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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  For the fiscal year ended December 27, 2003
  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 1-5039

WEIS MARKETS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

PENNSYLVANIA
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
  24-0755415
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1000 S. Second Street
P. O. Box 471
Sunbury, Pennsylvania
(Address of principal executive offices)
 

17801-0471
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (570) 286-4571         Registrant's web address: www.weismarkets.com

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

Title of each class
Common stock, no par value
  Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act None

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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  [ X ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12-b-2).   Yes [X]  No   [   ]

The aggregate market value of Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant is approximately $463,932,000.
Shares of common stock outstanding as of March 1, 2004 - 27,140,300.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:  Selected portions of the Weis Markets, Inc. definitive proxy statement dated March 5, 2004 are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.


  WEIS MARKETS, INC.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

FORM 10-K Page
Part I  
  Item 1. Business 1
  Item 2. Properties 3
  Item 3. Legal Proceedings 3
  Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 3
Part II  
  Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters 4
  Item 6. Selected Financial Data 4
  Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 5
    Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 10
  Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 11
  Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 29
Part III  
  Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 30
  Item 11. Executive Compensation 30
  Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 30
  Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 30
  Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 30
Part IV  
  Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statements, Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K 31
    Item 15d. Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 32
Signatures 33
Exhibit 21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant  
Exhibit 31.1 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification- CEO  
Exhibit 31.2 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification- CFO  
Exhibit 32 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350  
         


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WEIS MARKETS, INC.

 

 PART I

Item 1.      Business:

Weis Markets, Inc. is a Pennsylvania business founded by Harry and Sigmund Weis in 1912 and incorporated in 1924. The company is engaged principally in the retail sale of food and pet supplies in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. There was no material change in the nature of the company's business during fiscal 2003. The company's stock has been traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 1965 under the symbol "WMK." The Weis family currently owns approximately 64% of the outstanding shares. Robert F. Weis serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Jonathan H. Weis, son of Robert F. Weis, serves as Vice Chairman and Secretary. Both are involved in the day-to-day operations of the business.

On May 7, 2001, the company repurchased approximately 14.5 million shares of its common stock from the family of the late Sigfried Weis for approximately $434.3 million in cash.

The company's retail food stores sell groceries, dairy products, frozen foods, meats, seafood, fresh produce, floral, prescriptions, deli/bakery products, prepared foods, fuel and general merchandise items, such as health and beauty care and household products. In addition, customer convenience is addressed at many locations by offering services such as company-operated photo labs and third parties providing in-store banks, laundry services and take-out restaurants. The company advertises through various media, including circulars, newspapers, radio and television. Printed circulars are used extensively on a weekly basis to advertise featured items. The company utilizes a loyalty card program, "Weis Club Preferred Shopper," which provides shoppers with an opportunity to receive discounts, promotions and rewards. The company owns and operates 158 retail food stores and a chain of 33 SuperPetz, LLC pet supply stores.

The percentage of net sales contributed by each class of similar products for each of the previous five fiscal years was:

Year Grocery Meat Produce Pharmacy Pet Supply Other
1999 55.86 13.97 12.05 6.66 3.28 8.18
2000 57.61 15.22 12.75 7.82 3.17 3.43
2001 57.74 15.54 12.95 8.89 3.25 1.63
2002 55.39 15.29 14.73 9.83 3.28 1.48
2003 54.55 15.70 14.67 10.28 3.18 1.62

Retail food store locations by state and by trade name are as follows:

      Mr. Z's King's Cressler's Scot's  
State Total Weis Markets Food Mart Supermarkets Marketplace Lo-Cost Save-A-Lot
Pennsylvania 131 103 17 6 1 3 1
Maryland 21 21          
New Jersey 3 3          
New York 1 1          
Virginia 1 1          
West Virginia 1 1          
    Total 158 130 17 6 1 3 1

 

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WEIS MARKETS, INC.
Item 1. Business (continued)

All trade names, except Scot's Lo-Cost and Save-A-Lot, operate as conventional supermarkets. Scot's Lo-Cost operates under a warehouse format, while Save-A-Lot's format caters to the price motivated consumer. The retail food stores range in size from 8,000 to 65,000 square feet, with an average size of approximately 45,000 square feet. The following summarizes the number of stores by size categories:

Square feet Number of stores
55,000 to 65,000 21
45,000 to 54,999 75
35,000 to 44,999 37
25,000 to 34,999 17
Under 25,000  8
     Total 158

The following schedule shows the changes in the number of retail food stores, total square footage and store additions/remodels:

(square feet in thousands) 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
Beginning store count 160   163   163   163   158  
New stores ---      1   2   2   5  
Relocations 1   3   ---      3   ---     
Acquistions ---      ---      ---      4   4  
Closed stores (2 ) (2 ) (2 ) (4 ) (3 )
Relocated stores (1 ) (3 ) ---      (5 ) (1 )
Sold    ---             (2 )    ---         ---         ---     
Ending store count     158       160       163       163       163  
Total square feet, at year-end 7,157   7,154   7,168   7,087   6,909  
Additions/major remodels 4   5   6   6   6  

The company supports the retail operations through a centrally located distribution facility, its own transportation fleet and four manufacturing facilities.  The company is required to use a significant amount of working capital to provide for the necessary amount of inventory to meet demand for its products through efficient use of buying power and effective utilization of space in the warehouse facilities. The manufacturing facilities consist of a meat processing plant, an ice cream plant, an ice plant and a milk processing plant.

At year-end, SuperPetz, LLC operated 2 stores in Alabama, 1 store in Georgia, 1 store in Indiana, 1 store in Kentucky, 1 store in Maryland, 2 stores in Michigan, 8 stores in Ohio, 1 store in North Carolina, 7 stores in Pennsylvania, 5 stores in South Carolina, and 4 stores in Tennessee.

The business of the company is highly competitive. The number of competitors and the variety of competition experienced by the company's stores vary by market area. National, regional and local food chains, as well as independent food stores comprise the company's principal competition, although the company also faces substantial competition from convenience stores, membership warehouse clubs, specialty retailers, supercenters and large-scale drug and pharmaceutical chains. The company competes based on price, quality, location and service.

The company has approximately 18,600 full-time and part-time associates.

 

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WEIS MARKETS, INC.

Item 2.      Properties:

The company owns and operates 81 of its retail food stores, and leases and operates 77 stores under operating leases that expire at various dates up to 2024. SuperPetz leases all 33 of its retail store locations. The company owns all of its trade fixtures and equipment in its stores and several parcels of vacant land, which are available as locations for possible future stores or other expansion.

The company owns and operates one warehouse in Milton, Pennsylvania of approximately 1,109,000 square feet, and one in Northumberland, Pennsylvania totaling approximately 76,000 square feet. The company also owns one warehouse in Sunbury, Pennsylvania totaling approximately 564,000 square feet of which 290,000 is sublet. The company operates an ice cream plant, meat processing plant, ice plant and milk processing plant in the remaining 274,000 square feet at its Sunbury location.

Item 3.      Legal Proceedings:

Neither the company nor any subsidiary is presently a party to, nor is any of their property subject to, any pending legal proceedings, other than routine litigation incidental to the business.

Item 4.      Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders:

There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2003.

 

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WEIS MARKETS, INC.

PART II

Item 5.      Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters:

The company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol WMK). The approximate number of shareholders including individual participants in security position listings on December 27, 2003 as provided by the company's transfer agent was 5,899. High and low stock prices and dividends paid per share for the last two fiscal years were:

  2003 2002
  Stock Price Dividend Stock Price Dividend
Quarter High Low Per Share High Low Per Share
First $32.15 $27.41 $.27 $30.62 $26.90 $.27
Second 32.50 30.45 .27 38.18 29.30 .27
Third 36.11 31.02 .28 39.50 31.03 .27
Fourth 36.85 33.93 .28 35.45 29.79 .27

Item 6.      Selected Financial Data:

The following selected historical financial information has been derived from the company's audited consolidated financial statements. This information should be read in connection with the company's Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto, as well as "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," included in Item 7.

Five Year Review of Operations

    52 Weeks   52 Weeks   52 Weeks   53 Weeks   52 Weeks
    Ended   Ended   Ended   Ended   Ended
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)   Dec. 27, 2003   Dec. 28, 2002   Dec. 29, 2001   Dec. 30, 2000   Dec. 25, 1999
Net sales $ 2,042,499 $ 1,999,364 $ 1,971,665 $ 2,042,329 $ 1,992,791
Costs and expenses       1,971,878       1,919,957       1,908,725       1,962,246       1,899,756
Income from operations   70,621   79,407   62,940   80,083   93,035
Investment and other income            17,583            15,279            18,907            36,729            30,980
Income before provision for income taxes   88,204   94,686   81,847   116,812   124,015
Provision for income taxes            33,628            35,537            31,792            42,989            44,290
Net income   54,576   59,149   50,055   73,823   79,725
Retained earnings, beginning of year          678,294          648,522       1,069,986       1,040,354       1,003,170
    732,870   707,671   1,120,041   1,114,177   1,082,895
Stock purchase and cancellation   ---   ---   434,317   ---   ---
Cash dividends            29,909            29,377           37,202            44,191            42,541
Retained earnings, end of year $        702,961 $        678,294 $       648,522 $     1,069,986 $     1,040,354
Weighted-average shares outstanding     27,186,277     27,201,170      32,298,696     41,695,347     41,718,188
Cash dividends per share $              1.10 $              1.08 $             1.08 $              1.06 $              1.02
Basic and diluted earnings per share $              2.01 $              2.17 $             1.55 $              1.77 $              1.91
Working capital $        162,305 $        114,937 $       102,331 $        496,906 $        481,728
Total assets $ 744,315 $ 716,699 $ 704,185 $ 1,085,904 $ 1,058,221
Long-term obligations $ --- $ --- $ 25,000 $ --- $ ---
Shareholders' equity $ 575,448 $ 552,432 $ 525,364 $ 947,886 $ 918,477
Number of grocery stores   158   160   163   163   163
Number of pet supply stores   33   33   33   33   34

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WEIS MARKETS, INC.

Item 7.      Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:

Results of Operations

Total company sales were $2.042 billion, $1.999 billion and $1.972 billion for fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. All three fiscal years were comprised of 52 weeks ending on the last Saturday in December and are directly comparable in results. Sales in 2003 increased 2.2%, or $43.1 million, compared to 2002 and comparable store sales increased 2.7%. Sales in 2002 increased 1.4%, or $27.7 million, compared to 2001 and comparable store sales increased 1.4%.

When calculating the percentage change in comparable store sales, the company defines a new store to be comparable the week following one full year of operation. Relocated stores and stores with expanded square footage are included in comparable store sales since these units are located in existing markets. When a store is closed, sales generated from that unit in the prior year are subtracted from total company sales starting the same week of closure in the prior year and continuing from that point forward.

The company cannot accurately measure the full effect of product inflation and deflation on retail pricing due to changes in the types of merchandise sold between periods, shifts in customer buying patterns and the fluctuation of competitive factors. At this time, the company is unaware of any events or trends that may cause a material change to the overall financial operation such as an upward shift in product cost.

Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 26.3%, 26.4% and 26.1% in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Gross profit dollars generated from sales in 2003 increased $8.7 million, or 1.6%, to $536.6 million compared to 2002, which increased $13.2 million compared to 2001. In 2003, the company experienced significant cost increases in commodities such as beef, eggs and milk. These cost increases combined with competitive activity that constrained management from increasing beef retail prices for several months, contributed to the slight erosion in the gross profit rate. Improvements in the company's supply chain network in 2002 favorably impacted the gross profit rate compared to 2001.

Operating, general and administrative expenses in 2003 totaled $466.0 million or 22.8% of sales compared to 22.4% in 2002 and 22.9% in 2001. As a percentage of sales, the .4% increase in 2003 expenses as compared to 2002, was attributable to higher labor expenses, medical benefits, supplies, debit/credit card transaction fees, store security, snow removal, business insurance and advertising costs. The company is primarily self-insured for costs related to associate health care, workers' compensation and other business insurance claims.

In 2003, the company's investment income increased $341,000, or 38.8%, to $1.2 million compared to the same period a year ago. In 2002, the company's investment income of $879,000 decreased $9.0 million, or 91.1%, compared to 2001. The company sold the majority of its investment portfolio in the first half of 2001 in order to complete an all cash stock repurchase. The company realized gains on the sale of marketable securities of $570,000 in 2001.

The company's other income is primarily generated from rental income, coupon-handling fees, lottery commissions, cardboard salvage, gain or loss on the sale of fixed assets and interest expense. Other income in 2003 totaled $16.4 million, or .8% of sales, and increased $2.0 million, or 13.6%, compared to 2002. Interest and amortization of debt expense totaled $396,000 in 2003 compared to $394,000 in 2002 and $1.4 million in 2001. Borrowings under a bridge credit agreement, initially entered into in 2001, were repaid in 2002 and the agreement was cancelled. In 2002, the company entered into a $100 million unsecured revolving credit agreement to provide funds for general corporate purposes. The company has not borrowed any funds under the revolving credit agreement.

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WEIS MARKETS, INC.

Item 7.      Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations: (continued)

The company's combined federal and state effective tax rate was 38.1% in 2003, 37.5% in 2002 and 38.8% in 2001. The tax rate increased in 2001 after the company sold its large position in tax-free investments in order to complete the stock repurchase. During 2003, the Internal Revenue Service completed its routine audit of the company's federal income tax returns for the years 1997 through 2001, and the resulting settlement did not have a material impact on 2003 income tax expense.

Net income in 2003 was $54.6 million or 2.7% of sales compared to $59.1 million or 3.0% of sales in 2002 and $50.1 million or 2.5% of sales in 2001. Basic and diluted earnings per share of $2.01 in 2003 compared to $2.17 in 2002 and $1.55 in 2001. The impact on earnings per share from the company's large stock repurchase was partially realized in 2001 and fully realized in 2002. At the end of 2003, the company had 27.1 million shares of common stock outstanding. Basic and diluted earnings per share are computed using weighted-average shares outstanding, which were 27.2 million in 2003 and 2002, and 32.3 million in 2001.

As of the end of the fiscal year, Weis Markets, Inc. operated 158 retail food stores and 33 SuperPetz pet supply stores. The company currently operates supermarkets in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and West Virginia. SuperPetz operates stores in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities was $105.9 million in 2003 compared with $106.5 million in 2002 and $113.9 million in 2001. Working capital increased 41.2% in 2003, increased 12.3% in 2002, and decreased 79.4% in 2001. The considerable decline in working capital in 2001 resulted from the sale of a majority of the company's investment portfolio in order to fund a $434.3 million repurchase of common stock.

Net cash used in investing activities was $74.5 million in 2003 compared to $51.1 million in 2002, and $332.8 million provided by investing activities in 2001. In 2003 and 2002, these funds were used primarily for the purchases of new securities and property and equipment. Property and equipment purchases during fiscal 2003 totaled $35.9 million compared to $46.1 million in 2002 and $48.1 million in 2001. As a percentage of sales, capital expenditures were 1.8%, 2.3% and 2.4% in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

The company's capital expansion program includes the construction of new superstores, the expansion and remodeling of existing units, the acquisition of sites for future expansion, new technology purchases and the continued upgrade of the company's processing and distribution facilities. Company management estimates that its current development plans will require an investment of approximately $93.2 million in 2004. Based upon construction timetables, a portion of these expenditures may carry over into 2005.

Net cash used in financing activities during 2003 was $31.8 million compared to $54.7 million in 2002 and $446.8 million in 2001. In 2002, the company cancelled its bridge credit agreement and established a three-year unsecured revolving credit agreement in the amount of $100 million to provide funds for general corporate purposes including working capital and letters of credit. At December 27, 2003, the company had no cash borrowings but had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $21 million under the credit agreement. In 2001, the company purchased and cancelled 14.5 million shares of common stock for $434.3 million.

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WEIS MARKETS, INC.

Item 7.      Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations: (continued)

Total cash dividend payments on common stock amounted to $1.10 per share in 2003 compared to $1.08 in 2002 and 2001. Treasury stock purchases amounted to $2.0 million in 2003, compared to minimal purchases in the prior two years. The Board of Directors' 1996 resolution authorizing the purchase of 1,000,000 shares of treasury stock has a remaining balance of 489,918 shares. The company has no other commitment of capital resources as of December 27, 2003, other than the lease commitments on its store facilities under operating leases that expire at various dates up to 2024. The company will fund its working capital requirements and its $93.2 million capital expansion program through internally generated cash flows from operations.

The company's earnings and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in interest rates as they relate to available-for-sale securities and any future long-term debt borrowings. The company's marketable securities currently consist of Pennsylvania tax-free state and municipal bonds, equity securities and other short-term investments.

By their nature, these financial instruments inherently expose the holders to market risk. The extent of the company's interest rate and other market risk is not quantifiable or predictable with precision due to the variability of future interest rates and other changes in market conditions. However, the company believes that its exposure in this area is not material.

Under its current policies, the company invests primarily in high-grade marketable securities and does not use interest rate derivative instruments to manage exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Historically, the company's principal investment strategy of obtaining marketable securities with maturity dates between one and five years helps to minimize market risk and to maintain a balance between risk and return. The equity securities owned by the company consist primarily of stock held in large capitalized companies trading on public security exchange markets. The company's management continually monitors the risk associated with its marketable securities. A quantitative tabular presentation of risk exposure is located in Item 7a.

Contractual Obligations

The following table represents scheduled maturities of the company's long-term contractual obligations as of December 27, 2003.

    Payments due by period
        Less than           More than
(dollars in thousands)   Total   1 year   1-3 years   3-5 years   5 years
Operating leases $ 234,119 $