COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Jul. 30, 2011

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

(11) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

        The Company leases various facilities and equipment under operating lease agreements with varying terms. Most of the leases contain renewal options and purchase options at several specific dates throughout the terms of the leases.

        Rent and other lease expense for the fiscal years ended July 30, 2011, July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 totaled approximately $48.4 million, $45.2 million and $37.7 million, respectively.

        Future minimum annual fixed payments required under non-cancelable operating leases having an original term of more than one year as of July 30, 2011 are as follows:

Fiscal Year:	(In thousands)
2012	$	43,246
2013		40,375
2014		36,365
2015		33,455
2016		30,607
2017 and thereafter		88,802
	$	272,850

        As of July 30, 2011, outstanding commitments for the purchase of inventory were approximately $99.4 million. The Company had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $21.7 million at July 30, 2011.

        As of July 30, 2011, the Company did not have any outstanding commitments for the purchase of diesel fuel.

        Assets mortgaged amounted to approximately $84.3 million at July 30, 2011.

        The Company may from time to time be involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, amounts accrued, as well as the total amount of reasonably possible losses with respect to such matters, individually and in the aggregate, are not deemed to be material to the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations. Legal expenses incurred in connection with claims and legal actions are expensed as incurred.