Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (Nasdaq: SFM) today reported results
for the 13-week first quarter ended March 29, 2020, an update on
second quarter results and outlined its strategy for profitable
long-term growth.
First Quarter Highlights:
- Net sales of $1.6 billion; a 16% increase from the same period
in 2019
- Comparable store sales growth of 10.6% and two-year comparable
store sales growth of 12.0%
- Net income of $92 million; compared to net income of $56
million from the same period in 2019
- Adjusted net income(1) of $93 million; compared to $57 million
from the same period in 2019
- Diluted earnings per share of $0.78 and adjusted diluted
earnings per share(1) of $0.79; compared to $0.46 diluted and
adjusted diluted earnings per share from the same period in
2019
- Positive impact from COVID-19 pandemic was estimated to be
$0.22 of diluted earnings per share
“I am inspired by our hard-working and profoundly dedicated
32,000 team members who have served under the most difficult of
circumstances to ensure our customers have healthy food to feed
their families,” said Jack Sinclair, chief executive officer of
Sprouts Farmers Market. “During the first quarter, the
COVID-19 crisis led to a significant increase in sales as consumers
bought more food to consume at home. As we navigate these
ever-changing circumstances, we remain steadfast and decisive,
prioritizing team member and customer safety and remaining in-stock
on fresh, healthy food for our communities, all the while not
losing sight of our transformational strategy that will set us up
for long-term success.”
____________1 Adjusted net income and adjusted
diluted earnings per share, non-GAAP financial measures, exclude
the impact of certain special items. See the “Non-GAAP
Financial Measures” section of this release for additional
information about these items.
First Quarter 2020 Financial Results
Net sales for the first quarter of 2020 were $1.6 billion, a 16%
increase compared to the same period in 2019. Net sales growth was
driven by a 10.6% increase in comparable store sales and solid
performance in new stores opened. Due to the impact of the COVID-19
pandemic, demand increased dramatically during the latter part of
the quarter. As a result, net sales were positively impacted by an
estimated $146 million and comparable store sales by an estimated
9.6%.
Gross profit for the quarter increased 23% to $594 million,
resulting in a gross profit margin of 36.1%, an increase of 180
basis points compared to the same period in 2019. The
positive leverage was driven by more balanced promotions during the
first two months of the quarter, in addition to sales mix and
shrink benefits during March due to customer stockpiling.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for
the quarter increased 16% to $436 million, or 26.5% of sales, flat
compared to the same period in 2019. SG&A included a pre-tax
special item charge of $1.2 million for professional fees related
to our ongoing strategic initiatives. Leverage from increased sales
related to the COVID-19 pandemic was largely offset by increased
bonuses paid to team members as they serve the communities during
this crisis, incremental ecommerce fees as more customers adopt
digital solutions, as well as continued pressure from higher health
care, labor and occupancy costs.
Depreciation and amortization for the quarter increased 5% to
$31 million, or 1.9% of sales, a decrease of 20 basis points
compared to the same period in 2019.
Store closure costs and other credits for the quarter were a
credit of $1 million compared to a cost of $0.5 million in the same
period of 2019 related to a true-up of a previous store closure
charge.
Net income for the quarter was $92 million and diluted earnings
per share (“EPS”) was $0.78, compared with $56 million and $0.46,
respectively, in 2019. Excluding the impact of special items,
adjusted net income was $93 million and adjusted diluted EPS was
$0.79; an increase of 72%, including an estimated $0.22 benefit
from the COVID-19 impact (see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”).
Unit Growth and Development
During the first quarter of 2020, Sprouts opened four new
stores, resulting in a total of 344 stores in 23 states.
Leverage and Liquidity
Sprouts generated cash from operations of $277 million in the
first quarter of 2020 and invested $17 million in capital
expenditures net of landlord reimbursement, primarily for new
stores. Sprouts ended the quarter with a $451 million balance
on its revolving credit facility, $34 million of letters of credit
outstanding under the facility, and $247 million in cash and cash
equivalents.
COVID-19 Update
In recognition of its team members’ instrumental commitment to
serving customers during this unprecedented time, Sprouts Farmers
Market provided the following benefits:
- Paid equivalent of $2 extra per hour for hours worked during
the crisis in March through bonuses and pay adjustments, with more
bonuses planned throughout the crisis.
- Provided up to 14 days additional paid time off and job
protection.
- Provided eligible team members access to subsidized childcare
benefits.
- Created a COVID-19 relief fund to help our team members who
face hardships due to this crisis.
- Closed Easter Sunday with pay to give all 32,000 store team
members time to rest and spend time with loved ones.
Additional measures were taken to safeguard our team members and
customer wellbeing:
- Increased cleaning and sanitation measures across the
store.
- Invested additional labor in stores to allow time for increased
cleaning, additional required hand washing, and assisting customers
with special needs.
- Operated under modified store hours, closing at 8 p.m. during
the month of April instead of 10 p.m., to allow team members time
off to rest and refresh.
- Implemented social distancing protocols inside and outside of
the store.
- Installed plexiglass register barriers at the register.
- Providing gloves and masks to all team members and requiring
this personal protective equipment on every shift.
- Requiring team members to complete a health screen
questionnaire prior to working.
Update on Current Performance and 2020
Outlook
We have been closely monitoring our results and certain trends
we saw in the later part of the first quarter have continued into
April. Elevated levels of grocery spend have continued as many
consumers have increased their food at home spend. Social
distancing has changed consumer behavior from customers
consolidating trips and increasing use of ecommerce services. For
the month of April, our comparable store sales increased 7.2%,
compared to the same period last year notwithstanding the closure
of all our stores on Easter Sunday, and ecommerce sales represented
13% of our net sales. While these increased sales, as well as
our strategic initiatives around smarter promotions remain a
benefit to operating margin, the timing of significant investments
to enhance team members pay and benefits, and to implement
additional safety and cleansing measures will weigh heavier in the
second quarter compared to the first quarter. Because of
this, we do not believe we will sustain the same level of operating
margin expansion experienced in the first quarter.
“The COVID-19 crisis has created a lack of visibility for the
remainder of 2020 with many unknowns,” said Denise Paulonis, chief
financial officer of Sprouts Farmers Market. “While April sales
trended higher than average, we are making significant investments
in pay, benefits and safety measures, as the health of our team
members and customers is our number one priority. We remain
uncertain as to when consumer behavior will return to normal or
what may emerge as the ‘new normal’. This environment is making it
difficult to predict specific outcomes, and accordingly we are not
reaffirming or stating a new outlook range, however, we currently
expect that we will be able to meet or exceed our previous annual
outlook.”
Growth Strategy
Sprouts has identified initial steps of a long-term growth
strategy, which focuses on the following areas that we believe will
transform the company and drive profitable growth:
Win with target customers
Sprouts plans to refocus attention on its target customers,
where there is ample opportunity to gain share within these
customer segments. The business can grow by leveraging
existing strengths in a unique assortment of better-for-you,
quality products and by expanding ecommerce capabilities to allow
customers easy access to differentiated products through delivery
or pickup.
Update format and expand in select markets
Future plans will deliver unique smaller stores with
expectations of stronger returns, while maintaining the
approachable, fresh-focused farmer’s market heritage Sprouts is
known for. Sprouts’ geographic store expansion and new store
placement will intersect where target customers live, in markets
with growth potential and supply chain support, providing a long
runway of at least 10% annual unit growth.
Create an advantaged fresh supply chain
Sprouts network of fresh distribution centers can drive
efficiencies across the chain and support growth plans. To further
deliver on fresh commitment and reputation, as well as to improve
financial results, the company will aspire to position fresh
distribution centers within a 250-mile radius of stores.
Refine brand and marketing approach
Sprouts can elevate its national brand recognition and
positioning by telling its unique product innovation and
differentiation story. Increased customer engagement through
digital and social connections will drive additional sales growth
and loyalty.
Deliver on financial targets and box
economics
Sprouts will measure the success of this strategy against the
following long-term targets:
- New store cost to build reduced by approximately 20%
- New store cash on cash returns of approximately 40%
- 10%+ unit growth annually
- Low single-digit comps
- Stable to expanding EBIT margins
- Low double-digit earnings growth
“While the current environment affects the
precise timing of when these strategies will impact our results, I
am confident all these initiatives will improve our store
performance, drive efficiencies, establish a tremendous unit growth
trajectory and accelerate our future earnings,” added Sinclair.
For additional materials related to the Strategy, please visit:
http://investors.sprouts.com/file/Index?KeyFile=1001263330
First Quarter 2020 Conference Call
Sprouts will hold a conference call at 2 p.m. Pacific Daylight
Time (5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time) on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, during
which Sprouts executives will further discuss first quarter 2020
financial results and long-term growth strategy.
A webcast of the conference call will be available through
Sprouts’ investor webpage located at investors.sprouts.com.
Participants should register on the website approximately 15
minutes prior to the start of the webcast.
The conference call will be available via the following dial-in
numbers:
- U.S. Participants: 877-398-9481
- International Participants: Dial +1-408-337-0130
- Conference ID: 1395554
The audio replay will remain available for 72 hours and can be
accessed by dialing 855-859-2056 (toll-free) or 404-537-3406
(international) and entering the confirmation code: 1395554.
Important Information Regarding Outlook
There is no guarantee that Sprouts will achieve its projected
financial expectations, which are based on management estimates,
currently available information and assumptions that management
believes to be reasonable. These expectations are
inherently subject to significant economic, competitive and other
uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the
control of management. See “Forward-Looking Statements”
below.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking as
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Any statements contained herein that are not statements of
historical fact (including, but not limited to, statements to the
effect that Sprouts Farmers Market or its management "anticipates,"
"plans," "estimates," "expects," or "believes," or the negative of
these terms and other similar expressions) should be considered
forward-looking statements, including, without limitation,
statements regarding the company’s guidance, outlook, growth,
opportunities and long-term strategy. These statements involve
certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to
differ materially from expectations as of the date of this release.
These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks
associated with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the Company’s
ability to execute on its long-term strategy; the company’s ability
to successfully compete in its intensely competitive industry; the
company’s ability to successfully open new stores; the company’s
ability to manage its growth; the company’s ability to maintain or
improve its operating margins; the company’s ability to identify
and react to trends in consumer preferences; product supply
disruptions; general economic conditions; accounting standard
changes; and other factors as set forth from time to time in the
company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including,
without limitation, the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The company intends these
forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of this
release and does not undertake to update or revise them as more
information becomes available, except as required by law.
Corporate Profile
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc., one of the fastest-growing
retailers in the country, has made healthy living accessible to
shoppers for nearly two decades by offering affordable, fresh,
natural and organic products. True to its farmers market heritage,
Sprouts is known for pioneering its unique grocery model by
offering a welcoming store layout featuring fresh produce at the
center of the store, an expansive bulk foods section, and a vitamin
department focused on overall wellness. Sprouts also offers a
unique assortment of healthier products with special attributes,
such as plant-based, gluten-free, keto-friendly, and grass-fed, to
meet the growing and diverse needs of today’s consumer.
Headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., Sprouts employs more than 32,000
team members and operates over 340 stores in 23 states from coast
to coast. Visit about.sprouts.com for more information.
|
|
|
|
SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
INCOME(UNAUDITED)(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE
AMOUNTS) |
|
|
|
|
|
ThirteenWeeks Ended |
|
ThirteenWeeks Ended |
|
March 29, 2020 |
|
March 31, 2019 |
Net sales |
$ |
1,646,539 |
|
|
$ |
1,413,887 |
|
Cost of sales |
|
1,052,707 |
|
|
|
929,538 |
|
Gross profit |
|
593,832 |
|
|
|
484,349 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
436,304 |
|
|
|
374,826 |
|
Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of depreciation included
in cost of sales) |
|
31,021 |
|
|
|
29,459 |
|
Store closure costs and other credits |
|
(1,082 |
) |
|
|
508 |
|
Income from operations |
|
127,589 |
|
|
|
79,556 |
|
Interest expense, net |
|
4,827 |
|
|
|
5,002 |
|
Income before income taxes |
|
122,762 |
|
|
|
74,554 |
|
Income tax provision |
|
30,952 |
|
|
|
18,162 |
|
Net income |
$ |
91,810 |
|
|
$ |
56,392 |
|
Net income per share: |
|
|
|
Basic |
$ |
0.78 |
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
Diluted |
$ |
0.78 |
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
Weighted average shares outstanding: |
|
|
|
Basic |
|
117,545 |
|
|
|
123,258 |
|
Diluted |
|
117,748 |
|
|
|
123,926 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS(UNAUDITED)(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND
PER SHARE AMOUNTS) |
|
|
|
|
|
March 29, 2020 |
|
December 29, 2019 |
ASSETS |
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
247,101 |
|
|
$ |
85,314 |
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
12,411 |
|
|
|
15,713 |
|
Inventories |
|
253,191 |
|
|
|
275,979 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
18,079 |
|
|
|
10,833 |
|
Total current assets |
|
530,782 |
|
|
|
387,839 |
|
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation |
|
734,504 |
|
|
|
741,508 |
|
Operating lease assets, net |
|
1,024,510 |
|
|
|
1,028,436 |
|
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization |
|
185,350 |
|
|
|
185,395 |
|
Goodwill |
|
368,078 |
|
|
|
368,078 |
|
Other assets |
|
11,976 |
|
|
|
11,727 |
|
Total assets |
$ |
2,855,200 |
|
|
$ |
2,722,983 |
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
$ |
200,762 |
|
|
$ |
122,839 |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
153,365 |
|
|
|
136,482 |
|
Accrued salaries and benefits |
|
51,563 |
|
|
|
48,579 |
|
Accrued income tax |
|
30,911 |
|
|
|
2,005 |
|
Current portion of operating lease liabilities |
|
109,961 |
|
|
|
106,153 |
|
Current portion of finance lease liabilities |
|
833 |
|
|
|
754 |
|
Total current liabilities |
|
547,395 |
|
|
|
416,812 |
|
Long-term operating lease liabilities |
|
1,074,318 |
|
|
|
1,078,927 |
|
Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities |
|
462,185 |
|
|
|
549,419 |
|
Other long-term liabilities |
|
45,993 |
|
|
|
41,517 |
|
Deferred income tax liability |
|
54,587 |
|
|
|
54,356 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
2,184,478 |
|
|
|
2,141,031 |
|
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
Stockholders' equity: |
|
|
|
Undesignated preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares
authorized, no shares issued and outstanding |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized,
117,786,608 shares issued and outstanding, March 29, 2020;
117,543,668 shares issued and outstanding, December 29, 2019 |
|
117 |
|
|
|
117 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
673,366 |
|
|
|
670,966 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
(10,122 |
) |
|
|
(4,682 |
) |
Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit) |
|
7,361 |
|
|
|
(84,449 |
) |
Total stockholders' equity |
|
670,722 |
|
|
|
581,952 |
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity |
$ |
2,855,200 |
|
|
$ |
2,722,983 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH
FLOWS(UNAUDITED)(IN THOUSANDS) |
|
|
|
|
|
ThirteenWeeks Ended |
|
ThirteenWeeks Ended |
|
March 29, 2020 |
|
March 31, 2019 |
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
Net income |
$ |
91,810 |
|
|
$ |
56,392 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities: |
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
31,600 |
|
|
|
30,073 |
|
Operating lease asset amortization |
|
23,137 |
|
|
|
20,653 |
|
Store closure costs and other credits |
|
- |
|
|
|
710 |
|
Share-based compensation |
|
2,400 |
|
|
|
2,450 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
232 |
|
|
|
6,217 |
|
Other non-cash items |
|
(768 |
) |
|
|
(30 |
) |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
12,652 |
|
|
|
3,247 |
|
Inventories |
|
22,787 |
|
|
|
6,500 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
(8,652 |
) |
|
|
(744 |
) |
Other assets |
|
656 |
|
|
|
(1,086 |
) |
Accounts payable |
|
80,669 |
|
|
|
(5,531 |
) |
Accrued liabilities |
|
16,492 |
|
|
|
13,840 |
|
Accrued salaries and benefits |
|
2,984 |
|
|
|
(9,634 |
) |
Accrued income tax |
|
28,906 |
|
|
|
10,510 |
|
Operating lease liabilities |
|
(30,107 |
) |
|
|
(20,632 |
) |
Other long-term liabilities |
|
2,274 |
|
|
|
(330 |
) |
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
277,072 |
|
|
|
112,605 |
|
Cash flows used in investing activities |
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment |
|
(28,036 |
) |
|
|
(30,142 |
) |
Cash flows used in investing activities |
|
(28,036 |
) |
|
|
(30,142 |
) |
Cash flows used in financing activities |
|
|
|
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities |
|
— |
|
|
|
89,734 |
|
Payments on revolving credit facilities |
|
(87,000 |
) |
|
|
(42,734 |
) |
Payments on finance lease obligations |
|
(154 |
) |
|
|
(186 |
) |
Repurchase of common stock |
|
— |
|
|
|
(111,885 |
) |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
|
— |
|
|
|
1,661 |
|
Other |
|
— |
|
|
|
(319 |
) |
Cash flows used in financing activities |
|
(87,154 |
) |
|
|
(63,729 |
) |
Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
|
161,882 |
|
|
|
18,734 |
|
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of the
period |
|
86,785 |
|
|
|
2,248 |
|
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of the
period |
$ |
248,667 |
|
|
$ |
20,982 |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
(“GAAP”), the company presents EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted
EBIT, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share.
These measures are not in accordance with, and are not intended as
alternatives to, GAAP. The company's management believes that this
presentation provides useful information to management, analysts
and investors regarding certain additional financial and business
trends relating to its results of operations and financial
condition. In addition, management uses these measures for
reviewing the financial results of the company, and certain of
these measures may be used as components of incentive
compensation.
The company defines EBITDA as net income before interest
expense, provision for income tax, and depreciation, amortization
and accretion and adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA excluding the impact of
special items. The company defines adjusted EBIT, adjusted net
income and adjusted diluted earnings per share by adjusting the
applicable GAAP measure to remove the impact of special items.
Non-GAAP measures are intended to provide additional information
only and do not have any standard meanings prescribed by GAAP. Use
of these terms may differ from similar measures reported by other
companies. Because of their limitations, non-GAAP measures should
not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to
use to reinvest in the growth of the company’s business, or as a
measure of cash that will be available to meet the company’s
obligations. Each non-GAAP measure has its limitations as an
analytical tool, and you should not consider them in isolation or
as a substitute for analysis of the company’s results as reported
under GAAP.
The following table shows a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to
net income for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 and March
31, 2019 and a reconciliation of EBIT, net income and diluted
earnings per share to adjusted EBIT, adjusted net income and
adjusted diluted earnings per share for the thirteen weeks ended
March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019:
SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIESNON-GAAP MEASURE
RECONCILIATION(UNAUDITED)(IN
THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ThirteenWeeks Ended |
|
ThirteenWeeks Ended |
|
|
March 29, 2020 |
|
March 31, 2019 |
Net income |
|
$ |
91,810 |
|
|
$ |
56,392 |
|
Income tax provision |
|
|
30,952 |
|
|
|
18,162 |
|
Interest expense, net |
|
|
4,827 |
|
|
|
5,002 |
|
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) |
|
|
127,589 |
|
|
|
79,556 |
|
Special items: |
|
|
|
|
Strategic initiatives (1) |
|
|
1,200 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Store closures (2) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
508 |
|
Adjusted EBIT |
|
|
128,789 |
|
|
|
80,064 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |
|
|
31,600 |
|
|
|
30,073 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
160,389 |
|
|
$ |
110,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
91,810 |
|
|
$ |
56,392 |
|
Special Items: |
|
|
|
|
Strategic initiatives, net of tax (1) |
|
|
892 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Store closures, net of tax (2) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
377 |
|
Adjusted Net income |
|
$ |
92,702 |
|
|
$ |
56,769 |
|
Diluted earnings per share |
|
$ |
0.78 |
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
Adjusted diluted earnings per share |
|
$ |
0.79 |
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding |
|
|
117,748 |
|
|
|
123,926 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Includes professional fees related to our
ongoing strategic initiatives. After-tax impact includes the tax
benefit on the pre-tax charge.(2) Includes the direct
costs associated with store closures and relocation.
After-tax impact includes the tax benefit on the pre-tax
charge.
|
|
Investor Contact: |
Media Contact: |
Susannah
Livingston |
Diego
Romero |
(602)
682-1584 |
(602)
682-3173 |
susannahlivingston@sprouts.com |
media@sprouts.com |
Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM)
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From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Sprouts Farmers Market (NASDAQ:SFM)
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From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024