United Natural Foods (UNFI) 10-Q 11 Jun 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	2-May-15	Jun. 05, 2015
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	UNITED NATURAL FOODS INC
Entity Central Index Key	1020859
Current Fiscal Year End Date	7
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	2-May-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		50,087,667

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	2-May-15	Aug. 02, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$23,940	$16,116
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $7,698 and $7,589, respectively	510,692	449,870
Inventories	947,697	834,722
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	54,970	45,064
Deferred income taxes	38,570	32,518
Total current assets	1,575,869	1,378,290
Property & equipment, net	556,526	483,960
Other assets:
Goodwill	268,529	274,548
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $23,769 and $19,002, respectively	128,206	134,989
Other assets	29,191	25,446
Total assets	2,558,321	2,297,233
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	440,276	385,890
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	124,617	136,959
Current portion of long-term debt	11,566	990
Total current liabilities	576,459	523,839
Notes Payable	360,599	415,660
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	177,246	32,510
Deferred income taxes	60,040	50,995
Other long-term liabilities	30,949	30,865
Total liabilities	1,205,293	1,053,869
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 5,000 shares; none issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 100,000 shares; 50,087 issued and outstanding shares at May 2, 2015; 49,771 issued and outstanding shares at August 2, 2014	501	498
Additional paid-in capital	418,623	402,875
Unallocated shares of Employee Stock Ownership Plan	0	-14
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-13,889	-5,152
Retained earnings	947,793	845,157
Total stockholders’ equity	1,353,028	1,243,364
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$2,558,321	$2,297,233

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	2-May-15	Aug. 02, 2014
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance (in dollars)	$7,698	$7,589
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization (in dollars)	$23,769	$19,002
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, authorized shares	5,000	5,000
Preferred stock, issued shares	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding shares	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, authorized shares	100,000	100,000
Common stock, issued shares	50,087	49,771
Common stock, outstanding shares	50,087	49,771

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	2-May-15	3-May-14	2-May-15	3-May-14
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$2,114,643	$1,781,729	$6,123,665	$5,029,781
Cost of sales	1,788,729	1,483,600	5,179,556	4,192,309
Gross profit	325,914	298,129	944,109	837,472
Operating expenses	256,942	235,514	766,438	677,986
Restructuring and asset impairment expenses	0	0	803	0
Total operating expenses	256,942	235,514	767,241	677,986
Operating income	68,972	62,615	176,868	159,486
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	3,920	2,308	10,729	5,944
Interest income	-123	-129	-285	-374
Other, net	-4,396	-217	-3,785	404
Total other expense, net	-599	1,962	6,659	5,974
Income before income taxes	69,571	60,653	170,209	153,512
Provision for income taxes	27,821	24,261	67,573	61,405
Net income	$41,750	$36,392	$102,636	$92,107
Basic per share data:
Net income (usd per share)	$0.83	$0.73	$2.05	$1.86
Weighted average basic shares of common stock outstanding	50,079	49,635	49,998	49,577
Diluted per share data:
Net income (usd per share)	$0.83	$0.73	$2.04	$1.85
Weighted average diluted shares of common stock outstanding	50,348	49,931	50,246	49,860

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	2-May-15	3-May-14	2-May-15	3-May-14
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$41,750	$36,392	$102,636	$92,107
Other comprehensive income (loss), After-tax Amount:
Fair value of swap agreements, net of tax	-254	0	-254	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	3,409	1,128	-8,483	-4,489
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3,155	1,128	-8,737	-4,489
Total comprehensive income	$44,905	$37,520	$93,899	$87,618

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid in Capital	Unallocated Shares of ESOP	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Retained Earnings
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance at Aug. 02, 2014	$1,243,364	$498	$402,875	($14)	($5,152)	$845,157
Beginning Balance (shares) at Aug. 02, 2014	49,771	49,771
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Ownership Plan	14			14
Stock option exercises and restricted stock vestings, net of tax		316
Stock option exercises and restricted stock vestings, net of tax	914	3	911
Share-based compensation	11,972		11,972
Tax benefit associated with stock plans	2,865		2,865
Fair value of swap agreements, net of tax	-254				-254
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-8,483				-8,483
Net income	102,636					102,636
Ending Balance at May. 02, 2015	$1,353,028	$501	$418,623	$0	($13,889)	$947,793
Ending Balance (shares) at May. 02, 2015	50,087	50,087

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	2-May-15	3-May-14
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$102,636	$92,107
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	47,206	35,427
Share-based compensation	11,972	13,137
Gain on disposals of property and equipment	-784	-59
Gain associated with acquisition of land	-2,824	0
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	-2,865	-2,459
Restructuring and asset impairment	803	0
Deferred income taxes	3,292	3,165
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,508	2,771
Non-cash interest expense	368	1,767
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquired businesses:
Accounts receivable	-67,166	-81,467
Inventories	-116,693	-126,613
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-3,863	-6,251
Accounts payable	30,053	48,107
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	-11,836	-279
Net cash used in operating activities	-6,193	-20,647
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	-98,544	-107,945
Purchases of acquired businesses, net of cash acquired	-8,017	-23,032
Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment	936	6,061
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities	-3,000	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-108,625	-124,916
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments of long-term debt	-8,252	-707
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	150,000	0
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit line	567,807	535,218
Repayments of borrowings under revolving credit line	-621,933	-397,093
Increase in bank overdraft	33,122	12,711
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,297	2,125
Payment of employee restricted stock tax withholdings	-2,383	-3,709
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	2,865	2,459
Capitalized debt issuance costs	-1,963	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	122,560	151,004
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	82	25
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	7,824	5,466
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	16,116	11,111
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	23,940	16,577
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Non-cash financing activity	13,564	0
Non-cash investing activity	13,564	0
Cash paid for interest	10,688	4,812
Cash paid for federal and state income taxes, net of refunds	$58,989	$52,880

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
	2-May-15
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	(a)  Nature of Business
	United Natural Foods, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a leading distributor and retailer of natural, organic and specialty products. The Company sells its products primarily throughout the United States and Canada.
	(b)  Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for interim financial information, including the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally required in complete financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. In the Company’s opinion, these condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for interim periods, however, may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 2, 2014.
	Net sales consist primarily of sales of natural, organic and specialty products to retailers, adjusted for customer volume discounts, returns and allowances. Net sales also include amounts charged by the Company to customers for shipping and handling and fuel surcharges. The principal components of 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 the Company’s distribution facilities. Cost of sales also includes amounts incurred by the Company’s manufacturing subsidiary, United Natural Trading LLC, which does business as Woodstock Farms Manufacturing, for inbound transportation costs and depreciation of manufacturing equipment offset by 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 include depreciation expense related to the wholesale and retail divisions. Other expense (income) includes interest on outstanding indebtedness, interest income, foreign exchange gains or losses and other miscellaneous income and expenses. Other income for the three and nine months ended May 2, 2015 includes a gain of $4.2 million associated with a transfer of land at the Company's Prescott, Wisconsin facility.
	As noted above, 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 selecting, quality assurance, and outbound transportation are recorded in operating expenses. Outbound shipping and handling costs, including allocated employee benefit expenses, totaled $113.0 million and $100.3 million for the three months ended May 2, 2015 and May 3, 2014, respectively. Outbound shipping and handling costs, including allocated employee benefit expenses, totaled $337.7 million and $295.4 million for the nine months ended May 2, 2015 and May 3, 2014, respectively.
	(c)  Correction of Prior Period Errors
	During the three months ended January 31, 2015, the Company recorded a cumulative prior period adjustment to net sales for $7.7 million related to amounts owed to a customer resulting from an incorrect calculation of contractual obligations to that customer from fiscal year 2009 through fiscal year 2014. The aggregate amount of the reduction in net sales related to this incorrect calculation in fiscal 2015 was $9.3 million. The Company reviewed the impact of these corrections in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 99 "Materiality," and determined that these corrections were not material to prior or current periods.

RECENTLY_ISSUED_ACCOUNTING_PRO

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	9 Months Ended
	2-May-15
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) ("ASU 2015-03"), which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with the presentation of debt discounts. ASU 2015-03 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, which for the Company will be the first quarter of the fiscal year ending July 29, 2017, with early adoption permitted and retrospective application required. If the Company had adopted this standard in the third quarter of fiscal 2015, the result would have been the reclassification of $4.4 million and $3.1 million as of May 2, 2015 and August 2, 2014, respectively, from deferred financing costs to long-term debt in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. The new guidance requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures as appropriate. The new pronouncement is effective for public companies with annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, (Topic 606). The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new pronouncement is effective for public companies with annual periods, and interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2016, which for the Company will be the first quarter of the fiscal year ending July 28, 2018. We are in the process of evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 2015) and Property Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an entity. The new guidance raises the threshold for disposals that would qualify as discontinued operations and also requires additional disclosures regarding discontinued operations, as well as material disposals that do not meet the definition of discontinued operations. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2014, which would be the Company's first quarter of the fiscal year ending July 30, 2016, and should be applied on a prospective basis. We do not expect the adoption of these provisions to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	9 Months Ended
	2-May-15
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	ACQUISITIONS
	During the three months ended May 2, 2015, the Company recorded an adjustment to certain provisional amounts recorded as of the fiscal year ended August 2, 2014 related to the acquisition of all of the outstanding capital stock of Tony's Fine Foods ("Tony’s") by the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, United Natural Foods West, Inc. ("UNFI West") on July 15, 2014. This adjustment resulted in a decrease to goodwill of $0.3 million related to a true-up of accounts receivable balances for amounts subsequently collected. This adjustment was in addition to those adjustments recorded in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2015, which included (i) an increase to the fair value of the non-competition agreement assets and a decrease to the fair value of the customer relationship intangible asset by $0.9 million and $0.7 million, respectively, recorded within intangible assets based on updated valuation information, (ii) a decrease to the opening value of the property and equipment acquired of $0.8 million based on updated fair value information, (iii) a decrease to goodwill of $0.1 million related to a preliminary working capital adjustment, (iv) a decrease to goodwill of $3.1 million related to a settlement of a tax liability that was recorded as a payable as of August 2, 2014, and (v) a decrease to goodwill of $0.1 million related to the working capital adjustment settlement. The aforementioned adjustments decreased goodwill by a total of $0.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 and $3.0 million from the balance recorded as of August 2, 2014. While the Company is still completing the final valuation of the acquired fixed assets and intangibles and purchase accounting, the Company does not expect any material changes to the amounts recorded in the financial statements as of May 2, 2015. Net sales from the acquired business totaled approximately $213.7 million and $661.1 million for the three and nine months ended May 2, 2015, respectively, and are included within the Company's wholesale segment.
	The cash portion of the purchase price paid for Tony's was financed through borrowings under the Company’s amended and restated revolving credit facility. Acquisition costs related to the purchase have been expensed as incurred and are included within "Operating Expenses" in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The business was absorbed by the operations of the Company’s broadline distribution business; therefore, the Company does not record the expenses separately from the rest of the broadline distribution business and it is not possible to provide complete financial results separately for the business.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	9 Months Ended
	2-May-15
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The following is a reconciliation of the basic and diluted number of shares used in computing earnings per share (in thousands):
		Three months ended		Nine months ended
		May 2,	May 3,	May 2,	May 3,
		2015	2014	2015	2014
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	50,079	49,635	49,998	49,577
	Net effect of dilutive stock awards based upon the treasury stock method	269	296	248	283
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	50,348	49,931	50,246	49,860
	There were 241 anti-dilutive share-based awards outstanding for the three months ended May 2, 2015 and 5,634 anti-dilutive share-based awards outstanding for the three months ended May 3, 2014. For the nine months ended May 2, 2015 and May 3, 2014, there were 5,250 and 5,916 anti-dilutive share-based awards outstanding, respectively. These anti-dilutive share-based awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_OF_FIN

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	9 Months Ended
	2-May-15
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	Interest Rate Swap Agreement
	On January 23, 2015, the Company entered into a forward starting interest rate swap agreement with an effective date of August 3, 2015. The agreement provides for the Company to pay interest for a seven-year period at a fixed rate of 1.795% on an initial amortizing principal amount of $140.0 million while receiving interest for the same period at the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") on the same notional amount. The interest rate swap has been entered into as a hedge against LIBOR movements on the current variable rate related to the Company’s real-estate backed Term Loan Agreement entered into on August 14, 2014, explained in more detail in Note 7 "Long-Term Debt," to protect against rising interest rates. We expect that the interest rate swap will effectively fix the Company’s interest rate payments on the $140.0 million of debt. The swap agreement qualifies as an “effective” hedge under FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”).
	Interest rate swap agreements are entered into for periods consistent with related underlying exposures and do not constitute positions independent of those exposures. The Company’s interest rate swap agreement is designated as a cash flow hedge at May 2, 2015 and is reflected at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	The Company uses the “Hypothetical Derivative Method” described in ASC 815 for quarterly prospective and retrospective assessments of hedge effectiveness, as well as for measurements of hedge ineffectiveness. Under this method, the Company assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in cash flows of the designated hedged transactions. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified to earnings in interest income when the hedged transactions affect earnings. Ineffectiveness resulting from the hedge is recorded as a gain or loss in the condensed consolidated statement of income as part of other income. The Company did not have any hedge ineffectiveness recognized in earnings during the three months ended May 2, 2015. The Company also monitors the risk of counterparty default on an ongoing basis.
	Fuel Supply Agreements
	The Company is party to several fixed price fuel supply agreements. During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company entered into an agreement which requires it to purchase a portion of its diesel fuel each month at fixed prices through December 2015. These fixed price fuel agreements qualify for, and the Company has elected to utilize, the “normal purchase” exception under ASC 815 as physical deliveries will occur rather than net settlements, and therefore the fuel purchases under these contracts are expensed as incurred and included within operating expenses. During the nine months ended May 3, 2014, the Company was a party to several similar agreements which required it to purchase a portion of its diesel fuel each month at fixed prices through December 2014 and which also qualified and were accounted for using the “normal purchase” exception under ASC 815, and therefore the fuel purchases under those contracts were also expensed as incurred and included within operating expenses.
	Financial Instruments
	There were no financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of August 2, 2014. The following table provides the fair value hierarchy for financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of May 2, 2015:
		Fair Value at May 2, 2015
	(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	Liabilities:
	Interest Rate Swap	—		$	420		—
		—		$	420		—
	The fair value of the Company’s other financial instruments including cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable and certain accrued expenses approximate carrying amounts due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The Company believes its credit risk is similar to the overall market and variable rates have not moved significantly since it initiated the underlying borrowings therefore the fair value of notes payable approximate carrying amounts.
	The following estimated fair value amounts for long-term debt have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies including the discounted cash flow method, taking into account the instruments’ interest rate, terms, maturity date and collateral, if any, in comparison to market rates for similar financial instruments and are, therefore, deemed Level 2 inputs. 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.
		2-May-15						2-Aug-14
	(In thousands)	Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value		Fair Value
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt, including current portion	$	188,812		$	198,124		$	33,500	$	36,386

BUSINESS_SEGMENTS

BUSINESS SEGMENTS	9 Months Ended
	2-May-15
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
BUSINESS SEGMENTS	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 the national distribution of natural, organic and specialty foods, produce and related products in the United States and Canada. The Company has additional operating divisions that do not meet the quantitative thresholds for reportable segments and are therefore aggregated under the caption of “Other.” “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, packaging, and distributing of nuts, dried fruit, seeds, trail mixes, granola, natural and organic snack items and confections, and the Company’s branded product lines. “Other” also includes certain corporate operating expenses that are not allocated to operating divisions and are necessary to operate the Company’s headquarters located in Providence, Rhode Island, which include depreciation, salaries, retainers, and other related expenses of officers, directors, corporate finance (including professional services), information technology, governance, legal, human resources and internal audit. As the Company continues to expand its business and serve its customers through a new national platform, these corporate expense amounts have increased, which is the primary driver behind the increasing operating losses within the “Other” category below. Non-operating expenses that are not allocated to the operating divisions are under the caption of “Unallocated Expenses.” 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.
	The following table reflects business segment information for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Wholesale			Other			Eliminations			Unallocated			Consolidated
	Three months ended May 2, 2015:
	Net sales	$	2,093,384		$	57,415		$	(36,156	)	$	—		$	2,114,643
	Operating income (loss)	75,181			(6,096		)	(113		)	—			68,972
	Interest expense	—			—			—			3,920			3,920
	Interest income	—			—			—			(123		)	(123		)
	Other, net	—			—			—			(4,396		)	(4,396		)
	Income before income taxes													69,571
	Depreciation and amortization	15,751			1,798			—			—			17,549
	Capital expenditures	41,569			812			—			—			42,381
	Goodwill	250,798			17,731			—			—			268,529
	Total assets	2,387,329			185,855			(14,863		)	—			2,558,321
	Three months ended May 3, 2014:
	Net sales	$	1,756,293		$	60,258		$	(34,822	)	$	—		$	1,781,729
	Operating income (loss)	68,944			(5,717		)	(612		)	—			62,615
	Interest expense	—			—			—			2,308			2,308
	Interest income	—			—			—			(129		)	(129		)
	Other, net	(217		)	—			—			—			(217		)
	Income before income taxes													60,653
	Depreciation and amortization	11,736			693			—			—			12,429
	Capital expenditures	30,925			700			—			—			31,625
	Goodwill	192,030			17,731			—			—			209,761
	Total assets	1,901,662			149,234			(12,996		)	—			2,037,900
		Wholesale			Other			Eliminations			Unallocated			Consolidated
	Nine months ended May 2, 2015:
	Net sales	$	6,061,161		$	165,142		$	(102,638	)	$	—		$	6,123,665
	Operating income (loss)	199,241			(22,893		)	520			—			176,868
	Interest expense	—			—			—			10,729			10,729
	Interest income	—			—			—			(285		)	(285		)
	Other, net	—			—			—			(3,785		)	(3,785		)
	Income before income taxes													170,209
	Depreciation and amortization	43,149			4,057			—			—			47,206
	Capital expenditures	96,239			2,305			—			—			98,544
	Goodwill	250,798			17,731			—			—			268,529
	Total assets	2,387,329			185,855			(14,863		)	—			2,558,321
	Nine months ended May 3, 2014:
	Net sales	$	4,966,470		$	153,988		$	(90,677	)	$	—		$	5,029,781
	Operating income (loss)	180,606			(20,262		)	(858		)	—			159,486
	Interest expense	—			—			—			5,944			5,944
	Interest income	—			—			—			(374		)	(374		)
	Other, net	404			—			—			—			404
	Income before income taxes													153,512
	Depreciation and amortization	33,642			1,785			—			—			35,427
	Capital expenditures	106,928			1,017			—			—			107,945
	Goodwill	192,030			17,731			—			—			209,761
	Total assets	1,901,662			149,234			(12,996		)	—			2,037,900

LONGTERM_DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	9 Months Ended
	2-May-15
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	LONG-TERM DEBT
	On August 14, 2014, the Company entered into a real-estate backed Term Loan Agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”) by and among the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiary Albert’s Organics, Inc. (“Albert's,” and together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the financial institutions that are parties thereto as lenders (collectively, the “Lenders”), Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent for the Lenders (the “Administrative Agent”) and the other parties thereto. The total initial borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement were $150.0 million. Borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement are guaranteed by most of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries who are not also Borrowers. The Borrowers are required to make $2.5 million principal payments quarterly beginning on November 1, 2014. The Term Loan Agreement will terminate on the earlier of (a) August 14, 2022 and (b) the date that is ninety days prior to the termination date of the Company’s amended and restated revolving credit agreement, as amended. Under the Term Loan Agreement, the Borrowers at their option may request the establishment of one or more new term loan commitments in increments of at least $10.0 million, but not to exceed $50.0 million in total, subject to the approval of the Lenders electing to participate in such incremental loans and the satisfaction of the conditions required by the Term Loan Agreement. The Borrowers will be required to make quarterly principal payments on these incremental borrowings in accordance with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement.
	Borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement bear interest at rates that, at the Company's option, can be either: (1) a base rate generally defined as the sum of (i) the highest of (x) the Administrative Agent's prime rate, (y) the average overnight federal funds effective rate plus 0.50% and (z) one-month LIBOR plus one percent (1%) per annum and (ii) a margin of 1.50%; or, (2) a LIBOR rate generally defined as the sum of (i) LIBOR (as published by Reuters or other commercially available sources) for one, two, three or six months or, if approved by all affected lenders, nine months (all as selected by the Company), and (ii) a margin of 2.50%. Interest accrued on borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement is payable in arrears. Interest accrued on any LIBOR loan is payable on the last day of the interest period applicable to the loan and, with respect to any LIBOR loan of more than three (3) months, on the last day of every three (3) months of such interest period. Interest accrued on base rate loans is payable on the first day of every month. The Company is also required to pay certain customary fees to the Administrative Agent. The Borrowers' obligations under the Term Loan Agreement are secured by certain parcels of the Borrowers' real property.
	As of May 2, 2015, the Company had borrowings of $142.5 million under the Term Loan Agreement which is included in "Long-term debt" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	During the nine months ended May 2, 2015, the Company entered into an amendment to an existing lease agreement for the office space utilized as the Company's corporate headquarters in Providence, Rhode Island. The amendment provides for additional office space to be utilized by the Company and extends the lease term for an additional 10 years. The lease qualifies for capital lease treatment pursuant to FASB ASC 840, Leases, and the estimated fair value of the building is recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet with the capital lease obligation included in "Long-term debt." A portion of each lease payment reduces the amount of the lease obligation, and a portion is recorded as interest expense at an effective rate of approximately 12.38%. The capital lease obligation as of May 2, 2015 was $13.6 million. The Company recorded $0.4 million and $0.5 million of interest expense during the three and nine months ended May 2, 2015, respectively.
	During the fiscal year ended July 28, 2012, the Company entered into a lease agreement for a new distribution facility in Aurora, Colorado. At the conclusion of the fiscal year ended August 3, 2013, actual construction costs exceeded the construction allowance as defined by the lease agreement, and therefore, the Company determined it met the criteria for continuing involvement pursuant to FASB ASC 840, Leases, and applied the financing method to account for this transaction during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. Under the financing method, the book value of the distribution facility and related accumulated depreciation remains on the balance sheet. The construction allowance is recorded as a financing obligation in "Long-term debt." A portion of each lease payment reduces the amount of the financing obligation, and a portion is recorded as interest expense at an effective rate of approximately 7.32%. The financing obligation as of May 2, 2015 was $32.7 million. The Company recorded $0.6 million of interest expense during each of the three months ended May 2, 2015 and May 3, 2014 and $1.9 million during each of the nine months ended May 2, 2015 and May 3, 2014.

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE1

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	2-May-15
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	(b)  Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for interim financial information, including the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally required in complete financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. In the Company’s opinion, these condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for interim periods, however, may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 2, 2014.
	Net sales consist primarily of sales of natural, organic and specialty products to retailers, adjusted for customer volume discounts, returns and allowances. Net sales also include amounts charged by the Company to customers for shipping and handling and fuel surcharges. The principal components of 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 the Company’s distribution facilities. Cost of sales also includes amounts incurred by the Company’s manufacturing subsidiary, United Natural Trading LLC, which does business as Woodstock Farms Manufacturing, for inbound transportation costs and depreciation of manufacturing equipment offset by 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 include depreciation expense related to the wholesale and retail divisions. Other expense (income) includes interest on outstanding indebtedness, interest income, foreign exchange gains or losses and other miscellaneous income and expenses. Other income for the three and nine months ended May 2, 2015 includes a gain of $4.2 million associated with a transfer of land at the Company's Prescott, Wisconsin facility.
	As noted above, 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 selecting, quality assurance, and outbound transportation are recorded in operating expenses. Outbound shipping and handling costs, including allocated employee benefit expenses, totaled $113.0 million and $100.3 million for the three months ended May 2, 2015 and May 3, 2014, respectively. Outbound shipping and handling costs, including allocated employee benefit expenses, totaled $337.7 million and $295.4 million for the nine months ended May 2, 2015 and May 3, 2014, respectively.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	2-May-15
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of reconciliation of the weighted average number of shares outstanding used in the computation of the basic and diluted earnings per share	The following is a reconciliation of the basic and diluted number of shares used in computing earnings per share (in thousands):
		Three months ended		Nine months ended
		May 2,	May 3,	May 2,	May 3,
		2015	2014	2015	2014
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	50,079	49,635	49,998	49,577
	Net effect of dilutive stock awards based upon the treasury stock method	269	296	248	283
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	50,348	49,931	50,246	49,860

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_OF_FIN1

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	2-May-15
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis
		Fair Value at May 2, 2015
	(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	Liabilities:
	Interest Rate Swap	—		$	420		—
		—		$	420		—
Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments
		2-May-15						2-Aug-14
	(In thousands)	Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value		Fair Value
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt, including current portion	$	188,812		$	198,124		$	33,500	$	36,386

BUSINESS_SEGMENTS_Tables

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	2-May-15
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of business segment information	The following table reflects business segment information for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Wholesale			Other			Eliminations			Unallocated			Consolidated
	Three months ended May 2, 2015:
	Net sales	$	2,093,384		$	57,415		$	(36,156	)	$	—		$	2,114,643
	Operating income (loss)	75,181			(6,096		)	(113		)	—			68,972
	Interest expense	—			—			—			3,920			3,920
	Interest income	—			—			—			(123		)	(123		)
	Other, net	—			—			—			(4,396		)	(4,396		)
	Income before income taxes													69,571
	Depreciation and amortization	15,751			1,798			—			—			17,549
	Capital expenditures	41,569			812			—			—			42,381
	Goodwill	250,798			17,731			—			—			268,529
	Total assets	2,387,329			185,855			(14,863		)	—			2,558,321
	Three months ended May 3, 2014:
	Net sales	$	1,756,293		$	60,258		$	(34,822	)	$	—		$	1,781,729
	Operating income (loss)	68,944			(5,717		)	(612		)	—			62,615
	Interest expense	—			—			—			2,308			2,308
	Interest income	—			—			—			(129		)	(129		)
	Other, net	(217		)	—			—			—			(217		)
	Income before income taxes													60,653
	Depreciation and amortization	11,736			693			—			—			12,429
	Capital expenditures	30,925			700			—			—			31,625
	Goodwill	192,030			17,731			—			—			209,761
	Total assets	1,901,662			149,234			(12,996		)	—			2,037,900
		Wholesale			Other			Eliminations			Unallocated			Consolidated
	Nine months ended May 2, 2015:
	Net sales	$	6,061,161		$	165,142		$	(102,638	)	$	—		$	6,123,665
	Operating income (loss)	199,241			(22,893		)	520			—			176,868
	Interest expense	—			—			—			10,729			10,729
	Interest income	—			—			—			(285		)	(285		)
	Other, net	—			—			—			(3,785		)	(3,785		)
	Income before income taxes													170,209
	Depreciation and amortization	43,149			4,057			—			—			47,206
	Capital expenditures	96,239			2,305			—			—			98,544
	Goodwill	250,798			17,731			—			—			268,529
	Total assets	2,387,329			185,855			(14,863		)	—			2,558,321
	Nine months ended May 3, 2014:
	Net sales	$	4,966,470		$	153,988		$	(90,677	)	$	—		$	5,029,781
	Operating income (loss)	180,606			(20,262		)	(858		)	—			159,486
	Interest expense	—			—			—			5,944			5,944
	Interest income	—			—			—			(374		)	(374		)
	Other, net	404			—			—			—			404
	Income before income taxes													153,512
	Depreciation and amortization	33,642			1,785			—			—			35,427
	Capital expenditures	106,928			1,017			—			—			107,945
	Goodwill	192,030			17,731			—			—			209,761
	Total assets	1,901,662			149,234			(12,996		)	—			2,037,900

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE2

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	2-May-15	Jan. 31, 2015	3-May-14	2-May-15	3-May-14
Significant Accounting Policies
Gain on non-cash transfer of land				$4,200,000
Total outbound shipping and handling costs	113,000,000		100,300,000	337,700,000	295,400,000
Reduction to net sales		$7,736,000		$9,326,000

RECENTLY_ISSUED_ACCOUNTING_PRO1

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Details) (USD $)	2-May-15	Aug. 02, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net	$4.40	$3.10

ACQUISITIONS_Details

ACQUISITIONS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	2-May-15	3-May-14	2-May-15	3-May-14	Jan. 31, 2015	Nov. 01, 2014
Acquisitions
Net sales	$2,114,643,000	$1,781,729,000	$6,123,665,000	$5,029,781,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired			-8,017,000	-23,032,000
Tony's Fine Foods [Member]
Acquisitions
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	3,100,000		3,000,000
Net sales	213,700,000		661,100,000
Purchase Accounting Adjustments [Domain]
Acquisitions
Identifiable intangible assets						900,000
Customer relationship						700,000
Property and equipment						800,000
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	$300,000				$100,000

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	2-May-15	3-May-14	2-May-15	3-May-14
Reconciliation of the basic and diluted number of shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	50,079,000	49,635,000	49,998,000	49,577,000
Net effect of dilutive stock awards based upon the treasury stock method	269,000	296,000	248,000	283,000
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	50,348,000	49,931,000	50,246,000	49,860,000
Anti-dilutive share-based payment awards outstanding (in shares)	241	5,634	5,250	5,916

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_OF_FIN2

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) (USD $)	2-May-15	Aug. 02, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value	$420,000	$0
Long term debt, including current portion, carrying value	188,812,000	33,500,000
Long term debt, including current portion, fair value	198,124,000	36,386,000
Derivative, Forward Interest Rate	1.80%
Derivative, Notional Amount	$140,000,000

BUSINESS_SEGMENTS_Details

BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	2-May-15	3-May-14	2-May-15	3-May-14	Aug. 02, 2014
Business segment information
Net sales	$2,114,643	$1,781,729	$6,123,665	$5,029,781
Operating income (loss)	68,972	62,615	176,868	159,486
Interest expense	3,920	2,308	10,729	5,944
Interest income	-123	-129	-285	-374
Other, net	-4,396	-217	-3,785	404
Income before income taxes	69,571	60,653	170,209	153,512
Depreciation and amortization	17,549	12,429	47,206	35,427
Capital expenditures	42,381	31,625	98,544	107,945
Goodwill	268,529	209,761	268,529	209,761	274,548
Total assets	2,558,321	2,037,900	2,558,321	2,037,900	2,297,233
Wholesale
Business segment information
Net sales	2,093,384	1,756,293	6,061,161	4,966,470
Operating income (loss)	75,181	68,944	199,241	180,606
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Other, net	0	217	0	404
Depreciation and amortization	15,751	11,736	43,149	33,642
Capital expenditures	41,569	30,925	96,239	106,928
Goodwill	250,798	192,030	250,798	192,030
Total assets	2,387,329	1,901,662	2,387,329	1,901,662
Other
Business segment information
Net sales	57,415	60,258	165,142	153,988
Operating income (loss)	-6,096	-5,717	-22,893	-20,262
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Other, net	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	1,798	693	4,057	1,785
Capital expenditures	812	700	2,305	1,017
Goodwill	17,731	17,731	17,731	17,731
Total assets	185,855	149,234	185,855	149,234
Eliminations
Business segment information
Net sales	-36,156	-34,822	-102,638	-90,677
Operating income (loss)	-113	-612	520	-858
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Other, net	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0	0	0
Goodwill	0	0	0	0
Total assets	-14,863	-12,996	-14,863	-12,996
Unallocated
Business segment information
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Operating income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Interest expense	3,920	2,308	10,729	5,944
Interest income	123	129	-285	-374
Other, net	-4,396	0	-3,785	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0	0	0
Goodwill	0	0	0	0
Total assets	$0	$0	$0	$0

LONGTERM_DEBT_Details

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	2-May-15	3-May-14	2-May-15	3-May-14	Aug. 02, 2014
Long-term debt instrument
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			$150,000,000	$0
Repayments of Long-term Debt			8,252,000	707,000
Long term debt, including current portion, carrying value	188,812,000		188,812,000		33,500,000
Interest expense	3,920,000	2,308,000	10,729,000	5,944,000
Term loan
Long-term debt instrument
Repayments of Long-term Debt			2,500,000
Long term debt, including current portion, carrying value	142,500,000		142,500,000
Capital lease obligation
Long-term debt instrument
Interest Expense, Lessee, Assets under Capital Lease	400,000		500,000
Lease Term			10 years
Effective interest rate on debt	12.38%		12.38%
Capital Lease Obligation	13,560,000		13,560,000
Sale Leaseback Financing Obligation
Long-term debt instrument
Long term debt, including current portion, carrying value	32,700,000		32,700,000
Effective interest rate on debt	7.32%		7.32%
Interest expense	600,000		1,900,000
Minimum | Term loan
Long-term debt instrument
Long term debt, including current portion, carrying value	10,000,000		10,000,000
Maximum | Term loan
Long-term debt instrument
Long term debt, including current portion, carrying value	$50,000,000		$50,000,000
Base Rate [Member] | Term loan
Long-term debt instrument
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis			Administrative Agent's prime rate
initial applicable margin			1.50%
Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate [Member] | Term loan
Long-term debt instrument
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis			overnight federal funds effective rate
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			0.50%
One-month LIBOR | Term loan
Long-term debt instrument
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis			one-month LIBOR
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			1.00%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Term loan
Long-term debt instrument
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis			one, two, three or six months or, if approved by all affected lenders, nine months
initial applicable margin			2.50%