10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended May 31, 2021

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from  _______  to 

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-22793

PriceSmart, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	33-0628530
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

9740 Scranton Road, San Diego, CA	92121
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(858) 404-8800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value	PSMT	NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes  x No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x	Accelerated filer  ¨
Non-accelerated filer  ¨	Smaller Reporting Company  ¨
	Emerging growth company  ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨ No  x

The registrant had 30,783,266 shares of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding at June 30, 2021. 

PRICESMART, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

		Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	1
	CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF MAY 31, 2021 (UNAUDITED) AND AUGUST 31, 2020	2
	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2021 AND 2020 - UNAUDITED	4
	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2021 AND 2020 - UNAUDITED	5
	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2021 AND 2020 - UNAUDITED	6
	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2021 AND 2020 - UNAUDITED	8
	NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED	10
ITEM 2.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	32
ITEM 3.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	56
ITEM 4.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	57
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	58
ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS	58
ITEM 2.	UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS	58
ITEM 3.	DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES	58
ITEM 4.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES	58
ITEM 5.	OTHER INFORMATION	58
ITEM 6.	EXHIBITS	59

i

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart,” “we” or the “Company”) unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of May 31, 2021 and the consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2020, the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020, the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020, the unaudited consolidated statements of equity for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020, and the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020 are included herein. Also included herein are the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 
‎

1

PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

	May 31,
	2021		August 31,
	(Unaudited)		2020
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	190,687	$	299,481
Short-term restricted cash		781		185
Short-term investments		67,068		46,509
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $166 as of May 31, 2021 and $147 as of August 31, 2020, respectively		12,221		13,153
Merchandise inventories		336,645		309,509
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		31,812		30,165
Total current assets		639,214		699,002
Long-term restricted cash		6,972		4,105
Property and equipment, net		716,337		692,279
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net		125,998		119,533
Goodwill		45,142		45,206
Other intangibles, net		8,368		10,166
Deferred tax assets		22,872		21,672
Other non-current assets (includes $1,160 and $872 as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively, for the fair value of derivative instruments)		56,483		54,260
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates		10,569		10,602
Total Assets	$	1,631,955	$	1,656,825
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	$	—	$	65,143
Accounts payable		341,007		373,172
Accrued salaries and benefits		37,240		32,946
Deferred income		27,255		23,525
Income taxes payable		9,740		7,727
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities		27,959		37,731
Operating lease liabilities, current portion		8,486		8,594
Dividends payable		10,755		—
Long-term debt, current portion		20,554		19,437
Total current liabilities		482,996		568,275
Deferred tax liability		1,759		1,713
Long-term income taxes payable, net of current portion		3,947		5,132
Long-term operating lease liabilities		131,510		124,181
Long-term debt, net of current portion		101,294		112,610
Other long-term liabilities (includes $3,154 and $4,685 for the fair value of derivative instruments and $6,665 and $6,155 for post-employment plans as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively)		10,665		12,182
Total Liabilities		732,171		824,093

 
‎

2

Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock $0.0001 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized; 31,456,121 and 31,417,576 shares issued and 30,777,829 and 30,670,712 shares outstanding (net of treasury shares) as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively		3		3
Additional paid-in capital		459,812		454,455
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(177,368)		(176,820)
Retained earnings		639,472		582,487
Less: treasury stock at cost, 678,292 shares as of May 31, 2021 and 746,864 shares as of August 31, 2020		(23,116)		(28,406)
Total stockholders' equity attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. stockholders		898,803		831,719
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries		981		1,013
Total Stockholders' Equity		899,784		832,732
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	1,631,955	$	1,656,825

See accompanying notes. 
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3

PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,		May 31,		May 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Revenues:
Net merchandise sales	$	857,478	$	768,368	$	2,594,251	$	2,418,822
Export sales		10,213		8,321		30,800		25,029
Membership income		14,329		13,525		41,427		41,364
Other revenue and income		13,244		9,717		43,787		33,392
Total revenues		895,264		799,931		2,710,265		2,518,607
Operating expenses:
Cost of goods sold:
Net merchandise sales		720,726		661,258		2,179,453		2,067,416
Export sales		9,820		7,995		29,568		24,044
Non-merchandise		5,755		3,503		17,847		12,416
Selling, general and administrative:
Warehouse club and other operations		89,322		78,431		264,603		241,826
General and administrative		33,225		24,408		92,016		77,910
Pre-opening expenses		1		257		651		1,254
Loss on disposal of assets		366		112		568		251
Total operating expenses		859,215		775,964		2,584,706		2,425,117
Operating income		36,049		23,967		125,559		93,490
Other income (expense):
Interest income		518		554		1,454		1,433
Interest expense		(1,596)		(2,564)		(5,857)		(5,116)
Other expense, net		(2,295)		(1,564)		(4,132)		(1,826)
Total other expense		(3,373)		(3,574)		(8,535)		(5,509)
Income before provision for income taxes and ‎loss of unconsolidated affiliates		32,676		20,393		117,024		87,981
Provision for income taxes		(10,082)		(7,744)		(38,265)		(29,849)
Loss of unconsolidated affiliates		(13)		(16)		(34)		(79)
Net income		22,581		12,633		78,725		58,053
Less: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(52)		72		(223)		(20)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.	$	22,529	$	12,705	$	78,502	$	58,033
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. per share available for distribution:
Basic	$	0.73	$	0.41	$	2.55	$	1.90
Diluted	$	0.73	$	0.41	$	2.55	$	1.90
Shares used in per share computations:
Basic		30,414		30,271		30,396		30,268
Diluted		30,446		30,275		30,423		30,273

See accompanying notes. 
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4

PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,		May 31,		May 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Net income	$	22,581	$	12,633	$	78,725	$	58,053
Less: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(52)		72		(223)		(20)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.	$	22,529	$	12,705	$	78,502	$	58,033
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments (1)		(3,007)		(12,874)		(2,577)		(19,981)
Defined benefit pension plan:
Net gain/(loss) arising during period		3		(16)		65		(3)
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial gains included in net periodic pensions cost		33		19		99		56
Total defined benefit pension plan		36		3		164		53
Derivative instruments: (2)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in derivative obligations		(667)		(1,471)		488		(208)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in ‎fair value of interest rate swaps		1,048		(1,104)		1,377		(6,295)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to other expense, net for settlement of derivatives		—		—		—		2,751
Total derivative instruments		381		(2,575)		1,865		(3,752)
Other comprehensive loss		(2,590)		(15,446)		(548)		(23,680)
Comprehensive income/(loss)		19,939		(2,741)		77,954		34,353
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		33		35		91		90
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.	$	19,906	$	(2,776)	$	77,863	$	34,263

⁽¹⁾Translation adjustments arising in translating the financial statements of a foreign entity have no effect on the income taxes of that foreign entity. They may, however, affect: (a) the amount, measured in the parent entity's reporting currency, of withholding taxes assessed on dividends paid to the parent entity and (b) the amount of taxes assessed on the parent entity by the government of its country. The Company has determined that the reinvestment of earnings of its foreign subsidiaries are indefinite because of the long-term nature of the Company's foreign investment plans. Therefore, deferred taxes are not provided for on translation adjustments related to non-remitted earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries.

⁽²⁾See Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

See accompanying notes. 

5

PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

	Three Months Ended
														Total
						Accumulated								Stockholders'
				Additional		Other								Equity
	Common Stock			Paid-in		Comprehensive		Retained		Treasury Stock				Attributable to		Noncontrolling	Total
	Shares	Amount		Capital		Loss		Earnings		Shares	Amount			PriceSmart, Inc.		Interest	Equity
Balance at February 29, 2020	31,451	$	3	$	452,858	$	(152,573)	$	549,703	852	$	(32,098)	$	817,893	$	974	$	818,867
Purchase of treasury stock	—		—		—		—		—	4		(204)		(204)		—		(204)
Issuance of treasury stock	(80)		—		(687)		—		—	(80)		687		—		—		—
Issuance of restricted stock award	57		—		—		—		—	—		—		—		—		—
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards	(3)		—		—		—		—	—		—		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation	—		—		3,718		—		—	—		—		3,718		—		3,718
Net income (loss)	—		—		—		—		12,705	—		—		12,705		(72)		12,633
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—		—		—		(15,446)		—	—		—		(15,446)		35		(15,411)
Balance at May 31, 2020	31,425	$	3	$	455,889	$	(168,019)	$	562,408	776	$	(31,615)	$	818,666	$	937	$	819,603
Balance at February 28, 2021	31,452	$	3	$	454,881	$	(174,778)	$	616,943	675	$	(22,781)	$	874,268	$	983	$	875,251
Purchase of treasury stock	—		—		—		—		—	3		(335)		(335)		—		(335)
Issuance of restricted stock award	4		—		—		—		—	—		—		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation	—		—		4,931		—		—	—		—		4,931		—		4,931
Dividend paid to stockholders	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		—		(87)		(87)
Net income	—		—		—		—		22,529	—		—		22,529		52		22,581
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—		—		—		(2,590)		—	—		—		(2,590)		33		(2,557)
Balance at May 31, 2021	31,456	$	3	$	459,812	$	(177,368)	$	639,472	678	$	(23,116)	$	898,803	$	981	$	899,784

See accompanying notes.

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6

PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

	Nine Months Ended
														Total
						Accumulated								Stockholders'
				Additional		Other								Equity
	Common Stock			Paid-in		Comprehensive		Retained		Treasury Stock				Attributable to		Noncontrolling	Total
	Shares	Amount		Capital		Loss		Earnings		Shares	Amount			PriceSmart, Inc.		Interest	Equity
Balance at August 31, 2019	31,461	$	3	$	454,570	$	(144,339)	$	525,804	924	$	(38,687)	$	797,351	$	928	$	798,279
Purchase of treasury stock	—		—		—		—		—	26		(1,585)		(1,585)		—		(1,585)
Issuance of treasury stock	(174)		—		(8,657)		—		—	(174)		8,657		—		—		—
Issuance of restricted stock award	166		—		—		—		—	—		—		—		—		—
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards	(28)		—		—		—		—	—		—		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation	—		—		9,976		—		—	—		—		9,976		—		9,976
Dividend paid to stockholders	—		—		—		—		(10,710)	—		—		(10,710)		(101)		(10,811)
Dividend payable to stockholders	—		—		—		—		(10,719)	—		—		(10,719)		—		(10,719)
Net income	—		—		—		—		58,033	—		—		58,033		20		58,053
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—		—		—		(23,680)		—	—		—		(23,680)		90		(23,590)
Balance at May 31, 2020	31,425	$	3	$	455,889	$	(168,019)	$	562,408	776	$	(31,615)	$	818,666	$	937	$	819,603
Balance at August 31,2020	31,418	$	3	$	454,455	$	(176,820)	$	582,487	747	$	(28,406)	$	831,719	$	1,013	$	832,732
Purchase of treasury stock	—		—		—		—		—	27		(2,574)		(2,574)		—		(2,574)
Issuance of treasury stock	(96)		—		(7,864)		—		—	(96)		7,864		—		—		—
Issuance of restricted stock award	137		—		—		—		—	—		—		—		—		—
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards	(3)		—		—		—		—	—		—		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation	—		—		13,221		—		—	—		—		13,221		—		13,221
Dividend paid to stockholders	—		—		—		—		(10,762)	—		—		(10,762)		(346)		(11,108)
Dividend payable to stockholders	—		—		—		—		(10,755)	—		—		(10,755)		—		(10,755)
Net income	—		—		—		—		78,502	—		—		78,502		223		78,725
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—		—		—		(548)		—	—		—		(548)		91		(457)
Balance at May 31, 2021	31,456	$	3	$	459,812	$	(177,368)	$	639,472	678	$	(23,116)	$	898,803	$	981	$	899,784

7

PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

	Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,
	2021		2020
Operating Activities:
Net income	$	78,725	$	58,053
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		48,350		44,867
Allowance for doubtful accounts		19		(18)
Loss on sale of property and equipment		568		251
Deferred income taxes		(2,748)		(4,079)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates		34		79
Stock-based compensation		13,221		9,976
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets, non-current assets, accrued salaries and benefits, deferred membership income and other accruals		6,147		(157)
Merchandise inventories		(27,136)		62,511
Accounts payable		(37,213)		2,647
Net cash provided by operating activities		79,967		174,130
Investing Activities:
Additions to property and equipment		(73,350)		(89,713)
Purchases of short-term investments		(58,355)		(31,711)
Proceeds from settlements of short-term investments		37,605		8,891
Purchases of long-term investments		(1,479)		(1,489)
Proceeds from settlements of long-term investments		1,479		—
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment		109		44
Net cash used in investing activities		(93,991)		(113,978)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term bank borrowings		3,000		57,820
Repayment of long-term bank borrowings		(13,135)		(7,542)
Proceeds from short-term bank borrowings		—		271,014
Repayment of short-term bank borrowings		(64,916)		(207,368)
Cash dividend payments		(11,108)		(10,811)
Purchase of treasury stock		(2,574)		(1,585)
Other financing activities		(223)		(20)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(88,956)		101,508
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		(2,351)		(1,872)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents		(105,331)		159,788
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		303,771		106,236
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	198,440	$	266,024
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing activities:
Capital expenditures accrued, but not yet paid	$	8,763	$	7,975
Dividends declared but not yet paid		10,755		10,719

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8

PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — (Continued)

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

The following table provides a breakdown of cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the statement of cash flows:

	Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,
	2021		2020
Cash and cash equivalents	$	190,687	$	261,788
Short-term restricted cash		781		240
Long-term restricted cash	$	6,972	$	3,996
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows	$	198,440	$	266,024

See accompanying notes. 

9

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

May 31, 2021

NOTE 1 – COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart,” the “Company,” or "we") business consists primarily of international membership shopping warehouse clubs similar to, but typically smaller in size than, warehouse clubs in the United States. As of May 31, 2021, the Company had 47 warehouse clubs in operation in 12 countries and one U.S. territory (eight in Costa Rica and Colombia; seven in Panama; five in the Dominican Republic, four in Trinidad and Guatemala; three in Honduras; two each in El Salvador and Nicaragua; and one each in Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica and the United States Virgin Islands), of which the Company owns 100% of the corresponding legal entities (see Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies). The Company also plans to open new warehouse clubs in Guatemala City, Guatemala and Bucaramanga, Colombia in the fall of 2021, and in Portmore, Jamaica in the spring of 2022. Once these three new clubs are open, the Company will operate 50 warehouse clubs. 

PriceSmart continues to invest in technology to increase operational efficiencies that are expected to lead to greater value to the Member, to gain greater insights into the shopping preferences of our Members and to enhance the overall Member experience. Technology developments are driving omni-channel initiatives and capabilities, including online shopping and services. As of May 31, 2021, the Company offered the Click & Go™ curbside pickup and delivery service in all 13 of its markets. These services provide an alternative and convenient way for Members to shop, while reducing physical contact. The Company also has launched digital membership, which helps it gather higher quality data it can use to make better informed decisions in all areas of the business and facilitates a more seamless auto-renewal process, increasing predictability of membership income. We believe digital membership also provides more convenience to the Members with digital cards and online payment. PriceSmart also operates a package forwarding (casillero) and marketplace business under the “Aeropost” banner in 38 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, many of which overlap with markets where it operates warehouse clubs.

Basis of Presentation – The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q for interim financial reporting pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to significantly impact the economies of the countries where the Company operates due to elevated infection rates and government restrictions. The Company has assessed the impact that COVID-19 has had on our estimates, assumptions and accounting policies and made additional disclosures, if and as necessary.

These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 (the “2020 Form 10-K”). The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PriceSmart, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. Inter-company transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

10

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation – The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company included herein include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest, and the Company’s joint ventures for which the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary. The Company’s net income excludes income attributable to noncontrolling interests. The Company reports noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities as a component of equity separate from the Company’s equity. The interim consolidated financial statements also include the Company's investment in, and the Company's share of the income (loss) of, joint ventures recorded under the equity method. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC and reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year.

The Company determines whether any of the joint ventures in which it has made investments is a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) at the start of each new venture and if a reconsideration event has occurred. At this time, the Company also considers whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement in a VIE. A reporting entity must consolidate a VIE if that reporting entity has a variable interest (or combination of variable interests) and is determined to be the primary beneficiary. If the Company determines that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE, then the Company records its investment in, and the Company's share of the income (loss) of, joint ventures recorded under the equity method. Due to the nature of the joint ventures that the Company participates in and the continued commitments for additional financing, the Company determined these joint ventures are VIEs.

In the case of the Company's ownership interest in real estate development joint ventures, both parties to each joint venture share all rights, obligations and the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance. As a result, the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIEs and, therefore, has accounted for these entities under the equity method. Under the equity method, the Company's investments in unconsolidated affiliates are initially recorded as an investment in the stock of an investee at cost and are adjusted for the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the investor's share of the earnings or losses of the investee after the date of the initial investment. The Company's ownership interest in real estate development joint ventures the Company has recorded under the equity method as of May 31, 2021 are listed below:

Real Estate Development Joint Ventures	Countries	Ownership		Basis of ‎Presentation
GolfPark Plaza, S.A.	Panama	50.0	%	Equity(1)
Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A.	Costa Rica	50.0	%	Equity(1)

⁽¹⁾Joint venture interests are recorded as investment in unconsolidated affiliates on the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company has determined that for its ownership interest in store-front joint ventures within its marketplace and casillero business, the Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these VIEs. Therefore, the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and has consolidated these entities within its consolidated financial statements. The Company's ownership interest in store-front joint ventures for which the Company has consolidated their financial statements as of May 31, 2021 are listed below:

Marketplace and Casillero Store-front Joint Ventures	Countries	Ownership		Basis of ‎Presentation
Guatemala	Guatemala	60.0	%	Consolidated
Tortola	British Virgin Islands	50.0	%	Consolidated
Trinidad	Trinidad	50.0	%	Consolidated

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company considers as cash and cash equivalents all cash on deposit, highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase and proceeds due from credit and debit card transactions in the process of settlement.

Restricted Cash – The following table summarizes the restricted cash reported by the Company (in thousands):

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Short-term restricted cash	$	781	$	185
Long-term restricted cash		6,972		4,105
Total restricted cash(1)	$	7,753	$	4,290

⁽¹⁾Restricted cash consists of cash deposits held within banking institutions to comply with federal regulatory requirements in Costa Rica and Panama. In addition, the Company is required to maintain a certificate of deposit of Trinidad dollars, as measured in U.S. dollars, of approximately $3.0 million with one of its lenders as a compensating balance for a $3.0 million U.S. dollar denominated loan payable over several years. The certificate of deposit will be reduced annually commensurate with the loan balance.

Short-Term Investments – The Company considers as short-term investments certificates of deposit and similar time-based deposits with financial institutions with maturities over three months and up to one year.

Long-Term Investments – The Company considers as long-term investments certificates of deposit and similar time-based deposits with financial institutions with maturities over one year.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, net – Goodwill and other intangibles totaled $53.5 million as of May 31, 2021 and $55.4 million as of August 31, 2020.  The Company reviews reported goodwill and other intangibles at the reporting unit level for impairment. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired.

Receivables – Receivables consist primarily of credit card receivables and receivables from vendors and are stated net of allowances for credit losses. The determination of the allowance for credit losses is based on the Company’s assessment of collectability along with the consideration of current and expected market conditions that could impact collectability.

Tax Receivables – The Company pays Value Added Tax (“VAT”) or similar taxes, income taxes, and other taxes within the normal course of business in most of the countries in which it operates related to the procurement of merchandise and/or services the Company acquires and/or on sales and taxable income. VAT is a form of indirect tax applied to the value added at each stage of production (primary, manufacturing, wholesale and retail). This tax is similar to, but operates somewhat differently than, sales tax paid in the United States. The Company generally collects VAT from its Members upon sale of goods and services and pays VAT to its vendors upon purchase of goods and services. Periodically, the Company submits VAT reports to governmental agencies and reconciles the VAT paid and VAT received. The net overpaid VAT may be refunded or applied to subsequent returns, and the net underpaid VAT must be remitted to the government. With respect to income taxes paid, if the estimated income taxes paid or withheld exceed the actual income tax due, this creates an income tax receivable. In most countries where the Company operates, the governments have implemented additional collection procedures, such as requiring credit card processors to remit a portion of sales processed via credit and debit cards directly to the government as advance payments of VAT and/or income tax. This collection mechanism generally leaves the Company with net VAT and/or income tax receivables, forcing the Company to process significant refund claims on a recurring basis. These refund or offset processes can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete.

In most countries where the Company operates, there are defined and structured processes to recover VAT receivables via refunds or offsets. However, in one country without a clearly defined refund process, the Company is actively engaged with the local government to recover VAT receivables totaling $9.1 million and $7.0 million as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively. In two other countries, there have been changes in the method of computing minimum tax payments, under which the governments have sought to require the Company to pay taxes based on a percentage of sales rather than taxable income. As a result, the Company has made and may continue to make income tax payments substantially in excess of those it would expect to pay based on taxable income. The Company had income tax receivables of $11.0 million and $10.4 million and deferred tax

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

assets of $3.2 million and $2.8 million as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively, in these countries. While the rules related to refunds of income tax receivables in these countries are either unclear or complex, the Company has not placed any type of allowance on the recoverability of these tax receivables or deferred tax assets, because the Company believes that it is more likely than not that it will ultimately succeed in its refund requests. Similarly, we have not placed any recoverability allowances on tax receivables that arise from payments we are required to make originating from tax assessments that we are appealing, as we believe it is more likely than not that we will ultimately prevail in the related appeals. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be successful in recovering all tax receivables or deferred tax assets.

The Company’s policy for classification and presentation of VAT receivables, income tax receivables and other tax receivables is as follows:

Short-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Prepaid expenses and other current assets: This classification is used for any countries where the Company’s subsidiary has generally demonstrated the ability to recover the VAT or income tax receivable within one year. The Company also classifies as short-term any approved refunds or credit notes to the extent that the Company expects to receive the refund or use the credit notes within one year.

Long-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other non-current assets: This classification is used for amounts not approved for refund or credit in countries where the Company’s subsidiary has not demonstrated the ability to obtain refunds within one year and/or for amounts which are subject to outstanding disputes. An allowance is provided against VAT and income tax receivable balances in dispute when the Company does not expect to eventually prevail in its recovery. The Company does not currently have any allowances provided against VAT and income tax receivables.

The following table summarizes the VAT receivables reported by the Company (in thousands):

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	1,390	$	1,749
Other non-current assets		28,004		25,851
Total amount of VAT receivables reported	$	29,394	$	27,600

The following table summarizes the Income tax receivables reported by the Company (in thousands):

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	9,775	$	10,944
Other non-current assets		19,872		20,116
Total amount of income tax receivables reported	$	29,647	$	31,060

Lease Accounting – The Company’s leases are operating leases for warehouse clubs and non-warehouse club facilities such as corporate headquarters, regional offices, and regional distribution centers. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease and classifies it as either a finance or operating lease at lease inception. Operating leases are included in Operating lease right-of-use assets, net; Operating lease liabilities, current portion; and Long-term operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not have finance leases.

Operating lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The Company’s leases generally do not have a readily determinable implicit rate; therefore, the Company uses a collateralized incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The incremental borrowing rate is based on a yield curve derived from publicly traded bond offerings for companies with credit characteristics that approximate the Company's market risk profile. In addition, we adjust the incremental borrowing rate for jurisdictional risk derived from quoted interest rates from financial institutions to reflect the cost of borrowing in the Company’s local markets. The Company’s lease terms may include options to purchase, extend or terminate the lease, which are

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

recognized when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The Company does not combine lease and non-lease components.

The Company measures Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets based on the corresponding lease liabilities, adjusted for any initial direct costs and prepaid lease payments made to the lessor before or at the commencement date (net of lease incentives). The lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease payments are not included in the calculation of the ROU asset and the related lease liability and are recognized as this lease expense is incurred. The Company’s variable lease payments generally relate to amounts the Company pays for additional contingent rent based on a contractually stipulated percentage of sales.

Merchandise Inventories – Merchandise inventories, which include merchandise for resale, are valued at the lower of cost (average cost) or net realizable value. The Company provides for estimated inventory losses and obsolescence based on a percentage of sales. The provision is adjusted every reporting period to reflect the trend of actual physical inventory and cycle count results. In addition, the Company may be required to take markdowns below the carrying cost of certain inventory to expedite the sale of such merchandise.

Stock Based Compensation – The Company utilizes three types of equity awards: restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”). Compensation related to RSAs, RSUs and PSUs is based on the fair market value at the time of grant. The Company recognizes the compensation cost related to RSAs and RSUs over the requisite service period as determined by the grant, amortized ratably or on a straight-line basis over the life of the grant. The Company also recognizes compensation cost for PSUs over the performance period of each tranche, adjusting this cost based on the Company’s estimate of the probability that performance metrics will be achieved. If the Company determines that an award is unlikely to vest, any previously recorded expense is then reversed.

The Company accounts for actual forfeitures as they occur. The Company records the tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of expense for stock-based compensation and the tax deficiency resulting from stock-based compensation in excess of the related tax deduction as income tax expense or benefit. In addition, the Company reflects the tax savings (deficiency) resulting from the taxation of stock-based compensation as an operating cash flow in its consolidated statement of cash flows.

RSAs are outstanding shares of common stock and have the same cash dividend and voting rights as other shares of common stock. Shares of common stock subject to RSUs are not issued nor outstanding until vested, and RSUs do not have the same dividend and voting rights as common stock. However, all outstanding RSUs have accompanying dividend equivalents, requiring payment to the employees and directors with unvested RSUs of amounts equal to the dividend they would have received had the shares of common stock underlying the RSUs been actually issued and outstanding. Payments of dividend equivalents to employees are recorded as compensation expense.

PSUs, similar to RSUs, are awarded with dividend equivalents, provided that such amounts become payable only if the performance metric is achieved. At the time the Compensation Committee confirms the performance metric has been achieved, the accrued dividend equivalents are paid on the PSUs.

Treasury Stock – Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company are recorded at cost as treasury stock and result in the reduction of stockholders’ equity in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  The Company may reissue these treasury shares as part of its stock-based compensation programs.  When treasury shares are reissued, the Company uses the first in/first out (“FIFO”) cost method for determining cost of the reissued shares.  If the issuance price is higher than the cost, the excess of the issuance price over the cost is credited to additional paid-in capital (“APIC”).  If the issuance price is lower than the cost, the difference is first charged against any credit balance in APIC from treasury stock and the balance is charged to retained earnings. During the nine months ended May 31, 2021, the Company reissued approximately 96,400 treasury shares.

Fair Value Measurements – The Company measures the fair value for all financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. The fair value of an asset is the price at which the asset could be sold in an orderly transaction between unrelated, knowledgeable and willing parties able to engage in the transaction. A liability’s fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a new obligor in a transaction between such parties, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor.

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

The Company has established a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring and revaluing fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. The Company was not required to revalue any assets or liabilities utilizing Level 1 or Level 3 inputs at the balance sheet dates. The Company's Level 2 assets and liabilities revalued at the balance sheet dates, on a recurring basis, consisted of cash flow hedges (interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps) and forward foreign exchange contracts. In addition, the Company utilizes Level 2 inputs in determining the fair value of long-term debt.

Non-financial assets and liabilities are revalued and recognized at fair value subsequent to initial recognition when there is evidence of impairment. For the periods reported, no impairment of such non-financial assets was recorded.

The Company’s current and long-term financial assets and liabilities have fair values that approximate their carrying values. The Company’s long-term financial liabilities consist of long-term debt, which is recorded on the balance sheet at issuance price and adjusted for any applicable unamortized discounts or premiums and debt issuance costs. There have been no significant changes in fair market value of the Company’s current and long-term financial assets, and there have been no material changes to the valuation techniques utilized in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities disclosed in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities – The Company uses derivative financial instruments for hedging and non-trading purposes to manage its exposure to changes in interest and currency exchange rates. In using derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging the Company’s exposure to interest and currency exchange rate risks, the contractual terms of a hedged instrument closely mirror those of the hedged item and are intended to provide a high degree of risk reduction and correlation. Contracts that are effective at meeting the risk reduction and correlation criteria (effective hedge) are recorded using hedge accounting. If a derivative financial instrument is an effective hedge, changes in the fair value of the instrument will be reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss until the hedged item completes its contractual term. Instruments that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting, or contracts for which the Company has not elected hedge accounting, are valued at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings during the period of the change. The Company did not change valuation techniques utilized in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities presented on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets from previous practice during the reporting period. The Company seeks to manage counterparty risk associated with these contracts by limiting transactions to counterparties with which the Company has an established banking relationship. There can be no assurance, however, that this practice effectively mitigates counterparty risk.

Cash Flow Instruments. The Company is a party to receive floating interest rate, pay fixed-rate interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate risk of certain U.S. dollar denominated debt within its international subsidiaries. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of interest expense risk. These instruments are considered effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting. The Company is also a party to receive variable interest rate, pay fixed interest rate cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate and currency exposure associated with the expected payments of principal and interest of U.S. denominated debt within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of the currency risk and interest-rate risk related to payments on the U.S. denominated debt. These instruments are also considered to be effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting. Under cash flow hedging, the entire gain or loss of the derivative, calculated as the net present value of the future cash flows, is reported on the consolidated balance sheets in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss are released to earnings in the same period that the hedged transaction impacts consolidated earnings. Refer to “Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” for information on the fair value of interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020.

Fair Value Instruments. The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations in the normal course of business. This includes exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts that are intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to currency exchange movements. The contracts are intended primarily to economically address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value instruments and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting, and as such the Company does not apply derivative hedge accounting to record these transactions. As a result, these contracts are valued at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings during the

15

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

period of the change. The Company seeks to mitigate foreign currency exchange-rate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features and are limited to less than one year in duration.

Other Instruments. Other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consist primarily of written call options in which the Company receives a premium that it uses to reduce the costs associated with its hedging activities. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, the Company recognizes changes in fair value of the derivative instrument, as well as the offsetting change in the fair value of the hedged item, in Other expense, net in the consolidated statements of income in the period of change.

Revenue Recognition – The accounting policies and other disclosures such as the disclosure of disaggregated revenues are described in “Note 3 – Revenue Recognition.”

Insurance Reimbursements – Receipts from insurance reimbursements up to the amount of the losses recognized are considered recoveries. These recoveries are accounted for when they are probable of receipt. Insurance recoveries are not recognized prior to the recognition of the related cost. Anticipated proceeds in excess of the amount of loss recognized are considered gains and are subject to gain contingency guidance. Anticipated proceeds in excess of a loss recognized in the financial statements are not recognized until all contingencies related to the insurance claim are resolved.

Cost of Goods Sold – The Company includes the cost of merchandise and food service and bakery raw materials in cost of goods sold, net merchandise sales. The Company also includes in cost of goods sold: net merchandise sales the external and internal distribution and handling costs for supplying merchandise, raw materials and supplies to the warehouse clubs, and, when applicable, costs of shipping to Members. External costs include inbound freight, duties, drayage, fees, insurance, and non-recoverable value-added tax related to inventory shrink, spoilage and damage. Internal costs include payroll and related costs, utilities, consumable supplies, repair and maintenance, rent expense and building and equipment depreciation at the Company's distribution facilities and payroll and other direct costs for in-club demonstrations.

For export sales, the Company includes the cost of merchandise and external and internal distribution and handling costs for supplying merchandise in cost of goods sold, exports.

For the marketplace and casillero operations, the Company includes the costs of external and internal shipping, handling and other direct costs incurred to provide delivery, insurance and customs processing services in cost of goods sold, non-merchandise.

Vendor consideration consists primarily of volume rebates, time-limited product promotions, cooperative marketing efforts, digital advertising, slotting fees, demonstration reimbursements and prompt payment discounts. Volume rebates and time-limited promotions are recognized on a systematic and rational allocation of the cash consideration as the Company progresses toward earning the rebate, provided the amounts to be earned are probable and reasonably estimable. Cooperative marketing efforts and digital advertising are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for non-distinct online advertising services on the Company’s website and social media platforms. Slotting fees are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for preferential "end cap" placement of the vendor's products within the warehouse club. Demonstration reimbursements are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for the in-club promotion of the vendors' products. The Company records the reduction in cost of goods sold on a transactional basis for these programs. On a quarterly basis, the Company calculates the amount of rebates recorded in cost of goods sold that relates to inventory on hand and this amount is reclassified as a reduction to inventory, if significant. Prompt payment discounts are taken in substantially all cases and therefore are applied directly to reduce the acquisition cost of the related inventory, with the resulting effect recorded to cost of goods sold when the inventory is sold.

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

Selling, General and Administrative – Selling, general and administrative costs consist primarily of expenses associated with operating warehouse clubs and freight forwarding operations. These costs include payroll and related costs, utilities, consumable supplies, repair and maintenance, rent expense, building and equipment depreciation, bank, credit card processing fees, and amortization of intangibles. Also included in selling, general and administrative expenses are the payroll and related costs for the Company’s U.S. and regional management and purchasing centers.

Pre-Opening Costs – The Company expenses pre-opening costs (the costs of start-up activities, including organization costs and rent) for new warehouse clubs as incurred.

Contingencies and Litigation – The Company records and reserves for loss contingencies if (a) information available prior to issuance of the consolidated financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and (b) the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If one or both criteria for accrual are not met, but there is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss will occur, the Company does not record and reserve for a loss contingency but describes the contingency within a note and provides detail, when possible, of the estimated potential loss or range of loss. If an estimate cannot be made, a statement to that effect is made.

Foreign Currency Translation – The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are translated to U.S. dollars when the functional currency in the Company’s international subsidiaries is the local currency and not U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date, and revenue, costs and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange in effect during the period. The corresponding translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. These adjustments will affect net income upon the sale or liquidation of the underlying investment.

The following table discloses the net effect of translation into the reporting currency on other comprehensive loss for these local currency denominated accounts for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,		May 31,			May 31,
	2021		2020		2021			2020
Effect on other comprehensive loss due to foreign currency translation	$	(3,007)	$	(12,874)	$	(2,577)	$	(19,981)

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity (primarily U.S. dollars) are revalued to the functional currency using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. These foreign exchange transaction gains (losses), including transactions recorded involving these monetary assets and liabilities, are recorded as Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,		May 31,		May 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Currency loss	$	(2,240)	$	(1,529)	$	(3,970)	$	(2,431)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Not Yet Adopted

FASB ASC 740 ASU 2019-12—Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. ASU No. 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects to adopt ASU No. 2019-12 on September 1, 2021, the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

FASB ASC 848 ASU 2020-04—Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASU No. 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions, if certain criteria are met, for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. This accounting standards update is intended to ease the process of migrating away from LIBOR to new reference rates. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). The amendments in this ASU refine the scope of ASC 848 and clarifies some of its guidance as it relates to recent rate reform activities.

A substantial number of the Company’s debt agreements and hedging relationships bear interest at variable interest rates, primarily based on USD-LIBOR. To preserve the presentation of the Company’s debt and derivatives, the Company adopted ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 effective December 1, 2020, on a prospective basis. The Company has elected to apply the contract modification expedient and the hedge accounting expedients related to critical terms, probability of forecasted transactions, and the assessments of effectiveness for future LIBOR-indexed cash flows to assume that the index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. The adoption of, and future elections under ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01, did not and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s accounting policies or consolidated financial statements. We will continue to monitor the impact the discontinuance of LIBOR will have on the Company’s contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions.

FASB ASC 350 ASU 2018-15 – Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. ASU No. 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). As such, the amendment in this ASU requires an entity (customer) in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract to follow the guidance in subtopic 350-40 in order to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset and which costs to expense.

Additionally, the amendments in this ASU require the entity to expense the capitalized implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract over the term of the hosting arrangement. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-15 on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 820 ASU 2018-13 – Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). The standard eliminates such disclosures as the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. ASU No. 2018-13 adds new disclosure requirements for Level 3 measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-13 on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 350 ASU 2017-04 – Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The amendments in this ASU modify the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. An entity no longer will determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if

18

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Under this ASU, entities should now calculate any goodwill impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge to the goodwill for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU No. 2017-04 on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 326 ASU 2016-13 – Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326), which amends the FASB’s guidance on the impairment of financial instruments. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments to clarify and address certain items related to the amendments in ASU 2016-13. These amendments require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the amendments on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

There were no other new accounting standards that had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements during the three and nine month periods ended May 31, 2021, and there were no other new accounting standards or pronouncements that were issued but not yet effective as of May 31, 2021 that the Company expects to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3 – REVENUE RECOGNITION

Performance Obligations

The Company identifies each distinct performance obligation to transfer goods (or bundle of goods) or services. The Company recognizes revenue when (or as) it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of the goods or services to the customer.

Net Merchandise Sales.  The Company recognizes net merchandise sales revenue, net of sales taxes, on transactions where the Company has determined that it is the principal in the sale of merchandise. These transactions may include shipping commitments and/or shipping revenue if the transaction involves delivery to the customer. 

Non-merchandise Sales. The Company recognizes non-merchandise revenue, net of sales taxes, on transactions where the Company has determined that it is the agent in the transaction.  These transactions primarily consist of contracts the Company enters into with its customers to provide delivery, insurance and customs processing services for products its customers purchase online in the United States either directly from other vendors utilizing the vendor’s website or through the Company’s marketplace site. Revenue is recognized when the Company’s performance obligations have been completed (that is when delivery of the items have been made to the destination point) and is recorded in “non-merchandise revenue” on the consolidated statements of income.  Prepayment for orders for which the Company has not fulfilled its performance obligation are recorded as deferred income. Additionally, the Company records revenue at the net amounts retained, i.e., the amount paid by the customer less amounts remitted to the respective merchandise vendors, as the Company is acting as an agent and is not the principal in the sale of those goods being purchased from the vendors by the Company’s customers.

Membership Fee Revenue. Membership income represents annual membership fees paid by the Company’s warehouse club Members, which are recognized ratably over the 12-month term of the membership. Our membership policy allows Members to cancel their membership in the first 60 days and receive a full refund. After the 60-day period, membership refunds are prorated over the remaining term of the membership. The Company has significant experience with membership refund patterns and expects membership refunds will not be material. Therefore, no refund reserve was required for the periods presented. Membership fee revenue is included in membership income in the Company's consolidated statements of income. The deferred membership fee is included in deferred income in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

19

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

Platinum Points Reward Programs. The Company currently offers Platinum memberships in all of its thirteen countries.  The annual fee for a Platinum membership is approximately $75. The Platinum membership provides Members with a 2% rebate on most items, up to an annual maximum of $500. The rebate is issued annually to Platinum Members on March 1 and expires August 31.  Platinum Members can apply this rebate to future purchases at the warehouse club during the redemption period.  The Company records this 2% rebate as a reduction of revenue at the time of the sales transaction.  Accordingly, the Company has reduced warehouse sales and has accrued a liability within other accrued expenses and other current liabilities, platinum rewards. The Company has determined that breakage revenue is 5% of the awards issued; therefore, it records 95% of the Platinum membership liability at the time of sale. Annually, the Company reviews for expired unused rebates outstanding, and the expired unused rebates are recognized as “Other revenue and income” on the consolidated statements of income.

Co-branded Credit Card Points Reward Programs.  Most of the Company’s subsidiaries have points reward programs related to co-branded credit cards. These points reward programs provide incremental points that can be used at a future time to acquire merchandise within the Company’s warehouse clubs.  This results in two performance obligations, the first performance obligation being the initial sale of the merchandise or services purchased with the co-branded credit card and the second performance obligation being the future use of the points rewards to purchase merchandise or services.  As a result, upon the initial sale, the Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation with the amount allocated to the future use points rewards recorded as a contract liability within other accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The portion of the selling price allocated to the reward points is recognized as Net merchandise sales when the points are used or when the points expire. The Company reviews on an annual basis expired points rewards outstanding, and the expired rewards are recognized as Net merchandise sales on the consolidated statements of income within markets where the co-branded credit card agreement allows for such treatment.   

Gift Cards. Members’ purchases of gift cards to be utilized at the Company's warehouse clubs are not recognized as sales until the card is redeemed and the customer purchases merchandise using the gift card. The outstanding gift cards are reflected as other accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. These gift cards generally have a one-year stated expiration date from the date of issuance and are generally redeemed prior to expiration.  However, the absence of a large volume of transactions for gift cards impairs the Company's ability to make a reasonable estimate of the redemption levels for gift certificates; therefore, the Company assumes a 100% redemption rate prior to expiration of the gift certificate. The Company periodically reviews unredeemed outstanding gift certificates, and the gift certificates that have expired are recognized as “Other revenue and income” on the consolidated statements of income.

Co-branded Credit Card Revenue Sharing Agreements. As part of the co-branded credit card agreements that the Company has entered into with financial institutions within its markets, the Company often enters into revenue sharing agreements. As part of these agreements, in some countries, the Company receives a portion of the interest income generated from the average outstanding balances on the co-branded credit cards from these financial institutions (“interest generating portfolio” or “IGP”).   The Company recognizes its portion of interest received as revenue during the period it is earned. The Company has determined that this revenue should be recognized as “Other revenue and income” on the consolidated statements of income.

Contract Performance Liabilities

Contract performance liabilities as a result of transactions with customers primarily consist of deferred membership income, other deferred income, deferred gift card revenue, Platinum points programs, and liabilities related to co-branded credit card points rewards programs which are included in deferred income and other accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The following table provides these contract balances from transactions with customers as of the dates listed (in thousands):

	Contract Liabilities
	May 31, 2021		August 31, 2020
Deferred membership income	$	26,457	$	23,051
Other contract performance liabilities	$	5,895	$	5,190

20

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

Disaggregated Revenues

In the following table, net merchandise sales are disaggregated by merchandise category (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
		May 31, 2021		May 31, 2020		May 31, 2021		May 31, 2020
Foods & Sundries	$	431,007	$	419,579	$	1,298,134	$	1,250,728
Fresh Foods		252,365		228,858		745,158		685,413
Hardlines		94,732		70,374		318,229		261,796
Softlines		43,468		25,597		130,732		115,860
Other Business		35,906		23,960		101,998		105,025
Net Merchandise Sales	$	857,478	$	768,368	$	2,594,251	$	2,418,822

NOTE 4 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company presents basic net income per share using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that treats a participating security as having rights to earnings that otherwise would have been available to common stockholders and that determines basic net income per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings that would have been available to common stockholders. A participating security is defined as a security that may participate in undistributed earnings with common stock. The Company’s capital structure includes securities that participate with common stock on a one-for-one basis for distribution of dividends. These are the restricted stock awards and restricted stock units issued pursuant to the 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan. The Company does not include performance stock units as participating securities until they vest. The Company determines the diluted net income per share by using the more dilutive of the two class-method or the treasury stock method and by including the basic weighted average of outstanding performance stock units in the calculation of diluted net income per share under the two-class method and including all potential common shares assumed issued in the calculation of diluted net income per share under the treasury stock method.

The following table sets forth the computation of net income per share for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,		May 31,		May 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.	$	22,529	$	12,705	$	78,502	$	58,033
Less: Allocation of income to unvested stockholders		(372)		(188)		(952)		(527)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. per share available for distribution	$	22,157	$	12,517	$	77,550	$	57,506
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		30,414		30,271		30,396		30,268
Add dilutive effect of performance stock units (two-class method)		32		4		27		5
Diluted average shares outstanding		30,446		30,275		30,423		30,273
Basic net income per share	$	0.73	$	0.41	$	2.55	$	1.90
Diluted net income per share	$	0.73	$	0.41	$	2.55	$	1.90

21

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

NOTE 5 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Dividends

The following table summarizes the dividends declared and paid during fiscal year 2021 and 2020 (amounts are per share).

First Payment

Second Payment

Declared

Amount

Record ‎Date

Date ‎Paid

Date ‎Payable

Amount

Record ‎Date

Date ‎Paid

Date ‎Payable

Amount

2/4/2021

$

0.70

2/15/2021

2/26/2021

N/A

$

0.35

8/15/2021

N/A

8/31/2021

$

0.35

2/6/2020

$

0.70

2/15/2020

2/28/2020

N/A

$

0.35

8/15/2020

8/31/2020

N/A

$

0.35

The Company anticipates the ongoing payment of semi-annual dividends in subsequent periods, although the actual declaration of future dividends, the amount of such dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates is subject to final determination by the Board of Directors at its discretion after its review of the Company’s financial performance and anticipated capital requirements, taking into account the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results of operations and cash flows.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following tables disclose the effects on accumulated other comprehensive loss of each component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (in thousands):

	Attributable to		Noncontrolling
	PriceSmart		Interests		Total
Beginning balance, September 1, 2020	$	(176,820)	$	134	$	(176,686)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(2,577)		91		(2,486)
Defined benefit pension plans (1)		164		—		164
Derivative instruments (2)		1,865		—		1,865
Ending balance, May 31, 2021	$	(177,368)	$	225	$	(177,143)

	Attributable to		Noncontrolling
	PriceSmart		Interests		Total
Beginning balance, September 1, 2019	$	(144,339)	$	20	$	(144,319)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(19,981)		90		(19,891)
Defined benefit pension plans (1)		53		—		53
Derivative Instruments (2)		(3,752)		—		(3,752)
Ending balance, May 31, 2020	$	(168,019)	$	110	$	(167,909)

	Attributable to		Noncontrolling
	PriceSmart		Interests		Total
Beginning balance, September 1, 2019	$	(144,339)	$	20	$	(144,319)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(29,413)		114		(29,299)
Defined benefit pension plans (1)		(79)		—		(79)
Derivative Instruments (2)		(5,803)		—		(5,803)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		2,814		—		2,814
Ending balance, August 31, 2020	$	(176,820)	$	134	$	(176,686)

⁽¹⁾Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the minimum pension liability are included in warehouse club and other operations in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

⁽²⁾Refer to Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

22

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

Retained Earnings Not Available for Distribution

The following table summarizes retained earnings designated as legal reserves of various subsidiaries which cannot be distributed as dividends to PriceSmart, Inc. according to applicable statutory regulations (in thousands):

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Retained earnings not available for distribution	$	7,921	$	7,375

NOTE 6 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business related to the Company’s operations and property ownership. The Company evaluates such matters on a case by case basis, and vigorously contests any such legal proceedings or claims which the Company believes are without merit. The Company believes that the final disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. It is possible, however, that the Company's results of operations for a particular quarter or fiscal year could be impacted by changes in circumstances relating to such matters.

The Company establishes an accrual for legal proceedings if and when those matters reach a stage where they present loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. In such cases, there may be a possible exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. The Company monitors those matters for developments that would affect the likelihood of a loss and the accrued amount, if any, thereof, and adjusts the amount as appropriate. If the loss contingency at issue is not both probable and reasonably estimable, the Company does not establish an accrual, but will continue to monitor the matter for developments that will make the loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. If it is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss will occur, the Company will provide disclosure regarding the contingency.

Income Taxes – For interim reporting, the Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate (AETR), pursuant to ASC 740-270, to calculate income tax expense. Income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best estimate of current and future taxes to be paid. The Company is subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in the determination of the consolidated income tax expense. Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, which will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. In evaluating its ability to recover deferred tax assets in the jurisdictions from which they arise, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In projecting future taxable income, the Company begins with historical results adjusted for the results of discontinued operations and incorporates assumptions about the amount of future state, federal, and foreign pretax operating income adjusted for items that do not have tax consequences. The assumptions about future taxable income require the use of significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, the Company considers three years of cumulative operating income (loss).

The Company is required to file federal and state tax returns in the United States and various other tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The preparation of these tax returns requires the Company to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax paid by the Company. The Company, in consultation with its tax advisors, bases its tax returns on interpretations that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The tax returns, however, are subject to routine reviews by the various taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which the Company files its returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with the interpretations the Company used to calculate its tax liability and therefore require the Company to pay additional taxes.

The Company accrues an amount for its estimate of probable additional income tax liability. In certain cases, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less

23

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

than 50% likelihood of being sustained. As of May 31, 2021, the Company's uncertain income tax position balance has been reduced by $1.2 million since August 31, 2020, due to the expiration of statutes of limitation and other current year adjustments.

In evaluating the exposure associated with various non-income tax filing positions, the Company accrues for probable and estimable exposures for non-income tax related tax contingencies.  As of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Company has recorded within other accrued expenses and other current liabilities a total of $1.7 million and $2.5 million, respectively, for various non-income tax related tax contingencies.

While the Company believes the recorded liabilities are adequate, there are inherent limitations in projecting the outcome of litigation, in estimating probable additional income tax liability taking into account uncertain tax positions and in evaluating the probable additional tax associated with various non-income tax filing positions. As such, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of the sensitivity to change of estimates affecting its recorded liabilities. As additional information becomes available, the Company assesses the potential liability and revises its estimates as appropriate.

In two countries where the Company operates, minimum income tax rules require the Company to pay taxes based on a percentage of sales rather than income. As a result, the Company is making income tax payments substantially in excess of those it would expect to pay based on taxable income. The Company had income tax receivables of $11.0 million and $10.4 million and deferred tax assets of $3.2 million and $2.8 million as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively, in these countries. While the rules related to refunds of income tax receivables in these countries are either unclear or complex, the Company has not placed any type of allowance on the recoverability of these tax receivables or deferred tax assets, because the Company believes that it is more likely than not that it will ultimately succeed in its refund requests.

Other Commitments

The Company is also committed to non-cancelable construction service obligations for various warehouse club developments and expansions. As of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $16.3 million and $5.1 million, respectively, in contractual obligations for construction services not yet rendered.

From time to time, the Company has entered into general land purchase and land purchase option agreements. The Company’s land purchase agreements are typically subject to various conditions, including, but not limited to, the ability to obtain necessary governmental permits or approvals. A deposit under an agreement is typically returned to the Company if all permits or approvals are not obtained. Generally, the Company has the right to cancel any of its agreements to purchase land without cause by forfeiture of some or all of the deposits it has made pursuant to the agreement. As of May 31, 2021, the Company had entered into a land purchase option agreement that, if completed, would result in the use of approximately $7.4 million in cash.

The table below summarizes the Company’s interest in real estate joint ventures, commitments to additional future investments and the Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement in these joint venture as of May 31, 2021 (in thousands):

Entity	% ‎Ownership		Initial ‎Investment		Additional ‎Investments		Net Income Inception to Date		Company’s ‎Variable ‎Interest ‎in Entity		Commitment ‎to Future ‎Additional ‎Investments(1)		Company's ‎Maximum ‎Exposure ‎to Loss in ‎Entity(2)
GolfPark Plaza, S.A.	50	%	$	4,616	$	2,402	$	22	$	7,040	$	99	$	7,139
Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A.	50	%		2,193		1,236		100		3,529		785		4,314
Total			$	6,809	$	3,638	$	122	$	10,569	$	884	$	11,453

⁽¹⁾The parties intend to seek alternate financing for the project, which could reduce the amount of investments each party would be required to provide. The parties may mutually agree on changes to the project, which could increase or decrease the amount of contributions each party is required to provide.

⁽²⁾The maximum exposure is determined by adding the Company’s variable interest in the entity and any explicit or implicit arrangements that could require the Company to provide additional financial support.

24

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

NOTE 7 – DEBT

Short-term borrowings consist of unsecured lines of credit. The following table summarizes the balances of total facilities, facilities used and facilities available (in thousands):

			Facilities Used
	Total Amount		Short-term		Letters of		Facilities		Weighted average
	of Facilities		Borrowings		Credit		Available		interest rate
May 31, 2021	$	131,000	$	—	$	125	$	130,875	—	%
August 31, 2020	$	81,210	$	65,143	$	388	$	15,679	3.7	%

As of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all covenants or amended covenants for each of its short-term facility agreements. These facilities generally expire annually or bi-annually and are normally renewed.

The following table provides the changes in long-term debt for the nine-months ended May 31, 2021:

(Amounts in thousands)	Current ‎portion of ‎long-term debt		Long-term ‎debt (net of current portion)		Total
Balances as of August 31, 2020	$	19,437	$	112,610	$	132,047	(1)
Proceeds from long-term debt incurred during the period:
Trinidad subsidiary		547		2,453		3,000
Regularly scheduled loan payments		(1,164)		(11,971)		(13,135)
Reclassifications of long-term debt due in the next 12 months		1,706		(1,706)		—
Translation adjustments on foreign currency debt of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar (2)		28		(92)		(64)
Balances as of May 31, 2021	$	20,554	$	101,294	$	121,848	(3)

⁽¹⁾The carrying amount of non-cash assets assigned as collateral for these loans was $158.6 million. No cash assets were assigned as collateral for these loans.

⁽²⁾These foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded within Other comprehensive loss.

⁽³⁾The carrying amount of cash and non-cash assets assigned as collateral for these loans was $2.8 million and $143.7 million, respectively.

As of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $96.0 million and $107.4 million, respectively, of long-term loans in several foreign subsidiaries that require these subsidiaries to comply with certain annual or quarterly financial covenants, which include debt service and leverage ratios. The Company was in compliance with all covenants or amended covenants for both periods.

Annual maturities of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):

Twelve Months Ended May 31,	Amount
2022	$	20,554
2023		26,381
2024		9,174
2025		25,608
2026		4,310
Thereafter		35,821
Total	$	121,848

25

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

NOTE 8 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk relating to its ongoing business operations. To manage interest rate exposure, the Company enters into hedge transactions (interest rate swaps) using derivative financial instruments. The objective of entering into interest rate swaps is to eliminate the variability of cash flows in the LIBOR interest payments associated with variable-rate loans over the life of the loans. As changes in interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedges provide a synthetic offset to interest rate movements.

In addition, the Company is exposed to foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure related to non-functional currency long-term debt of two of its wholly owned subsidiaries. To manage this foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure, the Company’s subsidiaries entered into cross-currency interest rate swaps that convert their U.S. dollar denominated floating interest payments to functional currency fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument.  As changes in foreign exchange and interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedges are intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate and foreign exchange movements.

These derivative instruments (cash flow hedging instruments) are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, with the entire gain or loss on the derivative reported as a component of other comprehensive loss. Amounts are deferred in other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings in the same income statement line item that is used to present the earnings effect of the hedged item when the hedged item affects earnings.

The Company is exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations in the normal course of business, including foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts (NDFs) that are intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements. These contracts are intended primarily to economically address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The Company seeks to mitigate foreign-currency exchange-rate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features.

The Company uses other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments that consist primarily of written call options in which the Company receives a premium from the holder. This premium lowers the cost of the Company’s hedging activities. The Company recognizes changes in fair value of the derivative instrument, as well as the offsetting change in the fair value of the hedged item, in Other expense, net in the consolidated statements of income in the period of change.

26

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

Cash Flow Hedges

As of May 31, 2021, all of the Company’s interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap derivative financial instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. The Company formally documents the hedging relationships for its derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting.

The following table summarizes agreements for which the Company has recorded cash flow hedge accounting for the nine months ended May 31, 2021:

Subsidiary	Date ‎Entered ‎into	Derivative ‎Financial ‎Counter- ‎party	Derivative ‎Financial ‎Instruments	Initial ‎US$ ‎Notional ‎Amount		Bank ‎US$ ‎loan  ‎Held ‎with	Floating Leg ‎(swap ‎counter-party)	Fixed Rate ‎for PSMT ‎Subsidiary		Settlement ‎Dates	Effective ‎Period of swap
Colombia	3-Dec-19	Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")	Cross currency interest rate swap	$	7,875,000	Citibank, N.A.	Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.45%	7.87	%	3rd day of each December, March, June, and September, beginning on March 3, 2020	December 3, 2019 - ‎December 3, 2024
Colombia	27-Nov-19	Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")	Cross currency interest rate swap	$	25,000,000	Citibank, N.A.	Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.45%	7.93	%	27th day of each November, February, May and August beginning February 27, 2020	November 27, 2019 - ‎November 27, 2024
Colombia	24-Sep-19	Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")	Cross currency interest rate swap	$	12,500,000	PriceSmart, Inc.	Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.50%	7.09	%	24th day of each December, March, June and September beginning December 24, 2019	September 24, 2019 - ‎September 26, 2022
Panama	25-Jun-18	Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")	Interest rate swap	$	14,625,000	Bank of Nova Scotia	Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 3.0%	5.99	%	23rd day of each month beginning on July 23, 2018	June 25, 2018 - ‎March 23, 2023
Honduras	26-Feb-18	Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")	Cross currency interest rate swap	$	13,500,000	Citibank, N.A.	Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 3.00%	9.75	%	29th day of May, August, November and February beginning May 29, 2018	February 26, 2018 - ‎February 24, 2024
PriceSmart, Inc	7-Nov-16	MUFG Union Bank, N.A. ("Union Bank")	Interest rate swap	$	35,700,000	Union Bank	Variable rate 1-month Libor plus 1.7%	3.65	%	1st day of each month beginning on April 1, 2017	March 1, 2017 - March 1, 2027

For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020, the Company included the gain or loss on the hedged items (that is, variable-rate borrowings) in the same line item—interest expense—as the offsetting gain or loss on the related interest rate swaps as follows (in thousands):

Income Statement Classification	Interest ‎expense on ‎borrowings(1)		Cost of ‎swaps (2)		Total
Interest expense for the three months ended May 31, 2021	$	656	$	907	$	1,563
Interest expense for the three months ended May 31, 2020	$	1,067	$	620	$	1,687
Interest expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2021	$	2,015	$	2,785	$	4,800
Interest expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2020	$	3,287	$	1,477	$	4,764

⁽¹⁾This amount is representative of the interest expense recognized on the underlying hedged transactions.

⁽²⁾This amount is representative of the interest expense recognized on the interest rate swaps and cross-currency swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

27

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

The total notional balance of the Company’s pay-fixed/receive-variable interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps was as follows (in thousands):

	Notional Amount as of
	May 31,		August 31,
Floating Rate Payer (Swap Counterparty)	2021		2020
Union Bank	$	32,938	$	33,894
Citibank N.A.		52,201		55,086
Scotiabank		10,500		11,625
Total	$	95,639	$	100,605

Derivatives listed on the table below were designated as cash flow hedging instruments. The table summarizes the effect of the fair value of interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap derivative instruments that qualify for derivative hedge accounting and its associated tax effect on accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss (in thousands):

		May 31, 2021						August 31, 2020
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments	Balance Sheet ‎Classification	Fair ‎Value		Net Tax ‎Effect		Net ‎OCI		Fair ‎Value		Net Tax ‎Effect		Net ‎OCI
Cross-currency interest rate swaps	Other non-current assets	$	1,160	$	(353)	$	807	$	872	$	(265)	$	607
Interest rate swaps	Other long-term liabilities		(2,338)		547		(1,791)		(3,857)		898		(2,959)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps	Other long-term liabilities		(816)		245		(571)		(828)		248		(580)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	(1,994)	$	439	$	(1,555)	$	(3,813)	$	881	$	(2,932)

Fair Value Instruments

From time to time the Company enters into non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts. These contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value contracts and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts is intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements. These contracts are intended primarily to economically hedge exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar.

The following table summarizes the non-deliverable forward foreign exchange contracts that are open as of May 31, 2021.

Subsidiary	Dates ‎entered into	Financial ‎Derivative ‎(Counterparty)	Derivative ‎Financial ‎Instrument	Notional ‎Amount ‎(in thousands)		Settlement ‎Date	Effective Period ‎of Forward
Colombia	28-Apr-21	Scotiabank Colpatria, S.A.	Forward foreign ‎exchange contracts (USD)	$	5,000	28-Dec-21	April 28, 2021 - December 28, 2021
Colombia	28-May-21	Scotiabank Colpatria, S.A.	Forward foreign ‎exchange contracts (USD)		2,000	29-Dec-21	May 28, 2021 - December 29, 2021

While forward derivative gains and (losses) on non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts were immaterial for the three and nine-months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020, they are included in Other expense, net in the consolidated statements of income in the period of change.

28

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

Other Instruments

Other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consist primarily of written call options in which the Company receives a premium that it uses to reduce the costs associated with its hedging activities. As of May 31, 2021, all of the Company’s contracts are designated as hedging instruments.

For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020, the Company included in its consolidated statements of income the loss of its other non-designated derivative contracts as follows (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		May 31,	May 31,			May 31,	May 31,
Income Statement Classification		2021	2020			2021	2020
Other expense, net	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(912)

NOTE 9 – SEGMENTS

The Company and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the international operation of membership shopping in 47 warehouse clubs located in 12 countries and one U.S. territory that are located in Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia. In addition, the Company operates distribution centers and corporate offices in the United States. The Company has aggregated its warehouse clubs, distribution centers and corporate offices into reportable segments. The Company’s reportable segments are based on management’s organization of these locations into operating segments by general geographic location, which are used by management and the Company's chief operating decision maker in setting up management lines of responsibility, providing support services, and making operational decisions and assessments of financial performance. Segment amounts are presented after converting to U.S. dollars and consolidating eliminations. Certain revenues, operating costs and inter-company charges included in the United States segment are not allocated to the segments within this presentation, as it is impractical to do so, and they appear as reconciling items to reflect the amount eliminated on consolidation of intersegment transactions. From time to time, the Company revises the measurement of each segment's operating income and net income, including certain corporate overhead allocations, and other measures as determined by the information regularly reviewed by the Company's chief operating decision maker. When the Company does so, the previous period amounts and balances are reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation.

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

The following tables summarize by segment certain revenues, operating costs and balance sheet items (in thousands):

	United ‎States ‎Operations		Central ‎American ‎Operations		Caribbean ‎Operations(1)		Colombia Operations		Reconciling ‎Items(2)		Total
Three Months Ended May 31, 2021
Revenue from external customers	$	21,237	$	531,595	$	243,468	$	98,964	$	—	$	895,264
Intersegment revenues		309,261		4,305		1,228		434		(315,228)		—
Depreciation, Property and equipment		1,666		7,990		3,920		2,403		—		15,979
Amortization, Intangibles		606		—		—		—		—		606
Operating income (loss)		545		38,313		17,240		5,135		(25,184)		36,049
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		(2,388)		32,700		13,524		3,929		(25,236)		22,529
Capital expenditures, net		3,334		8,724		6,486		4,870		—		23,414
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021
Revenue from external customers	$	67,622	$	1,567,287	$	762,153	$	313,203	$	—	$	2,710,265
Intersegment revenues		955,619		12,842		3,498		2,413		(974,372)		—
Depreciation, Property and equipment		5,115		23,367		11,570		6,500		—		46,552
Amortization, Intangibles		1,798		—		—		—		—		1,798
Operating income (loss)		8,315		113,120		59,600		17,139		(72,615)		125,559
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		(4,306)		94,247		48,175		13,224		(72,838)		78,502
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)		79,178		484,039		189,873		163,266		—		916,356
Intangibles, net		8,368		—		—		—		—		8,368
Goodwill		10,695		24,359		10,088		—		—		45,142
Total assets		202,770		777,703		427,078		224,404		—		1,631,955
Capital expenditures, net		6,052		30,334		14,748		20,416		—		71,550
Three Months Ended May 31, 2020
Revenue from external customers	$	15,852	$	452,927	$	250,304	$	80,848	$	—	$	799,931
Intersegment revenues		230,826		4,791		1,548		787		(237,952)		—
Depreciation, Property and equipment		1,294		7,577		3,810		1,591		—		14,272
Amortization, Intangibles		607		—		—		—		—		607
Operating income (loss)		(1,115)		27,606		13,547		3,487		(19,558)		23,967
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		(3,785)		22,724		10,849		2,403		(19,486)		12,705
Capital expenditures, net		1,446		9,395		2,163		3,508		—		16,512
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020
Revenue from external customers	$	52,039	$	1,442,336	$	747,004	$	277,228	$	—	$	2,518,607
Intersegment revenues		868,137		12,745		3,627		1,870		(886,379)		—
Depreciation, Property and equipment		3,981		22,027		11,602		5,452		—		43,062
Amortization, Intangibles		1,805		—		—		—		—		1,805
Operating income (loss)		3,401		96,972		40,436		13,411		(60,730)		93,490
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		(5,350)		79,815		34,978		9,340		(60,750)		58,033
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)		83,813		481,942		181,578		143,437		—		890,770
Intangibles, net		10,772		—		—		—		—		10,772
Goodwill		10,695		24,484		10,137		—		—		45,316
Total assets		224,682		727,527		384,168		238,112		—		1,574,489
Capital expenditures, net		5,564		42,766		13,913		28,807		—		91,050
As of August 31, 2020
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)	$	81,008	$	475,744	$	177,166	$	146,862	$	—	$	880,780
Intangibles, net		10,166		—		—		—		—		10,166
Goodwill		10,696		24,418		10,092		—		—		45,206
Total assets		272,190		741,523		395,244		247,868		—		1,656,825

⁽¹⁾Management considers its club in the U.S. Virgin Islands to be part of its Caribbean operations.

⁽²⁾The reconciling items reflect the amount eliminated on consolidation of intersegment transactions.

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

NOTE 10 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated all events subsequent to the balance sheet date as of May 31, 2021 through the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements and has determined that there are no subsequent events that require disclosure.

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PRICESMART, INC.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements concerning PriceSmart, Inc.'s ("PriceSmart", the "Company" or "we") anticipated future revenues and earnings, adequacy of future cash flows, omni-channel initiatives, proposed warehouse club openings, the Company's performance relative to competitors and related matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements containing the words “expect,” “believe,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipated,” “scheduled,” “intend,” and like expressions, and the negative thereof. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, but not limited to: adverse changes in economic conditions in our markets, natural disasters, compliance risks, volatility in currency exchange rates and illiquidity of certain local currencies in our markets, competition, consumer and small business spending patterns, political instability, increased costs associated with the integration of online commerce with our traditional business, whether the Company can successfully execute strategic initiatives, cybersecurity breaches that could cause disruptions in our systems or jeopardize the security of Member or business information, cost increases from product and service providers, interruption of supply chains, novel coronavirus (COVID-19) related factors and challenges, including among others, the duration of the pandemic, the unknown long-term economic impact, the impact of government policies and restrictions that have limited access for our Members, and shifts in demand away from discretionary or higher priced products to lower priced products, exposure to product liability claims and product recalls, recoverability of moneys owed to PriceSmart from governments, and other important factors discussed under the captions “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on October 30, 2020. These risk factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date that they are made, and the Company does not undertake to update them, except as required by law. In addition, these risks are not the only risks that the Company faces. The Company could also be affected by additional factors that apply to all companies operating globally and in the U.S., as well as other risks that are not presently known to the Company or that the Company currently considers to be immaterial.

Overview

PriceSmart exists to improve the lives and businesses of our Members, our employees and our communities through the ethical delivery of the best quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices. PriceSmart began operations in 1996 in San Diego, California. We own and operate U.S. style membership shopping warehouse clubs in Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia. We sell high quality brand name and private label consumer products, offer prepared foods through our bakeries and food courts with the option for delivery, and in certain clubs we provide services such as optical and tires at low prices to individuals and businesses. Historically, our typical warehouse buildings have ranged in sales floor size from approximately 40,000 to 60,000 square feet and are located primarily in and around the major cities in our markets to take advantage of dense populations and relatively higher levels of disposable income. Additionally, we operate smaller format clubs, with sales floors ranging from approximately 30,000 to 40,000 square feet. These smaller format clubs are an alternative intended to serve markets where the population is likely to support a smaller club or densely populated urban areas where it is challenging to secure sufficient real estate at a reasonable cost for a larger club. This smaller format, coupled with our omni-channel initiatives, has the potential to expand our geographic reach in existing markets and provide greater value and more convenience for our Members. We continue to invest in technology to increase efficiencies and to enhance the Member shopping experience with omni-channel capabilities, including e-commerce online shopping. Most notably, the Company launched its Click & Go™ online order, curbside pickup and delivery service, in fiscal 2020, which provides contactless shopping in all 13 of our markets. We also have launched digital membership, which helps us gather higher quality data we can use to make better informed decisions in all areas of the business and facilitates a more seamless auto-renewal process, increasing predictability of membership income. We believe digital membership also provides more convenience to Members with digital cards and online payment. We also provide wholesale supply services to a retailer in the Philippines.

We believe that our business success depends on strengthening the trust of our Members by providing curated high-quality items and valuable services at a low cost in our markets and by offering the best value on attractive products and services in a safe and responsible environment. We believe that lower prices on products and services drive sales volume, which increases the Company’s buying leverage, which in turn leads to better pricing that we can then offer to our Members, validating the value of the annual membership fee.

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Logistics and distribution efficiencies are fundamental to delivering high quality merchandise at low prices to our Members. We utilize regional distribution centers in the U.S. and Costa Rica as well as several smaller local distribution centers, which enables us to more efficiently distribute our merchandise while also giving us increased flexibility and alternatives to source and transport goods. We continue to explore ways to deliver value, improve efficiency, reduce costs and ensure a flow of high quality, curated merchandise to our warehouse clubs.

Purchasing land and constructing warehouse clubs is generally our largest ongoing capital investment. Securing land for warehouse club locations is challenging in several of our markets because suitable sites at economically feasible prices are difficult to find. We believe real estate ownership provides a number of advantages as compared to leasing, including lower operating expenses, flexibility to expand or otherwise enhance our buildings, long-term control over the use of the property and the residual value that the real estate may have in future years. We own and lease our real estate, depending upon the best available opportunities.

Our warehouse clubs currently operate in emerging markets that historically have had higher growth rates and lower warehouse club market penetration than the U.S. market. In the countries in which we operate, we do not currently face direct competition from U.S. membership warehouse club operators. However, we do face competition from various retail formats such as hypermarkets, supermarkets, cash and carry, home improvement centers, electronic retailers, specialty stores, convenience stores, traditional wholesale distribution and growing online sales.

The number of warehouse clubs for each country or territory were as follows:

	Number of	Number of
	Warehouse Clubs	Warehouse Clubs
	in Operation as of	in Operation as of
Country/Territory	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020
Costa Rica	8	7
Colombia	8	7
Panama	7	7
Dominican Republic	5	5
Trinidad	4	4
Guatemala	4	4
Honduras	3	3
El Salvador	2	2
Nicaragua	2	2
Aruba	1	1
Barbados	1	1
U.S. Virgin Islands	1	1
Jamaica	1	1
Totals	47	45

Our warehouse clubs, one regional distribution center and several smaller local distribution centers are located in Latin America and the Caribbean, and our corporate headquarters, U.S. buying operations and our larger regional distribution center are located primarily in the United States. Our operating segments are the United States, Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia. We also operate a package forwarding business (casillero) and marketplace business under the “Aeropost” banner in 38 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, many of which overlap with markets where we operate warehouse clubs.

While we continue to closely monitor the continuing COVID-19 situations in each of our markets and recognize that the potential social and economic impacts in the markets where we operate and any resulting consequences to our results of operations and cash flow remain unknown, we have decided to proceed with the construction of three warehouse clubs on land we previously acquired. The first will be a standard format warehouse club located within the Zone 5 locality of Guatemala City, Guatemala, which will be our fifth warehouse club located in Guatemala. We expect to open this warehouse club in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. The second will be a smaller format warehouse club located within the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia. We expect to open this warehouse club, which will be our ninth warehouse club in Colombia, in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. The third will be a standard format warehouse club located within the city of Portmore, Jamaica. Portmore is a suburb west of the capital city of Kingston. We expect to open this warehouse club, which will be our second warehouse club in Jamaica, in the third quarter of fiscal 2022. 

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Factors Affecting Our Business

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant challenges across our 13 markets since March 2020. Many markets imposed limitations, varying by market and in frequency, on access to the Company’s clubs and on the Company’s club operations, including in some cases frequent temporary club closures, a reduction in the number of days during the week and hours per day the Company’s clubs were permitted to be open, restrictions on segments of the population permitted to shop or circulate on particular days, and significant limits on the number of people permitted to be in the club at the same time. We also experienced product mix shifts due to changing consumer habits and/or government imposed limitations on many non-food categories, decreases in purchases by many business Members, particularly restaurants and hotels, and sporadic supply chain challenges, which can impact inventory levels.

We are currently focused on these four main priorities:

Protect the safety and well-being of our employees and our Members.

Take proactive measures to protect and expand our supply chain options.

Expand technology-enabled shopping and more effective use of data.

Manage cash and capital resources.

We remain vigilant in adapting to the ever-evolving consumer demands emerging from the COVID experience and the apparent desire of consumers to satisfy their shopping and service needs in one location. The COVID-19 pandemic remains unpredictable in duration and intensity in our markets, and we continue to see periodic reinstatements of stay-at-home orders and other restrictions. In addition, we expect continued uncertainty in the economies of our markets as a result of the pandemic and expect volatility in employment trends, industry and consumer confidence and demand; volatility and liquidity of foreign currency exchange rates; volatility of commodity prices; and possible fiscal austerity measures taken by governments in our markets, which will likely impact our results for the foreseeable future. For additional information, refer to the risk factors discussed in Part I. “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2020.

We view the continued development and integration of technology to create an omni-channel Member experience as an important component of our value proposition, which can also offset some of the impact of pandemic-related restrictions we continue to see. Our Click & Go™ curbside and delivery service contributed approximately 3.5% of total net merchandise sales for the fiscal third quarter ended May 31, 2021. The demand for delivery through our Click &Go™ service has been increasing and represents a growing proportion of total Click & Go™ sales. Developing greater efficiencies remains a priority especially within these new sales channels. We believe that Click & Go™ curbside and delivery services will remain important alternative shopping methods and provide increased value for our Members by enabling them to leverage their membership across multiple shopping platforms. We also see value in the insights gained by communicating with our Members in real-time through a number of the online channels we have developed. Beyond Click & Go™, we continue to invest in technology to increase efficiencies, enhance our Member experience by enabling additional omni-channel capabilities, and finding new ways to generate value and benefits for our Members and the Company.

Increasing “same store” sales is an important element of our growth strategy, and we believe that there are a number of ways to achieve this goal. We are committed to increasing same store sales by increasing both the number of Member transactions and by increasing the average ticket. We have started or recently completed expansions and/or remodels of several clubs in our Central America segment in fiscal 2021, which we believe will contribute to same store sales growth. We have also increased our digital marketing efforts, which has resulted in enhanced reach and visibility of our products and services, contributing to the success of our recent programs. In particular, we believe that our Wellness programs offered in our clubs, such as Optical, which is now available in eight markets, and Pharmacy, which we are piloting in two Costa Rica clubs, and audiology centers that we will begin piloting later this calendar year, will create value for our Members and help drive overall sales growth.

Additionally, in an effort to provide healthy options for our Members, we source additional high quality fresh products through our Direct Farm Program. We believe that our Direct Farm Program reduces costs and improves quality on our fresh produce offerings, while simultaneously supporting local farmers and industry. Our produce distribution centers allow us to provide farm-to-table produce quicker and more efficiently. We opened two produce distribution centers in fiscal 2020 and expect to open additional produce distribution centers in the future.

Overall economic trends, foreign currency exchange volatility, and other factors impacting the business

Our sales and profits vary from market to market depending on general economic factors, including GDP growth; consumer preferences; foreign currency exchange rates; political policies and social conditions; local demographic characteristics

34

(such as population growth); the number of years we have operated in a particular market; and the level of retail and wholesale competition in that market. The economies of many of our markets are dependent on foreign trade, tourism, and foreign direct investments. Global and local travel restrictions and the general slowdown in global economic activity as a result of COVID-19 have significantly impacted and may continue to impact the economies in our markets, causing significant declines in GDP and employment and devaluations and illiquidity of local currencies against the U.S. dollar. In general, positive conditions in the broader economy promote greater Member spending in our warehouse clubs, and economic weakness generally results in a reduction of customer spending.

Currency fluctuations can be one of the largest variables affecting our overall sales and profit performance, as we have experienced in prior fiscal years, because many of our markets are susceptible to foreign currency exchange rate volatility. During the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 and 2020, approximately 77.8% and 77.6%, respectively, of our net merchandise sales were in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Of those sales, 48.1% and 49.1% consisted of sales of products we purchased in U.S. dollars for each period, respectively.

A devaluation of local currency reduces the value of sales and membership income that is generated in that country when translated to U.S. dollars for our consolidated results. In addition, when local currency experiences devaluation, we may elect to increase the local currency price of imported merchandise to maintain our target margins, which could impact demand for the merchandise affected by the price increase. We may also modify the mix of imported versus local merchandise and/or the source of imported merchandise in an effort to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations. Information about the effect of local currency devaluations is discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Net Merchandise Sales and Comparable Sales.”

Our capture of total retail and wholesale sales can vary from market to market due to competition and the availability of other shopping options for our Members. Demographic characteristics within each of our markets can affect both the overall level of sales and future sales growth opportunities. Certain island markets, such as Aruba, Barbados and the U.S. Virgin Islands offer us limited upside for sales growth given their overall market size.

Political and other factors in each of our markets may have significant effects on our business. The recent and ongoing civil unrest in Colombia paralyzed significant portions of the country’s infrastructure as roadblocks and riots disrupted normal economic activity during the third quarter of fiscal 2021. Austerity and tax reform measures for Colombia and other Latin American countries with high national debt levels and income disparity pose a risk for political instability. Similar unrest happened in Nicaragua and Honduras in 2018 and 2019, respectively; Costa Rica also had a general strike against tax reform measures that significantly impeded regular economic activity in 2018. Events of this sort have, and may continue to have, an adverse effect on our business.

Our operations are subject to volatile weather conditions and natural disasters. In November 2020, Hurricanes Eta and Iota brought severe rainfall, winds, and flooding to a significant portion of Central America, especially Honduras, that caused significant damage to parts of that country’s infrastructure. Although our warehouse clubs were not significantly affected and we were able to manage our supply chain to keep our warehouse clubs stocked with merchandise, these natural disasters could adversely impact our overall sales, costs and profit performance in the future.

In the past, we have experienced a lack of availability of U.S. dollars in certain markets (U.S. dollar illiquidity), particularly in Trinidad. This can and has impeded our ability to convert local currencies obtained through merchandise sales into U.S. dollars to settle the U.S. dollar liabilities associated with our imported products and to otherwise redeploy these funds in our Company and, increases our foreign exchange exposure to any devaluation of the local currency relative to the U.S. dollar. We continued to experience significant limitations on our ability to convert Trinidad dollars to U.S. dollars or other tradeable currencies during fiscal 2020, with a further deterioration and the problem becoming more acute in August 2020. This U.S. dollar illiquidity situation has persisted thus far into fiscal 2021 and we anticipate the situation to continue. As liquidity conditions have tightened, we have methodically raised prices on imported goods in Trinidad, due to increased costs of conversion of Trinidad dollars to U.S. dollars and risks associated with continued illiquidity. We have also sought to shift the purchase of certain goods to local sources, where appropriate, and we are actively seeking to exchange Trinidad dollars for tradeable currencies, in order to manage our exposure to any potential devaluation. Moreover, in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, we began limiting shipments of goods from the U.S. to Trinidad, and subsequently, we further limited shipments late in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 due to the government’s general prohibition on sales on most non-food or non-essential items. This prohibition is expected to persist for at least some part of our fiscal fourth quarter, depending on the local COVID-19 situation.

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Comparable net merchandise sales declined in Trinidad by 21.8% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, due to reductions in the levels of imported merchandise to amounts in-line with our ability to exchange Trinidad dollars for U.S. dollars or other tradeable currencies and the increased COVID-19 restrictions in that market. We also saw a drop in Member accounts of 2.7% during the third quarter and 5.0% since the end of last year, which we believe is also related to the reduction in imports and COVID-19 restrictions on Member traffic and prohibition on sales of non-essential items. At the start of the third quarter of fiscal 2021, we began raising U.S. imports into Trinidad; however, with the aforementioned COVID-19 restrictions, we significantly reduced U.S. shipments into Trinidad at the end of the quarter, temporarily, until the local situation improves. We expect that the combination of these factors will continue to negatively impact our sales in Trinidad in our fourth fiscal quarter.

Despite these headwinds, we continue to explore and execute several options to increase our ability to generate more reliable sources of U.S. dollars in Trinidad. These options include, but are not limited to, sourcing locally produced goods in Trinidad dollars and exporting these goods to our clubs and/or third parties in other countries in exchange for U.S. dollars. While these initiatives are being developed, we are exploring ways to finance additional imports, even if a higher level of imports exceeds the amount of U.S. dollars we are able to source in Trinidad. Alternatives we are considering include new U.S. dollar denominated loans, foreign currency exchange forwards, investing in financial instruments, and purchase and sales of commodities, which could create immediate U.S. dollar liquidity and/or fix the exchange rate of Trinidad dollars to U.S. dollars. Some of these alternatives may not mitigate the resulting increase in exposure to a potential devaluation of the Trinidad dollar and could result in us being required to take a discount on the amount of U.S. dollars we accept in exchange for Trinidad dollars, relative to what we would receive upon exchange in accordance with the official exchange rate and/or incur additional financing costs.

As of May 31, 2021, our Trinidad subsidiary had Trinidad dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents and short and long-term investments measured in U.S. dollars of approximately $76.7 million, a decrease of $2.9 million from August 31, 2020 when these same balances were approximately $79.6 million. The Trinidad central bank manages the exchange rate of the Trinidad dollar with the U.S. dollar. While the Trinidad government has publicly stated it has no intention to devalue the Trinidad dollar, it could in the future decide to devalue the currency to improve market liquidity, resulting in a devaluation in the U.S. dollar value of these cash and investments balances. If, for example, a hypothetical 20% devaluation of the Trinidad dollar were to occur, the value of our Trinidad dollar cash and investments position, measured in U.S. dollars, would decrease by approximately $15.3 million, with a corresponding increase in Accumulated other comprehensive loss reflected on our consolidated balance sheet. Separate from the Trinidad dollar denominated cash and investments balances described above, as of May 31, 2021, we had a U.S. dollar denominated monetary asset position of approximately $7.0 million in Trinidad (net of U.S. dollar denominated liabilities), which would produce a gain from a potential devaluation of Trinidad dollars. If, for example, a hypothetical 20% devaluation of the Trinidad dollar occurred, the net effect on Other income (expense), net on our consolidated statement of operations of revaluing these U.S. dollar denominated net monetary assets would be an approximate $1.4 million gain. While we may pay premiums or enter into financial transactions at a discount from the official government rate to convert our Trinidad dollars into U.S. dollars, we use the official exchange rate published by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago to measure the U.S. dollar equivalent of Trinidad dollar-based revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities and the Trinidad dollar equivalent of U.S. dollar-based monetary assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes, as there are no other reliable references available to translate or remeasure our revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities.

Our Barbados subsidiary also recently began facing a U.S. dollar illiquidity situation. The Barbados dollar has a conventional fixed-peg currency arrangement, in which the Barbados dollar exchange rate is fixed to the U.S. dollar. Thus, we do not expect a devaluation of this currency at this time. However, as of May 31, 2021, our Barbados subsidiary had Barbados dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents measured in U.S. dollars of approximately $15.6 million, which cannot be readily converted to U.S. dollars for general use within the Company.

Mission and Business Strategy

PriceSmart exists to improve the lives and businesses of our Members, our employees and our communities through the ethical delivery of the best quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices. Our mission is to serve as a model company, which operates profitably and provides a good return to our investors, by providing Members in emerging and developing markets with exciting, high quality merchandise sourced from around the world and valuable services at compelling prices. We prioritize the well-being and safety of our Members and employees. We provide good jobs, fair wages, and benefits and the opportunity for growth. We strive to treat our suppliers right and empower them when we can. We conduct ourselves in a socially responsible manner and respect the environment and the laws of all the countries in which we operate. The annual membership fee enables us to operate our business with lower margins than traditional retail stores. As we are increasing technological capabilities and expanding our omni-channel shopping experience, we believe we can realize greater efficiencies in the supply chain, enhance our ability to satisfy our Members’ shopping expectations, and play a greater role in their lives. We believe we are well-positioned

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to blend the excitement and appeal of our brick and mortar business with the convenience and additional benefits of online shopping and services. 

Growth

We measure our growth primarily by the amount of the period-over-period activity in our net merchandise sales, our comparable club net merchandise sales, membership income and total revenues. Our investments are geared toward enhancing Member experience while creating greater efficiencies, which enable us to offer lower prices, more services, and convenience. We believe these efforts will support membership renewals and sustained growth for the Company. However, these investments can impact near-term results, such as when we invest in technology and talent that are expected to yield long-term benefits or when we incur fixed costs in advance of achieving full projected sales, negatively impacting near-term operating profit and net income. When we open a new warehouse club in an existing market, which may reduce reported comparable net merchandise sales due to the transfer of sales from existing warehouse clubs, we do so to enhance the Member experience, grow membership and support long-term sales growth and profitability.

Financial highlights for the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 included:

Total revenues increased 11.9% over the comparable prior year period.

Net merchandise sales increased 11.6% over the comparable prior year period. We ended the quarter with 47 warehouse clubs compared to 45 warehouse clubs at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacted net merchandise sales negatively by 1.6% versus the comparable three-month period.

Comparable net merchandise sales (that is, sales in the 45 warehouse clubs that have been open for greater than 13 ½

calendar months) for the 13 weeks ended May 30, 2021 increased 8.8%. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacted comparable net merchandise sales negatively by 1.5%.

Membership income for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 increased 5.9% to $14.3 million.

Total gross margins (net merchandise sales less associated cost of goods sold) increased 27.7% over the prior-year period, and merchandise gross profits as a percent of net merchandise sales were 15.9%, an increase of 200 basis points (2.0%) from the same period in the prior year. The increase is attributable to more focused merchandising strategies, inventory management, and pricing actions to offset foreign currency exchange costs.

Operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 was $36.0 million, an increase of 50.4%, or $12.0 million, compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

We recorded a $2.2 million net currency loss, primarily from foreign currency transactions, in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to a $1.5 million net currency loss in the same period last year.

Our effective tax rate decreased in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 to 30.9% from 38.0% in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, primarily because we were able to recognize greater benefits from foreign tax credits in the current quarter compared to the prior year period.

Net income attributable to PriceSmart for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 was $22.5 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, compared to $12.7 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

Financial highlights for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 included:

Total revenues increased 7.6% over the comparable prior year period.

Net merchandise sales increased 7.3% over the comparable prior year period. We ended the quarter with 47 warehouse clubs compared to 45 warehouse clubs at the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2020. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacted net merchandise sales negatively by 2.7%.

Comparable net merchandise sales (that is, sales in the 45 warehouse clubs that have been open for greater than 13 ½ calendar months) for the 39 weeks ended May 30, 2021 increased 4.3%. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacted comparable net merchandise sales negatively by 2.7%.

Membership income increased 0.2% to $41.4 million.

Merchandise gross profits (net merchandise sales less associated cost of goods sold) increased 18.0% over the comparable prior year period and warehouse gross profits as a percent of net merchandise club sales were 16.0%, an increase of 150 basis points (1.5%) from the same period last year.

Operating income was $125.6 million, an increase of 34.3%, or $32.1 million, compared to the same period last year.

We recorded a $4.0 million net currency loss, primarily from foreign currency transactions, in the current nine-month period compared to a $2.4 million net loss in the same period last year.

Our effective tax rate decreased for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 to 32.7% from 33.9% in the first nine months of fiscal year 2020 because we were able to recognize greater benefits from foreign tax credits in the current year nine-month period compared to the prior-year period.

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Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. for the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 was $78.5 million, or $2.55 per diluted share, compared to $58.0 million, or $1.90 per diluted share, in the comparable prior year period.

COMPARISON OF THE three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020

The following discussion and analysis compares the results of operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended on May 31, 2021 with the three-month and nine-month periods ended on May 31, 2020 and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this report. Unless otherwise noted, all tables on the following pages present U.S. dollar amounts in thousands. Certain percentages presented are calculated using actual results prior to rounding.

Net Merchandise Sales

The following tables indicate the net merchandise club sales in the segments in which we operate and the percentage growth in net merchandise sales by segment during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020.

	Three Months Ended
	May 31, 2021								May 31, 2020
	Amount		% of net ‎sales		Increase/ ‎(decrease) ‎from ‎prior year		Change		Amount		% of net ‎sales
Central America	$	521,355	60.8	%	$	78,551	17.7	%	$	442,804	57.6	%
Caribbean		239,323	27.9			(7,138)	(2.9)			246,461	32.1
Colombia		96,800	11.3			17,697	22.4			79,103	10.3
Net merchandise sales	$	857,478	100.0	%	$	89,110	11.6	%	$	768,368	100.0	%

		Nine Months Ended
		May 31, 2021							May 31, 2020
	Amount		% of net ‎sales		Increase ‎from ‎prior year		Change		Amount		% of net ‎sales
Central America	$	1,537,228	59.3	%	$	125,221	8.9	%	$	1,412,007	58.4	%
Caribbean		750,057	28.9			14,758	2.0			735,299	30.4
Colombia		306,966	11.8			35,450	13.1			271,516	11.2
Net merchandise sales	$	2,594,251	100.0	%	$	175,429	7.3	%	$	2,418,822	100.0	%

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020

Overall, total net merchandise sales grew 11.6% for the third quarter and 7.3% for the nine-month period ended May 31, 2021. The third quarter increase resulted from a 19.0% increase in transactions, partially offset by a 6.2% decrease in average ticket. For the nine-month period, the increase resulted from a 7.9% increase in average ticket, partially offset by a 0.6% decrease in transactions. Transactions represent the total number of visits our Members make to our warehouse clubs and Click & Go™ curbside pickup and delivery service transactions. Average ticket represents the amount our Members spend on each visit or Click & Go™ order. We had 47 clubs in operation as of May 31, 2021 compared to 45 clubs as of May 31, 2020.

Net merchandise sales in our Central America segment increased 17.7% and 8.9% for the third quarter and the nine-months ended May 31, 2021, respectively. These increases had a 1,020 basis point (10.2%) and 520 basis point (5.2%) positive impact on total net merchandise sales growth, respectively. All markets within this segment showed increased net merchandise sales for the three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2021. We added one new club to the segment when compared to the comparable prior-year periods. We opened our eighth club in Costa Rica in June 2020.

Net merchandise sales in our Caribbean segment decreased 2.9% and increased 2.0% for the third quarter and the nine-months ended May 31, 2021, respectively. The decrease for the quarter had a 90 basis point (0.9%) negative impact on net merchandise sales growth and the increase year-to-date had a 60 basis point (0.6%) positive impact on net merchandise sales growth. Our Dominican Republic market continued its strong performance in the quarter and nine-month period, despite

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experiencing a significant foreign currency devaluation, with 16.3% and 16.6% growth, respectively. This strong performance was offset by our Trinidad market which had declines in net merchandise sales for each period presented. Trinidad sales were adversely affected during the third quarter because we continued limiting merchandise shipments to the market due to the ongoing U.S. dollar illiquidity situation and due to significant COVID-19 restrictions. Trinidad saw a significant rise in COVID-19 cases during the recent quarter, and the government responded by shutting down all non-essential business and activities. PriceSmart was allowed to continue selling food and other essential goods, but the government prohibited sales of most non-foods/non-essential items by PriceSmart and other local retailers. As a result, we have further reduced shipments of U.S. imports until the infection rate improves and restrictions are eased. We expect the government restrictions to continue into the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021. Refer to “Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” for more discussion on the Trinidad liquidity situation. Aruba also had soft sales in both periods presented due to this market’s on-going economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic due primarily to a reduction in tourism.

Net merchandise sales in our Colombia segment increased 22.4% and 13.1% for the third quarter and the nine-months ended May 31, 2021, respectively. These increases had a 230 basis point (2.3%) and 150 basis point (1.5%) positive impact on total net merchandise sales growth, respectively. The primary driver of the increased revenue for the quarter and nine-month period was due to the additional club added to the segment when compared to the comparable prior year period. We opened our eighth club in Colombia in December 2020. Additionally, the market experienced a strengthening of the local currency during the three-month period.

The following table indicates the impact that currency exchange rates had on our net merchandise sales in dollars and the percentage change from the three and nine-month period ended May 31, 2021. The term “currency exchange rates” refers to the currency exchange rates we use to convert net merchandise and comparable net merchandise sales for all countries where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar into U.S. dollars. We calculate the effect of changes in currency exchange rates as the difference between current period activities translated using the current period’s currency exchange rates and the comparable prior year period’s currency exchange rates. We believe the disclosure of the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations on our results permits investors to understand better the Company’s underlying performance.

	Currency exchange rate fluctuations for the
	Three months ended
	May 31, 2021
	Amount		% change
Central America	$	(10,735)	(2.5)	%
Caribbean		(6,465)	(2.6)
Colombia		5,616	7.1
Net merchandise sales	$	(11,584)	(1.6)	%

	Currency exchange rate fluctuations for the
	Nine months ended
	May 31, 2021
	Amount		% change
Central America	$	(30,812)	(2.2)	%
Caribbean		(26,991)	(3.7)
Colombia		(8,466)	(3.1)
Net merchandise sales	$	(66,269)	(2.7)	%

Overall, the effects of currency fluctuations within our markets had an approximately $11.6 million and $66.3 million, or 160 basis point (1.6%) and 270 basis point (2.7%), negative impact on net merchandise sales for the quarter and nine-months ended May 31, 2021, respectively.

Currency fluctuations had a $10.7 million and $30.8 million, or 250 basis point (2.5%) and 220 basis point (2.2%), negative impact on net merchandise sales in our Central America segment for the quarter and nine months ended May 31, 2021. These currency fluctuations contributed approximately 150 basis points (1.5%) and 130 basis points (1.3%) of the total negative impact on total net merchandise sales for the respective period. The Costa Rica Colón depreciated significantly against the dollar as compared to the same three and nine-month periods a year ago, and was a significant factor in the contribution to the unfavorable currency fluctuations in this segment.

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Currency fluctuations had a $6.5 million and $27.0 million, or 260 basis point (2.6%) and 370 basis point (3.7%), negative impact on net merchandise sales in our Caribbean segment for the quarter and nine months ended May 31, 2021. These currency fluctuations contributed approximately 90 basis points (0.9%) and 110 basis points (1.1%) of the total negative impact on total net merchandise sales for the respective periods. Jamaica and the Dominican Republic markets both experienced currency devaluation when compared to the same periods last year.

Currency fluctuations had a $5.6 million, or 710 basis point (7.1%), positive impact on net merchandise sales in our Colombia segment for the quarter and an $8.5 million, or 310 basis point (3.1%), negative impact on net merchandise sales in our Colombia segment for the nine months ended May 31, 2021. These currency fluctuations contributed approximately 80 basis points (0.8%) of positive impact on total net merchandise sales for the quarter and 30 basis points (0.3%) of the total negative impact on total net merchandise sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2021.

Comparable Merchandise Sales

We report comparable net merchandise sales on a “same week” basis with 13 weeks in each quarter beginning on a Monday and ending on a Sunday. The periods are established at the beginning of the fiscal year to provide as close of a match as possible to the calendar month and quarter that is used for financial reporting purposes. This approach equalizes the number of weekend days and weekdays in each period for improved sales comparison, as we experience higher merchandise club sales on the weekends. Each of the warehouse clubs used in the calculations was open for at least 13 ½ calendar months before its results for the current period were compared with its results for the prior period. As a result, sales related to two of our warehouse clubs opened during calendar year 2020, will not be used in the calculation of comparable sales until they have been open for at least 13 ½ months. Therefore, comparable net merchandise sales includes 45 warehouse clubs for the thirteen and thirty-nine week period ended May 30, 2021.

The following tables indicate the comparable net merchandise sales in the reportable segments in which we operate and the percentage changes in net merchandise sales by segment during the thirteen week and thirty-nine week periods ended May 30, 2021 and May 31, 2020 compared, in each case, to the same period in the prior year.

	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	May 30, 2021		May 31, 2020
	% Increase/(decrease) ‎in comparable ‎net merchandise sales		% Increase/(decrease) ‎in comparable ‎net merchandise sales
Central America	16.0	%	(6.4)	%
Caribbean	(2.5)		6.4
Colombia	3.6		(14.8)
Consolidated comparable net merchandise sales	8.8	%	(3.6)	%

	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	May 30, 2021		May 31, 2020
	% Increase ‎in comparable ‎net merchandise sales		% Increase/(decrease) ‎in comparable ‎net merchandise sales
Central America	5.7	%	(1.4)	%
Caribbean	2.6		3.2
Colombia	2.2		(6.6)
Consolidated comparable net merchandise sales	4.3	%	(0.7)	%

Comparison of Thirteen and Thirty-Nine Week Periods Ended May 30, 2021 and May 31, 2020

Comparable net merchandise sales for those warehouse clubs that were open for at least 13 ½ months for some or all of the thirteen-week period ended May 30, 2021 increased 8.8%. Comparable net merchandise sales for those warehouse clubs that were open for at least 13 ½ months for some or all of the thirty-nine week period ended May 30, 2021 increased 4.3%.

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Comparable net merchandise sales in our Central America segment increased 16.0% and 5.7% for the thirteen week and thirty-nine week periods ended May 30, 2021, respectively. These increases contributed approximately 920 basis points (9.2%) and 330 basis points (3.3%) of positive impact in total comparable merchandise sales for each period, respectively.

For the thirteen-week period ended May 30, 2021, strong performance in the relatively smaller markets of Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador, along with our second largest market, Panama, contributed approximately 1,000 basis points (10.0%) of positive impact on the segment’s comparable net merchandise sales. This increase was offset by an 80 basis point (0.8%) negative impact on the segment’s comparable net merchandise sales from our largest market, Costa Rica. During the quarter, Costa Rica experienced foreign currency exchange headwinds, with the Costa Rica Colón devaluing versus the comparable prior year period.

For the thirty-nine week period ended May 30, 2021, strong performance in the relatively smaller markets of Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador contributed approximately 430 basis points (4.3%) of positive impact on comparable net merchandise sales in this segment. This increase was partially offset by a 100 basis point (1.0%) negative impact on comparable net merchandise sales in this segment from the larger Panama and Costa Rica markets, as Panama had governmental restrictions on days the clubs were permitted to operate throughout the year and due to the devaluation of the Costa Rica Colón.

Comparable net merchandise sales in our Caribbean segment decreased 2.5% and increased 2.6% for the thirteen week and thirty-nine week periods ended May 30, 2021, respectively. The decrease contributed approximately 80 basis points (0.8%) of negative impact on total comparable merchandise sales and the increase contributed approximately 80 basis points (0.8%) of positive impact on total comparable merchandise sales for the respective periods.

Our Dominican Republic market continued its strong performance in the thirteen and thirty-nine week period, despite having a foreign currency exchange devaluation, with 16.7% and 17.0% comparable sales growth, respectively. This strong performance was offset by our Trinidad market, which declined in comparable net merchandise sales for each period presented. Trinidad sales were adversely affected during the third fiscal quarter because we are limiting merchandise shipments to the market due to the ongoing U.S. dollar illiquidity situation. Refer to “Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” for more discussion on the Trinidad illiquidity situation. In addition, the market was also adversely affected by government restrictions imposed in response to a significant increase COVID-19 cases during the quarter as previously described.

Comparable net merchandise sales in our Colombia segment increased 3.6% and 2.2% for the thirteen week and thirty-nine week periods ended May 30, 2021, respectively. These increases contributed approximately 40 basis points (0.4%) and 20 basis points (0.2%) of positive impact in total comparable merchandise sales for the respective periods. The increase in Colombia during the current quarter was primarily due to the foreign currency tailwind partially offset by increasing COVID-19 restrictions and civil unrest that significantly impacted normal commerce in the market, particularly in the city of Cali. Refer to “Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” for more discussion on the political situation in Colombia. The year-to-date increase is primarily due to year-over-year improvements in sales growth due to the comparably improved COVID-19 situation and related restrictions offset by sales transfers from existing clubs to our recent club that opened in December 2020.

The following tables illustrate the impact that changes in foreign currency exchange rates had on our comparable merchandise sales in dollars and the percentage change for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended May 30, 2021.

	Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations for the
	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	May 30, 2021
	Amount		% change
Central America	$	(10,184)	(2.3)	%
Caribbean		(6,195)	(2.5)
Colombia		4,557	5.9
Consolidated comparable net merchandise sales	$	(11,822)	(1.5)	%

	Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations for the
	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	May 30, 2021
	Amount		% change
Central America	$	(29,383)	(2.1)	%

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Caribbean		(26,808)	(3.6)
Colombia		(8,835)	(3.3)
Consolidated comparable net merchandise sales	$	(65,026)	(2.7)	%

Overall, the mix of currency fluctuations within our markets had an approximately $11.8 million and $65.0 million, or 150 basis point (1.5%) and 270 basis point (2.7%), negative impact on comparable net merchandise sales for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended May 30, 2021.

Currency fluctuations within our Central America segment contributed approximately 130 basis points (1.3%) and 120 basis points (1.2%) of negative impact in total comparable merchandise sales for the thirteen and thirty-nine week period, respectively. Our Costa Rica market was the main contributor as the market experienced currency devaluation when compared to the same period last year.

Currency fluctuations within our Caribbean segment contributed approximately 80 basis points (0.8%) and 110 basis points (1.1%) of negative impact in total comparable merchandise sales for the thirteen and thirty-nine week period, respectively. Our Dominican Republic and Jamaica markets experienced currency devaluation when compared to the same period last year.

Currency fluctuations within our Colombia segment contributed approximately 60 basis points (0.6%) of positive impact in total comparable merchandise sales for the thirteen-week period and 40 basis points (0.4%) of negative impact in total comparable merchandise sales for the thirty-nine week period. This reflects the movement of the Colombian peso’s foreign currency exchange rate when compared to the same period a year ago. 

Membership Income

Membership income is recognized ratably over the one-year life of the membership.

	Three Months Ended
	May 31,								May 31,
	2021								2020
	Amount		Increase ‎from ‎prior year		% Change		Membership ‎ income % to ‎net merchandise ‎club sales		Amount
Membership income - Central America	$	8,488	$	294	3.6	%	1.6	%	$	8,194
Membership income - Caribbean		3,927		197	5.3		1.6			3,730
Membership income - Colombia		1,914		313	19.6		2.0			1,601
Membership income - Total	$	14,329	$	804	5.9	%	1.7	%	$	13,525

	Nine Months Ended
	May 31,								May 31,
	2021								2020
	Amount		Increase (decrease) ‎ from ‎prior year		% Change		Membership ‎income % to ‎net merchandise ‎club sales		Amount
Membership income - Central America	$	24,442	$	(496)	(2.0)	%	1.6	%	$	24,938
Membership income - Caribbean		11,453		277	2.5		1.5			11,176
Membership income - Colombia		5,532		282	5.4		1.8			5,250
Membership income - Total	$	41,427	$	63	0.2	%	1.6	%	$	41,364
Number of accounts - Central America		885,522		45,282	5.4	%				840,240
Number of accounts - Caribbean		429,421		599	0.1					428,822
Number of accounts - Colombia		323,890		10,261	3.3					313,629
Number of accounts - Total		1,638,833		56,142	3.5	%				1,582,691

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Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020

The number of Member accounts as of May 31, 2021 was 3.5% higher than the number as of May 31, 2020. Membership income increased 5.9% and 0.2% over the three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to the same prior-year periods.

Membership income increased in our Caribbean and Colombia segments in the nine months ended May 31, 2021. The consolidated increase in membership income is due to an increasing membership base since the start of fiscal year 2021. Since August 31, 2020, all segments have increased their membership base. Colombia had the largest increase in membership base in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 due to the opening of its eighth club in December 2020 and had 6.9% growth, followed by Central America with a 6.8% increase and the Caribbean with a 0.7% increase.

We began offering our Platinum membership program in Nicaragua in October 2020 and in El Salvador in March 2021. We now offer this program in all locations where PriceSmart operates. The annual fee for a Platinum membership in most markets is approximately $75. The Platinum membership program provides Members with a 2% rebate on most items, up to an annual maximum of $500. We record the 2% rebate as a reduction on net merchandise sales at the time of the sales transaction.

Our trailing twelve-month renewal rate was 87.6% and 82.5% for the periods ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020, respectively. With our twelve-month renewal rate at 87.6%, this surpasses our renewal rate immediately preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, which we believe is a key indicator of membership satisfaction and loyalty and demonstrates that our Members recognize the value we bring. Although we continue to see reductions in in-club traffic resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen increased sign-ups and renewals completed online with the launch of a new online catalog and our Click & Go™ services. Approximately 15% and 5% of our membership sign-ups were completed using our online platform for the nine month periods ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020, respectively. Our online platform facilitates capturing data and provides the opportunity for automatic renewal of memberships, as well as improving our digital connection with our Members.

Other Revenue

Other revenue primarily consists of non-merchandise revenue from freight and handling fees generated from our marketplace and casillero operations, interest-generating portfolio from our co-branded credit cards, and rental income from operating leases where the Company is the lessor.

	Three Months Ended
	May 31, 2021						May 31, 2020
	Amount		Increase (decrease) from ‎prior year		% Change		Amount
Non-merchandise revenue	$	10,806	$	3,585	49.6	%	$	7,221
Miscellaneous income		1,646		(215)	(11.6)			1,861
Rental income		792		157	24.7			635
Other revenue	$	13,244	$	3,527	36.3	%	$	9,717

	Nine Months Ended
	May 31, 2021						May 31, 2020
	Amount		Increase (decrease) from ‎prior year		% Change		Amount
Non-merchandise revenue	$	36,479	$	10,312	39.4	%	$	26,167
Miscellaneous income		5,044		(45)	(0.9)			5,089
Rental income		2,264		128	6.0			2,136
Other revenue	$	43,787	$	10,395	31.1	%	$	33,392

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Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020

The primary driver of the increase in other revenue for the quarter and nine-month period is higher package volume in our marketplace and casillero operations, which appears to have increased due to the pandemic.

44

Results of Operations

	Three Months Ended
Results of Operations Consolidated		May 31, 2021			May 31, 2020			Increase
(Amounts in thousands, except percentages and ‎number of warehouse clubs)
Net merchandise sales
Net merchandise sales	$	857,478		$	768,368		$	89,110
Total gross margin	$	136,752		$	107,110		$	29,642
Total gross margin percentage		15.9	%		13.9	%		2.0	%
Revenues
Total revenues	$	895,264		$	799,931		$	95,333
Percentage change from prior period								11.9	%
Comparable net merchandise sales
Total comparable net merchandise sales increase / (decrease)		8.8	%		(3.6)	%		12.4	%
Total revenue margin
Total revenue margin	$	158,963		$	127,175		$	31,788
Total revenue margin percentage		17.8	%		15.9	%		1.9	%
Selling, general and administrative
Selling, general and administrative	$	122,914		$	103,208		$	19,706
Selling, general and administrative percentage of total revenues		13.7	%		12.9	%		0.8	%

	Three Months Ended
		May 31,	% of			May 31,	% of
Results of Operations Consolidated		2021	Total Revenue			2020	Total Revenue
Operating income- by segment
Central America	$	38,313	4.3	%	$	27,606	3.4	%
Caribbean		17,240	1.9			13,547	1.7
Colombia		5,135	0.6			3,487	0.4
United States		545	-			(1,115)	(0.1)
Reconciling Items (1)		(25,184)	(2.8)			(19,558)	(2.4)
Operating income - Total	$	36,049	4.0	%	$	23,967	3.0	%

⁽¹⁾The reconciling items reflect the amount eliminated upon consolidation of intersegment transactions.

45

	Nine Months Ended
Results of Operations Consolidated		May 31, 2021			May 31, 2020			Increase
(Amounts in thousands, except percentages and number of warehouse clubs)
Net merchandise sales
Net merchandise sales	$	2,594,251		$	2,418,822		$	175,429
Total gross margin	$	414,798		$	351,406		$	63,392
Total gross margin percentage		16.0	%		14.5	%		1.5	%
Revenues
Total revenues	$	2,710,265		$	2,518,607		$	191,658
Percentage change from comparable period								7.6	%
Comparable net merchandise sales
Total comparable net merchandise sales increase / (decrease)		4.3	%		(0.7)	%		5.0	%
Total revenue margin
Total revenue margin	$	483,397		$	414,731		$	68,666
Total revenue margin percentage		17.8	%		16.5	%		1.3	%
Selling, general and administrative
Selling, general and administrative	$	357,838		$	321,241		$	36,597
Selling, general and administrative percentage of total revenues		13.2	%		12.8	%		0.4	%
Warehouse clubs
Warehouse clubs at period end		47			45			2
Warehouse club sales square feet at period end		2,325			2,232			93

	Nine Months Ended
		May 31,	% of			May 31,	% of
Results of Operations Consolidated		2021	Total Revenue			2020	Total Revenue
Operating income- by segment
Central America	$	113,120	4.2	%	$	96,972	3.9	%
Caribbean		59,600	2.2			40,436	1.6
Colombia		17,139	0.6			13,411	0.5
United States		8,315	0.3			3,401	0.0
Reconciling Items (1)		(72,615)	(2.7)			(60,730)	(2.4)
Operating income - Total	$	125,559	4.6	%	$	93,490	3.7	%

⁽¹⁾The reconciling items reflect the amount eliminated upon consolidation of intersegment transactions.

46

The following table summarizes the selling, general and administrative expense for the periods disclosed.

	Three Months Ended
		May 31,	% of			May 31,	% of
		2021	Total Revenue			2020	Total Revenue
Warehouse club and other operations	$	89,322	10.0	%	$	78,431	9.8	%
General and administrative		33,225	3.7			24,408	3.1
Pre-opening expenses		1	—			257	—
Loss on disposal of assets		366	—			112	—
Total Selling, general and administrative	$	122,914	13.7	%	$	103,208	12.9	%

	Nine Months Ended
		May 31,	% of			May 31,	% of
		2021	Total Revenue			2020	Total Revenue
Warehouse club and other operations	$	264,603	9.8	%	$	241,826	9.6	%
General and administrative		92,016	3.4			77,910	3.1
Pre-opening expenses		651	—			1,254	0.1
Loss on disposal of assets		568	—			251	—
Total Selling, general and administrative	$	357,838	13.2	%	$	321,241	12.8	%

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020

Total gross margin is derived from our Revenue – Net merchandise sales less our Cost of goods sold – Net merchandise sales and represents our sales and cost of sales generated from the business activities of our warehouse clubs. We express our Total gross margin percentage as a percentage of our Net merchandise sales.

On a consolidated basis, total gross margin for the three months ended May 31, 2021 was 15.9%, 200 basis points (2.0%) higher than the comparable prior year period. Approximately 80 basis points (0.8%) of this increase is due to certain pricing actions we took to offset foreign currency exchange costs and COVID-related operating costs. In particular, we substantially increased the liquidity premium we factor into our sales prices in Trinidad on our imported merchandise, as we continue to experience a shortage of available U.S. dollars for exchange in that market. Refer to “Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” for additional discussion. Of the remaining approximately 120 basis points (1.2%), 50 basis points (0.5%) of this improvement is primarily attributable to returning margin of our other business categories such as food services, tire center, and optical compared to the prior-year period. The remaining 70 basis points (0.7%) is the result of more focused merchandising strategies and inventory management that primarily resulted from fewer markdowns and spoilage.

On a consolidated basis, total gross margin for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 was 16.0%, 150 basis points (1.5%) higher than the comparable prior-year period. Approximately 80 basis points (0.8%) of this increase is due to the pricing actions described above with the remaining 70 basis points (0.7%) primarily attributable to more focused merchandising strategies and inventory management that resulted primarily from fewer markdowns and spoilage.

Total revenue margin is derived from Total revenues, which includes our Net merchandise sales, Membership income, Export sales, and Other revenue and income less our Cost of goods sold for net merchandise sales, Export sales, and Non-merchandise revenues. We express our Total revenue margin as percentage of Total revenues.

Total revenue margin increased 190 basis points (1.9%) for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the prior-year period, which is primarily the result of the higher total gross margins of 200 basis points (2.0%). This increase was offset by 10 basis points (0.1%) from lower revenue margins from our casillero and marketplace business in the current quarter compared to the prior year. Total revenue margin increased 130 basis points (1.3%) for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the prior-year period, which is primarily the result of the higher total gross margins of 150 basis points (1.5%). This increase was offset by 20 basis points (0.2%) from lower revenue margins from our casillero and marketplace business in the current period compared to the prior year.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses consist of warehouse club and other operations, general and administrative expenses, pre-opening expenses, and loss on disposal of assets. In total, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $19.7 million to 13.7% of total revenue compared to 12.9% of total revenues for the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2020.

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Warehouse club and other operations expenses increased to 10.0% of total revenues for the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 compared to 9.8% for the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 primarily due to the opening of a new club in Colombia that had not reached sales maturity as of May 31, 2021.

General and administrative expenses increased to 3.7% of total revenues for the current quarter compared to 3.1% for the third quarter of fiscal year 2020. The 60 basis point (0.6%) increase is primarily due to our continued investments to support our technology development, talent acquisition, and employee development.

In total, selling, general and administrative expenses, increased $36.6 million to 13.2% of total revenues for the nine-month period ended May 31, 2021 compared to 12.8% of total revenues in the same prior year period.

Warehouse club and other operations expenses increased to 9.8% of total revenues for the first nine months of the fiscal year 2021 compared to 9.6% for the prior-year period. Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Honduras together added 20 basis points (0.2%) as a percentage of revenue year over year. Colombia, Guatemala, and Costa Rica have new clubs that had not reached sales maturity as of May 31, 2021, thus increasing the operational expense ratios in those markets, and Honduras experienced currency appreciation during the first nine-month period which led to a slight deleveraging of expenses.

General and administrative expenses increased to 3.4% of total revenues for the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared to 3.1% for the same period in the prior year. The 30 basis point (0.3%) increase is primarily due to our continued investments to support our technology development, talent acquisition, and employee development.

Pre-opening expenses decreased in the third quarter ended May 31, 2021 compared to the same prior year period with no club openings or preparation for an opening in the current quarter. The decrease for the nine-month period is attributable to fewer club openings in fiscal 2021 compared to the prior year period.

Operating income in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 increased to $36.0 million (4.0% of total revenue) compared to $24.0 million (3.0% of total revenue) for the same period last year. This reflects the increase in total revenue margin dollars primarily from net merchandise sales of 180 basis points (1.8%), partially offset by an 80 basis point (0.8%) decrease due to deleveraging of selling, general and administrative expenses over the comparable prior-year period.

Operating income for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 increased to $125.6 million (4.6% of total revenue) compared to $93.5 million (3.7% of total revenue) for the same period last year. This reflects the increase in total revenue margin dollars primarily from net merchandise sales of 130 basis points (1.3%), partially offset by a 40 basis point (0.4%) decrease due to deleveraging of selling, general and administrative expenses over the comparable prior-year period.

Interest Expense

Net interest expense reflects borrowings by PriceSmart, Inc. and our wholly owned foreign subsidiaries to finance new land acquisition and construction for new warehouse clubs, warehouse club expansions and distribution centers, the capital requirements of warehouse club and other operations and ongoing working capital requirements.

	Three Months Ended
	May 31,				May 31,
	2021				2020
	Amount		Change		Amount
Interest expense on loans	$	1,295	$	(925)	$	2,220
Interest expense related to hedging activity		907		287		620
Less: Capitalized interest		(606)		(330)		(276)
Net interest expense	$	1,596	$	(968)	$	2,564

48

	Nine Months Ended
	May 31,				May 31,
	2021				2020
	Amount		Change		Amount
Interest expense on loans	$	4,592	$	(673)	$	5,265
Interest expense related to hedging activity		2,785		1,308		1,477
Less: Capitalized interest		(1,520)		106		(1,626)
Net interest expense	$	5,857	$	741	$	5,116

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020

Net interest expense decreased for the three-month period ended May 31, 2021 primarily due to lower short-term borrowings compared to the comparable prior year period. We drew down on short-term lines of credit in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 as a part of our efforts to secure adequate cash to cover contingencies arising from COVID-19 related risks. We repaid all of these borrowings by the end of the current quarter. The increase in interest expense related to hedging activity is a result of the increase in the volatility of interest rates. We also capitalized more interest compared to a year ago due to the increase of construction projects as we continue to add to our new club pipeline.

Net interest expense increased for the nine-month period ended May 31, 2021 primarily due to higher average long-term loan balances to fund our capital projects in Guatemala and U.S. dollar working capital needs in Trinidad, offset by lower short-term borrowings compared to the comparable prior year period. The increase in interest expense related to hedging activity is a result of the increase in the volatility of interest rates.

Other expense, net

Other expense, net, consists of currency gains or losses, as well as net benefit costs related to our defined benefit plans and the receipt of a one-time indemnification payment from a business combination escrow account.

	Three Months Ended
	May 31,						May 31,
	2021						2020
	Amount		Increase from prior year		% Change		Amount
Other expense, net	$	(2,295)	$	(731)	(46.7)	%	$	(1,564)

	Nine Months Ended
	May 31,						May 31,
	2021						2020
	Amount		Increase ‎from ‎prior year		% Change		Amount
Other expense, net	$	(4,132)	$	(2,306)	(126.3)	%	$	(1,826)

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity (primarily U.S. dollars) are revalued to the functional currency using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. These foreign exchange transaction gains/(losses) are recorded as currency gains or losses. Additionally, gains or losses from transactions denominated in currencies other that the functional currency of the respective entity also generate currency gains or losses.

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021 and 2020

For the three- and nine-months ended May 31, 2021 the primary driver of Other expense, net included losses of $2.2 million and $4.0 million, respectively, associated with foreign currency transactions and the revaluation of monetary assets and liabilities in several of our markets. The foreign currency gains and losses resulted from the revaluation of net U.S. dollar assets

49

and liabilities in markets where the local functional currency revalued or devalued against the U.S. dollar and from exchange transactions.

The primary impacts during the quarter were higher transaction costs associated with converting Trinidad dollars into available tradeable currencies such as Euros or Canadian dollars before converting them to U.S. dollars. Additionally, the Jamaican dollar appreciated, which resulted in a loss recognized on our net U.S. dollar asset position in that market. The primary impacts during the nine-month period were higher transaction costs associated with converting Trinidad dollars into available tradeable currencies such as Euros or Canadian dollars, before converting them to U.S. dollars. This was partially offset by an appreciation of the Honduran Lempira, which resulted in a gain from our net U.S. dollar liability position in that market.

Provision for Income Taxes

	Three Months Ended
	May 31,					May 31,
	2021					2020
	Amount			Increase  from prior year		Amount
Provision for income taxes	$	10,082		$	2,338	$	7,744
Effective tax rate		30.9	%				38.0	%

	Nine Months Ended
	May 31,					May 31,
	2021					2020
	Amount			Increase ‎ from ‎prior year		Amount
Provision for income taxes	$	38,265		$	8,416	$	29,849
Effective tax rate		32.7	%				33.9	%

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020

For the three months ended May 31, 2021, the effective tax rate was 30.9%. The decrease in the effective tax rate versus the prior year was primarily attributable to the following factors:

A comparably favorable benefit from recurring items of 8.4%, primarily because we were able to recognize greater benefits from foreign tax credits in the current year three-month period compared to the prior-year period due to higher income before the provision for income taxes for the current quarter, and improvements in other tax credits in our countries of operation; and

A comparably unfavorable net tax impact from non-recurring items, of 1.3%, primarily related to changes in uncertain tax positions.

For the nine months ended May 31, 2021, the effective tax rate was 32.7%. The decrease in the effective tax rate versus the prior year was primarily attributable to the following factors:

A comparably favorable benefit from recurring items, of 3.7%, primarily because we were able to recognize greater benefits from foreign tax credits in the current year three-month period compared to the prior-year period due to higher income before the provision for income taxes for the current nine-month period and improvements in other tax credits in our countries of operation; and

A comparably unfavorable net tax impact from non-recurring items, of 2.5%, primarily related to changes in uncertain tax positions.

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Other Comprehensive Loss

	Three Months Ended
	May 31,						May 31,
	2021						2020
	Amount		Change		% Change		Amount
Other comprehensive loss	$	(2,590)	$	12,856	83.2	%	$	(15,446)

	Nine Months Ended
	May 31,						May 31,
	2021						2020
	Amount		Change		% Change		Amount
Other comprehensive loss	$	(548)	$	23,132	97.7	%	$	(23,680)

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020

Our other comprehensive loss of approximately $2.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 resulted primarily from the comprehensive loss of approximately $3.0 million from foreign currency translation adjustments related to assets and liabilities and the translation of revenue, costs and expenses on the statements of income of our subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, offset by approximately $381,000 related to unrealized gains on changes in our derivative obligations. Other comprehensive loss for nine-months ended May 31, 2021 of approximately $548,000 was primarily the result of the comprehensive loss of $2.6 million from foreign currency translation adjustments offset by approximately $1.9 million related to unrealized gains on changes in the fair value of our derivative obligations. For the quarter, the Costa Rica Colón and Colombia Peso exchange rate with the U.S. Dollar declined significantly, and these declines were offset by an appreciation of the Dominican Republic Peso over the same period. For the nine-month period, the Costa Rica Colón exchange rate with the U.S. Dollar declined significantly and this decline was offset by an appreciation of the Colombian Peso and the Dominican Republic Peso over the same period.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Financial Position and Cash Flow

Our operations have historically supplied us with a significant source of liquidity. We generate cash from operations primarily through net merchandise sales and membership fees. Cash used in operations generally consist of payments to our merchandise vendors, warehouse club and distribution center operating costs (including payroll, employee benefits and utilities), as well as payments for income taxes. Our cash flows provided by operating activities, supplemented with our long-term debt and short-term borrowings, have generally been sufficient to fund our operations while allowing us to invest in activities that support the long-term growth of our operations and to pay dividends on our common stock. We evaluate our funding requirements on a regular basis to cover any shortfall in our ability to generate sufficient cash from operations to meet our capital requirements. We may consider funding alternatives to provide additional liquidity if necessary. Refer to “Item 1. Financial Statements: Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 7 - Debt” for additional information regarding our available short-term facilities, short-term and long-term borrowings, and any repayments.

Repatriation of cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries may require us to accrue and pay taxes. We have no plans at this time to repatriate cash through the payment of cash dividends by our foreign subsidiaries to our domestic operations and, therefore, have not accrued taxes that would be due from repatriation.

The following table summarizes the cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, held by our foreign subsidiaries and domestically (in thousands).

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Amounts held by foreign subsidiaries	$	158,064	$	203,598
Amounts held domestically		40,376		100,173
Total cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash	$	198,440	$	303,771

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The following table summarizes the short-term investments held by our foreign subsidiaries and domestically (in thousands).

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Amounts held by foreign subsidiaries	$	67,068	$	46,509
Amounts held domestically		—		—
Total short-term investments	$	67,068	$	46,509

As of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, certificates of deposit with a maturity of over one year held by our foreign subsidiaries and domestically were $1.5 million in both periods.

From time to time, we have experienced a lack of availability of U.S. dollars in certain markets (U.S. dollar illiquidity). This impedes our ability to convert local currencies obtained through merchandise sales into U.S. dollars to settle the U.S. dollar liabilities associated with our imported products or otherwise fund our operations. Since fiscal 2017, we have experienced this situation in Trinidad and have been unable to source a sufficient level of tradeable currencies. We are working with our banks in Trinidad and government officials to source tradeable currencies. We expect the illiquid market conditions in Trinidad to continue and are considering various measures to address the adverse effect of this situation on the Company’s liquidity. In addition, our Barbados subsidiary recently began facing a similar U.S. dollar liquidity situation. Refer to “Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” for our quantitative analysis and discussion.

Our cash flows are summarized as follows (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,
	2021		2020		Change
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	79,967	$	174,130	$	(94,163)
Net cash used in investing activities		(93,991)		(113,978)		19,987
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(88,956)		101,508		(190,464)
Effect of exchange rates		(2,351)		(1,872)		(479)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	(105,331)	$	159,788	$	(265,119)

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $80.0 million and $174.1 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020, respectively. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to the increase in our inventory position and the higher net settlement of accounts payable versus the comparable prior year period, which was partially offset by a significant increase in net income for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 over the prior-year period.

Inventory was $336.7 million as of May 31, 2021, compared with $309.5 million and $268.8 million at August 31, 2020 and May 31, 2020, respectively. The increase over the balances as of May 31, 2020 reflects our efforts to bring our inventory levels in-line with our sales trends. In addition, the lower balance as May 31, 2020 reflected the rapid sell-through of merchandise as Members stockpiled items in anticipation of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in the third fiscal quarter of 2020 and the reduction of certain non-food categories to align with initial consumer preferences at the start of the pandemic. We have made strategic investments in inventory to avoid future out-of-stocks on high volume items that have been impacted from container, commodity, and electronic part shortages. Lastly, we have two additional clubs in the current year. Accounts payable was $341.0 million as of May 31, 2021, compared with $373.2 million and $283.0 million at August 31, 2020 and May 31, 2020, respectively. The decrease from the balances as of August 31, 2020 is largely the result of the expiration of temporary extensions of vendor terms negotiated as part of our response to the pandemic in fiscal 2020. However, on average and although not quite to the same extent, we have been able to permanently extend some of our vendor payment terms.

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $94.0 million and $114.0 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020. The decrease is primarily the result of a decrease in construction expenditures and an increase in the net proceeds of short-term and long-term certificate of deposit purchases and settlements compared to the same nine-month period a year-ago. The increase in net proceeds from certificates of deposit is primarily a result of improved sources versus uses of U.S. dollars in Trinidad during our fiscal third quarter, reducing our need to invest Trinidad dollars. Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” for additional discussion of the current U.S. dollar illiquidity we are experiencing in that market.

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Net cash used in financing activities totaled $89.0 million and net cash provided by financing activities was $101.5 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020, respectively. We use cash flows provided by financing primarily to fund our working capital needs, our warehouse club and distribution center acquisitions and expansions, and investments in technology to support our omni-channel initiatives. The $190.5 million shift from cash provided by to cash used in financing activities is primarily the result of a net decrease of proceeds from long-term borrowings and a net decrease in short-term borrowings compared to the same nine-month period a year-ago. In the prior year period, we executed long-term loans primarily to finance land purchases and construction of several of our warehouse clubs and increased our short-term borrowings as part of our cash management strategy in the early stages of the pandemic.

The following table summarizes the dividends declared and paid during fiscal year 2021 (amounts are per share).

First Payment

Second Payment

Declared

Amount

Record ‎Date

Date ‎Paid

Date ‎Payable

Amount

Record ‎Date

Date ‎Paid

Date ‎Payable

Amount

2/4/2021

$

0.70

2/15/2021

2/26/2021

N/A

$

0.35

8/15/2021

N/A

8/31/2021

$

0.35

2/6/2020

$

0.70

2/15/2020

2/28/2020

N/A

$

0.35

8/15/2020

8/31/2020

N/A

$

0.35

We anticipate the ongoing payment of semi-annual dividends in subsequent periods, although the actual declaration of future dividends, the amount of such dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates is subject to final determination by the Board of Directors at its discretion after its review of our financial performance and anticipated capital requirements, taking into account all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results of operations and cash flows.

Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt

Our financing strategy is to ensure liquidity and access to capital markets while minimizing our borrowing costs. The proceeds of these borrowings were or will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, funding for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, and repayment of existing debt. Please refer to “Item 1. Financial Statements: Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 7 – Debt.”

Derivatives

Please refer to “Item 1. Financial Statements: Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” for further discussion.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a material current or future effect on its financial condition or consolidated financial statements.

Repurchase of Equity Securities and Reissuance of Treasury Shares

At the vesting dates for restricted stock awards to our employees, we repurchase a portion of the shares that have vested at the prior day's closing price per share and apply the proceeds to pay the employees' minimum statutory tax withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted stock awards. The Company expects to continue this practice going forward. We do not currently have a stock repurchase program.

Shares of common stock repurchased by us are recorded at cost as treasury stock and result in the reduction of stockholders’ equity in our consolidated balance sheets. We may reissue these treasury shares in the future.

We have reissued treasury shares as part of our stock-based compensation programs.  During the nine-months ended May 31, 2021, we reissued 96,400 treasury shares.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires that management make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Some of our accounting policies require management to make difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Management continues to review its accounting policies and evaluate its estimates, including those related to business acquisitions, contingencies and litigation, income taxes, value added taxes, and long-lived assets. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the present circumstances. Using different estimates could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Income Taxes

For interim reporting, we estimate an annual effective tax rate (AETR) pursuant to ASC 740-270 to calculate income tax expense. Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best estimate of current and future taxes to be paid. We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in the determination of the consolidated income tax expense. Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, which will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets in the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In projecting future taxable income, we begin with historical results adjusted for the results of discontinued operations and incorporate assumptions about the amount of future state, federal, and foreign pretax operating income adjusted for items that do not have tax consequences. The assumptions about future taxable income require the use of significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, we consider three years of cumulative operating income (loss).

We are required to file federal and state income tax returns in the United States and various other tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The preparation of these tax returns requires us to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax we pay. We, in consultation with our tax advisors, base our tax returns on interpretations that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The tax returns, however, are subject to routine reviews by the various taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which we file our tax returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with respect to the interpretations we used to calculate our tax liability and, therefore, require us to pay additional taxes.

We accrue an amount for our estimate of probable additional income tax liability. In certain cases, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50% likelihood of being sustained. This requires significant judgment, the use of estimates, and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. When facts and circumstances change, we reassess these probabilities and record any changes in the consolidated financial statements as appropriate. As of May 31, 2021, the Company's uncertain income tax position balance has been reduced by $1.2 million since August 31, 2020 due to the expiration of statutes of limitation and other current year estimate adjustments.

54

Tax Receivables

We pay Value Added Tax (“VAT”) or similar taxes, income taxes, and other taxes within the normal course of our business in most of the countries in which we operate related to the procurement of merchandise and/or services we acquire and/or on sales and taxable income. VAT is a form of indirect tax applied to the value added at each stage of production (primary, manufacturing, wholesale and retail). This tax is similar to, but operates somewhat differently than, sales tax paid in the United States. We generally collect VAT from our Members upon sale of goods and services and pay VAT to our vendors upon purchase of goods and services. Periodically, we submit VAT reports to governmental agencies and reconcile the VAT paid and VAT received. The net overpaid VAT may be refunded or applied to subsequent returns, and the net underpaid VAT must be remitted to the government. With respect to income taxes paid, if the estimated income taxes paid or withheld exceed the actual income tax due this creates an income tax receivable. In most countries where we operate, the governments have implemented additional collection procedures, such as requiring credit card processors to remit a portion of sales processed via credit and debit cards directly to the government as advance payments of VAT and/or income tax. This collection mechanism generally leaves us with net VAT and/or income tax receivables, forcing us to process significant refund claims on a recurring basis. These refund or offset processes can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete.

In most countries where we operate, there are defined and structured processes to recover VAT receivables via refunds or offsets. However, in one country without a clearly defined refund process, the Company is actively engaged with the local government to recover VAT receivables totaling $9.1 million and $7.0 million as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively. In addition, in two other countries where the Company operates, there have been changes in the method of computing minimum tax payments under which the governments have sought to require the Company to pay taxes based on a percentage of sales rather than taxable income. As a result, we have made and may continue to make income tax payments substantially in excess of those we would expect to pay based on taxable income. The Company had income tax receivables of $11.0 million and $10.4 million and deferred tax assets of $3.2 million and $2.8 million as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively, in these countries. While the rules related to refunds of income tax receivables in these countries are either unclear or complex, the Company has not placed any type of allowance on the recoverability of these tax receivables or deferred tax assets because the Company believes that it is more likely than not that it will ultimately succeed in its refund requests. Similarly, we have not placed any recoverability allowances on tax receivables that arise from payments we are required to make originating from tax assessments that we are appealing, as we believe it is more likely than not that we will ultimately prevail in the related appeals. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be successful in recovering all tax receivables or deferred tax assets.

Our policy for classification and presentation of VAT receivables, income tax receivables and other tax receivables is as follows:

Short-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other current assets: This classification is used for any countries where our subsidiary has generally demonstrated the ability to recover the VAT or income tax receivable within one year. We also classify as short-term any approved refunds or credit notes to the extent that we expect to receive the refund or use the credit notes within one year.

Long-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other non-current assets: This classification is used for amounts not approved for refund or credit in countries where our subsidiary has not demonstrated the ability to obtain refunds within one year and/or for amounts which are subject to outstanding disputes. An allowance is provided against VAT and income tax receivable balances in dispute when we do not expect to eventually prevail in our recovery of such balances. We do not currently have any allowances provided against VAT and income tax receivables.

Long-lived Assets

We evaluate quarterly our long-lived assets for indicators of impairment. Indicators that an asset may be impaired are:

the asset's inability to continue to generate income from operations and positive cash flow in future periods;

loss of legal ownership or title to the asset;

significant changes in its strategic business objectives and utilization of the asset(s); and

the impact of significant negative industry or economic trends.

55

Management's judgments are based on market and operational conditions at the time of the evaluation and can include management's best estimate of future business activity, which in turn drives estimates of future cash flows from these assets. These periodic evaluations could cause management to conclude that impairment factors exist, which could require an adjustment of these assets to their then-current fair market value. Loss/(gain) on disposal of assets recorded during the years reported resulted from improvements to operations and normal preventive maintenance.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangibles

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived acquired intangible assets are not amortized but are evaluated for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value of a certain asset may be impaired. Generally, this evaluation begins with a qualitative assessment to determine whether a quantitative impairment test is necessary. If we determine, after performing an assessment based on the qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount, or that a fair value of the reporting unit substantially in excess of the carrying amount cannot be assured, then a quantitative impairment test would be performed. The quantitative test for impairment requires management to make judgments relating to future cash flows, growth rates and economic and market conditions. These evaluations are based on determining the fair value of a reporting unit or asset using a valuation method such as discounted cash flow or a relative, market-based approach. Historically, our reporting units and other indefinite-lived acquired intangible assets have generated sufficient returns to recover the cost of goodwill and other indefinite-lived acquired intangible assets. Because of the nature of the factors used in these tests, if different conditions occur in future periods, future operating results could be materially impacted. For approximately $45.1 million of certain acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets, the fair value approximated the carrying value; any deterioration in the fair value may result in an impairment charge.

Seasonality

Historically, our merchandising businesses have experienced holiday retail seasonality in their markets. In addition to seasonal fluctuations, our operating results fluctuate quarter-to-quarter as a result of economic and political events in markets that we serve, the timing of holidays, weather, the timing of shipments, product mix, and currency effects on the cost of U.S.-sourced products which may make these products more or less expensive in local currencies and therefore more or less affordable. Because of such fluctuations, the results of operations of any quarter are not indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year or any future quarter. In addition, there can be no assurance that our future results will be consistent with past results or the projections of securities analysts.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risks relating to our operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in currency exchange rates. There have been no material changes in our market risk factors at May 31, 2021 compared to those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020.

From time to time, we have experienced a lack of availability of U.S. dollars in certain markets (U.S. dollar illiquidity).  This impedes our ability to convert local currencies obtained through merchandise sales into U.S. dollars to settle the U.S. dollar liabilities associated with our imported products. Since fiscal year 2017, we have experienced this situation in Trinidad and have been unable to source a sufficient level of tradeable currencies.  We are working with our banks in Trinidad and Barbados to source tradeable currencies. We expect the illiquid market conditions in both markets to continue. Refer to “Item 2. Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” and “Item 2. Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Liquidity: Financial Position and Cash Flow” for our quantitative analysis and discussion.

Information about the financial impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations for the three and nine-month period ended May 31, 2021 is disclosed in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Other Expense, net”.

Information about the change in the fair value of our hedges and the financial impact thereof for the three and nine-month period ended May 31, 2021 is disclosed in “Item 1. Financial Statements: Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”

Information about the movements in currency exchange rates and the related impact on the translation of the balance sheets of our subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar for the three and nine-month period ended May 31, 2021 is disclosed in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Other Comprehensive Loss.”

56

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the timelines specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decision regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and in reaching a reasonable level of assurance, management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Also, we have investments in certain unconsolidated entities. Because we do not control or manage those entities, our control procedures with respect to those entities were substantially more limited than those we maintain with respect to our consolidated subsidiaries.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by SEC Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e), we carried out an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon their evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

In the ordinary course of business, we review our system of internal control over financial reporting and make changes to our systems and processes to improve controls and increase efficiency, while ensuring that we maintain an effective internal control environment. Changes may include such activities as implementing new, more efficient systems and automating manual processes. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

The certifications required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are filed as Exhibit 31.1 and 31.2 to this report.

57

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are often involved in claims arising in the ordinary course of business seeking monetary damages and other relief. Based upon information currently available to us, none of these claims is expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the reader should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I. “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2020. There have been no material changes in the Company's risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(a)           None.

(b)           None.

(c)           Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers.

Upon vesting of restricted stock awarded by the Company to employees, the Company repurchases shares and withholds the amount of the repurchase payment to cover employees’ tax withholding obligations. As set forth in the table below, during the quarter ended May 31, 2021, the Company repurchased 3,407 shares in the indicated months. These were the only repurchases of equity securities made by the Company during the third quarter of fiscal year 2021. The Company does not have a stock repurchase program.

Period	(a) ‎Total Number ‎of Shares ‎Purchased		(b) ‎Average Price ‎Paid Per Share		(c) ‎Total Number ‎of Shares ‎Purchased ‎as Part of ‎Publicly ‎Announced ‎Plans or ‎Programs		(d) ‎Maximum ‎Number of ‎Shares That ‎May Yet Be ‎Purchased ‎Under the ‎Plans or ‎Programs
March 1, 2021 - March 31, 2021		3,108	$	98.37		—		N/A
April 1, 2021 - April 30, 2021		299	$	97.77		—		N/A
May 1, 2021 - May 31, 2021		—	$	—		—		N/A
Total		3,407	$	98.31		—		—

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

58

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits:

3.1(1)	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
3.2(2)	Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
3.3(3)	Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
3.4(4)	Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.
31.1	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1**	Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2**	Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS	Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

*	Identifies management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
**	These certifications are being furnished solely to accompany this Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, and are not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of PriceSmart, Inc., whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

⁽¹⁾Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1997 filed with the Commission on November 26, 1997.

⁽²⁾Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004 filed with the Commission on April 14, 2004.

⁽³⁾Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2004 filed with the Commission on November 24, 2004.

⁽⁴⁾Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 17, 2015.

59

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

		PRICESMART, INC.
Date:	July 8, 2021	By:	/s/ SHERRY S. BAHRAMBEYGUI
			Sherry S. Bahrambeygui
			Chief Executive Officer
			(Principal Executive Officer)
Date:	July 8, 2021	By:	/s/ MICHAEL L. MCCLEARY
			Michael L. McCleary
			Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
			(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

60

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certification

I, Sherry S. Bahrambeygui, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of PriceSmart, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	July  8,2021	/s/SHERRY S. BAHRAMBEYGUI
		Sherry S. Bahrambeygui
		ChiefExecutiveOfficer
		(PrincipalExecutiveOfficer)

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Certification

I, Michael L. McCleary, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of PriceSmart, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	July  8,2021	/s/MICHAEL L. MCCLEARY
		Michael L. McCleary
		ExecutiveVicePresidentandChiefFinancialOfficer
		(PrincipalFinancialOfficerandPrincipalAccountingOfficer)

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned officer of PriceSmart, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby certifies, to such officer's knowledge, that:

(i) the accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2021 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(ii) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	July  8,2021	/s/SHERRY S. BAHRAMBEYGUI
		Sherry S. Bahrambeygui
		ChiefExecutiveOfficer
		(PrincipalExecutiveOfficer)

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely to accompany the Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, and is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing. A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned officer of PriceSmart, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby certifies, to such officer's knowledge, that:

(i) the accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period May 31, 2021 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(ii) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	July8,2021	/s/MICHAEL L. MCCLEARY
		Michael L. McCleary
		ExecutiveVicePresidentandChiefFinancialOfficer
		(PrincipalFinancialOfficerandPrincipalAccountingOfficer)

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely to accompany the Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, and is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing. A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

XML

Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	May 31, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-22793
Entity Registrant Name	PriceSmart, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	33-0628530
Entity Address, Address Line One	9740 Scranton Road
Entity Address, City or Town	San Diego
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92121
City Area Code	858
Local Phone Number	404-8800
Entity Central Index Key	0001041803
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.0001 par value
Trading Symbol	PSMT
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		30,783,266

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 190,687	$ 299,481
Short-term restricted cash	781	185
Short-term investments	67,068	46,509
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $166 as of May 31, 2021 and $147 as of August 31, 2020, respectively	12,221	13,153
Merchandise inventories	336,645	309,509
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	31,812	30,165
Total current assets	639,214	699,002
Long-term restricted cash	6,972	4,105
Property and equipment, net	716,337	692,279
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net	125,998	119,533
Goodwill	45,142	45,206
Other intangibles, net	8,368	10,166
Deferred tax assets	22,872	21,672
Other non-current assets (includes $1,160 and $872 as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively, for the fair value of derivative instruments)	56,483	54,260
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	10,569	10,602
Total Assets	1,631,955	1,656,825
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings		65,143
Accounts payable	341,007	373,172
Accrued salaries and benefits	37,240	32,946
Deferred income	27,255	23,525
Income taxes payable	9,740	7,727
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities	27,959	37,731
Operating lease liabilities, current portion	8,486	8,594
Dividends payable	10,755
Long-term debt, current portion	20,554	19,437
Total current liabilities	482,996	568,275
Deferred tax liability	1,759	1,713
Long-term income taxes payable, net of current portion	3,947	5,132
Long-term operating lease liabilities	131,510	124,181
Long-term debt, net of current portion	101,294	112,610
Other long-term liabilities (includes $3,154 and $4,685 for the fair value of derivative instruments and $6,665 and $6,155 for post-employment plans as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively)	10,665	12,182
Total Liabilities	732,171	824,093
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock $0.0001 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized; 31,456,121 and 31,417,576 shares issued and 30,777,829 and 30,670,712 shares outstanding (net of treasury shares) as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively	3	3
Additional paid-in capital	459,812	454,455
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(177,368)	(176,820)
Retained earnings	639,472	582,487
Less: treasury stock at cost, 678,292 shares as of May 31, 2021 and 746,864 shares as of August 31, 2020	(23,116)	(28,406)
Total stockholders' equity attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. stockholders	898,803	831,719
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	981	1,013
Total Stockholders' Equity	899,784	832,732
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 1,631,955	$ 1,656,825

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Abstract]
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 166	$ 147
Other non-current assets, fair value of derivative instruments	1,160	872
Other long-term liabilities, fair value of derivative instruments	3,154	4,685
Other long-term liabilities, post-employment plans	$ 6,665	$ 6,155
Common stock, par value per share	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized	45,000,000	45,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	31,456,121	31,417,576
Common stock, shares outstanding	30,777,829	30,670,712
Treasury stock, shares	678,292	746,864

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020
Revenues:
Net merchandise sales	$ 857,478	$ 768,368	$ 2,594,251	$ 2,418,822
Export sales	10,213	8,321	30,800	25,029
Membership income	14,329	13,525	41,427	41,364
Other revenue and income	13,244	9,717	43,787	33,392
Total revenues	895,264	799,931	2,710,265	2,518,607
Cost of goods sold:
Net merchandise sales	720,726	661,258	2,179,453	2,067,416
Export sales	9,820	7,995	29,568	24,044
Non-merchandise	5,755	3,503	17,847	12,416
Selling, general and administrative:
Warehouse club and other operations	89,322	78,431	264,603	241,826
General and administrative	33,225	24,408	92,016	77,910
Pre-opening expenses	1	257	651	1,254
Loss on disposal of assets	366	112	568	251
Total operating expenses	859,215	775,964	2,584,706	2,425,117
Operating income	36,049	23,967	125,559	93,490
Other income (expense):
Interest income	518	554	1,454	1,433
Interest expense	(1,596)	(2,564)	(5,857)	(5,116)
Other expense, net	(2,295)	(1,564)	(4,132)	(1,826)
Total other expense	(3,373)	(3,574)	(8,535)	(5,509)
Income before provision for income taxes and loss of unconsolidated affiliates	32,676	20,393	117,024	87,981
Provision for income taxes	(10,082)	(7,744)	(38,265)	(29,849)
Loss of unconsolidated affiliates	(13)	(16)	(34)	(79)
Net income	22,581	12,633	78,725	58,053
Less: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(52)	72	(223)	(20)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.	$ 22,529	$ 12,705	$ 78,502	$ 58,033
Net income attributable to PriceSmart Inc, per share available for distribution:
Basic	$ 0.73	$ 0.41	$ 2.55	$ 1.90
Diluted	$ 0.73	$ 0.41	$ 2.55	$ 1.90
Shares used in per share computations:
Basic	30,414	30,271	30,396	30,268
Diluted	30,446	30,275	30,423	30,273

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) [Abstract]
Net income		$ 22,581	$ 12,633	$ 78,725	$ 58,053
Less: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(52)	72	(223)	(20)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		22,529	12,705	78,502	58,033
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	[1]	(3,007)	(12,874)	(2,577)	(19,981)
Defined benefit pension plan:
Net gain/(loss) arising during period		3	(16)	65	(3)
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial gains included in net periodic pensions cost		33	19	99	56
Total defined benefit pension plan		36	3	164	53
Derivative instruments:
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in derivative obligations	[2]	(667)	(1,471)	488	(208)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps	[2]	1,048	(1,104)	1,377	(6,295)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to other expense, net for settlement of derivatives	[2]				2,751
Total derivative instruments	[2]	381	(2,575)	1,865	(3,752)
Other comprehensive loss		(2,590)	(15,446)	(548)	(23,680)
Comprehensive income/(loss)		19,939	(2,741)	77,954	34,353
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		33	35	91	90
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		$ 19,906	$ (2,776)	$ 77,863	$ 34,263

[1] Translation adjustments arising in translating the financial statements of a foreign entity have no effect on the income taxes of that foreign entity. They may, however, affect: (a) the amount, measured in the parent entity's reporting currency, of withholding taxes assessed on dividends paid to the parent entity and (b) the amount of taxes assessed on the parent entity by the government of its country. The Company has determined that the reinvestment of earnings of its foreign subsidiaries are indefinite because of the long-term nature of the Company's foreign investment plans. Therefore, deferred taxes are not provided for on translation adjustments related to non-remitted earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries.

[2] See Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total Stockholders' Equity Attributable To PriceSmart, Inc. [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Aug. 31, 2019	$ 3	$ 454,570	$ (144,339)	$ 525,804	$ (38,687)	$ 797,351	$ 928	$ 798,279
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2019	31,461,000				924,000
Purchase of treasury stock					$ (1,585)	(1,585)		(1,585)
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)					26,000
Issuance of treasury stock		(8,657)			$ 8,657
Issuance of treasury stock (in shares)	(174,000)				(174,000)
Issuance of restricted stock award (in shares)	166,000
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards (in shares)	(28,000)
Stock-based compensation		9,976				9,976		9,976
Dividend paid to stockholders				(10,710)		(10,710)	(101)	(10,811)
Dividend payable to stockholders				(10,719)		(10,719)		(10,719)
Net income (loss)				58,033		58,033	20	58,053
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(23,680)			(23,680)	90	(23,590)
Balance at May. 31, 2020	$ 3	455,889	(168,019)	562,408	$ (31,615)	818,666	937	819,603
Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2020	31,425,000				776,000
Balance at Aug. 31, 2019	$ 3	454,570	(144,339)	525,804	$ (38,687)	797,351	928	798,279
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2019	31,461,000				924,000
Balance at Aug. 31, 2020	$ 3	454,455	(176,820)	582,487	$ (28,406)	831,719	1,013	$ 832,732
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2020	31,418,000				747,000			30,670,712
Balance at Feb. 29, 2020	$ 3	452,858	(152,573)	549,703	$ (32,098)	817,893	974	$ 818,867
Balance (in shares) at Feb. 29, 2020	31,451,000				852,000
Purchase of treasury stock					$ (204)	(204)		(204)
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)					4,000
Issuance of treasury stock		(687)			$ 687
Issuance of treasury stock (in shares)	(80,000)				(80,000)
Issuance of restricted stock award (in shares)	57,000
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards (in shares)	(3,000)
Stock-based compensation		3,718				3,718		3,718
Net income (loss)				12,705		12,705	(72)	12,633
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(15,446)			(15,446)	35	(15,411)
Balance at May. 31, 2020	$ 3	455,889	(168,019)	562,408	$ (31,615)	818,666	937	819,603
Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2020	31,425,000				776,000
Balance at Aug. 31, 2020	$ 3	454,455	(176,820)	582,487	$ (28,406)	831,719	1,013	$ 832,732
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2020	31,418,000				747,000			30,670,712
Purchase of treasury stock					$ (2,574)	(2,574)		$ (2,574)
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)					27,000
Issuance of treasury stock		(7,864)			$ 7,864
Issuance of treasury stock (in shares)	(96,000)				(96,000)
Issuance of restricted stock award (in shares)	137,000
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards (in shares)	(3,000)
Stock-based compensation		13,221				13,221		13,221
Dividend paid to stockholders				(10,762)		(10,762)	(346)	(11,108)
Dividend payable to stockholders				(10,755)		(10,755)		(10,755)
Net income (loss)				78,502		78,502	223	78,725
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(548)			(548)	91	(457)
Balance at May. 31, 2021	$ 3	459,812	(177,368)	639,472	$ (23,116)	898,803	981	$ 899,784
Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2021	31,456,000				678,000			30,777,829
Balance at Feb. 28, 2021	$ 3	454,881	(174,778)	616,943	$ (22,781)	874,268	983	$ 875,251
Balance (in shares) at Feb. 28, 2021	31,452,000				675,000
Purchase of treasury stock					$ (335)	(335)		(335)
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)					3,000
Issuance of restricted stock award (in shares)	4,000
Stock-based compensation		4,931				4,931		4,931
Dividend paid to stockholders							(87)	(87)
Net income (loss)				22,529		22,529	52	22,581
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(2,590)			(2,590)	33	(2,557)
Balance at May. 31, 2021	$ 3	$ 459,812	$ (177,368)	$ 639,472	$ (23,116)	$ 898,803	$ 981	$ 899,784
Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2021	31,456,000				678,000			30,777,829

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020
Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 22,581	$ 12,633	$ 78,725	$ 58,053
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			48,350	44,867
Allowance for doubtful accounts			19	(18)
Loss on sale of property and equipment			568	251
Deferred income taxes			(2,748)	(4,079)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates	13	16	34	79
Stock-based compensation			13,221	9,976
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets, non-current assets, accrued salaries and benefits, deferred membership income and other accruals			6,147	(157)
Merchandise inventories			(27,136)	62,511
Accounts payable			(37,213)	2,647
Net cash provided by operating activities			79,967	174,130
Investing Activities:
Additions to property and equipment			(73,350)	(89,713)
Purchases of short-term investments			(58,355)	(31,711)
Proceeds from settlements of short-term investments			37,605	8,891
Purchases of long-term investments			(1,479)	(1,489)
Proceeds from settlements of long-term investments			1,479
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment			109	44
Net cash used in investing activities			(93,991)	(113,978)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term bank borrowings			3,000	57,820
Repayment of long-term bank borrowings			(13,135)	(7,542)
Proceeds from short-term bank borrowings				271,014
Repayment of short-term bank borrowings			(64,916)	(207,368)
Cash dividend payments			(11,108)	(10,811)
Purchase of treasury stock			(2,574)	(1,585)
Other financing activities			(223)	(20)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(88,956)	101,508
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash			(2,351)	(1,872)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents			(105,331)	159,788
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period			303,771	106,236
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	198,440	266,024	198,440	266,024
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing activities:
Capital expenditures accrued, but not yet paid			8,763	7,975
Dividends declared but not yet paid	10,755	10,719	10,755	10,719
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash:
Cash and cash equivalents	190,687	261,788	190,687	261,788
Short-term restricted cash	781	240	781	240
Long-term restricted cash	6,972	3,996	6,972	3,996
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows	$ 198,440	$ 266,024	$ 198,440	$ 266,024

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COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2021
COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION [Abstract]
COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION	NOTE 1 – COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart,” the “Company,” or "we") business consists primarily of international membership shopping warehouse clubs similar to, but typically smaller in size than, warehouse clubs in the United States. As of May 31, 2021, the Company had 47 warehouse clubs in operation in 12 countries and one U.S. territory (eight in Costa Rica and Colombia; seven in Panama; five in the Dominican Republic, four in Trinidad and Guatemala; three in Honduras; two each in El Salvador and Nicaragua; and one each in Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica and the United States Virgin Islands), of which the Company owns 100% of the corresponding legal entities (see Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies). The Company also plans to open new warehouse clubs in Guatemala City, Guatemala and Bucaramanga, Colombia in the fall of 2021, and in Portmore, Jamaica in the spring of 2022. Once these three new clubs are open, the Company will operate 50 warehouse clubs.  PriceSmart continues to invest in technology to increase operational efficiencies that are expected to lead to greater value to the Member, to gain greater insights into the shopping preferences of our Members and to enhance the overall Member experience. Technology developments are driving omni-channel initiatives and capabilities, including online shopping and services. As of May 31, 2021, the Company offered the Click & Go™ curbside pickup and delivery service in all 13 of its markets. These services provide an alternative and convenient way for Members to shop, while reducing physical contact. The Company also has launched digital membership, which helps it gather higher quality data it can use to make better informed decisions in all areas of the business and facilitates a more seamless auto-renewal process, increasing predictability of membership income. We believe digital membership also provides more convenience to the Members with digital cards and online payment. PriceSmart also operates a package forwarding (casillero) and marketplace business under the “Aeropost” banner in 38 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, many of which overlap with markets where it operates warehouse clubs. Basis of Presentation – The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q for interim financial reporting pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to significantly impact the economies of the countries where the Company operates due to elevated infection rates and government restrictions. The Company has assessed the impact that COVID-19 has had on our estimates, assumptions and accounting policies and made additional disclosures, if and as necessary. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 (the “2020 Form 10-K”). The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PriceSmart, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. Inter-company transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation – The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company included herein include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest, and the Company’s joint ventures for which the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary. The Company’s net income excludes income attributable to noncontrolling interests. The Company reports noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities as a component of equity separate from the Company’s equity. The interim consolidated financial statements also include the Company's investment in, and the Company's share of the income (loss) of, joint ventures recorded under the equity method. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC and reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year.

The Company determines whether any of the joint ventures in which it has made investments is a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) at the start of each new venture and if a reconsideration event has occurred. At this time, the Company also considers whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement in a VIE. A reporting entity must consolidate a VIE if that reporting entity has a variable interest (or combination of variable interests) and is determined to be the primary beneficiary. If the Company determines that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE, then the Company records its investment in, and the Company's share of the income (loss) of, joint ventures recorded under the equity method. Due to the nature of the joint ventures that the Company participates in and the continued commitments for additional financing, the Company determined these joint ventures are VIEs.

In the case of the Company's ownership interest in real estate development joint ventures, both parties to each joint venture share all rights, obligations and the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance. As a result, the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIEs and, therefore, has accounted for these entities under the equity method. Under the equity method, the Company's investments in unconsolidated affiliates are initially recorded as an investment in the stock of an investee at cost and are adjusted for the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the investor's share of the earnings or losses of the investee after the date of the initial investment. The Company's ownership interest in real estate development joint ventures the Company has recorded under the equity method as of May 31, 2021 are listed below:

Real Estate Development Joint Ventures	Countries	Ownership		Basis of ‎Presentation
GolfPark Plaza, S.A.	Panama	50.0	%	Equity(1)
Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A.	Costa Rica	50.0	%	Equity(1)

⁽¹⁾Joint venture interests are recorded as investment in unconsolidated affiliates on the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company has determined that for its ownership interest in store-front joint ventures within its marketplace and casillero business, the Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these VIEs. Therefore, the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and has consolidated these entities within its consolidated financial statements. The Company's ownership interest in store-front joint ventures for which the Company has consolidated their financial statements as of May 31, 2021 are listed below:

Marketplace and Casillero Store-front Joint Ventures	Countries	Ownership		Basis of ‎Presentation
Guatemala	Guatemala	60.0	%	Consolidated
Tortola	British Virgin Islands	50.0	%	Consolidated
Trinidad	Trinidad	50.0	%	Consolidated

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company considers as cash and cash equivalents all cash on deposit, highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase and proceeds due from credit and debit card transactions in the process of settlement.

Restricted Cash – The following table summarizes the restricted cash reported by the Company (in thousands):

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Short-term restricted cash	$	781	$	185
Long-term restricted cash		6,972		4,105
Total restricted cash(1)	$	7,753	$	4,290

⁽¹⁾Restricted cash consists of cash deposits held within banking institutions to comply with federal regulatory requirements in Costa Rica and Panama. In addition, the Company is required to maintain a certificate of deposit of Trinidad dollars, as measured in U.S. dollars, of approximately $3.0 million with one of its lenders as a compensating balance for a $3.0 million U.S. dollar denominated loan payable over several years. The certificate of deposit will be reduced annually commensurate with the loan balance.

Short-Term Investments – The Company considers as short-term investments certificates of deposit and similar time-based deposits with financial institutions with maturities over three months and up to one year.

Long-Term Investments – The Company considers as long-term investments certificates of deposit and similar time-based deposits with financial institutions with maturities over one year.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, net – Goodwill and other intangibles totaled $53.5 million as of May 31, 2021 and $55.4 million as of August 31, 2020.  The Company reviews reported goodwill and other intangibles at the reporting unit level for impairment. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired.

Receivables – Receivables consist primarily of credit card receivables and receivables from vendors and are stated net of allowances for credit losses. The determination of the allowance for credit losses is based on the Company’s assessment of collectability along with the consideration of current and expected market conditions that could impact collectability.

Tax Receivables – The Company pays Value Added Tax (“VAT”) or similar taxes, income taxes, and other taxes within the normal course of business in most of the countries in which it operates related to the procurement of merchandise and/or services the Company acquires and/or on sales and taxable income. VAT is a form of indirect tax applied to the value added at each stage of production (primary, manufacturing, wholesale and retail). This tax is similar to, but operates somewhat differently than, sales tax paid in the United States. The Company generally collects VAT from its Members upon sale of goods and services and pays VAT to its vendors upon purchase of goods and services. Periodically, the Company submits VAT reports to governmental agencies and reconciles the VAT paid and VAT received. The net overpaid VAT may be refunded or applied to subsequent returns, and the net underpaid VAT must be remitted to the government. With respect to income taxes paid, if the estimated income taxes paid or withheld exceed the actual income tax due, this creates an income tax receivable. In most countries where the Company operates, the governments have implemented additional collection procedures, such as requiring credit card processors to remit a portion of sales processed via credit and debit cards directly to the government as advance payments of VAT and/or income tax. This collection mechanism generally leaves the Company with net VAT and/or income tax receivables, forcing the Company to process significant refund claims on a recurring basis. These refund or offset processes can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete.

In most countries where the Company operates, there are defined and structured processes to recover VAT receivables via refunds or offsets. However, in one country without a clearly defined refund process, the Company is actively engaged with the local government to recover VAT receivables totaling $9.1 million and $7.0 million as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively. In two other countries, there have been changes in the method of computing minimum tax payments, under which the governments have sought to require the Company to pay taxes based on a percentage of sales rather than taxable income. As a result, the Company has made and may continue to make income tax payments substantially in excess of those it would expect to pay based on taxable income. The Company had income tax receivables of $11.0 million and $10.4 million and deferred tax

assets of $3.2 million and $2.8 million as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively, in these countries. While the rules related to refunds of income tax receivables in these countries are either unclear or complex, the Company has not placed any type of allowance on the recoverability of these tax receivables or deferred tax assets, because the Company believes that it is more likely than not that it will ultimately succeed in its refund requests. Similarly, we have not placed any recoverability allowances on tax receivables that arise from payments we are required to make originating from tax assessments that we are appealing, as we believe it is more likely than not that we will ultimately prevail in the related appeals. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be successful in recovering all tax receivables or deferred tax assets.

The Company’s policy for classification and presentation of VAT receivables, income tax receivables and other tax receivables is as follows:

Short-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Prepaid expenses and other current assets: This classification is used for any countries where the Company’s subsidiary has generally demonstrated the ability to recover the VAT or income tax receivable within one year. The Company also classifies as short-term any approved refunds or credit notes to the extent that the Company expects to receive the refund or use the credit notes within one year.

Long-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other non-current assets: This classification is used for amounts not approved for refund or credit in countries where the Company’s subsidiary has not demonstrated the ability to obtain refunds within one year and/or for amounts which are subject to outstanding disputes. An allowance is provided against VAT and income tax receivable balances in dispute when the Company does not expect to eventually prevail in its recovery. The Company does not currently have any allowances provided against VAT and income tax receivables.

The following table summarizes the VAT receivables reported by the Company (in thousands):

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	1,390	$	1,749
Other non-current assets		28,004		25,851
Total amount of VAT receivables reported	$	29,394	$	27,600

The following table summarizes the Income tax receivables reported by the Company (in thousands):

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	9,775	$	10,944
Other non-current assets		19,872		20,116
Total amount of income tax receivables reported	$	29,647	$	31,060

Lease Accounting – The Company’s leases are operating leases for warehouse clubs and non-warehouse club facilities such as corporate headquarters, regional offices, and regional distribution centers. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease and classifies it as either a finance or operating lease at lease inception. Operating leases are included in Operating lease right-of-use assets, net; Operating lease liabilities, current portion; and Long-term operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not have finance leases.

Operating lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The Company’s leases generally do not have a readily determinable implicit rate; therefore, the Company uses a collateralized incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The incremental borrowing rate is based on a yield curve derived from publicly traded bond offerings for companies with credit characteristics that approximate the Company's market risk profile. In addition, we adjust the incremental borrowing rate for jurisdictional risk derived from quoted interest rates from financial institutions to reflect the cost of borrowing in the Company’s local markets. The Company’s lease terms may include options to purchase, extend or terminate the lease, which are

recognized when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The Company does not combine lease and non-lease components.

The Company measures Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets based on the corresponding lease liabilities, adjusted for any initial direct costs and prepaid lease payments made to the lessor before or at the commencement date (net of lease incentives). The lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease payments are not included in the calculation of the ROU asset and the related lease liability and are recognized as this lease expense is incurred. The Company’s variable lease payments generally relate to amounts the Company pays for additional contingent rent based on a contractually stipulated percentage of sales.

Merchandise Inventories – Merchandise inventories, which include merchandise for resale, are valued at the lower of cost (average cost) or net realizable value. The Company provides for estimated inventory losses and obsolescence based on a percentage of sales. The provision is adjusted every reporting period to reflect the trend of actual physical inventory and cycle count results. In addition, the Company may be required to take markdowns below the carrying cost of certain inventory to expedite the sale of such merchandise.

Stock Based Compensation – The Company utilizes three types of equity awards: restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”). Compensation related to RSAs, RSUs and PSUs is based on the fair market value at the time of grant. The Company recognizes the compensation cost related to RSAs and RSUs over the requisite service period as determined by the grant, amortized ratably or on a straight-line basis over the life of the grant. The Company also recognizes compensation cost for PSUs over the performance period of each tranche, adjusting this cost based on the Company’s estimate of the probability that performance metrics will be achieved. If the Company determines that an award is unlikely to vest, any previously recorded expense is then reversed.

The Company accounts for actual forfeitures as they occur. The Company records the tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of expense for stock-based compensation and the tax deficiency resulting from stock-based compensation in excess of the related tax deduction as income tax expense or benefit. In addition, the Company reflects the tax savings (deficiency) resulting from the taxation of stock-based compensation as an operating cash flow in its consolidated statement of cash flows.

RSAs are outstanding shares of common stock and have the same cash dividend and voting rights as other shares of common stock. Shares of common stock subject to RSUs are not issued nor outstanding until vested, and RSUs do not have the same dividend and voting rights as common stock. However, all outstanding RSUs have accompanying dividend equivalents, requiring payment to the employees and directors with unvested RSUs of amounts equal to the dividend they would have received had the shares of common stock underlying the RSUs been actually issued and outstanding. Payments of dividend equivalents to employees are recorded as compensation expense.

PSUs, similar to RSUs, are awarded with dividend equivalents, provided that such amounts become payable only if the performance metric is achieved. At the time the Compensation Committee confirms the performance metric has been achieved, the accrued dividend equivalents are paid on the PSUs.

Treasury Stock – Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company are recorded at cost as treasury stock and result in the reduction of stockholders’ equity in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  The Company may reissue these treasury shares as part of its stock-based compensation programs.  When treasury shares are reissued, the Company uses the first in/first out (“FIFO”) cost method for determining cost of the reissued shares.  If the issuance price is higher than the cost, the excess of the issuance price over the cost is credited to additional paid-in capital (“APIC”).  If the issuance price is lower than the cost, the difference is first charged against any credit balance in APIC from treasury stock and the balance is charged to retained earnings. During the nine months ended May 31, 2021, the Company reissued approximately 96,400 treasury shares.

Fair Value Measurements – The Company measures the fair value for all financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. The fair value of an asset is the price at which the asset could be sold in an orderly transaction between unrelated, knowledgeable and willing parties able to engage in the transaction. A liability’s fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a new obligor in a transaction between such parties, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor.

The Company has established a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring and revaluing fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. The Company was not required to revalue any assets or liabilities utilizing Level 1 or Level 3 inputs at the balance sheet dates. The Company's Level 2 assets and liabilities revalued at the balance sheet dates, on a recurring basis, consisted of cash flow hedges (interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps) and forward foreign exchange contracts. In addition, the Company utilizes Level 2 inputs in determining the fair value of long-term debt.

Non-financial assets and liabilities are revalued and recognized at fair value subsequent to initial recognition when there is evidence of impairment. For the periods reported, no impairment of such non-financial assets was recorded.

The Company’s current and long-term financial assets and liabilities have fair values that approximate their carrying values. The Company’s long-term financial liabilities consist of long-term debt, which is recorded on the balance sheet at issuance price and adjusted for any applicable unamortized discounts or premiums and debt issuance costs. There have been no significant changes in fair market value of the Company’s current and long-term financial assets, and there have been no material changes to the valuation techniques utilized in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities disclosed in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities – The Company uses derivative financial instruments for hedging and non-trading purposes to manage its exposure to changes in interest and currency exchange rates. In using derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging the Company’s exposure to interest and currency exchange rate risks, the contractual terms of a hedged instrument closely mirror those of the hedged item and are intended to provide a high degree of risk reduction and correlation. Contracts that are effective at meeting the risk reduction and correlation criteria (effective hedge) are recorded using hedge accounting. If a derivative financial instrument is an effective hedge, changes in the fair value of the instrument will be reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss until the hedged item completes its contractual term. Instruments that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting, or contracts for which the Company has not elected hedge accounting, are valued at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings during the period of the change. The Company did not change valuation techniques utilized in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities presented on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets from previous practice during the reporting period. The Company seeks to manage counterparty risk associated with these contracts by limiting transactions to counterparties with which the Company has an established banking relationship. There can be no assurance, however, that this practice effectively mitigates counterparty risk.

Cash Flow Instruments. The Company is a party to receive floating interest rate, pay fixed-rate interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate risk of certain U.S. dollar denominated debt within its international subsidiaries. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of interest expense risk. These instruments are considered effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting. The Company is also a party to receive variable interest rate, pay fixed interest rate cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate and currency exposure associated with the expected payments of principal and interest of U.S. denominated debt within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of the currency risk and interest-rate risk related to payments on the U.S. denominated debt. These instruments are also considered to be effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting. Under cash flow hedging, the entire gain or loss of the derivative, calculated as the net present value of the future cash flows, is reported on the consolidated balance sheets in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss are released to earnings in the same period that the hedged transaction impacts consolidated earnings. Refer to “Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” for information on the fair value of interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020.

Fair Value Instruments. The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations in the normal course of business. This includes exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts that are intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to currency exchange movements. The contracts are intended primarily to economically address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value instruments and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting, and as such the Company does not apply derivative hedge accounting to record these transactions. As a result, these contracts are valued at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings during the

period of the change. The Company seeks to mitigate foreign currency exchange-rate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features and are limited to less than one year in duration.

Other Instruments. Other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consist primarily of written call options in which the Company receives a premium that it uses to reduce the costs associated with its hedging activities. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, the Company recognizes changes in fair value of the derivative instrument, as well as the offsetting change in the fair value of the hedged item, in Other expense, net in the consolidated statements of income in the period of change.

Revenue Recognition – The accounting policies and other disclosures such as the disclosure of disaggregated revenues are described in “Note 3 – Revenue Recognition.”

Insurance Reimbursements – Receipts from insurance reimbursements up to the amount of the losses recognized are considered recoveries. These recoveries are accounted for when they are probable of receipt. Insurance recoveries are not recognized prior to the recognition of the related cost. Anticipated proceeds in excess of the amount of loss recognized are considered gains and are subject to gain contingency guidance. Anticipated proceeds in excess of a loss recognized in the financial statements are not recognized until all contingencies related to the insurance claim are resolved.

Cost of Goods Sold – The Company includes the cost of merchandise and food service and bakery raw materials in cost of goods sold, net merchandise sales. The Company also includes in cost of goods sold: net merchandise sales the external and internal distribution and handling costs for supplying merchandise, raw materials and supplies to the warehouse clubs, and, when applicable, costs of shipping to Members. External costs include inbound freight, duties, drayage, fees, insurance, and non-recoverable value-added tax related to inventory shrink, spoilage and damage. Internal costs include payroll and related costs, utilities, consumable supplies, repair and maintenance, rent expense and building and equipment depreciation at the Company's distribution facilities and payroll and other direct costs for in-club demonstrations.

For export sales, the Company includes the cost of merchandise and external and internal distribution and handling costs for supplying merchandise in cost of goods sold, exports.

For the marketplace and casillero operations, the Company includes the costs of external and internal shipping, handling and other direct costs incurred to provide delivery, insurance and customs processing services in cost of goods sold, non-merchandise.

Vendor consideration consists primarily of volume rebates, time-limited product promotions, cooperative marketing efforts, digital advertising, slotting fees, demonstration reimbursements and prompt payment discounts. Volume rebates and time-limited promotions are recognized on a systematic and rational allocation of the cash consideration as the Company progresses toward earning the rebate, provided the amounts to be earned are probable and reasonably estimable. Cooperative marketing efforts and digital advertising are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for non-distinct online advertising services on the Company’s website and social media platforms. Slotting fees are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for preferential "end cap" placement of the vendor's products within the warehouse club. Demonstration reimbursements are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for the in-club promotion of the vendors' products. The Company records the reduction in cost of goods sold on a transactional basis for these programs. On a quarterly basis, the Company calculates the amount of rebates recorded in cost of goods sold that relates to inventory on hand and this amount is reclassified as a reduction to inventory, if significant. Prompt payment discounts are taken in substantially all cases and therefore are applied directly to reduce the acquisition cost of the related inventory, with the resulting effect recorded to cost of goods sold when the inventory is sold.

Selling, General and Administrative – Selling, general and administrative costs consist primarily of expenses associated with operating warehouse clubs and freight forwarding operations. These costs include payroll and related costs, utilities, consumable supplies, repair and maintenance, rent expense, building and equipment depreciation, bank, credit card processing fees, and amortization of intangibles. Also included in selling, general and administrative expenses are the payroll and related costs for the Company’s U.S. and regional management and purchasing centers.

Pre-Opening Costs – The Company expenses pre-opening costs (the costs of start-up activities, including organization costs and rent) for new warehouse clubs as incurred.

Contingencies and Litigation – The Company records and reserves for loss contingencies if (a) information available prior to issuance of the consolidated financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and (b) the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If one or both criteria for accrual are not met, but there is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss will occur, the Company does not record and reserve for a loss contingency but describes the contingency within a note and provides detail, when possible, of the estimated potential loss or range of loss. If an estimate cannot be made, a statement to that effect is made.

Foreign Currency Translation – The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are translated to U.S. dollars when the functional currency in the Company’s international subsidiaries is the local currency and not U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date, and revenue, costs and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange in effect during the period. The corresponding translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. These adjustments will affect net income upon the sale or liquidation of the underlying investment.

The following table discloses the net effect of translation into the reporting currency on other comprehensive loss for these local currency denominated accounts for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,		May 31,			May 31,
	2021		2020		2021			2020
Effect on other comprehensive loss due to foreign currency translation	$	(3,007)	$	(12,874)	$	(2,577)	$	(19,981)

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity (primarily U.S. dollars) are revalued to the functional currency using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. These foreign exchange transaction gains (losses), including transactions recorded involving these monetary assets and liabilities, are recorded as Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,		May 31,		May 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Currency loss	$	(2,240)	$	(1,529)	$	(3,970)	$	(2,431)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Not Yet Adopted

FASB ASC 740 ASU 2019-12—Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. ASU No. 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects to adopt ASU No. 2019-12 on September 1, 2021, the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

FASB ASC 848 ASU 2020-04—Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASU No. 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions, if certain criteria are met, for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. This accounting standards update is intended to ease the process of migrating away from LIBOR to new reference rates. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). The amendments in this ASU refine the scope of ASC 848 and clarifies some of its guidance as it relates to recent rate reform activities.

A substantial number of the Company’s debt agreements and hedging relationships bear interest at variable interest rates, primarily based on USD-LIBOR. To preserve the presentation of the Company’s debt and derivatives, the Company adopted ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 effective December 1, 2020, on a prospective basis. The Company has elected to apply the contract modification expedient and the hedge accounting expedients related to critical terms, probability of forecasted transactions, and the assessments of effectiveness for future LIBOR-indexed cash flows to assume that the index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. The adoption of, and future elections under ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01, did not and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s accounting policies or consolidated financial statements. We will continue to monitor the impact the discontinuance of LIBOR will have on the Company’s contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions.

FASB ASC 350 ASU 2018-15 – Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. ASU No. 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). As such, the amendment in this ASU requires an entity (customer) in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract to follow the guidance in subtopic 350-40 in order to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset and which costs to expense.

Additionally, the amendments in this ASU require the entity to expense the capitalized implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract over the term of the hosting arrangement. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-15 on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 820 ASU 2018-13 – Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). The standard eliminates such disclosures as the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. ASU No. 2018-13 adds new disclosure requirements for Level 3 measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-13 on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 350 ASU 2017-04 – Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The amendments in this ASU modify the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. An entity no longer will determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if

that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Under this ASU, entities should now calculate any goodwill impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge to the goodwill for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU No. 2017-04 on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 326 ASU 2016-13 – Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326), which amends the FASB’s guidance on the impairment of financial instruments. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments to clarify and address certain items related to the amendments in ASU 2016-13. These amendments require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the amendments on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

There were no other new accounting standards that had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements during the three and nine month periods ended May 31, 2021, and there were no other new accounting standards or pronouncements that were issued but not yet effective as of May 31, 2021 that the Company expects to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

  

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REVENUE RECOGNITION

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

REVENUE RECOGNITION [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition

NOTE 3 – REVENUE RECOGNITION

Performance Obligations

The Company identifies each distinct performance obligation to transfer goods (or bundle of goods) or services. The Company recognizes revenue when (or as) it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of the goods or services to the customer.

Net Merchandise Sales.  The Company recognizes net merchandise sales revenue, net of sales taxes, on transactions where the Company has determined that it is the principal in the sale of merchandise. These transactions may include shipping commitments and/or shipping revenue if the transaction involves delivery to the customer. 

Non-merchandise Sales. The Company recognizes non-merchandise revenue, net of sales taxes, on transactions where the Company has determined that it is the agent in the transaction.  These transactions primarily consist of contracts the Company enters into with its customers to provide delivery, insurance and customs processing services for products its customers purchase online in the United States either directly from other vendors utilizing the vendor’s website or through the Company’s marketplace site. Revenue is recognized when the Company’s performance obligations have been completed (that is when delivery of the items have been made to the destination point) and is recorded in “non-merchandise revenue” on the consolidated statements of income.  Prepayment for orders for which the Company has not fulfilled its performance obligation are recorded as deferred income. Additionally, the Company records revenue at the net amounts retained, i.e., the amount paid by the customer less amounts remitted to the respective merchandise vendors, as the Company is acting as an agent and is not the principal in the sale of those goods being purchased from the vendors by the Company’s customers.

Membership Fee Revenue. Membership income represents annual membership fees paid by the Company’s warehouse club Members, which are recognized ratably over the 12-month term of the membership. Our membership policy allows Members to cancel their membership in the first 60 days and receive a full refund. After the 60-day period, membership refunds are prorated over the remaining term of the membership. The Company has significant experience with membership refund patterns and expects membership refunds will not be material. Therefore, no refund reserve was required for the periods presented. Membership fee revenue is included in membership income in the Company's consolidated statements of income. The deferred membership fee is included in deferred income in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

Platinum Points Reward Programs. The Company currently offers Platinum memberships in all of its thirteen countries.  The annual fee for a Platinum membership is approximately $75. The Platinum membership provides Members with a 2% rebate on most items, up to an annual maximum of $500. The rebate is issued annually to Platinum Members on March 1 and expires August 31.  Platinum Members can apply this rebate to future purchases at the warehouse club during the redemption period.  The Company records this 2% rebate as a reduction of revenue at the time of the sales transaction.  Accordingly, the Company has reduced warehouse sales and has accrued a liability within other accrued expenses and other current liabilities, platinum rewards. The Company has determined that breakage revenue is 5% of the awards issued; therefore, it records 95% of the Platinum membership liability at the time of sale. Annually, the Company reviews for expired unused rebates outstanding, and the expired unused rebates are recognized as “Other revenue and income” on the consolidated statements of income.

Co-branded Credit Card Points Reward Programs.  Most of the Company’s subsidiaries have points reward programs related to co-branded credit cards. These points reward programs provide incremental points that can be used at a future time to acquire merchandise within the Company’s warehouse clubs.  This results in two performance obligations, the first performance obligation being the initial sale of the merchandise or services purchased with the co-branded credit card and the second performance obligation being the future use of the points rewards to purchase merchandise or services.  As a result, upon the initial sale, the Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation with the amount allocated to the future use points rewards recorded as a contract liability within other accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The portion of the selling price allocated to the reward points is recognized as Net merchandise sales when the points are used or when the points expire. The Company reviews on an annual basis expired points rewards outstanding, and the expired rewards are recognized as Net merchandise sales on the consolidated statements of income within markets where the co-branded credit card agreement allows for such treatment.   

Gift Cards. Members’ purchases of gift cards to be utilized at the Company's warehouse clubs are not recognized as sales until the card is redeemed and the customer purchases merchandise using the gift card. The outstanding gift cards are reflected as other accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. These gift cards generally have a one-year stated expiration date from the date of issuance and are generally redeemed prior to expiration.  However, the absence of a large volume of transactions for gift cards impairs the Company's ability to make a reasonable estimate of the redemption levels for gift certificates; therefore, the Company assumes a 100% redemption rate prior to expiration of the gift certificate. The Company periodically reviews unredeemed outstanding gift certificates, and the gift certificates that have expired are recognized as “Other revenue and income” on the consolidated statements of income.

Co-branded Credit Card Revenue Sharing Agreements. As part of the co-branded credit card agreements that the Company has entered into with financial institutions within its markets, the Company often enters into revenue sharing agreements. As part of these agreements, in some countries, the Company receives a portion of the interest income generated from the average outstanding balances on the co-branded credit cards from these financial institutions (“interest generating portfolio” or “IGP”).   The Company recognizes its portion of interest received as revenue during the period it is earned. The Company has determined that this revenue should be recognized as “Other revenue and income” on the consolidated statements of income.

Contract Performance Liabilities

Contract performance liabilities as a result of transactions with customers primarily consist of deferred membership income, other deferred income, deferred gift card revenue, Platinum points programs, and liabilities related to co-branded credit card points rewards programs which are included in deferred income and other accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The following table provides these contract balances from transactions with customers as of the dates listed (in thousands):

	Contract Liabilities
	May 31, 2021		August 31, 2020
Deferred membership income	$	26,457	$	23,051
Other contract performance liabilities	$	5,895	$	5,190

Disaggregated Revenues

In the following table, net merchandise sales are disaggregated by merchandise category (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
		May 31, 2021		May 31, 2020		May 31, 2021		May 31, 2020
Foods & Sundries	$	431,007	$	419,579	$	1,298,134	$	1,250,728
Fresh Foods		252,365		228,858		745,158		685,413
Hardlines		94,732		70,374		318,229		261,796
Softlines		43,468		25,597		130,732		115,860
Other Business		35,906		23,960		101,998		105,025
Net Merchandise Sales	$	857,478	$	768,368	$	2,594,251	$	2,418,822

 

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EARNINGS PER SHARE

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]

EARNINGS PER SHARE

NOTE 4 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company presents basic net income per share using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that treats a participating security as having rights to earnings that otherwise would have been available to common stockholders and that determines basic net income per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings that would have been available to common stockholders. A participating security is defined as a security that may participate in undistributed earnings with common stock. The Company’s capital structure includes securities that participate with common stock on a one-for-one basis for distribution of dividends. These are the restricted stock awards and restricted stock units issued pursuant to the 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan. The Company does not include performance stock units as participating securities until they vest. The Company determines the diluted net income per share by using the more dilutive of the two class-method or the treasury stock method and by including the basic weighted average of outstanding performance stock units in the calculation of diluted net income per share under the two-class method and including all potential common shares assumed issued in the calculation of diluted net income per share under the treasury stock method.

The following table sets forth the computation of net income per share for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,		May 31,		May 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.	$	22,529	$	12,705	$	78,502	$	58,033
Less: Allocation of income to unvested stockholders		(372)		(188)		(952)		(527)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. per share available for distribution	$	22,157	$	12,517	$	77,550	$	57,506
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		30,414		30,271		30,396		30,268
Add dilutive effect of performance stock units (two-class method)		32		4		27		5
Diluted average shares outstanding		30,446		30,275		30,423		30,273
Basic net income per share	$	0.73	$	0.41	$	2.55	$	1.90
Diluted net income per share	$	0.73	$	0.41	$	2.55	$	1.90

 

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

NOTE 5 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Dividends

The following table summarizes the dividends declared and paid during fiscal year 2021 and 2020 (amounts are per share).

First Payment

Second Payment

Declared

Amount

Record ‎Date

Date ‎Paid

Date ‎Payable

Amount

Record ‎Date

Date ‎Paid

Date ‎Payable

Amount

2/4/2021

$

0.70

2/15/2021

2/26/2021

N/A

$

0.35

8/15/2021

N/A

8/31/2021

$

0.35

2/6/2020

$

0.70

2/15/2020

2/28/2020

N/A

$

0.35

8/15/2020

8/31/2020

N/A

$

0.35

The Company anticipates the ongoing payment of semi-annual dividends in subsequent periods, although the actual declaration of future dividends, the amount of such dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates is subject to final determination by the Board of Directors at its discretion after its review of the Company’s financial performance and anticipated capital requirements, taking into account the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results of operations and cash flows.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following tables disclose the effects on accumulated other comprehensive loss of each component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (in thousands):

	Attributable to		Noncontrolling
	PriceSmart		Interests		Total
Beginning balance, September 1, 2020	$	(176,820)	$	134	$	(176,686)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(2,577)		91		(2,486)
Defined benefit pension plans (1)		164		—		164
Derivative instruments (2)		1,865		—		1,865
Ending balance, May 31, 2021	$	(177,368)	$	225	$	(177,143)

	Attributable to		Noncontrolling
	PriceSmart		Interests		Total
Beginning balance, September 1, 2019	$	(144,339)	$	20	$	(144,319)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(19,981)		90		(19,891)
Defined benefit pension plans (1)		53		—		53
Derivative Instruments (2)		(3,752)		—		(3,752)
Ending balance, May 31, 2020	$	(168,019)	$	110	$	(167,909)

	Attributable to		Noncontrolling
	PriceSmart		Interests		Total
Beginning balance, September 1, 2019	$	(144,339)	$	20	$	(144,319)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(29,413)		114		(29,299)
Defined benefit pension plans (1)		(79)		—		(79)
Derivative Instruments (2)		(5,803)		—		(5,803)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		2,814		—		2,814
Ending balance, August 31, 2020	$	(176,820)	$	134	$	(176,686)

⁽¹⁾Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the minimum pension liability are included in warehouse club and other operations in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

⁽²⁾Refer to Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

Retained Earnings Not Available for Distribution

The following table summarizes retained earnings designated as legal reserves of various subsidiaries which cannot be distributed as dividends to PriceSmart, Inc. according to applicable statutory regulations (in thousands):

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Retained earnings not available for distribution	$	7,921	$	7,375

 

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

NOTE 6 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business related to the Company’s operations and property ownership. The Company evaluates such matters on a case by case basis, and vigorously contests any such legal proceedings or claims which the Company believes are without merit. The Company believes that the final disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. It is possible, however, that the Company's results of operations for a particular quarter or fiscal year could be impacted by changes in circumstances relating to such matters.

The Company establishes an accrual for legal proceedings if and when those matters reach a stage where they present loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. In such cases, there may be a possible exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. The Company monitors those matters for developments that would affect the likelihood of a loss and the accrued amount, if any, thereof, and adjusts the amount as appropriate. If the loss contingency at issue is not both probable and reasonably estimable, the Company does not establish an accrual, but will continue to monitor the matter for developments that will make the loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. If it is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss will occur, the Company will provide disclosure regarding the contingency.

Income Taxes – For interim reporting, the Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate (AETR), pursuant to ASC 740-270, to calculate income tax expense. Income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best estimate of current and future taxes to be paid. The Company is subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in the determination of the consolidated income tax expense. Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, which will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. In evaluating its ability to recover deferred tax assets in the jurisdictions from which they arise, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In projecting future taxable income, the Company begins with historical results adjusted for the results of discontinued operations and incorporates assumptions about the amount of future state, federal, and foreign pretax operating income adjusted for items that do not have tax consequences. The assumptions about future taxable income require the use of significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, the Company considers three years of cumulative operating income (loss).

The Company is required to file federal and state tax returns in the United States and various other tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The preparation of these tax returns requires the Company to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax paid by the Company. The Company, in consultation with its tax advisors, bases its tax returns on interpretations that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The tax returns, however, are subject to routine reviews by the various taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which the Company files its returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with the interpretations the Company used to calculate its tax liability and therefore require the Company to pay additional taxes.

The Company accrues an amount for its estimate of probable additional income tax liability. In certain cases, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less

than 50% likelihood of being sustained. As of May 31, 2021, the Company's uncertain income tax position balance has been reduced by $1.2 million since August 31, 2020, due to the expiration of statutes of limitation and other current year adjustments.

In evaluating the exposure associated with various non-income tax filing positions, the Company accrues for probable and estimable exposures for non-income tax related tax contingencies.  As of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Company has recorded within other accrued expenses and other current liabilities a total of $1.7 million and $2.5 million, respectively, for various non-income tax related tax contingencies.

While the Company believes the recorded liabilities are adequate, there are inherent limitations in projecting the outcome of litigation, in estimating probable additional income tax liability taking into account uncertain tax positions and in evaluating the probable additional tax associated with various non-income tax filing positions. As such, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of the sensitivity to change of estimates affecting its recorded liabilities. As additional information becomes available, the Company assesses the potential liability and revises its estimates as appropriate.

In two countries where the Company operates, minimum income tax rules require the Company to pay taxes based on a percentage of sales rather than income. As a result, the Company is making income tax payments substantially in excess of those it would expect to pay based on taxable income. The Company had income tax receivables of $11.0 million and $10.4 million and deferred tax assets of $3.2 million and $2.8 million as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively, in these countries. While the rules related to refunds of income tax receivables in these countries are either unclear or complex, the Company has not placed any type of allowance on the recoverability of these tax receivables or deferred tax assets, because the Company believes that it is more likely than not that it will ultimately succeed in its refund requests.

Other Commitments

The Company is also committed to non-cancelable construction service obligations for various warehouse club developments and expansions. As of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $16.3 million and $5.1 million, respectively, in contractual obligations for construction services not yet rendered.

From time to time, the Company has entered into general land purchase and land purchase option agreements. The Company’s land purchase agreements are typically subject to various conditions, including, but not limited to, the ability to obtain necessary governmental permits or approvals. A deposit under an agreement is typically returned to the Company if all permits or approvals are not obtained. Generally, the Company has the right to cancel any of its agreements to purchase land without cause by forfeiture of some or all of the deposits it has made pursuant to the agreement. As of May 31, 2021, the Company had entered into a land purchase option agreement that, if completed, would result in the use of approximately $7.4 million in cash.

The table below summarizes the Company’s interest in real estate joint ventures, commitments to additional future investments and the Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement in these joint venture as of May 31, 2021 (in thousands):

Entity	% ‎Ownership		Initial ‎Investment		Additional ‎Investments		Net Income Inception to Date		Company’s ‎Variable ‎Interest ‎in Entity		Commitment ‎to Future ‎Additional ‎Investments(1)		Company's ‎Maximum ‎Exposure ‎to Loss in ‎Entity(2)
GolfPark Plaza, S.A.	50	%	$	4,616	$	2,402	$	22	$	7,040	$	99	$	7,139
Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A.	50	%		2,193		1,236		100		3,529		785		4,314
Total			$	6,809	$	3,638	$	122	$	10,569	$	884	$	11,453

⁽¹⁾The parties intend to seek alternate financing for the project, which could reduce the amount of investments each party would be required to provide. The parties may mutually agree on changes to the project, which could increase or decrease the amount of contributions each party is required to provide.

⁽²⁾The maximum exposure is determined by adding the Company’s variable interest in the entity and any explicit or implicit arrangements that could require the Company to provide additional financial support.

 

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DEBT

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

DEBT [Abstract]

DEBT

NOTE 7 – DEBT

Short-term borrowings consist of unsecured lines of credit. The following table summarizes the balances of total facilities, facilities used and facilities available (in thousands):

			Facilities Used
	Total Amount		Short-term		Letters of		Facilities		Weighted average
	of Facilities		Borrowings		Credit		Available		interest rate
May 31, 2021	$	131,000	$	—	$	125	$	130,875	—	%
August 31, 2020	$	81,210	$	65,143	$	388	$	15,679	3.7	%

As of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all covenants or amended covenants for each of its short-term facility agreements. These facilities generally expire annually or bi-annually and are normally renewed.

The following table provides the changes in long-term debt for the nine-months ended May 31, 2021:

(Amounts in thousands)	Current ‎portion of ‎long-term debt		Long-term ‎debt (net of current portion)		Total
Balances as of August 31, 2020	$	19,437	$	112,610	$	132,047	(1)
Proceeds from long-term debt incurred during the period:
Trinidad subsidiary		547		2,453		3,000
Regularly scheduled loan payments		(1,164)		(11,971)		(13,135)
Reclassifications of long-term debt due in the next 12 months		1,706		(1,706)		—
Translation adjustments on foreign currency debt of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar (2)		28		(92)		(64)
Balances as of May 31, 2021	$	20,554	$	101,294	$	121,848	(3)

⁽¹⁾The carrying amount of non-cash assets assigned as collateral for these loans was $158.6 million. No cash assets were assigned as collateral for these loans.

⁽²⁾These foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded within Other comprehensive loss.

⁽³⁾The carrying amount of cash and non-cash assets assigned as collateral for these loans was $2.8 million and $143.7 million, respectively.

As of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $96.0 million and $107.4 million, respectively, of long-term loans in several foreign subsidiaries that require these subsidiaries to comply with certain annual or quarterly financial covenants, which include debt service and leverage ratios. The Company was in compliance with all covenants or amended covenants for both periods.

Annual maturities of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):

Twelve Months Ended May 31,	Amount
2022	$	20,554
2023		26,381
2024		9,174
2025		25,608
2026		4,310
Thereafter		35,821
Total	$	121,848

 

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DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

NOTE 8 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk relating to its ongoing business operations. To manage interest rate exposure, the Company enters into hedge transactions (interest rate swaps) using derivative financial instruments. The objective of entering into interest rate swaps is to eliminate the variability of cash flows in the LIBOR interest payments associated with variable-rate loans over the life of the loans. As changes in interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedges provide a synthetic offset to interest rate movements.

In addition, the Company is exposed to foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure related to non-functional currency long-term debt of two of its wholly owned subsidiaries. To manage this foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure, the Company’s subsidiaries entered into cross-currency interest rate swaps that convert their U.S. dollar denominated floating interest payments to functional currency fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument.  As changes in foreign exchange and interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedges are intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate and foreign exchange movements.

These derivative instruments (cash flow hedging instruments) are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, with the entire gain or loss on the derivative reported as a component of other comprehensive loss. Amounts are deferred in other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings in the same income statement line item that is used to present the earnings effect of the hedged item when the hedged item affects earnings.

The Company is exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations in the normal course of business, including foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts (NDFs) that are intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements. These contracts are intended primarily to economically address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The Company seeks to mitigate foreign-currency exchange-rate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features.

The Company uses other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments that consist primarily of written call options in which the Company receives a premium from the holder. This premium lowers the cost of the Company’s hedging activities. The Company recognizes changes in fair value of the derivative instrument, as well as the offsetting change in the fair value of the hedged item, in Other expense, net in the consolidated statements of income in the period of change.

Cash Flow Hedges

As of May 31, 2021, all of the Company’s interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap derivative financial instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. The Company formally documents the hedging relationships for its derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting.

The following table summarizes agreements for which the Company has recorded cash flow hedge accounting for the nine months ended May 31, 2021:

Subsidiary	Date ‎Entered ‎into	Derivative ‎Financial ‎Counter- ‎party	Derivative ‎Financial ‎Instruments	Initial ‎US$ ‎Notional ‎Amount		Bank ‎US$ ‎loan  ‎Held ‎with	Floating Leg ‎(swap ‎counter-party)	Fixed Rate ‎for PSMT ‎Subsidiary		Settlement ‎Dates	Effective ‎Period of swap
Colombia	3-Dec-19	Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")	Cross currency interest rate swap	$	7,875,000	Citibank, N.A.	Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.45%	7.87	%	3rd day of each December, March, June, and September, beginning on March 3, 2020	December 3, 2019 - ‎December 3, 2024
Colombia	27-Nov-19	Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")	Cross currency interest rate swap	$	25,000,000	Citibank, N.A.	Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.45%	7.93	%	27th day of each November, February, May and August beginning February 27, 2020	November 27, 2019 - ‎November 27, 2024
Colombia	24-Sep-19	Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")	Cross currency interest rate swap	$	12,500,000	PriceSmart, Inc.	Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.50%	7.09	%	24th day of each December, March, June and September beginning December 24, 2019	September 24, 2019 - ‎September 26, 2022
Panama	25-Jun-18	Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")	Interest rate swap	$	14,625,000	Bank of Nova Scotia	Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 3.0%	5.99	%	23rd day of each month beginning on July 23, 2018	June 25, 2018 - ‎March 23, 2023
Honduras	26-Feb-18	Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")	Cross currency interest rate swap	$	13,500,000	Citibank, N.A.	Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 3.00%	9.75	%	29th day of May, August, November and February beginning May 29, 2018	February 26, 2018 - ‎February 24, 2024
PriceSmart, Inc	7-Nov-16	MUFG Union Bank, N.A. ("Union Bank")	Interest rate swap	$	35,700,000	Union Bank	Variable rate 1-month Libor plus 1.7%	3.65	%	1st day of each month beginning on April 1, 2017	March 1, 2017 - March 1, 2027

For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020, the Company included the gain or loss on the hedged items (that is, variable-rate borrowings) in the same line item—interest expense—as the offsetting gain or loss on the related interest rate swaps as follows (in thousands):

Income Statement Classification	Interest ‎expense on ‎borrowings(1)		Cost of ‎swaps (2)		Total
Interest expense for the three months ended May 31, 2021	$	656	$	907	$	1,563
Interest expense for the three months ended May 31, 2020	$	1,067	$	620	$	1,687
Interest expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2021	$	2,015	$	2,785	$	4,800
Interest expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2020	$	3,287	$	1,477	$	4,764

⁽¹⁾This amount is representative of the interest expense recognized on the underlying hedged transactions.

⁽²⁾This amount is representative of the interest expense recognized on the interest rate swaps and cross-currency swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

The total notional balance of the Company’s pay-fixed/receive-variable interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps was as follows (in thousands):

	Notional Amount as of
	May 31,		August 31,
Floating Rate Payer (Swap Counterparty)	2021		2020
Union Bank	$	32,938	$	33,894
Citibank N.A.		52,201		55,086
Scotiabank		10,500		11,625
Total	$	95,639	$	100,605

Derivatives listed on the table below were designated as cash flow hedging instruments. The table summarizes the effect of the fair value of interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap derivative instruments that qualify for derivative hedge accounting and its associated tax effect on accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss (in thousands):

		May 31, 2021						August 31, 2020
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments	Balance Sheet ‎Classification	Fair ‎Value		Net Tax ‎Effect		Net ‎OCI		Fair ‎Value		Net Tax ‎Effect		Net ‎OCI
Cross-currency interest rate swaps	Other non-current assets	$	1,160	$	(353)	$	807	$	872	$	(265)	$	607
Interest rate swaps	Other long-term liabilities		(2,338)		547		(1,791)		(3,857)		898		(2,959)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps	Other long-term liabilities		(816)		245		(571)		(828)		248		(580)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	(1,994)	$	439	$	(1,555)	$	(3,813)	$	881	$	(2,932)

Fair Value Instruments

From time to time the Company enters into non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts. These contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value contracts and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts is intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements. These contracts are intended primarily to economically hedge exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar.

The following table summarizes the non-deliverable forward foreign exchange contracts that are open as of May 31, 2021.

Subsidiary	Dates ‎entered into	Financial ‎Derivative ‎(Counterparty)	Derivative ‎Financial ‎Instrument	Notional ‎Amount ‎(in thousands)		Settlement ‎Date	Effective Period ‎of Forward
Colombia	28-Apr-21	Scotiabank Colpatria, S.A.	Forward foreign ‎exchange contracts (USD)	$	5,000	28-Dec-21	April 28, 2021 - December 28, 2021
Colombia	28-May-21	Scotiabank Colpatria, S.A.	Forward foreign ‎exchange contracts (USD)		2,000	29-Dec-21	May 28, 2021 - December 29, 2021

While forward derivative gains and (losses) on non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts were immaterial for the three and nine-months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020, they are included in Other expense, net in the consolidated statements of income in the period of change.

Other Instruments

Other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consist primarily of written call options in which the Company receives a premium that it uses to reduce the costs associated with its hedging activities. As of May 31, 2021, all of the Company’s contracts are designated as hedging instruments.

For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and May 31, 2020, the Company included in its consolidated statements of income the loss of its other non-designated derivative contracts as follows (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		May 31,	May 31,			May 31,	May 31,
Income Statement Classification		2021	2020			2021	2020
Other expense, net	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(912)

 

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SEGMENTS

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

SEGMENTS [Abstract]

SEGMENTS

NOTE 9 – SEGMENTS

The Company and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the international operation of membership shopping in 47 warehouse clubs located in 12 countries and one U.S. territory that are located in Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia. In addition, the Company operates distribution centers and corporate offices in the United States. The Company has aggregated its warehouse clubs, distribution centers and corporate offices into reportable segments. The Company’s reportable segments are based on management’s organization of these locations into operating segments by general geographic location, which are used by management and the Company's chief operating decision maker in setting up management lines of responsibility, providing support services, and making operational decisions and assessments of financial performance. Segment amounts are presented after converting to U.S. dollars and consolidating eliminations. Certain revenues, operating costs and inter-company charges included in the United States segment are not allocated to the segments within this presentation, as it is impractical to do so, and they appear as reconciling items to reflect the amount eliminated on consolidation of intersegment transactions. From time to time, the Company revises the measurement of each segment's operating income and net income, including certain corporate overhead allocations, and other measures as determined by the information regularly reviewed by the Company's chief operating decision maker. When the Company does so, the previous period amounts and balances are reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation.

The following tables summarize by segment certain revenues, operating costs and balance sheet items (in thousands):

	United ‎States ‎Operations		Central ‎American ‎Operations		Caribbean ‎Operations(1)		Colombia Operations		Reconciling ‎Items(2)		Total
Three Months Ended May 31, 2021
Revenue from external customers	$	21,237	$	531,595	$	243,468	$	98,964	$	—	$	895,264
Intersegment revenues		309,261		4,305		1,228		434		(315,228)		—
Depreciation, Property and equipment		1,666		7,990		3,920		2,403		—		15,979
Amortization, Intangibles		606		—		—		—		—		606
Operating income (loss)		545		38,313		17,240		5,135		(25,184)		36,049
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		(2,388)		32,700		13,524		3,929		(25,236)		22,529
Capital expenditures, net		3,334		8,724		6,486		4,870		—		23,414
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021
Revenue from external customers	$	67,622	$	1,567,287	$	762,153	$	313,203	$	—	$	2,710,265
Intersegment revenues		955,619		12,842		3,498		2,413		(974,372)		—
Depreciation, Property and equipment		5,115		23,367		11,570		6,500		—		46,552
Amortization, Intangibles		1,798		—		—		—		—		1,798
Operating income (loss)		8,315		113,120		59,600		17,139		(72,615)		125,559
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		(4,306)		94,247		48,175		13,224		(72,838)		78,502
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)		79,178		484,039		189,873		163,266		—		916,356
Intangibles, net		8,368		—		—		—		—		8,368
Goodwill		10,695		24,359		10,088		—		—		45,142
Total assets		202,770		777,703		427,078		224,404		—		1,631,955
Capital expenditures, net		6,052		30,334		14,748		20,416		—		71,550
Three Months Ended May 31, 2020
Revenue from external customers	$	15,852	$	452,927	$	250,304	$	80,848	$	—	$	799,931
Intersegment revenues		230,826		4,791		1,548		787		(237,952)		—
Depreciation, Property and equipment		1,294		7,577		3,810		1,591		—		14,272
Amortization, Intangibles		607		—		—		—		—		607
Operating income (loss)		(1,115)		27,606		13,547		3,487		(19,558)		23,967
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		(3,785)		22,724		10,849		2,403		(19,486)		12,705
Capital expenditures, net		1,446		9,395		2,163		3,508		—		16,512
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020
Revenue from external customers	$	52,039	$	1,442,336	$	747,004	$	277,228	$	—	$	2,518,607
Intersegment revenues		868,137		12,745		3,627		1,870		(886,379)		—
Depreciation, Property and equipment		3,981		22,027		11,602		5,452		—		43,062
Amortization, Intangibles		1,805		—		—		—		—		1,805
Operating income (loss)		3,401		96,972		40,436		13,411		(60,730)		93,490
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		(5,350)		79,815		34,978		9,340		(60,750)		58,033
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)		83,813		481,942		181,578		143,437		—		890,770
Intangibles, net		10,772		—		—		—		—		10,772
Goodwill		10,695		24,484		10,137		—		—		45,316
Total assets		224,682		727,527		384,168		238,112		—		1,574,489
Capital expenditures, net		5,564		42,766		13,913		28,807		—		91,050
As of August 31, 2020
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)	$	81,008	$	475,744	$	177,166	$	146,862	$	—	$	880,780
Intangibles, net		10,166		—		—		—		—		10,166
Goodwill		10,696		24,418		10,092		—		—		45,206
Total assets		272,190		741,523		395,244		247,868		—		1,656,825

⁽¹⁾Management considers its club in the U.S. Virgin Islands to be part of its Caribbean operations.

⁽²⁾The reconciling items reflect the amount eliminated on consolidation of intersegment transactions.

 

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SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS [Abstract]

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

NOTE 10 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated all events subsequent to the balance sheet date as of May 31, 2021 through the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements and has determined that there are no subsequent events that require disclosure.

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policy)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation – The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company included herein include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest, and the Company’s joint ventures for which the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary. The Company’s net income excludes income attributable to noncontrolling interests. The Company reports noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities as a component of equity separate from the Company’s equity. The interim consolidated financial statements also include the Company's investment in, and the Company's share of the income (loss) of, joint ventures recorded under the equity method. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC and reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year.

The Company determines whether any of the joint ventures in which it has made investments is a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) at the start of each new venture and if a reconsideration event has occurred. At this time, the Company also considers whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement in a VIE. A reporting entity must consolidate a VIE if that reporting entity has a variable interest (or combination of variable interests) and is determined to be the primary beneficiary. If the Company determines that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE, then the Company records its investment in, and the Company's share of the income (loss) of, joint ventures recorded under the equity method. Due to the nature of the joint ventures that the Company participates in and the continued commitments for additional financing, the Company determined these joint ventures are VIEs.

In the case of the Company's ownership interest in real estate development joint ventures, both parties to each joint venture share all rights, obligations and the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance. As a result, the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIEs and, therefore, has accounted for these entities under the equity method. Under the equity method, the Company's investments in unconsolidated affiliates are initially recorded as an investment in the stock of an investee at cost and are adjusted for the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the investor's share of the earnings or losses of the investee after the date of the initial investment. The Company's ownership interest in real estate development joint ventures the Company has recorded under the equity method as of May 31, 2021 are listed below:

Real Estate Development Joint Ventures	Countries	Ownership		Basis of ‎Presentation
GolfPark Plaza, S.A.	Panama	50.0	%	Equity(1)
Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A.	Costa Rica	50.0	%	Equity(1)

⁽¹⁾Joint venture interests are recorded as investment in unconsolidated affiliates on the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company has determined that for its ownership interest in store-front joint ventures within its marketplace and casillero business, the Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these VIEs. Therefore, the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and has consolidated these entities within its consolidated financial statements. The Company's ownership interest in store-front joint ventures for which the Company has consolidated their financial statements as of May 31, 2021 are listed below:

Marketplace and Casillero Store-front Joint Ventures	Countries	Ownership		Basis of ‎Presentation
Guatemala	Guatemala	60.0	%	Consolidated
Tortola	British Virgin Islands	50.0	%	Consolidated
Trinidad	Trinidad	50.0	%	Consolidated

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company considers as cash and cash equivalents all cash on deposit, highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase and proceeds due from credit and debit card transactions in the process of settlement.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash – The following table summarizes the restricted cash reported by the Company (in thousands):

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Short-term restricted cash	$	781	$	185
Long-term restricted cash		6,972		4,105
Total restricted cash(1)	$	7,753	$	4,290

⁽¹⁾Restricted cash consists of cash deposits held within banking institutions to comply with federal regulatory requirements in Costa Rica and Panama. In addition, the Company is required to maintain a certificate of deposit of Trinidad dollars, as measured in U.S. dollars, of approximately $3.0 million with one of its lenders as a compensating balance for a $3.0 million U.S. dollar denominated loan payable over several years. The certificate of deposit will be reduced annually commensurate with the loan balance.

Short-Term Investments

Short-Term Investments – The Company considers as short-term investments certificates of deposit and similar time-based deposits with financial institutions with maturities over three months and up to one year.

Long-Term Investments

Long-Term Investments – The Company considers as long-term investments certificates of deposit and similar time-based deposits with financial institutions with maturities over one year.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, net

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, net – Goodwill and other intangibles totaled $53.5 million as of May 31, 2021 and $55.4 million as of August 31, 2020.  The Company reviews reported goodwill and other intangibles at the reporting unit level for impairment. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired.

Receivables

Receivables – Receivables consist primarily of credit card receivables and receivables from vendors and are stated net of allowances for credit losses. The determination of the allowance for credit losses is based on the Company’s assessment of collectability along with the consideration of current and expected market conditions that could impact collectability.

Tax Receivables

Tax Receivables – The Company pays Value Added Tax (“VAT”) or similar taxes, income taxes, and other taxes within the normal course of business in most of the countries in which it operates related to the procurement of merchandise and/or services the Company acquires and/or on sales and taxable income. VAT is a form of indirect tax applied to the value added at each stage of production (primary, manufacturing, wholesale and retail). This tax is similar to, but operates somewhat differently than, sales tax paid in the United States. The Company generally collects VAT from its Members upon sale of goods and services and pays VAT to its vendors upon purchase of goods and services. Periodically, the Company submits VAT reports to governmental agencies and reconciles the VAT paid and VAT received. The net overpaid VAT may be refunded or applied to subsequent returns, and the net underpaid VAT must be remitted to the government. With respect to income taxes paid, if the estimated income taxes paid or withheld exceed the actual income tax due, this creates an income tax receivable. In most countries where the Company operates, the governments have implemented additional collection procedures, such as requiring credit card processors to remit a portion of sales processed via credit and debit cards directly to the government as advance payments of VAT and/or income tax. This collection mechanism generally leaves the Company with net VAT and/or income tax receivables, forcing the Company to process significant refund claims on a recurring basis. These refund or offset processes can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete.

In most countries where the Company operates, there are defined and structured processes to recover VAT receivables via refunds or offsets. However, in one country without a clearly defined refund process, the Company is actively engaged with the local government to recover VAT receivables totaling $9.1 million and $7.0 million as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively. In two other countries, there have been changes in the method of computing minimum tax payments, under which the governments have sought to require the Company to pay taxes based on a percentage of sales rather than taxable income. As a result, the Company has made and may continue to make income tax payments substantially in excess of those it would expect to pay based on taxable income. The Company had income tax receivables of $11.0 million and $10.4 million and deferred tax

assets of $3.2 million and $2.8 million as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively, in these countries. While the rules related to refunds of income tax receivables in these countries are either unclear or complex, the Company has not placed any type of allowance on the recoverability of these tax receivables or deferred tax assets, because the Company believes that it is more likely than not that it will ultimately succeed in its refund requests. Similarly, we have not placed any recoverability allowances on tax receivables that arise from payments we are required to make originating from tax assessments that we are appealing, as we believe it is more likely than not that we will ultimately prevail in the related appeals. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be successful in recovering all tax receivables or deferred tax assets.

The Company’s policy for classification and presentation of VAT receivables, income tax receivables and other tax receivables is as follows:

Short-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Prepaid expenses and other current assets: This classification is used for any countries where the Company’s subsidiary has generally demonstrated the ability to recover the VAT or income tax receivable within one year. The Company also classifies as short-term any approved refunds or credit notes to the extent that the Company expects to receive the refund or use the credit notes within one year.

Long-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other non-current assets: This classification is used for amounts not approved for refund or credit in countries where the Company’s subsidiary has not demonstrated the ability to obtain refunds within one year and/or for amounts which are subject to outstanding disputes. An allowance is provided against VAT and income tax receivable balances in dispute when the Company does not expect to eventually prevail in its recovery. The Company does not currently have any allowances provided against VAT and income tax receivables.

The following table summarizes the VAT receivables reported by the Company (in thousands):

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	1,390	$	1,749
Other non-current assets		28,004		25,851
Total amount of VAT receivables reported	$	29,394	$	27,600

The following table summarizes the Income tax receivables reported by the Company (in thousands):

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	9,775	$	10,944
Other non-current assets		19,872		20,116
Total amount of income tax receivables reported	$	29,647	$	31,060

Lease Accounting

Lease Accounting – The Company’s leases are operating leases for warehouse clubs and non-warehouse club facilities such as corporate headquarters, regional offices, and regional distribution centers. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease and classifies it as either a finance or operating lease at lease inception. Operating leases are included in Operating lease right-of-use assets, net; Operating lease liabilities, current portion; and Long-term operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not have finance leases.

Operating lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The Company’s leases generally do not have a readily determinable implicit rate; therefore, the Company uses a collateralized incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The incremental borrowing rate is based on a yield curve derived from publicly traded bond offerings for companies with credit characteristics that approximate the Company's market risk profile. In addition, we adjust the incremental borrowing rate for jurisdictional risk derived from quoted interest rates from financial institutions to reflect the cost of borrowing in the Company’s local markets. The Company’s lease terms may include options to purchase, extend or terminate the lease, which are

recognized when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The Company does not combine lease and non-lease components.

The Company measures Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets based on the corresponding lease liabilities, adjusted for any initial direct costs and prepaid lease payments made to the lessor before or at the commencement date (net of lease incentives). The lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease payments are not included in the calculation of the ROU asset and the related lease liability and are recognized as this lease expense is incurred. The Company’s variable lease payments generally relate to amounts the Company pays for additional contingent rent based on a contractually stipulated percentage of sales.

Merchandise Inventories

Merchandise Inventories – Merchandise inventories, which include merchandise for resale, are valued at the lower of cost (average cost) or net realizable value. The Company provides for estimated inventory losses and obsolescence based on a percentage of sales. The provision is adjusted every reporting period to reflect the trend of actual physical inventory and cycle count results. In addition, the Company may be required to take markdowns below the carrying cost of certain inventory to expedite the sale of such merchandise.

Stock Based Compensation

Stock Based Compensation – The Company utilizes three types of equity awards: restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”). Compensation related to RSAs, RSUs and PSUs is based on the fair market value at the time of grant. The Company recognizes the compensation cost related to RSAs and RSUs over the requisite service period as determined by the grant, amortized ratably or on a straight-line basis over the life of the grant. The Company also recognizes compensation cost for PSUs over the performance period of each tranche, adjusting this cost based on the Company’s estimate of the probability that performance metrics will be achieved. If the Company determines that an award is unlikely to vest, any previously recorded expense is then reversed.

The Company accounts for actual forfeitures as they occur. The Company records the tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of expense for stock-based compensation and the tax deficiency resulting from stock-based compensation in excess of the related tax deduction as income tax expense or benefit. In addition, the Company reflects the tax savings (deficiency) resulting from the taxation of stock-based compensation as an operating cash flow in its consolidated statement of cash flows.

RSAs are outstanding shares of common stock and have the same cash dividend and voting rights as other shares of common stock. Shares of common stock subject to RSUs are not issued nor outstanding until vested, and RSUs do not have the same dividend and voting rights as common stock. However, all outstanding RSUs have accompanying dividend equivalents, requiring payment to the employees and directors with unvested RSUs of amounts equal to the dividend they would have received had the shares of common stock underlying the RSUs been actually issued and outstanding. Payments of dividend equivalents to employees are recorded as compensation expense.

PSUs, similar to RSUs, are awarded with dividend equivalents, provided that such amounts become payable only if the performance metric is achieved. At the time the Compensation Committee confirms the performance metric has been achieved, the accrued dividend equivalents are paid on the PSUs.

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock – Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company are recorded at cost as treasury stock and result in the reduction of stockholders’ equity in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  The Company may reissue these treasury shares as part of its stock-based compensation programs.  When treasury shares are reissued, the Company uses the first in/first out (“FIFO”) cost method for determining cost of the reissued shares.  If the issuance price is higher than the cost, the excess of the issuance price over the cost is credited to additional paid-in capital (“APIC”).  If the issuance price is lower than the cost, the difference is first charged against any credit balance in APIC from treasury stock and the balance is charged to retained earnings. During the nine months ended May 31, 2021, the Company reissued approximately 96,400 treasury shares.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements – The Company measures the fair value for all financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. The fair value of an asset is the price at which the asset could be sold in an orderly transaction between unrelated, knowledgeable and willing parties able to engage in the transaction. A liability’s fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a new obligor in a transaction between such parties, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor.

The Company has established a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring and revaluing fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. The Company was not required to revalue any assets or liabilities utilizing Level 1 or Level 3 inputs at the balance sheet dates. The Company's Level 2 assets and liabilities revalued at the balance sheet dates, on a recurring basis, consisted of cash flow hedges (interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps) and forward foreign exchange contracts. In addition, the Company utilizes Level 2 inputs in determining the fair value of long-term debt.

Non-financial assets and liabilities are revalued and recognized at fair value subsequent to initial recognition when there is evidence of impairment. For the periods reported, no impairment of such non-financial assets was recorded.

The Company’s current and long-term financial assets and liabilities have fair values that approximate their carrying values. The Company’s long-term financial liabilities consist of long-term debt, which is recorded on the balance sheet at issuance price and adjusted for any applicable unamortized discounts or premiums and debt issuance costs. There have been no significant changes in fair market value of the Company’s current and long-term financial assets, and there have been no material changes to the valuation techniques utilized in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities disclosed in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities

Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities – The Company uses derivative financial instruments for hedging and non-trading purposes to manage its exposure to changes in interest and currency exchange rates. In using derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging the Company’s exposure to interest and currency exchange rate risks, the contractual terms of a hedged instrument closely mirror those of the hedged item and are intended to provide a high degree of risk reduction and correlation. Contracts that are effective at meeting the risk reduction and correlation criteria (effective hedge) are recorded using hedge accounting. If a derivative financial instrument is an effective hedge, changes in the fair value of the instrument will be reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss until the hedged item completes its contractual term. Instruments that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting, or contracts for which the Company has not elected hedge accounting, are valued at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings during the period of the change. The Company did not change valuation techniques utilized in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities presented on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets from previous practice during the reporting period. The Company seeks to manage counterparty risk associated with these contracts by limiting transactions to counterparties with which the Company has an established banking relationship. There can be no assurance, however, that this practice effectively mitigates counterparty risk.

Cash Flow Instruments. The Company is a party to receive floating interest rate, pay fixed-rate interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate risk of certain U.S. dollar denominated debt within its international subsidiaries. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of interest expense risk. These instruments are considered effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting. The Company is also a party to receive variable interest rate, pay fixed interest rate cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate and currency exposure associated with the expected payments of principal and interest of U.S. denominated debt within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of the currency risk and interest-rate risk related to payments on the U.S. denominated debt. These instruments are also considered to be effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting. Under cash flow hedging, the entire gain or loss of the derivative, calculated as the net present value of the future cash flows, is reported on the consolidated balance sheets in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss are released to earnings in the same period that the hedged transaction impacts consolidated earnings. Refer to “Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” for information on the fair value of interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020.

Fair Value Instruments. The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations in the normal course of business. This includes exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts that are intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to currency exchange movements. The contracts are intended primarily to economically address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value instruments and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting, and as such the Company does not apply derivative hedge accounting to record these transactions. As a result, these contracts are valued at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings during the

period of the change. The Company seeks to mitigate foreign currency exchange-rate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features and are limited to less than one year in duration.

Other Instruments. Other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consist primarily of written call options in which the Company receives a premium that it uses to reduce the costs associated with its hedging activities. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, the Company recognizes changes in fair value of the derivative instrument, as well as the offsetting change in the fair value of the hedged item, in Other expense, net in the consolidated statements of income in the period of change.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition – The accounting policies and other disclosures such as the disclosure of disaggregated revenues are described in “Note 3 – Revenue Recognition.”

Insurance Reimbursements

Insurance Reimbursements – Receipts from insurance reimbursements up to the amount of the losses recognized are considered recoveries. These recoveries are accounted for when they are probable of receipt. Insurance recoveries are not recognized prior to the recognition of the related cost. Anticipated proceeds in excess of the amount of loss recognized are considered gains and are subject to gain contingency guidance. Anticipated proceeds in excess of a loss recognized in the financial statements are not recognized until all contingencies related to the insurance claim are resolved.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of Goods Sold – The Company includes the cost of merchandise and food service and bakery raw materials in cost of goods sold, net merchandise sales. The Company also includes in cost of goods sold: net merchandise sales the external and internal distribution and handling costs for supplying merchandise, raw materials and supplies to the warehouse clubs, and, when applicable, costs of shipping to Members. External costs include inbound freight, duties, drayage, fees, insurance, and non-recoverable value-added tax related to inventory shrink, spoilage and damage. Internal costs include payroll and related costs, utilities, consumable supplies, repair and maintenance, rent expense and building and equipment depreciation at the Company's distribution facilities and payroll and other direct costs for in-club demonstrations.

For export sales, the Company includes the cost of merchandise and external and internal distribution and handling costs for supplying merchandise in cost of goods sold, exports.

For the marketplace and casillero operations, the Company includes the costs of external and internal shipping, handling and other direct costs incurred to provide delivery, insurance and customs processing services in cost of goods sold, non-merchandise.

Vendor consideration consists primarily of volume rebates, time-limited product promotions, cooperative marketing efforts, digital advertising, slotting fees, demonstration reimbursements and prompt payment discounts. Volume rebates and time-limited promotions are recognized on a systematic and rational allocation of the cash consideration as the Company progresses toward earning the rebate, provided the amounts to be earned are probable and reasonably estimable. Cooperative marketing efforts and digital advertising are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for non-distinct online advertising services on the Company’s website and social media platforms. Slotting fees are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for preferential "end cap" placement of the vendor's products within the warehouse club. Demonstration reimbursements are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for the in-club promotion of the vendors' products. The Company records the reduction in cost of goods sold on a transactional basis for these programs. On a quarterly basis, the Company calculates the amount of rebates recorded in cost of goods sold that relates to inventory on hand and this amount is reclassified as a reduction to inventory, if significant. Prompt payment discounts are taken in substantially all cases and therefore are applied directly to reduce the acquisition cost of the related inventory, with the resulting effect recorded to cost of goods sold when the inventory is sold.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, General and Administrative – Selling, general and administrative costs consist primarily of expenses associated with operating warehouse clubs and freight forwarding operations. These costs include payroll and related costs, utilities, consumable supplies, repair and maintenance, rent expense, building and equipment depreciation, bank, credit card processing fees, and amortization of intangibles. Also included in selling, general and administrative expenses are the payroll and related costs for the Company’s U.S. and regional management and purchasing centers.

Pre-Opening Costs

Pre-Opening Costs – The Company expenses pre-opening costs (the costs of start-up activities, including organization costs and rent) for new warehouse clubs as incurred.

Contingencies and Litigation

Contingencies and Litigation – The Company records and reserves for loss contingencies if (a) information available prior to issuance of the consolidated financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and (b) the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If one or both criteria for accrual are not met, but there is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss will occur, the Company does not record and reserve for a loss contingency but describes the contingency within a note and provides detail, when possible, of the estimated potential loss or range of loss. If an estimate cannot be made, a statement to that effect is made.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation – The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are translated to U.S. dollars when the functional currency in the Company’s international subsidiaries is the local currency and not U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date, and revenue, costs and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange in effect during the period. The corresponding translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. These adjustments will affect net income upon the sale or liquidation of the underlying investment.

The following table discloses the net effect of translation into the reporting currency on other comprehensive loss for these local currency denominated accounts for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,		May 31,			May 31,
	2021		2020		2021			2020
Effect on other comprehensive loss due to foreign currency translation	$	(3,007)	$	(12,874)	$	(2,577)	$	(19,981)

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity (primarily U.S. dollars) are revalued to the functional currency using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. These foreign exchange transaction gains (losses), including transactions recorded involving these monetary assets and liabilities, are recorded as Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,		May 31,		May 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Currency loss	$	(2,240)	$	(1,529)	$	(3,970)	$	(2,431)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Not Yet Adopted

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Not Yet Adopted

FASB ASC 740 ASU 2019-12—Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. ASU No. 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects to adopt ASU No. 2019-12 on September 1, 2021, the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

FASB ASC 848 ASU 2020-04—Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASU No. 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions, if certain criteria are met, for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. This accounting standards update is intended to ease the process of migrating away from LIBOR to new reference rates. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). The amendments in this ASU refine the scope of ASC 848 and clarifies some of its guidance as it relates to recent rate reform activities.

A substantial number of the Company’s debt agreements and hedging relationships bear interest at variable interest rates, primarily based on USD-LIBOR. To preserve the presentation of the Company’s debt and derivatives, the Company adopted ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 effective December 1, 2020, on a prospective basis. The Company has elected to apply the contract modification expedient and the hedge accounting expedients related to critical terms, probability of forecasted transactions, and the assessments of effectiveness for future LIBOR-indexed cash flows to assume that the index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. The adoption of, and future elections under ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01, did not and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s accounting policies or consolidated financial statements. We will continue to monitor the impact the discontinuance of LIBOR will have on the Company’s contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions.

FASB ASC 350 ASU 2018-15 – Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. ASU No. 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). As such, the amendment in this ASU requires an entity (customer) in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract to follow the guidance in subtopic 350-40 in order to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset and which costs to expense.

Additionally, the amendments in this ASU require the entity to expense the capitalized implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract over the term of the hosting arrangement. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-15 on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 820 ASU 2018-13 – Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). The standard eliminates such disclosures as the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. ASU No. 2018-13 adds new disclosure requirements for Level 3 measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-13 on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 350 ASU 2017-04 – Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The amendments in this ASU modify the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. An entity no longer will determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if

that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Under this ASU, entities should now calculate any goodwill impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge to the goodwill for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU No. 2017-04 on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 326 ASU 2016-13 – Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326), which amends the FASB’s guidance on the impairment of financial instruments. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments to clarify and address certain items related to the amendments in ASU 2016-13. These amendments require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the amendments on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

There were no other new accounting standards that had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements during the three and nine month periods ended May 31, 2021, and there were no other new accounting standards or pronouncements that were issued but not yet effective as of May 31, 2021 that the Company expects to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]

Summary of Restricted Cash

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Short-term restricted cash	$	781	$	185
Long-term restricted cash		6,972		4,105
Total restricted cash(1)	$	7,753	$	4,290

⁽¹⁾Restricted cash consists of cash deposits held within banking institutions to comply with federal regulatory requirements in Costa Rica and Panama. In addition, the Company is required to maintain a certificate of deposit of Trinidad dollars, as measured in U.S. dollars, of approximately $3.0 million with one of its lenders as a compensating balance for a $3.0 million U.S. dollar denominated loan payable over several years. The certificate of deposit will be reduced annually commensurate with the loan balance.

Summary of Value Added Tax Receivables

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	1,390	$	1,749
Other non-current assets		28,004		25,851
Total amount of VAT receivables reported	$	29,394	$	27,600

Summary of Income Tax Receivables

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	9,775	$	10,944
Other non-current assets		19,872		20,116
Total amount of income tax receivables reported	$	29,647	$	31,060

Net Effect of Foreign Currency Translation

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,		May 31,			May 31,
	2021		2020		2021			2020
Effect on other comprehensive loss due to foreign currency translation	$	(3,007)	$	(12,874)	$	(2,577)	$	(19,981)

Summary of Foreign Currency Gains (Losses)

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,		May 31,		May 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Currency loss	$	(2,240)	$	(1,529)	$	(3,970)	$	(2,431)

Real Estate Development [Member]

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]

Schedule of Joint Ventures

Real Estate Development Joint Ventures	Countries	Ownership		Basis of ‎Presentation
GolfPark Plaza, S.A.	Panama	50.0	%	Equity(1)
Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A.	Costa Rica	50.0	%	Equity(1)

⁽¹⁾Joint venture interests are recorded as investment in unconsolidated affiliates on the consolidated balance sheets.

Marketplace And Casillero Store Front [Member]

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]

Schedule of Joint Ventures

Marketplace and Casillero Store-front Joint Ventures	Countries	Ownership		Basis of ‎Presentation
Guatemala	Guatemala	60.0	%	Consolidated
Tortola	British Virgin Islands	50.0	%	Consolidated
Trinidad	Trinidad	50.0	%	Consolidated

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REVENUE RECOGNITION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

REVENUE RECOGNITION [Abstract]

Contract Performance Liabilities

	Contract Liabilities
	May 31, 2021		August 31, 2020
Deferred membership income	$	26,457	$	23,051
Other contract performance liabilities	$	5,895	$	5,190

Disaggregated Revenues

		Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
		May 31, 2021		May 31, 2020		May 31, 2021		May 31, 2020
Foods & Sundries	$	431,007	$	419,579	$	1,298,134	$	1,250,728
Fresh Foods		252,365		228,858		745,158		685,413
Hardlines		94,732		70,374		318,229		261,796
Softlines		43,468		25,597		130,732		115,860
Other Business		35,906		23,960		101,998		105,025
Net Merchandise Sales	$	857,478	$	768,368	$	2,594,251	$	2,418,822

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EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]

Schedule of the Computation of Net Income Per Share

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	May 31,		May 31,		May 31,		May 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.	$	22,529	$	12,705	$	78,502	$	58,033
Less: Allocation of income to unvested stockholders		(372)		(188)		(952)		(527)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. per share available for distribution	$	22,157	$	12,517	$	77,550	$	57,506
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		30,414		30,271		30,396		30,268
Add dilutive effect of performance stock units (two-class method)		32		4		27		5
Diluted average shares outstanding		30,446		30,275		30,423		30,273
Basic net income per share	$	0.73	$	0.41	$	2.55	$	1.90
Diluted net income per share	$	0.73	$	0.41	$	2.55	$	1.90

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]

Schedule of Dividends

First Payment

Second Payment

Declared

Amount

Record ‎Date

Date ‎Paid

Date ‎Payable

Amount

Record ‎Date

Date ‎Paid

Date ‎Payable

Amount

2/4/2021

$

0.70

2/15/2021

2/26/2021

N/A

$

0.35

8/15/2021

N/A

8/31/2021

$

0.35

2/6/2020

$

0.70

2/15/2020

2/28/2020

N/A

$

0.35

8/15/2020

8/31/2020

N/A

$

0.35

Schedule of Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

	Attributable to		Noncontrolling
	PriceSmart		Interests		Total
Beginning balance, September 1, 2020	$	(176,820)	$	134	$	(176,686)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(2,577)		91		(2,486)
Defined benefit pension plans (1)		164		—		164
Derivative instruments (2)		1,865		—		1,865
Ending balance, May 31, 2021	$	(177,368)	$	225	$	(177,143)

	Attributable to		Noncontrolling
	PriceSmart		Interests		Total
Beginning balance, September 1, 2019	$	(144,339)	$	20	$	(144,319)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(19,981)		90		(19,891)
Defined benefit pension plans (1)		53		—		53
Derivative Instruments (2)		(3,752)		—		(3,752)
Ending balance, May 31, 2020	$	(168,019)	$	110	$	(167,909)

	Attributable to		Noncontrolling
	PriceSmart		Interests		Total
Beginning balance, September 1, 2019	$	(144,339)	$	20	$	(144,319)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(29,413)		114		(29,299)
Defined benefit pension plans (1)		(79)		—		(79)
Derivative Instruments (2)		(5,803)		—		(5,803)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		2,814		—		2,814
Ending balance, August 31, 2020	$	(176,820)	$	134	$	(176,686)

⁽¹⁾Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the minimum pension liability are included in warehouse club and other operations in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

⁽²⁾Refer to Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

Summary of Retained Earnings Not Available for Distribution

	May 31,		August 31,
	2021		2020
Retained earnings not available for distribution	$	7,921	$	7,375

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]

Schedule of Variable Interest Entities Maximum Loss Exposure

Entity	% ‎Ownership		Initial ‎Investment		Additional ‎Investments		Net Income Inception to Date		Company’s ‎Variable ‎Interest ‎in Entity		Commitment ‎to Future ‎Additional ‎Investments(1)		Company's ‎Maximum ‎Exposure ‎to Loss in ‎Entity(2)
GolfPark Plaza, S.A.	50	%	$	4,616	$	2,402	$	22	$	7,040	$	99	$	7,139
Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A.	50	%		2,193		1,236		100		3,529		785		4,314
Total			$	6,809	$	3,638	$	122	$	10,569	$	884	$	11,453

⁽¹⁾The parties intend to seek alternate financing for the project, which could reduce the amount of investments each party would be required to provide. The parties may mutually agree on changes to the project, which could increase or decrease the amount of contributions each party is required to provide.

⁽²⁾The maximum exposure is determined by adding the Company’s variable interest in the entity and any explicit or implicit arrangements that could require the Company to provide additional financial support.

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DEBT (Tables)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

DEBT [Abstract]

Schedule of Short-Term Borrowings

			Facilities Used
	Total Amount		Short-term		Letters of		Facilities		Weighted average
	of Facilities		Borrowings		Credit		Available		interest rate
May 31, 2021	$	131,000	$	—	$	125	$	130,875	—	%
August 31, 2020	$	81,210	$	65,143	$	388	$	15,679	3.7	%

Summary of Changes in Long-Term Debt

(Amounts in thousands)	Current ‎portion of ‎long-term debt		Long-term ‎debt (net of current portion)		Total
Balances as of August 31, 2020	$	19,437	$	112,610	$	132,047	(1)
Proceeds from long-term debt incurred during the period:
Trinidad subsidiary		547		2,453		3,000
Regularly scheduled loan payments		(1,164)		(11,971)		(13,135)
Reclassifications of long-term debt due in the next 12 months		1,706		(1,706)		—
Translation adjustments on foreign currency debt of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar (2)		28		(92)		(64)
Balances as of May 31, 2021	$	20,554	$	101,294	$	121,848	(3)

⁽¹⁾The carrying amount of non-cash assets assigned as collateral for these loans was $158.6 million. No cash assets were assigned as collateral for these loans.

⁽²⁾These foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded within Other comprehensive loss.

⁽³⁾The carrying amount of cash and non-cash assets assigned as collateral for these loans was $2.8 million and $143.7 million, respectively.

Schedule of Annual Maturities of Long-Term Debt

Twelve Months Ended May 31,	Amount
2022	$	20,554
2023		26,381
2024		9,174
2025		25,608
2026		4,310
Thereafter		35,821
Total	$	121,848

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DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

Derivative [Line Items]

Schedule of Interest Rate Derivatives

Subsidiary	Date ‎Entered ‎into	Derivative ‎Financial ‎Counter- ‎party	Derivative ‎Financial ‎Instruments	Initial ‎US$ ‎Notional ‎Amount		Bank ‎US$ ‎loan  ‎Held ‎with	Floating Leg ‎(swap ‎counter-party)	Fixed Rate ‎for PSMT ‎Subsidiary		Settlement ‎Dates	Effective ‎Period of swap
Colombia	3-Dec-19	Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")	Cross currency interest rate swap	$	7,875,000	Citibank, N.A.	Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.45%	7.87	%	3rd day of each December, March, June, and September, beginning on March 3, 2020	December 3, 2019 - ‎December 3, 2024
Colombia	27-Nov-19	Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")	Cross currency interest rate swap	$	25,000,000	Citibank, N.A.	Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.45%	7.93	%	27th day of each November, February, May and August beginning February 27, 2020	November 27, 2019 - ‎November 27, 2024
Colombia	24-Sep-19	Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")	Cross currency interest rate swap	$	12,500,000	PriceSmart, Inc.	Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.50%	7.09	%	24th day of each December, March, June and September beginning December 24, 2019	September 24, 2019 - ‎September 26, 2022
Panama	25-Jun-18	Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")	Interest rate swap	$	14,625,000	Bank of Nova Scotia	Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 3.0%	5.99	%	23rd day of each month beginning on July 23, 2018	June 25, 2018 - ‎March 23, 2023
Honduras	26-Feb-18	Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")	Cross currency interest rate swap	$	13,500,000	Citibank, N.A.	Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 3.00%	9.75	%	29th day of May, August, November and February beginning May 29, 2018	February 26, 2018 - ‎February 24, 2024
PriceSmart, Inc	7-Nov-16	MUFG Union Bank, N.A. ("Union Bank")	Interest rate swap	$	35,700,000	Union Bank	Variable rate 1-month Libor plus 1.7%	3.65	%	1st day of each month beginning on April 1, 2017	March 1, 2017 - March 1, 2027

Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions

	Notional Amount as of
	May 31,		August 31,
Floating Rate Payer (Swap Counterparty)	2021		2020
Union Bank	$	32,938	$	33,894
Citibank N.A.		52,201		55,086
Scotiabank		10,500		11,625
Total	$	95,639	$	100,605

Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value

		May 31, 2021						August 31, 2020
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments	Balance Sheet ‎Classification	Fair ‎Value		Net Tax ‎Effect		Net ‎OCI		Fair ‎Value		Net Tax ‎Effect		Net ‎OCI
Cross-currency interest rate swaps	Other non-current assets	$	1,160	$	(353)	$	807	$	872	$	(265)	$	607
Interest rate swaps	Other long-term liabilities		(2,338)		547		(1,791)		(3,857)		898		(2,959)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps	Other long-term liabilities		(816)		245		(571)		(828)		248		(580)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	(1,994)	$	439	$	(1,555)	$	(3,813)	$	881	$	(2,932)

Derivative Swaps [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]

Derivative [Line Items]

Schedule of Cash Flow Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location

Income Statement Classification	Interest ‎expense on ‎borrowings(1)		Cost of ‎swaps (2)		Total
Interest expense for the three months ended May 31, 2021	$	656	$	907	$	1,563
Interest expense for the three months ended May 31, 2020	$	1,067	$	620	$	1,687
Interest expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2021	$	2,015	$	2,785	$	4,800
Interest expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2020	$	3,287	$	1,477	$	4,764

⁽¹⁾This amount is representative of the interest expense recognized on the underlying hedged transactions.

⁽²⁾This amount is representative of the interest expense recognized on the interest rate swaps and cross-currency swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]

Derivative [Line Items]

Schedule of Open Non-Deliverable Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

Subsidiary	Dates ‎entered into	Financial ‎Derivative ‎(Counterparty)	Derivative ‎Financial ‎Instrument	Notional ‎Amount ‎(in thousands)		Settlement ‎Date	Effective Period ‎of Forward
Colombia	28-Apr-21	Scotiabank Colpatria, S.A.	Forward foreign ‎exchange contracts (USD)	$	5,000	28-Dec-21	April 28, 2021 - December 28, 2021
Colombia	28-May-21	Scotiabank Colpatria, S.A.	Forward foreign ‎exchange contracts (USD)		2,000	29-Dec-21	May 28, 2021 - December 29, 2021

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Instruments [Member]

Derivative [Line Items]

Schedule of Cash Flow Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location

		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		May 31,	May 31,			May 31,	May 31,
Income Statement Classification		2021	2020			2021	2020
Other expense, net	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(912)

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SEGMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

SEGMENTS [Abstract]

Summary of Segment Revenues, Operating Costs and Balance Sheet Items

	United ‎States ‎Operations		Central ‎American ‎Operations		Caribbean ‎Operations(1)		Colombia Operations		Reconciling ‎Items(2)		Total
Three Months Ended May 31, 2021
Revenue from external customers	$	21,237	$	531,595	$	243,468	$	98,964	$	—	$	895,264
Intersegment revenues		309,261		4,305		1,228		434		(315,228)		—
Depreciation, Property and equipment		1,666		7,990		3,920		2,403		—		15,979
Amortization, Intangibles		606		—		—		—		—		606
Operating income (loss)		545		38,313		17,240		5,135		(25,184)		36,049
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		(2,388)		32,700		13,524		3,929		(25,236)		22,529
Capital expenditures, net		3,334		8,724		6,486		4,870		—		23,414
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021
Revenue from external customers	$	67,622	$	1,567,287	$	762,153	$	313,203	$	—	$	2,710,265
Intersegment revenues		955,619		12,842		3,498		2,413		(974,372)		—
Depreciation, Property and equipment		5,115		23,367		11,570		6,500		—		46,552
Amortization, Intangibles		1,798		—		—		—		—		1,798
Operating income (loss)		8,315		113,120		59,600		17,139		(72,615)		125,559
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		(4,306)		94,247		48,175		13,224		(72,838)		78,502
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)		79,178		484,039		189,873		163,266		—		916,356
Intangibles, net		8,368		—		—		—		—		8,368
Goodwill		10,695		24,359		10,088		—		—		45,142
Total assets		202,770		777,703		427,078		224,404		—		1,631,955
Capital expenditures, net		6,052		30,334		14,748		20,416		—		71,550
Three Months Ended May 31, 2020
Revenue from external customers	$	15,852	$	452,927	$	250,304	$	80,848	$	—	$	799,931
Intersegment revenues		230,826		4,791		1,548		787		(237,952)		—
Depreciation, Property and equipment		1,294		7,577		3,810		1,591		—		14,272
Amortization, Intangibles		607		—		—		—		—		607
Operating income (loss)		(1,115)		27,606		13,547		3,487		(19,558)		23,967
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		(3,785)		22,724		10,849		2,403		(19,486)		12,705
Capital expenditures, net		1,446		9,395		2,163		3,508		—		16,512
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020
Revenue from external customers	$	52,039	$	1,442,336	$	747,004	$	277,228	$	—	$	2,518,607
Intersegment revenues		868,137		12,745		3,627		1,870		(886,379)		—
Depreciation, Property and equipment		3,981		22,027		11,602		5,452		—		43,062
Amortization, Intangibles		1,805		—		—		—		—		1,805
Operating income (loss)		3,401		96,972		40,436		13,411		(60,730)		93,490
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.		(5,350)		79,815		34,978		9,340		(60,750)		58,033
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)		83,813		481,942		181,578		143,437		—		890,770
Intangibles, net		10,772		—		—		—		—		10,772
Goodwill		10,695		24,484		10,137		—		—		45,316
Total assets		224,682		727,527		384,168		238,112		—		1,574,489
Capital expenditures, net		5,564		42,766		13,913		28,807		—		91,050
As of August 31, 2020
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)	$	81,008	$	475,744	$	177,166	$	146,862	$	—	$	880,780
Intangibles, net		10,166		—		—		—		—		10,166
Goodwill		10,696		24,418		10,092		—		—		45,206
Total assets		272,190		741,523		395,244		247,868		—		1,656,825

⁽¹⁾Management considers its club in the U.S. Virgin Islands to be part of its Caribbean operations.

⁽²⁾The reconciling items reflect the amount eliminated on consolidation of intersegment transactions.

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COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Narrative) (Details)	Feb. 28, 2022 warehouse	May 31, 2021 warehouse item country
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores		47
Number of countries | country		13
Number of countries that offer curbside pickup and delivery service | item		13
Ownership interest		100.00%
Colombia [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores		8
Costa Rica [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores		8
Panama [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores		7
Trinidad [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores		4
Dominican Republic [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores		5
Guatemala [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores		4
Honduras [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores		3
El Salvador [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores		2
Nicaragua [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores		2
Aruba [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores		1
Barbados [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores		1
Jamaica [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores		1
United States Virgin Islands [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores		1
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores	50
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Guatemala City, Guatemala and Bucaramanga, Colombia [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of stores	3
Foreign Countries [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of countries | country		12
Domestic Territories [Member] | United States Operations [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of countries | country		1
Aeropost, Inc [Member] | Latin America [Member]
Company Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of countries | country		38

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Goodwill and Other Intangibles) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Goodwill and other intangibles, net	$ 53.5	$ 55.4

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tax Receivables) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Tax Receivables [Line Items]
Value added tax receivable	$ 29,394	$ 27,600
Income taxes receivable	29,647	31,060
Unknown Country [Member]
Tax Receivables [Line Items]
Value added tax receivable	9,100	7,000
Deferred tax assets, net	3,200	2,800
Income taxes receivable	$ 11,000	$ 10,400

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Stock Based Compensation) (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2021 item
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Number of types of equity awards issued	3

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Treasury Stock) (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2021 shares
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Reissued treasury shares	96,400

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Fair Value Measurements) (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2021 USD ($)
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Non-financial asset impairment	$ 0

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Schedule of Joint Ventures) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2021
GolfPark Plaza, S.A. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership	50.00%	[1]
Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership	50.00%	[1]
Marketplace And Casillero Store Front, Guatemala [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership	60.00%
Marketplace And Casillero Store Front, Tortola [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership	50.00%
Marketplace And Casillero Store Front, Trinidad [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership	50.00%

[1] Joint venture interests are recorded as investment in unconsolidated affiliates on the consolidated balance sheets.

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Summary of Restricted Cash) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		May 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Short-term restricted cash		$ 781	$ 185
Long-term restricted cash		6,972	4,105
Total restricted cash	[1]	7,753	$ 4,290
Loans payable		3,000
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Total restricted cash		$ 3,000

[1] Restricted cash consists of cash deposits held within banking institutions to comply with federal regulatory requirements in Costa Rica and Panama. In addition, the Company is required to maintain a certificate of deposit of Trinidad dollars, as measured in U.S. dollars, of approximately $3.0 million with one of its lenders as a compensating balance for a $3.0 million U.S. dollar denominated loan payable over several years. The certificate of deposit will be reduced annually commensurate with the loan balance.

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Summary of Value Added Tax Receivables) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Value Added Tax, Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$ 1,390	$ 1,749
Value Added Tax, Other non-current assets	28,004	25,851
Total amount of VAT receivables reported	$ 29,394	$ 27,600

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Summary of Income Tax Receivables) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Income Tax Receivable, Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$ 9,775	$ 10,944
Income Tax Receivable, Other non-current assets	19,872	20,116
Total amount of income tax receivables reported	$ 29,647	$ 31,060

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Net Effect of Foreign Currency Translation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Effect on other comprehensive loss due to foreign currency translation	[1]	$ (3,007)	$ (12,874)	$ (2,577)	$ (19,981)

[1] Translation adjustments arising in translating the financial statements of a foreign entity have no effect on the income taxes of that foreign entity. They may, however, affect: (a) the amount, measured in the parent entity's reporting currency, of withholding taxes assessed on dividends paid to the parent entity and (b) the amount of taxes assessed on the parent entity by the government of its country. The Company has determined that the reinvestment of earnings of its foreign subsidiaries are indefinite because of the long-term nature of the Company's foreign investment plans. Therefore, deferred taxes are not provided for on translation adjustments related to non-remitted earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries.

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Summary of Foreign Currency Gains (Losses)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Currency loss	$ (2,240)	$ (1,529)	$ (3,970)	$ (2,431)

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REVENUE RECOGNITION (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2021 USD ($) country
REVENUE RECOGNITION [Abstract]
Platinum membership redemption rate	100.00%
Annual membership fee	$ 75
Platinum membership rebate	2.00%
Maximum Platinum annual membership rebate	$ 500
Platinum membership recorded liability	95.00%
Breakage revenue percent	5.00%
Number of countries | country	13

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REVENUE RECOGNITION (Contract Performance Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Deferred Membership Income [Member]
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Line Items]
Contract Liabilities	$ 26,457	$ 23,051
Other Contract Performance Liabilities [Member]
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Line Items]
Contract Liabilities	$ 5,895	$ 5,190

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REVENUE RECOGNITION (Disaggregated Revenues) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net Merchandise Sales	$ 857,478	$ 768,368	$ 2,594,251	$ 2,418,822
Foods And Sundries [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net Merchandise Sales	431,007	419,579	1,298,134	1,250,728
Fresh Foods [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net Merchandise Sales	252,365	228,858	745,158	685,413
Hardlines [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net Merchandise Sales	94,732	70,374	318,229	261,796
Softlines [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net Merchandise Sales	43,468	25,597	130,732	115,860
Other Business [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net Merchandise Sales	$ 35,906	$ 23,960	$ 101,998	$ 105,025

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EARNINGS PER SHARE (Schedule of the Computation of Net Income Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.	$ 22,529	$ 12,705	$ 78,502	$ 58,033
Less: Allocation of income to unvested stockholders	(372)	(188)	(952)	(527)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. per share available for distribution	$ 22,157	$ 12,517	$ 77,550	$ 57,506
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	30,414	30,271	30,396	30,268
Add dilutive effect of performance stock units (two-class method)	32	4	27	5
Diluted average shares outstanding	30,446	30,275	30,423	30,273
Basic net income per share	$ 0.73	$ 0.41	$ 2.55	$ 1.90
Diluted net income per share	$ 0.73	$ 0.41	$ 2.55	$ 1.90

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Schedule of Dividends) (Details) - $ / shares						9 Months Ended
	Feb. 26, 2021	Feb. 04, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020	Feb. 28, 2020	Feb. 06, 2020	May 31, 2021
2021 Dividend Declared [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declared						Feb. 04, 2021
2021 Dividend Declared [Member] | First Payment [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Amount		$ 0.70
Record Date						Feb. 15, 2021
Date Paid						Feb. 26, 2021
2021 Dividend Declared [Member] | Second Payment [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Record Date						Aug. 15, 2021
Date Payable						Aug. 31, 2021
Payment Amount	$ 0.35					$ 0.35
2020 Dividend Declared [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declared						Feb. 06, 2020
2020 Dividend Declared [Member] | First Payment [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Amount					$ 0.70
Record Date						Feb. 15, 2020
Date Paid						Feb. 28, 2020
2020 Dividend Declared [Member] | Second Payment [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Record Date						Aug. 15, 2020
Date Paid						Aug. 31, 2020
Payment Amount			$ 0.35	$ 0.35

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Schedule of Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart				$ 831,719
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		$ (2,557)	$ (15,411)	(457)	$ (23,590)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		898,803		898,803		$ 831,719
Balance		875,251	818,867	832,732	798,279	798,279
Balance		899,784	819,603	899,784	819,603	832,732
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart				(176,820)	(144,339)	(144,339)
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		(2,590)	(15,446)	(548)	(23,680)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		(177,368)	(168,019)	(177,368)	(168,019)	(176,820)
Balance		(174,778)	(152,573)	(176,820)	(144,339)	(144,339)
Balance		(177,368)	(168,019)	(177,368)	(168,019)	(176,820)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart				(2,577)	(19,981)	(29,413)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[1]			164	53	(79)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[2]			1,865	(3,752)	(5,803)
AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance				134	20	20
Balance		225	110	225	110	134
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)				91	90	114
Reclassification From Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart						2,814
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance				(176,686)	(144,319)	(144,319)
Balance		$ (177,143)	$ (167,909)	(177,143)	(167,909)	(176,686)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)				(2,486)	(19,891)	(29,299)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]			164	53	(79)
Accumulated Derivative Instruments Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[2]			$ 1,865	$ (3,752)	(5,803)
Reclassification From Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)						$ 2,814

[1] Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the minimum pension liability are included in warehouse club and other operations in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

[2] Refer to Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Summary of Retained Earnings Not Available for Distribution) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Retained earnings not available for distribution	$ 7,921	$ 7,375

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for taxes other than income taxes, Current	$ 1,700	$ 2,500
Contractual obligation	16,300	5,100
Purchase options, Land	7,400
Income taxes receivable	29,647	31,060
Uncertain income tax	1,200
Unknown Country [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Income taxes receivable	11,000	10,400
Deferred tax assets, net	$ 3,200	$ 2,800

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Schedule of Variable Interest Entities Maximum Loss Exposure) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
		May 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Initial Investment		$ 6,809
Additional Investments		3,638
Net Income Inception to Date		122
Company's Variable Interest in Entity		10,569	$ 10,602
Commitment to Future Additional Investments	[1]	884
Company's Maximum Exposure to Loss in Entity	[2]	$ 11,453
GolfPark Plaza, S.A. [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership	[3]	50.00%
Initial Investment		$ 4,616
Additional Investments		2,402
Net Income Inception to Date		22
Company's Variable Interest in Entity		7,040
Commitment to Future Additional Investments	[1]	99
Company's Maximum Exposure to Loss in Entity	[2]	$ 7,139
Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A. [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership	[3]	50.00%
Initial Investment		$ 2,193
Additional Investments		1,236
Net Income Inception to Date		100
Company's Variable Interest in Entity		3,529
Commitment to Future Additional Investments	[1]	785
Company's Maximum Exposure to Loss in Entity	[2]	$ 4,314

[1] The parties intend to seek alternate financing for the project, which could reduce the amount of investments each party would be required to provide. The parties may mutually agree on changes to the project, which could increase or decrease the amount of contributions each party is required to provide.

[2] The maximum exposure is determined by adding the Company’s variable interest in the entity and any explicit or implicit arrangements that could require the Company to provide additional financial support.

[3] Joint venture interests are recorded as investment in unconsolidated affiliates on the consolidated balance sheets.

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DEBT (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2021		Aug. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term loans	$ 121,848	[1]	$ 132,047	[2]
Group of Subsidiaries [Member] | Debt With Covenants [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term loans	$ 96,000		$ 107,400

[1] The carrying amount of cash and non-cash assets assigned as collateral for these loans was $2.8 million and $143.7 million, respectively.

[2] The carrying amount of non-cash assets assigned as collateral for these loans was $158.6 million. No cash assets were assigned as collateral for these loans.

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DEBT (Schedule of Short-Term Borrowings) (Details) - Facilities [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Total Amount of Facilities	$ 131,000	$ 81,210
Facilities Available	130,875	$ 15,679
Weighted average interest rate		3.70%
Short-term Borrowings [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Facilities Used		$ 65,143
Letters of Credit [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Facilities Used	$ 125	$ 388

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DEBT (Summary of Changes in Long-Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($)		9 Months Ended
		May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of long-term debt		$ 19,437,000
Long-term debt (net of current portion)		112,610,000
Total	[1]	132,047,000
Proceeds from long-term debt incurred during the period,		3,000,000	$ 57,820,000
Regularly scheduled loan payments, Current portion of long-term debt		(1,164,000)
Regularly scheduled loan payments, Long-term debt (net of current portion)		(11,971,000)
Regularly scheduled loan payments total		(13,135,000)
Reclassification of long-term debt due in the next 12 months, Current portion of long-term debt		1,706,000
Reclassification of long-term debt due in the next 12 months, Long-term debt (net of current portion)		(1,706,000)
Reclassification of long-term debt due in the next 12 months total
Translation adjustments on foreign currency debt of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, Current portion of long-term debt	[2]	28,000
Translation adjustments on foreign currency debt of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, Long-term debt (net of current portion)	[2]	(92,000)
Translation adjustments on foreign currency debt of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar total	[2]	(64,000)
Current portion of long-term debt		20,554,000
Long-term debt (net of current portion)		101,294,000
Total	[3]	121,848,000
Cash Asset [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Collateral amount		2,800,000		$ 0
NonCash Asset [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Collateral amount		143,700,000		$ 158,600,000
Trinidad [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from long-term debt incurred during the period, Current portion of long-term debt		547,000
Proceeds from long-term debt incurred during the period, Long-term debt (net of current portion)		2,453,000
Proceeds from long-term debt incurred during the period,		$ 3,000,000

[1] The carrying amount of non-cash assets assigned as collateral for these loans was $158.6 million. No cash assets were assigned as collateral for these loans.

[2] These foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded within Other comprehensive loss.

[3] The carrying amount of cash and non-cash assets assigned as collateral for these loans was $2.8 million and $143.7 million, respectively.

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DEBT (Schedule of Annual Maturities of Long-Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2021		Aug. 31, 2020	[2]
DEBT [Abstract]
2022	$ 20,554
2023	26,381
2024	9,174
2025	25,608
2026	4,310
Thereafter	35,821
Total	$ 121,848	[1]	$ 132,047

[1] The carrying amount of cash and non-cash assets assigned as collateral for these loans was $2.8 million and $143.7 million, respectively.

[2] The carrying amount of non-cash assets assigned as collateral for these loans was $158.6 million. No cash assets were assigned as collateral for these loans.

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DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Interest Rate Derivatives) (Details) - Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	May 31, 2021 USD ($)
Colombia $8M Cross Currency Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Initial Notional Amount	$ 7,875,000
Debt instrument, Basis spread on variable rate	2.45%
Derivative, Fixed Rate for PSMT Subsidiary	7.87%
Columbia $25M Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Initial Notional Amount	$ 25,000,000
Debt instrument, Basis spread on variable rate	2.45%
Derivative, Fixed Rate for PSMT Subsidiary	7.93%
Colombia $12.5M Cross Currency Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Initial Notional Amount	$ 12,500,000
Debt instrument, Basis spread on variable rate	2.50%
Derivative, Fixed Rate for PSMT Subsidiary	7.09%
Panama $15M Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Initial Notional Amount	$ 14,625,000
Debt instrument, Basis spread on variable rate	3.00%
Derivative, Fixed Rate for PSMT Subsidiary	5.99%
Honduras $13.5M Cross Currency Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Initial Notional Amount	$ 13,500,000
Debt instrument, Basis spread on variable rate	3.00%
Derivative, Fixed Rate for PSMT Subsidiary	9.75%
Pricesmart $35.7M Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Initial Notional Amount	$ 35,700,000
Debt instrument, Basis spread on variable rate	1.70%
Derivative, Fixed Rate for PSMT Subsidiary	3.65%

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DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Cash Flow Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020
Interest Expense [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, gain (loss) on derivative, Net		$ 1,563	$ 1,687	$ 4,800	$ 4,764
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Interest Expense [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, gain (loss) on derivative, Net	[1]	656	1,067	2,015	3,287
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest Expense [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, gain (loss) on derivative, Net	[2]	$ 907	$ 620	$ 2,785	1,477
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Instruments [Member] | Other Expense, Net [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, gain (loss) on derivative, Net					$ (912)

[1] This amount is representative of the interest expense recognized on the underlying hedged transactions.

[2] This amount is representative of the interest expense recognized on the interest rate swaps and cross-currency swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

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DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions) (Details) - Cash Flow Hedging [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount	$ 95,639	$ 100,605
Union Bank [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount	32,938	33,894
Citibank N.A. [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount	52,201	55,086
Scotiabank [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount	$ 10,500	$ 11,625

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DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent	$ 1,160	$ 872
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	(1,994)	(3,813)
Net Tax Effect	439	881
Net OCI	(1,555)	(2,932)
Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Other Non-current Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent	1,160	872
Net Tax Effect	(353)	(265)
Net OCI	807	607
Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Other Long-term Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	(816)	(828)
Net Tax Effect	245	248
Net OCI	(571)	(580)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Other Long-term Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	(2,338)	(3,857)
Net Tax Effect	547	898
Net OCI	$ (1,791)	$ (2,959)

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DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule Of Open Non-Deliverable Forward Foreign Exchange Contract) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 28, 2021	Apr. 28, 2021
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Non-Deliverable Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 2,000	$ 5,000

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SEGMENTS (Narrative) (Details)	May 31, 2021 country warehouse
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of stores | warehouse	47
Number of countries	13
Foreign Countries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of countries	12

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SEGMENTS (Summary of Segment Revenues, Operating Costs and Balance Sheet Items) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		$ 895,264	$ 799,931	$ 2,710,265	$ 2,518,607
Depreciation, Property and equipment		15,979	14,272	46,552	43,062
Amortization, Intangibles		606	607	1,798	1,805
Operating income (loss)		36,049	23,967	125,559	93,490
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart Inc.		22,529	12,705	78,502	58,033
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)		916,356	890,770	916,356	890,770	$ 880,780
Intangibles, net		8,368	10,772	8,368	10,772	10,166
Goodwill		45,142	45,316	45,142	45,316	45,206
Total assets		1,631,955	1,574,489	1,631,955	1,574,489	1,656,825
Capital expenditures, net		23,414	16,512	71,550	91,050
United States Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		21,237	15,852	67,622	52,039
Depreciation, Property and equipment		1,666	1,294	5,115	3,981
Amortization, Intangibles		606	607	1,798	1,805
Operating income (loss)		545	(1,115)	8,315	3,401
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart Inc.		(2,388)	(3,785)	(4,306)	(5,350)
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)		79,178	83,813	79,178	83,813	81,008
Intangibles, net		8,368	10,772	8,368	10,772	10,166
Goodwill		10,695	10,695	10,695	10,695	10,696
Total assets		202,770	224,682	202,770	224,682	272,190
Capital expenditures, net		3,334	1,446	6,052	5,564
Central American Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		531,595	452,927	1,567,287	1,442,336
Depreciation, Property and equipment		7,990	7,577	23,367	22,027
Operating income (loss)		38,313	27,606	113,120	96,972
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart Inc.		32,700	22,724	94,247	79,815
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)		484,039	481,942	484,039	481,942	475,744
Goodwill		24,359	24,484	24,359	24,484	24,418
Total assets		777,703	727,527	777,703	727,527	741,523
Capital expenditures, net		8,724	9,395	30,334	42,766
Caribbean Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	[1]	243,468	250,304	762,153	747,004
Depreciation, Property and equipment	[1]	3,920	3,810	11,570	11,602
Operating income (loss)	[1]	17,240	13,547	59,600	40,436
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart Inc.	[1]	13,524	10,849	48,175	34,978
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)	[1]	189,873	181,578	189,873	181,578	177,166
Goodwill	[1]	10,088	10,137	10,088	10,137	10,092
Total assets	[1]	427,078	384,168	427,078	384,168	395,244
Capital expenditures, net	[1]	6,486	2,163	14,748	13,913
Colombia Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		98,964	80,848	313,203	277,228
Depreciation, Property and equipment		2,403	1,591	6,500	5,452
Operating income (loss)		5,135	3,487	17,139	13,411
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart Inc.		3,929	2,403	13,224	9,340
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)		163,266	143,437	163,266	143,437	146,862
Total assets		224,404	238,112	224,404	238,112	$ 247,868
Capital expenditures, net		4,870	3,508	20,416	28,807
Intersegment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	[2]	(315,228)	(237,952)	(974,372)	(886,379)
Intersegment [Member] | United States Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		(309,261)	(230,826)	(955,619)	(868,137)
Intersegment [Member] | Central American Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		(4,305)	(4,791)	(12,842)	(12,745)
Intersegment [Member] | Caribbean Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	[1]	(1,228)	(1,548)	(3,498)	(3,627)
Intersegment [Member] | Colombia Operations Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		(434)	(787)	(2,413)	(1,870)
Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	[2]	(25,184)	(19,558)	(72,615)	(60,730)
Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart Inc.	[2]	$ (25,236)	$ (19,486)	$ (72,838)	$ (60,750)

[1] Management considers its club in the U.S. Virgin Islands to be part of its Caribbean operations.

[2] The reconciling items reflect the amount eliminated on consolidation of intersegment transactions.