (Gain) loss on interest rate and commodity hedges, net:
| Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | Fiscal 2019 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of sales | $ | (19.5) | $ | (2.6) | $ | 2.7 | ||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (3.3) | 19.5 | 47.9 | |||||||
| Total (Gain) loss on interest rate and commodity hedges, net | $ | (22.8) | $ | 16.9 | $ | 50.6 |
(e) Depreciation and amortization:
| Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | Fiscal 2019 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of sales | $ | 164.7 | $ | 172.6 | $ | 171.5 | ||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | 1,516.6 | 1,364.3 | 1,519.8 | |||||||
| Total Depreciation and amortization | $ | 1,681.3 | $ | 1,536.9 | $ | 1,691.3 |
(f) Miscellaneous adjustments:
| Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2020 | Fiscal 2019 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selling and administrative expenses | $ | (6.9) | $ | 73.8 | $ | 21.0 | ||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (56.5) | (71.4) | 14.0 | |||||||
| Total Miscellaneous adjustments | $ | (63.4) | $ | 2.4 | $ | 35.0 |
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LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The following table sets forth the major sources and uses of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of each period (in millions):
| February 26, 2022 | February 27, 2021 | February 29, 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 2,952.6 | $ | 1,767.6 | $ | 478.9 | ||||
| Cash flows provided by operating activities | 3,513.4 | 3,902.5 | 1,903.9 | |||||||
| Cash flows used in investing activities | (1,538.9) | (1,572.0) | (378.5) | |||||||
| Cash flows used in financing activities | (789.5) | (1,041.8) | (2,014.2) |
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $3,513.4 million during fiscal 2021 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $3,902.5 million during fiscal 2020. The decrease in cash flow from operating activities during fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 was due to the deferral of the employer-paid portion of social security taxes in fiscal 2020 and related partial payment of such deferral in fiscal 2021, increases in inventory purchases and lower Adjusted EBITDA. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in accounts payable from fiscal 2020, less cash paid for income taxes and interest, both the UFCW National Fund withdrawal payment and the UFCW & Employers Midwest Pension Fund settlement in fiscal 2020 and a decrease in contributions to our defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement benefit plans.
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2021 was $1,538.9 million primarily due to payments for property, equipment and intangibles of $1,594.8 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of assets of $51.9 million. Payments for property, equipment and intangibles included the completion of 236 remodels, the opening of 10 new stores and continued investment in our digital and technology platforms.
Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2020 was $1,572.0 million primarily due to payments for property, equipment and intangibles of $1,643.2 million and the Kings and Balducci's acquisition of $97.9 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of assets of $161.6 million. Payments for property, equipment and intangibles included the completion of 409 remodels, the opening of nine new stores and continued investment in our digital and technology platforms.
In fiscal 2022, we expect capital expenditures to be in the range of $2.0 billion to $2.1 billion.
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $789.5 million in fiscal 2021 primarily consisting of payments on long-term debt and finance leases of $408.9 million and dividends paid on our Class A common stock and Convertible Preferred Stock. Payments on long-term debt principally consisted of the 2025 Redemption and the full payment on our Safeway 4.75% notes at maturity.
Net cash used in financing activities was $1,041.8 million in fiscal 2020 consisting of payments on long-term debt and finance leases of $4,526.6 million, partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt of $4,094.0 million. Payments on long-term debt and proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt principally consisted of the $2,100 million issuance and subsequent $2,300 million redemption of Senior Unsecured Notes, the $2,000 million borrowing and subsequent repayment under the ABL Facility, the repurchase of outstanding Class A
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common stock, the issuance of the Convertible Preferred Stock and dividends paid on our Class A common stock and Convertible Preferred Stock.
See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 7 and Note 9" for additional information.
Debt Management
Total debt, including both the current and long-term portions of finance lease obligations, net of debt discounts and deferred financing costs, decreased $348.5 million to $7,965.1 million as of the end of fiscal 2021 compared to $8,313.6 million as of the end of fiscal 2020.
Outstanding debt, including current maturities, net of debt discounts and deferred financing costs, principally consisted of (in millions):
| February 26, 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Senior Unsecured Notes, Safeway Inc. Notes and New Albertson's L.P. Notes | $ | 7,339.5 |
| Finance lease obligations | 579.4 | |
| Other financing obligations and mortgage notes payable | 46.2 | |
| Total debt, including finance leases | $ | 7,965.1 |
On November 1, 2021, we redeemed the remaining $200.0 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 2025 Notes, using cash on hand. The Company recorded a $3.7 million loss on debt extinguishment. We also repaid, using cash on hand, the remaining $130.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Safeway's 4.75% Notes due 2021 on their maturity date, December 1, 2021.
As of February 26, 2022, we had no borrowings outstanding under our ABL Facility and total availability of approximately $3,750.6 million (net of letter of credit usage). On December 20, 2021, the existing ABL Facility was amended and restated to, among other things, extend the maturity date of the facility to December 20, 2026, reduce the unused line fee to 0.25% per annum and reduce the interest rate based on availability. The ABL Facility contains no financial maintenance covenants unless and until (a) excess availability is less than (i) 10% of the lesser of the aggregate commitments and the then-current borrowing base at any time or (ii) $250.0 million at any time or (b) an event of default is continuing. If any such event occurs, we must maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0:1.0 from the date such triggering event occurs until such event of default is cured or waived and/or the 30th day that all such triggers under clause (a) no longer exist.
During fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, there were no financial maintenance covenants in effect under the ABL Facility because the conditions listed above had not been met.
See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 7" for additional information.
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Dividends
The holders of Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to a quarterly dividend at a rate per annum of 6.75% of the liquidation preference per share of the Convertible Preferred Stock. In addition, the holders of Convertible Preferred Stock will participate in cash dividends that we pay on our common stock to the extent that such cash dividends exceed $206.25 million per fiscal year. Cash dividends paid to holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock were $114.6 million and $66.0 million during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. On March 15, 2022, we declared a quarterly cash dividend of $22.8 million to holders of Convertible Preferred Stock, which was paid on March 31, 2022.
In connection with the Initial Public Offering, we established a dividend policy pursuant to which we intend to pay a quarterly dividend on our Class A common stock. Cash dividends paid on our Class A common stock were $207.4 million ($0.44 per common share) and $93.7 million ($0.20 per common share) during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. On April 12, 2022, we announced the next quarterly dividend payment of $0.12 per share of Class A common stock to be paid on May 10, 2022 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 26, 2022.
Liquidity and Factors Affecting Liquidity
We estimate our liquidity needs over the next fiscal year to be approximately $6,000 million, which includes anticipated requirements for incremental working capital, capital expenditures, pension obligations, interest payments and scheduled principal payments of debt, dividends on Class A common stock and Convertible Preferred Stock, operating leases and finance leases. Based on current operating trends, we believe that cash flows from operating activities and other sources of liquidity, including borrowings under our ABL Facility, will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future. We believe we have adequate cash flow to continue to maintain our current debt ratings and to respond effectively to competitive conditions. In addition, we may enter into refinancing transactions from time to time. There can be no assurance, however, that our business will continue to generate cash flow at or above current levels or that we will maintain our ability to borrow under our ABL Facility.
The table below presents our material cash requirements as of February 26, 2022 (in millions) (1):
| Payments Due Per Year | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2022 | 2023-2024 | 2025-2026 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt (2) | $ | 7,484.6 | $ | 750.8 | $ | 17.8 | $ | 2,774.2 | $ | 3,941.8 | |||||||||
| Estimated interest on long-term debt (3) | 2,202.2 | 367.7 | 682.4 | 644.0 | 508.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases (4) | 8,742.7 | 935.6 | 1,841.1 | 1,504.5 | 4,461.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Finance leases (4) | 844.6 | 114.3 | 221.2 | 162.0 | 347.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Other obligations (5) | 1,886.6 | 422.2 | 520.7 | 207.4 | 736.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations (6) | 601.6 | 168.0 | 247.8 | 102.2 | 83.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Total contractual obligations | $ | 21,762.3 | $ | 2,758.6 | $ | 3,531.0 | $ | 5,394.3 | $ | 10,078.4 |
(1) The cash requirements table excludes funding of pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, which totaled $29.8 million in fiscal 2021 and is expected to total approximately $21 million in fiscal 2022. This table also excludes recurring contributions under various multiemployer pension plans, which totaled $523.7 million in fiscal 2021 and is expected to total approximately $550 million in fiscal 2022. This table also excludes the 6.75% annual dividend to holders of Convertible Preferred Stock, which currently totals approximately $73 million per year.
(2) Long-term debt amounts exclude any debt discounts and deferred financing costs. See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 7" for additional information.
(3) Amounts include contractual interest payments using the stated fixed interest rate as of February 26, 2022. See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 7" for additional information.
(4) Represents the minimum rents payable under operating and finance leases, excluding common area maintenance, insurance or tax payments, for which we are obligated.
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(5) Consists of self-insurance liabilities, which have not been reduced by insurance-related receivables, as well as payment obligations related to the Combined Plan, the Excess Plan and the UFCW National Fund. The table excludes the unfunded pension and postretirement benefit obligation of $357.9 million. The potential settlement payments related to unrecognized tax benefits have been excluded from the contractual obligations table because a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of future tax settlements cannot be determined. Also excludes deferred tax liabilities and certain other deferred liabilities that will not be settled in cash.
(6) Purchase obligations include various obligations that have specified purchase commitments. As of February 26, 2022, future purchase obligations primarily relate to fixed asset, marketing and information technology commitments, including fixed price contracts. In addition, not included in the contractual obligations table are supply contracts to purchase product for resale to consumers which are typically of a short-term nature with limited or no purchase commitments. We also enter into supply contracts which typically include either volume commitments or fixed expiration dates, termination provisions and other customary contractual considerations. The supply contracts that are cancelable have not been included above.
Multiemployer Pension Plans
We currently contribute to 27 multiemployer plans which provide retirement benefits to participants based on their service to contributing employers. The benefits are paid from assets held in trust for that purpose and the respective plan trustees are responsible for determining the level of benefits to be provided to participants, the management of the plan assets and plan administration. We continue to monitor any potential exposure to underfunded multiemployer plans for our associates who are beneficiaries of these plans. The underfunding of any of these plans to which we contribute are not our liability and though we are not obligated nor the guarantor for any of the underfunding, we have estimated, based on the ratio of our contributions to the total of all contributions to these plans, our allocable share of the underfunding (the amount by which the actuarial determined plan liabilities exceed the value of the plan assets) of these multiemployer plans to which we contribute to be approximately $4.9 billion.
The American Rescue Plan Act ("ARP Act") establishes a special financial assistance program for financially troubled multiemployer pension plans. Under the ARP Act, eligible multiemployer plans can apply to receive a one-time cash payment in the amount projected by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") to pay pension benefits through the plan year ending 2051. The payment received by the multiemployer plan under this special financial assistance program would not be considered a loan and would not need to be paid back. Any financial assistance received by the multiemployer plan would need to be segregated from the other assets of the multiemployer plans and invested in investment grade bonds or other investments permitted by the PBGC.
Of the 27 multiemployer plans to which we contribute, 16 plans are classified as "Critical" or "Critical and Declining" and potentially eligible for some level of relief under the special financial assistance program through the ARP Act. On July 9, 2021, the PBGC issued its interim final rule with respect to the special financial assistance program. The PBGC interim final rule provides direction on the application requirements, identifies which plans will have priority, eligibility requirements, the determination of the amount of financial assistance to be provided and establishes conditions and restrictions that apply to plans that receive assistance. Though the amount of financial assistance that each of these 16 plans could receive will vary by plan, we currently estimate that these 16 plans represent over 90% of the $4.9 billion estimated underfunding. We expect the special financial assistance program under these regulations to provide the funding for these plans to remain solvent for at least the next 25 to 30 years and continue to provide benefits to our associates who are beneficiaries of these multiemployer plans. We will continue to make our contributions based on collective bargaining agreements for each of the multiemployer plans to which we contribute. Our contributions to multiemployer plans were $523.7 million, $524.0 million and $469.3 million during fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively, and we expect to contribute approximately $550 million in fiscal 2022. Refer to "Part I—Item 1A. Risk Factors" and "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 12" for additional information.
Guarantees
We are party to a variety of contractual agreements pursuant to which we may be obligated to indemnify the other party for certain matters. These contracts primarily relate to our commercial contracts, operating leases and other real estate contracts, trademarks, intellectual property, financial agreements and various other agreements. Under
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these agreements, we may provide certain routine indemnifications relating to representations and warranties (for example, ownership of assets, environmental or tax indemnifications) or personal injury matters. The terms of these indemnifications range in duration and may not be explicitly defined. We believe that if we were to incur a loss in any of these matters, the loss would not have a material effect on our financial statements.
We are liable for certain operating leases that were assigned to third parties. If any of these third parties fail to perform their obligations under the leases, we could be responsible for the lease obligation. Because of the wide dispersion among third parties and the variety of remedies available, we believe that if an assignee became insolvent it would not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into various supply contracts to purchase products for resale and purchase and service contracts for fixed asset and information technology commitments. We have also entered into fixed price contracts to purchase electricity and natural gas for a portion of our energy needs. These contracts typically include volume commitments or fixed expiration dates, termination provisions and other standard contractual considerations.
Letters of Credit
We had letters of credit of $249.4 million outstanding as of February 26, 2022. The letters of credit are maintained primarily to support our performance, payment, deposit or surety obligations. We typically pay bank fees of 1.25% plus a fronting fee of 0.125% on the face amount of the letters of credit.
NEW ACCOUNTING POLICIES
See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1" for new accounting pronouncements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
We have chosen accounting policies that we believe are appropriate to report accurately and fairly our operating results and financial position, and we apply those accounting policies in a fair and consistent manner. See "Part II—Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1" for a discussion of our significant accounting policies.
Management believes the following critical accounting policies reflect its more subjective or complex judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Self-Insurance Liabilities
We are primarily self-insured for workers' compensation, property, automobile and general liability. The self-insurance liability is undiscounted and determined actuarially, based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. We have established stop-loss amounts that limit our further exposure after a claim reaches the designated stop-loss threshold. In determining our self-insurance liabilities, we perform a continuing review of our overall position and reserving techniques. Since recorded amounts are based on estimates, the ultimate cost of all incurred claims and related expenses may be more or less than the recorded liabilities.
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Any actuarial projection of self-insured losses is subject to a high degree of variability. Litigation trends, legal interpretations, benefit level changes, claim settlement patterns and similar factors influenced historical development trends that were used to determine the current year expense and, therefore, contributed to the variability in the annual expense. However, these factors are not direct inputs into the actuarial projection, and thus their individual impact cannot be quantified.
Long-Lived Asset Impairment
We regularly review our individual stores' operating performance, together with current market conditions, for indications of impairment. When events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an individual store's assets may not be recoverable, its future undiscounted cash flows are compared to the carrying value. If the carrying value of store assets to be held and used is greater than the future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized to record the assets at fair value. For property and equipment held for sale, we recognize impairment charges for the excess of the carrying value plus estimated costs of disposal over the fair value. Fair values are based on discounted cash flows or current market rates. These estimates of fair value can be significantly impacted by factors such as changes in the current economic environment and real estate market conditions. Long-lived asset impairment losses were $31.1 million, $30.2 million and $77.4 million in fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively.
Goodwill
As of February 26, 2022, our goodwill totaled $1,201.0 million, of which $917.3 million related to our acquisition of Safeway. We review goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter of each year, and also upon the occurrence of triggering events. We perform reviews of each of our reporting units that have goodwill balances. We review goodwill for impairment by initially considering qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative analysis. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative analysis is performed to identify goodwill impairment. If it is determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, it is unnecessary to perform a quantitative analysis. We may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing a quantitative analysis.
Goodwill has been allocated to all of our reporting units, and none of our reporting units have a zero or negative carrying amount of net assets. As of February 26, 2022, there is one reporting unit with no goodwill. There are eleven reporting units with an aggregate goodwill balance of $1,201.0 million, of which we believe the fair value of each reporting unit was substantially in excess of its carrying value, which indicates a remote likelihood of a future impairment loss. However, the estimates of fair value can be significantly impacted by factors such as changes in current market conditions within each of the geographies that our reporting units operate, therefore future potential declines in market conditions or other factors could negatively impact the estimated future cash flows and valuation assumptions used to determine the fair value of our reporting units and lead to future impairment charges.
The annual evaluation of goodwill performed for our reporting units during the fourth quarters of fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 did not result in impairment.
Income Taxes and Uncertain Tax Positions
We review the tax positions taken or expected to be taken on tax returns to determine whether and to what extent a benefit can be recognized in our consolidated financial statements. Various taxing authorities periodically examine our income tax returns. These examinations include questions regarding our tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income to various tax jurisdictions. In evaluating these various tax filing positions, including state and local taxes, we assess our income tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon management's evaluation of the facts, circumstances and
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information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in our financial statements. A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position is examined and fully resolved. As of February 26, 2022, we are no longer subject to federal income tax examinations for fiscal years prior to 2012 and in most states, we are no longer subject to state income tax examinations for fiscal years before 2012. Tax years 2012 through 2020 remain under examination. The assessment of our tax position relies on the judgment of management to estimate the exposures associated with our various filing positions.