10-Q 1 a11-10814_110q.htm QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(D)

Table of Contents

 

 

 

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 period ended April 10, 2011;

 

or

 

o         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: 0-19797

 

WHOLE FOODS MARKET, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Texas

 

74-1989366

(State of

 

(IRS employer

incorporation)

 

identification no.)

 

550 Bowie St.

Austin, Texas 78703

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

512-477-4455

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.) Yes o No x

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, no par value, outstanding as of April 10, 2011 was 175,712,740 shares.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Page

 

 

Number

 

 

 

Part I. Financial Information

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited), April 10, 2011 and September 26, 2010

 

3

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited), for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 and April 11, 2010

 

4

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (unaudited), for the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 and fiscal year ended September 26, 2010

 

5

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited), for the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 and April 11, 2010

 

6

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

7

 

 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

12

 

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

17

 

 

 

Part II. Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

18

 

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

18

 

 

 

Signature

 

19

 

2



Table of Contents

 

Part I. Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

April 10, 2011 and September 26, 2010

(In thousands)

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

162,103

 

$

131,996

 

Short-term investments — available-for-sale securities

 

391,846

 

329,738

 

Restricted cash

 

86,785

 

86,802

 

Accounts receivable

 

155,092

 

133,346

 

Merchandise inventories

 

341,539

 

323,487

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

62,127

 

54,686

 

Deferred income taxes

 

103,394

 

101,464

 

Total current assets

 

1,302,886

 

1,161,519

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

1,933,764

 

1,886,130

 

Long-term investments — available-for-sale securities

 

80,437

 

96,146

 

Goodwill

 

661,483

 

665,224

 

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization

 

67,093

 

69,064

 

Deferred income taxes

 

81,549

 

99,156

 

Other assets

 

9,362

 

9,301

 

Total assets

 

$

4,136,574

 

$

3,986,540

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current installments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

$

435

 

$

410

 

Accounts payable

 

233,991

 

213,212

 

Accrued payroll, bonus and other benefits due team members

 

254,334

 

244,427

 

Dividends payable

 

17,572

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

338,072

 

289,823

 

Total current liabilities

 

844,404

 

747,872

 

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current installments

 

207,741

 

508,288

 

Deferred lease liabilities

 

321,986

 

294,291

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

59,708

 

62,831

 

Total liabilities

 

1,433,839

 

1,613,282

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, no par value, 300,000 shares authorized; 175,713 and 172,033 shares
issued and outstanding at 2011 and 2010, respectively

 

1,954,250

 

1,773,897

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

6,408

 

791

 

Retained earnings

 

742,077

 

598,570

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

2,702,735

 

2,373,258

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

4,136,574

 

$

3,986,540

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Twelve weeks ended

 

Twenty-eight weeks ended

 

 

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Sales

 

$

2,350,518

 

$

2,106,061

 

$

5,354,173

 

$

4,745,219

 

Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs

 

1,513,699

 

1,363,632

 

3,479,115

 

3,096,574

 

Gross profit

 

836,819

 

742,429

 

1,875,058

 

1,648,645

 

Direct store expenses

 

608,484

 

551,705

 

1,398,867

 

1,254,511

 

General and administrative expenses

 

75,661

 

62,540

 

164,172

 

138,476

 

Pre-opening expenses

 

9,543

 

11,636

 

18,183

 

24,445

 

Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs

 

1,003

 

(2,688

)

4,149

 

9,724

 

Operating income

 

142,128

 

119,236

 

289,687

 

221,489

 

Interest expense

 

(1,283

)

(7,783

)

(3,616

)

(18,336

)

Investment and other income

 

1,941

 

1,910

 

4,593

 

3,693

 

Income before income taxes

 

142,786

 

113,363

 

290,664

 

206,846

 

Provision for income taxes

 

52,851

 

45,912

 

111,999

 

84,240

 

Net income

 

89,935

 

67,451

 

178,665

 

122,606

 

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

 

 

5,478

 

Income available to common shareholders

 

$

89,935

 

$

67,451

 

$

178,665

 

$

117,128

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.51

 

$

0.39

 

$

1.03

 

$

0.73

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

174,686

 

170,893

 

173,606

 

161,476

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.51

 

$

0.39

 

$

1.02

 

$

0.72

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted basis

 

177,124

 

171,826

 

175,614

 

170,953

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.10

 

$

 

$

0.20

 

$

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

4



Table of Contents

 

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (unaudited)

Twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 and fiscal year ended September 26, 2010

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

other

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Shares

 

Common

 

comprehensive

 

Retained

 

shareholders’

 

 

 

outstanding

 

stock

 

income (loss)

 

earnings

 

equity

 

Balances at September 27, 2009

 

140,542

 

$

1,283,028

 

$

(13,367

)

$

358,215

 

$

1,627,876

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

245,833

 

245,833

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net

 

 

 

1,564

 

 

1,564

 

Reclassification adjustments for amounts included in income

 

 

 

12,943

 

 

12,943

 

Change in unrealized losses, net of income taxes

 

 

 

(349

)

 

(349

)

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

259,991

 

Redeemable preferred stock dividends

 

358

 

5,195

 

 

(5,478

)

(283

)

Conversion of preferred stock

 

29,311

 

413,052

 

 

 

413,052

 

Issuance of common stock pursuant to team member stock plans

 

1,822

 

47,020

 

 

 

47,020

 

Excess tax benefit related to exercise of team member stock options

 

 

2,708

 

 

 

2,708

 

Share-based payment expense

 

 

22,894

 

 

 

22,894

 

Balances at September 26, 2010

 

172,033

 

1,773,897

 

791

 

598,570

 

2,373,258

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

178,665

 

178,665

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net

 

 

 

5,389

 

 

5,389

 

Reclassification adjustments for amounts included in income

 

 

 

245

 

 

245

 

Change in unrealized losses, net of income taxes

 

 

 

(17

)

 

(17

)

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

184,282

 

Dividends ($0.20 per common share)

 

 

 

 

(34,920

)

(34,920

)

Issuance of common stock pursuant to team member stock plans

 

3,684

 

154,968

 

 

 

154,968

 

Excess tax benefit related to exercise of team member stock options

 

 

12,537

 

 

 

12,537

 

Share-based payment expense

 

 

12,848

 

 

 

12,848

 

Other

 

(4

)

 

 

(238

)

(238

)

Balances at April 10, 2011

 

175,713

 

$

1,954,250

 

$

6,408

 

$

742,077

 

$

2,702,735

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

5



Table of Contents

 

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Twenty-eight weeks ended

 

 

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

178,665

 

$

122,606

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

152,903

 

146,795

 

Loss (gain) on disposition of fixed assets

 

914

 

(2,172

)

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

581

 

1,875

 

Share-based payment expense

 

12,848

 

9,173

 

LIFO expense (benefit)

 

3,000

 

(2,805

)

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

 

15,747

 

(7,773

)

Excess tax benefit related to exercise of team member stock options

 

(9,251

)

(1,844

)

Deferred lease liabilities

 

24,110

 

19,954

 

Other

 

(379

)

(3,895

)

Net change in current assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(24,991

)

(17,581

)

Merchandise inventories

 

(20,474

)

(2,734

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(7,310

)

10,370

 

Accounts payable

 

20,176

 

17,565

 

Accrued payroll, bonus and other benefits due team members

 

9,580

 

14,980

 

Other current liabilities

 

46,457

 

33,342

 

Net change in other long-term liabilities

 

241

 

5,127

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

402,817

 

342,983

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Development costs of new locations

 

(89,451

)

(110,966

)

Other property and equipment expenditures

 

(80,130

)

(36,055

)

Purchase of available-for-sale securities

 

(780,154

)

(615,492

)

Sale of available-for-sale securities

 

731,306

 

192,685

 

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash

 

17

 

(16,184

)

Other investing activities

 

(1,576

)

(1,048

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(219,988

)

(587,060

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock dividends paid

 

(17,348

)

 

Preferred stock dividends paid

 

 

(8,500

)

Issuance of common stock

 

153,067

 

34,321

 

Excess tax benefit related to exercise of team member stock options

 

9,251

 

1,844

 

Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

(300,123

)

(110

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(155,153

)

27,555

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

2,431

 

1,601

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

30,107

 

(214,921

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

131,996

 

430,130

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

162,103

 

$

215,209

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

14,002

 

$

28,653

 

Federal and state income taxes paid

 

$

109,611

 

$

78,616

 

Non-cash transaction:

 

 

 

 

 

Conversion of redeemable preferred stock into common stock

 

$

 

$

418,247

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

April 10, 2011

 

(1) Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Whole Foods Market, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively “Whole Foods Market,” “Company,” or “We”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis, the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 26, 2010. In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for any other interim period or for a full fiscal year. The Company reports its results of operations on a fifty-two or fifty-three week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in September. The first fiscal quarter is sixteen weeks, the second and third quarters each are twelve weeks, and the fourth quarter is twelve or thirteen weeks. Fiscal years 2011 and 2010 are fifty-two week fiscal years. We have one operating segment and a single reportable segment, natural and organic foods supermarkets. The following is a summary of percentage sales by geographic area for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended:

 

 

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

96.9

%

97.0

%

Canada and United Kingdom

 

3.1

 

3.0

 

Total sales

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

The following is a summary of the percentage of net long-lived assets by geographic area as of the dates indicated:

 

 

 

April 10,

 

September 26,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Long-lived assets, net:

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

96.2

%

96.6

%

Canada and United Kingdom

 

3.8

 

3.4

 

Total long-lived assets, net

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

(2) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amended guidance within Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, “Business Combinations,” which updates previous guidance on this topic and applies to all material transactions. The amendments specify that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. Additional amendments expand supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and is applied prospectively to business combinations completed on or after that date. The provisions are effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending September 30, 2012. We do not expect the adoption of these provisions to have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs,” which amends ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement.” The amended guidance changes the wording used to describe many requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. Additionally, the amendments clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements. The guidance provided in ASU No. 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and is applied prospectively. The provisions are effective for the Company’s second quarter of fiscal year ending September 30, 2012. We do not expect the adoption of these provisions to have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

(3) Fair Value Measurements

 

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 

The Company holds money market fund investments that are classified as either cash equivalents or restricted cash and available-for-sale marketable securities generally consisting of state and local government obligations that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, based on current market prices. Currently, the Company primarily holds variable rate demand notes. At April 10, 2011, the average effective maturity of the Company’s short and long-term investments was approximately three and 15 months, respectively.

 

The Company held the following financial assets at fair value, based on the hierarchy input levels indicated, on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

April 10, 2011

 

Level 1 Inputs

 

Level 2 Inputs

 

Level 3 Inputs

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market fund investments

 

$

119,426

 

$

 

$

 

$

119,426

 

Marketable securities — available-for-sale

 

472,283

 

 

 

472,283

 

Total

 

$

591,709

 

$

 

$

 

$

591,709

 

 

September 26, 2010

 

Level 1 Inputs

 

Level 2 Inputs

 

Level 3 Inputs

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market fund investments

 

$

112,363

 

$

 

$

 

$

112,363

 

Marketable securities — available-for-sale

 

425,884

 

 

 

425,884

 

Total

 

$

538,247

 

$

 

$

 

$

538,247

 

 

(4) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

There were no impairments of goodwill during the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 or April 11, 2010. The Company recorded goodwill adjustments of approximately $3.7 million and $2.6 million, related to actual exit costs of certain restructuring reserves, during the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 and April 11, 2010, respectively. The components of intangible assets were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

April 10, 2011

 

September 26, 2010

 

 

 

Gross carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Gross carrying

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

amount

 

amortization

 

amount

 

amortization

 

Indefinite-lived contract-based

 

$

1,792

 

$

 

$

1,643

 

$

 

Definite-lived contract-based

 

96,776

 

(32,581

)

96,821

 

(30,706

)

Definite-lived marketing-related and other

 

1,307

 

(201

)

1,574

 

(268

)

 

 

$

 99,875

 

$

(32,782

)

$

100,038

 

$

(30,974

)

 

Amortization associated with intangible assets totaled approximately $2.0 million and $3.8 million for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011, and approximately $1.3 million and $3.2 million, respectively, for the same periods of the prior fiscal year. Future amortization associated with the net carrying amount of intangible assets is estimated to be approximately as follows (in thousands):

 

Remainder of fiscal year 2011

 

$

2,674

 

Fiscal year 2012

 

5,268

 

Fiscal year 2013

 

4,997

 

Fiscal year 2014

 

4,887

 

Fiscal year 2015

 

4,550

 

Future fiscal years

 

42,925

 

 

 

$

65,301

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

(5) Reserves for Closed Properties

 

Following is a summary of store closure reserve activity during the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 and fiscal year ended September 26, 2010 (in thousands):

 

 

 

April 10,

 

September 26,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Beginning balance

 

$

59,298

 

$

69,228

 

Additions

 

2,059

 

5,236

 

Usage

 

(13,030

)

(19,431

)

Adjustments

 

(2,811

)

4,265

 

Ending balance

 

$

45,516

 

$

59,298

 

 

Additions to store closure reserves relate to the accretion of interest on existing reserves. Usage included approximately $7.7 million and $6.6 million in termination fees related to certain idle properties, and approximately $5.4 million and $12.8 million in ongoing cash rental payments during the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 and fiscal year ended September 26, 2010, respectively. Additionally, the Company recorded goodwill adjustments of approximately $3.7 million during the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011.

 

(6) Long-Term Debt

 

The Company had a $700 million, five-year term loan agreement due in 2012, with outstanding balances of $190 million and $490 million at April 10, 2011 and September 26, 2010, respectively. Subsequent to the end of the second fiscal quarter, the Company repaid the remaining $190 million on the term loan. The Company’s obligations under the facility are secured by liens on certain of the Company’s assets, including stock of our subsidiaries. At April 10, 2011 we were in compliance with all applicable debt covenants.

 

The Company has outstanding a $350 million revolving line of credit that extends to 2012. The Company’s obligations under the facility are secured by liens on certain of the Company’s assets, including stock of our subsidiaries. At April 10, 2011 we were in compliance with all applicable debt covenants. At April 10, 2011 and September 26, 2010 the Company had no amounts drawn under this agreement. The amount available to the Company under the agreement was effectively reduced to approximately $342.9 million by outstanding letters of credit totaling approximately $7.1 million at April 10, 2011 and September 26, 2010.

 

During fiscal year 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement, which expired in October 2010, with a notional amount of $490 million to effectively fix the interest rate on $490 million of the term loan at 4.718%, excluding the applicable margin and associated fees, to help manage cash flow exposure related to interest rate fluctuations. The interest rate swap was designated as a cash flow hedge. The carrying amount of the Company’s interest rate swap totaled approximately $0.4 million at September 26, 2010 and was included in the “Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current installments” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 the Company had reclassified approximately $0.2 million from accumulated other comprehensive income related to ongoing interest payments that was included in the “Interest expense” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 11, 2010 the Company had reclassified approximately $3.0 million and $7.0 million, respectively, from accumulated other comprehensive income related to ongoing interest payments.

 

(7) Shareholders’ Equity

 

Dividends per Common Share

 

During the twelve weeks ended April 10, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend to shareholders of $0.10 per common share, payable on April 22, 2011 to shareholders of record on April 12, 2011. Approximately $17.6 million was included in the “Dividends payable” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at April 10, 2011.

 

Comprehensive Income

 

Our comprehensive income was comprised of: net income; unrealized gains and losses on investments; unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedge instruments, including reclassification adjustments of unrealized losses to net income related to ongoing interest payments; and foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income taxes.

 

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Comprehensive income was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Twelve weeks ended

 

Twenty-eight weeks ended

 

 

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Net income

 

$

89,935

 

$

67,451

 

$

178,665

 

$

122,606

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net

 

3,139

 

(1,312

)

5,389

 

1,794

 

Reclassification adjustments for amounts included in net income

 

 

3,046

 

245

 

7,025

 

Unrealized gains / (losses), net

 

239

 

(183

)

(17

)

(633

)

Comprehensive income

 

$

93,313

 

$

69,002

 

$

184,282

 

$

130,792

 

 

At April 10, 2011, accumulated other comprehensive income primarily consisted of foreign currency translation adjustment gains of approximately $6.2 million. Unrealized losses on investments at April 10, 2011 and April 11, 2010 related to aggregate available-for-sale investments totaling approximately $111.9 million and $68.0 million, respectively.

 

(8) Earnings per Share

 

The computation of basic earnings per share is based on the number of weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 and April 11, 2010 includes the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents consisting of incremental common shares deemed outstanding from the assumed exercise of stock options. Additionally, the computation of diluted earnings per share for the twenty-eight weeks ended April 11, 2010 includes the assumed conversion of Series A Preferred Stock.

 

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

Twelve weeks ended

 

Twenty-eight weeks ended

 

 

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Income available to common shareholders
(numerator for basic earnings per share)

 

$

89,935

 

$

67,451

 

$

178,665

 

$

117,128

 

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

 

 

5,478

 

Adjusted income available to common shareholders (numerator for diluted earnings per share)

 

$

89,935

 

$

67,451

 

$

178,665

 

$

122,606

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding (denominator for basic earnings per share)

 

174,686

 

170,893

 

173,606

 

161,476

 

Potential common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incremental shares from assumed exercise of stock options

 

2,438

 

933

 

2,008

 

654

 

Assumed conversion of redeemable preferred stock

 

 

 

 

8,823

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding and potential additional common shares outstanding (denominator for diluted earnings per share)

 

177,124

 

171,826

 

175,614

 

170,953

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.51

 

$

0.39

 

$

1.03

 

$

0.73

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.51

 

$

0.39

 

$

1.02

 

$

0.72

 

 

The computation of diluted earnings per share for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 does not include options to purchase approximately 4.9 million shares and 6.8 million shares of common stock due to their antidilutive effect. For the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 11, 2010, the computation of diluted earnings per share does not include options to purchase approximately 12.2 million shares and 12.3 million shares of common stock, respectively, due to their antidilutive effect.

 

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(9) Share-Based Payments

 

Total share-based payment expense before income taxes recognized during the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 was approximately $5.5 million and $12.8 million, respectively, and approximately $3.9 million and $9.2 million, respectively, for the same periods of the prior fiscal year. Share-based payment expense was included in the following line items on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

 

 

Twelve weeks ended

 

Twenty-eight weeks ended

 

 

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs

 

$

288

 

$

165

 

$

658

 

$

385

 

Direct store expenses

 

2,894

 

2,265

 

6,619

 

5,295

 

General and administrative expenses

 

2,307

 

1,502

 

5,571

 

3,493

 

Share-based payment expense before income taxes

 

5,489

 

3,932

 

12,848

 

9,173

 

Income tax benefit

 

(1,999

)

(1,587

)

(4,870

)

(3,699

)

Net share-based payment expense

 

$

3,490

 

$

2,345

 

$

7,978

 

$

5,474

 

 

At April 10, 2011 and September 26, 2010, approximately 13.6 million shares and 12.7 million shares, respectively, of our common stock were available for future stock incentive grants. At April 10, 2011 and September 26, 2010, there was approximately $50.6 million and $62.2 million of unrecognized share-based payment expense, respectively, related to nonvested stock options, net of estimated forfeitures, related to approximately 5.8 million shares. We anticipate this expense to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately three years.

 

(10) Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company is exposed to claims and litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business and uses various methods to resolve these matters in a manner that we believe best serves the interests of our stakeholders. Our primary contingencies are associated with insurance and self-insurance obligations and litigation matters. We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance plans to provide for the potential liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability, property insurance, director and officers’ liability insurance, vehicle liability, and employee health care benefits. Estimation of our insurance and self-insurance liabilities requires significant judgments, and actual claim settlements and associated expenses may differ from our current provisions for loss. We have exposures to loss contingencies arising from pending or threatened litigation for which assessing and estimating the outcomes of these matters involve substantial uncertainties.

 

On October 27, 2008, Whole Foods Market was served with the complaint in Kottaras v. Whole Foods Market, Inc., a putative class action filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, seeking treble damages, equitable, injunctive, and declaratory relief and alleging that the acquisition and merger between Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats violates various provisions of the federal antitrust laws. This case continues to be in the early stages of litigation. Whole Foods Market cannot at this time predict the likely outcome of this judicial proceeding or estimate the amount or range of loss or possible loss that may arise from it. The Company has not accrued any loss related to the outcome of this case as of April 10, 2011.

 

The Company evaluates contingencies on an ongoing basis and has established loss provisions for matters in which losses are probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Insurance and legal settlement liabilities are included in the “Other current liabilities” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We believe the recorded reserves in our consolidated financial statements are adequate in light of the probable and estimable liabilities. However, resolution of contingencies resulting in amounts that vary materially from the Company’s current estimates could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

We wish to caution you that there are risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different from those indicated by forward-looking statements that we make from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), news releases, reports, proxy statements, registration statements and other written communications, as well as oral forward-looking statements made from time to time by representatives of our Company. These risks and uncertainties include those listed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 26, 2010. These risks and uncertainties and additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may cause our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows to be materially adversely affected. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this analysis are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including general business conditions, changes in overall economic conditions that impact consumer spending, including fuel prices and housing market trends, the impact of competition, and other factors which are often beyond the control of the Company. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.

 

General

 

Whole Foods Market, Inc. is the leading natural and organic foods supermarket and America’s first national “Certified Organic” grocer. Our Company mission is to promote the vitality and well-being of all individuals by supplying the highest quality, most wholesome foods available. Through our growth, we have had a significant and positive impact on the natural and organic foods movement throughout the United States, helping lead the industry to nationwide acceptance. As of April 10, 2011, we operated 304 stores: 293 stores in 38 U.S. states and the District of Columbia; six stores in Canada; and five stores in the United Kingdom. We have one operating segment, natural and organic foods supermarkets.

 

Our results of operations have been and may continue to be materially affected by the timing and number of new store openings. New stores generally become profitable during their first year of operation; although some new stores may incur operating losses for the first several years of operation. The Company’s average weekly sales are typically highest in the second and third fiscal quarters, and lowest in the fourth fiscal quarter. Gross profit is typically lower in the first fiscal quarter due to the product mix of holiday sales, and in the fourth fiscal quarter due to the seasonally slower sales in the summer months. Our gross profit may increase or decrease slightly depending on the mix of sales from new stores, seasonality, the impact of weather or a host of other factors, including inflation in product costs.

 

Sales of a store are deemed to be comparable commencing in the fifty-third full week after the store was opened or acquired. Stores acquired in purchase acquisitions enter the comparable store sales base effective the fifty-third full week following the date of the merger. Identical store sales exclude sales from relocated stores and remodeled stores with changes in square footage greater than 20% from the comparable calculation to reduce the impact of square footage growth on the comparison. Stores closed for eight or more days are excluded from the comparable and identical store base from the first fiscal week of closure until re-opened for a full fiscal week.

 

The Company reports its results of operations on a fifty-two or fifty-three week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in September. Fiscal years 2011 and 2010 are fifty-two week years.

 

Economic and Industry Factors

 

Food retailing is a large, intensely competitive industry. Our competition varies across the Company and includes but is not limited to local, regional, national and international conventional and specialty supermarkets, natural foods stores, warehouse membership clubs, smaller specialty stores, farmers’ markets, and restaurants, each of which competes with us on the basis of store ambiance and experience, product selection, quality, customer service, price or a combination of these factors. Natural and organic food continues to be one of the fastest growing segments of food retailing today.

 

We believe our value efforts and differentiation continue to gain traction as evidenced by our strong 6.0% increase in transaction count in identical stores. As anticipated, the inflationary pressures on product costs accelerated in the twelve weeks ended April 10, 2011. A 1.5% percent increase in basket size during the second fiscal quarter was driven primarily by an increase in the average price per item, with only a slight increase in items per basket. We have worked very hard over the last couple of years to successfully improve our price image and remain focused on maintaining our relative price position in the marketplace. We are hopeful that we can again strike the right balance between rising product costs and our retails based on our contracts, distribution, and tools to manage value.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Outlook for Fiscal Year 2011

 

The following table provides additional information on the Company’s results through April 10, 2011 and expectations for the remainder of fiscal year 2011:

 

 

 

 

 

Implied

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

third and fourth

 

 

 

 

 

Twenty-eight weeks

 

quarter of

 

Estimated

 

 

 

ended April 10, 2011

 

fiscal year 2011

 

fiscal year 2011

 

Sales growth

 

12.8%

 

10.3% – 12.4%

 

11.7% – 12.6%

 

Comparable store sales growth

 

8.5%

 

7.2% – 9.2%

 

7.9% – 8.9%

 

Identical store sales growth

 

8.5%

 

7.0% – 9.0%

 

7.8% – 8.7%

 

General and administrative expenses

 

3.1%

 

3.0%

 

3.0%

 

Pre-opening and relocation costs

 

$22 million

 

$28 – $31 million

 

$50 – $53 million

 

Tax rate

 

38.5%

 

38.5% – 39.0%

 

38.5 – 38.8%

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$1.02

 

$0.85 – $0.88

 

$1.87 – $1.90

 

Capital expenditures

 

$170 million

 

$180 – $230 million

 

$350 – $400 million

 

Weighted square footage growth

 

6%

 

4%

 

5%

 

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s statements of operations data expressed as a percentage of sales:

 

 

 

Twelve weeks ended

 

Twenty-eight weeks ended

 

 

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Sales

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs

 

64.4

 

64.7

 

65.0

 

65.3

 

Gross profit

 

35.6

 

35.3

 

35.0

 

34.7

 

Direct store expenses

 

25.9

 

26.2

 

26.1

 

26.4

 

General and administrative expenses

 

3.2

 

3.0

 

3.1

 

2.9

 

Pre-opening expenses

 

0.4

 

0.6

 

0.3

 

0.5

 

Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs

 

 

(0.1

)

0.1

 

0.2

 

Operating income

 

6.0

 

5.7

 

5.4

 

4.7

 

Interest expense

 

(0.1

)

(0.4

)

(0.1

)

(0.4

)

Investment and other income

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

Income before income taxes

 

6.1

 

5.4

 

5.4

 

4.4

 

Provision for income taxes

 

2.2

 

2.2

 

2.1

 

1.8

 

Net income

 

3.8

 

3.2

 

3.3

 

2.6

 

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

Income available to common shareholders

 

3.8

%

3.2

%

3.3

%

2.5

%

 

Figures may not sum due to rounding.

 

Sales increased approximately 11.6% and 12.8% for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011, respectively, over the same periods of the prior fiscal year. Comparable and identical store sales increased 7.8% and 8.5% for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011, respectively, including a negative impact of 50 basis points from Easter shifting from the second fiscal quarter last year to the third fiscal quarter in the current year. As of April 10, 2011, there were 290 locations in the comparable store base. The number of stores open fifty-two weeks or less equaled 15 at April 10, 2011. The sales increase contributed by stores open less than fifty-two weeks totaled approximately $85.9 million and $178.2 million for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011, respectively. Average weekly sales per store for all stores increased 7.4% to approximately $0.6 million, translating to sales per square foot of approximately $888.

 

Gross profit as a percentage of sales for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 was approximately 35.6% and 35.0%, respectively, compared to approximately 35.3% and 34.7%, respectively, for the same periods of the prior fiscal year. Factors contributing to the increases in gross profit as a percentage of sales include lower occupancy costs and cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales, offset by increases in LIFO expenses. For the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011, the Company recognized LIFO charges totaling approximately $1.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively, compared to LIFO credits of approximately $3.0 million and $2.8 million, respectively, for the same periods of the prior fiscal year.

 

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Direct store expenses as a percentage of sales for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 were approximately 25.9% and 26.1%, respectively, compared to approximately 26.2% and 26.4%, respectively, for the same periods of the prior fiscal year. The decreases in direct store expenses as a percentage of sales were due to leverage in wages, depreciation expense and healthcare costs as a percentage of sales.

 

General and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 were approximately 3.2% and 3.1%, respectively, compared to approximately 3.0% and 2.9%, respectively, for the same periods of the prior fiscal year. The increase in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales is due primarily to an increase in salaries and benefits as a percentage of sales.

 

Share-based payment expense was included in the following line items on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

 

 

Twelve weeks ended

 

Twenty-eight weeks ended

 

 

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs

 

$

288

 

$

165

 

$

658

 

$

385

 

Direct store expenses

 

2,894

 

2,265

 

6,619

 

5,295

 

General and administrative expenses

 

2,307

 

1,502

 

5,571

 

3,493

 

Share-based payment expense before income taxes

 

5,489

 

3,932

 

12,848

 

9,173

 

Income tax benefit

 

(1,999

)

(1,587

)

(4,870

)

(3,699

)

Net share-based payment expense

 

$

3,490

 

$

2,345

 

$

7,978

 

$

5,474

 

 

Pre-opening expenses as a percentage of sales for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 were approximately 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively, compared to approximately 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively, for the same periods of the prior fiscal year.

 

Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 were approximately $1.0 million and $4.1 million, respectively, compared to a credit of approximately $2.7 million and expense of approximately $9.7 million, respectively, for the same periods of the prior fiscal year. The Company recorded lease termination costs totaling approximately $1.2 million and $11.3 million during the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 11, 2010, respectively, to increase reserves for closed properties due to the downturn in the real estate market and actual exit costs. These adjustments during the twelve weeks ended April 11, 2010 were offset by a gain of approximately $3.2 million from the sale of a non-operating property and a reduction of approximately $2.9 million in store closure reserve liabilities related to one store sold under the FTC settlement and one early lease termination.

 

The number of stores opened and relocated were as follows:

 

 

 

Twelve weeks ended

 

Twenty-eight weeks ended

 

 

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

April 10,

 

April 11,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

New stores

 

2

 

3

 

5

 

9

 

Relocated stores

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

 

Interest expense for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 decreased to approximately $1.3 million and $3.6 million, respectively, from approximately $7.8 million and $18.3 million, respectively, for the same periods of the prior fiscal year. The decrease in interest expense is due primarily to a lower average balance outstanding on the term loan and lower effective interest rates.

 

Investment and other income, which includes interest income, investment gains and losses, rental income and other income, totaled approximately $1.9 million and $4.6 million for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011, respectively, compared to approximately $1.9 million and $3.7 million, respectively, for the same periods of the prior fiscal year. The increase in investment and other income during the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 compared to the same period of the prior year is due principally to higher invested balances.

 

Income taxes for the twelve and twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 resulted in an effective tax rate of approximately 37.0% and 38.5%, respectively, compared to approximately 40.5% and 40.7%, respectively, for the same periods of the prior fiscal year. The decline in the effective tax rate is primarily due to certain tax savings initiatives and investments.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources and Changes in Financial Condition

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s cash and short-term investments as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

 

 

April 10,

 

September 26,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

162,103

 

$

131,996

 

Short-term investments — available-for-sale securities

 

391,846

 

329,738

 

Total

 

$

553,949

 

$

461,734

 

 

Additionally, the Company had restricted cash balances totaling approximately $86.8 million at April 10, 2011 and September 26, 2010 and long-term investments in available-for-sale securities totaling approximately $80.4 million and $96.1 million at April 10, 2011 and September 26, 2010, respectively.

 

We generated cash flows from operating activities totaling approximately $402.8 million during the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 compared to approximately $343.0 million during the same period of the prior fiscal year. During the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011, increased cash flows from operating activities were primarily driven by increased net income.

 

Net cash used in investing activities totaled approximately $220.0 million for the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 compared to approximately $587.1 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year. Our principal historical capital requirements have been the funding of the development or acquisition of new stores and acquisition of property and equipment for existing stores. The required cash investment for new stores varies depending on the size of the new store, geographic location, degree of work performed by the landlord and complexity of site development issues. Capital expenditures for the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 totaled approximately $169.6 million, of which approximately $89.5 million was for new store development and approximately $80.1 million was for remodels and other additions. Capital expenditures for the twenty-eight weeks ended April 11, 2010 totaled approximately $147.0 million, of which approximately $111.0 million was for new store development and approximately $36.0 million was for remodels and other additions. As of May 4, 2011, the Company expected to open an additional ten stores and two major expansions in fiscal year 2011.

 

The following table provides information about the Company’s store development activities during fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year-to-date through May 4, 2011:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Properties

 

Total

 

 

 

Stores opened

 

Stores opened

 

tendered

 

leases signed

 

 

 

during fiscal

 

during fiscal

 

as of

 

as of

 

 

 

year 2010

 

year 2011

 

May 4, 2011

 

May 4, 2011(1)

 

Number of stores (including relocations)

 

16

 

7

 

20

 

61

 

Number of relocations

 

 

2

 

5

 

7

 

Number of lease acquisitions, ground leases and owned properties

 

 

 

4

 

4

 

New areas

 

4

 

 

1

 

12

 

Average store size (gross square feet)

 

42,600

 

40,900

 

37,900

 

36,600

 

Total square footage

 

682,200

 

286,400

 

757,400

 

2,249,100

 

Average tender period in months

 

10.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average pre-opening expense per store(2)

 

$

2.6 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average pre-opening rent per store

 

$

1.2 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average development cost per square foot

 

$

261

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes leases for properties tendered

(2) Includes rent

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table provides additional information about the Company’s estimated store openings for the remainder of fiscal year 2011 through 2014 based on the Company’s current development pipeline. We believe we will produce operating cash flows in excess of the capital expenditures needed to open the 61 stores in our store development pipeline. We believe the investments we are making in our new and existing stores will result in substantial earnings growth in the future. These openings reflect estimated tender dates which are subject to change and do not incorporate any potential new leases, terminations or square footage reductions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Ending

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

new store

 

Ending

 

square

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

square

 

square

 

footage

 

 

 

openings

 

Relocations

 

footage

 

footage(1)

 

growth

 

Fiscal year 2011 remaining stores in development

 

10

 

4

 

36,500

 

11,786,200

 

5

%

Fiscal year 2012 stores in development

 

20

 

 

35,900

 

12,503,300

 

6

%

Fiscal year 2013 stores in development

 

22

 

3

 

36,300

 

13,228,900

 

6

%

Fiscal year 2014 stores in development

 

9

 

 

39,300

 

13,582,500

 

3

%

Total

 

61

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Reflects seven openings and one expansion year to date and two additional expansions in fiscal year 2011.

 

Net cash used in financing activities totaled approximately $155.2 million for the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 compared to net cash provided by financing activities totaling approximately $27.6 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year.

 

The Company had outstanding a $700 million, five-year term loan agreement due in 2012. During the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011, the Company repaid $300 million on the term loan and at April 10, 2011 had $190 million outstanding under this agreement. Subsequent to the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, the Company repaid the remaining $190 million on the term loan. The Company also has outstanding a $350 million revolving line of credit that extends to 2012. At April 10, 2011 and September 26, 2010 the Company had no amounts drawn under this agreement. The amount available to the Company under the agreement was effectively reduced to approximately $342.9 million by outstanding letters of credit totaling approximately $7.1 million at April 10, 2011 and September 26, 2010. The Company’s obligations under these facilities are secured by liens on certain of the Company’s assets, including stock of our subsidiaries. The term loan and revolving line of credit contain certain affirmative covenants including maintenance of certain financial ratios and certain negative covenants including limitations on additional indebtedness and payments as defined in the agreement. At April 10, 2011 we were in compliance with all applicable debt covenants.

 

Net proceeds to the Company from team members’ stock plans for the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 totaled approximately $153.1 million compared to approximately $34.3 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year. The Company intends to keep its broad-based stock option program in place, but also intends to limit the number of shares granted in any one year so that annual earnings dilution from share-based payment expense will not exceed 10%. The Company believes this strategy is best aligned with its stakeholder philosophy because it limits future earnings dilution from options and at the same time retains the broad-based stock option plan, which the Company believes is important to team member morale, its unique corporate culture and its success. At April 10, 2011 and September 26, 2010, approximately 13.6 million shares and 12.7 million shares of our common stock were available for future stock incentive grants.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors reinstated a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders. Following is a summary of dividends declared per common share during fiscal year 2011 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

Date of

 

Dividend per

 

Date of

 

Date of

 

Total

 

declaration

 

common share

 

record

 

payment

 

amount

 

December 8, 2010

 

$

0.10

 

January 10, 2011

 

January 20, 2011

 

$

17,348

 

February 27, 2011

 

0.10

 

April 12, 2011

 

April 22, 2011

 

17,572

(1)

 

(1) Dividend accrued at April 10, 2011

 

The Company is committed under certain capital leases for rental of certain equipment, buildings and land. These leases expire or become subject to renewal clauses at various dates through 2054.

 

The effect of exchange rate changes on cash included in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows resulted in an increase in cash and cash equivalents totaling approximately $2.4 million for the twenty-eight weeks ended April 10, 2011 compared to

 

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approximately $1.6 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year. These changes principally reflect the relative strengthening of the Canadian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar during these periods.

 

Our principal historical sources of liquidity have been cash generated by operations, available cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and amounts available under our revolving line of credit. Absent any significant change in market condition, we expect planned expansion and other anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the next twelve months will be funded by these sources. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will continue to generate cash flows at or above current levels or that our revolving line of credit and other sources of capital will be available to us in the future.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The following table shows payments due by period on contractual obligations as of April 10, 2011 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Less than 1

 

1-3

 

3-5

 

More than 5

 

 

 

Total

 

year

 

years

 

years

 

years

 

Long-term debt obligations

 

$

190,000

 

$

 

$

190,000

 

$

 

$

 

Estimated interest on long-term debt obligations

 

424

 

424

 

 

 

 

Capital lease obligations (including interest)

 

35,954

 

2,035

 

4,188

 

4,220

 

25,511

 

Operating lease obligations(1)

 

5,972,983

 

290,746

 

656,440

 

683,776

 

4,342,021

 

Total

 

$

6,199,361

 

$

293,205

 

$

850,628

 

$

687,996

 

$

4,367,532

 

 

(1) Amounts exclude taxes, insurance and other related expense

 

Gross unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties at April 10, 2011 were approximately $14.9 million. These amounts have been excluded from the contractual obligations table because a reasonably reliable estimate of the period of cash settlement with the respective taxing authorities cannot be determined due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the timing of future cash outflows associated with these liabilities.

 

We periodically make other commitments and become subject to other contractual obligations that we believe to be routine in nature and incidental to the operation of the business. Management believes that such routine commitments and contractual obligations do not have a material impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Our off-balance sheet arrangements at April 10, 2011 consist of operating leases disclosed in the above contractual obligations table and outstanding letters of credit discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements, “Long-Term Debt.” We have no other off-balance sheet arrangements that have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a material current or future effect on our consolidated financial statements or financial condition.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Recent accounting pronouncements are included in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, “Recent Accounting Pronouncements.”

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Co-Chief Executive Officers (principal executive officers) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective of the end of the period covered by this report.

 

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II. Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is exposed to claims and litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business and uses various methods to resolve these matters in a manner that we believe best serves the interests of our stakeholders. We have exposures to loss contingencies arising from pending or threatened litigation for which assessing and estimating the outcomes of these matters involve substantial uncertainties.

 

On October 27, 2008, Whole Foods Market was served with the complaint in Kottaras v. Whole Foods Market, Inc., a putative class action filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, seeking treble damages, equitable, injunctive, and declaratory relief and alleging that the acquisition and merger between Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats violates various provisions of the federal antitrust laws. This case continues to be in the early stages of litigation. Whole Foods Market cannot at this time predict the likely outcome of this judicial proceeding or estimate the amount or range of loss or possible loss that may arise from it. The Company has not accrued any loss related to the outcome of this case as of April 10, 2011.

 

The Company evaluates contingencies on an ongoing basis and has established loss provisions for matters in which losses are probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal settlement liabilities are included in the “Other current liabilities” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We believe the recorded reserves in our consolidated financial statements are adequate in light of the probable and estimable liabilities. However, resolution of contingencies resulting in amounts that vary materially from the Company’s current estimates could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit

 

22.1

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders (1)

Exhibit

 

31.1

 

Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a — 14(a)

Exhibit

 

31.2

 

Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a — 14(a)

Exhibit

 

31.3

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a — 14(a)

Exhibit

 

32.1

 

Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

Exhibit

 

32.2

 

Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

Exhibit

 

32.3

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

Exhibit

 

101

 

The following financial information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period ended April 10, 2011, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (2)

 

(1)             Filed as Item 5.07 in Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

(2)             Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

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.

 

 

WHOLE FOODS MARKET, INC.

 

 

Date: May 20, 2011

By:

/s/ Glenda Flanagan

 

Glenda Flanagan

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

(Duly authorized officer and principal financial officer)

 

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