SPRINGFIELD, N.J., March 5, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Village Super Market, Inc. (Nasdaq:VLGEA - News) today reported its results of operations for the second quarter ended January 24, 2009.
Net income was $7,956,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2009, an increase of 24% from the second quarter of the prior year. Net income increased primarily due to higher sales and lower operating expenses as a percentage of sales.
Sales were $312,714,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2009, an increase of 6.8% from the second quarter of the prior year. Sales increased due to higher sales at the Franklin store, which opened on November 7, 2007, and a 5.9% increase in same store sales. Substantially improved transaction count and higher average transaction size in almost all stores, especially the Galloway store, which opened on October 3, 2007, contributed to the increase in same store sales. Inflation in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 was lower than the average inflation for calendar 2008. In addition, customers continue to be cautious due to concerns about the economy, resulting in continued increased sale item penetration and trading down.
Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 27.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to 27.1% in the second quarter of the prior year primarily due to improved departmental gross margin percentages and improved product mix. These improvements were partially offset by higher promotional spending and increased warehouse assessment charges from Wakefern. In addition, gross profit was favorably impacted by receipt of patronage dividends from Wakefern greater than amounts accrued in the second quarter of both fiscal 2009 and 2008. Promotional spending increased due to more of the cost of this year's Thanksgiving loyalty program being allocated to the second quarter of fiscal 2009 than the prior year allocation due to changes in the program timing.
Operating and administrative expense decreased to 21.6% of sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to 22.1% of sales in the second quarter of the prior year primarily due to reduced payroll costs in fiscal 2009, the prior year including store pre-opening costs, and operating leverage due to the 5.9% same store sales increase. These improvements were partially offset by increased snow removal costs and the prior year including refunds of property and liability insurance premiums. Payroll costs as a percentage of sales improved due to operating leverage resulting from the 5.9% same store sales increase and reduced labor due to store technology improvements.
Net income was $14,324,000 in the six-month period of fiscal 2009, an increase of 33% from the prior year. Sales for the six-month period of fiscal 2009 were $603,698,000, an increase of 8.5% from the prior year. Same store sales increased 5.1%.
Village Super Market operates a chain of 25 supermarkets under the ShopRite name in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this Press Release are or may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities law. The Company cautions the reader that there is no assurance that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from future results, whether expressed, suggested or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after the date hereof. The following are among the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements: local economic conditions; competitive pressures from the Company's operating environment; the ability of the Company to maintain and improve its sales and margins; the ability to attract and retain qualified associates; the availability of new store locations; the availability of capital; the liquidity of the Company; the success of operating initiatives; consumer spending patterns; the impact of higher energy prices; increased cost of goods sold, including increased costs from the Company's principal supplier, Wakefern; the results of litigation; the results of tax examinations; the results of union contract negotiations; competitive store openings; the rate of return on pension assets; the outcome of the Washington replacement store approval process; and other factors detailed herein and in the Company's filings with the SEC.
VILLAGE SUPER MARKET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
-----------------------------------------------
(in Thousands except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
13 Wks. 13 Wks. 26 Wks. 26 Wks.
Ended Ended Ended Ended
Jan. 24, Jan. 26, Jan. 24, Jan. 26,
2009 2008 2009 2008
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Sales $ 312,714 $ 292,829 $ 603,698 $ 556,388
Cost of sales 227,653 213,416 439,165 406,760
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Gross profit 85,061 79,413 164,533 149,628
Operating and
administrative
expense 67,488 64,793 132,260 124,713
Depreciation and
amortization 3,705 3,437 7,322 6,626
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating income 13,868 11,183 24,951 18,289
Interest expense (708) (832) (1,434) (1,439)
Interest income 489 770 1,057 1,758
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income before
income taxes 13,649 11,121 24,574 18,608
Income taxes 5,693 4,682 10,250 7,871
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income $ 7,956 $ 6,439 $ 14,324 $ 10,737
========= ========= ========= =========
Net income
per share(1):
Class A Common Stock:
Basic $ .74 $ .61 $ 1.33 $ 1.01
Diluted $ .60 $ .49 $ 1.08 $ .82
Class B Common Stock:
Basic $ .48 $ .39 $ .86 $ .66
Diluted $ .47 $ .38 $ .85 $ .64
Gross profit as a
% of sales 27.2% 27.1% 27.2% 26.9%
Operating and
administrative
expense as a
% of sales 21.6% 22.1% 21.9% 22.4%
(1) All per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the
two-for-one stock split effective January 22, 2009.
Village Super Market, Inc.
Kevin Begley, CFO
(973) 467-2200 - Ext. 220
Kevin.Begley@wakefern.com
Copyright © 2009 GlobeNewswire. All rights reserved. Redistribution of this content is expressly prohibited without prior written consent. GlobeNewswire makes no claims concerning the accuracy or validity of the information, and shall not be held liable for any errors, delays, omissions or use thereof.