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EX-32 - FREDS INCv205021_ex32.htm
EX-31.2 - FREDS INCv205021_ex31-2.htm
EX-31.1 - FREDS INCv205021_ex31-1.htm
EX-10.23 - FREDS INCv205021_ex10-23.htm

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

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended October 30, 2010.
OR

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

For the transition period from __________ to __________.

Commission file number 001-14565

FRED'S, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

TENNESSEE
62-0634010
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)
Identification Number)

4300 New Getwell Road
Memphis, Tennessee 38118
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(901) 365-8880
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

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 during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  ¨ Yes  ¨ No

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 definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨
Accelerated filer x
   
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 Exchange Act).  Yes ¨ No x.

 
The registrant had 39,274,469 shares of Class A voting, no par value common stock outstanding as of December 8, 2010.

 

 

FRED'S, INC.

INDEX

   
Page No.
       
Part I - Financial Information
     
       
Item 1 - Financial Statements:
     
       
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 30, 2010 (unaudited) and January 30, 2010
 
3
 
       
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Thirteen and Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 30, 2010 (unaudited) and October 31, 2009 (unaudited)
 
4
 
       
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 30, 2010 (unaudited) and October 31, 2009 (unaudited)
 
5
 
       
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
 
6-11
 
       
Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
12-16
 
       
Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
 
17
 
       
Item 4 – Controls and Procedures
 
17
 
       
Part II - Other Information
 
17
 
       
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
17-18
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
18
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
18
 
Item 6. Exhibits
 
18
 
       
Signatures
 
19
 
       
Ex-10.23 Tenth Modification Agreement
     
Ex-31.1 Section 302 Certification of the CEO
     
Ex-31.2 Section 302 Certification of the CFO
     
Ex-32. Section 906 Certification of the CEO and CFO
     

 
2

 

Part I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

FRED’S, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except for number of shares)

   
October 30, 2010
   
January 30,
 
   
(unaudited)
   
2010
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 37,462     $ 54,742  
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,039 and $764, respectively
    29,444       28,893  
Inventories
    360,300       294,024  
Other non-trade receivables
    23,891       25,193  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    16,376       10,945  
Total current assets
    467,473       413,797  
Property and equipment, at depreciated cost
    139,122       137,569  
Equipment under capital leases, less accumulated amortization of $4,967 and $4,928 respectively
    -       -  
Intangibles
    22,569       16,146  
Other noncurrent assets, net
    3,699       3,929  
Total assets
  $ 632,863     $ 571,441  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 128,320     $ 87,393  
Current portion of indebtedness
    228       718  
Accrued expenses and other
    44,305       39,621  
Deferred income taxes
    19,238       19,373  
Total current liabilities
    192,091       147,105  
Long-term portion of indebtedness
    3,998       4,179  
Deferred income taxes
    1,791       2,009  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    18,877       17,209  
Total liabilities
    216,757       170,502  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies
               
                 
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, nonvoting, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding
    -       -  
Preferred stock, Series A junior participating nonvoting, no par value, 224,594 shares authorized, none outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock, Class A voting, no par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized, 39,274,469 and 39,363,462 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
    130,602       131,685  
Common stock, Class B nonvoting, no par value, 11,500,000 shares authorized, none outstanding
    -       -  
Retained earnings
    284,600       268,350  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    904       904  
Total shareholders’ equity
    416,106       400,939  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 632,863     $ 571,441  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
3

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

   
Thirteen Weeks Ended
   
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
 
   
October 30,
   
October 31,
   
October 30,
   
October 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net sales
  $ 435,008     $ 422,438     $ 1,356,122     $ 1,315,032  
Cost of goods sold
    305,261       299,569       963,490       942,444  
Gross profit
    129,747       122,869       392,632       372,588  
                                 
Depreciation and amortization
    7,502       6,530       21,692       19,457  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    110,588       108,678       337,865       323,633  
Operating income
    11,657       7,661       33,075       29,498  
                                 
Interest income
    (58 )     (59 )     (178 )     (137 )
Interest expense
    106       118       333       383  
Income before income taxes
    11,609       7,602       32,920       29,252  
                                 
Provision for income taxes
    3,791       2,570       11,953       11,430  
Net income
  $ 7,818     $ 5,032     $ 20,967     $ 17,822  
                                 
Net income per share
                               
Basic
  $ 0.20     $ 0.13     $ 0.54     $ 0.45  
                                 
Diluted
  $ 0.20     $ 0.13     $ 0.54     $ 0.45  
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding
                               
Basic
    39,061       39,914       39,129       39,901  
Effect of dilutive stock options
    53       68       52       88  
Diluted
    39,114       39,982       39,181       39,989  
                                 
Dividends per common share
  $ 0.04     $ 0.03     $ 0.12     $ 0.08  
                                 
Comprehensive income:
                               
Net income
  $ 7,818     $ 5,032     $ 20,967     $ 17,822  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax postretirement plan adjustment
    -       -       -       -  
                                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 7,818     $ 5,032     $ 20,967     $ 17,822  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(in thousands)

   
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
 
   
October 30, 2010
   
October 31, 2009
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 20,967     $ 17,822  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows  from operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    21,692       19,457  
Net loss on asset disposition
    574       156  
Provision for store closures and asset impairment
    300       -  
Stock-based compensation
    1,544       1,417  
Provision (recovery) for uncollectible receivables
    275       (184 )
LIFO reserve increase
    2,220       1,424  
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
    (438 )     1,945  
Income tax benefit upon exercise of stock options
    4       23  
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
               
Trade and non-trade receivables
    (7,554 )     (4,570 )
Insurance receivables
    1,208       -  
Inventories
    (68,796 )     (44,139 )
Other assets
    (3,608 )     (185 )
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
               
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    45,611       45,359  
Income taxes payable
    5,123       (3,697 )
Other noncurrent liabilities
    1,767       (3,362 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    20,889       31,466  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (20,123 )     (18,368 )
Proceeds from asset dispositions
    161       106  
Insurance recoveries for replacement assets
    88       -  
Asset acquisition, net (primarily intangibles)
    (10,279 )     (6,692 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (30,153 )     (24,954 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Payments of indebtedness and capital lease obligations
    (671 )     (159 )
Excess tax charges from stock-based compensation
    (4 )     (23 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan
    366       301  
Repurchase of shares
    (2,989 )     -  
Cash dividends paid
    (4,718 )     (3,204 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (8,016 )     (3,085 )
                 
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (17,280 )     3,427  
Cash and cash equivalents:
               
Beginning of year
    54,742       35,128  
End of year
  $ 37,462     $ 38,555  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Interest paid
  $ 155     $ 246  
Income taxes paid
  $ 6,953     $ 20,265  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
5

 

FRED'S, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

NOTE 1:  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Fred's, Inc. and subsidiaries (“We”, “Our”, “Us” or “Company”) operates, as of October 30, 2010, 672 discount general merchandise stores, including 24 franchised Fred's stores, in 15 states in the southeastern United States.  315 of the stores have full service pharmacies.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and therefore do not include all information and notes necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with GAAP.  The statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position in conformity with GAAP.  The statements should be read in conjunction with the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010 incorporated into Our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The results of operations for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended October 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.

NOTE 2:  RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles – a replacement of SFAS No. 162” (“FASB ASC 105”). FASB ASC 105 modifies the GAAP hierarchy by establishing only two levels of GAAP, authoritative and nonauthoritative accounting literature. Effective July 2009, the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), also known collectively as the “Codification”, is considered the single source of authoritative U.S. accounting and reporting standards, except for additional authoritative rules and interpretive releases issued by the SEC. The Codification was developed to organize GAAP pronouncements by topic so that users can more easily access authoritative accounting guidance. FASB ASC 105 became effective for the third quarter of fiscal year 2009. All other accounting standards references have been updated in this report with ASC references.

In May 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 855, “Subsequent Events”, which 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.  FASB ASC 855 requires issuers to reflect in their financial statements and disclosures the effects of subsequent events that provide additional evidence about conditions at the balance sheet date.  Disclosures should include the nature of the event and either an estimate of its financial effect or a statement that an estimate cannot be made.  This standard also requires issuers to disclose the date through which they have evaluated subsequent events and whether the date corresponds with the release of their financial statements.  The Company adopted FASB ASC 855 as of the interim period ended August 1, 2009.  In February 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-09 (ASU), which addresses a potential conflict with disclosure date requirements provided by the SEC.  The ASU amends FASB ASC 855 by requiring an entity to evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are issued.  The requirements under FASB ASC 855 are consistent with our current practice and implementation of this standard did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3:  INVENTORIES

Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the retail first-in, first-out (FIFO) method for goods in our stores and the cost first-in, first-out (FIFO) method for goods in our distribution centers. The retail inventory method is a reverse mark-up, averaging method which has been widely used in the retail industry for many years. This method calculates a cost-to-retail ratio that is applied to the retail value of inventory to determine the cost value of inventory and the resulting cost of goods sold and gross margin. The assumption that the retail inventory method provides for valuation at lower of cost or market and the inherent uncertainties therein are discussed in the following paragraphs. In order to assure valuation at the lower of cost or market, the retail value of our inventory is adjusted on a consistent basis to reflect current market conditions. These adjustments include increases to the retail value of inventory for initial markups to set the selling price of goods or additional markups to adjust pricing for inflation and decreases to the retail value of inventory for markdowns associated with promotional, seasonal or other declines in the market value. Because these adjustments are made on a consistent basis and are based on current prevailing market conditions, they approximate the carrying value of the inventory at net realizable value (market value). Therefore, after applying the cost to retail ratio, the cost value of our inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market as is prescribed by U.S. GAAP.

 
6

 

Because the approximation of net realizable value (market value) under the retail inventory method is based on estimates such as markups, markdowns and inventory losses (shrink), there exists an inherent uncertainty in the final determination of inventory cost and gross margin. In order to mitigate that uncertainty, the Company has a formal review by product class which considers such variables as current market trends, seasonality, weather patterns and age of merchandise to ensure that markdowns are taken currently, or a markdown reserve is established to cover future anticipated markdowns. This review also considers current pricing trends and inflation to ensure that markups are taken if necessary. The estimation of inventory losses (shrink) is a significant element in approximating the carrying value of inventory at net realizable value, and as such the following paragraph describes our estimation method as well as the steps we take to mitigate the risk of this estimate in the determination of the cost value of inventory.

The Company calculates inventory losses (shrink) based on actual inventory losses occurring as a result of physical inventory counts during each fiscal period and estimated inventory losses occurring between yearly physical inventory counts. The estimate for shrink occurring in the interim period between physical counts is calculated on a store-specific basis and is based on history, as well as performance on the most recent physical count. It is calculated by multiplying each store’s shrink rate, which is based on the previously mentioned factors, by the interim period’s sales for each store. Additionally, the overall estimate for shrink is adjusted at the corporate level to a three-year historical average to ensure that the overall shrink estimate is the most accurate approximation of shrink based on the Company’s overall history of shrink. The three-year historical estimate is calculated by dividing the “book to physical” inventory adjustments for the trailing 36 months by the related sales for the same period. In order to reduce the uncertainty inherent in the shrink calculation, the Company first performs the calculation at the lowest practical level (by store) using the most current performance indicators. This ensures a more reliable number, as opposed to using a higher level aggregation or percentage method. The second portion of the calculation ensures that the extreme negative or positive performance of any particular store or group of stores does not skew the overall estimation of shrink. This portion of the calculation removes additional uncertainty by eliminating short-term peaks and valleys that could otherwise cause the underlying carrying cost of inventory to fluctuate unnecessarily. Management believes that the Company’s retail inventory method provides an inventory valuation which reasonably approximates cost and results in carrying inventory at the lower of cost or market.

For pharmacy inventories, which were approximately $30.8 million and $30.2 million at October 30, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively, cost was determined using the retail LIFO (last-in, first-out) method in which inventory cost is maintained using the retail inventory method, then adjusted by application of the Producer Price Index published by the U.S. Department of Labor for the cumulative annual periods. The current cost of inventories exceeded the LIFO cost by approximately $23.8 million at October 30, 2010 and $21.6 million at January 30, 2010.

The Company has historically included an estimate of inbound freight and certain general and administrative costs in merchandise inventory as prescribed by GAAP.  These costs include activities surrounding the procurement and storage of merchandise inventory such as merchandise planning and buying, warehousing, accounting, information technology and human resources, as well as inbound freight.  The total amount of procurement and storage costs and inbound freight included in merchandise inventory at October 30, 2010 is $22.2 million, with the corresponding amount of $17.4 million at January 30, 2010.

NOTE 4:  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation plans in accordance with FASB ASC 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation”.  Under FASB ASC 718, stock-based compensation expense is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, and therefore has been reduced for estimated forfeitures.  Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant based on the Company’s historical forfeiture experience and will be revised in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

 
7

 

FASB ASC 718 also requires the benefits of income tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required prior to FASB ASC 718.  A summary of the Company’s stock-based compensation (a component of selling and general and administrative expenses) and related income tax benefit is as follows (in thousands):

   
Thirteen Weeks Ended
   
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
 
   
October 30,
2010
   
October 31,
2009
   
October 30,
2010
   
October 31,
2009
 
                         
Stock option expense
  $ 111     $ 235     $ 435     $ 775  
Restricted stock expense
    301       133       803       482  
ESPP expense
    36       53       106       160  
Total stock-based compensation
  $ 448     $ 421     $ 1,344     $ 1,417  
                                 
Income tax benefit on stock-based compensation
  $ 126     $ 83     $ 361     $ 298  

The fair value of each option granted during the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended October 30, 2010 and October 31, 2009, respectively, are estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

   
Thirteen Weeks Ended
   
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
 
   
October 30,
2010
   
October 31,
2009
   
October 30,
2010
   
October 31,
2009
 
Stock Options
                       
Expected volatility
    42.4 %     41.8 %     42.1 %     42.6 %
Risk-free interest rate
    2.7 %     2.7 %     3.0 %     2.6 %
Expected option life (in years)
    5.84       5.84       5.84       5.84  
Expected dividend yield
    0.71 %     0.55 %     0.65 %     0.55 %
                                 
Weighted average fair value at grant date
  $ 5.34     $ 5.11     $ 4.96     $ 4.63  
                                 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
                               
Expected volatility
    32.0 %     64.9 %1     31.9 %     77.6 %1
Risk-free interest rate
    0.6 %     0.1 %     0.6 %     0.1 %
Expected option life (in years)
    0.75       0.75       0.5       0.5  
Expected dividend yield
    0.69 %     0.51 %     0.46 %     0.34 %
                                 
Weighted average fair value at grant date
  $ 2.64     $ 3.94     $ 2.42     $ 3.77  
 

1. The increase in expected volatility in 2009 is due to the fluctuation of the stock price during the first three quarters of 2009 .

 
The following is a summary of the methodology applied to develop each assumption:

Expected Volatility - This is a measure of the amount by which a price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate. The Company uses actual historical changes in the market value of our stock to calculate expected price volatility because management believes that this is the best indicator of future volatility. The Company calculates weekly market value changes from the date of grant over a past period representative of the expected life of the options to determine volatility. An increase in the expected volatility will increase compensation expense.

Risk-free Interest Rate - This is the yield of a U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bond issue effective at the grant date with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the option. An increase in the risk-free interest rate will increase compensation expense.

 
8

 

Expected Lives - This is the period of time over which the options granted are expected to remain outstanding and is based on historical experience. Options granted have a maximum term of seven and one-half years. An increase in the expected life will increase compensation expense.

Dividend Yield – This is based on the historical yield for a period equivalent to the expected life of the option.  An increase in the dividend yield will decrease compensation expense.

Forfeiture Rate - This is the estimated percentage of options granted that are expected to be forfeited or cancelled before becoming fully vested. This estimate is based on historical experience. An increase in the forfeiture rate will decrease compensation expense.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2004 Plan”), which was approved by Fred’s stockholders, permits eligible employees to purchase shares of our common stock through payroll deductions at the lower of 85% of the fair market value of the stock at the time of grant or 85% of the fair market value at the time of exercise.  There were 45,852 shares issued during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 30, 2010.  There are 1,410,928 shares approved to be issued under the 2004 Plan and as of October 30, 2010, there were 1,044,661 shares available.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes stock option activity during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 30, 2010:

   
Options
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(Years)
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(Thousands)
 
                         
Outstanding at January 30, 2010
    1,261,330     $ 13.91       3.1     $ 73  
Granted
    33,250     $ 11.52                  
Forfeited / Cancelled
    (378,900 )   $ 17.94                  
Exercised
    (2,400 )   $ 11.69                  
Outstanding at October 30, 2010
    913,280     $ 12.17       3.3     $ 804  
                                 
Exercisable at October 30, 2010
    577,686     $ 12.92       2.5     $ 324  

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between Fred’s closing stock price of $11.98 on the last trading day of the period ended October 30, 2010 and the exercise price of the option multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on that date.  As of October 30, 2010, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense net of estimated forfeitures related to non-vested stock options was approximately $583 thousand, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3.1 years.  The total fair value of options vested during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 30, 2010 was $749.8 thousand.

Restricted Stock

The following table summarizes restricted stock activity during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 30, 2010:

   
Number of Shares
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
 
             
Non-vested Restricted Stock at January 30, 2010
    346,510     $ 12.01  
Granted
    157,628     $ 13.39  
Forfeited / Cancelled
    (13,925 )   $ 10.46  
Vested
    (14,257 )   $ 12.25  
Non-vested Restricted Stock at October 30, 2010
    475,956     $ 12.47  

 
9

 

The aggregate pre-tax intrinsic value of restricted stock outstanding as of October 30, 2010 is $5.7 million with a weighted average remaining contractual life of 4.6 years.  The unrecognized compensation expense net of estimated forfeitures, related to the outstanding stock is approximately $3.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 4.4 years.  The total fair value of restricted stock awards that vested during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 30, 2010 was $173.8 thousand.

NOTE 5:  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and Equipment are carried at cost.  Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Improvements to leased premises are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the initial term of the lease or the useful life of the improvement.  Leasehold improvements added late in the lease term are amortized over the shorter of the remaining term of the lease (including the upcoming renewal option, if the renewal is reasonably assured) or the useful life of the improvement.  Assets under capital leases are amortized in accordance with the Company’s normal depreciation policy for owned assets or over the lease term (regardless of renewal options), if shorter, and the charge to earnings is included in depreciation expense in the consolidated financial statements.  Gains or losses on the sale of assets are recorded as a component of operating income.

The following illustrates the breakdown of the major categories within Property and Equipment:

   
October 30, 2010
       
   
(unaudited)
   
January 30, 2010
 
Property and equipment, at cost:
           
             
Buildings and building improvements
  $ 96,528     $ 95,844  
Leasehold improvements
    60,500       55,078  
Automobiles and vehicles
    5,196       5,273  
Airplane
    4,697       4,697  
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
    240,948       240,883  
 
    407,869       401,775  
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (275,715 )     (271,185 )
      132,154       130,590  
Construction in progress
    138       446  
Land
    6,830       6,533  
Total Property and equipment, at depreciated cost
  $ 139,122     $ 137,569  

NOTE 6:  EXIT AND DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES

Store closures that occurred during 2008 and 2009 are deemed exit and disposal related and are accounted for in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, as follows.

Inventory Impairment 

The Company recorded a below-cost inventory adjustment to reduce the value of inventory to the lower of cost or market in stores that are planned for closure.  The adjustment was recorded in cost of goods sold in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income.  There is no outstanding inventory impairment for exit and disposal related activity at October 30, 2010.

Fixed Asset Impairment

For planned store closures, the Company recorded a fixed asset impairment charge for assets identified for disposal.  There is no outstanding fixed asset impairment for exit and disposal related activity at October 30, 2010.

Lease Termination

For store closures where a lease obligation still exists, we record the estimated future liability associated with the rental obligation on the cease use date (when the store is closed).  Liabilities are established at the cease use date for the present value of any remaining operating lease obligations, net of estimated sublease income, and at the communication date for severance and other exit costs, as prescribed by FASB ASC 420, “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations”. Key assumptions in calculating the liability include the timeframe expected to terminate lease agreements, estimates related to the sublease potential of closed locations, and estimates of other related exit costs. If actual timing and potential termination costs or realization of sublease income differ from our estimates, the resulting liabilities could vary from recorded amounts. These liabilities are reviewed periodically and adjusted when necessary.

 
10

 

During the first three quarters of fiscal 2010, we incurred an additional $0.6 million in rent expense related to the revision of the estimated amount of the remaining lease liability for the fiscal 2008 and 2009 store closures. We also utilized $0.9 million, leaving $1.2 million in the reserve at October 30, 2010.

The following table illustrates the exit and disposal activity related to the store closures discussed in the previous paragraphs (in millions):
   
Balance at
January 30,
2010
   
Additions
   
Utilization
   
Ending Balance
October 30,
2010
 
                         
Lease contract termination liability
  $ 1.1     $ 0.6     $ 0.9     $ 0.8  

NOTE 7:  ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income consists of two components, net income and other comprehensive income (loss).  Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to gains and losses that under GAAP are recorded as an element of shareholders’ equity but are excluded from net income.  The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income includes the unrecognized prior service costs, transition obligations and actuarial gains/losses associated with our postretirement benefit plan.

The following table illustrates the activity in accumulated other comprehensive income:

   
Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
   
Year Ended
 
(in thousands)
 
October 30, 2010
   
October 31, 2009
   
January 30, 2010
 
                   
Accumulated other comprehensive income
  $ 904     $ 1,063     $ 904  
Amortization of postretirement benefit
    -       -       -  
Ending balance
  $ 904     $ 1,063     $ 904  

NOTE 8: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Atlantic Retail Investors, LLC, which is partially owned by Michael J. Hayes, a director of the Company, owns the land and buildings occupied by twelve FRED’S stores.  The terms and conditions regarding the leases on these locations are consistent in all material respects with other stores leases of the Company.  The total rental payments related to these leases were $283.8 and $923.5 thousand for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 30, 2010.

 
11

 

Item 2:
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations

GENERAL

Executive Overview

During the third quarter of 2010, we continued the implementation of our Core 5 Program.  The Core 5 Program is a key strategic initiative designed to highlight key categories within our stores that differentiate us from our competition.  The Core 5 categories - Home, Celebration, Pet, Pharmacy and Paper and Chemical - are strong trip driving departments in which FRED’S has a clear and marketable advantage versus small-box competitors.  Additionally, these categories have high household penetration and resonate with customers across multiple demographics.  This initiative is also intended to shift our product mix toward the more discretionary, higher margin categories and away from the lower margin consumable categories, thus driving higher margin and leading to increased operating profit.  The implementation of the Core 5 Program requires a moderate refresh of the store to address space allocation, product placement and adjacencies and signage in the Core 5 categories.  The implementation is also accompanied by an extensive direct mail marketing campaign timed to coincide with the refresh of the store and then continuing for six months thereafter.  Through the third quarter of 2010, we have implemented the Core 5 Program in 190 stores to date and plan to implement the program in approximately 200 stores by the end of FY 2010.

Our Pharmacy department is one of our Core 5 categories and is a key differentiating factor from other small-box discount retailers. As such, we have accelerated our growth strategy in this area and are aggressively pursuing opportunities to acquire independent pharmacies within our targeted markets.   Our emphasis will continue to be on acquisitions and file buys, but cold starts will be employed where it makes sense to do so.

Another key focus in the first nine months of 2010 has been improvement of our store in-stock position.  Recognizing in-stock position as one of the fundamental drivers of our business, we have dedicated significant resources to improving the tools we use to monitor and measure in-stock position in our stores.  As an extension of this initiative, we have made significant improvements to our freight flow processes to ensure that products are in the store and available for our customers.  Improvement in store in-stock position will continue to be a key initiative for the remainder of FY 2010 and beyond.

Our Own Brand initiative continues to be a key strategy for the Company in terms of building customer loyalty and increasing gross margin.  We have reached an Own Brand penetration rate of 19.2% of total consumable sales, and that number will continue to grow throughout the remainder of the year as new Own Brand products are introduced.  Our commitment to quality in our Own Brand products is resonating with our customers and they continue to make the switch to our “Fred’s Brand”.  We are continuing to add new products to our Own Brand line on an ongoing basis, with additional new items in food and health and beauty aids introduced in the third quarter of 2010.

While our Own Brand or FRED’S Brand products continue to be a focus in 2010, we have implemented several national brands in our stores, such as Coke, Purina and Energizer, coupled with the reintroduction of Glad brand trash bags, Havoline motor oil and Band-Aid brand products.  These national brands appeal to our customers and provide them with a more complete shopping trip.  Throughout the year, we will be evaluating more name brands that are the most popular with our customers and will be adding those that complement our current product mix.

Gross margin improvement continues to be a key focus of the Company, as highlighted above with our Core 5 and Own Brand strategies.  We are aggressively pursuing product sourcing improvements and cost reductions across all product lines in order to reduce overall product costs and, in turn, raise our gross margin.  Additionally, we have implemented new processes intended to control both promotional and clearance markdowns.  We also continue to make improvements in our loss prevention processes and procedures, and those improvements are leading to reduced shrinkage in our stores and, consequently, higher gross margin.  These efforts resulted in a 70 basis point improvement in gross margin in the third quarter of 2010 when compared to the third quarter of last year.

Over the remainder of 2010, we intend to continue with capital improvements in infrastructure, including new stores as well as existing store expansion and remodels, including Core 5 refreshes, distribution center upgrades and further development of our information technology capabilities.  Technology upgrades are being made in the areas of Human Resource and Payroll systems, in-store systems, and pharmacy systems.

As previously reported in the third quarter press release filed November 23, 2010, the Company expects total earnings per diluted share for 2010 to be in the range of $0.74 to $0.78.

 
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Key factors that will be critical to the Company’s future success include the successful execution of our Core 5 program, as well as managing the strategy for opening new stores and pharmacies, including the ability to open and operate efficiently, maintaining high standards of customer service, maximizing efficiencies in the supply chain, controlling working capital needs through improved inventory turnover, controlling the effects of inflation or deflation, controlling product mix, increasing operating margin through improved gross margin and leveraging operating costs, and generating adequate cash flow to fund the Company’s future needs.

Other factors that will affect Company performance in 2010 include the continuing management of the impacts of the changing regulatory environment in which our pharmacy department operates.  Additionally, we believe that the protracted elevation in the unemployment rate continues to place tremendous economic pressure on the consumer.  However, we also continue to believe that our affordable pricing and value proposition make us an attractive destination for wary consumers.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
 
The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s condensed financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The critical accounting matters that are particularly important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, and require some of management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, are described in detail in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010. The preparation of condensed financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to inventories, income taxes, insurance reserves, contingencies and litigation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Thirteen Weeks Ended October 30, 2010 and October 31, 2009

Sales
Net sales for the third quarter of 2010 increased to $435.0 million from $422.4 million in 2009, a year-over-year increase of $12.6 million or 3.0%.  On a comparable store basis, sales increased to 1.4% ($5.7 million) from 1.0% ($3.9 million) in the same period last year.

The Company’s 2010 front store (non-pharmacy) sales increased 1.5% over 2009.  We experienced sales increases in categories such as food, beverage, tobacco and small appliances.

The Company’s pharmacy sales were 36.2% of total sales ($158.9 million) in 2010 compared to 35.1% of total sales ($150.1 million) in the prior year and continue to rank as the largest sales category within the Company, an increase of 1.1% over 2009. The total sales in this department increased 5.9% over 2009 with third party prescription sales representing approximately 93% of total pharmacy sales, the same as in the prior year. The Company’s pharmacy department continues to benefit from an ongoing program of purchasing prescription files from independent pharmacies as well as the addition of pharmacy departments in existing store locations.

Sales to FRED’S 24 franchised locations during 2010 decreased to $9.6 million (2.2% of sales) from $9.9 million (2.4% of sales) in 2009.  The Company does not intend to expand its franchise network.

 
13

 

The following table illustrates the sales mix unadjusted for deferred layaway sales:

     
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
    
October 30, 2010
   
October 31, 2009
 
Pharmaceuticals
    36.2 %     35.1 %
Household Goods
    20.5 %     20.8 %
Food and Tobacco
    17.2 %     16.5 %
Paper and Cleaning Supplies
    9.4 %     9.8 %
Health and Beauty Aids
    7.5 %     7.9 %
Apparel and Linens
    7.0 %     7.4 %
Franchise
    2.2 %     2.5 %
      100.0 %     100.0 %

For the quarter, comparable store customer traffic increased .6% over last year while the average customer ticket increased .2% to $19.17 from $19.13 in 2009.

Gross Profit
Gross profit for the third quarter of 2010 increased to $129.7 million in 2010 from $122.9 million in 2009, a year-over-year increase of $6.9 million or 5.6%.  Gross margin, measured as a percentage of sales, increased to 29.8% in 2010 from 29.1% in 2009.   The improvement in gross margin was primarily due to the reduction in general merchandise markdowns, continued improvement in store shrinkage and higher pharmacy margins related to the continued shift from brand to generic scripts.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased to $118.1 million in 2010 (27.1% of sales) from $115.2 million in 2009 (27.3% of sales).  This 20 basis point expense deleveraging was primarily due to the increase in pharmacy labor ($2.1 million) associated with new pharmacies opened in the last twelve months and an increase in earned incentive compensation ($2.0 million).

Operating Income
Operating income increased to $11.7 million in 2010 (2.7% of sales) from $7.7 million in 2009 (1.8% of sales).  The $2.9 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as detailed in the Selling, General and Administrative Expenses section above partially offset the gross profit increase of $6.9 million that is detailed in the Gross Profit section above.

Interest Expense, Net
Net interest expense for the quarter totaled $.05 million or less than .1% of sales compared to $.06 million in 2009, which was also less than .1% of sales.

Income Taxes 
The effective income tax rate was 32.7% in 2010 compared to 33.8% in 2009.  The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the reduced relative effect of permanent differences as a percentage of pre-tax income.  The effective income tax rate for the quarter was higher than expected due primarily to the expiration of employment tax credits which are not available for 2010.   

Net Income
Net income increased to $7.8 million ($.20 per diluted share) in 2010 from $5.0 million ($.13 per diluted share) in 2009.  The increase in net income is due to the increase of gross profit of $6.9 million as detailed in the Gross Profit section above, which was partially offset by the $2.9 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as detailed in the Selling, General and Administrative Expenses section above.

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 30, 2010 and October 31, 2009

Sales
Net sales increased to $1,356.1 million from $1,315.0 million in 2009, a year-over-year increase of $41.1 million or 3.1%.  On a comparable store basis, sales increased 2.0 % ($26.1 million) compared with a .8% increase ($10.4 million) in the same period last year.
 
The Company’s 2010 front store (non-pharmacy) sales increased 2.1% over 2009.  We experienced sales increases in categories such as beverage, food, small appliances, lawn and garden, tobacco and home furnishings.
 
 
14

 
 
The Company’s pharmacy sales were 34.5% of total sales ($469.3 million) in 2010 compared to 33.7% of total sales ($444.8 million) in the prior year and continue to rank as the largest sales category within the Company, an increase of .8% over 2009. The total sales in this department increased 5.5% over 2009 with third party prescription sales representing approximately 93% of total pharmacy sales, the same as in the prior year. The Company’s pharmacy department continues to benefit from an ongoing program of purchasing prescription files from independent pharmacies as well as the addition of pharmacy departments in existing store locations.

Sales to FRED’S 24 franchised locations during 2010 decreased to $28.5 million (2.1% of sales) from $29.4 million (2.2% of sales) in 2009.  The Company does not intend to expand its franchise network.

The following table illustrates the sales mix unadjusted for deferred layaway sales:

   
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
 
    
October 30, 2010
   
October 31, 2009
 
Pharmaceuticals
    34.5 %     33.7 %
Household Goods
    22.9 %     22.7 %
Food and Tobacco
    16.8 %     16.4 %
Paper and Cleaning Supplies
    8.9 %     9.5 %
Apparel and Linens
    7.5 %     7.7 %
Health and Beauty Aids
    7.3 %     7.7 %
Franchise
    2.1 %     2.3 %
      100.0 %     100.0 %

For the first three quarters, comparable store customer traffic increased .1% over last year while the average customer ticket increased 1.8% to $19.49 from $19.15 in 2009.

Gross Profit
Gross profit increased to $392.6 million in 2010 from $372.6 million in 2009, a year-over-year increase of $20.0 million or 5.4%.  Gross margin, measured as a percentage of sales, increased to 29.0% in 2010 from 28.3% in 2009.  The 70 basis point improvement in gross margin was primarily due to higher initial markup from the improving product mix, the reduction in general merchandise markdowns, the improvement in store shrink and the improved pharmacy department margins related to the shift from brand to generic scripts.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased to $359.6 million in 2010 (26.5% of sales) from $343.1 million in 2009 (26.1% of sales).  This 40 basis point expense deleveraging was primarily the result of an increase in pharmacy labor expense ($7.6 million) and amortization expense ($2.2 million) primarily related to new pharmacy openings during the last twelve months, an increase in earned incentive compensation ($2.0 million) and increased legal and professional fees ($2.1 million).

Operating Income
Operating income increased to $33.1 million in 2010 (2.4% of sales) from $29.5 million in 2009 (2.2% of sales), a year-over-year increase of $3.6 million.  The $16.5 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as detailed in the Selling, General and Administrative Expenses section above partially offset the gross profit increase of $20.0 million that is detailed in the Gross Profit section above.

Interest Expense, Net
Net interest expense for 2010 totaled $.2 million or less than .1% of sales compared to $.2 million in 2009, which was also less than .1% of sales.

Income Taxes 
The effective income tax rate was 36.3% in 2010 compared to 39.1% in 2009.  The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the final assessment and settlement of the Internal Revenue Service exam for tax years 2004 - 2007 during the second quarter of 2009.  The effective income tax rate for the quarter was higher than expected due primarily to the expiration of employment tax credits which are not available for 2010.  We anticipate the tax rate for the year to be in the range of 36% to 37%. 

 
15

 

Net Income
Net income increased to $21.0 million ($.54 per diluted share) in 2010 from $17.8 million ($.45 per diluted share) in 2009.  The increase in net income is attributable to the $20.0 million increase in gross profit as detailed in the Gross Profit section above, which was partially offset by the $16.5 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as described above.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Due to the seasonality of our business and the continued increase in the number of stores and pharmacies, inventories are generally lower at year-end than at each quarter-end of the following year.

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $20.9 million during the thirty-nine week period ended October 30, 2010 compared to $31.5 million in the same period of the prior year.  We generated operating cash flow through quarterly income and from our ongoing initiative to better manage our Accounts Payable processes while we used $24.7 million more to purchase inventory in the first three quarters of 2010 versus the same time last year and had $3.0 million more trade and non-trade receivables.

Cash used in investing activities totaled $30.2 million, and consisted primarily of expenditures related to existing stores ($14.5 million), pharmacy acquisitions and new store openings ($2.3 million) and technology and other corporate expenditures ($3.4 million). During the first three quarters of 2010, we opened 4 store and 20 pharmacy locations.  We also closed seven store and 12 pharmacy locations and refreshed 190 stores with the new Core 5 elements.  In 2010, the Company is planning capital expenditures totaling approximately $26.6 million. Expenditures are planned totaling $19.3 million for new and existing stores and pharmacies. Planned expenditures also include approximately $4.3 million for technology upgrades and approximately $2.4 million for distribution center equipment and other capital maintenance. Technology upgrades in 2010 will be made in the areas of Human Resource and Payroll systems, in-store systems and pharmacy systems. In addition, the Company planned expenditures of approximately $10.0 million in 2010 for the acquisition of prescription lists and other pharmacy related items.  To date, the Company has spent $10.3 million towards these transactions.

Cash used by financing activities totaled $8.0 million and included $4.7 million for the payment of cash dividends and $3.0 million for the repurchase of shares and $.7 million for the repayment of debt.  There were $4.2 million in borrowings outstanding at October 30, 2010 related to real estate mortgages compared to $4.9 million at January 30, 2010.

We believe that sufficient capital resources are available in both the short-term and long-term through currently available cash and cash generated from future operations and, if necessary, the ability to obtain additional financing.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Other than statements based on historical facts, many of the matters discussed in this Form 10-Q relate to events which we expect or anticipate may occur in the future.  Such statements are defined as “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”), 15 U.S.C. Sections 77z-2 and 78u-5.  The Reform Act created a safe harbor to protect companies from securities law liability in connection with forward-looking statements.  We intend to qualify both our written and oral forward-looking statements for protection under the Reform Act and any other similar safe harbor provisions.

The words “believe”, “anticipate”, “project”, “plan”, “expect”, “estimate”, “objective”, “forecast”, “goal”, “intend”, “will likely result”, or “will continue” and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and concern matters that involve risks and other factors that may cause the actual performance of the Company to differ materially from the performance expressed or implied by these statements.  Therefore, forward-looking statements should be evaluated in the context of these uncertainties and risks, including but not limited to:

 
·
Economic and weather conditions which affect buying patterns of our customers and supply chain efficiency.
 
·
Changes in consumer spending and our ability to anticipate buying patterns and implement appropriate inventory strategies.
 
·
Continued availability of capital and financing.
 
·
Competitive factors.
 
·
Changes in reimbursement practices for pharmaceuticals.
 
·
Governmental regulation.
 
·
Increases in fuel and utility rates.
 
·
Potential adverse results in the litigation described under Legal Proceedings on page 17.
 
·
Other factors affecting business beyond our control, including (but not limited to) those discussed under Part 1, ITEM 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010.

 
16

 

Consequently, all forward-looking statements are qualified by this cautionary statement.  Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.  We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which it was made.

Item 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

We have no holdings of derivative financial or commodity instruments as of October 30, 2010.  We are exposed to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates.  All borrowings under our Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest at 1.5% below prime rate or a LIBOR-based rate.  An increase in interest rates of 100 basis points would not significantly affect our income.  All of our business is transacted in U.S. dollars and, accordingly, foreign exchange rate fluctuations have not had a significant impact on us, and they are not expected to in the foreseeable future.
 
Item 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act (15 U.S.C. 78 et seq.) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.  Additionally, they concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that the Company is required to file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes during the quarter ended October 30, 2010 in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 Item 1.     Legal Proceedings

In December 2008, a lawsuit entitled Whiteaker, et al v. FRED’S Stores of Tennessee, Inc., et al, was filed in the United States District Court in the Northern District of Mississippi, in which the plaintiffs allege past and future damages as a result of a 2006 trip and fall accident at a Fred’s store. The Company denied liability and vigorously defended the case on its merits. In accordance with FASB ASC 450, “Contingencies”, the Company did not feel that a loss in this matter was probable or could be reasonably estimated.  However, on November 17, 2010, a jury rendered a $1.1 million verdict and apportioned the Company with 81% fault.  This case is covered by the Company’s General Liability insurance, which has a $250 thousand deductible.  The Company is discussing all of its options, including, post-trial options and appeals.

In July 2008, a lawsuit styled Jessica Chapman, on behalf of herself and others similarly situated, v. FRED’S Stores of Tennessee, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, in which the plaintiff alleges that she and other female assistant store managers are paid less than comparable males and seeks compensable damages, liquidated damages, attorney fees and court costs.  The plaintiff filed a motion seeking collective action.  Briefs have been filed, but the court has not ruled.  The Company believes that all assistant managers have been properly paid and that the matter is not appropriate for collective action treatment.  Discovery has not yet begun.  The Company is and will continue to vigorously defend this matter.  In accordance with FASB ASC 450, “Contingencies”, the Company does not feel that a loss in this matter is probable or can be reasonably estimated.  Therefore, we have not recorded a liability for this case.

 
17

 

In August 2007, a lawsuit entitled Julia Atchinson, et al. v. FRED’S Stores of Tennessee, Inc., et al, was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division in which the plaintiff alleges that she and other current and former FRED’S Discount assistant store managers were improperly classified as exempt executive employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and seeks to recover overtime pay, liquidated damages, attorney’s fees and court costs.  The plaintiffs filed a motion seeking a collective action which the Judge has not ruled on.  Although the Company continues to believe that its assistant store managers are and have been properly classified as exempt employees under FLSA and that the matter is not appropriate for collective action treatment, the parties agreed to mediate this case in January 2009 and did so successfully, reaching a settlement of $1.5 million (including attorneys’ fees and costs).  The court approved the settlement and the Company subsequently paid it in August 2010.  Based on the substantial costs of continuing litigation, unfavorably high jury verdicts against other retailers and the constant distraction to management of a possible protracted jury trial, we believe that this is a favorable settlement for FRED’S.  FRED’S has admitted no liability or wrongdoing, and no liability or wrongdoing has been found against the Company.

In addition to the matters disclosed above, the Company is party to several pending legal proceedings and claims arising in the normal course of business.  Although the outcome of the proceedings and claims cannot be determined with certainty, management of the Company is of the opinion that it is unlikely that these proceedings and claims will have a material adverse effect on the financial statements as a whole.  However, litigation involves an element of uncertainty.  There can be no assurance that pending lawsuits will not consume the time and energy of our management or that future developments will not cause these actions or claims, individually or in aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the financial statements as a whole.  We intend to vigorously defend or prosecute each pending lawsuit.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

The risk factors listed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010, should be considered with the information provided elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which could materially adversely affect the business, financial condition or results of operations.  There have been no material changes to the risk factors as previously disclosed in such Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On August 27, 2007, the Board of Directors approved a plan that authorized stock repurchases of up to 4.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock. Under the plan, the Company may repurchase its common stock in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions at such times and at such prices as determined to be in the Company’s best interest. These repurchases may be commenced or suspended without prior notice depending on then-existing business or market conditions and other factors. The following table sets forth the amounts of our common stock purchased by the Company through October 30, 2010 (amounts in thousands, except price data). The repurchased shares have been cancelled and returned to authorized but unissued shares.

   
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
   
Average Price Paid
Per Share
   
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Program
   
Maximum Number of
Shares That May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Program
 
                          
Balance at January 30, 2010
                      2,830.8  
January 31 - February 27, 2010
    69.3     $ 9.41       69.3       2,761.5  
February 28 - April 3, 2010
    -     $ -       -       2,761.5  
April 4, - May 1, 2010
    -     $ -       -       2,761.5  
May 2, - May 29, 2010
    -     $ -       -       2,761.5  
May 30, - July 3, 2010
    -     $ -       -       2,761.5  
July 4, - July 31, 2010
    222.6     $ 10.43       222.6       2,538.9  
August 1, - August 28, 2010
    1.0     $ 10.50       1.1       2,537.8  
August 29, - October 2, 2010
    -     $ -       -       2,537.8  
October 3, - October 30, 2010
    -     $ -       -       2,537.8  

Item 6.  Exhibits

Exhibits
10.23
Tenth Modification Agreement of the Revolving Loan and Credit Agreement dated September 27, 2010 (modifies the Revolving Loan and Credit Agreement dated April 3, 2000).
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
32
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to rule 13a–14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 
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SIGNATURES

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

 
FRED'S, INC.
   
Date: December 9, 2010
/s/ Bruce A. Efird
 
Bruce A. Efird
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
   
Date: December 9, 2010
/s/ Jerry A. Shore
 
Jerry A. Shore
 
Executive Vice President and
 
Chief Financial Officer

 
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