UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended July 28, 2007

or

o                                  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:  0-21531

UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

05-0376157

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

260 Lake Road Dayville, CT 06241

(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(860) 779-2800

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

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

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

None

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  o

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  o  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 (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  x  No  o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer x   Accelerated Filer o   Non-accelerated Filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  o  No  x

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $1,446,973,244 based upon the closing price of the registrant’s common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market® on January 26, 2007. The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of September 20, 2007 was 42,830,677.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on December 6, 2007 are incorporated herein by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 




UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section

 

 

 

Page

Part I

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Business

 

1

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

10

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

15

Item 2.

 

Properties

 

15

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

16

Item 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

16

 

 

Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

16

Part II

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

 

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

 

18

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

 

19

Item 7.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

20

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

31

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

32

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

58

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

58

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

 

59

Part III

 

 

 

 

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

60

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

 

60

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

60

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

60

Item 14.

 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

60

Part IV

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 

61

 

 

Signatures

 

62

 




PART I.

ITEM 1.                BUSINESS

Overview

We are a leading national distributor of natural and organic foods and related products in the United States. We believe that we are the primary distributor of natural and organic products to a majority of our customers. We carry more than 40,000 high-quality natural and organic products, consisting of national brand, regional brand, private label and master distribution products, in six product categories: grocery and general merchandise, produce, perishables and frozen foods, nutritional supplements, bulk and food service products and personal care items. We serve more than 17,000 customers, including independently owned natural products retailers, supernatural chains, which are comprised of large chains of natural foods supermarkets, and conventional supermarkets located across the United States. Our other distribution channels include food service, international and buying clubs. We have been the primary distributor to the largest supernatural chain in the United States, Whole Foods Market, Inc. (“Whole Foods Market”), for more than 10 years. In October 2006, we announced a seven-year distribution agreement with Whole Foods Market, which commenced on September 26, 2006, under which we will continue to serve as the primary U.S. distributor to Whole Foods Market in the regions where we previously served. In January 2007, we expanded our Whole Foods Market relationship in the Southern Pacific region of the United States. In January 2004, we entered into a five year primary distribution agreement with Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (“Wild Oats Markets”), the second largest supernatural chain in the United States. On February 21, 2007, Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Markets announced that the two companies had entered into an agreement and plan of merger under which Whole Foods Market would commence an offer to purchase all the outstanding shares of Wild Oats Markets and following the tender offer, Wild Oats Markets would merge with and into a subsidiary of Whole Foods Market. This merger was substantially completed in August 2007 and Wild Oats Markets became a subsidiary of Whole Foods Market. Wild Oats Markets is expected to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Whole Foods Markets in the near future.

In recent years, our sales to existing and new customers have increased through the continued growth of the natural products industry in general, increased market share as a result of our high-quality service and broader product selection, the acquisition of, or merger with, natural products distributors, the expansion of our existing distribution centers, the construction of new distribution centers and the development of our own line of natural and organic branded products. Through these efforts, we believe that we have been able to broaden our geographic penetration, expand our customer base, enhance and diversify our product selections and increase our market share. We also own and operate 12 natural products retail stores, located primarily in Florida, through our subsidiary, the Natural Retail Group, Inc. (“NRG”). We believe that our retail business serves as a natural complement to our distribution business because it enables us to develop new marketing programs and improve customer service. In addition, our subsidiary, Hershey Import Company, Inc. (“Hershey Imports”), specializes in the international importing, roasting and packaging of nuts, seeds, dried fruits and snack items.

Since our formation, we have completed a number of acquisitions of distributors and suppliers, including Hershey Imports, Albert’s Organics, Inc. (“Albert’s”), and NRG, all of which have expanded our distribution network, product selection and customer base. During fiscal 2007, we expanded our line of branded products through our acquisition of Organic Brands LLC (“Organic Brands”), as well as certain additional product lines. Our operations are comprised of three principal divisions:

·       our wholesale division, which includes our broadline distribution business, Albert’s and Select Nutrition;

·       our retail division, which consists of our 12 retail stores; and

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·       our manufacturing division, which is comprised of Hershey Imports, and our branded product lines.

Natural Products Industry

Although most natural products are food products, including organic foods, the natural products industry encompasses a number of other categories, including nutritional, herbal and sports supplements, toiletries and personal care items, naturally-based cosmetics, natural/homeopathic medicines, pet products and cleaning agents. According to the June 2007 issue of The Natural Foods Merchandiser, a leading trade publication for the natural product industry, sales revenues for all types of natural products rose to $56.8 billion in 2006, an increase of approximately 9.7% over 2005. According to The Natural Foods Merchandiser, this increase in sales, from a total dollar perspective, was driven primarily by growth in the following categories:

·       packaged grocery and fresh produce;

·       frozen and refrigerated meats, poultry and seafood;

·       packaged bulk items;

·       dairy products; and

·       supplements.

The fastest growing categories, although not necessarily the largest dollar volume categories, in the natural and organic products industry were fresh meat/seafood, beer/wine, personal care, and pet products.

According to The Natural Foods Merchandiser, the continuing growth trend is driven by consumer desire for healthy, tasty and low-cost prepared food, as well as ethnic foods and specialty organic produce. More than half of American households represent “mid-level” organic customers, that is, they regularly purchase organic and natural products and want to learn more about nutrition as concerns continue to mount about health claims, food safety, irradiation and genetically modified organism issues.

Competitive Advantages

We benefit from a number of significant competitive advantages including:

Market Leader with a Nationwide Presence

We are one of the few distributors capable of serving local and regional customers as well as the rapidly growing national supernatural and supermarket chains. We believe we have significant advantages over smaller, regional natural and organic products distributors as a result of our ability to:

·       expand marketing and customer service programs across regions;

·       expand national purchasing opportunities;

·       offer a broader product selection;

·       consolidate systems applications among physical locations and regions;

·       invest in people, facilities, equipment and technology; and

·       reduce geographic overlap between regions.

We were the first organic food distribution network in the United States to earn certification by Quality Assurance International, Inc. (“QAI”). This process involved a comprehensive review by QAI of our operating and purchasing systems and procedures. This certification comprises all of our broadline distribution centers.

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Efficient Distributor

In addition to our volume purchasing opportunities, a critical component of our position as an efficient provider is our management of warehouse and distribution costs. Our continued growth has created the need for expansion of existing facilities to achieve maximum operating efficiencies and to assure adequate space for future needs. In February 2007, we announced plans to construct a new 237,000 square foot distribution center in Ridgefield, Washington, to serve as a regional distribution hub for customers in Portland, Oregon and other Northwest states. The distribution center is scheduled to commence operations in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. In March 2007, we entered into lease agreement to secure warehouse space in Sarasota, Florida. The warehouse in central Florida is expected to open in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. This will reduce the geographic area served by the Atlanta, Georgia facility and is expected to contribute to lower transportation costs. We have made significant capital expenditures and incurred considerable expenses in connection with the opening and expansion of our facilities. In October 2005, we opened our Rocklin, California distribution center and moved our Auburn, California operations to this facility. The Rocklin distribution center is 487,000 square feet and serves as a distribution hub for customers in California and surrounding states. The Rocklin distribution center is the largest facility in our nationwide distribution network. In August 2005, we expanded our Midwest operations by opening a 311,000 square foot distribution center in Greenwood, Indiana, which serves as a distribution hub for our customers in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and other Midwest states.

Customer Relationships

We serve more than 17,000 customers across the United States and internationally. We have developed long-standing customer relationships, which we believe are among the strongest in our industry. We have also been the primary supplier of natural and organic products to the largest supernatural chain in the United States, Whole Foods Market, for more than ten years.

Our average distribution service level for fiscal 2007 was approximately 98%, which we believe is the highest in our industry. Distribution service levels refer to the percentage of items ordered by customers that are delivered by the requested delivery date, excluding manufacturers’ “out of stocks.” We believe that our high distribution service levels are attributable to our experienced purchasing departments and sophisticated warehousing, inventory control and distribution systems. We offer next-day delivery service to a majority of our active customers and offer multiple deliveries each week to our largest customers. We believe that customer loyalty is dependent upon excellent customer service, including accurate fulfillment of orders, timely product delivery, low prices and a high level of product marketing support.

We carry more than 40,000 high-quality natural products, consisting of national brand, regional brand, private label and master distribution products in six product categories: grocery and general merchandise, produce, perishables and frozen foods, nutritional supplements, bulk and food service products and personal care items.

Experienced Management Team and Employees with Significant Equity Stake

Our management team has extensive experience in the natural products industry and has been successful in identifying, consummating and integrating multiple acquisitions. Since 2000, we have successfully completed five acquisitions of distributors, manufacturers and suppliers and five acquisitions of branded product lines. In addition, our executive officers and directors and their affiliates, and our Employee Stock Ownership Trust, beneficially own in the aggregate approximately 7.4% of our common stock. Accordingly, senior management and employees have significant incentive to continue to generate strong growth in operating results in the future.

3




Competition

Our major national competitor is Tree of Life Distribution, Inc. (a subsidiary of Koninklijke Wessanen N.V.) (“Tree of Life”). In addition to its natural and organic products, Tree of Life distributes specialty food products, thereby diversifying its product selection, and markets its own private label program. Tree of Life has also earned QAI certification and has a European presence. We also compete with over 200 smaller regional and local distributors of natural, ethnic, kosher, gourmet and other specialty foods that focus on niche or regional markets. Additionally, we compete with national, regional and local distributors of conventional groceries and companies that distribute to their own retail facilities.

We believe that distributors in the natural products industry primarily compete on distribution service levels, product quality, depth of inventory selection, price and quality of customer service. We believe that we currently compete effectively with respect to each of these factors.

Our retail stores compete against other natural products outlets, conventional supermarkets and specialty stores. We believe that retailers of natural products compete principally on product quality and selection, price, customer service, knowledge of personnel and convenience of location. We believe that we currently compete effectively with respect to each of these factors.

Growth Strategy

Our growth strategy is to maintain and enhance our position as a leading national distributor to the natural and organic products industry.

To implement our growth strategy, we intend to continue to increase our leading market share of the growing natural and organic products industry by expanding our customer base, increasing our share of existing customers’ business and continuing to expand and further penetrate new distribution territories, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic, Southern California and Florida markets. Key elements of our strategy include:

Expand Customer Base

We currently serve more than 17,000 customers as of July 28, 2007. We plan to continue expanding our coverage of the highly fragmented natural and organic products industry by cultivating new customer relationships within the industry and by further developing other channels of distribution, such as traditional supermarkets, mass market outlets, institutional food service providers, international, buying clubs, hotels and gourmet stores.

Increase Market Share of Existing Customers’ Business

We believe that we are the primary distributor of natural and organic products to the majority of our natural products customer base. We intend to continue seeking to become the primary supplier for a majority of our customers by offering the broadest product selection in our industry at the most competitive prices. As a result of our efforts, in January 2007, we expanded our Whole Foods Market relationship in the Southern Pacific region of the United States.

Continue to Expand our Branded Products Business

We have launched a number of private label or branded product lines in order to provide our customers with a broader selection of product offerings. In fiscal 2007, our branded product revenues increased to approximately 3.3% of our overall net sales. Our intention is to further expand our branded product revenues to represent 5% of our net sales by the end of fiscal 2008. We plan to achieve this goal through organic growth and through brand acquisitions. We believe this initiative differentiates us from other distributors within our industry, enables us to build long term brand equity for the Company and

4




allows us to generate higher gross margins, as branded product revenues generally yield higher margins than do third party branded product revenues.

Expand into Other Channels of Distribution

We believe that we will be successful in expanding into the food service channel as well as further enhancing our presence in the international channel. We will continue to develop regional relationships and alliances with companies such as Aramark Corporation, the Compass Group North America, and Sodexho Inc. in the food service channel and seek other alliances in the international channel.

Continue to Expand into and Penetrate New Regions of Distribution

As discussed under “Competitive Advantages” above, we have made significant capital expenditures and incurred considerable expenses in connection with the construction of new or the expansion of existing distribution facilities. We will continue to selectively evaluate opportunities to build new facilities or to acquire distributors to better serve existing markets and expand into new markets. As discussed under “Increase Market Share of Existing Customers’ Business,” in January 2007, we expanded our Whole Foods Market relationship in the Southern Pacific region of the United States. In March 2007, we entered into a lease agreement to secure warehouse space in Sarasota, Florida. This warehouse is expected to open in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 and is expected to reduce our transportation expenses attributable to serving the Florida market. We are also constructing warehouse space in Ridgefield, Washington which is scheduled to commence operations in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. We expect the addition of this facility to alleviate the current overcapacity in our existing facilities in the northwestern United States.

Continue to Improve Efficiency of Nationwide Distribution Network

We continually seek to improve our operating results by integrating our nationwide network utilizing the best practices within our industry and within each of our regions, which have formed our foundation. This focus on achieving improved economies of scale in purchasing, warehousing, transportation and general and administrative functions has led to continued improvements in our operating margin.

Continue to Provide the Leading Distribution Solution

We believe that we provide the leading distribution solution to the natural and organic products industry through our national presence, regional responsiveness, focus on customer service and breadth of product offerings. We offer our customers a selection of inventory management, merchandising, marketing, promotional and event management services to increase sales and enhance customer satisfaction. These marketing services, many of which are supplier-sponsored, include monthly and thematic circular programs, in-store signage and assistance in product display. Our high service levels, which we believe to be the highest in our industry, are attributable to our experienced purchasing departments and our sophisticated warehousing, inventory control and distribution systems. See “Technology” below for more information regarding our use of technology in our warehousing, inventory control and distribution systems. Since 2002, we have had a strategic alliance with Living Naturally, LLC, a leading provider of marketing promotion and electronic ordering systems to the natural and organic products industry. We provide our customers with access to Living Naturally’s suite of products at preferred prices and terms. These products include an intelligent electronic ordering system and turnkey retailer website services, which create new opportunities for our retailers to increase their inventory turns, reduce their costs and enhance their profits.

5




Products

Our extensive selection of high-quality natural and organic products enables us to provide a primary source of supply to a diverse base of customers whose product needs vary significantly. We carry more than 40,000 high-quality natural and organic products, consisting of national brand, regional brand, private label and master distribution products, in six product categories: grocery and general merchandise, produce, perishables and frozen, nutritional supplements, bulk and food service products and personal care items. Our branded product lines address certain needs or preferences of our customers, which are not otherwise being met by other suppliers.

We continuously evaluate potential new private branded and other products based on both existing and anticipated trends in consumer preferences and buying patterns. Our buyers regularly attend regional and national natural, organic, specialty, ethnic and gourmet product shows to review the latest products which are likely to be of interest to retailers and consumers. We also actively solicit suggestions for new products from our customers. We make the majority of our new product decisions at the regional level. We believe that our decentralized purchasing practices allow our regional buyers to react quickly to changing consumer preferences and to evaluate new products and new product categories regionally. Additionally, many of the new products that we offer are marketed on a regional basis or in our own retail stores prior to being offered nationally, which enables us to evaluate local consumer reaction to the products without incurring significant inventory risk. Furthermore, by exchanging regional product sales information between our regions, we are able to make more informed and timely new product decisions in each region.

Suppliers

We purchase our products from approximately 4,300 suppliers. The majority of our suppliers are based in the United States, but we also source products from suppliers throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Africa and Australia. We believe the reason natural and organic products suppliers seek distribution of their products through us is because we provide access to a large and growing national customer base, distribute the majority of the suppliers’ products and offer a wide variety of marketing programs to our customers to help sell the suppliers’ products. Substantially all product categories that we distribute are available from a number of suppliers and, therefore, we are not dependent on any single source of supply for any product category. Our largest supplier, Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (“Hain”), accounted for approximately 7.3% of our total purchases in fiscal 2007. However, the product categories we purchase from Hain can be purchased from a number of other suppliers. In addition, although we have exclusive distribution arrangements and vendor support programs with several suppliers, none of these suppliers accounts for more than 10% of our total purchases. We have positioned ourselves as the largest purchaser of organically grown bulk products in the natural and organic products industry by centralizing our purchase of nuts, seeds, grains, flours and dried foods. As a result, we are able to negotiate purchases from suppliers on the basis of volume and other considerations that may include discounted pricing or prompt payment discounts. Furthermore, many of our purchase arrangements include the right of return to the supplier with respect to products that we are not able to sell in a certain period of time. We have commodity contracts with certain suppliers to purchase bulk items such as dried fruits, nuts, peas and beans. Our outstanding commitments for the purchase of inventory were approximately $25.5 million as of July 28, 2007.

We believe we are well positioned to respond to regional and local customer preferences for natural and organic products by decentralizing the majority of our purchasing decisions for most of our products. We believe that regional buyers are better suited to identify and to respond to local demands and preferences. Each region is responsible for placing its own orders and can select the products that it believes will most appeal to its customers. Each region is able to participate in our company-wide purchasing programs to the extent these programs meet the region’s supply needs. In addition, we have

6




implemented a number of national consumer circular programs, which have resulted in incremental sales growth for our customers, suppliers and ourselves.

Our purchasing staff works closely with suppliers to provide new and existing products. The suppliers assist in training our customer service representatives in marketing new products, identifying industry trends and coordinating advertising and other promotions.

We maintain a comprehensive quality assurance program. All of the products we sell that are represented as “organic” are required to be certified as such by an independent third-party agency. We maintain current certification affidavits on all organic commodities and produce in order to verify the authenticity of the product. All potential suppliers of organic products are required to provide such third-party certification to us before they are approved as a supplier. In 2003, we became the first organic food distribution network in the United States to gain organic certification coast-to-coast. This certification covers all of our distribution centers.

Customers

We maintain long-standing customer relationships with independently owned natural products retailers, supernatural chains and supermarket chains, and have continued to emphasize our relationships with new customers, such as national conventional supermarkets, mass market outlets and gourmet stores, all of which are continually increasing their natural product offerings. Among our wholesale customers for fiscal 2007 were the following:

·       leading supernatural chains, representing Whole Foods Market (including Harry’s Farmers Market) and Wild Oats Markets (including Capers Community Market, Henry’s Farmers Market and Sun Harvest);

·       conventional supermarket chains, including Kroger, Wegman’s, Haggen’s, Stop and Shop, Giant, Peapod, Quality Food Centers, Hannaford, Food Lion, Bashas’, Lunds, Byerly’s, Rainbow, Lowe’s, Publix, Fred Meyer and United Supermarkets; and

·       mass market chains, including BJ’s Wholesale Club and Costco.

Whole Foods Market accounted for approximately 28% of our net sales in fiscal 2007. In October 2006, we announced a seven-year distribution agreement with Whole Foods Market, which commenced on September 26, 2006, under which we will continue to serve as the primary U.S. distributor to Whole Foods Market in the regions where we previously served. In January 2007, we expanded our Whole Foods Market relationship in the Southern Pacific region of the United States. In January 2004, we entered into a five-year primary distribution agreement with Wild Oats Markets. Wild Oats Markets accounted for approximately 9% of our net sales in fiscal 2007.

On February 21, 2007, Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Markets announced that the two companies had entered into an agreement and plan of merger under which Whole Foods Market would commence an offer to purchase all the outstanding shares of Wild Oats Markets and following the tender offer, Wild Oats Markets would merge with and into a subsidiary of Whole Foods Market. This merger was substantially completed in August 2007and Wild Oats Markets became a subsidiary of Whole Foods Market. Wild Oats Markets is expected to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Whole Foods Markets in the near future. At this time, we cannot accurately estimate the impact, if any, that this merger will have on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

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The following table lists the percentage of sales by customer type for the years ended July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006:

Customer Type

 

 

 

Percentage of 
Net Sales

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Independently owned natural products retailers

 

 

44

%

 

 

46

%

 

Supernatural chains

 

 

37

%

 

 

36

%

 

Conventional supermarkets

 

 

15

%

 

 

14

%

 

Other

 

 

4

%

 

 

4

%

 

 

Sales by channel have been adjusted to properly reflect changes in customer types resulting from a review of our customer lists. As a result of this adjustment, sales to the independents sales channel decreased 1.0% for the year ended July 29, 2006 and sales to the supermarket sales channel increased 0.6% for the year ended July 29, 2006.

Marketing

We have developed a variety of supplier-sponsored marketing services, which cater to a broad range of retail formats. These programs are designed to educate consumers, profile suppliers and increase sales for retailers, the majority of which do not have the resources necessary to conduct such marketing programs independently.

We offer multiple, monthly, regional specific, consumer circular programs featuring the logo and address of the participating retailer imprinted on a circular advertising products, which are sold by the retailer to its customers. The four-color circulars are designed by our in-house marketing department utilizing modern digital photography and contain detailed product descriptions and pricing information. We also offer retailers the ability to customize our standard circulars—including item selection, retail price points, and exclusive editorial content—through a sophisticated internet-based application. Additionally, each circular generally includes detailed information on selected suppliers, recipes, and product features. The monthly circular programs are structured to pass through to the retailer the benefit of our negotiated discounts and advertising allowances. The program also provides retailers with posters, window banners and shelf tags to coincide with each month’s promotions.

We have increased the number of national marketing programs that we offer in order to maximize our national leverage and utilize our internal marketing resources. Our supplier-focused Most Valued Partner program helps build incremental, mutually profitable sales for vendors and us, while fostering a sense of partnership. We also provide an information-sharing program that helps our suppliers understand their business better, in order to generate mutually beneficial incremental sales in an efficient manner. We also offer a truck advertising program that allows our suppliers to purchase ad space on the sides of our hundreds of trailers nationally, which we believe increases their potential consumer ad impressions.

Other retailer initiative programs, such as a coupon booklet and separate supplement and personal care product-themed sales and educational brochures we offer to independent retailers, allow us to explore new marketing avenues.

We keep current with the latest trends in the industry. Periodically, we conduct focus group sessions with certain key retailers and suppliers in order to ascertain their needs and allow us to better service them. We also:

·       offer in-store signage and promotional materials, including shopping bags and end-cap displays;

·       provide assistance with planning and setting up product displays;

·       provide shelf tags for products;

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·       provide assistance with store layout designs;

·       provide product data information such as best seller lists, store usage reports and easy-to-use product catalogs; and

·       maintain a website domain for retailers to access various individual retailer specific reports and product information.

Distribution

We have carefully chosen the sites for our distribution centers to provide direct access to our regional markets. This proximity allows us to reduce our transportation costs relative to our competitors that seek to service these customers from locations that are often hundreds of miles away. We believe that we incur lower inbound freight expense than our regional competitors, because our national presence allows us to buy full and partial truckloads of products. Whenever possible, we backhaul between our distribution centers and satellite staging facilities using our own trucks. Additionally, we generally can redistribute overstocks and inventory imbalances between distribution centers, which helps us ensure products are sold prior to their expiration date and more appropriately balance inventories.

Products are delivered to our distribution centers primarily by our fleet of leased trucks, contract carriers and the suppliers themselves. We lease our trucks from national leasing companies such as Ryder Truck Leasing and Penske Truck Leasing, which in some cases maintain facilities on our premises for the maintenance and service of these vehicles. Other trucks are leased from regional firms that offer competitive services.

We ship certain orders for supplements or for items that are destined for areas outside of regular delivery routes through United Parcel Service and other independent carriers. Deliveries to areas outside the continental United States are shipped by ocean-going containers on a weekly basis.

Technology

We have made a significant investment in distribution, financial, information and warehouse management systems. We continually evaluate and upgrade our management information systems at our regional operations based on the best practices in the distribution industry in order to make the systems more efficient, cost effective and responsive to customer needs. These systems include functionality in radio frequency inventory control, pick-to-light systems, computer-assisted order processing and slot locator/retrieval assignment systems. At the receiving docks, warehouse associates attach computer-generated, preprinted locator tags to inbound products. These tags contain the expiration date, locations, quantity, lot number and other information in bar code format. Customer returns are processed by scanning the UPC bar codes. We also employ a management information system that enables us to lower our inbound transportation costs by making optimum use of our own fleet of trucks or by consolidating deliveries into full truckloads. Orders from multiple suppliers and multiple distribution centers are consolidated into single truckloads for efficient use of available vehicle capacity and return-haul trips. In addition, we utilize route efficiency software that assists us in developing the most efficient routes for our trucks.

Retail Operations

Our subsidiary, NRG, currently owns and operates 12 natural product retail stores located in Florida, Maryland and Massachusetts. We believe our retail stores have a number of advantages over their competitors, including our financial strength and marketing expertise, the purchasing power resulting from group purchasing by stores within NRG and the breadth of our product selection.

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We believe that we benefit from certain advantages in acting as a distributor to our retail stores, including our ability to:

·       control the purchases made by these stores;

·       expand the number of high-growth, high-margin product categories, such as produce and prepared foods, within these stores; and

·       keep current with the demands of and trends in the retail marketplace, which enables us to better anticipate and serve the needs of our wholesale customers.

Additionally, as the primary natural products distributor to our retail locations, we realize significant economies of scale and operating and buying efficiencies. As an operator of retail stores, we also have the ability to test market select products prior to offering them nationally. We can then evaluate consumer reaction to the product without incurring significant inventory risk. We also are able to test new marketing and promotional programs within our stores prior to offering them to our broader customer base.

Employees

As of July 28, 2007, we had approximately 4,800 full and part-time employees. An aggregate of approximately 7% of our total employees, or approximately 322 of the employees at our Auburn, Washington, Iowa City, Iowa and Edison, New Jersey facilities, are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The Edison, New Jersey, Auburn, Washington, and Iowa City, Iowa agreements expire in June 2008, February 2009 and July 2009, respectively. We have never experienced a work stoppage by our unionized employees and we believe that our relations with our employees are good.

Available Information

Our internet address is http://www.unfi.com. The contents of our website are not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and our internet address is included in this document as an inactive textual reference only. We make our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file such reports with, or furnish such reports to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We have adopted a code of conduct and ethics for certain employees pursuant to Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. A copy of our code of conduct and ethics is posted on our website, and is available free of charge by writing to United Natural Foods, Inc., 260 Lake Road, Dayville, CT 06241, Attn: Investor Relations.

ITEM 1A.        RISK FACTORS

Our business, financial condition and results of operations are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This section discusses factors that, individually or in the aggregate, we think could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks.

We note these factors for investors as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider the following to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties. See “Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Forward-Looking Statements.”

10




We depend heavily on our principal customers

Our ability to maintain close, mutually beneficial relationships with our two largest customers, Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Markets, is an important element to our continued growth. In October 2006, we announced a seven-year distribution agreement with Whole Foods Market, which commenced on September 26, 2006, under which we will continue to serve as the primary U.S. distributor to Whole Foods Market in the regions where we previously served. In January 2007, we expanded our Whole Foods Market relationship in the Southern Pacific region of the United States. Whole Foods Market accounted for approximately 28% of our net sales in fiscal 2007. In January 2004, we entered into a five-year primary distribution agreement with Wild Oats Markets. We had previously served as primary distributor for Wild Oats Markets through August 2002. Wild Oats Markets accounted for approximately 9% of our net sales in fiscal 2007. As a result of this concentration of our customer base, the loss or cancellation of business from either of these customers, including from increased distribution to their own facilities or the merger of these companies, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

As discussed above under “Business—Overview,” Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Markets announced on February 21, 2007 that the two companies had entered into a merger agreement. This merger was substantially completed in August 2007 and Wild Oats Markets became a subsidiary of Whole Foods Market. Wild Oats Markets is expected to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Whole Foods Market in the near future. On a combined basis, Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Markets accounted for approximately 37% or our net sales in fiscal 2007. Whole Foods Market has announced that it will be selling all thirty-five of Wild Oats Markets’ Henry’s and Sun Harvest store locations to a subsidiary of Smart & Final Inc. following the closing of its merger with Wild Oats Markets. Sales to Henry’s and Sun Harvest stores comprised approximately 20% of our business with Wild Oats Markets in fiscal 2007. Excluding our sales to Henry’s and Sun Harvest stores, sales to Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Markets accounted for approximately 34.5% of our net sales in fiscal 2007. At this time, we cannot accurately estimate the impact, if any, that the merger of Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Markets will have on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We sell products under purchase orders, and we generally have no agreements with or commitments from our customers for the purchase of products. We cannot assure you that our customers will maintain or increase their sales volumes or orders for the products supplied by us or that we will be able to maintain or add to our existing customer base.

Our profit margins may decrease due to consolidation in the grocery industry

The grocery distribution industry generally is characterized by relatively high volume with relatively low profit margins. The continuing consolidation of retailers in the natural products industry and the growth of supernatural chains may reduce our profit margins in the future as more customers qualify for greater volume discounts, and we experience pricing pressures from both ends of the supply chain.

Our acquisitive nature may adversely affect our business

We continually evaluate opportunities to acquire other companies. We believe that there are risks related to acquiring companies, including overpaying for acquisitions, losing key employees of acquired companies and failing to achieve potential synergies. Additionally, our business could be adversely affected if we are unable to integrate our acquisitions and mergers.

11




A significant portion of our historical growth has been achieved through acquisitions of or mergers with other distributors of natural products. Successful integration of mergers is critical to our future operating and financial performance. Integration requires, among other things:

·       maintaining the customer base;

·       optimizing of delivery routes;

·       coordinating administrative, distribution and finance functions; and

·       integrating management information systems and personnel.

The integration process has and could divert the attention of management and any difficulties or problems encountered in the transition process could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, the process of combining companies has and could cause the interruption of, or a loss of momentum in, the activities of the respective businesses, which could have an adverse effect on their combined operations. We cannot assure you that we will realize any of the anticipated benefits of mergers.

We may have difficulty in managing our growth

The growth in the size of our business and operations has placed and is expected to continue to place a significant strain on our management. Our future growth is limited in part by the size and location of our distribution centers. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully expand our existing distribution facilities or open new distribution facilities in new or existing markets to facilitate growth. In addition, our growth strategy to expand our market presence includes possible additional acquisitions. To the extent our future growth includes acquisitions, we cannot assure you that we will successfully identify suitable acquisition candidates, consummate and integrate such potential acquisitions or expand into new markets. Our ability to compete effectively and to manage future growth, if any, will depend on our ability to continue to implement and improve operational, financial and management information systems on a timely basis and to expand, train, motivate and manage our work force. We cannot assure you that our personnel, systems, procedures and controls will be adequate to support our operations. Our inability to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Our focus on growth may temporarily redirect resources previously focused on reducing product cost, resulting in lower gross profits in relation to sales.

We have significant competition from a variety of sources

We operate in competitive markets, and our future success will be largely dependent on our ability to provide quality products and services at competitive prices. Our competition comes from a variety of sources, including other distributors of natural products as well as specialty grocery and mass market grocery distributors. We cannot assure you that mass market grocery distributors will not increase their emphasis on natural products and more directly compete with us or that new competitors will not enter the market. These distributors may have been in business longer than we have, may have substantially greater financial and other resources than we have and may be better established in their markets. We cannot assure you that our current or potential competitors will not provide services comparable or superior to those provided by us or adapt more quickly than we do to evolving industry trends or changing market requirements. It is also possible that alliances among competitors may develop and rapidly acquire significant market share or that certain of our customers will increase distribution to their own retail facilities. Increased competition may result in price reductions, reduced gross margins and loss of market share, any of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete effectively against current and future competitors.

12




Our operations are sensitive to economic downturns

The grocery industry is also sensitive to national and regional economic conditions and the demand for our products may be adversely affected from time to time by economic downturns. In addition, our operating results are particularly sensitive to, and may be materially adversely affected by:

·       difficulties with the collectibility of accounts receivable;

·       difficulties with inventory control;

·       competitive pricing pressures; and

·       unexpected increases in fuel or other transportation-related costs.

We cannot assure you that one or more of such factors will not materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Increased fuel costs may adversely affect our results of operations

Increased fuel costs may have a negative impact on our results of operations. The high cost of diesel fuel can also increase the price we pay for products as well as the costs we incur to deliver products to our customers. These factors, in turn, may negatively impact our net sales, margins, operating expenses and operating results. To manage this risk, we may periodically enter into heating oil derivative contracts to hedge a portion of our projected diesel fuel requirements. Heating crude oil prices have a highly correlated relationship to fuel prices, making these derivatives effective in offsetting changes in the cost of diesel fuel. We do not enter into fuel hedge contracts for speculative purposes.

Our operating results are subject to significant fluctuations

Our net sales and operating results may vary significantly from period to period due to:

·       demand for natural products;

·       changes in our operating expenses, including fuel and insurance;

·       management’s ability to execute our business and growth strategies;

·       changes in customer preferences and demands for natural products, including levels of enthusiasm for health, fitness and environmental issues;

·       fluctuation of natural product prices due to competitive pressures;

·       personnel changes;

·       supply shortages;

·       general economic conditions;

·       lack of an adequate supply of high-quality agricultural products due to poor growing conditions, natural disasters or otherwise;

·       volatility in prices of high-quality agricultural products resulting from poor growing conditions, natural disasters or otherwise; and

·       future acquisitions, particularly in periods immediately following the consummation of such acquisition transactions while the operations of the acquired businesses are being integrated into our operations.

Due to the foregoing factors, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not necessarily be meaningful and that such comparisons cannot be relied upon as indicators of future performance.

13




Access to capital and the cost of that capital

We have an amended and restated secured revolving credit facility, with available credit under it of $250 million at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.75% maturing on March 31, 2008. As of July 28, 2007, our borrowing base, based on accounts receivable and inventory levels, was $250 million, with remaining availability of $117.9 million. We are currently investigating options for renewing or negotiating our amended and restated credit facility in fiscal 2008, but cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so on terms acceptable to us. In April 2003, we executed a term loan agreement in the principal amount of $30 million secured by the real property that was released in accordance with an amendment to the loan and security agreement related to the amended and restated credit facility. The $30 million term loan was repayable over seven years based on a fifteen-year amortization schedule. Interest on the term loan accrues at LIBOR plus 1.50%. In December 2003, we amended this term loan agreement by increasing the principal amount from $30 million to $40 million under the existing terms and conditions. In July 2005, we amended the term loan agreement, which further increased the principal amount from $40 million to a maximum of up to $75 million. The amended term loan accrues interest at LIBOR plus 1.00%, and is repayable over seven years based on a fifteen-year amortization schedule, with all other terms and conditions remaining unchanged. As of July 28, 2007, $66.3 million was outstanding under the term loan agreement.

In order to maintain our profit margins, we rely on strategic investment buying initiatives, such as discounted bulk purchases, which require spending significant amounts of working capital. In the event that our cost of capital increases or our ability to borrow funds or raise equity capital is limited, we could suffer reduced profit margins and be unable to grow our business organically or through acquisitions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We are subject to significant governmental regulation

Our business is highly regulated at the federal, state and local levels and our products and distribution operations require various licenses, permits and approvals. In particular:

·       our products are subject to inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration;

·       our warehouse and distribution facilities are subject to inspection by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state health authorities; and

·       the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Federal Highway Administration regulate our trucking operations.

The loss or revocation of any existing licenses, permits or approvals or the failure to obtain any additional licenses, permits or approvals in new jurisdictions where we intend to do business could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We are dependent on a number of key executives

Management of our business is substantially dependent upon the services of Richard Antonelli (Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and President of Distribution), Daniel V. Atwood (Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, and President of United Natural Brands), Michael D. Beaudry (President of the Eastern Region), Thomas A. Dziki (Vice President of Sustainable Development), Michael S. Funk (President and Chief Executive Officer), Gary A. Glenn (Vice President of Information Technology), Randle Lindberg (President of the Western Region), Mark E. Shamber (Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer), and other key management employees. Loss of the services of any officers or any other key management employee could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

14




Union-organizing activities could cause labor relations difficulties

As of July 28, 2007, we had approximately 4,800 full and part-time employees. An aggregate of approximately 7% of our total employees, or approximately 322 of the employees at our Auburn, Washington, Iowa City, Iowa and Edison, New Jersey facilities, are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The Edison, New Jersey, Auburn, Washington, and Iowa City, Iowa agreements expire in June 2008, February 2009 and July 2009, respectively. We have in the past been the focus of union-organizing efforts. As we increase our employee base and broaden our distribution operations to new geographic markets, our increased visibility could result in increased or expanded union-organizing efforts. Although we have not experienced a work stoppage to date, if additional employees were to unionize or we are not successful in reaching agreement with these employees, we could be subject to work stoppages and increases in labor costs, either of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 1B.       UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2.                PROPERTIES

We maintained eighteen distribution centers at fiscal year end which were utilized by our wholesale division. These facilities, including offsite storage space, consisted of an aggregate of approximately 3.3 million square feet of space, which represents the largest capacity of any distributor in the natural and organic products industry.

Set forth below for each of our distribution facilities is its location and the date when our lease will expire for those distribution facilities that we do not own.

Location

 

 

 

Lease Expiration

Atlanta, Georgia

 

Owned

Auburn, California

 

Owned(2)

Auburn, Washington

 

March 2009

Aurora, Colorado

 

January 2013

Bridgeport, New Jersey

 

Owned

Chesterfield, New Hampshire

 

Owned

Dayville, Connecticut

 

Owned

Fontana, California

 

February 2012

Greenwood, Indiana

 

Owned

Iowa City, Iowa

 

Owned

Mounds View, Minnesota

 

November 2011

New Oxford, Pennsylvania

 

Owned

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

January 2014

Rocklin, California

 

Owned

Sarasota, Florida

 

July 2017

Vernon, California

 

Owned

White Springs, Florida

 

September 2007(1)

Winter Haven, Florida

 

October 2007(1)


(1)          Our leases in White Springs, Florida and Winter Haven, Florida will terminate in fiscal 2008 in conjunction with the opening of our Sarasota, Florida facility.

(2)          In the year ended July 28, 2007, we reached a decision to sell our remaining facility in Auburn, California. Operations previously conducted in Auburn, California have been transferred to our Rocklin, California facility.

15




We rent facilities to operate twelve retail stores in Florida, Maryland and Massachusetts with various lease expiration dates. We also rent a processing and manufacturing facility in Edison, New Jersey with a lease expiration date of March 31, 2010.

We lease office space in Santa Cruz, California, Danielson, Connecticut, and Uniondale, New York. Our leases have been entered into upon terms that we believe to be reasonable and customary. We own office space in Dayville, CT.

We also lease a warehouse facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our operations were moved to this facility from our Mounds View, Minnesota facility in October 2005. The lease for the Minneapolis facility will expire in November 2016.

We lease offsite storage space in Seattle, Washington and Ontario, California. Our lease in Seattle, Washington expires in October 2007 and will continue month-to-month until the opening of our Ridgefield, Washington facility.

We own land in Ridgefield, Washington on which we are constructing a distribution facility.

ITEM 3.                LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are involved in routine litigation that arises in the ordinary course of our business. There are no pending material legal proceedings to which we are a party or to which our property is subject.

ITEM 4.                SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There were no matters submitted to a vote of the security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended July 28, 2007.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Our executive officers are elected on an annual basis and serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Our executive officers and their ages as of September 20, 2007 are listed below:

Name

 

 

 

Age

 

Position

Richard Antonelli

 

50

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, President of Distribution and Director

Daniel V. Atwood

 

49

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, President of United Natural Brands and Secretary

Michael Beaudry

 

43

 

President of the Eastern Region

Thomas A. Dziki

 

46

 

Vice President of Sustainable Development

Michael S. Funk

 

53

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

Gary A. Glenn

 

56

 

Vice President of Information Technology

Randle Lindberg

 

56

 

President of the Western Region

Mark E. Shamber

 

38

 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

Richard Antonelli has served as a member of the Board of Directors since December 2003 and as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and President of Distribution since December 2005. Mr. Antonelli served as our President of United Distribution from October 2004 until December 2005, President of our Western Region from January 2004 to October 2004 and as President of our Eastern

16




Region from September 2002 to December 2003. Mr. Antonelli served as president of Fairfield Farm Kitchens, a Massachusetts-based custom food manufacturer from August 2001 until August 2002. Mr. Antonelli served as Director of Sales for us, and our predecessor company, Cornucopia Natural Foods, Inc., from 1985 until July 2001.

Daniel V. Atwood has served as our Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer and President of United Natural Brands since December 2005 and as our Secretary since January 1998. Mr. Atwood served as our Senior Vice President of Marketing from October 2002 until December 2005 and National Vice President of Marketing from April 2001 until October 2002. Mr. Atwood served on our Board of Directors from November 1996 until December 1997 and served on the Board of Directors of our predecessor company, Cornucopia Natural Foods, from August 1988 until October. Mr. Atwood served as President of our subsidiary, NRG, from August 1995 until March 2001.

Michael Beaudry has served as President of the Eastern Region since January 2006. Mr. Beaudry served as our Vice President of Distribution from August 2003 until January 2006, Vice President of Operations, Eastern Region, from December 2002 until August 2003, as our Director of Operations from December 2001 until December 2002 and as the Warehouse/Operations Manager of our Dayville, Connecticut facility from December 1999 until December 2001. Prior to joining us, Mr. Beaudry held various management positions at Target Corporation.

Thomas A. Dziki has served as Vice President of Sustainable Development since March 2007. Mr. Dziki served as our National Vice President of Real Estate and Construction from August 2006 until March 2007, President of Hershey Imports and Select Nutrition from December 2004 until August 2006, Corporate Vice President of Special Projects from December 2003 to November 2004 and as our Manager of Special Projects from May 2002 to December 2003. Prior to joining us, Mr. Dziki served as a private consultant to our company, our subsidiaries, Hershey Imports, NRG, and Albert’s Organics, and our predecessor company, Cornucopia Natural Foods, Inc., from 1995 to May 2002.

Michael S. Funk has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since October 2005 and as a member of our Board of Directors since February 1996. Mr. Funk served as Chair of the Board of Directors from January 2003 to December 2003 and as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors from February 1996 to December 2002. Mr. Funk previously served as our Chief Executive Officer from December 1999 to December 2002 and as our President from October 1996 to December 1999. Mr. Funk served as our Executive Vice President from February 1996 until October 1996. Since its inception in July 1976 until April 2001, Mr. Funk served as President of Mountain People’s Warehouse.

Gary A. Glenn has served as our Vice President of Information Technology since April 2004. Mr. Glenn served as our Vice President—IT East Region from February 2003 until April 2004, as Director—IT East Region from May 2002 until February 2003, and as Assistant Director—IT East Region from February 2000 until May 2002. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Glenn served in various information technology and management positions at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Gulf Life Insurance Co., American General Life and Accident, and Keane, Inc.

Randle Lindberg has served as our President of the Western Region since January 2006. From 1972 through January 2006, Mr. Lindberg served in various positions of increasing responsibility up to and including President and Chief Executive Officer of Nature’s Best, Inc.

Mark E. Shamber has served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since October 2006. Mr. Shamber previously served as our Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from January 2006 until October 2006, as Vice President and Corporate Controller from August 2005 to October 2006 and as our Corporate Controller from June 2003 until August 2005. From February 1995 until June 2003, Mr. Shamber served in various positions of increasing responsibility up to and including senior manager within the assurance and advisory business systems practice at the international accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP.

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PART II.

ITEM 5.                MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market® under the symbol “UNFI.”  Our common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market® on November 1, 1996. The following table sets forth, for the fiscal periods indicated, the high and low sale prices per share of our common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market®:

Fiscal 2006

 

 

 

High

 

Low

 

First Quarter

 

$

36.00

 

$

27.50

 

Second Quarter

 

31.74

 

24.60

 

Third Quarter

 

35.88

 

29.97

 

Fourth Quarter

 

35.04

 

29.05

 

 

Fiscal 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

34.91

 

$

28.70

 

Second Quarter

 

38.40

 

31.17

 

Third Quarter

 

35.05

 

28.10

 

Fourth Quarter

 

31.87

 

26.10

 

 

Fiscal 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter (through September 20, 2007)

 

$

33.33

 

$

24.10

 

 

On September 20, 2007, we had approximately 90 stockholders of record. The number of record holders may not be representative of the number of beneficial holders of our common stock because depositories, brokers or other nominees hold many shares.

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We anticipate that all of our earnings in the foreseeable future will be retained to finance the continued growth and development of our business and we have no current intention to pay cash dividends. Our future dividend policy will depend on our earnings, capital requirements and financial condition, requirements of the financing agreements to which we are then a party and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. Our existing revolving credit facility prohibits the declaration or payment of cash dividends to our stockholders without the written consent of the administrative agent under the facility during the term of the credit agreement and until all of our obligations under the credit agreement have been met.

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ITEM 6.                SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected consolidated financial data presented below are derived from our consolidated financial statements, which have been audited by KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period. The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with and is qualified by reference to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All share and per share amounts included in the following consolidated financial data have been retroactively adjusted to reflect our two-for-one stock split, effective April 20, 2004.

 

 

July 28,

 

July 29,

 

July 31,

 

July 31,

 

July 31,

 

Consolidated Statement of Income Data:

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Net sales

 

$

2,754,280

 

$

2,433,594

 

$

2,059,568

 

$

1,669,952

 

$

1,379,893

 

Cost of sales

 

2,244,702

 

1,967,684

 

1,664,523

 

1,339,496

 

1,099,704

 

Gross profit

 

509,578

 

465,910

 

395,045

 

330,456

 

280,189

 

Operating expenses

 

415,337

 

385,982

 

322,345

 

271,972

 

237,247

 

Impairment on assets held for sale

 

756

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring and asset impairment charges

 

 

 

170

 

 

2,126

 

Total operating expenses

 

416,093

 

385,982

 

322,515

 

271,972

 

239,373

 

Operating income

 

93,485

 

79,928

 

72,530

 

58,484

 

40,816

 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

12,089

 

11,210

 

6,568

 

7,265

 

7,795

 

Interest income

 

(975

)

(297

)

(243

)

(151

)

(241

)

Other, net

 

156

 

(381

)

(847

)

(1,066

)

(145

)

Total other expense

 

11,270

 

10,532

 

5,478

 

6,048

 

7,409

 

Income before income taxes

 

82,215

 

69,396

 

67,052

 

52,436

 

33,407

 

Provision for income taxes

 

32,062

 

26,119

 

25,480

 

20,450

 

13,187

 

Net income

 

$

50,153

 

$

43,277

 

$

41,572

 

$

31,986

 

$

20,220

 

Per share data—Basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1.18

 

$

1.04

 

$

1.02

 

$

0.81

 

$

0.53

 

Weighted average basic shares of common stock

 

42,445

 

41,682

 

40,639

 

39,471

 

38,471

 

Per share data—Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1.17

 

$

1.02

 

$

1.00

 

$

0.78

 

$

0.51

 

Weighted average diluted shares of common stock

 

42,786

 

42,304

 

41,607

 

41,025

 

39,454

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

 

July 28,
2007

 

July 29,
2006

 

July 31,
2005

 

July 31,
2004

 

July 31,
2003

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Working capital

 

$

216,518

 

$

182,931

 

$

119,385

 

$

109,225

 

$

64,299

 

Total assets

 

800,898

 

704,551

 

651,258

 

508,767

 

430,099

 

Total long term debt and capital leases

 

65,067

 

59,716

 

64,871

 

44,115

 

39,119

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

426,795

 

363,474

 

295,519

 

234,929

 

187,563

 

 

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ITEM 7.                MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In some cases you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and “would,” or similar words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss future expectations, contain projections of future results of operations or of financial position or state other “forward-looking” information. The important factors listed under Part I. Item IA. Risk Factors, as well as any cautionary language in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations described in these forward-looking statements. You should be aware that the occurrence of the events described under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position.

Any forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by such forward-looking statements, possibly materially. We do not undertake to update any information in the foregoing reports until the effective date of our future reports required by applicable laws. Any projections of future results of operations should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur. These projections are subject to change and could differ materially from final reported results. We may from time to time update these publicly announced projections, but we are not obligated to do so.

Overview

We are a leading national distributor of natural and organic foods and related products in the United States. In recent years, our sales to existing and new customers have increased through the continued growth of the natural and organic products industry in general, increased market share as a result of our high-quality service and our increasingly broader product selection, and the acquisition of, or merger with, natural products distributors, the expansion of our existing distribution centers, the construction of new distribution centers and the development of our own line of natural and organic branded products. Through these efforts, we believe that we have been able to broaden our geographic penetration, expand our customer base, enhance and diversify our product selections and increase our market share. We also own and operate 12 retail natural products stores, located primarily in Florida, through our subsidiary, NRG. We believe that our retail business serves as a natural complement to our distribution business because it enables us to develop new marketing programs and improve customer service. In addition, our subsidiary, Hershey Imports, specializes in the international importing, roasting and packaging of nuts, seeds, dried fruits and snack items. Our operations are comprised of three principal divisions:

·       our wholesale division, which includes our broadline distribution business, Albert’s and Select Nutrition;

·       our retail division, which consists of our 12 retail stores; and

·       our manufacturing division, which is comprised of Hershey Imports and our branded product lines.

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In order to maintain our market leadership and improve our operating efficiencies, we seek to continually:

·       expand our marketing and customer service programs across regions;

·       expand our national purchasing opportunities;

·       offer a broader product selection;

·       consolidate systems applications among physical locations and regions;

·       increase our investment in people, facilities, equipment and technology;

·       integrate administrative and accounting functions; and

·       reduce geographic overlap between regions.

Our continued growth has created the need for expansion of existing facilities to achieve maximum operating efficiencies and to assure adequate space for future needs. In February 2007, we announced plans to construct a new 237,000 square foot distribution center in Ridgefield, Washington, to serve as a regional distribution hub for customers in Portland, Oregon and other Northwest states. The distribution center is scheduled to commence operations in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. In March 2007, we entered into a lease agreement to rent warehouse space in central Florida. The warehouse in central Florida is expected to open in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. This will reduce the geographic area served by the Atlanta, Georgia facility and is expected to contribute to lower transportation costs. We have made significant capital expenditures and incurred considerable expenses in connection with the opening and expansion of our facilities. In October 2005, we opened our Rocklin, California distribution center and moved our Auburn, California operations to this facility. The Rocklin distribution center is 487,000 square feet and serves as a distribution hub for customers in northern California and surrounding states. The Rocklin distribution center is the largest facility in our nationwide distribution network. In August 2005, we expanded our Midwest operations by opening a 311,000 square foot distribution center in Greenwood, Indiana, which serves as a distribution hub for our customers in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and other Midwest states.

We expect the efficiencies created by opening the Greenwood facility and by relocating from two facilities in Auburn, California into the Rocklin distribution center to continue to lower operating expenses relative to sales over the long-term. Including the opening of the Greenwood and Rocklin facilities, we have added approximately 1,500,000 square feet to our distribution centers since fiscal 2002, representing a 79% increase in our distribution capacity. Our current capacity utilization is approximately 77%.

Our net sales consist primarily of sales of natural and organic products to retailers adjusted for customer volume discounts, returns and allowances. Net sales also consist of amounts due to us from customers for shipping and handling and fuel surcharges. The principal components of our cost of sales include the amounts paid to manufacturers and growers for product sold, plus the cost of transportation necessary to bring the product to our distribution facilities. Cost of sales also includes amounts incurred by us for inbound transportation costs, depreciation for manufacturing equipment at our manufacturing subsidiary, Hershey Imports, and consideration received from suppliers in connection with the purchase or promotion of the suppliers’ products. Our gross margin may not be comparable to other similar companies within our industry that may include all costs related to their distribution network in their costs of sales rather than as operating expenses. We include purchasing and outbound transportation expenses within our operating expenses rather than in our cost of sales. Total operating expenses include salaries and wages, employee benefits (including payments under our Employee Stock Ownership Plan), warehousing and delivery, selling, occupancy, insurance, administrative, depreciation and amortization expense. Other expenses (income) include interest on our outstanding indebtedness, interest income and miscellaneous income and expenses.

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On February 21, 2007, Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Markets announced that the two companies had entered into an agreement and plan of merger under which Whole Foods Market would commence an offer to purchase all the outstanding shares of Wild Oats Markets and following the tender offer, Wild Oats Markets would merge with and into a subsidiary of Whole Foods Market. This merger was substantially completed in August 2007 and Wild Oats Markets became a subsidiary of Whole Foods Market. Wild Oats Markets is expected to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Whole Foods Market in the near future. As discussed below, sales to Wild Oats Markets accounted for approximately 9% and 10% of our net sales for the years ended July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively. Sales to Whole Foods Market accounted for approximately 28% and 26% of our net sales for the years ended July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively. At this time, we cannot accurately estimate the impact, if any, that this merger will have on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Securities and Exchange Commission has defined critical accounting policies as those that are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results and require our most difficult, complex or subjective judgments or estimates. Based on this definition, we believe our critical accounting policies include the following: (i) determining our allowance for doubtful accounts, (ii) determining our reserves for the self-insured portions of our workers’ compensation and automobile liabilities and (iii) valuing goodwill and intangible assets. For all financial statement periods presented, there have been no material modifications to the application of these critical accounting policies.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

We analyze customer creditworthiness, accounts receivable balances, payment history, payment terms and historical bad debt levels when evaluating the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts. In instances where a reserve has been recorded for a particular customer, future sales to the customer are conducted using either cash-on-delivery terms, or the account is closely monitored so that as agreed upon payments are received, orders are released; a failure to pay results in held or cancelled orders. Our accounts receivable balance was $160.3 million and $151.6 million, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts of $4.4 million and $4.6 million, as of July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively. Our notes receivable balances were $4.5 million and $4.0 million, net of the allowance of doubtful accounts of $1.6 million and $3.9 million, as of July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively.

Insurance reserves

It is our policy to record the self-insured portions of our workers’ compensation and automobile liabilities based upon actuarial methods of estimating the future cost of claims and related expenses that have been reported but not settled, and that have been incurred but not yet reported. Any projection of losses concerning workers’ compensation and automobile liability is subject to a considerable degree of variability. Among the causes of this variability are unpredictable external factors affecting litigation trends, benefit level changes and claim settlement patterns. If actual claims incurred are greater than those anticipated, our reserves may be insufficient and additional costs could be recorded in the consolidated financial statements.

Valuation of goodwill and intangible assets

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, requires that companies test goodwill for impairment at least annually and between annual tests if events

22




occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. We have elected to perform our annual tests for indications of goodwill impairment during the fourth quarter of each year. Impairment losses are determined based upon the excess of carrying amounts over discounted expected future cash flows of the underlying business. The assessment of the recoverability of long-lived assets will be impacted if estimated future cash flows are not achieved. For reporting units that indicated potential impairment, we determined the implied fair value of that reporting unit using a discounted cash flow analysis and compared such values to the respective reporting units’ carrying amounts. As of July 28, 2007, our annual assessment of each of our reporting units indicated that no impairment of goodwill existed. Total goodwill as of July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006 was $79.9 million and $78.0 million, respectively.

Results of Operations

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, certain income and expense items expressed as a percentage of net sales:

 

 

Year ended

 

 

 

July 28, 
2007

 

July 29,
2006

 

July 31,
2005

 

Net sales

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

Cost of sales

 

 

81.5

%

 

 

80.9

%

 

 

80.8

%

 

Gross profit

 

 

18.5

%

 

 

19.1

%

 

 

19.2

%

 

Operating expenses

 

 

15.1

%

 

 

15.9

%

 

 

15.7

%

 

Impairment on assets held for sale

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

0.0

%

 

Restructuring and asset impairment charges

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

0.0

%

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

15.1

%

 

 

15.9

%

 

 

15.7

%

 

Operating income

 

 

3.4

%

 

 

3.3

%

 

 

3.5

%

 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

0.4

%

 

 

0.5

%

 

 

0.3

%

 

Interest income

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

0.0

%

 

Other, net

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

0.0

%

 

Total other expense

 

 

0.4

%

 

 

0.4

%*

 

 

0.3

%

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

3.0

%

 

 

2.9

%

 

 

3.3

%*

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

1.2

%

 

 

1.1

%

 

 

1.2

%

 

Net income

 

 

1.8

%

 

 

1.8

%

 

 

2.0

%*

 


*                    Total reflects rounding

Year ended July 28, 2007 compared to Year ended July 29, 2006

Net Sales

Our net sales increased approximately 13.2%, or $320.7 million, to $2.75 billion for the year ended July 28, 2007, from $2.43 billion for the year ended July 29, 2006. This increase was primarily due to organic growth (growth excluding the impact of acquisitions) in our wholesale distribution segment of $317.5 million or 13.3%. Our organic growth is due to the continued growth of the natural products industry in general, increased market share as a result of our focus on service and added value services, the opening of new, and expansion of existing, distribution centers, which allow us to carry a broader selection of products, and approximately 2.0% sales growth as a result of our expanded relationship with Whole Foods Market in the Southern Pacific region of the United States. In addition to our organic growth, we

23




also benefited from the inclusion of sales related to our acquisition of Organic Brands LLC (“Organic Brands”) in April 2007 and our acquisitions of other branded product lines, however, these acquisitions impacted our cost of sales and gross profit more than they impacted our net sales.

In the year ended July 28, 2007, Whole Foods Market comprised approximately 28% of net sales and Wild Oats Markets comprised approximately 9% of net sales. In the year ended July 29, 2006, Whole Foods Market comprised approximately 26% of net sales and Wild Oats Markets comprised approximately 10% of net sales.

The following table lists the percentage of sales by customer type for the years ended July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006:

Customer Type

 

 

 

Percentage of 
Net Sales

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Independently owned natural products retailers

 

 

44

%

 

 

46

%

 

Supernatural chains

 

 

37

%

 

 

36

%

 

Conventional supermarkets

 

 

15

%

 

 

14

%

 

Other

 

 

4

%

 

 

4

%

 

 

Sales by channel have been adjusted to properly reflect changes in customer types resulting from a review of our customer lists. As a result of this adjustment, sales to the independents sales channel decreased 1.0% for the year ended July 29, 2006 and sales to the supermarket sales channel increased 0.6% for the year ended July 29, 2006.

Gross Profit

Our gross profit increased approximately 9.4%, or $43.7 million, to $509.6 million for the year ended July 28, 2007, from $465.9 million for the year ended July 29, 2006. Our gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 18.5% for the year ended July 28, 2007 and 19.1% for the year ended July 29, 2006. The decline in gross profit as a percentage of net sales was driven by missed forward buying opportunities of approximately $1.9 million due to our focus on our expanded Whole Foods Market relationship in the Southern Pacific region of the United States, which we commenced in January 2007; the full year effect of new customer agreements; $0.5 million of spoilage issues related to certain inventory at our Albert’s Organics division; and $1.9 million of incremental inventory adjustments within our broadline distribution business; partially offset by increases in rates within our fuel surcharge program, which passes to our customers the increased fuel costs associated with distributing our products to customers. Our intention is to increase our branded product revenues, which we believe will allow us to generate higher gross margins over the long-term, as branded product revenues generally yield higher margins.

Operating Expenses

Our total operating expenses increased approximately 7.8%, or $30.1 million, to $416.1 million for the year ended July 28, 2007, from $386.0 million for the year ended July 29, 2006. The increase in total operating expenses for the year ended July 28, 2007 was due to increases in infrastructure and personnel costs within our wholesale division of $19.9 million to support our continued sales growth; a $3.2 million increase in fuel costs; increased health insurance expenses of approximately $4.9 million; increased depreciation expense of approximately $1.2 million; a loss of $1.5 million related to the sale of one of our Auburn, California facilities; $1.1 million of incremental and redundant costs incurred in connection with the start up of our Sarasota, Florida facility; and $1.0 million of costs to transition the expanded relationship with Whole Foods Market in the Southern Pacific region of the United States to our facility located in Fontana, California, all recorded during the year ended July 28, 2007. These increases were partially offset by reductions of $1.3 million in bad debt expense. Total operating expenses for the year

24




ended July 29, 2006 included $2.5 million of expenses incurred in connection with the employment transition agreement entered into during the first quarter of fiscal 2006 with our former President and Chief Executive Officer, not including the effect of share-based compensation discussed below, and $0.9 million of incremental and redundant costs incurred in connection with the transition from our former warehouses and outside storage facility in Auburn, California into our new facility in Rocklin, California. Total operating expenses for the year ended July 28, 2007 includes share-based compensation expense of $4.0 million, compared to $5.5 million in the year ended July 29, 2006, resulting from the adoption of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123(R)”). The $5.5 million of share-based compensation expense recorded in the year ended July 29, 2006 included $1.0 million related to the accelerated vesting of certain stock options pursuant to the employment transition agreement entered into during the first quarter of fiscal 2006 with our former President and Chief Executive Officer. See Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

As a percentage of net sales, total operating expenses decreased to approximately 15.1% for the year ended July 28, 2007, from approximately 15.9% for the year ended July 29, 2006. The decrease in operating expenses as a percentage of net sales was primarily attributable to further leveraging our fixed operating costs due to our increased sales, improved operations in our Select Nutrition division and increased efficiencies due to our recent distribution facility openings, offset by operating losses related to the Albert’s Organics Greenwood, Indiana location (which operations were transferred to the Albert’s Organics Minneapolis, Minnesota facility effective October 31, 2006). We expect these efficiencies to continue to lower operating expenses relative to sales over the long-term. We also expect to open new facilities, including our facilities in Sarasota, Florida and Ridgefield, Washington, that will contribute efficiencies and lead to lower operating expenses related to sales over the long-term.

Operating Income

Operating income increased approximately 17.0%, or $13.6 million, to $93.5 million for the year ended July 28, 2007, from $79.9 million for the year ended July 29, 2006. As a percentage of net sales, operating income was 3.4% for the year ended July 28, 2007 compared to 3.3% for the year ended July 29, 2006.

Other Expense (Income)

Other expense (income) increased $0.7 million to $11.3 million for the year ended July 28, 2007, from $10.5 million for the year ended July 29, 2006. Interest expense for the year ended July 28, 2007 increased to $12.1 million from $11.2 million in the year ended July 29, 2006. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increase in our effective interest rate. Interest income for the year ended July 28, 2007 increased to $1.0 million from $0.3 million in the year ended July 29, 2006. The increase in interest income was due to higher average cash levels during the year ended July 28, 2007 than during the year ended July 29, 2006.

Provision for Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate was 39.0% and 37.6% for the years ended July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively. This increase in the effective tax rate relates to our utilization of certain net operating loss carryforwards during fiscal 2006 as well as share-based compensation for incentive stock options, because certain incentive stock option expenses are not deductible for tax purposes until a disqualifying disposition occurs. A disqualifying disposition occurs when the option holder sells shares within one year of exercising an incentive stock option. We receive a tax benefit in the period that the disqualifying disposition occurs. Our effective income tax rate will continue to be affected by the tax impact related to incentive stock options and the timing of tax benefits related to disqualifying dispositions.

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Net Income

Net income increased $6.9 million to $50.2 million, or $1.17 per diluted share for the year ended July 28, 2007, compared to $43.3 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, for the year ended July 29, 2006. We expect earnings per diluted share in the range of $1.40 to $1.45 for fiscal 2008.

Year ended July 29, 2006 compared to Year ended July 31, 2005

Net Sales

Our net sales increased approximately 18.2%, or $374.0 million, to $2.43 billion for the year ended July 29, 2006 from $2.06 billion for the year ended July 31, 2005. This increase was primarily due to organic growth in our wholesale distribution segment, excluding acquisitions, of 17.4%. Our organic growth was due to the continued growth of the natural products industry in general, increased market share as a result of our focus on service and added value services, and the opening of new, and expansion of existing, distribution centers, which allowed us to carry a broader selection of products. In addition to our organic growth, we also benefited from the inclusion of sales related to our acquisitions of Roots & Fruits in July 2005 and Select Nutrition in December 2004.

In the year ended July 29, 2006, Whole Foods Market comprised approximately 26% of net sales and Wild Oats Markets comprised approximately 10% of net sales. In the year ended July 31, 2005, Whole Foods Market comprised approximately 26 % of net sales and Wild Oats Markets comprised approximately 11% of net sales.

The following table lists the percentage of sales by customer type for the years ended July 29, 2006 and July 31, 2005:

Customer Type

 

 

 

Percentage of 
Net Sales

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Independently owned natural products retailers

 

 

46

%

 

 

45

%

 

Supernatural chains

 

 

36

%

 

 

37

%

 

Conventional supermarkets

 

 

14

%

 

 

14

%

 

Other

 

 

4

%

 

 

4

%

 

 

Sales by channel have been adjusted to properly reflect changes in customer types resulting from a review of our customer lists. As a result of this adjustment, sales to the independents sales channel decreased 1.0% for the years ended July 29, 2006 and July 31, 2005 and sales to the supermarket sales channel increased 0.6% for the years ended July 29, 2006 and July 31, 2005.

Gross Profit

Our gross profit increased approximately 17.9%, or $70.9 million, to $465.9 million for the year ended July 29, 2006, from $395.0 million for the year ended July 31, 2005. Our gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 19.1% for the year ended July 29, 2006 and 19.2% for the year ended July 31, 2005. Overall, gross profit was affected by higher inbound freight costs that we were unable to pass along to customers due to timing. These costs were offset by the full year implementation of a fuel surcharge program which passes to our customers the increased fuel costs associated with distributing our products to customers and gross profit improvement experienced at Select Nutrition during the year ended July 29, 2006.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses increased approximately 19.7%, or $63.5 million, to $386.0 million for the year ended July 29, 2006, from $322.5 million for the year ended July 31, 2005. The increase in total

26




operating expenses for the year ended July 29, 2006 was due to the increase in our infrastructure to support our continued sales growth, share-based compensation expense, and the inclusion of operating expenses related to our acquisitions of Roots & Fruits and Select Nutrition. Operating expenses for the year ended July 29, 2006 includes share-based compensation expense of $5.5 million, resulting from the adoption of SFAS 123(R). (See Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.)  During the year ended July 29, 2006, certain options were accelerated pursuant to the employment transition agreement the Company entered into during the first quarter of fiscal 2006 with its former President and Chief Executive Officer. This acceleration resulted in $1.0 million of share-based compensation expense during the year ended July 29, 2006. In addition, we incurred a loss of $0.5 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 related to the sale of certain equipment at our vacated Auburn, California facility. These assets had been reclassified to “held-for-sale” during the second quarter of fiscal 2006. Total operating expenses for the year ended July 29, 2006 included expenses related to incremental and redundant costs incurred during the transition from our former warehouses and outside storage facility in Auburn, California into our new larger facility in Rocklin, California of $0.9 million, certain incremental costs associated with the opening of our new Greenwood, Indiana facility of $0.1 million and certain expenses incurred in accordance with the employment transition agreement we entered into our former President and Chief Executive Officer, of $2.5 million, not including the effect of share-based compensation discussed below. Total operating expenses in fiscal 2005 included a $0.2 million restructuring charge related to severance costs, which resulted from our reduced operations at our Mounds View, Minnesota facility, $0.5 million for certain non-recurring labor and other costs associated with the discontinuance of the use of our Mounds View, Minnesota facility for broadline distribution, the closing of our Hawaii facility and $0.3 million in costs related to the opening of the Greenwood, Indiana facility.

As a percentage of net sales, total operating expenses increased to approximately 15.9% for the year ended July 29, 2006, from approximately 15.7% for the year ended July 31, 2005. The increase in operating expenses as a percentage of net sales was primarily attributable to share-based compensation expense of $5.5 million, of which $4.5 million related to the expense for share-based payment awards and $1.0 million related to the accelerated vesting of certain options pursuant to the employment transition agreement we entered into with our former President and Chief Executive Officer.

Operating Income

Operating income increased approximately 10.2%, or $7.4 million, to $79.9 million, or 3.3% of net sales, for the year ended July 29, 2006 from $72.5 million, or 3.5% of net sales, for the year ended July 31, 2005.

Other Expense (Income)

Other expense (income) increased $5.1 million to $10.5 million for the year ended July 29, 2006 from $5.5 million for the year ended July 31, 2005. Interest expense for the year ended July 29, 2006 increased to $11.2 million from $6.6 million in the year ended July 31, 2005. The increase in interest expense was due to an increase in our effective interest rate, combined with higher debt levels during the year. The higher debt levels during the year were due to increased working capital needs related to the opening of our Greenwood, Indiana and Rocklin, California distribution facilities. In the year ended July 31, 2005, other expense (income) included $0.6 million related to the early termination of an interest rate swap agreement on July 29, 2005, which was originally entered into in May 2003.

Provision for Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate was 37.6% and 38.0% for the years ended July 29, 2006 and July 31, 2005, respectively. This decrease in the effective tax rate relates to our utilization of certain net operating loss carryforwards during fiscal 2006. The decrease was partially offset by the adoption of SFAS 123(R)

27




and the recognition of share-based compensation for incentive stock options in the income statement, as certain incentive stock option expenses are not deductible for tax purposes until a disqualifying disposition occurs. A disqualifying disposition occurs when the option holder sells shares within one year of exercising an incentive stock option. We receive a tax benefit in the period that the disqualifying disposition occurs. Our effective income tax rate will continue to be affected by the tax impact related to incentive stock options and the timing of tax benefits related to disqualifying dispositions.

Net Income

Net income increased $1.7 million to $43.3 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, for the year ended July 29, 2006, compared to $41.6 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, for the year ended July 31, 2005.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We finance operations and growth primarily with cash flows from operations, borrowings under our credit facility, operating leases, trade payables and bank indebtedness. From time to time, depending on our capital needs and market conditions, we may also sell equity and debt securities to finance our operations and growth.

On April 30, 2004, we entered into an amended and restated four-year $250 million revolving credit facility with a bank group that was led by Bank of America Business Capital (formerly Fleet Capital Corporation) as the administrative agent. The credit facility replaced an existing $150 million revolving credit facility. The terms and conditions of our amended and restated credit facility provide us with more financial and operational flexibility, reduced costs and increased liquidity than did our prior credit facility. We amended this facility effective as of January 1, 2006, reducing the rate at which interest accrues on LIBOR borrowings from one-month LIBOR plus 0.90% to one-month LIBOR plus 0.75%. Our amended and restated credit facility, which matures on March 31, 2008, supports our working capital requirements in the ordinary course of business and provides capital to grow our business organically or through acquisitions. We are currently investigating options for renewing or renegotiating this credit facility in fiscal 2008. As of July 28, 2007, our borrowing base, based on accounts receivable and inventory levels, was $250 million, with remaining availability of $117.9 million.

In April 2003, we executed a term loan agreement in the principal amount of $30 million secured by the real property that was released from the lien under our $150 million revolving credit facility in accordance with an amendment to the loan and security agreement related to that facility. The $30 million term loan is repayable over seven years based on a fifteen-year amortization schedule. Interest on the term loan accrued at one-month LIBOR plus 1.50%. In December 2003, we amended this term loan agreement by increasing the principal amount from $30 million to $40 million under the existing terms and conditions. On July 29, 2005, we entered into an amended term loan agreement which further increased the principal amount of this term loan from $40 million to up to $75 million and decreased the rate at which interest accrues to one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%. As of July 28, 2007, $66.3 million was outstanding under the term loan agreement.

We believe that our capital requirements for fiscal 2008 will be between $50 and $55 million. We will finance these requirements with cash generated from operations and the use of our existing credit facilities. Our planned capital projects will provide both expanded facilities and technology that we believe will provide us with the capacity to continue to support the growth and expansion of our business. We believe that our future capital requirements will be similar to our anticipated fiscal 2008 requirements, as a percentage of net sales, as we plan to continue to invest in our growth by upgrading our infrastructure and expanding our facilities. Future investments in acquisitions will be financed through either equity or long-term debt negotiated at the time of the potential acquisition.

28




Net cash provided by operations was $35.5 million for the year ended July 28, 2007, an increase of $10.3 million from $25.2 million for the year ended July 29, 2006. The increase was primarily due to an increase in net income, non-cash expenses related to deferred income taxes and losses on disposals of property and equipment, increases in accounts payable and decreases in accounts receivable. These increases in net cash provided by operations were partially offset by an increase in inventory levels in order to support increased sales with wider product assortment and availability and to build up inventory to support our Sarasota, Florida facility, and an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets. Days in inventory was 49 days at July 28, 2007 compared to 47 days at July 29, 2006. Days sales outstanding improved to 22 days at July 28, 2007, compared to 23 days at July 29, 2006. Working capital increased by $33.6 million, or 18.4%, to $216.5 million at July 28, 2007 compared to working capital of $182.9 million at July 29, 2006.

Net cash used in investing activities increased $29.3 million to $51.7 million for the year ended July 28, 2007, compared to $22.4 million for the year ended July 29, 2006 and was primarily due to increased purchases of acquired businesses of $6.0 million and increased capital expenditures of $27.5 million, partially offset by increased proceeds of $5.2 million recorded in the year ended July 28, 2007 related to the sale of one of our Auburn, California facilities. Increased capital expenditures were primarily to fund the construction of our new facility in Ridgefield, Washington.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $13.1 million for the year ended July 28, 2007, primarily due to $10.0 million in proceeds received from the increase in borrowings under our term loan, the increase in our bank overdraft and proceeds from, and the tax benefit due to, the exercise of stock options; partially offset by repayments of long-term debt and notes payable. Net cash provided by financing activities was $4.6 million for the year ended July 29, 2006, primarily due to $24.0 million in proceeds from, and the tax benefit due to, the exercise of stock options; partially offset by purchases of treasury stock, a decrease in our bank overdraft, repayments on our credit facility and long-term debt.

On December 1, 2004, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million of common stock from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. As part of the stock repurchase program, we purchased 228,800 shares of our common stock for our treasury during the year ended July 29, 2006 at an aggregate cost of approximately $6.1 million. All shares were purchased at prevailing market prices. No such purchases were made during the year ended July 28, 2007. We may continue or, from time to time, suspend repurchases of shares under our stock repurchase program, depending on prevailing market conditions, alternate uses of capital and other factors. Whether and when to initiate and/or complete any purchase of common stock and the amount of common stock purchased will be determined in our complete discretion.

In August 2005, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement effective July 29, 2005. This agreement provides for us to pay interest for a seven-year period at a fixed rate of 4.70% on a notional principal amount of $50 million while receiving interest for the same period at one-month LIBOR on the same notional principal amount. The swap has been entered into as a hedge against LIBOR movements on current variable rate indebtedness totaling $65 million at LIBOR plus 1.00%, thereby fixing our effective rate on the notional amount at 5.70%. LIBOR was 5.32% as of July 28, 2007. The swap agreement qualifies as an “effective” hedge under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 133”).

In May 2003, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement. The agreement provided for us to pay interest for a seven-year period at a fixed rate of 3.68% on a notional principal amount of $30 million while receiving interest for the same period at one-month LIBOR on the same notional principal amount. The swap had been entered into as a hedge against LIBOR movements on variable rate indebtedness totaling $30 million at LIBOR plus 1.50%, thereby fixing the effective rate on the notional amount at 5.18%. The swap agreement qualified as an “effective” hedge under SFAS 133. On July 29, 2005, this agreement was

29




terminated and income of $0.6 million was recorded in other expense (income) in our statement of income for the year ended July 31, 2005.

We enter into commodity swap agreements to reduce price risk associated with anticipated purchases of diesel fuel. The outstanding commodity swap agreements hedged a portion of our expected fuel usage for the periods set forth in the agreements. We monitor the commodity (NYMEX #2 Heating oil) used in our swap agreements to determine that the correlation between the commodity and diesel fuel is deemed to be “highly effective.”  Our commodity swap agreements matured on October 31, 2006 and June 30, 2007. At July 28, 2007, we had no outstanding commodity swap agreements.

Commitments and Contingencies

The following schedule summarizes our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of July 28, 2007:

 

 

Payments Due by Period

 

 

 


Total

 

Less than 
One Year

 

1–3
Years

 

3–5
Years

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Inventory purchase commitments

 

$

25,488

 

$

25,488

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable

 

120,000

 

120,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

72,001

 

6,934

 

11,209

 

10,080

 

 

43,778

 

 

Long-term non-capitalized leases

 

113,054

 

22,865

 

39,522

 

27,805

 

 

22,862

 

 

Total

 

$

330,543

 

$

175,287

 

$

50,731

 

$

37,885

 

 

$

66,640

 

 

 

The notes payable, long-term debt and non-capitalized lease obligations shown above exclude interest payments due. In addition, cash to be paid for income taxes is excluded from the table above.

We had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $12.1 million at July 28, 2007.

Assets mortgaged amounted to approximately $100.8 million at July 28, 2007.

Seasonality

In the fiscal years ended July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006, we experienced a slight sequential decline in sales from the third fiscal quarter to the fourth fiscal quarter. This may indicate that our business is developing some seasonality during late spring and early summer months.

Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes detailed guidance for the financial statement recognition, measurement and disclosure of uncertain tax positions recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold at the effective date to be recognized upon the adoption of FIN 48 and in subsequent periods. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and the provisions of FIN 48 will be applied to all tax positions upon initial adoption of the Interpretation. The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of this Interpretation will be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for that fiscal year. We will adopt FIN 48 in fiscal 2008. We do not believe that the adoption of FIN 48 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced

30




disclosures about fair value measurements under other accounting pronouncements, but does not change the existing guidance as to whether or not an instrument is carried at fair value. The statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We will adopt SFAS 157 in fiscal 2009 and currently are evaluating whether the adoption of SFAS 157 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value and establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We will adopt SFAS 159 in fiscal 2009 and currently are evaluating whether the adoption of SFAS 159 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 7A.        QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

We are exposed to interest rate fluctuations on our borrowings. As more fully described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, we use interest rate swap agreements to modify variable rate obligations to fixed rate obligations.

We began managing portions of our debt portfolio by using interest rate swaps to achieve a desired mix of fixed rates in 1998. At July 28, 2007, we had one interest rate swap relating to our $75 million term loan agreement. We account for our interest rate swap agreement entered into during August 2005 (“2005 swap”) using hedge accounting treatment because the derivative has been determined to be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value of the hedged items. The agreement provides for us to pay interest for a seven-year period at a fixed rate of 4.70% on an amortizing notional principal amount of $50 million while receiving interest for the same period at one-month LIBOR on the same amortizing notional principal amount. The 2005 swap has been entered into as a hedge against LIBOR movements on current variable rate indebtedness totaling $65 million at LIBOR plus 1.00%, thereby fixing our effective rate on the notional amount at 5.70%. Under this method of accounting, at July 28, 2007, we had recorded an asset of $0.6 million representing the fair value of the swap. We do not enter into derivative agreements for trading purposes.

At July 28, 2007, we had long-term floating rate debt of $66.3 million and long-term fixed rate debt of $5.7 million, representing 92% and 8%, respectively, of our long-term debt. At July 29, 2006, we had long-term floating rate debt of $61.0 million and long-term fixed rate debt of $4.1 million, representing 94% and 6%, respectively, of our long-term debt. Holding other swap terms and debt levels constant, a 25 basis point change in interest rates would change the unrealized fair market value of the fixed rate debt by approximately $29,000 and $137,000 at July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively. At July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006, the after-tax earnings and cash flows impact resulting from a 25 basis point increase in interest rates would be approximately $98,000 and $91,000, respectively, holding other variables constant.

31




ITEM 8.                FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The financial statements listed below are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

United Natural Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries:

 

 

Page

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

33

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

35

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

36

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

 

37

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

38

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

39

 

32




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
United Natural Foods, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of United Natural Foods, Inc. (the “Company”) as of July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended July 28, 2007. We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of July 28, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, 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 Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting 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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting 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 audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

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, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended July 28, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial

33




reporting as of July 28, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, effective August 1, 2005, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment.

GRAPHIC

Providence, Rhode Island

September 21, 2007

 

34




UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

July 28,
2007

 

July 29,
2006

 

 

 

(In thousands, except
per share data)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

17,010

 

$

20,054

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $4,416 and $4,571, respectively

 

160,329

 

151,642

 

Notes receivable, trade, net of allowance of $44 and $2,357, respectively

 

1,836

 

1,254

 

Inventories

 

312,377

 

257,259

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

8,199

 

5,728

 

Assets held for sale

 

5,935

 

6,868

 

Deferred income taxes

 

9,474

 

10,911

 

Total current assets

 

515,160

 

453,716

 

Property & equipment, net

 

185,083

 

163,247

 

Goodwill

 

79,903

 

78,016

 

Notes receivable, trade, net of allowance of $1,521 and $1,505, respectively

 

2,647

 

2,760

 

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $423 and $484, respectively

 

8,552

 

251

 

Other

 

9,553

 

6,561

 

Total assets

 

$

800,898

 

$

704,551

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable

 

120,000

 

125,005

 

Accounts payable

 

134,576

 

102,146

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

37,132

 

38,201

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

6,934

 

5,433

 

Total current liabilities

 

298,642

 

270,785

 

Long-term debt, excluding current portion

 

65,067

 

59,716

 

Deferred income taxes

 

9,555

 

9,693

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

839

 

883

 

Total liabilities

 

374,103

 

341,077

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 5,000 shares; none issued or outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 100,000 shares; 43,051 issued and 42,822 outstanding shares at July 28, 2007; 42,477 issued and 42,248 outstanding shares at July 29, 2006

 

431

 

425

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

163,473

 

149,840

 

Unallocated shares of Employee Stock Ownership Plan

 

(1,203

)

(1,380

)

Treasury stock

 

(6,092

)

(6,092

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

399

 

1,047

 

Retained earnings

 

269,787

 

219,634

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

426,795

 

363,474

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

800,898

 

$

704,551

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

35




UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

 

July 28,
2007

 

July 29,
2006

 

July 31,
2005

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Net sales

 

$

2,754,280

 

$

2,433,594

 

$

2,059,568

 

Cost of sales (Note 1)

 

2,244,702

 

1,967,684

 

1,664,523

 

Gross profit

 

509,578

 

465,910

 

395,045

 

Operating expenses

 

415,337

 

385,982

 

322,345

 

Impairment on assets held for sale

 

756

 

 

 

Restructuring charge

 

 

 

170

 

Total operating expenses

 

416,093

 

385,982

 

322,515

 

Operating income

 

93,485

 

79,928

 

72,530

 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

12,089

 

11,210

 

6,568

 

Interest income

 

(975

)

(297

)

(243

)

Other, net

 

156

 

(381

)

(847

)

Total other expense

 

11,270

 

10,532

 

5,478

 

Income before income taxes

 

82,215

 

69,396

 

67,052

 

Provision for income taxes

 

32,062

 

26,119

 

25,480

 

Net income

 

$

50,153

 

$

43,277

 

$

41,572

 

Basic per share data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1.18

 

$

1.04

 

$

1.02

 

Weighted average basic shares of common stock

 

42,445

 

41,682

 

40,639

 

Diluted per share data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1.17

 

$

1.02

 

$

1.00

 

Weighted average diluted shares of common stock

 

42,786

 

42,304

 

41,607

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

36




UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

Common Stock

 

Treasury Stock

 

Additional
Paid in

 

Unallocated
Shares of

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

Retained

 

Total
Stockholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

ESOP

 

Income

 

Earnings

 

Equity

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Balances at July 31, 2004

 

 

40,118

 

 

 

$

401

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

101,118

 

 

 

$

(1,768

)

 

 

$

240

 

 

 

$

134,785

 

 

 

$

234,776

 

 

Allocation of shares to ESOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

163

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

163

 

 

Issuance of common stock, net

 

 

1,169

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,141

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,153

 

 

Tax benefit associated with stock plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,095

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,095

 

 

Fair value of swap agreement, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(240

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(240

)

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

41,572

 

 

 

41,572

 

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

41,332

 

 

Balances at July 31, 2005

 

 

41,287

 

 

 

$

413

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

120,354

 

 

 

$

(1,605

)

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

176,357

 

 

 

$

295,519

 

 

Allocation of shares to ESOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

225

 

 

Issuance of common stock and restricted stock, net

 

 

1,190

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,667

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,679

 

 

Purchases of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

229

 

 

 

(6,092

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6,092

)

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,507

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,507

 

 

Tax benefit associated with stock plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,312

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,312

 

 

Fair value of swap agreement, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,047

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,047

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

43,277

 

 

 

43,277

 

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44,324

 

 

Balances at July 29, 2006

 

 

42,477

 

 

 

$

425

 

 

 

229

 

 

 

$

(6,092

)

 

 

$

149,840

 

 

 

$

(1,380

)

 

 

$

1,047

 

 

 

$

219,634

 

 

 

$

363,474

 

 

Allocation of shares to ESOP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

177

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

177

 

 

Issuance of common stock and restricted stock, net

 

 

574

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,121

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,127

 

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,994

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,994

 

 

Tax benefit associated with stock plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,518

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,518

 

 

Fair value of swap agreements, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(648

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(648

)

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50,153

 

 

 

50,153

 

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

49,505

 

 

Balances at July 28, 2007

 

 

43,051

 

 

 

$

431

 

 

 

229

 

 

 

$

(6,092

)

 

 

$

163,473

 

 

 

$

(1,203

)

 

 

$

399

 

 

 

$

269,787

 

 

 

$

426,795

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

37




UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

Years Ended

 

 

 

July 28,

 

July 29,

 

July 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

50,153

 

$

43,277

 

$

41,572

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activites:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

18,376

 

17,099

 

13,573

 

Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment

 

1,997

 

(140

)

(29

)

Impairment on assets held for sale

 

756

 

 

 

Deferred income tax expense

 

1,707

 

(1,355

)

1,763

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

1,528

 

2,829

 

2,471

 

Share-based compensation

 

3,994

 

5,507

 

162

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquired companies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(10,216

)

(17,934

)

(27,437

)

Inventories

 

(52,975

)

(21,242

)

(34,645

)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

(5,772

)

4,349

 

(3,291

)

Notes receivable, trade

 

(469

)

(1,335

)

(306

)

Accounts payable

 

27,739

 

(8,936

)

4,893

 

Accrued expenses

 

(1,308

)

3,069

 

4,199

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

35,510

 

25,188

 

2,925

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(46,804

)

(19,290

)

(65,951

)

Purchases of acquired businesses, net of cash acquired

 

(9,303

)

(3,286

)

(16,615

)

Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment

 

5,452

 

224

 

242

 

Other investing activities

 

(1,010

)

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(51,665

)

(22,352

)

(82,324

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (repayments) borrowings under note payable

 

(5,005

)

1,431

 

10,850

 

Proceeds from borrowing of long-term debt

 

10,000

 

 

30,288

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

7,127

 

18,679

 

10,991

 

Repayments of long-term debt

 

(6,216

)

(5,854

)

(8,438

)

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

 

2,518

 

5,312

 

8,095

 

Increase (decrease) in bank overdraft

 

4,691

 

(8,300

)

27,326

 

Principal payments of capital lease obligations

 

(4

)

(573

)

(731

)

Purchases of treasury stock

 

 

(6,092

)

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

13,111

 

4,603

 

78,381

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(3,044

)

7,439

 

(1,018

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

20,054

 

12,615

 

13,633

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

17,010

 

$

20,054

 

$

12,615

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

 

$

11,877

 

$

10,352

 

$

7,006

 

Federal and state income taxes, net of refunds

 

$

28,607

 

$

21,485

 

$

16,609

 

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of assets acquired

 

$

8,498

 

$

 

$

 

Cash paid for assets

 

(5,498

)

 

 

Liabilities incurred (see Note 2)

 

$

3,000

 

$

 

$

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

38




UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Nature of Business

United Natural Foods, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a distributor and retailer of natural and organic products. The Company sells its products primarily throughout the United States.

(b) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Effective August 1, 2005, the Company changed the fiscal periods in its fiscal year to end on the Saturday closest to July 31. As such, fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006 ended on July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively, compared to fiscal 2005, which ended on July 31, 2005. This change in fiscal year end did not have a material impact on the Company’s operations.

Net sales consist primarily of sales of natural and organic products to retailers adjusted for customer volume discounts, returns and allowances. Net sales also consist of amounts due to the Company from customers for shipping and handling, and fuel surcharges. The principal components of cost of sales include the amount paid to manufacturers and growers for product sold, plus the cost of transportation necessary to bring the product to the Company’s distribution facilities. Cost of sales also includes amounts incurred by the Company for inbound transportation costs, depreciation for manufacturing equipment at the Company’s manufacturing segment, Hershey Import Company, Inc. (“Hershey Imports”) and consideration received from suppliers in connection with the purchase or promotion of the suppliers’ products. Operating expenses include salaries and wages, employee benefits (including payments under the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan), warehousing and delivery, selling, occupancy, insurance, administrative, share-based compensation and amortization expense. Operating expenses also includes depreciation expense related to the wholesale and retail segments. Other expenses (income) include interest on outstanding indebtedness, interest income and miscellaneous income and expenses.

(c) Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

(d) Inventories and Cost of Sales

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Allowances received from suppliers are recorded as reductions in cost of sales upon the sale of the related products.

(e) Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Equipment under capital leases is stated at the lower of the present value of minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease or the fair value of the asset. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment is computed on a straight-line basis, over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, when applicable, the life of the lease, whichever is shorter. Applicable interest charges incurred during the

39




construction of new facilities is capitalized as one of the elements of cost and is amortized over the assets’ estimated useful lives. Interest capitalized for each of the years ended July 28, 2007, July 29, 2006, and July 31, 2005 was $0.2 million, $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

Property and equipment consisted of the following at July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006:

 

 

Estimated
Useful Lives
(Years)

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(In thousands, except years)

 

Land

 

 

 

 

 

$

12,304

 

$

8,453

 

Buildings and improvements

 

 

20-40

 

 

109,893

 

115,987

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

5-20

 

 

15,432

 

15,981

 

Warehouse equipment

 

 

3-30

 

 

62,762

 

56,663

 

Office equipment

 

 

3-10

 

 

45,758

 

43,448

 

Motor vehicles

 

 

3-7

 

 

4,552

 

4,892

 

Equipment under capital leases

 

 

5

 

 

5,570

 

5,570

 

Construction in progress

 

 

 

 

 

28,186

 

2,443

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

284,457

 

253,437

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

99,374

 

90,190

 

Net property and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

$

185,083

 

$

163,247

 

 

The increase in construction in progress from the fiscal year ended July 29, 2006 to the fiscal year ended July 28, 2007 relates primarily to the construction of a new facility in Ridgefield, Washington.

(f) Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

(g) Intangible Assets and Other Long-Lived Assets

Intangible assets consist principally of goodwill, covenants not to compete, trademarks and tradenames. Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired in connection with purchase business combinations. Covenants not to compete are initially recorded at fair value and are amortized using the straight-line method over the lives of the respective agreements, generally three to five years. Trademarks and tradenames are initially recorded at fair value and are amortized using the straight-line method over their respective useful lives, if applicable. Trademarks and tradenames that are determined to be indefinite lived are recorded at fair value.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, requires that companies test goodwill for impairment at least annually and between annual tests if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Company has elected to perform its annual tests for indications of goodwill impairment during the fourth quarter of each year. Impairment losses are determined based upon the excess of carrying amounts over discounted expected future cash flows of the underlying business. The assessment of the recoverability of long-lived assets will be impacted if estimated future cash flows are not achieved. For reporting units that indicate potential impairment, the Company determines the implied fair

40




value of that reporting unit using a discounted cash flow analysis and compares such values to the respective reporting units’ carrying amounts.

As of July 28, 2007, the Company’s annual assessment of each of its reporting units indicated that no impairment of goodwill existed. Total goodwill as of July 28, 2007 was $79.9 million. The Company recorded additional goodwill in the manufacturing division of approximately $1.8 million during the year ended July 28, 2007 due to the acquisitions of Organic Brands LLC (“Organic Brands”) and other branded product lines.

Other intangibles consist of covenants not to compete with a weighted average amortization period of 3.17 years and indefinite lived trademarks and tradenames that are not subject to amortization. The Company had covenants not to compete and related accumulated amortization of $0.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively at July 28, 2007, and $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively, at July 29, 2006. The Company had trademarks and tradenames of $8.3 million at July 28, 2007. Amortization expense was $0.1 million, $0.6 million, and $0.7 million for the years ended July 28, 2007, July 29, 2006, and July 31, 2005, respectively.

Estimated amortization expense for the next three fiscal years is as follows:

Fiscal Year:

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

2008

 

 

$

146

 

 

2009

 

 

98

 

 

2010

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

$

278

 

 

 

(h) Revenue Recognition and Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company records revenue upon delivery of products. Revenues are recorded net of applicable sales discounts and estimated sales returns. Sales incentives provided to customers are accounted for as reductions in revenue as the related revenue is recorded. The Company’s sales are primarily with customers located throughout the United States.

In the year ended July 28, 2007, one customer, Whole Foods Market, Inc. (“Whole Foods Market”) generated 10% or more of the Company’s net sales. In the years ended July 29, 2006 and July 31, 2005, two customers, Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (“Wild Oats Markets”), generated 10% or more of the Company’s net sales. Net sales to Whole Foods Market were approximately 28% of net sales in fiscal 2007 and approximately 26% of net sales in fiscal 2006 and 2005. Wild Oats Markets represented approximately 9%, 10% and 11% of net sales in fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.

The Company analyzes customer creditworthiness, accounts receivable balances, payment history, payment terms and historical bad debt levels when evaluating the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts. In instances where a reserve has been recorded for a particular customer, future sales to the customer are conducted using either cash-on-delivery terms, or the account is closely monitored so that as agreed upon payments are received, orders are released; a failure to pay results in held or cancelled orders.

(i) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying value of notes receivable, long-term debt and capital lease obligations are based on the instruments’ interest rate, terms, maturity date and collateral, if any, in comparison to the Company’s incremental borrowing rate for similar financial instruments.

41




The following estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange.

 

 

July 28, 2007

 

July 29, 2006

 

 

 

Carrying Value

 

Fair Value

 

Carrying Value

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

$

17,010

 

 

$

17,010

 

 

$

20,054

 

 

$

20,054

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

160,329

 

 

160,329

 

 

151,642

 

 

151,642

 

Notes receivable

 

 

4,483

 

 

4,483

 

 

4,014

 

 

4,014

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable

 

 

120,000

 

 

120,000

 

 

125,005

 

 

125,005

 

Long term debt, including current portion

 

 

72,001

 

 

72,092

 

 

65,149

 

 

65,204

 

Capital leases, including current portion

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

4

 

Swap agreements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swap

 

 

643

 

 

643

 

 

1,178

 

 

1,178

 

Heating oil swaps

 

 

 

 

 

 

521

 

 

521

 

 

(j) Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported therein. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be based upon amounts that differ from those estimates.

(k) Notes Receivable, Trade

The Company issues trade notes receivable to certain customers under two basic circumstances; inventory purchases for initial store openings and overdue accounts receivable. Initial store opening notes are generally receivable over a period not to exceed twelve months. The overdue accounts receivable notes may extend for periods greater than one year. All notes are issued at a market interest rate and contain certain guarantees and collateral assignments in favor of the Company.

(l) Share-Based Compensation

The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123(R)”), effective August 1, 2005. SFAS 123(R) requires the recognition of the fair value of share-based compensation in net income. The Company has three share-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 3. Share-based compensation consists of stock options and restricted stock awards. Stock options are granted to employees at exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the Company’s stock at the dates of grant. Generally, stock options and restricted stock granted to employees vest ratably over the four years from the grant date. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense over the requisite service period of the individual grants, which generally equals the vesting period. Prior to August 1, 2005 the Company accounted for these plans under the intrinsic value method described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations. Under the intrinsic value method, no share-based compensation expense was reflected in net income for stock option grants. For the effects on net income and earnings per share, if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to share-based compensation, see Note 3.

42




(m) Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are calculated by adding the dilutive potential common shares to the weighted average number of common shares that were outstanding during the period. For purposes of the diluted earnings per share calculation, outstanding stock options are considered common stock equivalents, using the treasury stock method. A reconciliation of the weighted average number of shares outstanding used in the computation of the basic and diluted earnings per share for all periods presented follows:

 

 

Years ended

 

 

 

July 28,
2007

 

July 29,
2006

 

July 31,
2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

42,445

 

41,682

 

40,639

 

Net effect of dilutive stock options based upon the treasury stock method

 

341

 

622

 

968

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

42,786

 

42,304

 

41,607

 

Potential anti-dilutive common shares excluded from the computation above

 

311

 

14

 

10

 

 

(n) Comprehensive Income

Components of other comprehensive income include net income and certain transactions that have generally been reported in the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity. Other comprehensive income is comprised of net income and the net change in fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges.

(o) Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company is exposed to market risks arising from changes in interest rates and fuel costs. The Company uses derivatives principally in the management of interest rate and fuel exposure. The Company does not utilize derivatives that contain leverage features. On the date on which the Company enters into a derivative transaction, the derivative is designated as a hedge of the identified exposure. The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction. In this documentation, the Company specifically identifies the asset, liability, firm commitment, forecasted transaction, or net investment that has been designated as the hedged item and states how the hedging instrument is expected to reduce the risks related to the hedged item. The Company measures effectiveness of its hedging relationships both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis as needed.

(p) Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

The Company includes shipping and handling fees billed to customers in net sales. Shipping and handling costs associated with inbound freight are generally recorded in cost of sales, whereas shipping and handling costs for outbound freight are recorded in operating expenses.

(q) Reserves for Self Insurance

The Company is primarily self-insured for workers’ compensation, and general and automobile liability insurance. It is the Company’s policy to record the self-insured portion of workers’ compensation and automobile liabilities based upon actuarial methods to estimate the future cost of claims and related expenses that have been reported but not settled, and that have been incurred but not yet reported. Any

43




projection of losses concerning workers’ compensation and automobile liability is subject to a considerable degree of variability. Among the causes of this variability are unpredictable external factors affecting litigation trends, benefit level changes and claim settlement patterns.

(r) Operating Lease Expenses

The Company records lease payments via the straight-line method and, for leases with step rent provisions whereby the rental payments increase over the life of the lease, the Company recognizes the total minimum lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

(s) New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 prescribes detailed guidance for the financial statement recognition, measurement and disclosure of uncertain tax positions recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold at the effective date to be recognized upon the adoption of FIN 48 and in subsequent periods. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and the provisions of FIN 48 will be applied to all tax positions upon initial adoption of the Interpretation. The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of this Interpretation will be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for that fiscal year. The Company will adopt FIN 48 in fiscal 2008 and believes that the adoption of FIN 48 will not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements under other accounting pronouncements, but does not change the existing guidance as to whether or not an instrument is carried at fair value. The statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company will adopt SFAS 157 in fiscal 2009 and is currently evaluating whether the adoption of SFAS 157 will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value and establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company will adopt SFAS 159 in fiscal 2009 and is currently evaluating whether the adoption of SFAS 159 will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

(2) ACQUISITIONS

On April 2, 2007, the Company acquired certain assets of Organic Brands for cash consideration of approximately $5.5 million and notes payable totaling $3.0 million. The cash portion of the purchase price was financed by borrowings against the Company’s line of credit. The operating results of Organic Brands have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company beginning with the acquisition date. The acquisition resulted in goodwill of $1.8 million, all of which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill recorded is subject to potential future adjustments. Such goodwill was assigned to the Company’s manufacturing division. Other intangible assets acquired were $5.0 million.

During the year ended July 28, 2007, the Company acquired certain assets related to additional product lines outside of the wholesale segment. The total cash consideration paid for these product lines was approximately $3.8 million in addition to approximately $0.2 million of holdbacks recorded in accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets. The cash paid was financed by borrowings against the

44




Company’s line of credit. The consolidated financial statements of the Company have included operating results of each of these product lines since the respective acquisition dates. Resulting goodwill of $0.1 million is expected to be deductible for tax purposes and is subject to potential future adjustment. Other intangible assets acquired were $3.4 million.

On July 12, 2005, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Albert’s Organics, Inc., acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain of the liabilities of Roots & Fruits Cooperative Produce (“Roots & Fruits”), a Minnesota-based organic wholesale distributor of fresh produce and other perishables, for cash consideration of approximately $10.3 million. The acquisition was financed by borrowings against the Company’s line of credit. The operating results of Roots & Fruits have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company beginning with the acquisition date. The acquisition resulted in goodwill of $11.3 million, all of which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Such goodwill was assigned to the Company’s wholesale segment.

On December 20, 2004, the Company acquired by merger privately held Select Nutrition Distributors, Inc. (“Select Nutrition”), a national distributor of health & beauty aids and vitamins, minerals & supplements headquartered in New York, for cash consideration and assumed debt of approximately $12.6 million. The acquisition was financed by borrowings against the Company’s line of credit. The operating results of Select Nutrition have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company beginning with the acquisition date. The acquisition resulted in goodwill of $6.8 million, none of which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Such goodwill was assigned to the Company’s wholesale segment.

(3) STOCK OPTION PLANS

Prior to August 1, 2005, the Company accounted for its stock options using the intrinsic value method of accounting provided under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB 25”), and related interpretations, as permitted by SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Share-Based Compensation (“SFAS 123”). The Company, applying the intrinsic value method, did not record share-based compensation cost in net earnings because the exercise price of its stock options equaled the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. Accordingly, share-based compensation was included as a pro forma disclosure in the financial statement footnotes and continues to be provided for periods prior to August 1, 2005.

Effective August 1, 2005, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123(R), using the modified-prospective transition method. Under this transition method, compensation cost recognized in fiscal 2006 includes: (a) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted through August 1, 2005, but for which the requisite service period had not been completed as of August 1, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to August 1, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123(R). Results for prior periods have not been restated.

The Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $4.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the year ended July 28, 2007. The Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $5.5 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the year ended July 29, 2006, of which $1.0 million related to the accelerated vesting of certain options pursuant to the employment transition agreement the Company entered into during the first quarter of fiscal 2006 with its former President and Chief Executive Officer. In the year ended July 31, 2005, the Company recognized $0.2 million of share-based compensation expense, primarily related to restricted stock awards.

45




As of July 28, 2007, there was $8.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding share-based compensation arrangements (including stock option and nonvested share awards). This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years.

Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the Company presented all tax benefits of deductions resulting from the exercise of stock options as operating cash flows in the Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow statement. SFAS 123(R) requires the cash flows resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those stock options (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash flows.

The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 for the year ended July 31, 2005:

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

July 31, 2005

 

 

 

(In thousands,
except
per share data)

 

Net income—as reported

 

 

$

41,572

 

 

Add: Share-based compensation expense from restricted stock grant included in net income

 

 

162

 

 

Deduct: Total share-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

 

 

(7,748

)

 

Net income—pro forma

 

 

$

33,986

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

 

$

1.02

 

 

Pro forma

 

 

$

0.84

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

 

$

1.00

 

 

Pro forma

 

 

$

0.82

 

 

 

For stock options, the fair value of each grant was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Black-Scholes utilizes assumptions related to volatility, the risk-free interest rate, the dividend yield and expected life. Expected volatilities utilized in the model are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price. The risk-free interest rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The model incorporates exercise and post-vesting forfeiture assumptions based on an analysis of historical data. The expected life of the fiscal 2007 grants is derived from historical information and other factors.

The following summary presents the weighted average assumptions used for grants in fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005:

 

 

Year ended

 

 

 

July 28, 2007

 

July 29, 2006

 

July 31, 2005

 

Expected volatility

 

 

34.6

%

 

 

36.6

%

 

 

41.4

%

 

Dividend yield

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

0.0

%

 

Risk free interest rate

 

 

4.5

%

 

 

4.4

%

 

 

3.2

%

 

Expected life

 

 

3.0 years

 

 

 

3.0 years

 

 

 

3.25 years

 

 

 

As of July 28, 2007, the Company had two stock option plans: the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1996 Stock Option Plan (collectively, the “Plans”). The Plans provide for grants of stock options to

46




employees, officers, directors and others. These options are intended to either qualify as incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or be “non-statutory stock options.” Vesting requirements for awards under the Plans are at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and are typically four years with graded vesting for employees and two years with graded vesting for non-employee directors. The maximum term of all incentive stock options granted under the Plans, and non-statutory stock options granted under the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan, is ten years. The maximum term for non-statutory stock options granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan is at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors, and all grants to date have had a term of ten years. There were 7,800,000 shares authorized for grant under the Plans. As of July 28, 2007, 381,104 shares were available for grant under the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan. The Company has a policy of issuing new shares to satisfy stock option exercises.

The following summary presents the weighted-average remaining contractual term of options outstanding at July 28, 2007 by range of exercise prices.

Exercise Price Range

 

 

 

Number of
Shares
Outstanding

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

 

Number of
Shares
Exercisable

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

$11.00 - $21.00

 

 

496,123

 

 

 

$

15.66

 

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

409,434

 

 

 

$

15.04

 

 

$21.01 - $31.00

 

 

536,778

 

 

 

$

27.22

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

378,773

 

 

 

$

27.85

 

 

$31.01 - $40.00

 

 

318,540

 

 

 

$

36.36

 

 

 

9.3

 

 

 

7,169

 

 

 

$

34.28

 

 

 

 

 

1,351,441

 

 

 

$

25.13

 

 

 

7.4

 

 

 

795,376

 

 

 

$

21.32

 

 

 

The following summary presents information regarding outstanding stock options as of July 28, 2007 and changes during the year then ended with regard to options under the Plans:

 

 

Number
of Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

1,531,943

 

 

$

20.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

329,190

 

 

$

36.27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(430,167

)

 

$

16.93

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(79,525

)

 

$

26.53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at end of year

 

1,351,441

 

 

$

25.13

 

 

 

7.4

 

 

$

33,963,000

 

Exercisable at end of year

 

795,376

 

 

$

21.32

 

 

 

6.5

 

 

$

16,954,000

 

 

The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the years ended July 28, 2007, July 29, 2006, and July 31, 2005 was $10.48, $7.76, and $9.23, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended July 28, 2007, July 29, 2006, and July 31, 2005 was $7.7 million, $15.6 million and $23.6 million, respectively.

At July 28, 2007, the Company also had the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”). The 2004 Plan provides for the issuance of up to 1,000,000 equity-based compensation awards other than stock options, such as restricted shares and units, performance shares and units, bonus shares and stock appreciation rights. Vesting requirements for restricted share awards under the Plans are at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and are typically four years with graded vesting for employees and two years with graded vesting for non-employee directors. At July 28, 2007, 705,594 shares were available for grant under the 2004 Plan.

47




The following summary presents information regarding nonvested (restricted) share awards as of July 28, 2007 and changes during the year then ended with regard to nonvested share awards under the 2004 Plan:

 

 

Number
of Shares

 

Weighted Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

 

Nonvested at July 29, 2006

 

113,276

 

 

$

26.34

 

 

Granted

 

155,928

 

 

$

35.48

 

 

Vested

 

(45,206

)

 

$

28.38

 

 

Forfeited

 

(7,350

)

 

$

25.37

 

 

Nonvested at July 28, 2007

 

216,648

 

 

$

32.45

 

 

 

The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended July 28, 2007 was $1.3 million. The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended July 29, 2006 was $0.9 million.

(4) TREASURY STOCK

On December 1, 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million of common stock from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. As part of the stock repurchase program, the Company purchased 228,800 shares of its common stock for its treasury during the year ended July 29, 2006 at an aggregate cost of approximately $6.1 million. All shares were purchased at prevailing market prices. No such purchases were made during the year ended July 28, 2007.

(5) RESTRUCTURING CHARGE

In the first quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company’s management approved and implemented plans to restructure the broadline distribution operations at its Mounds View, Minnesota distribution facility because the facility was not large enough to accommodate the needs of customers relative to product selection and availability. The $0.2 million restructuring charge in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 was associated primarily with severance costs related to the termination of approximately 85 employees at this facility. This restructuring was completed in the third quarter of fiscal 2005. The accruals related to the restructuring were utilized by the end of fiscal 2005.

(6) ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

In November 2005, the Company transitioned all remaining operations at one of its two Auburn, California facilities to a new facility in Rocklin, California. As a result, the Company reclassified $7.4 million of long-lived assets related to the Auburn facility that were previously included in property and equipment as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet. In June 2006, the Company sold a portion of these long-lived assets for less than $0.1 million, resulting in a loss of $0.5 million, which was recorded in operating expenses in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. In January 2007, the Company sold the remaining long-lived assets for $5.4 million, resulting in a loss of $1.5 million, which was recorded in operating expenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2007.

In the nine months ended April 28, 2007, the Company transitioned its remaining Auburn, California operations to its Rocklin, California facility, reached a decision to sell the second Auburn, California facility and related assets and recorded an impairment loss of $0.8 million. The impairment loss was recognized based on management’s estimate of fair value of the facility, less costs of disposal. As a result, the Company reclassified, to assets held for sale within the Wholesale segment, $5.9 million of long-lived assets, net of the $0.8 million impairment loss, that were previously included in property and equipment in accordance with SFAS 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets.

48




(7) NOTES PAYABLE

On April 30, 2004, the Company entered into an amended and restated four-year $250 million secured revolving credit facility with a bank group that was led by Bank of America Business Capital (formerly Fleet Capital Corporation) as the administrative agent (the “amended credit facility”). The amended credit facility increased the amount available for borrowing from $150 million to $250 million, on which interest accrues, at the Company’s option, at the New York Prime Rate (8.25% at July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006) or at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.25%. The $250 million credit facility matures on March 31, 2008. The Company is currently investigating options for renewing or renegotiating this credit facility. The Company amended this facility effective in January 2006, reducing the rate at which interest accrues on LIBOR borrowing to LIBOR plus 0.75%. The weighted average interest rate on the amended credit facility was 6.07% as of July 28, 2007. As of July 28, 2007, the Company’s outstanding borrowings under the amended credit facility totaled $120.0 million with an availability of $117.9 million. As more fully discussed in Note 9, the Company entered into certain interest rate swap agreements to hedge this indebtedness which were assigned and transferred to a third party in December 2003.

The amended credit facility contains certain restrictive covenants. The Company was in compliance with all restrictive covenants at July 28, 2007. The amended credit facility also provides for the bank to syndicate the credit facility to other banks and lending institutions. The Company has pledged the majority of its accounts receivable and inventory for its obligations under the amended credit facility.

(8) LONG-TERM DEBT

The Company entered into a $30 million term loan agreement with a financial institution effective April 30, 2003. The term loan was repayable over seven years based on a fifteen year amortization schedule. Interest accrued at 30 day LIBOR plus 1.50%. The Company has pledged certain real property as collateral for its obligations under the term loan agreement. In July 2005, the Company amended the term loan agreement with the financial institution, increasing the principal amount available up to $75 million, decreasing the interest rate to 30 day LIBOR plus 1.0%, and extending the maturity date to July 2012.

49




As of July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006, the Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:

 

 

July 28,
2007

 

July 29,
2006

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Term loan payable to bank, secured by real estate, due monthly, and maturing in July 2012, at an interest rate of 30 day LIBOR plus 1.00% (6.32% at July 28, 2007 and 6.40% at July 29, 2006)

 

$

66,348

 

$

61,028

 

Equipment financing loan payable to bank, secured by the underlying assets, due monthly and maturing at July 2008, at an interest rate of 6.49%

 

254

 

908

 

Real estate and equipment term loans payable to bank, secured by building and other assets, due monthly and maturing at June 1, 2015, at an interest rate of 8.60%

 

1,330

 

1,587

 

Term loan for employee stock ownership plan, secured by common stock of the Company, due monthly and maturing at May 1, 2015, at an interest rate of
10.00%

 

1,203

 

1,380

 

Notes payable relating to an acquisition, due quarterly and maturing at March 1, 2009, at an interest rate of 5.25%

 

2,642

 

 

Other

 

224

 

246

 

 

 

$

72,001

 

$

65,149

 

Less: current installments

 

6,934

 

5,433

 

Long-term debt, excluding current installments

 

$

65,067

 

$

59,716

 

 

Certain debt agreements contain restrictive covenants. The Company was in compliance with all of its restrictive covenants at July 28, 2007.

Aggregate maturities of long-term debt for the next five years and thereafter are as follows at July 28, 2007:

Year

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

2008

 

 

$

6,934

 

 

2009

 

 

6,189

 

 

2010

 

 

5,020

 

 

2011

 

 

5,033

 

 

2012

 

 

5,047

 

 

2013 and thereafter

 

 

43,778

 

 

 

 

 

$

72,001

 

 

 

(9) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company’s interest rate swap agreement at July 28, 2007 is designated as a cash flow hedge and is reflected at fair value in its consolidated balance sheet and the related gains or losses on this contract are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income. However, to the extent that any such contracts are not considered to be perfectly effective in offsetting the change in the value of the items being hedged, any changes in fair value relating to the ineffective portion of these contracts are immediately recognized in income. At July 28, 2007, the Company did not have any ineffectiveness in its derivatives requiring current income recognition.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

Interest rate swap agreements are entered into for periods consistent with related underlying exposures and do not constitute positions independent of those exposures. At July 28, 2007, the Company had one outstanding interest rate swap agreement with a fair value of $0.6 million. The agreement provides

50




for the Company to pay interest for a seven-year period at a fixed rate of 4.70% on a notional principal amount of $50 million while receiving interest for the same period at LIBOR on the same notional principal amount. The swap has been entered into as a hedge against LIBOR movements on current variable rate indebtedness totaling $65 million at LIBOR plus 1.00%, thereby fixing its effective rate on the notional amount at 5.70%. The swap agreement qualified as an “effective” hedge under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 133”). LIBOR was 5.32% and 5.40% as of July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively.

In May 2003, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement. The agreement provided for the Company to pay interest for a seven-year period at a fixed rate of 3.68% on a notional principal amount of $30 million while receiving interest for the same period at LIBOR on the same notional principal amount. The swap had been entered into as a hedge against LIBOR movements on current variable rate indebtedness totaling $30 million at LIBOR plus 1.50%, thereby fixing the effective rate on the notional amount at 5.18%. The swap agreement qualified as an “effective” hedge under SFAS 133. On July 29, 2005, this agreement was terminated and income of $0.6 million was recorded in other expense (income) in the Company’s statement of income for the year ended July 31, 2005.

Commodity Swap Agreements

The Company has entered into commodity swap agreements to reduce price risk associated with anticipated purchases of diesel fuel. These swap agreements hedge a portion of the Company’s expected fuel usage for the periods set forth in the agreements. The agreements call for an exchange of payments with the Company making payments based on fixed price per gallon and receiving payments based on floating prices, without an exchange of the underlying commodity amount upon which the payments are based. The Company monitors the commodity (NYMEX #2 Heating oil) used in its swap agreements to determine that the correlation between the commodity and diesel fuel is deemed to be “highly effective.”  At July 28, 2007, the Company had no outstanding commodity swap agreements. During the year ended July 28, 2007, the Company had two commodity swaps which commenced and expired on November 1, 2005 and October 31, 2006, respectively and July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007, respectively.

(10) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company leases various facilities and equipment under operating lease agreements with varying terms. Most of the leases contain renewal options and purchase options at several specific dates throughout the terms of the leases.

Rent and other lease expense for the years ended July 28, 2007, July 29, 2006, and July 31, 2005 totaled approximately $23.2 million, $14.0 million, and $14.9 million, respectively.

Future minimum annual fixed payments required under non-cancelable operating leases having an original term of more than one year as of July 28, 2007 are as follows:

Fiscal Year:

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

2008

 

 

$

22,865

 

 

2009

 

 

20,812

 

 

2010

 

 

18,710

 

 

2011

 

 

15,949

 

 

2012

 

 

11,856

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

22,862

 

 

 

 

 

$

113,054

 

 

 

51




Outstanding commitments as of July 28, 2007 for the purchase of inventory were approximately $25.5 million. The Company had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $12.1 million at July 28, 2007.

Assets mortgaged amounted to approximately $100.8 million at July 28, 2007.

The Company may from time to time be involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

(11) RETIREMENT PLAN

The Company has one defined contribution retirement plan, the United Natural Foods, Inc. Retirement Plan (the “Plan”). During fiscal 2006, the Company merged the defined contribution plans of Select Nutrition and Roots & Fruits into the Plan. Under the Plan, employees may elect to contribute a percentage of their pay to the Plan on a before-tax basis. In order to become a participant in the Plan, employees must meet certain eligibility requirements as described in the Plans document. In addition to amounts contributed to the Plan by employees, the Company makes contributions to the Plan on behalf of the employees. The Company contributions to the Plan were approximately $2.3 million, $2.1 million, and $2.0 million, for the years ended July 28, 2007, July 29, 2006, and July 31, 2005, respectively.

(12) EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

The Company adopted the UNFI Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP Plan”) for the purpose of acquiring outstanding shares of the Company for the benefit of eligible employees. The ESOP Plan was effective as of November 1, 1988 and has received notice of qualification by the Internal Revenue Service.

In connection with the adoption of the ESOP Plan, a Trust was established to hold the shares acquired. On November 1, 1988, the Trust purchased 40% of the then outstanding Common Stock of the Company at a price of $4.1 million. The trustees funded this purchase by issuing promissory notes to the initial stockholders, with the Trust shares pledged as collateral. These notes bear interest at 10% and are payable through May 2015. As the debt is repaid, shares are released from collateral and allocated to active employees, based on the proportion of debt service paid in the year.

The Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position 93-6, Employers’ Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans, (“SOP 93-6”), in November 1993. The statement provides guidance on employers’ accounting for ESOPs and is required to be applied to shares purchased by ESOPs after December 31, 1992 that have not been committed to be released as of the beginning of the year of adoption. As allowed under SOP 93-6, the Company elected not to adopt the guidance in SOP 93-6 for the shares held by the ESOP, all of which were purchased prior to December 31, 1992. As a result, the Company continues to follow the guidance of SOP 76-3, Accounting Practices for Certain Employee Stock Ownership Plans (“SOP 76-3”). Under SOP 76-3, unreleased shares of the ESOP are considered to be outstanding for purposes of calculating both basic and diluted earnings per share, whether or not the shares have been committed to be released. The debt of the ESOP is recorded as debt and the shares pledged as collateral are reported as unearned ESOP shares in the consolidated balance sheets. During the fiscal years ended July 28, 2007, July 29, 2006, and July 31, 2005, contributions totaling approximately $0.3 million, $0.4 million, and $0.3 million, respectively, were made to the Trust. Of these contributions, approximately $0.1 million represented interest in fiscal 2007 and approximately $0.2 million represented interest in fiscal 2006 and 2005.

52




The ESOP shares were classified as follows:

 

 

July 28, 2007

 

July 29, 2006

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Total ESOP shares—beginning of year

 

 

2,905

 

 

 

3,077

 

 

Shares distributed to employees

 

 

(148

)

 

 

(172

)

 

Total ESOP shares—end of year

 

 

2,757

 

 

 

2,905

 

 

Allocated shares

 

 

1,460

 

 

 

1,432

 

 

Unreleased shares

 

 

1,297

 

 

 

1,473

 

 

Total ESOP shares

 

 

2,757

 

 

 

2,905

 

 

 

During the years ended July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006, 176,000 and 227,980 shares were released for allocation, respectively. The fair value of unreleased shares was approximately $35.4 million and $45.1 million at July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively.

(13) INCOME TAXES

Total federal and state income tax (benefit) expense from continuing operations consists of the following:

 

 

Current

 

Deferred

 

Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Fiscal year ended July 28, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Federal

 

$

23,279

 

$

1,003

 

$

24,282

 

State and local

 

7,076

 

704

 

7,780

 

 

 

$

30,355

 

$

1,707

 

$

32,062

 

 

 

 

Current

 

Deferred

 

Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Fiscal year ended July 29, 2006:

 

$

25,025

 

$

(710

)

$

24,315

 

U.S. Federal

 

2,449

 

(645

)

1,804

 

State and local

 

$

27,474

 

$

(1,355

)

$

26,119

 

 

 

 

Current

 

Deferred

 

Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Fiscal year ended July 31, 2005:

 

$

20,684

 

$

1,609

 

$

22,293

 

U.S. Federal

 

3,033

 

154

 

3,187

 

State and local

 

$

23,717

 

$

1,763

 

$

25,480

 

 

Total income tax expense was different than the amounts computed using the United States statutory income tax rate (35%) applied to income before income taxes as a result of the following:

 

 

Years ended

 

 

 

July 28,

 

July 29,

 

July 31,

 

 

 

 2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Computed “expected” tax expense

 

$

28,775

 

$

24,288

 

$

23,468

 

State and local income tax, net of Federal income tax expense

 

2,794

 

1,848

 

1,953

 

Non-deductible expenses

 

577

 

621

 

70

 

Non-deductible share-based compensation

 

383

 

508

 

 

(Decrease) increase in valuation allowance

 

 

(757

)

123

 

General business credits

 

(365

)

(208

)

(177

)

Other, net

 

(102

)

(181

)

43

 

 

 

$32,062

 

$

26,119

 

$

25,480

 

 

53




 

Total income tax expense for the years ended July 28, 2007, July 29, 2006, and July 31, 2005 was allocated as follows:

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Income tax expense

 

$

32,062

 

$

26,119

 

$

25,480

 

Stockholders’ equity, for compensation expense for tax purposes in excess of amounts recognized for financial statement purposes

 

(2,518

)

(5,312

)

(8,095

)

Other comprehensive income

 

(407

)

651

 

 

 

 

$29,137

 

$

21,458

 

$

17,385

 

 

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the net deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006 are presented below:

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories, principally due to additional costs inventoried for tax purposes

 

$

3,212

 

$

4,211

 

Compensation and benefit related

 

5,237

 

4,265

 

Accounts receivable, principally due to allowances for uncollectible accounts

 

2,359

 

3,349

 

Accrued expenses

 

1,060

 

1,125

 

Net operating loss carryforward

 

2,327

 

2,931

 

Other

 

191

 

3

 

Total gross deferred tax assets

 

14,386

 

15,884

 

Less valuation allowance

 

501

 

518

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

13,885

 

15,366

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Plant and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation

 

7,100

 

8,201

 

Intangible assets

 

6,596

 

5,237

 

Other comprehensive income

 

244

 

651

 

Other

 

26

 

59

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

13,966

 

14,148

 

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)

 

$

(81

)

$

1,218

 

Net current deferred income tax assets

 

$

9,474

 

$

10,911

 

Net non-current deferred income tax liabilities

 

(9,555

)

(9,693

)

 

 

$

(81

)

$

1,218

 

 

At July 28, 2007, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $4.2 million for federal income tax purposes. The federal carryforwards are subject to an annual limitation of $249 thousand under Internal Revenue Code Section 382. The carryforwards expire at various times between 2020 and 2024. In addition, the company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $18.2 million for state income tax purposes that expire in years 2007 through 2025.

In assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Due to the fact that the Company has sufficient taxable income in the federal carryback period and anticipates sufficient future taxable income over the periods which the deferred tax assets are deductible, the ultimate realization of deferred tax assets for federal and state tax purposes, with the exception of certain state operating loss carryforwards, appears more likely than not at July 28, 2007.

54




(14) BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company has several operating divisions aggregated under the wholesale segment, which is the Company’s only reportable segment. These operating divisions have similar products and services, customer channels, distribution methods and historical margins. The wholesale segment is engaged in national distribution of natural foods, produce and related products in the United States. The Company has additional operating divisions that do not meet the quantitative thresholds for reportable segments. Therefore, these operating divisions are aggregated under the caption of “Other” with corporate operating expenses that are not allocated to operating divisions. Non-operating expenses that are not allocated to the operating divisions are under the caption of “Unallocated Expenses.” “Other” includes a retail division, which engages in the sale of natural foods and related products to the general public through retail storefronts on the east coast of the United States, a manufacturing division, which engages in importing, roasting and packaging of nuts, seeds, dried fruit and snack items, and our branded product lines. “Other” also includes corporate expenses, which consist of salaries, retainers, and other related expenses of officers, directors, corporate finance (including professional services), governance, human resources and internal audit that are necessary to operate the Company’s headquarters located in Dayville, Connecticut. The Company does not record its revenues for financial reporting purposes by product group, and it is therefore impracticable for the Company to report them accordingly.

55




Following is business segment information for the periods indicated:

 

 

Wholesale

 

Other

 

Eliminations

 

Unallocated
Expenses

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Year ended July 28, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

2,709,656

 

$

114,843

 

 

$

(70,219

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,754,280

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

95,269

 

987

 

 

(2,771

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

93,485

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

12,089

 

 

 

12,089

 

 

Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(975

)

 

 

(975

)

 

Other, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

156

 

 

 

156

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

82,215

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

17,334

 

1,042

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,376

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

42,423

 

4,381

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46,804

 

 

Goodwill

 

64,032

 

15,871

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

79,903

 

 

Assets

 

718,490

 

90,482

 

 

(8,074

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

800,898

 

 

Year ended July 29, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

2,392,126

 

77,285

 

 

(35,817

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,433,594

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

96,432

 

(16,048

)

 

(456

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

79,928

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  11,210

 

 

 

11,210

 

 

Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(297

)

 

 

(297

)

 

Other, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(381

)

 

 

(381

)

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

69,396

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

16,075

 

1,024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,099

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

18,824

 

466

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,290

 

 

Goodwill

 

64,032

 

13,984

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

78,016

 

 

Assets

 

640,888

 

66,889

 

 

(3,226

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

704,551

 

 

Year ended July 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

2,020,251

 

73,254

 

 

(33,937

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,059,568

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

79,914

 

(7,056

)

 

(328

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

72,530

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,568

 

 

 

6,568

 

 

Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(243

)

 

 

(243

)

 

Other, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(847

)

 

 

(847

)

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

67,052

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

12,483

 

1,090

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,573

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

65,302

 

649

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

65,951

 

 

Goodwill

 

62,131

 

11,677

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

73,808

 

 

Assets

 

605,268

 

48,835

 

 

(2,845

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

651,258

 

 

 

56




(15) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following table sets forth certain key interim financial information for the years ended July 28, 2007 and July 29, 2006:

 

 

First
Quarter

 

Second
Quarter

 

Third
Quarter

 

Fourth
Quarter

 

Full Year

 

 

 

(In thousands except per share data)

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

646,433

 

$

668,545

 

$

732,516

 

$

706,786

 

$

2,754,280

 

Gross profit

 

123,572

 

124,068

 

129,943

 

131,995

 

509,578

 

Income before income taxes

 

20,371

 

17,866

 

22,467

 

21,511

 

82,215

 

Net income

 

12,426

 

10,898

 

13,705

 

13,124

 

50,153

 

Per common share income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

$

0.29

 

$

0.26

 

$

0.32

 

$

0.31

 

$

1.18

 

Diluted:

 

$

0.29

 

$

0.25

 

$

0.32

 

$

0.31

 

$

1.17

 

Weighted average basic
Shares outstanding

 

42,147

 

42,438

 

42,595

 

42,602

 

42,445

 

Weighted average diluted
Shares outstanding

 

42,599

 

42,848

 

42,884

 

42,847

 

42,786

 

Market Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

$

34.91

 

$

38.40

 

$

35.05

 

$

31.87

 

$

38.40

 

Low

 

$

28.70

 

$

31.17

 

$

28.10

 

$

26.10

 

$

26.10

 

 

 

 

First
Quarter

 

Second
Quarter

 

Third
Quarter

 

Fourth
Quarter

 

Full Year

 

 

 

(In thousands except per share data)

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

575,641

 

$

601,082

 

$

637,068

 

$

619,804

 

$

2,433,594

 

Gross profit

 

110,267

 

116,405

 

120,164

 

119,075

 

465,910

 

Income before income taxes

 

12,371

 

17,147

 

20,119

 

19,759

 

69,396

 

Net income

 

7,670

 

10,631

 

12,300

 

12,675

 

43,277

 

Per common share income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

$

0.19

 

$

0.26

 

$

0.29

 

$

0.30

 

$

1.04

 

Diluted:

 

$

0.18

 

$

0.25

 

$

0.29

 

$

0.30

 

$

1.02

 

Weighted average basic
Shares outstanding

 

41,334

 

41,406

 

41,885

 

42,103

 

41,682

 

Weighted average diluted
Shares outstanding

 

42,150

 

41,952

 

42,446

 

42,572

 

42,304

 

Market Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

$

36.00

 

$

31.74

 

$

35.88

 

$

35.04

 

$

36.00

 

Low

 

$

27.50

 

$

24.60

 

$

29.97

 

$

29.05

 

$

24.60

 

 

57




ITEM 9.                CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 9A.        CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)          Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

We 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 design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

(b)          Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, 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 and includes those policies and procedures that:

·       Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

·       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 are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and

·       Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our 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. 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.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of July 28, 2007. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.

Based on our assessment, our management concluded that, as of July 28, 2007, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria at the reasonable assurance level.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of July 28, 2007 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report which is included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

58




(c)           Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

See report of KPMG LLP in Item 8 on pages 33 and 34.

(d)          Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended July 28, 2007 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.       OTHER INFORMATION

None.

59




PART III.

ITEM 10.         DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this item is contained in part in our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on December 6, 2007 (the “2007 Proxy Statement”) under the captions “PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS” and “SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE” and is incorporated herein by this reference. Pursuant to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K, our executive officers are reported in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Controller and other finance organization employees. Our code of ethics is publicly available on our website at www.unfi.com. If we make any substantive amendments to our code of ethics or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Corporate Controller, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website or in a report on Form 8-K.

ITEM 11.         EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item is contained in the 2007 Proxy Statement under the captions “Non-Employee Director Compensation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and is incorporated herein by this reference.

ITEM 12.         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this item is contained in part in the 2007 Proxy Statement under the caption “Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and is incorporated herein by this reference.

ITEM 13.         CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this item is contained in the 2007 Proxy Statement under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and is incorporated herein by this reference.

ITEM 14.         PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this item is contained in the 2007 Proxy Statement under the caption “Fees Paid to KPMG LLP” and is incorporated herein by this reference.

60




PART IV.

ITEM 15.         EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)   Documents filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

1.                Financial Statements.   The Financial Statements listed in the Index to Financial Statements in Item 8 hereof are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

2.                Financial Statement Schedules.   Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts. All other schedules have been omitted since they are either not required or the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

3.                Exhibits.   The Exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such Exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

61




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.

 

UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.

 

/s/ MARK E. SHAMBER

 

Mark E. Shamber

 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

Dated: September 26, 2007

 

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.

Name

 

 

 

Title

 

 

 

Date

 

/s/ MICHAEL S. FUNK

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and

 

September 26, 2007

Michael S. Funk

 

Director (Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

/s/ THOMAS B. SIMONE

 

Chair of the Board and Lead Independent

 

September 26, 2007

Thomas B. Simone

 

Director

 

 

/s/ MARK E. SHAMBER

 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and

 

September 26, 2007

Mark E. Shamber

 

Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

/s/ RICHARD ANTONELLI

 

Chief Operating Officer and Director

 

September 26, 2007

Richard Antonelli

 

 

 

 

/s/ GORDON D. BARKER

 

Director

 

September 26, 2007

Gordon D. Barker

 

 

 

 

/s/ JOSEPH M. CIANCIOLO

 

Director

 

September 26, 2007

Joseph M. Cianciolo

 

 

 

 

/s/ GAIL A. GRAHAM

 

Director

 

September 26, 2007

Gail A. Graham

 

 

 

 

/s/ JAMES P. HEFFERNAN

 

Director

 

September 26, 2007

James P. Heffernan

 

 

 

 

/s/ PETER ROY

 

Director

 

September 26, 2007

Peter Roy

 

 

 

 

 

62




SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Accounts Receivable and Notes Receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

 

Balance at
beginning of period

 

Additions
charged to
costs and expenses

 

Deductions

 

Balance at
end of period

 

Year ended July 28, 2007

 

 

$

8,433

 

 

 

$

1,528

 

 

 

$

3,980

 

 

 

$

5,981

 

 

 

Year ended July 29, 2006

 

 

$

9,472

 

 

 

$

2,829

 

 

 

$

3,868

 

 

 

$

8,433

 

 

 

Year ended July 31, 2005

 

 

$

9,733

 

 

 

$

2,296

 

 

 

$

2,557

 

 

 

$

9,472

 

 

 

 




EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.

 

Description

3.1(15)

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.

3.2(15)

 

Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.

3.3(19)

 

Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

3.4(23)

 

Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant, as amended on September 13, 2007.

4.1(13)

 

Specimen Certificate for shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, of the Registrant.

10.1(1)

 

1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

10.2(13)

 

Amended and Restated Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

10.3(1)

 

Employee Stock Ownership Trust Loan Agreement among Norman A. Cloutier, Steven H. Townsend, Daniel V. Atwood, Theodore Cloutier and the Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust, dated November 1, 1988.

10.4(1)

 

Stock Pledge Agreement between the Employee Stock Ownership Trust and Steven H. Townsend, Trustee for Norman A. Cloutier, Steven H. Townsend, Daniel V. Atwood and Theodore Cloutier, dated November 1, 1988.

10.5(1)

 

Trust Agreement among Norman A. Cloutier, Steven H. Townsend, Daniel V. Atwood, Theodore Cloutier and Steven H. Townsend as Trustee, dated November 1, 1988.

10.6(1)

 

Guaranty Agreement between the Registrant and Steven H. Townsend as Trustee for Norman A. Cloutier, Steven H. Townsend, Daniel V. Atwood and Theodore Cloutier, dated November 1, 1988.

10.7(2)

 

Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan.

10.8(2)

 

Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan.

10.9(2)

 

Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan.

10.10(3)

 

2002 Stock Incentive Plan.

10.11(4)

 

Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated April 30, 2004, with Bank of America Business Capital (formerly Fleet Capital Corporation).

10.12(5)

 

Term Loan Agreement with Fleet Capital Corporation dated April 30, 2003.

10.13(6)

 

Second Amendment to Term Loan Agreement with Fleet Capital Corporation, dated December 18, 2003.

10.14(7)

 

Real Estate Term Notes between the Registrant and City National Bank, dated April 28, 2000.

10.15(8)

 

Lease between Valley Centre I, L.L.C. and the Registrant, dated August 3, 1998.

10.16(9)

 

Lease between AmberJack, Ltd. and the Registrant, dated July 11, 1997.

10.17(10)

 

Lease between Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and the Registrant, dated July 31, 2001.

10.18(11)

 

Employment Transition Agreement and Release for Norman A. Cloutier, dated December 8, 1999.




 

10.19(12)

 

Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Steven H. Townsend, dated December 5, 2003.

10.20(3)+

 

Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Whole Foods Market, Inc., dated August 1, 1998.

10.21(15)+

 

Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Whole Foods Market, Inc., dated January 1, 2005.

10.22(6)+

 

Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Wild Oats Market, Inc., dated January 12, 2004.

10.23(13)

 

First Amendment to Term Loan Agreement with Fleet Capital Corporation, dated August 26, 2003.

10.24(14)

 

2004 Equity Incentive Plan.

10.25(15)

 

First Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated December 30, 2004.

10.26(16)

 

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement pursuant to United Natural Foods, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.

10.27(17)

 

Fifth Amendment to Term Loan Agreement with Fleet Capital Corporation, dated July 28, 2005.

10.28(18)

 

Employment Transition Agreement and Release for Steven H. Townsend, dated October 23, 2005.

10.29(20)

 

Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement as of January 31, 2006.

10.30(21)+

 

Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Whole Foods Market, Inc., effective September 26, 2006.

10.31(22)

 

Lease between the Registrant and MERIDIANHUDSON McINTOSH LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, dated March 16, 2007.

10.32*

 

Third Amendment to Term Loan Agreement with Fleet Capital Corporation, dated April 30, 2004.

10.33*

 

Fourth Amendment to Term Loan Agreement with Fleet Capital Corporation dated June 15, 2005.

21*

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23.1*

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

23.2*

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

31.1*

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002—CEO.

31.2*

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002—CFO.

32.1*

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002—CEO.




 

32.2*

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002—CFO.


                 * Filed herewith.

             + Certain confidential portions of this exhibit were omitted by means of redacting a portion of the text. This exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission accompanied by a confidential treatment request pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

       (1) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-11349).

       (2) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the year ended July 31, 2000.

       (3) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2003.

       (4) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2004.

       (5) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2003.

       (6) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2004.

       (7) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2000.

       (8) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 1999.

       (9) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 1997.

(10) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2001.

(11) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2000.

(12) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2002.

(13) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2004.

(14) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2004.

(15) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2005.

(16) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-123462).




(17) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2005.

(18) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 29, 2005.

(19) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 28, 2006.

(20) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 29, 2006.

(21) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 28, 2006.

(22) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 28, 2007.

(23) Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 19, 2007.