PHOENIX, May 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq:SFM) today reported results for its 13-week first quarter ended Mar. 30, 2014.
First Quarter Highlights:
-
Net sales of $722.6 million; a 26% increase from the same period in 2013
- Same store sales growth of 12.8% and two-year combined pro forma same store sales growth of 20.8%
- Net income increased to $33.7 million with diluted earnings per share of $0.22
- Adjusted net income increased 90% to $35.4 million; compared to $18.6 million in 2013
- Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 64% to $0.23; compared to $0.14 from the same period in 2013
- Adjusted EBITDA of $77.5 million; a 49% increase from adjusted EBITDA in 2013
- Increased the Company's guidance for 2014
"Sprouts' focus on value is resonating with a broad and growing base of customers who now have the opportunity to purchase healthy food at an affordable price. This has resulted in 28 consecutive quarters of positive same store sales growth and record first quarter financial performance that outperformed our targets," said Doug Sanders, president and chief executive officer of Sprouts Farmers Market. "During the first quarter, Sprouts' net sales increased 26%, generating additional leverage and resulting in a 49% improvement of EBITDA growth. Given our strong business momentum and impressive first quarter results we are increasing our annual guidance, and feel confident in achieving our growth plans."
| In order to aid understanding of the Company's business performance, it has presented results in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") and has also presented adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP measures that are explained and reconciled to the comparable GAAP measures in the tables included in this release. Where applicable, the numbers below are first presented on a GAAP basis and then on an adjusted basis. |
First Quarter 2014 Financial Results
Net sales in the first quarter of 2014 increased 26% to $722.6 million. Net sales growth was driven by a 12.8% increase in same store sales growth and strong performance in new stores opened, including our first new store in the Kansas City market.
Gross profit for the quarter increased 29% to $223.9 million resulting in a gross profit margin of 31.0% of sales, or an increase of 70 basis points compared to the same period in 2013. The improvement in gross profit margin was primarily driven by leveraging occupancy, utilities and buying costs. In addition, we experienced higher merchandise margins in produce from strong product quality and availability, and lower merchandise costs from vendor discounts in certain departments. These increases were offset by promotional activities.
Direct store expenses as a percentage of sales for the quarter decreased 90 basis points to 19.1% compared to the same period in 2013 and on an adjusted basis decreased by 100 basis points to 19% compared to 2013. This was primarily due to leverage in labor and depreciation, in addition to lower utilization of medical benefits.
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales for the quarter increased 20 basis points to 3.1% compared to the same period in 2013. SG&A during the quarter included $1.4 million of pre-tax secondary offering expenses. Excluding this item, SG&A as a percentage of sales was consistent with the same period in 2013. This was primarily due to leverage in advertising, offset by higher corporate overhead as we continue to build out infrastructure to support our expansion plans.
Net income for the quarter was $33.7 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.22, up $15.6 million from the same period in 2013. Net income in the quarter included $1.4 million of pre-tax secondary offering expenses including related payroll taxes, $0.5 million pre-tax store closure and exit costs; and $0.7 million loss on disposal of assets. Net income for the first quarter of 2013 included a pre-tax store closure and exit costs of $0.8 million. Excluding these items, adjusted net income increased 90% to $35.4 million, compared to $18.6 million in the same period in 2013, and adjusted EBITDA totaled $77.5 million, up $25.4 million, or 49%, from the same period in 2013. These increases were driven by higher sales, improved gross profit margins and the resulting operating leverage. In addition, net income benefited from lower interest expense due to a lower principal balance on our term loan and a decrease in interest rates. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.23, a 64% increase from adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.14 from the same period in 2013.
Growth and Development
During the first quarter of 2014, the Company opened 4 new stores – two in California, and one each in Kansas and Oklahoma and relocated our El Paso, Texas store. One additional store in Nevada has been opened in the second quarter to date, bringing 2014 new store openings to five for a total of 172 stores in nine states as of May 7, 2014. The Company expects to open 23-24 stores for the year.
Leverage and Liquidity
The Company generated cash from operations of $76.3 million for the first quarter of 2014 and invested $18.2 million in capital expenditures, primarily for new stores. The Company ended the quarter with a principal balance on its term loan of $316.5 million, $149.0 million in cash and cash equivalents and $52.6 million available under its revolving credit facility.
2014 Outlook
The following provides updated information on the Company's guidance for 2014:
| Q2 2014 Guidance | |||
| Same store sales growth | 8% to 9% | ||
| Two-year combined pro forma same store sales growth | 19% to 20% | ||
| Full-year 2014 Current Guidance | Full-year 2014 Prior Guidance | ||
| Net sales growth | 18% to 20% | 16% to 18% | |
| Unit growth | 23 to 24 new stores | 22 to 24 new stores | |
| Same store sales growth | 8.5% to 9.5% | 7% to 8% | |
| Adjusted EBITDA growth | 23% to 25% | 17% to 20% | |
| Adjusted net income growth | 40% plus | 30% plus | |
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share (1) | $0.63 to $0.65 | $0.58 to $0.60 | |
| Capital expenditures | $110M to $120M | $110M to $120M | |
| (net of landlord reimbursements) | |||
| The Company's adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA guidance for the year do not include charges and costs which are expected to be similar to those charges and costs excluded from adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA in prior periods. Please see the explanation and reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the comparable GAAP measures for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2014 and March 31, 2013 in the tables included below. | |||
| (1) Based on a weighted average share count of approximately 154 million shares for 2014. | |||
First Quarter 2014 Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call at 2 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time) on Wednesday, May 7, 2014, during which Sprouts' executives will further discuss the Company's first quarter 2014 financial results.
A webcast of the conference call will be available through Sprouts' investor webpage located at http://investors.sprouts.com. For those participating via teleconference, the phone number for the call is 1-877-398-9481 (U.S.) or 1-408-337-0130 (international), and the passcode is 30673082. Participants are encouraged to dial in 10 minutes early. A replay of the event will remain available for two weeks and can be accessed by dialing 1-855-859-2056 (toll-free) or 1-404-537-3406 (international) and entering the confirmation code: 30673082. An archive of the webcast will be available for one year at http://investors.sprouts.com, under "Events and Presentations."
| Important Information Regarding Outlook |
| There is no guarantee that Sprouts will achieve its projected financial expectations, which are based on management estimates, currently available information and assumptions that management believes to be reasonable. Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to significant economic, competitive and other uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of management. See "Forward-Looking Statements" below. |
| Forward-Looking Statements |
| Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained herein (including, but not limited to, statements to the effect that Sprouts Farmers Market or its management "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "expects," or "believes," or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions) that are not statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the Company's beliefs that its focus on value is resonating with a broad and growing base of customers who now have the opportunity to purchase healthy food at an affordable price and it is confident in achieving its growth plans given its strong business momentum and impressive first quarter results, the Company's expected new store openings and the Company's guidance and outlook for 2014. These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations as of the date of this release. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks associated with the Company's ability to successfully compete in its intensely competitive industry; the Company's ability to successfully open new stores; the Company's ability to manage its rapid growth; the Company's ability to maintain or improve its operating margins; the Company's ability to identify and react to trends in consumer preferences; product supply disruptions; general economic conditions; and other factors as set forth from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The Company intends these forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of this release and does not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available, except as required by law. |
| Corporate Profile |
| Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. is a healthy grocery store offering fresh, natural and organic foods at great prices. We offer a complete shopping experience that includes fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, natural body care and household items catering to consumers' growing interest in health and wellness. Recently named one of the top five supermarket chains by Consumer Reports and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Sprouts Farmers Market employs more than 15,000 team members and operates more than 170 stores in nine states. |
| SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||
| (UNAUDITED) | ||
| (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) | ||
| Thirteen Weeks Ended | ||
| March 30, | March 31, | |
| 2014 | 2013 | |
| Net sales | $722,606 | $573,694 |
| Cost of sales, buying and occupancy | 498,747 | 399,774 |
| Gross profit | 223,859 | 173,920 |
| Direct store expenses | 138,231 | 114,661 |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 22,479 | 16,724 |
| Store pre-opening costs | 947 | 1,714 |
| Store closure and exit costs | 533 | 775 |
| Income from operations | 61,669 | 40,046 |
| Interest expense | (6,467) | (10,165) |
| Other income | 96 | 133 |
| Income before income taxes | 55,298 | 30,014 |
| Income tax provision | (21,565) | (11,897) |
| Net income | $33,733 | $18,117 |
| Net income per share: | ||
| Basic | $0.23 | $0.14 |
| Diluted | $0.22 | $0.14 |
| Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||
| Basic | 147,759 | 125,969 |
| Diluted | 153,294 | 129,184 |
| SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||
| (UNAUDITED) | ||
| (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS) | ||
| March 30, | December 29, | |
| 2014 | 2013 | |
| ASSETS | ||
| Current assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $149,048 | $77,652 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 14,089 | 9,524 |
| Inventories | 121,454 | 118,256 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 6,734 | 8,049 |
| Deferred income tax asset | 12,402 | 18,146 |
| Total current assets | 303,727 | 231,627 |
| Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation | 371,689 | 348,830 |
| Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization | 195,144 | 195,467 |
| Goodwill | 368,078 | 368,078 |
| Other assets | 13,725 | 13,135 |
| Deferred income tax asset | 14,548 | 15,267 |
| Total assets | $1,266,911 | $1,172,404 |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Accounts payable | $148,001 | $111,159 |
| Accrued salaries and benefits | 21,657 | 22,287 |
| Other accrued liabilities | 31,078 | 32,958 |
| Current portion of capital and financing lease obligations | 3,746 | 3,395 |
| Current portion of long-term debt | 5,829 | 5,822 |
| Total current liabilities | 210,311 | 175,621 |
| Long-term capital and financing lease obligations | 119,922 | 116,177 |
| Long-term debt | 303,959 | 305,418 |
| Other long-term liabilities | 64,997 | 61,417 |
| Total liabilities | 699,189 | 658,633 |
| Commitments and contingencies | ||
| Stockholders' equity: | ||
| Undesignated preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding | — | — |
| Common stock, $0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 149,492,715 and 147,616,560 shares issued and outstanding, March 30, 2014 and December 29, 2013, respectively | 149 | 147 |
| Additional paid-in capital | 499,343 | 479,127 |
| Retained earnings | 68,230 | 34,497 |
| Total stockholders' equity | 567,722 | 513,771 |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $1,266,911 | $1,172,404 |
| SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||
| (UNAUDITED) | ||
| (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS) | ||
| Thirteen Weeks Ended | ||
| March 30, | March 31, | |
| 2014 | 2013 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||
| Net income | $33,733 | $18,117 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 13,026 | 11,064 |
| Accretion of asset retirement obligation | 40 | 37 |
| Amortization of financing fees and debt issuance costs | 394 | 720 |
| Loss on disposal of property and equipment | 727 | 19 |
| Equity-based compensation | 1,407 | 1,049 |
| Excess tax benefit for exercise of stock options | (14,783) | — |
| Deferred income taxes | 6,234 | 10,934 |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||
| Accounts receivable | (1,203) | 327 |
| Inventories | (3,198) | (3,918) |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 2,557 | 949 |
| Other assets | (686) | 315 |
| Accounts payable | 22,920 | 25,519 |
| Accrued salaries and benefits | (631) | (3,968) |
| Other accrued liabilities | 11,889 | (725) |
| Other long-term liabilities | 3,840 | 2,985 |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 76,266 | 63,424 |
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (18,240) | (27,429) |
| Proceeds from sale of intangible assets | — | 139 |
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 51 | — |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (18,189) | (27,290) |
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||
| Payments on term loan | (1,750) | (2,050) |
| Payments on capital lease obligations | (131) | (120) |
| Payments on financing lease obligations | (726) | (1,438) |
| Cash from landlord related to financing lease obligations | 577 | 983 |
| Excess tax benefit for exercise of stock options | 14,783 | — |
| Proceeds from the exercise of stock options | 566 | 75 |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 13,319 | (2,550) |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 71,396 | 33,584 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period | 77,652 | 67,211 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | $149,048 | $100,795 |
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | ||
| Cash paid for interest | $6,062 | $9,610 |
| Cash paid for income taxes | 1 | 50 |
| Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities | ||
| Property and equipment in accounts payable | $21,794 | $7,665 |
| Property acquired through capital and financing lease obligations | 4,377 | 6,240 |
| Non-GAAP Financial Measures |
| In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with GAAP, the Company has presented adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA. These measures are not in accordance with, and are not intended as an alternative to, GAAP. The Company's management believes that these presentations provide useful information to management, analysts and investors regarding certain additional financial and business trends relating to its results of operations and financial condition. In addition, management uses these measures for reviewing the financial results of the Company, and they are a component of incentive compensation. The Company defines adjusted net income as net income excluding store closure and exit costs, one-time costs associated with its combination with Henry's Holdings, LLC (the "Henry's Transaction") and its acquisition of Sunflower Farmers Market, Inc. (the "Sunflower Transaction," and together with the Henry's Transaction, the "Transactions"), gain and losses from disposal of assets and the loss of extinguishment of debt. The Company defines adjusted diluted earnings per share as adjusted net income divided by the weighted average diluted shares outstanding. The Company defines EBITDA as net income before interest expense, provision for income tax, and depreciation and amortization, and defines adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA excluding store closure and exit costs, one-time costs associated with the Transactions, gains and losses from disposal of assets and the loss on extinguishment of debt. |
| These non-GAAP measures are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standard meanings prescribed by GAAP. Use of these terms may differ from similar measures reported by other companies. Because of their limitations, none of these non-GAAP measures should be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to use to reinvest in growth of the Company's business, or as a measure of cash that will be available to meet the Company's obligations. Each of these non-GAAP measures has its limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP. |
| The following table shows a reconciliation of adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA to net income, and adjusted earnings per share to net income per share, for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2014 and net income for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2013: |
| Thirteen Weeks Ended | ||
| March 30, | March 31, | |
| 2014 | 2013 | |
| Actual | Actual | |
| Net income | $33,733 | $18,117 |
| Income tax provision | 21,565 | 11,897 |
| Net income before taxes | 55,298 | 30,014 |
| Store closure and exit costs (a) | 533 | 775 |
| Costs associated with acquisitions and integration (b) | — | (15) |
| Loss on disposal of assets (c) | 727 | 7 |
| Secondary offering expenses including employment taxes on options exercises (d) | 1,404 | — |
| Adjusted income tax provision (e) | (22,604) | (12,201) |
| Adjusted net income | 35,358 | 18,580 |
| Interest expense, net | 6,466 | 10,160 |
| Adjusted income tax provision (e) | 22,604 | 12,201 |
| Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) | 64,428 | 40,941 |
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 13,035 | 11,112 |
| Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) | $77,463 | $52,053 |
| Adjusted Net Income Per Share | ||
| Net income per share - basic | $0.23 | $0.14 |
| Per share impact of net income adjustments | $0.01 | $0.01 |
| Adjusted net income per share - basic | $0.24 | $0.15 |
| Net income per share - diluted | $0.22 | $0.14 |
| Per share impact of net income adjustments | $0.01 | — |
| Adjusted net income per share - diluted | $0.23 | $0.14 |
| (a) Store closure and exit costs have been excluded from adjusted EBITDA, and from adjusted net income. For the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2014 these costs included relocation of one store and ongoing expenses related to prior closures. For the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2013 these consist primarily of the costs to close a former Sunflower warehouse following the Sunflower Transaction and adjustments to sublease estimate for stores and facilities already closed. | ||
| (b) Costs associated with acquisitions and integration represent the costs to integrate the combined businesses resulting from the Sunflower and Henry's Transactions. These expenses include professional fees and severance, which the Company excludes from its adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income to provide period-to-period comparability of the Company's operating results because management believes these costs do not directly reflect the ongoing performance of its store operations. | ||
| (c) Loss on disposal of assets represents the losses recorded in connection with the disposal of property and equipment. The Company excludes losses on disposals of assets from its adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income to provide period-to-period comparability of its operating results because management believes these costs do not directly reflect the ongoing performance of its store operations. | ||
| (d) Secondary offering expenses including employment taxes on options exercises represents expenses the Company incurred in its secondary public offering and employment taxes paid by the Company in connection with options exercised in that offering. The Company has excluded these items from its adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income to provide period-to-period comparability of its operating results because management believes these costs do not directly reflect the performance of its store operations. | ||
| (e) Adjusted income tax provision for all periods presented represents the income tax provision plus the tax effect of the adjustments described in notes (a) through (d) above based on statutory tax rates for the period. The Company has excluded these items from its adjusted income tax provision because management believes they do not directly reflect the ongoing performance of its store operations and are not reflective of its ongoing income tax provision. | ||