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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

 

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

For the fiscal year ended December 26, 2009

 

(  )	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 0-00981

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Florida		59-0324412
(State of Incorporation)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
3300 Publix Corporate Parkway Lakeland, Florida		33811
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (863) 688-1188

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:    None

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

Common Stock $1.00 Par Value

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.        Yes    X                  No  ___

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.        Yes  ___                No    X  

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 and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.        Yes    X                  No  ___

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

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. (  )

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      X      Accelerated filer    ___    Non-accelerated filer    ___    Smaller reporting company    ___

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

Yes  ___                        No    X  

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $5,999,592,000 as of June 26, 2009, the last trading day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

The number of shares of Registrant’s common stock outstanding as of February 5, 2010 was 779,234,000.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The information required by Part III of this report, to the extent not set forth herein, is incorporated by reference from the Proxy Statement solicited for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 13, 2010.

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				Page
PART I
Item 1.		Business		1
Item 1A.		Risk Factors		2
Item 1B.		Unresolved Staff Comments		4
Item 2.		Properties		4
Item 3.		Legal Proceedings		4
		Executive Officers of the Company		5
PART II
Item 4.		Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities		6
Item 5.		Selected Financial Data		9
Item 6.		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		10
Item 6A.		Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		17
		Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting		18
Item 7.		Financial Statements and Supplementary Data		19
Item 8.		Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure		41
Item 8A.		Controls and Procedures		41
Item 8B.		Other Information		41
PART III
Item 9.		Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance		42
Item 10.		Executive Compensation		42
Item 11.		Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters		42
Item 12.		Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence		42
Item 13.		Principal Accounting Fees and Services		42
PART IV
Item 14.		Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules		43

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PART I

Item 1. Business

Publix Super Markets, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the Company) are in the primary business of operating retail food supermarkets in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. The Company has no other significant lines of business or industry segments.

Merchandising and manufacturing

The Company sells grocery (including dairy, produce, deli, bakery, meat and seafood), health and beauty care, general merchandise, pharmacy, floral and other products and services. The percentage of consolidated sales by merchandise category for 2009, 2008 and 2007 was as follows:

 

		2009		2008		2007
Grocery		85%		85%		85%
Other		15%		15%		15%
		100%		100%		100%

The Company’s lines of merchandise include a variety of nationally advertised and private label brands, as well as unbranded merchandise such as produce, meat and seafood. The Company receives the food and non-food products it distributes from many sources. These products are delivered to the supermarkets through Company distribution centers or directly from the suppliers and are generally available in sufficient quantities to enable the Company to adequately satisfy its customers. Approximately 70% of the total cost of products purchased is delivered to the supermarkets through the Company’s distribution centers. The Company believes that its sources of supply of these products and raw materials used in manufacturing are adequate for its needs and that it is not dependent upon a single supplier or relatively few suppliers. Private label items are produced in the Company’s dairy, bakery and deli manufacturing facilities or are manufactured for the Company by outside suppliers.

The Company has experienced no significant changes in the kinds of products sold or in its methods of distribution since the beginning of the fiscal year.

Store operations

The Company operated 1,014 supermarkets at the end of 2009, compared with 993 at the beginning of the year. In 2009, 48 supermarkets were opened (including replacement supermarkets), 27 supermarkets were closed and 85 supermarkets were remodeled. Of the supermarkets closed, 14 were replaced in 2009, two will be replaced in subsequent periods and 11 will not be replaced. The net increase in square footage was 1.3 million square feet or 2.7% in 2009. At the end of 2009, the Company had 729 supermarkets located in Florida, 177 in Georgia, 42 in South Carolina, 39 in Alabama and 27 in Tennessee. Also, as of year end, the Company had 15 supermarkets under construction in Florida, three in Alabama, two in Georgia, one in South Carolina and one in Tennessee.

Competition

The Company is engaged in the highly competitive retail food industry. Competition is based primarily on quality of goods and service, price, convenience, product mix and store location. The Company’s primary competition throughout its market areas is with several national and regional supermarket chains, independent supermarkets, supercenters, membership warehouse clubs, mass merchandisers, dollar stores, drug stores, specialty food stores, restaurants and convenience stores. The Company anticipates continued competitor format innovation and location additions in 2010.

Working capital

The Company’s working capital at the end of 2009 consisted of $2,449.4 million in current assets and $1,950.9 million in current liabilities. Normal operating fluctuations in these balances can result in changes to cash flows from operating activities presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows that are not necessarily indicative of long-term operating trends. There are no unusual industry practices or requirements relating to working capital items.

 

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Seasonality

The historical influx of winter residents to Florida and increased purchases of products during the traditional Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter holidays typically result in seasonal sales increases between November and April of each year.

Employees

The Company had 142,000 employees at the end of 2009, 69,000 on a full-time basis and 73,000 on a part-time basis. By comparison, the Company had 144,000 employees at the end of 2008, 70,000 on a full-time basis and 74,000 on a part-time basis. The Company considers its employee relations to be good.

Environmental matters

Compliance by the Company with federal, state and local environmental protection laws during 2009 had no material effect upon capital expenditures, results of operations or the competitive position of the Company.

Company information

This Annual Report on Form 10-K and the 2010 Proxy Statement will be mailed on or about March 11, 2010 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 5, 2010. These reports as well as Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports may also be obtained electronically, free of charge, through the Company’s website at www.publix.com/stock.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K, the following risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating the Company’s business. The Company’s financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. Additional risks not presently known to the Company or that the Company currently deems immaterial may also impair its operations.

Increased competition and low profit margins could adversely affect the Company.

The retail food industry in which the Company operates is highly competitive with low profit margins. The Company’s competitors include national and regional supermarket chains, independent supermarkets, supercenters, membership warehouse clubs, mass merchandisers, dollar stores, drug stores, specialty food stores, restaurants and convenience stores. The Company’s ability to attract and retain customers is based primarily on quality of goods and service, price, convenience, product mix and store location. The Company believes it will face increased competition in the future from all of these competitors and its financial condition and results of operations could be impacted by the pricing, purchasing, advertising or promotional decisions made by its competitors.

General economic conditions that impact consumer spending could adversely affect the Company.

The Company’s results of operations are sensitive to changes in general economic conditions that impact consumer spending. Adverse economic conditions, including rising unemployment, increasing home foreclosure rates, declining stock market and the instability of the credit markets, could continue to cause a reduction in consumer spending. Other conditions that could also affect disposable consumer income include increases in tax rates, increases in fuel and energy costs, the impact of natural disasters or acts of terrorism, and other factors. This reduction in the level of consumer spending could cause customers to purchase lower-profit items or to shift spending to lower-priced competitors, which could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Increased operating costs could adversely affect the Company.

The Company’s operations tend to be more labor intensive than some of its competitors due to the additional customer service offered in its supermarkets. Consequently, uncertain labor markets, government mandated increases in the minimum wage or other benefits, an increased proportion of full-time employees, increased costs of health care due to health care reform or other factors and increased costs of other benefits could result in an increase in labor costs. In addition, the inability to improve or manage operating costs, such as payroll, facilities, or other non-product related costs, could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Failure to execute on the Company’s core strategies could adversely affect the Company.

The Company’s core strategies focus on customer service, product quality, shopping environment, competitive pricing and convenient locations. The Company has implemented several strategic business and technology initiatives as part of the execution of these core strategies. The Company believes these core strategies and related strategic initiatives differentiate it from its competition and present opportunities for increased market share and sustained financial growth. Failure to execute on these core strategies, or a failure to execute the core strategies on a cost effective basis, could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Failure to identify and obtain or retain suitable supermarket sites could adversely affect the Company.

The Company’s ability to obtain sites for new supermarkets and, to a lesser extent, acquire existing supermarket locations is dependent on identifying and entering into lease or purchase agreements on commercially reasonable terms for properties that are suitable for its needs. If the Company fails to identify suitable sites and enter into lease or purchase agreements on a timely basis for any reason, including competition from other companies seeking similar sites, the Company’s growth could be adversely affected because it may be unable to open new supermarkets as anticipated. Similarly, its business could be adversely affected if it is unable to renew the leases on its existing supermarkets on commercially reasonable terms.

Disruptions in information technology systems could adversely affect the Company.

The Company is dependent on complex information technology systems to operate its business, enhance customer service, improve the efficiency of its supply chain and increase employee efficiency. The Company’s information technology systems are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches (including breaches of transaction processing that could result in the compromise of confidential customer data), catastrophic events and user errors. Any disruptions in these systems or the overall technology infrastructure could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Unexpected changes in the insurance market or factors affecting self-insurance reserve estimates could adversely affect the Company.

The Company uses a combination of insurance coverage and self-insurance to provide for potential liability for workers’ compensation, general liability, property losses, fleet liability, employee benefits and directors and officers liability. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to maintain its insurance coverage or obtain comparable insurance coverage at a reasonable cost. Self-insurance reserves are determined based on actual claims experience and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported including, where necessary, actuarial studies. Actuarial projections of losses are subject to a high degree of variability caused by, but not limited to, such factors as future interest and inflation rates, future economic conditions, litigation trends and benefit level changes. The Company’s financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by an increase in the frequency or costs of claims and changes in actuarial assumptions.

Product liability claims, product recalls and the resulting unfavorable publicity could adversely affect the Company.

The packaging, marketing, distribution and sale of grocery, drug and other products purchased from suppliers or manufactured by the Company entails an inherent risk of product liability claims, product recall and the resulting adverse publicity. Such products may contain contaminants that may be inadvertently distributed by the Company. These contaminants may, in certain cases, result in illness, injury or death if processing at the consumer level does not eliminate the contaminants. Even an inadvertent shipment of adulterated products is a violation of law and may lead to a product recall and/or an increased risk of exposure to product liability claims. There can be no assurance that such claims will not be asserted against the Company or that the Company will not be obligated to perform product recalls in the future. If a product liability claim is successful, the Company’s insurance coverage may not be adequate to pay all liabilities and it may not be able to continue to maintain such insurance coverage or obtain comparable insurance coverage at a reasonable cost. If the Company does not have adequate insurance coverage or contractual indemnification available, product liability claims relating to defective products could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to successfully market its products and on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. In addition, even if a product liability claim is not successful or is not fully pursued, the adverse publicity surrounding any assertion that the Company’s products caused illness or injury could have an adverse effect on the Company’s reputation with existing and potential customers and on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Unfavorable changes in, failure to comply with or increased costs to comply with environmental laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company.

The Company is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations that govern activities that may have adverse environmental effects and impose liabilities for the costs of contamination cleanup and damages arising from sites of past spills, disposals or other releases of hazardous materials. Under current environmental laws, the Company may be held responsible for the remediation of environmental conditions regardless of whether the Company leases, subleases or owns the supermarkets or other facilities and regardless of whether such environmental conditions were created by the Company or a prior owner or tenant. The costs

 

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of investigation, remediation or removal of environmental conditions may be substantial. In addition, the increased focus on climate change, waste management and other environmental issues may result in new environmental laws or regulations that negatively affect the Company directly or indirectly through increased costs on its suppliers. There can be no assurance that environmental conditions relating to prior, existing or future sites or other environmental changes will not adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations through, for instance, business interruption, cost of remediation or adverse publicity.

Unfavorable changes in, failure to comply with or increased costs to comply with laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company.

In addition to environmental laws and regulations, the Company is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to, among other things, product safety, zoning, land use, workplace safety, public health, accessibility and restrictions on the sale of various products including alcoholic beverages, tobacco and drugs. The Company is also subject to laws governing its relationship with employees, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, labor, working conditions, disabled access and work permit requirements. Compliance with, or changes in, these laws, as well as passage of new laws and the inability to deal with increased government regulation, could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Unfavorable results of legal proceedings could adversely affect the Company.

The Company is a party in various legal claims and actions considered in the normal course of business including labor and employment, personal injury, intellectual property and other issues. Although not currently anticipated by management, the results of pending or future legal proceedings could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None

Item 2. Properties

At year end, the Company operated approximately 47.0 million square feet of supermarket space. The Company’s supermarkets vary in size. Current supermarket prototypes range from 28,000 to 61,000 square feet. Supermarkets are often located in strip shopping centers where the Company is the anchor tenant. The majority of the Company’s supermarkets are leased. Substantially all of these leases will expire during the next 20 years. However, in the normal course of business, it is expected that the leases will be renewed or replaced by leases on other properties. Both the building and land are owned at 100 locations. The building is owned while the land is leased at 44 other locations.

The Company supplies its supermarkets from eight primary distribution centers located in Lakeland, Miami, Jacksonville, Sarasota, Orlando, Deerfield Beach and Boynton Beach, Florida, and Lawrenceville, Georgia. The Company operates six manufacturing facilities including three dairy plants located in Lakeland and Deerfield Beach, Florida, and Lawrenceville, Georgia, two bakery plants located in Lakeland, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia and a deli plant located in Lakeland, Florida.

The Company’s corporate offices, primary distribution centers and manufacturing facilities are owned with no outstanding debt. The Company’s properties are well maintained, in good operating condition and suitable and adequate for operating its business.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The Company is a party in various legal claims and actions considered in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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Executive Officers of the Company

 

Name		Age		Business Experience During Last Five Years		Served as Officer of Company     Since
John A. Attaway, Jr.		51		General Counsel and Secretary of the Company to January 2005, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary thereafter.		2000
Hoyt R. Barnett		66		Vice Chairman of the Company and Trustee of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan.		1977
David E. Bornmann		52		Vice President of the Company.		1998
David E. Bridges		60		Vice President of the Company.		2000
Scott E. Brubaker		51		Regional Director of Retail Operations of the Company to July 2005, Vice President thereafter.		2005
William E. Crenshaw		59		President of the Company to March 2008, Chief Executive Officer thereafter.		1990
G. Gino DiGrazia		47		Vice President and Controller of the Company.		2002
Laurie Z. Douglas		46		Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of FedEx Kinko’s Office and Print Center, Inc. to January 2006, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the Company thereafter.		2006
David S. Duncan		56		Vice President of the Company.		1999
Sandra J. Estep		50		Vice President and Controller of the Company.		2002
William V. Fauerbach		63		Vice President of the Company.		1997
John R. Frazier		60		Vice President of the Company.		1997
Linda S. Hall		50		Vice President of the Company.		2002
M. Clayton Hollis, Jr.		53		Vice President of the Company.		1994
John T. Hrabusa		54		Vice President of the Company to January 2005, Senior Vice President thereafter.		2004
Mark R. Irby		54		Vice President of the Company.		1989
Randall T. Jones, Sr.		47		Vice President of the Company to July 2005, Senior Vice President to March 2008, President thereafter.		2003
Linda S. Kane		44		Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Company.		2000
Thomas M. McLaughlin		59		Vice President of the Company.		1994
Sharon A. Miller		66		Executive Director of Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc. and Assistant Secretary of the Company.		1992
Dale S. Myers		57		Vice President of the Company.		2001
Alfred J. Ottolino		44		Vice President of the Company.		2004
David P. Phillips		50		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company.		1990
Charles B. Roskovich, Jr.		48		Regional Director of Retail Operations of the Company to January 2008, Vice President thereafter.		2008
Marc H. Salm		49		Director and Counsel of Risk Management of the Company to June 2008, Vice President thereafter.		2008
Richard J. Schuler II		54		Vice President of the Company.		2000
Michael R. Smith		50		Director of Fresh Product Manufacturing of the Company to July 2005, Vice President thereafter.		2005

The terms of all officers expire in May 2010 or upon the election of their successors.

 

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PART II

Item 4. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

(a)	Market Information

The Company’s common stock is not traded on any public stock exchange. Therefore, all transactions of the Company’s common stock have been among the Company, its employees, former employees, their families and the benefit plans established for the Company’s employees. The Company’s common stock is made available for sale only to the Company’s current employees through the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) and 401(k) Plan. In addition, common stock is made available under the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Common stock is also made available for sale to members of the Company’s Board of Directors through the Non-Employee Directors Stock Purchase Plan (Directors Plan). The Company currently repurchases common stock subject to certain terms and conditions. The ESPP, 401(k) Plan, ESOP and Directors Plan each contain provisions prohibiting any transfer for value without the owner first offering the common stock to the Company. The Company serves as the registrar and stock transfer agent for its common stock.

Because there is no trading of the Company’s common stock on a public stock exchange, the market price of the Company’s common stock is determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors considers, among other things, the Company’s financial performance and the financial and stock market performance of comparable companies. The market prices for the Company’s common stock for 2009 and 2008 were as follows:

 

		2009			2008
January - February		$	17.90		20.80
March - April			16.10		20.70
May - July			15.55		19.45
August - October			16.05		19.70
November - December			16.30		17.90

 

(b)	Approximate Number of Equity Security Holders

As of February 5, 2010, the approximate number of holders of the Company’s common stock was 141,000.

 

(c)

Dividends

The Company paid an annual cash dividend of $0.41 per share of common stock in 2009 and $0.44 per share in 2008. Payment of dividends is within the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and depends on, among other factors, net earnings, capital requirements and the financial condition of the Company. It is believed that comparable cash dividends will be paid in the future.

 

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(e)	Performance Graphs

The following performance graph sets forth the Company’s cumulative total stockholder return during the five years ended December 26, 2009, compared to the cumulative total return on the S&P 500 Index and a custom Peer Group Index including retail food supermarket companies⁽¹⁾. The Peer Group Index is weighted based on the various companies’ market capitalization. The comparison assumes $100 was invested at the end of 2004 in the Company’s common stock and in each of the related indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends.

The Company’s common stock is valued as of the end of each fiscal quarter. After the end of a quarter, however, shares continue to be traded at the prior valuation until the new valuation is received. The cumulative total return for the companies represented in the S&P 500 Index and the custom Peer Group Index is based on those companies’ calendar year end trading price. The following performance graph is based on the Company’s trading price at fiscal year end based on its market price as of the prior fiscal quarter. Because the Company’s fiscal year end valuation of the Company’s shares is effective after the date this document is to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a performance graph based on the fiscal year end valuation (market price as of March 1, 2010) is not presented below. Rather, for comparative purposes, a performance graph based on the fiscal year end valuation is provided in the 2010 Proxy Statement.

 

(1)

Companies included in the Peer Group are: A&P, Ahold, Albertson’s Inc. (Albertson’s is included for 2004 and 2005 but is no longer publicly traded), Delhaize Group, Kroger, Safeway, Supervalu, Weis Markets and Winn-Dixie (Winn-Dixie is included through December 2005 as the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Winn-Dixie’s new common stock is not included for 2006 but is included for 2007 through 2009).

 

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Item 5.  Selected Financial Data

 

		2009			2008		2007		2006		2005
Sales:
Sales		$	24,319,716		23,929,064		23,016,568		21,654,774		20,589,130
Percent change			1.6%		4.0%		6.3%		5.2%		11.0%
Comparable store sales percent change			(3.2%)		1.3%		4.3%		5.2%		5.4%
Earnings:
Gross profit (1)		$	6,727,037		6,442,241		6,210,739		5,842,817		5,529,450
Earnings before income tax expense		$	1,774,714		1,651,412		1,817,573		1,687,553		1,550,738
Net earnings		$	1,161,442		1,089,770		1,183,925		1,097,209		989,156
Net earnings as a percent of sales			4.8%		4.6%		5.1%		5.1%		4.8%
Common stock: (2)
Weighted average shares outstanding			788,835		818,248		840,523		849,815		860,196
Basic and diluted earnings per share		$	1.47		1.33		1.41		1.29		1.15
Cash dividends per share		$	0.41		0.44		0.40		0.20		0.14
Financial data:
Capital expenditures		$	693,489		1,289,707		683,290		481,247		338,946
Working capital		$	498,411		232,809		319,826		211,219		236,488
Current ratio			1.26		1.13		1.18		1.12		1.13
Total assets		$	9,004,292		8,089,672		8,053,157		7,393,086		6,727,223
Stockholders’ equity		$	6,299,624		5,643,298		5,642,186		4,974,865		4,205,774
Supermarkets			1,014		993		926		892		875

 

NOTE:

Amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts and number of supermarkets. Fiscal year 2005 includes 53 weeks.

All other years include 52 weeks.

 

(1)

Gross profit represents sales less cost of merchandise sold as reported in the consolidated statements of earnings.

 

(2)

Restated to give retroactive effect for 5-for-1 stock split in July 2006.

 

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Item 6.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

The Company is primarily engaged in the retail food industry, operating supermarkets in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. The Company has no other significant lines of business or industry segments. As of December 26, 2009, the Company operated 1,014 supermarkets including 729 located in Florida, 177 in Georgia, 42 in South Carolina, 39 in Alabama and 27 in Tennessee. The Company opened 37 supermarkets in Florida, six in Georgia, three in Tennessee and two in Alabama during 2009. The Company closed 27 supermarkets in 2009. Of the supermarkets closed, 14 were replaced in 2009, two will be replaced in subsequent periods and 11 will not be replaced.

The Company’s revenues are earned and cash is generated as merchandise is sold to customers. Income is earned by selling merchandise at price levels that produce sales revenues in excess of the cost of merchandise sold and operating and administrative expenses. The Company has generally been able to increase revenues and net earnings from year to year. Further, the Company has been able to meet its cash requirements from internally generated funds without the need to generate cash through debt financing. The Company’s year end cash balances are significantly impacted by capital expenditures, investment transactions, stock repurchases and payment of the annual cash dividend.

The Company sells a variety of merchandise to generate revenues. This merchandise includes grocery (including dairy, produce, deli, bakery, meat and seafood), health and beauty care, general merchandise, and other products and services. Most of the Company’s supermarkets also have pharmacy and floral departments. Merchandise includes a mix of nationally advertised and private label brands. The Company’s private label brands play an increasingly important role in its merchandising strategy.

As of December 26, 2009, the Company also operated 11 convenience stores, 103 liquor stores and 37 Crispers restaurants. All liquor stores and Crispers restaurants are located in Florida. Eight convenience stores are located in Florida, two in Georgia and one in Tennessee.

Operating Environment

The Company is engaged in the highly competitive retail food industry. Competition is based primarily on quality of goods and service, price, convenience, product mix and store location. In addition, the Company competes with other retailers for additional retail site locations. The Company competes with retailers as well as other labor market competitors in attracting and retaining quality employees. The Company’s primary competition throughout its market areas is with several national and regional traditional supermarket chains, independent supermarkets and specialty food stores as well as non-traditional competition such as supercenters, membership warehouse clubs, mass merchandisers, dollar stores, drug stores, restaurants and convenience stores. As a result of the highly competitive environment, traditional supermarkets, including the Company, face business challenges. There has been a trend in recent years for traditional supermarkets to lose market share to non-traditional competition. The success of the Company, in particular its ability to retain its customers, depends on its ability to meet the business challenges created by this competitive environment.

In order to meet the competitive challenges facing the Company, management continues to focus on the Company’s core strategies, including customer service, product quality, shopping environment, competitive pricing and convenient locations. The Company has implemented several strategic business and technology initiatives as part of the execution of these core strategies. The Company believes these core strategies and related strategic initiatives differentiate it from its competition and present opportunities for increased market share and sustained financial growth.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments totaled $2,627.7 million as of December 26, 2009, as compared with $2,038.4 million and $2,932.3 million as of December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively.

Beginning in February 2008, as a result of the liquidity issues experienced in the global credit and capital markets, auctions for auction rate securities (ARS) held by the Company failed. An auction fails when secondary market makers withdraw from the auction process that provides rate resets and liquidity. However, a failed auction does not represent a default by the issuer. The underlying issuers of the ARS held by the Company had high credit ratings and continued to pay interest in accordance with the terms of the underlying security. Due to the quality of the ARS held and the Company’s ability to maintain the securities, the valuation of these

 

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securities was not impacted by the secondary market issues. The Company liquidated its entire ARS portfolio at cost without incurring any impairment charges. The Company held no ARS as of December 26, 2009, as compared with $14.9 million and $132.5 million as of December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively.

Net cash provided by operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,998.2 million for 2009, as compared with $1,772.9 million and $1,756.7 million for 2008 and 2007, respectively. Any net cash in excess of the amount needed for current operations is invested in short-term and long-term investments.

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $1,045.4 million for 2009, as compared with $441.0 million and $852.3 million for 2008 and 2007, respectively. The primary use of net cash in investing activities for 2009 was funding capital expenditures and net increases in investment securities. Capital expenditures for 2009 totaled $693.5 million. These expenditures were incurred in connection with the opening of 21 net new supermarkets and remodeling 85 supermarkets. Net new supermarkets included 48 new supermarkets opened (including 15 replacement supermarkets) and 27 supermarkets closed. Replacement supermarkets opened in 2009 replaced 14 of the 27 supermarkets closed during the same period and one supermarket closed in 2008. Two of the remaining supermarkets closed in 2009 will be replaced in subsequent periods and the other 11 supermarkets will not be replaced. New supermarkets opened include 17 of the remaining 25 Florida supermarket locations acquired from Albertson’s LLC (Albertson’s) but not opened in 2008. Net new supermarkets added an additional 1.3 million square feet in 2009, a 2.7% increase. Expenditures were also incurred for the construction of a second data center, expansion of warehouses and new or enhanced information technology hardware and applications. For the same period, the payment for investments, net of the proceeds from the sale and maturity of such investments, was $356.1 million.

The primary use of net cash in investing activities for 2008 was funding capital expenditures. Capital expenditures for 2008 totaled $1,289.7 million. These expenditures were incurred in connection with the opening of 67 net new supermarkets and remodeling 93 supermarkets. Net new supermarkets included 79 new supermarkets opened (including 11 replacement supermarkets) and 12 supermarkets closed. Replacement supermarkets opened in 2008 replaced one supermarket closed in 2007 and 10 of the 12 supermarkets closed in 2008. Of the remaining two supermarkets closed in 2008, one was opened as a replacement supermarket in 2009 and the other was not replaced. New supermarkets opened include 24 of the 49 Florida supermarket locations acquired from Albertson’s for $498.0 million on September 8, 2008. Net new supermarkets added an additional 3.4 million square feet in 2008, an 8.1% increase. Expenditures were also incurred for the construction of a second data center, new or enhanced information technology hardware and applications and emergency backup generators. For the same period, the proceeds from the sale and maturity of investments, net of the payment for such investments, was $838.6 million.

The primary use of net cash in investing activities for 2007 was funding capital expenditures and net increases in investments. Capital expenditures totaled $683.3 million. These expenditures were primarily incurred in connection with the opening of 34 net new supermarkets and remodeling 97 supermarkets. Net new supermarkets included 44 new supermarkets opened (including 10 replacement supermarkets) and 10 supermarkets closed. Replacement supermarkets opened in 2007 replaced one supermarket closed in 2006 and nine of the 10 supermarkets closed in 2007. The remaining supermarket closed in 2007 was opened as a replacement supermarket in 2008. Net new supermarkets added an additional 1.5 million square feet in 2007, a 3.7% increase. Expenditures were also incurred for new or enhanced information technology hardware and applications and emergency backup generators. For the same period, the payment for investments, net of the proceeds from the sale and maturity of such investments, was $176.8 million.

Capital expenditure projection

In 2010, the Company plans to open approximately 34 supermarkets (including six supermarket locations acquired from Albertson’s). Although real estate development is unpredictable, the Company’s 2010 new store growth represents a reasonable estimate of anticipated future growth. Capital expenditures for 2010 are expected to be approximately $555 million, primarily consisting of new supermarkets, remodeling certain existing supermarkets, completion of planned improvements for certain of the supermarket locations acquired from Albertson’s and new or enhanced information technology hardware and applications. This capital program is subject to continuing change and review. In the normal course of operations, the Company replaces supermarkets and closes supermarkets that are not meeting performance expectations. The impact of future supermarket closings is not expected to be material.

 

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Net cash used in financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $784.1 million in 2009, as compared with $1,312.9 million and $762.1 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively. The primary use of net cash in financing activities was funding net common stock repurchases and payment of the annual cash dividend. Net common stock repurchases totaled $477.4 million in 2009, as compared with $979.3 million and $439.8 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company currently repurchases common stock at the stockholders’ request in accordance with the terms of the Company’s ESPP, 401(k) Plan, ESOP and Directors Plan. The amount of common stock offered to the Company for repurchase is not within the control of the Company but is at the discretion of the stockholders. The Company expects to continue to repurchase its common stock, as offered by its stockholders from time to time, at its then current value for amounts similar to those in prior years. However, such purchases are not required and the Company retains the right to discontinue them at any time.

Dividends

The Company paid an annual cash dividend on its common stock of $0.41 per share or $325.3 million, $0.44 per share or $364.6 million and $0.40 per share or $338.6 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Cash requirements

In 2010, the cash requirements for current operations, capital expenditures, common stock repurchases and payment of the annual cash dividend are expected to be financed by internally generated funds or liquid assets. Based on the Company’s financial position, it is expected that short-term and long-term borrowings would be available to support the Company’s liquidity requirements, if needed.

Contractual Obligations

Following is a summary of contractual obligations as of December 26, 2009:

 

					Payments Due by Period
							2011		2013		There-
		Total			2010		2012		2014		after
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Contractual obligations:
Operating leases (1)		$	4,455,230		417,257		783,587		690,673		2,563,713
Purchase obligations (2) (3) (4)			2,097,184		909,186		265,038		201,202		721,758
Other long-term liabilities:
Self-insurance reserves (5)			348,964		119,375		95,558		38,532		95,499
Accrued postretirement benefit cost (6)			86,890		3,522		7,790		8,880		66,698
Other			115,805		29,652		30,981		24,100		31,072
Total		$	7,104,073		1,478,992		1,182,954		963,387		3,478,740

 

(1)	For a more detailed description of the operating lease obligations, refer to Note 7(a) Commitments and Contingencies - Operating Leases in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(2)

Purchase obligations include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding on the Company and that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased, fixed, minimum or variable price provisions and the approximate timing of the transaction. Purchase obligations exclude agreements that are cancelable within 30 days without penalty.

 

(3)	As of December 26, 2009, the Company had $10.4 million outstanding in trade letters of credit and $4.3 million outstanding in standby letters of credit to support certain of these purchase obligations.

 

(4)	Purchase obligations include $1,264.8 million in real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance commitments related to operating leases. The actual amounts to be paid are variable and have been estimated based on current costs.

 

(5)	As of December 26, 2009, the Company had $100.0 million outstanding in a standby letter of credit for the benefit of the Company’s insurance carrier to support this obligation.

 

(6)	For a more detailed description of the postretirement benefit obligations, refer to Note 4 Postretirement Benefits in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company is not a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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Results of Operations

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal years 2009, 2008 and 2007 included 52 weeks.

Sales

Sales for 2009 were $24.3 billion as compared with $23.9 billion in 2008, an increase of $390.7 million or a 1.6% increase. The Company estimates that its sales increased $1,156.4 million or 4.8% from new supermarkets (excluding replacement supermarkets) and decreased $765.7 million or 3.2% from comparable store sales (supermarkets open for the same weeks in both periods, including replacement supermarkets). Comparable store sales were negatively impacted by the economic downturn, deflationary pressures and the large number of supermarkets opened during the fourth quarter of 2008 that are located near existing supermarkets.

Sales for 2008 were $23.9 billion as compared with $23.0 billion in 2007, an increase of $912.5 million or a 4.0% increase. The Company estimates that its sales increased $613.3 million or 2.7% from new supermarkets and $299.2 million or 1.3% from comparable store sales.

Sales for 2007 were $23.0 billion as compared with $21.7 billion in 2006, an increase of $1,361.8 million or a 6.3% increase. The Company estimates that its sales increased $430.6 million or 2.0% from new supermarkets and $931.2 million or 4.3% from comparable store sales.

Gross profit

Gross profit (sales less cost of merchandise sold) as a percentage of sales was 27.7% in 2009, as compared with 26.9% in 2008 and 27.0% in 2007. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of sales for 2009 was primarily due to decreases in distribution costs, improvements in buying and merchandising practices and decreases in the LIFO reserve impact as compared to the prior year.

Operating and administrative expenses

Operating and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 21.6% as compared with 21.1% in 2008 and 20.6% in 2007. The increase in operating and administrative expenses for 2009 was primarily due to increases in payroll, employee benefits and facilities costs.

Investment income, net

Investment income, net was $68.3 million, $57.5 million and $146.9 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in investment income, net for 2009 is primarily due to the decrease in other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on available-for-sale (AFS) securities, partially offset by a decrease in interest income resulting from lower average balances and interest rates. The Company recorded OTTI losses on equity securities of $19.3 million and $59.0 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively. There were no OTTI losses on equity securities in 2007. The Company recorded OTTI losses on debt securities of $1.8 million in 2008. There were no OTTI losses on debt securities in 2009 and 2007.

Income taxes

The effective income tax rates were 34.6%, 34.0% and 34.9% in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The net increase in the 2009 effective income tax rate as compared with 2008 is primarily due to the decrease in tax exempt interest income and the decrease in dividends paid to ESOP participants.

Net earnings

Net earnings were $1,161.4 million or $1.47 per share, $1,089.8 million or $1.33 per share and $1,183.9 million or $1.41 per share for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Standards

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a new standard that changes the referencing and organization of accounting guidance and establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification as the single source of authoritative nongovernmental U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under the authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. Due to the adoption of this standard during the quarter ended September 26, 2009, the Company’s financial statements will no longer cite specific GAAP references. The adoption of this standard did not have an effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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In May 2009, the FASB issued a new standard that establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The adoption of this standard during the quarter ended June 27, 2009 did not have an effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2009, the FASB issued three amendments to the standards of accounting for the fair value measurement and impairment of securities. These amendments provide guidance for determining fair value measurements when the volume and level of activity of an asset or liability have significantly decreased from normal market activity. The amendments also provide guidance on determining whether a debt security is other-than-temporarily impaired, expand the disclosures of other-than-temporarily impaired debt and equity securities, and require interim reporting of fair value disclosures. The adoption of these amendments during the quarter ended June 27, 2009 did not have an effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2008, the FASB issued a new standard that requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities. The Company does not currently have derivatives or enter into hedging activities; therefore, the adoption of this standard during the quarter ended March 28, 2009 did not have an effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2007, the FASB issued a new standard that requires the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary be reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity in the consolidated financial statements. The standard also requires net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary be reported separately on the face of the consolidated statements of earnings. Changes in ownership interest are to be accounted for as equity transactions, and when a subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained noncontrolling equity investment in the former subsidiary is to be measured at fair value with any gain or loss recognized in earnings. The adoption of this standard during the quarter ended March 28, 2009 did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2007, the FASB issued a new standard that changes the accounting treatment for business combinations on a prospective basis. It requires that all assets, liabilities, contingent considerations and contingencies of an acquired business be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. The standard also requires that acquisition costs be expensed as incurred and restructuring costs be expensed in periods after the acquisition date. The Company had no business combinations during the current reporting periods; therefore, the adoption of this standard during the quarter ended March 28, 2009 did not have an effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued a new standard that defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements but does not require any new fair value measurements. The adoption of this standard during the quarter ended March 29, 2008 did not have an effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Recently Issued Standards But Not Yet Adopted

In June 2009, the FASB issued a new standard that eliminates the previously allowed exceptions of consolidating qualifying special purpose entities, contains new criteria for determining the primary beneficiary and increases the frequency of required reassessments to determine whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. The adoption of this standard, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009, is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company believes the following critical accounting policies reflect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

 

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Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The cost for 86% of inventories was determined using the dollar value last-in, first-out method as of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008. Under this method, inventory is stated at cost, which is determined by applying a cost-to-retail ratio to each similar merchandise category’s ending retail value. The cost of the remaining inventories was determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The FIFO cost of inventory approximates replacement or current cost. The FIFO method is used to value manufactured, seasonal, certain perishable and other miscellaneous inventory items because of fluctuating costs and inconsistent product availability. The Company also reduces inventory for estimated losses related to shrink.

Investments

All of the Company’s debt and equity securities are classified as AFS and carried at fair value. The Company evaluates whether AFS securities are OTTI based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds market value, the duration of the market decline, the credit rating of the issuer or security, the failure of the issuer to make scheduled principal or interest payments and the financial health and prospects of the issuer or security. Declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be OTTI are recognized in earnings and reported as other-than-temporary impairment losses, while declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be temporary are reported, net of tax, as other comprehensive losses and included as a component of stockholders’ equity. If market or issuer conditions decline, the Company may incur future impairments.

Debt securities with unrealized losses are considered OTTI if the Company intends to sell the debt security or if the Company will be required to sell the debt security prior to any anticipated recovery. If the Company determines that a debt security is OTTI under these circumstances, the impairment recognized in earnings is measured as the difference between the amortized cost and the current fair value. A debt security is also determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the amortized cost of the debt security. However, in this circumstance, if the Company does not intend to sell the debt security or will not be required to sell the debt security, the impairment recognized in earnings equals the estimated credit loss as measured by the difference between the present value of expected cash flows and the amortized cost of the debt security. Expected cash flows are discounted using the debt security’s effective interest rate. Debt securities held by the Company at year end primarily consisted of corporate, state and municipality issued bonds and collateralized mortgage obligations with high credit ratings; therefore, the Company believes the credit risk is low. The Company believes a one percentage point increase in long-term interest rates, or 100 basis points, would result in an immaterial unrealized loss on its debt securities. Since the Company does not intend to sell its debt securities or will likely not be required to sell its debt securities prior to any anticipated recovery, such a theoretical temporary unrealized loss would impact comprehensive earnings, but not net earnings or cash flows.

Equity securities held by the Company are subject to equity price risk that results from fluctuations in quoted market prices as of the balance sheet date. Market price fluctuations may result from perceived changes in the underlying economic characteristics of the issuer, the relative price of alternative investments and general market conditions. An equity security is determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the cost of the security. A theoretical decrease of 15% in the value of the Company’s equity securities would result in an immaterial decrease in the value of long-term investments.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation

Assets are recorded at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or the terms of their leases, if shorter, as follows: buildings and improvements are at 10 – 40 years, furniture, fixtures and equipment are at 3 – 20 years and leasehold improvements are at 5 – 40 years. The Company considers lease renewals in the useful life of its leasehold improvements when such renewals are reasonably assured.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net book value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the net book value of an asset to the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. An impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the net book value over the fair value of the asset impaired. The fair value is estimated based on expected discounted future cash flows. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell and are no longer depreciated.

The Company’s judgment regarding the existence of circumstances that indicate the potential impairment of an asset’s net book value is based on several factors, including the decision to close a supermarket or a decline in operating cash flows. The variability of these factors depends on a number of conditions, including uncertainty about future events and general economic conditions;

 

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therefore, the Company’s accounting estimates may change from period to period. These factors could cause the Company to conclude that a potential impairment exists and the applicable impairment tests could result in a determination that the value of long-lived assets is impaired, resulting in a write-down of the long-lived assets. The Company attempts to select supermarket sites that will achieve the forecasted operating results. To the extent the Company’s assets are maintained in good condition and the forecasted operating results of the supermarkets are achieved, it is relatively unlikely that future assessments of recoverability would result in impairment charges that would have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. There were no material changes in the estimates or assumptions related to the impairment of long-lived assets in 2009.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized at the point of sale for retail sales. Vendor coupons that are reimbursed are accounted for as sales. Coupons and other sales incentives offered by the Company that are not reimbursed are recorded as a reduction of sales.

Cost of Merchandise Sold

Cost of merchandise sold includes costs of inventory and costs related to in-store production. Cost of merchandise sold also includes inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, warehousing costs and other costs of the Company’s distribution network.

Vendor allowances and credits, including cooperative advertising fees, received from a vendor in connection with the purchase or promotion of the vendor’s products are recognized as a reduction of cost of merchandise sold as earned. These allowances and credits are recognized as earned in accordance with the underlying agreement with the vendor and completion of the earning process. Short-term vendor agreements with advance payment provisions are recorded as a current liability and are recognized over the appropriate period as earned according to the underlying agreement. Long-term vendor agreements with advance payment provisions are recorded as a noncurrent liability and are recognized over the appropriate period as earned according to the underlying agreement.

Self-Insurance

The Company has insurance coverage for losses in excess of the self-insurance limits for fleet liability, general liability and workers’ compensation claims. Historically, it has been infrequent for incurred claims to exceed these self-insurance limits.

Self-insurance reserves are established for health care, fleet liability, general liability and workers’ compensation claims. These reserves are determined based on actual claims experience and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported including, where necessary, actuarial studies. The Company believes that the use of actuarial studies to determine self-insurance reserves represents a consistent method of measuring these subjective estimates. Actuarial projections of losses for general liability and workers’ compensation claims are discounted and subject to a high degree of variability. The causes of variability include, but are not limited to, such factors as future interest and inflation rates, future economic conditions, claims experience, litigation trends and benefit level changes. The Company believes a one percentage point change in the discount rate, or 100 basis points, would result in an immaterial change in the Company’s self-insurance reserves.

Forward-Looking Statements

From time to time, certain information provided by the Company, including written or oral statements made by its representatives, may contain forward-looking information as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking information includes statements about the future performance of the Company, which is based on management’s assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to them. When used, the words “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “believe” and other similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those statements including, but not limited to, the following: competitive practices and pricing in the food and drug industries generally and particularly in the Company’s principal markets; results of programs to increase sales, including private-label sales; results of programs to control or reduce costs; changes in buying, pricing and promotional practices; changes in shrink management; changes in the general economy; changes in consumer spending; changes in population, employment and job growth in the Company’s principal markets; and other factors affecting the Company’s business in or beyond the Company’s control. These factors include changes in the rate of inflation, changes in state and federal legislation or regulation, adverse determinations with respect to litigation or other claims, ability to recruit and retain employees, increases in operating costs including, but not limited to,

 

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labor costs, credit card fees and utility costs, particularly electric utility costs, ability to construct new supermarkets or complete remodels as rapidly as planned and stability of product costs. Other factors and assumptions not identified above could also cause the actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements.

Item 6A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company does not utilize financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes, nor does it utilize leveraged financial instruments.

The Company’s cash equivalents and short-term investments are subject to three market risks, namely: interest rate risk, credit risk and secondary market risk. Most of the cash equivalents and short-term investments are held in money market investments and debt securities that mature in less than one year. Due to the quality of the short-term investments held, the Company does not expect the valuation of these investments to be significantly impacted by future market conditions.

The Company’s long-term investments consist of debt and equity securities that are classified as AFS and carried at fair value. The Company evaluates whether AFS securities are OTTI based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds market value, the duration of the market decline, the credit rating of the issuer or security, the failure of the issuer to make scheduled principal or interest payments and the financial health and prospects of the issuer or security. Declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be OTTI are recognized in earnings and reported as other-than-temporary impairment losses, while declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be temporary are reported, net of tax, as other comprehensive losses and included as a component of stockholders’ equity. If market or issuer conditions decline, the Company may incur future impairments.

Debt securities are subject to both interest rate risk and credit risk. Debt securities with unrealized losses are considered OTTI if the Company intends to sell the debt security or if the Company will be required to sell the debt security prior to any anticipated recovery. If the Company determines that a debt security is OTTI under these circumstances, the impairment recognized in earnings is measured as the difference between the amortized cost and the current fair value. A debt security is also determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the amortized cost of the debt security. However, in this circumstance, if the Company does not intend to sell the debt security or will not be required to sell the debt security, the impairment recognized in earnings equals the estimated credit loss as measured by the difference between the present value of expected cash flows and the amortized cost of the debt security. Expected cash flows are discounted using the debt security’s effective interest rate. Debt securities held by the Company at year end primarily consisted of corporate, state and municipality issued bonds and collateralized mortgage obligations with high credit ratings; therefore, the Company believes the credit risk is low. The Company believes a one percentage point increase in long-term interest rates, or 100 basis points, would result in an immaterial unrealized loss on its debt securities. Since the Company does not intend to sell its debt securities or will likely not be required to sell its debt securities prior to any anticipated recovery, such a theoretical temporary unrealized loss would impact comprehensive earnings, but not net earnings or cash flows.

Equity securities held by the Company are subject to equity price risk that results from fluctuations in quoted market prices as of the balance sheet date. Market price fluctuations may result from perceived changes in the underlying economic characteristics of the issuer, the relative price of alternative investments and general market conditions. An equity security is determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the cost of the security. A theoretical decrease of 15% in the value of the Company’s equity securities would result in an immaterial decrease in the value of long-term investments.

 

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Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 26, 2009. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control – Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment and these criteria, management believes that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 26, 2009.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included on page 21.

 

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Item 7.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule

 

		Page
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		20
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008		22
Consolidated Statements of Earnings – Years ended December 26, 2009, December  27, 2008 and December 29, 2007		24
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings – Years ended December 26, 2009,  December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007		25
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Years ended December 26, 2009, December  27, 2008 and December 29, 2007		26
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity – Years ended December 26, 2009,  December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007		28
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		29
The following consolidated financial statement schedule of the Company for the years ended December 26, 2009, December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007 is submitted herewith:
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts		40
All other schedules are omitted as the required information is inapplicable or the information is presented in the financial statements or related notes.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Publix Super Markets, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Publix Super Markets, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive earnings, cash flows and stockholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 26, 2009. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Publix Super Markets, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 26, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Publix Super Markets, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 26, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 26, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

KPMG LLP

Tampa, Florida

February 26, 2010

Certified Public Accountants

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Publix Super Markets, Inc.:

We have audited Publix Super Markets, Inc.’s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 26, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Publix Super Markets, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Publix Super Markets, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 26, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Publix Super Markets, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive earnings, cash flows and stockholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 26, 2009, and our report dated February 26, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

KPMG LLP

Tampa, Florida

February 26, 2010

Certified Public Accountants

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 26, 2009 and

December 27, 2008

 

Assets		2009				2008
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	370,516			201,813
Short-term investments			110,499			26,495
Trade receivables			506,500			366,418
Merchandise inventories			1,385,273			1,387,575
Deferred tax assets			54,087			44,628
Prepaid expenses			22,477			23,727
Total current assets			2,449,352			2,050,656
Long-term investments			2,146,716			1,810,048
Other noncurrent assets			146,640			154,639
Property, plant and equipment:
Land			397,618			313,750
Buildings and improvements			1,704,908			1,494,560
Furniture, fixtures and equipment			4,366,123			4,166,752
Leasehold improvements			1,261,390			1,153,979
Construction in progress			191,907			298,364
			7,921,946			7,427,405
Accumulated depreciation			(3,660,362	)		(3,353,076	)
Net property, plant and equipment			4,261,584			4,074,329
			$9,004,292			8,089,672

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity		2009			2008
		(Amounts are in thousands, except par value)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	1,125,073		1,039,858
Accrued expenses:
Contribution to retirement plans			349,650		335,245
Self-insurance reserves			119,375		132,275
Salaries and wages			99,548		92,484
Other			228,720		217,985
Federal and state income taxes			28,575		—
Total current liabilities			1,950,941		1,817,847
Deferred tax liabilities			203,069		131,433
Self-insurance reserves			229,589		231,070
Accrued postretirement benefit cost			83,368		79,478
Other noncurrent liabilities			237,701		186,546
Total liabilities			2,704,668		2,446,374
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value. Authorized 1,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 780,566 shares in 2009 and 793,966 shares in 2008			780,566		793,966
Additional paid-in capital			837,969		806,526
Retained earnings			4,637,884		4,055,432
			6,256,419		5,655,924
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses)			43,205		(12,626	)
Total stockholders’ equity			6,299,624		5,643,298
Commitments and contingencies			—		—
		$	9,004,292		8,089,672

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Years ended December 26, 2009, December 27, 2008

and December 29, 2007

 

		2009				2008			2007
		(Amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Sales		$	24,319,716			23,929,064			23,016,568
Other operating income			195,244			180,520			177,022
Total revenues			24,514,960			24,109,584			23,193,590
Costs and expenses:
Cost of merchandise sold			17,592,679			17,486,823			16,805,829
Operating and administrative expenses			5,241,368			5,056,962			4,743,456
Total costs and expenses			22,834,047			22,543,785			21,549,285
Operating profit			1,680,913			1,565,799			1,644,305
Investment income			87,555			118,293			146,857
Other-than-temporary impairment losses			(19,283	)		(60,800	)		—
Investment income, net			68,272			57,493			146,857
Other income, net			25,529			28,120			26,411
Earnings before income tax expense			1,774,714			1,651,412			1,817,573
Income tax expense			613,272			561,642			633,648
Net earnings		$	1,161,442			1,089,770			1,183,925
Weighted average shares outstanding			788,835			818,248			840,523
Basic and diluted earnings per share		$	1.47			1.33			1.41

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings

Years ended December 26, 2009, December 27, 2008

and December 29, 2007

 

		2009				2008			2007
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Net earnings		$	1,161,442			1,089,770			1,183,925
Other comprehensive earnings (losses):
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities – available-for-sale (AFS), net of tax effect of $33,777, ($25,089) and $619 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively			53,637			(39,841	)		978
Reclassification adjustment for net realized loss (gain) on investment securities – AFS, net of tax effect of $2,628, $26,210 and ($2,832) in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively			4,173			41,622			(4,496	)
Adjustment to postretirement benefit plan obligation, net of tax effect of ($1,246), ($155) and $1,775 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively			(1,979	)		(245	)		2,818
Comprehensive earnings		$	1,217,273			1,091,306			1,183,225

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended December 26, 2009, December 27, 2008

and December 29, 2007

 

		2009				2008			2007
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash received from customers		$	24,231,980			23,956,284			23,057,677
Cash paid to employees and suppliers			(21,646,622	)		(21,570,749	)		(20,695,114	)
Income taxes paid			(553,235	)		(641,307	)		(672,833	)
Payment for self-insured claims			(283,079	)		(267,780	)		(228,216	)
Dividends and interest received			73,087			135,382			142,454
Other operating cash receipts			185,331			170,124			165,809
Other operating cash payments			(9,230	)		(9,100	)		(13,101	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			1,998,232			1,772,854			1,756,676
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payment for property, plant and equipment			(693,489	)		(1,289,707	)		(683,290	)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment			4,150			10,074			7,760
Payment for investments			(1,133,449	)		(317,020	)		(844,199	)
Proceeds from sale and maturity of investments			777,381			1,155,615			667,417
Net cash used in investing activities			(1,045,407	)		(441,038	)		(852,312	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment for acquisition of common stock			(629,453	)		(1,127,581	)		(647,324	)
Proceeds from sale of common stock			152,096			148,281			207,546
Dividends paid			(325,295	)		(364,583	)		(338,575	)
Other, net			18,530			31,013			16,260
Net cash used in financing activities			(784,122	)		(1,312,870	)		(762,093	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents			168,703			18,946			142,271
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			201,813			182,867			40,596
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	370,516			201,813			182,867

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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		2009				2008			2007
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net earnings		$	1,161,442			1,089,770			1,183,925
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			496,106			444,311			406,358
Retirement contributions paid or payable in common stock			256,110			231,892			259,219
Deferred income taxes			27,018			(14,666	)		(66,439	)
Loss on disposal and impairment of property, plant and equipment and goodwill			32,482			23,383			41,554
Loss (gain) on sale and impairment of investments			6,801			67,832			(7,328	)
Net amortization of investments			15,625			8,489			9,130
Change in operating assets and liabilities providing (requiring) cash:
Trade receivables			(140,082	)		(6,158	)		2,760
Merchandise inventories			2,302			(108,044	)		(127,624	)
Prepaid expenses and other noncurrent assets			(5,825	)		(768	)		14,693
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			103,014			71,733			28,971
Self-insurance reserves			(14,381	)		18,899			(18,791	)
Federal and state income taxes			33,186			(65,020	)		27,170
Other noncurrent liabilities			24,434			11,201			3,078
Total adjustments			836,790			683,084			572,751
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	1,998,232			1,772,854			1,756,676

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Years ended December 26, 2009, December 27, 2008

and December 29, 2007

 

		Common Stock				Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings			Common Stock (Acquired from) Sold to Stock- holders			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Losses)			Total Stock- holders’ Equity
		(Amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts)
Balances at December 30, 2006		$	839,715			533,559			3,616,368			—			(14,777	)		4,974,865
Comprehensive earnings (losses)			—			—			1,183,925			—			(700	)		1,183,225
Cash dividends, $0.40 per share			—			—			(338,575	)		—			—			(338,575	)
Contribution of 13,188 shares to retirement plans			10,694			202,862			—			48,893			—			262,449
Acquired 31,527 shares from stockholders			—			—			—			(647,324	)		—			(647,324	)
Sale of 10,100 shares to stockholders			529			10,338			—			196,679			—			207,546
Retirement of 19,462 shares			(19,462	)		—			(382,290	)		401,752			—			—
Balances at December 29, 2007			831,476			746,759			4,079,428			—			(15,477	)		5,642,186
Comprehensive earnings			—			—			1,089,770			—			1,536			1,091,306
Cash dividends, $0.44 per share			—			—			(364,583	)		—			—			(364,583	)
Contribution of 12,231 shares to retirement plans			1,697			32,296			—			219,182			—			253,175
Acquired 57,337 shares from stockholders			—			—			—			(1,127,581	)		—			(1,127,581	)
Sale of 7,596 shares to stockholders			1,506			27,471			—			119,304			—			148,281
Retirement of 40,713 shares			(40,713	)		—			(748,382	)		789,095			—			—
Adjustment to reflect the impact of the measurement date provision on postretirement benefits			—			—			(801	)		—			1,315			514
Balances at December 27, 2008			793,966			806,526			4,055,432			—			(12,626	)		5,643,298
Comprehensive earnings			—			—			1,161,442			—			55,831			1,217,273
Cash dividends, $0.41 per share			—			—			(325,295	)		—			—			(325,295	)
Contribution of 15,013 shares to retirement plans			3,522			31,594			—			206,589			—			241,705
Acquired 37,895 shares from stockholders			—			—			—			(629,453	)		—			(629,453	)
Sale of 9,482 shares to stockholders			7			(151	)		—			152,240			—			152,096
Retirement of 16,929 shares			(16,929	)		—			(253,695	)		270,624			—			—
Balances at December 26, 2009		$	780,566			837,969			4,637,884			—			43,205			6,299,624

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(1)	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

(a)

Business

Publix Super Markets, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the Company) are in the primary business of operating retail food supermarkets in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. The Company operates in a single industry segment.

 

(b)

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include all entities over which the Company has control, including its majority-owned subsidiaries. The Company accounts for equity investments in companies over which it has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not hold a controlling interest, under the equity method. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

 

(c)

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal years 2009, 2008 and 2007 include 52 weeks.

 

(d)

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all liquid investments with maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

(e)

Trade Receivables

Trade receivables primarily include amounts due from vendor allowances, debit and credit card sales and third party insurance pharmacy billings.

 

(f)

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The cost for 86% of inventories was determined using the dollar value last-in, first-out method as of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008. The cost of the remaining inventories was determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The FIFO cost of inventory approximates replacement or current cost. The FIFO method is used to value manufactured, seasonal, certain perishable and other miscellaneous inventory items because of fluctuating costs and inconsistent product availability. The Company also reduces inventory for estimated losses related to shrink. If the FIFO method of valuing inventories had been used by the Company to value all inventories, inventories and current assets would have been higher than reported by $265,289,000 and $267,187,000 as of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008, respectively.

 

(g)

Investments

All of the Company’s debt and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale (AFS) and are carried at fair value. The Company evaluates whether AFS securities are other-than-temporarily impaired (OTTI) based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds market value, the duration of the market decline, the credit rating of the issuer or security, the failure of the issuer to make scheduled principal or interest payments and the financial health and prospects of the issuer or security.

Declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be OTTI are recognized in earnings and reported as other-than-temporary impairment losses. Debt securities with unrealized losses are considered OTTI if the Company intends to sell the debt security or if the Company will be required to sell the debt security prior to any anticipated recovery. If the Company determines that a debt security is OTTI under these circumstances, the impairment recognized in earnings is measured as the difference between the amortized cost and the current fair value. A debt security is also determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the amortized cost of the security. However, in this circumstance, if the Company does not intend to sell the debt security and will not be required to sell the debt security, the impairment recognized in earnings equals the estimated credit loss as measured by the difference between the present value of expected cash flows and the amortized cost of the debt security. Expected cash flows are discounted using the debt security’s effective interest rate. An equity security is determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the cost of the security. Declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be temporary are reported, net of tax, as other comprehensive losses and included as a component of stockholders’ equity.

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Interest and dividend income, amortization of premiums, accretion of discounts and realized gains and losses on AFS securities are included in investment income. Interest income is accrued as earned. Dividend income is recognized as income on the ex-dividend date of the stock. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.

The Company also holds other investments in joint ventures, partnerships or other equity investments for which evaluation of the existence and quantification of other-than-temporary declines in value may be required. Realized gains and losses on other investments are included in investment income. Declines in the value of other investments determined to be OTTI are reported as other-than-temporary impairment losses.

 

(h)

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation

Assets are recorded at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or the terms of their leases, if shorter, as follows:

 

Buildings and improvements		10 – 40 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		3 – 20 years
Leasehold improvements		5 – 40 years

Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred. Expenditures for renewals and betterments are capitalized. The gain or loss realized on disposed assets or assets to be disposed of is recorded as operating and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings.

On September 8, 2008, the Company acquired the assets of 49 supermarket locations in Florida from Albertson’s LLC for $498,000,000. Assets acquired include supermarkets that are owned and supermarkets that are subject to ground leases and traditional leases. The Company opened 17 and 24 of the acquired supermarket locations in 2009 and 2008, respectively, and expects to open six of the remaining acquired supermarket locations in 2010.

At the acquisition date, the acquired assets were classified as construction in progress and are being reclassified based on the purchase price allocation as the supermarkets open. Of the total purchase price of $498,000,000, approximately $376,000,000 was allocated to property, plant and equipment, $6,000,000 to pharmacy inventory, $11,000,000 to liquor licenses and $105,000,000 to amortizable intangible assets, primarily below-market leases. The weighted average amortization period for the amortizable intangible assets is 27 years. As of December 26, 2009, a total of $457,000,000 has been transferred from construction in progress and allocated to the applicable assets as the supermarkets opened.

 

(i)

Capitalized Computer Software Costs

The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use. These costs are capitalized and amortized over a three year life. The amounts capitalized were $11,959,000, $16,750,000 and $16,132,000 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

(j)

Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net book value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the net book value of an asset to the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. An impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the net book value over the fair value of the asset impaired. The fair value is estimated based on expected discounted future cash flows. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell and are no longer depreciated.

Due to declining operating results at its Crispers restaurants, the Company recorded an asset impairment charge of $16,117,000 in 2007 to write down certain furniture, fixtures and equipment and leasehold improvements to fair value at underperforming Crispers restaurants. Additionally, the Company recorded related goodwill impairment charges of $16,135,000 in 2007 to write down substantially all of its recorded goodwill in Crispers. These impairment charges are included in operating and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings.

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(k)

Self-Insurance

Self-insurance reserves are established for health care, fleet liability, general liability and workers’ compensation claims. These reserves are determined based on actual claims experience and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported including, where necessary, actuarial studies. Actuarial projections of losses for general liability and workers’ compensation claims are discounted. The Company has insurance coverage for losses in excess of the self-insurance limits for fleet liability, general liability and workers’ compensation claims. Historically, it has been infrequent for incurred claims to exceed these self-insurance limits.

 

(l)

Comprehensive Earnings

Comprehensive earnings include net earnings and other comprehensive earnings. Other comprehensive earnings include revenues, expenses, gains and losses that have been excluded from net earnings and recorded directly to stockholders’ equity. Included in other comprehensive earnings for the Company are unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities and adjustments to the postretirement benefit plan obligation.

As of December 26, 2009, accumulated other comprehensive earnings included net unrealized gains on AFS securities of $79,563,000, net of tax effect of $30,758,000, and an unfunded postretirement benefit obligation of $9,126,000, net of tax effect of $3,526,000. As of December 27, 2008, accumulated other comprehensive losses included net unrealized losses on AFS securities of $14,652,000, net of tax effect of $5,647,000, and an unfunded postretirement benefit obligation of $5,901,000, net of tax effect of $2,280,000.

 

(m)

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized at the point of sale for retail sales. Customer returns are immaterial. Vendor coupons that are reimbursed are accounted for as sales. Coupons and other sales incentives offered by the Company that are not reimbursed are recorded as a reduction of sales.

 

(n)

Sales Taxes

The Company records sales net of applicable sales taxes.

 

(o)

Other Operating Income

Other operating income is recognized on a net revenue basis as earned. Other operating income includes income generated from other activities, primarily lottery commissions, automated teller transactions, commissions on licensee sales, vending machine commissions, mall gift card commissions, money transfer fees, coupon redemption income, circulation commissions and check cashing fees.

 

(p)

Cost of Merchandise Sold

Cost of merchandise sold includes costs of inventory and costs related to in-store production. Cost of merchandise sold also includes inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, warehousing costs and other costs of the Company’s distribution network.

Vendor allowances and credits, including cooperative advertising allowances, received from a vendor in connection with the purchase or promotion of the vendor’s products are recognized as a reduction of cost of merchandise sold as earned. These allowances and credits are recognized as earned in accordance with the underlying agreement with the vendor and completion of the earning process. Short-term vendor agreements with advance payment provisions are recorded as a current liability and are recognized over the appropriate period as earned according to the underlying agreement. Long-term vendor agreements with advance payment provisions are recorded as a noncurrent liability and are recognized over the appropriate period as earned according to the underlying agreement.

The amount of cooperative advertising allowances recognized as a reduction of cost of merchandise sold was $7,982,000, $12,969,000 and $11,997,000 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

(q)

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were $180,159,000, $196,391,000 and $182,863,000 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(r)

Other Income, net

Other income, net includes rent received from tenants in owned shopping centers, net of related expenses, and other miscellaneous nonoperating income.

 

(s)

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between financial and tax reporting bases and are subsequently adjusted to reflect changes in tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities as a component of income tax expense.

 

(t)

Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing net earnings by the weighted average shares outstanding. Basic and diluted earnings per share are the same because the Company does not have options or other stock compensation programs that would impact the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

 

(u)

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

(v)

Reclassifications

Certain 2008 and 2007 amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2009 presentation in the consolidated statements of earnings due to the adoption of an amendment to the standard of accounting for the impairment of securities issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in 2009.

 

(2)	Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and accounts payable, approximate their respective carrying amounts due to their short-term maturity.

The fair value of AFS securities are based on market prices using the following measurement categories:

Level 1 – Fair value is determined by using quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. AFS securities that are included in this category are primarily equity securities.

Level 2 – Fair value is determined by using other than quoted prices. By using observable inputs (for example, interest rates), the fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies. AFS securities that are included in this category are primarily tax exempt and taxable bonds.

Level 3 – Fair value is determined by using other than observable inputs. Fair value is determined by using the best information available in the circumstances and requires significant management judgment or estimation. No AFS securities are currently included in this category.

Following is a summary of fair value measurements for AFS securities as of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008:

 

		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
				(Amounts are in thousands)
December 26, 2009		$2,197,031		189,053		2,007,978		—
December 27, 2008		1,771,150		119,668		1,651,482		—

The fair value of other investments that are accounted for using the equity method approximate their respective carrying amounts.

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(3)	Investments

Following is a summary of investments as of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008:

 

		Amortized Cost			Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
					(Amounts are in thousands)
2009
Available-for-sale:
Tax exempt bonds		$	1,193,775		20,210		598		1,213,387
Taxable bonds			772,399		10,383		3,304		779,478
Equity securities			151,294		55,080		2,208		204,166
			2,117,468		85,673		6,110		2,197,031
Other investments			60,184		—		—		60,184
		$	2,177,652		85,673		6,110		2,257,215
2008
Available-for-sale:
Tax exempt bonds		$	390,526		8,277		334		398,469
Taxable bonds			1,236,777		6,556		10,662		1,232,671
Equity securities			158,499		3,424		21,913		140,010
			1,785,802		18,257		32,909		1,771,150
Other investments			65,393		—		—		65,393
		$	1,851,195		18,257		32,909		1,836,543

The realized gains on sales of AFS securities totaled $21,423,000, $22,445,000 and $13,414,000 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Realized losses on sales and OTTI of AFS securities totaled $28,224,000, $90,277,000 and $6,086,000 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company recorded OTTI losses on equity securities of $19,283,000 and $58,990,000 for 2009 and 2008, respectively. There were no OTTI losses on equity securities in 2007. The Company recorded OTTI losses on debt securities of $1,810,000 in 2008. There were no OTTI losses on debt securities in 2009 and 2007.

The amortized cost and fair value of debt and equity securities classified as AFS and other investments as of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008, by expected maturity, are as follows:

 

		2009					2008
		Amortized Cost			Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
					(Amounts are in thousands)
Due in one year or less		$	109,290		110,499		26,241		26,495
Due after one year through five years			934,195		946,971		279,778		283,940
Due after five years through ten years			150,839		153,506		56,597		56,472
Due after ten years			771,850		781,889		1,264,687		1,264,233
			1,966,174		1,992,865		1,627,303		1,631,140
Equity securities			151,294		204,166		158,499		140,010
Other investments			60,184		60,184		65,393		65,393
		$	2,177,652		2,257,215		1,851,195		1,836,543

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Following is a summary of temporarily impaired investments by the time period impaired as of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008:

 

		Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or Longer				Total
		Fair Value			Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
							(Amounts are in thousands)
2009
Tax exempt bonds		$	108,628		598		—		—		108,628		598
Taxable bonds			202,633		1,452		10,774		1,852		213,407		3,304
Equity securities			17,306		2,208		—		—		17,306		2,208
Total temporarily impaired investments		$	328,567		4,258		10,774		1,852		339,341		6,110
2008
Tax exempt bonds		$	18,531		334		—		—		18,531		334
Taxable bonds			172,202		6,387		256,381		4,275		428,583		10,662
Equity securities			58,186		21,348		1,718		565		59,904		21,913
Total temporarily impaired investments		$	248,919		28,069		258,099		4,840		507,018		32,909

There are 148 investment issues contributing to the total unrealized loss of $6,110,000 as of December 26, 2009. Unrealized losses related to debt securities are primarily driven by market volatility impacting the market value of certain bonds. The Company continues to receive scheduled principal and interest payments on these investments. Unrealized losses related to the equity securities are primarily driven by stock market volatility.

 

(4)	Postretirement Benefits

The Company provides postretirement life insurance benefits for certain salaried and hourly full-time employees who meet the eligibility requirements. Effective January 1, 2002, the Company amended the retiree life insurance benefit under its Group Life Insurance Plan. To receive the retiree life insurance benefit after the amendment, an employee must have had at least five years of full-time service and the employee’s age plus years of credited service must have equaled 65 or greater as of October 1, 2001. At retirement, such employees also must be at least age 55 with ten years of full-time service to be eligible to receive postretirement life insurance benefits.

On December 30, 2007, the Company adopted a new accounting standard on postretirement benefits that requires measurement of the funded status as of the end of the Company’s fiscal year. Previously, the measurement date was October 1. Upon adoption, the Company re-measured the postretirement benefit obligation which resulted in a reduction to retained earnings of $1,306,000, net of tax effect of $505,000, and an actuarial gain to accumulated other comprehensive earnings of $2,143,000, net of tax effect of $828,000, as of December 27, 2008. An actuarial loss was recognized in other comprehensive earnings of $3,225,000, net of tax effect of $1,246,000, in 2009. An actuarial loss was recognized in other comprehensive earnings of $400,000, net of tax effect of $155,000, in 2008. An actuarial gain was recognized in other comprehensive earnings of $4,593,000, net of tax effect of $1,775,000, in 2007.

The Company made benefit payments to beneficiaries of retirees of $4,483,000, $2,746,000 and $2,440,000 during 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets and the unfunded status of the plan measured as of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008:

 

		2009			2008
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation as of beginning of year		$  82,750			80,623
Service cost		194			217
Interest cost		5,204			5,093
Actuarial loss		3,225			400
Benefit payments		(4,483	)		(2,746	)
Adoption of new measurement date		—			(837	)
Benefit obligation as of end of year		86,890			82,750
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets as of beginning of year		—			—
Employer contributions		4,483			2,746
Benefit payments		(4,483	)		(2,746	)
Fair value of plan assets as of end of year		—			—
Unfunded status of the plan as of end of year		$  86,890			82,750
Current liability		$    3,522			3,272
Noncurrent liability		83,368			79,478
Total recognized liability		$  86,890			82,750

The estimated future benefit payments are expected to be paid as follows:

 

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2010		$	3,522
2011			3,764
2012			4,026
2013			4,300
2014			4,580
2015 through 2019			27,500
Thereafter			39,198
		$	86,890

The measurement date for 2009 and 2008 is the Company’s fiscal year end. The measurement date for 2007 is October 1. The net periodic postretirement benefit cost is based on assumptions determined at the prior year end measurement date.

Following are the actuarial assumptions that were used in the calculation of the year end benefit obligation:

 

		2009		2008		2007
Discount rate		6.20%		6.40%		6.30%
Rate of compensation increase		4.00%		4.00%		4.00%

The Company determined the discount rate using a yield curve methodology based on high quality corporate bonds with a rating of AA or better.

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost consists of the following components:

 

		2009		2008		2007
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Service cost		$   194		217		267
Interest cost		5,204		5,093		4,758
Amortization of actuarial losses		—		—		779
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost		$5,398		5,310		5,804

Actuarial losses are amortized from accumulated other comprehensive earnings into net periodic postretirement benefit cost over future years when the accumulation of such losses exceeds 10% of the year end benefit obligation.

Following are the actuarial assumptions that were used in the calculation of the net periodic postretirement benefit cost:

 

		2009		2008		2007
Discount rate		6.40%		6.50%		5.90%
Rate of compensation increase		4.00%		4.00%		4.00%

 

(5)	Retirement Plans

The Company has a trusteed, noncontributory Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) for the benefit of eligible employees. The amount of the Company’s discretionary contribution to the ESOP is determined annually by the Board of Directors and can be made in Company common stock or cash. The expense recorded for contributions to this plan was $234,336,000, $210,593,000 and $239,197,000 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The Company has a 401(k) plan for the benefit of eligible employees. The 401(k) plan is a voluntary defined contribution plan. Eligible employees may contribute up to 10% of their eligible annual compensation, subject to the maximum contribution limits established by federal law. The Company may make a discretionary annual matching contribution to eligible participants of this plan as determined by the Board of Directors. During 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Board of Directors approved a match of 50% of eligible contributions up to 3% of eligible wages, not to exceed a maximum match of $750 per employee. The match, which is determined as of the last day of the plan year and paid in the subsequent plan year, is in common stock of the Company. The expense recorded for the Company’s match to the 401(k) plan was $21,774,000, $21,300,000 and $20,022,000 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The Company intends to continue its retirement plans; however, the right to modify, amend, terminate or merge these plans has been reserved. In the event of termination, all amounts contributed under the plans must be paid to the participants or their beneficiaries.

 

(6)	Income Taxes

Total income taxes for 2009, 2008 and 2007 were allocated as follows:

 

		2009			2008		2007
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Earnings		$	613,272		561,642		633,648
Other comprehensive earnings (losses)			35,159		966		(438	)
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings and retained earnings			—		323		—
		$	648,431		562,931		633,210

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:

 

		Current			Deferred			Total
		(Amounts are in thousands)
2009
Federal		$	518,269		28,064			546,333
State			67,985		(1,046	)		66,939
		$	586,254		27,018			613,272
2008
Federal		$	509,003		(7,597	)		501,406
State			67,305		(7,069	)		60,236
		$	576,308		(14,666	)		561,642
2007
Federal		$	615,121		(59,077	)		556,044
State			84,966		(7,362	)		77,604
		$	700,087		(66,439	)		633,648

A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes at the federal statutory tax rate of 35% to earnings before income taxes compared to the Company’s actual income tax expense is as follows:

 

		2009				2008			2007
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Federal tax at statutory tax rate		$	621,150			577,994			636,150
State income taxes (net of federal tax benefit)			43,511			39,153			50,443
ESOP dividend			(36,033	)		(39,077	)		(36,588	)
Other, net			(15,356	)		(16,428	)		(16,357	)
		$	613,272			561,642			633,648

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008 are as follows:

 

		2009		2008
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Self-insurance reserves		$114,512		121,707
Retirement plan contributions		39,225		36,374
Postretirement benefit cost		33,519		31,914
Reserves not currently deductible		26,846		16,964
Unrealized losses and impairments on AFS securities		909		35,203
Advance purchase allowances		9,253		6,806
Inventory capitalization		12,130		11,502
Other		10,111		1,064
Total deferred tax assets		$246,505		261,534
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment, primarily due to depreciation		$391,356		340,260
Other		4,131		8,079
Total deferred tax liabilities		$395,487		348,339

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The Company expects the results of future operations and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities to generate sufficient taxable income to allow utilization of deferred tax assets; therefore, no valuation allowance has been recorded as of December 26, 2009 or December 27, 2008.

The Company has analyzed filing positions in all of the federal and state jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions. The only periods subject to examination for the Company’s federal return are the 2002 through 2008 tax years. The Internal Revenue Service is currently auditing tax years 2002 through 2007. The periods subject to examination for the Company’s state returns are the 2005 through 2008 tax years. The Company believes that the outcome of any examination will not have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. As of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008, the Company had immaterial accruals for income tax related interest expense.

The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits in 2009 and 2008. Because the Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits as of December 26, 2009, there will be no effect on the Company’s effective income tax rate in future periods due to the recognition of unrecognized tax benefits.

 

(7)	Commitments and Contingencies

 

(a)

Operating Leases

The Company conducts a major portion of its retail operations from leased premises. Initial terms of the leases are typically 20 years, followed by renewal options at five year intervals, and may include rent escalation clauses. Minimum rentals represent fixed lease obligations, including insurance and maintenance to the extent they are fixed in the lease. Contingent rentals represent payment of variable lease obligations, including real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance and, for certain premises, additional rentals based on a percentage of sales in excess of stipulated minimums (excess rent). The payment of variable real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance is generally based on the Company’s pro-rata share of total shopping center square footage. The Company recognizes rent expense for operating leases with rent escalation clauses on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term. The Company estimates excess rent, where applicable, based on annual sales projections and uses the straight-line method to amortize this cost to rent expense. The annual sales projections are reviewed periodically and adjusted if necessary. Additionally, the Company has operating leases for certain transportation and other equipment.

Total rental expense for 2009, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:

 

		2009				2008			2007
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Minimum rentals		$	437,857			398,992			361,960
Contingent rentals			123,736			118,106			110,989
Sublease rental income			(5,953	)		(7,022	)		(8,836	)
		$	555,640			510,076			464,113

As of December 26, 2009, future minimum lease payments for all noncancelable operating leases and related subleases are as follows:

 

Year		Minimum Rental Commitments		Sublease Rental Income		Net
		(Amounts are in thousands)
2010		$    417,257		(6,494)		410,763
2011		402,465		(2,674)		399,791
2012		381,122		(2,115)		379,007
2013		359,970		(1,625)		358,345
2014		330,703		(837)		329,866
Thereafter		2,563,713		(174)		2,563,539
		$4,455,230		(13,919)		4,441,311

 

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PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The Company also owns shopping centers which are leased to tenants for minimum monthly rentals plus, in certain instances, contingent rentals. Minimum rentals represent fixed lease commitments, including insurance and maintenance. Contingent rentals include variable real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance and, in certain instances, additional rentals based on a percentage of sales in excess of stipulated minimums. Total rental amounts included in trade receivables were $1,446,000 and $1,478,000 as of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008, respectively. Rental income was $25,590,000, $25,272,000 and $23,638,000 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The amounts of minimum future rental payments to be received under noncancelable operating leases are $19,998,000, $18,097,000, $14,712,000, $11,196,000 and $7,626,000 for the years 2010 through 2014, respectively, and $40,059,000 thereafter.

 

(b)

Letters of Credit

As of December 26, 2009, the Company had $10,400,000 outstanding in trade letters of credit and $4,300,000 in standby letters of credit to support certain purchase obligations. In addition, the Company had $100,000,000 outstanding in a standby letter of credit for the benefit of the Company’s insurance carrier related to self-insurance reserves.

 

(c)

Litigation

The Company is a party in various legal claims and actions considered in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

(8)	Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated events that occurred subsequent to December 26, 2009 through when this Form 10-K was filed with the SEC on February 26, 2010 for potential recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

 

(9)	Quarterly Information (unaudited)

Following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for 2009 and 2008. All quarters have 13 weeks.

 

		Quarter
		First			Second		Third		Fourth
		(Amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts)
2009
Revenues		$	6,416,647		6,055,977		5,878,716		6,163,620
Costs and expenses		$	5,928,173		5,626,651		5,521,738		5,757,485
Net earnings		$	321,508		300,840		254,934		284,160
Basic and diluted earnings per share		$	0.41		0.38		0.32		0.36
2008
Revenues		$	6,276,413		5,894,769		5,842,889		6,095,513
Costs and expenses		$	5,792,199		5,484,554		5,550,024		5,717,008
Net earnings		$	343,160		295,754		201,829		249,027
Basic and diluted earnings per share		$	0.41		0.36		0.25		0.31

 

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Schedule II

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Years ended December 26, 2009, December 27, 2008

and December 29, 2007

(Amounts are in thousands)

 

Description		Balance at Beginning of Year			Additions Charged to Income		Deductions From Reserves		Balance at End of Year
Year ended December 26, 2009
Reserves not deducted from assets:
Self-insurance reserves:
Current		$	132,275		270,179		283,079		119,375
Noncurrent			231,070		—		1,481		229,589
		$	363,345		270,179		284,560		348,964
Year ended December 27, 2008
Reserves not deducted from assets:
Self-insurance reserves:
Current		$	113,597		286,458		267,780		132,275
Noncurrent			230,849		221		—		231,070
		$	344,446		286,679		267,780		363,345
Year ended December 29, 2007
Reserves not deducted from assets:
Self-insurance reserves:
Current		$	112,177		229,636		228,216		113,597
Noncurrent			251,060		—		20,211		230,849
		$	363,237		229,636		248,427		344,446

 

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Item 8.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None

Item 8A.   Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer each concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information has been accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a manner that allows timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation that occurred during the quarter ended December 26, 2009, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management’s report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is included on page 18 of this report. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued their audit report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included on page 21.

Item 8B.   Other Information

None

 

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PART III

Item 9.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Certain information concerning the executive officers of the Company is set forth in Part I under the caption “Executive Officers of the Company.” All other information concerning the directors and executive officers of the Company is incorporated by reference from the Proxy Statement of the Company (2010 Proxy Statement) which the Company intends to file no later than 120 days after its fiscal year end.

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Managers that applies to the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller and all persons performing similar functions. A copy of the Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Managers was filed as Exhibit 14 to the Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2002.

Item 10.   Executive Compensation

Information regarding executive compensation is incorporated by reference from the 2010 Proxy Statement.

Item 11.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and related stockholder matters is incorporated by reference from the 2010 Proxy Statement.

Item 12.   Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence

Information regarding certain relationships, related transactions and director independence is incorporated by reference from the 2010 Proxy Statement.

Item 13.   Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Information regarding principal accounting fees and services is incorporated by reference from the 2010 Proxy Statement.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

				PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.
February 26, 2010				By:		/s/ John A. Attaway, Jr.
						John A. Attaway, Jr.
						Secretary

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/ Carol Jenkins Barnett				Director		February 26, 2010
Carol Jenkins Barnett
/s/ Hoyt R. Barnett				Vice Chairman and Director		February 26, 2010
Hoyt R. Barnett
/s/ William E. Crenshaw				Chief Executive Officer and Director		February 26, 2010
William E. Crenshaw				(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Jane B. Finley				Director		February 26, 2010
Jane B. Finley
/s/ Sherrill W. Hudson				Director		February 26, 2010
Sherrill W. Hudson
/s/ Charles H. Jenkins, Jr.				Chairman of the Board and Director		February 26, 2010
Charles H. Jenkins, Jr.
/s/ Howard M. Jenkins				Director		February 26, 2010
Howard M. Jenkins
/s/ E. Vane McClurg				Director		February 26, 2010
E. Vane McClurg
/s/ Maria A. Sastre				Director		February 26, 2010
Maria A. Sastre
/s/ David P. Phillips				Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer		February 26, 2010
David P. Phillips				(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

44