Attached files
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EX-32.2 - EX-32.2 - ARDEN GROUP INC | a09-30939_1ex32d2.htm |
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - ARDEN GROUP INC | a09-30939_1ex31d2.htm |
EX-32.1 - EX-32.1 - ARDEN GROUP INC | a09-30939_1ex32d1.htm |
EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - ARDEN GROUP INC | a09-30939_1ex31d1.htm |
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended October 3, 2009
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 0-9904
ARDEN GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
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95-3163136 |
(State or other jurisdiction of |
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
incorporation or organization) |
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2020 South Central Avenue, Compton, California |
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90220 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
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(Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code (310) 638-2842
No Change
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.
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 Date 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 o 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. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer |
¨ |
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Accelerated filer |
x |
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|
|
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Non-accelerated filer |
¨ |
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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 outstanding of the registrants class of common stock as of November 6, 2009 was:
3,161,098 shares of Class A Common Stock
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ARDEN GROUP, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data) |
|
October 3, 2009 |
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January 3, 2009 |
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Assets |
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Current assets: |
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|
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Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
9,267 |
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$ |
10,486 |
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Investments |
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22,942 |
|
8,658 |
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||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, of $ 294 and $ 297 as of October 3, 2009 and January 3, 2009, respectively |
|
6,833 |
|
5,271 |
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Inventories, net |
|
16,320 |
|
17,846 |
|
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Deferred income taxes |
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2,582 |
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2,586 |
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Other current assets |
|
3,551 |
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3,137 |
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||
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|
|
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Total current assets |
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61,495 |
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47,984 |
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||
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|
|
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Property, plant and equipment, net |
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41,977 |
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43,792 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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4,728 |
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4,728 |
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Other assets |
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3,286 |
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3,306 |
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||
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|
|
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Total assets |
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$ |
111,486 |
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$ |
99,810 |
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Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable, trade |
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$ |
13,359 |
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$ |
14,714 |
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Federal and state income taxes payable |
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0 |
|
195 |
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Other current liabilities |
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19,932 |
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19,228 |
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Total current liabilities |
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33,291 |
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34,137 |
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|
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Long-term debt |
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1,228 |
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1,228 |
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Deferred rent |
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6,426 |
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6,298 |
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Other liabilities |
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6,573 |
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6,987 |
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|
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Total liabilities |
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47,518 |
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48,650 |
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Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 5) |
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Stockholders equity: |
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Common Stock, Class A, $.25 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; 3,161,098 shares issued and outstanding as of October 3, 2009 and January 3, 2009 excluding 1,357,200 treasury shares |
|
1,129 |
|
1,129 |
|
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Capital surplus |
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5,378 |
|
5,378 |
|
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Unrealized gain on investments, net of tax |
|
16 |
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9 |
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Retained earnings |
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61,198 |
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48,397 |
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||
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|
67,721 |
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54,913 |
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Treasury stock, 1,357,200 shares at cost |
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(3,753 |
) |
(3,753 |
) |
||
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Total stockholders equity |
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63,968 |
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51,160 |
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||
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Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
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$ |
111,486 |
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$ |
99,810 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
ARDEN GROUP, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
|
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Thirteen Weeks Ended |
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Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended |
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||||||||
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data) |
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October 3, |
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September 27, |
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October 3, |
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September 27, |
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Sales |
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$ |
103,754 |
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$ |
114,156 |
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$ |
320,452 |
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$ |
349,588 |
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Cost of sales |
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64,149 |
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70,699 |
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196,639 |
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215,659 |
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||||
Gross profit |
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39,605 |
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43,457 |
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123,813 |
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133,929 |
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Selling, general and administrative expenses |
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31,784 |
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37,115 |
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98,377 |
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106,574 |
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Operating income |
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7,821 |
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6,342 |
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25,436 |
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27,355 |
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||||
Interest and dividend income |
|
261 |
|
733 |
|
526 |
|
2,056 |
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Interest expense |
|
(204 |
) |
(133 |
) |
(356 |
) |
(290 |
) |
||||
Income before income taxes |
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7,878 |
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6,942 |
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25,606 |
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29,121 |
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Income tax provision |
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3,210 |
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2,828 |
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10,434 |
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11,864 |
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Net income |
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$ |
4,668 |
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$ |
4,114 |
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$ |
15,172 |
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$ |
17,257 |
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Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: |
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Net unrealized holding gain (loss) from available-for-sale securities, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $14 and $4 for 2009 and ($181) and ($185) for 2008, respectively |
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21 |
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(262 |
) |
7 |
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(269 |
) |
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Comprehensive income |
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$ |
4,689 |
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$ |
3,852 |
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$ |
15,179 |
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$ |
16,988 |
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Basic and diluted net income per common share |
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$ |
1.48 |
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$ |
1.30 |
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$ |
4.80 |
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$ |
5.46 |
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Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding |
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3,161,098 |
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3,161,098 |
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3,161,098 |
|
3,161,098 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
ARDEN GROUP, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
|
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Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended |
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(In Thousands) |
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October 3, 2009 |
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September 27, 2008 |
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||
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Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Cash received from customers |
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$ |
320,411 |
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$ |
350,068 |
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Cash paid to suppliers and employees |
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(290,453 |
) |
(317,864 |
) |
||
Interest and dividends received |
|
399 |
|
1,927 |
|
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Interest paid |
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(86 |
) |
(109 |
) |
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Income taxes paid |
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(12,105 |
) |
(14,235 |
) |
||
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|
|
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
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18,166 |
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19,787 |
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Cash flows from investing activities: |
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Capital expenditures |
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(2,467 |
) |
(4,662 |
) |
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Purchases of investments |
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(24,171 |
) |
(24,947 |
) |
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Sales of investments |
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9,577 |
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6,855 |
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Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment |
|
47 |
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20 |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
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(17,014 |
) |
(22,734 |
) |
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Cash flows from financing activities: |
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Cash dividends paid |
|
(2,371 |
) |
(2,371 |
) |
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|
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Net cash used in financing activities |
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(2,371 |
) |
(2,371 |
) |
||
|
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Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
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(1,219 |
) |
(5,318 |
) |
||
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Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
10,486 |
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58,919 |
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||
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|
|
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Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
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$ |
9,267 |
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$ |
53,601 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
|
|
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended |
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(In Thousands) |
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October 3, 2009 |
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September 27, 2008 |
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Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: |
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Net income |
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$ |
15,172 |
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$ |
17,257 |
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Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
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|
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Depreciation and amortization |
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4,227 |
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4,509 |
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Provision for losses on account receivable |
|
76 |
|
50 |
|
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Deferred income taxes |
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0 |
|
779 |
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Net loss from the disposal of property, plant and equipment |
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8 |
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24 |
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Amortization of premium on investments |
|
321 |
|
202 |
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Stock appreciation rights compensation expense |
|
286 |
|
2,300 |
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||
|
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|
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Change in assets and liabilities net of effects from noncash investing and financing activities: |
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(Increase) decrease in assets: |
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Accounts receivable |
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(162 |
) |
361 |
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Inventories |
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1,526 |
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3,771 |
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Other current assets |
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(414 |
) |
(571 |
) |
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Other assets |
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20 |
|
(5 |
) |
||
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Increase (decrease) in liabilities: |
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|
|
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|
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Accounts payable, trade and other current liabilities |
|
(649 |
) |
(4,620 |
) |
||
Federal and state income taxes payable |
|
(1,671 |
) |
(3,150 |
) |
||
Deferred rent |
|
(702 |
) |
99 |
|
||
Other liabilities |
|
128 |
|
(1,219 |
) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
18,166 |
|
$ |
19,787 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
ARDEN GROUP, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The condensed consolidated financial statements of Arden Group, Inc. (Company) include the accounts of the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The Company operates 18 full-service supermarkets in Southern California carrying both perishable and other grocery products.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2009 and September 27, 2008 have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q, Article 10 of Regulation S-X and generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information. These financial statements have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm but include all adjustments which, in the opinion of management of the Company, are necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations for the periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations. Accordingly, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Companys fiscal 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for the nine month period ended October 3, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending January 2, 2010. Management has evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure in this Form 10-Q through the time of filing with the SEC on November 12, 2009.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue at the time of sale. Revenue is recorded net of sales tax. Discounts given to customers are recorded at the point of sale as a reduction of revenue. The Company maintains a bad debt allowance for receivables from vendors and Gelsons Markets (Gelsons) charge card users. Valuation reserves are adjusted periodically based on historical recovery rates. The Company records income from licensing arrangements, subleases, leases and finance charges as they are earned. Income from all licensing arrangements, rental income and finance charges represents less than 1% of sales for all periods presented and, therefore, is not disclosed separately on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
5
Gelsons sells gift cards (and previously gift certificates) to its customers in its retail stores. The gift cards and certificates do not have an expiration date and Gelsons does not charge an administrative fee on unused gift cards. The Company records unredeemed gift cards and certificates under Accounts Payable, Trade on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In the past, the Company has recognized revenue from gift cards and certificates only when they were redeemed by its customers. Beginning in the first quarter of 2009, the Company began recording revenue when the likelihood of the gift cards and certificates being redeemed is remote and there is no legal obligation to remit the unredeemed gift cards and certificates to relevant jurisdictions (gift card breakage). The Company determined the appropriate gift card breakage rate based on an analysis of historical redemption patterns. As a result of this analysis, the Company determined that the likelihood of Gelsons gift cards and certificates being redeemed beyond three years from the date of issuance is remote. During the first nine months of 2009, the Company recorded $479,000 of revenue related to gift card breakage of which $432,000 was related to prior years and was recorded in the first quarter of 2009. Gift card breakage is included in Sales on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales includes product costs, net of discounts and allowances, and inbound freight charges, as well as warehouse, transportation, purchasing, advertising and occupancy costs. Warehouse and transportation costs include receiving costs, internal transfer costs, labor, building rent, utilities, depreciation, repairs and maintenance and fuel for the Companys distribution center and distribution system. Purchasing costs include both labor and administrative expense associated with the purchase of the Companys products. Advertising costs, net of vendor reimbursements, are expensed as incurred and include the cost of Gelsons print advertising. Occupancy costs consist of rent, common area charges (where applicable), depreciation and utilities related to Gelsons operations. The following table summarizes warehouse, transportation, purchasing, advertising, net of vendor reimbursements, and occupancy costs for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2009 and September 27, 2008.
|
|
Thirteen Weeks Ended |
|
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended |
|
||||||||
(In Thousands) |
|
October 3, |
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September 27, |
|
October 3, |
|
September 27, |
|
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|
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|
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Warehouse and Transportation |
|
$ |
1,772 |
|
$ |
1,778 |
|
$ |
5,232 |
|
$ |
5,085 |
|
Purchasing |
|
710 |
|
713 |
|
2,129 |
|
2,207 |
|
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Advertising |
|
319 |
|
179 |
|
774 |
|
612 |
|
||||
Occupancy |
|
5,907 |
|
6,081 |
|
17,273 |
|
17,536 |
|
||||
|
|
$ |
8,708 |
|
$ |
8,751 |
|
$ |
25,408 |
|
$ |
25,440 |
|
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the amount that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The authoritative guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the types of inputs to valuation techniques that companies may use to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1). The next highest priority is given to inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or
6
indirectly (Level 2). The lowest priority is given to unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data available and which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions (Level 3). The fair value of the Companys financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis includes investments which appear under Assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table sets forth the fair value of investments as of October 3, 2009 including the input level used to determine fair value at the measurement date.
(In Thousands) |
|
Level 1 |
|
Level 2 |
|
Level 3 |
|
Total |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Investments |
|
$ |
22,942 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
$ |
22,942 |
|
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. The fair value of the Companys long-term debt closely approximates its carrying value. The Company estimates the fair value of long-term debt based upon the net present value of the future cash flows using those interest rates that are currently available to the Company for the issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.
Vendor Allowances
The Company receives a variety of allowances from its vendors whose products are sold in Gelsons stores. Typically, the vendors are paying the Company to promote their products. The promotion may be a temporary price reduction, a feature in a print advertisement or newsletter, or placement of the vendors product in a preferred location in a store. The promotions are typically two to four weeks long and are recognized when earned.
Occasionally, the Company receives rebate allowances in the form of upfront lump-sum payments from vendors. Under the terms of these long-term agreements (which typically extend for several months or years), the Company earns the rebates as it purchases product from the vendor. The upfront payments are recorded as a liability when they are received and are recorded as a reduction of inventory cost as the product is purchased. In the event the Company does not purchase the minimum amount of product specified in the agreement, the upfront payments must be returned on a pro rata basis to the vendor. If the contract does not specify that the rebate is earned as product is purchased, then the upfront payments are recorded as a liability when received and recognized as a reduction of cost of sales on a pro rata basis as the product is sold.
2. Multi-Employer Pension and Health Care Plans
The Company contributes to several multi-employer union pension and health care plans, administered by various trustees, in accordance with the provisions of various labor contracts. Pension and health care costs are generally based on the number of straight-time hours worked and the contribution rate per hour as stipulated in the Companys various collective bargaining agreements. Union pension and health care plan expense totaled approximately $3,412,000 and $3,586,000 in the third quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively. Contributions were approximately $10,270,000 for the first nine months of 2009 compared to $10,717,000 in the same period of the prior year. The majority of the Companys employees are members of the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW). The Companys health and welfare contribution rate for hours worked by its employees who are members of the UFCW was scheduled to increase effective with hours worked during March 2009 and after; however, the Company was notified during
7
March 2009 by the Southern California United Food & Commercial Workers Unions and the Food Employers Joint Trust Funds (Trust) that the increase had been suspended for the six-month period beginning March 2009 and ending August 2009. The Trust is in the process of reviewing the contribution rate and currently anticipates the next increase will occur beginning in March 2010.
The Arden Group, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (Plan) covers all nonunion employees of the Company and its subsidiaries who have attained the age of 18 and have completed the applicable service requirement. The Plan provides that, with certain limitations, an employee with at least one month of service may elect to contribute up to 100% of such employees annual compensation to the Plan up to a maximum of $16,500 in 2009 on a tax-deferred basis, in addition to catch up contributions up to a maximum of $5,500 for employees over the age of 50. Employees are eligible to participate in the Companys discretionary contributions beginning on January 1 or July 1 following the completion of one year of service. The Company accrued $544,000 and $745,000 during the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively, for anticipated contributions.
3. Stock Appreciation Rights
The Company has outstanding stock appreciation rights (SARs) that have been granted to non-employee directors and certain employees. Each SAR entitles the holder to receive cash upon exercise equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of the Companys Class A Common Stock, as determined in accordance with the SARs agreement, on the date of exercise over the fair market value of such share on the date granted. SARs granted prior to December 2007 vest 25% each year beginning at the end of the first year and expire five years from the date of grant. SARs granted in December 2007 vest 25% each year beginning at the end of the third year and expire seven years from the date of grant.
The fair value of each SAR is estimated on the date of grant and, subsequently, at the end of each reporting period using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model which relies on the use of various highly subjective assumptions. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for the third quarter ended October 3, 2009 were as follows:
Dividend yield |
|
.665% |
- |
.797% |
|
Expected volatility |
|
42.395% |
- |
43.981% |
|
Risk-free interest rate |
|
.020% |
- |
1.674% |
|
Expected average term |
|
3.19 |
- |
5.45 years |
|
SARs compensation expense must be recognized each reporting period for changes in fair value and vesting. During the third quarter of 2009, the Company reversed $135,000 of SARs compensation expense recognized in prior periods due to a reduction in the fair value of SARs during the period, partially offset by additional vesting. The Company recognized $2,489,000 of SARs compensation expense during the same period of 2008. On a year-to-date basis, the Company recognized expense of $286,000 and $2,300,000 for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively. SARs compensation expense is recorded in Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. No SAR units were exercised during the third quarter of 2009. As of October 3, 2009, assuming no forfeitures or change in the SARs fair value, there was $1,786,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to SARs which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 4.0 years. As of October 3, 2009, there were 114,125 SARs units outstanding.
8
4. Net Income Per Common Share
Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share is determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common and potential common shares outstanding during the period. There were no potential common shares outstanding during the periods presented and, therefore, basic and diluted net income per common share are the same.
5. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to a myriad of environmental laws, regulations and lease covenants with its landlords regarding air, water and land use, products for sale, and the use, storage and disposal of hazardous materials. The Company believes it substantially complies, and has in the past substantially complied, with federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations and private covenants. The Company cannot, at this time, estimate the expense it ultimately may incur in connection with any current or future violations; however, it believes any such claims will not have a material effect upon either the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
The Company and its subsidiaries are defendants in a number of cases currently in litigation, being vigorously defended, in which the complainants seek monetary damages. As of the date hereof, no estimate of potential liability, if any, is possible. Based upon current information, management, after consultation with legal counsel defending the Companys interests in the cases, believes the ultimate disposition thereof will have no material effect upon either the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
6. Recent Accounting Standards
In February 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance which is effective for specified fair value measures of nonfinancial assets and liabilities for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. Adoption of the guidance in the first quarter of 2009 did not have any impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance on how to determine the fair value of assets and liabilities when the volume and level of activity for the asset/liability has significantly decreased and on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. The guidance also requires disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments on an interim basis in addition to the annual disclosure requirements. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. Adoption of the guidance in the second quarter of 2009 did not have any impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance establishing general standards of accounting for and disclosures of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The guidance requires the disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date. The guidance was effective for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. Adoption of the guidance did not have any impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
9
In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance establishing the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) which will serve as a single source of authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. On the effective date of the guidance, the ASC superseded all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other nongrandfathered non-SEC accounting literature not included in the ASC will become nonauthoritative. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. Adoption of the guidance did not have an impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
7. Subsequent Events
On October 20, 2009, the Company paid a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share on Class A Common Stock totaling approximately $790,000 to stockholders of record on September 30, 2009.
10
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. Certain statements contained in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, other parts of this report and other Company filings are forward-looking statements. These statements discuss, among other things, future sales, operating results and financial condition. Such statements may be identified by such words as anticipate, expect, may, believe, could, estimate, project, and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements reflect the Companys current plans and expectations regarding important risk factors and are based on information currently known to the Company. The Company cautions readers that any forward-looking statements contained in this report or made by the management of the Company involve risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various important factors. In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2009. The risks described in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks it faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that it currently deems to be not material could also have an adverse effect on the Companys future sales, operating results or financial position. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that may affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management has established accounting policies that they believe are appropriate in order to reflect the accurate reporting of the Companys operating results, financial position and cash flows. The Company applies these accounting policies in a consistent manner. Management bases its estimates on historical experience, current and expected economic conditions and various other factors that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates and assumptions form the basis for making judgments about various aspects of the Companys business, including the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The Company reevaluates these significant factors and makes adjustments where facts and circumstances dictate. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty, and therefore actual results may differ from estimates. As discussed in Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2009, management considers its policies on accounting for inventories, impairment of long-lived assets, insurance reserves, cost of sales, vendor allowances and share-based compensation to be the most critical in the preparation of the Companys financial statements because they involve the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.
Overview
Arden Group, Inc. is a holding company which conducts operations through its first and second tier wholly-owned subsidiaries, Arden Mayfair, Inc. and Gelsons Markets, respectively. Gelsons operates 18 full-service supermarkets in Southern California. Gelsons caters to the upscale customer who expects superior quality, service and merchandise selection. In addition to the customary supermarket offerings,
11
Gelsons offers specialty items such as imported foods, unusual delicatessen items and organic and natural food products. All Gelsons stores include the typical service departments such as meat, seafood, delicatessen, floral, sushi, cheese and bakery. In addition, some stores offer further services including fresh pizza, coffee bars, hot bars, gelato bars and carving carts offering cooked meats.
The Companys management focuses on a number of performance indicators in evaluating financial condition and results of operations. Same store sales, gross profit and labor costs are some of the key factors that management considers. Both sales and gross profit are significantly influenced by competition in our trade area. Gelsons faces competition from regional and national supermarket chains (most of which have greater resources and a larger market share than Gelsons), stores specializing in natural and organic foods, specialty and gourmet markets and grocery departments in mass merchandise and club stores. The recent downturn in economic conditions has led to even greater competition in the grocery industry. In an economy in which consumers are increasingly motivated by price, our competitors have aggressively increased marketing activities including price reductions. To remain competitive, the Company has initiated new marketing programs including special pricing of selected items in an effort to retain customers and attract new clientele.
Labor and other related payroll costs are the second largest expense (after product cost) incurred by Gelsons, and thus is a financial measure which is carefully monitored by management. As of fiscal 2008 year end, Gelsons had approximately 1,324 full-time and 967 part-time store, warehouse and office employees. The majority of Gelsons employees are members of the UFCW. The Companys current contract with the UFCW expires March 6, 2011. The agreement that the three major retailers in our trade area reached with the UFCW provides for hourly wage rates based on job classification and experience that, in some cases, are less than those agreed to by Gelsons. This could affect our ability to compete with grocery retailers whose hourly rates are less than our own. In addition, annual increases in wages provided under our contract will negatively impact the Companys profitability unless it is able to offset the increased expense through a combination of sales growth, increased gross margin, management of labor hours, decreased labor turnover and cost savings in other areas. Current economic conditions make it difficult to achieve significant sales growth and increased profit margins.
The Company contributes to a multi-employer health care and pension plan trust on behalf of its employees who are members of the UFCW. All employers who participate in a multi-employer plan are required to contribute at the same hourly rate based on straight-time hours worked in order to fund the plan. The Companys health and welfare contribution rate was scheduled to increase effective with hours worked during March 2009 and after; however, the Company was notified by the Trust, in the first quarter of 2009, that the increase had been suspended for the six-month period beginning March 2009 and ending August 2009. The Trust is in the process of reviewing the contribution rate and currently anticipates an increase will occur beginning in March 2010. The Trust has indicated that the increase could be significant.
Current economic conditions, turmoil in the financial markets and potential health care reform could significantly impact the future funded status of the health care and pension plans in which the Company participates. Many factors influence the funded status of the plans including changes in the cost of health care, the return on investments of funds held by the plan, changes to benefits offered under the plan and government regulations. The Company anticipates that both health care and pension benefits will be important topics in future negotiations. If, in the future, the Company and other participating employers are unable to negotiate an acceptable agreement with the union concerning employee benefits, a labor dispute could result or the negotiations could result in a new agreement requiring higher contribution rates. In addition, if any of the participating employers in the plan withdraws from the plan due to insolvency
12
and is not able to contribute an amount sufficient to cover the underfunded liabilities associated with its participants, the Company may be required to make additional contributions. Each of these scenarios could negatively impact the Companys financial condition and results of operations.
Another component of labor related expense is the cost of workers compensation. For claims incurred prior to July 1, 2006, the Company is primarily self-insured through the use of a high deductible policy which provides the Company with stop-loss coverage to limit its exposure on a per claim basis and provides coverage for qualifying costs in excess of per claim limits. Effective July 2006, the Company purchased a one-year fully insured guaranteed cost workers compensation insurance policy to replace the high deductible program for losses occurring after June 30, 2006. The guaranteed cost program eliminates the Companys risk against claims occurring after June 30, 2006 and has resulted in lower workers compensation expense compared to the high deductible program. The Company has continued to renew the guaranteed cost policy annually. The Company continues to maintain an accrual for claims incurred prior to July 2006 under the high deductible program. That accrual is based on both undeveloped reported claims and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported. While the Company devotes substantial time and commitment to maintaining a safe work environment, the ultimate cost of workers compensation is highly dependent upon legal and legislative trends, the inflation rate of health care costs and the Companys ability to manage claims.
The Companys current and prior quarterly results have frequently reflected fluctuations in operating income as a result of adjustments recorded to reflect the change in the fair value of SARs that have been granted to non-employee directors and certain employees. Each SAR entitles the holder to receive cash upon exercise equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of the Companys Class A Common Stock, as determined in accordance with the SARs agreement, on the date of exercise over the fair market value of such share on the date granted. Fluctuations in the market price of the Companys Class A Common Stock from the end of the previous period impact the recognition or reversal of SARs compensation expense in the period being reported upon. Since the Company cannot predict future fluctuations in the market price of its stock, it also cannot forecast future SARs compensation expense adjustments and the extent to which operating income will be impacted. Volatility in the stock market makes this harder than ever to predict.
Results of Operations
Third Quarter Analysis
Same store sales from the Companys 18 supermarkets (all of which are located in Southern California), including revenue from licensing arrangements, subleases, leases and finance charges, were $103,754,000 during the third quarter of 2009 compared to $114,156,000 in the third quarter of 2008. The 9.1% decrease in sales reflects the negative impact of current economic conditions and increased competition in our trade area. Sales in the third quarter of 2009 included sales from Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, whereas a portion of Rosh Hashanah and all of Yom Kippur sales occurred in the fourth quarter of the prior year. This shift in sales was offset by Fourth of July sales which occurred in the second quarter of 2009, but predominately in the third quarter of 2008.
The Companys gross profit as a percent of sales was 38.2% in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 38.1% in the same period of 2008. In calculating gross profit, the Company deducts product costs, net of discounts and allowances, and inbound freight charges, as well as warehouse, transportation, purchasing, advertising and occupancy costs. Gross profit as a percent of sales for the Company may not be
13
comparable to those of other companies in the grocery industry since there may be differences in recording certain costs as cost of sales or as SG&A expense.
SG&A expense as a percent of sales was 30.6% in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 32.5% in the same period of 2008. The decrease in SG&A expense as a percent of sales is primarily due to a significant decrease in SARs compensation expense during the third quarter of 2009 compared to the same period of the prior year. During the third quarter of 2009, the Company reversed $135,000 of SARs compensation expense recognized in prior periods due to a decrease in the fair value of SARs during the period partially offset by additional vesting. The Company recognized $2,489,000 of SARs compensation expense during the same period of 2008. The decrease in SG&A expense as a percent of sales was partially offset by an increase in UFCW hourly wage rates effective early March 2008 and 2009 in accordance with the current collective bargaining agreement. To a lesser extent, SG&A expense was also impacted by hourly wage rate increases under collective bargaining agreements with unions other than the UFCW. Finally, as sales decrease, SG&A expense as a percent of sales increases to some degree as certain of the Companys costs are fixed and do not decrease proportionately with a decline in revenues.
Interest and dividend income was $261,000 in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $733,000 for the same period in 2008. The decrease is partially due to significantly lower interest rates as a result of the current financial crisis. In addition, the Companys cash available for investment was significantly lower during the third quarter of 2009 compared to the same period of the prior year due to a special cash dividend paid on December 8, 2008 totaling approximately $79,027,000.
Year-To-Date Analysis
Same store sales from the Companys 18 supermarkets (all of which are located in Southern California), including revenue from licensing arrangements, subleases, leases and finance charges, were $320,452,000 during the first nine months of 2009. This represents a decrease of 8.3% from the same period of the prior year, when sales were $349,588,000. Sales during 2009 were negatively impacted by economic conditions and increased competition in our trade area. The Company recorded $479,000 of revenue related to gift card breakage during the first nine months of 2009 of which $432,000 was related to prior periods as a result of the change in accounting for gift cards and certificates as described in Note 1. The decrease in sales during the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same period of the prior year would have been slightly greater if not for the revenue from gift card breakage. In addition, sales during the first nine months of 2009 included sales from Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, whereas, a portion of Rosh Hashanah and all of Yom Kippur sales occurred in the fourth quarter of 2008.
The Companys gross profit as a percent of sales was 38.6% in the first nine months of 2009 compared to 38.3% in the same period of 2008. The increase in gross profit as a percent of sales reflects in part gift card breakage income as discussed above. As there are no product costs associated with gift card breakage, 100% of the income flows through to gross profit. In calculating gross profit, the Company deducts product costs, net of discounts and allowances, and inbound freight charges, as well as warehouse, transportation, purchasing, advertising and occupancy costs. Gross profit as a percent of sales for the Company may not be comparable to those of other companies in the grocery industry since there may be differences in recording certain costs as cost of sales or as SG&A expense.
SG&A expense as a percent of sales was 30.7% in the first nine months of 2009 compared to 30.5% in the same period of 2008. The increase in SG&A expense as a percent of sales is primarily due to an increase in the UFCW hourly wage rates effective early March 2008 and 2009 in accordance with the current collective bargaining agreement. To a lesser extent, SG&A expense was also impacted by hourly wage
14
rate increases under collective bargaining agreements with unions other than the UFCW. Also, as sales decrease, SG&A expense as a percent of sales increases to some degree as certain of the Companys costs are fixed and do not decrease proportionately with a decline in revenues. The increase in SG&A expense as a percent of sales was partially offset by a decrease in SARs compensation expense. During the first nine months of 2009, the Company recorded SARs compensation expense of $286,000 due to an increase in the fair value of SARs since the end of fiscal 2008 and the additional vesting of SARs. The Company recognized $2,300,000 of SARs compensation expense for the same period of 2008.
Interest and dividend income was $526,000 in the first nine months of 2009 compared to $2,056,000 for the same period in 2008. The decrease is partially due to significantly lower interest rates as a result of the current financial crisis. In addition, the Companys cash available for investment was significantly lower during the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same period of the prior year due to a special cash dividend paid on December 8, 2008 totaling approximately $79,027,000.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES/LIQUIDITY
The Companys current cash position, including investments and net cash provided by operating activities, is the primary source of funds available to meet the Companys capital expenditure and liquidity requirements. The Companys cash position, including investments, at the end of the third quarter of 2009 was $32,209,000. The Companys cash position was reduced by approximately $79,027,000 on December 8, 2008 when the Company paid its special cash dividend of twenty-five dollars ($25) per share on the Companys Class A Common Stock. During the thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2009, the Company generated $18,166,000 of cash from operating activities compared to $19,787,000 in the same period of 2008. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities reflects the lower net income earned in 2009 compared to the prior year.
Cash not required for the immediate needs of the Company is temporarily invested in U.S. Treasuries, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and corporate and government bonds. The Company is continually investigating opportunities for the use of these funds including new locations and the expansion and remodel of existing stores.
The Company also has two revolving lines of credit totaling $23,000,000 available for standby letters of credit, funding operations and expansion. There were no outstanding borrowings against either of the revolving lines as of October 3, 2009. The Company currently maintains four standby letters of credit aggregating $8,769,000 pursuant to the Companys lease requirements and general and auto liability and workers compensation self-insurance programs. The standby letters of credit reduce the available borrowings under its revolving lines.
15
The following table sets forth the Companys contractual cash obligations and commercial commitments as of October 3, 2009:
|
|
Contractual Cash Obligations (In Thousands) |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Less Than |
|
|
|
|
|
After |
|
|||||
|
|
Total |
|
1 Year |
|
1-3 Years |
|
4-5 Years |
|
5 Years |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
7% Subordinated Income Debentures |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Due September 2014 Including Interest |
|
$ |
1,658 |
|
$ |
86 |
|
$ |
172 |
|
$ |
1,400 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
Operating Leases |
|
124,118 |
|
10,875 |
|
20,527 |
|
18,263 |
|
74,453 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Contractual Cash Obligations (1) |
|
$ |
125,776 |
|
$ |
10,961 |
|
$ |
20,699 |
|
$ |
19,663 |
|
$ |
74,453 |
|
|
|
Other Commercial Commitments (In Thousands) |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Less Than |
|
|
|
|
|
After |
|
|||||
|
|
Total |
|
1 Year |
|
1-3 Years |
|
4-5 Years |
|
5 Years |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Standby Letters of Credit (2) |
|
$ |
8,769 |
|
$ |
8,769 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
(1) Other Contractual Obligations
The Company had the following other contractual cash obligations at October 3, 2009. The Company is unable to include these liabilities in the tabular disclosure of contractual cash obligations as the exact timing and amount of payments are unknown.
Self-Insurance Reserves
The Company is primarily self-insured for losses related to general and auto liability claims and for all open years prior to July 1, 2006 for workers compensation. The Company maintains stop-loss coverage to limit its loss exposure on a per claim basis. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are estimated, in part, by considering historical claims experience and regression analysis. Accruals are based on reported claims and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported. While the ultimate amount of claims incurred is dependent on future developments, in managements opinion recorded reserves are adequate to cover the future payment of claims. The Companys workers compensation and liability insurance reserves for reported claims and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported at October 3, 2009 totaled $3,995,000. For workers compensation claims incurred after June 30, 2006, the Company is fully insured under guaranteed cost insurance policies.
Employment Agreement
The Company has an employment agreement with a key executive officer that provides for annual retirement compensation for the remainder of his lifetime equal to 25% of his average base salary and bonus earned in the last three fiscal years prior to the cessation of his employment plus certain other benefits. The Company had accrued $2,028,000 under the terms of the employment agreement as of October 3, 2009.
Property, Plant and Equipment Purchases
As of October 3, 2009, management had authorized expenditures on incomplete projects for the purchase of property, plant and equipment which totaled approximately $1,157,000. The Company has an ongoing program to remodel existing supermarkets and to add new stores. During the first nine months of 2009, capital expenditures were $2,467,000.
16
(2) Standby Letters of Credit
The Companys letters of credit renew automatically each year unless the issuer notifies the Company otherwise. The amount of each letter of credit held pursuant to the Companys workers compensation and general and auto liability insurance programs is adjusted annually based upon the outstanding claim reserves as of the renewal date. Each letter of credit obligation supporting insurance claims will cease when all claims for the particular policy year are closed or the Company negotiates a release.
On October 20, 2009, the Company paid a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share of Class A Common Stock totaling approximately $790,000 to stockholders of record on September 30, 2009.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company currently has no outstanding bank debt or fixture financing. If the Company should obtain financing or draw on its existing lines of credit, which bear interest at the banks reference rate or the banks adjusted London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus a margin up to 1.2%, the Company could then be exposed to market risk related to interest fluctuations.
A change in market prices exposes the Company to market risk related to its investments. As of October 3, 2009, all investments were classified as available-for-sale securities and totaled $22,942,000. A hypothetical 10% drop in the market value of these investments would result in a $2,294,000 unrealized loss and a corresponding decrease in the fair value of these instruments. This hypothetical drop would not affect cash flow and would not have an impact on earnings until the Company sold the investments.
The Company has employed what it believes to be a conservative investment strategy. As a result of the current economic climate, the Company has shifted its investments into what it believes are low risk investments with high credit, quality institutions.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Companys management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer or the person temporarily performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the person temporarily performing the functions of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, has performed an evaluation of the design and operation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the person temporarily performing the functions of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the person temporarily performing the functions of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, has evaluated any changes in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter. Based on that evaluation, management, the Chief Executive Officer and the person temporarily performing the functions of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company have concluded that there has been no change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting during the Companys fiscal quarter ended October 3, 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
17
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
31.1 |
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
31.2 |
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
32.1 |
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
32.2 |
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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.
|
|
|
ARDEN GROUP, INC. |
|
|
|
Registrant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: |
November 12, 2009 |
|
/s/LAURA J. NEUMANN |
|
|
Laura J. Neumann |
|
|
|
Senior Director of Financial |
|
|
|
Reporting and Compliance |
|
|
|
(Authorized Signatory) |
18