Village Super Market (VLGEA) 10-K 12 Oct 17 2017 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Oct. 12, 2017
Entity Registrant Name	VILLAGE SUPER MARKET INC
Entity Central Index Key	103,595
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--07-29
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Jul. 29, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Class A Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		10,078,689
Entity Public Float	$ 211.8
Class B Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		4,303,748
Entity Public Float	$ 0.7

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 87,435	$ 88,379
Merchandise inventories	41,852	42,011
Patronage dividend receivable	12,655	13,185
Due from Related Parties, Current	22,118	0
Income taxes receivable	1,742	0
Other current assets	15,670	16,259
Total current assets	181,472	159,834
Notes receivable from Wakefern	22,562	42,735
Property, equipment and fixtures, net	204,440	201,470
Investment in Wakefern	27,093	26,467
Goodwill	12,057	12,057
Other assets	7,601	7,691
Total assets	455,225	450,254
Current Liabilities
Capital and financing lease obligations	652	514
Notes payable to Wakefern	292	341
Accounts payable to Wakefern	59,556	59,186
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	17,279	17,240
Accrued wages and benefits	17,810	16,313
Income taxes payable	604	5,702
Total current liabilities	96,193	99,296
Long-term debt
Capital and financing lease obligations	42,532	43,184
Notes payable to Wakefern	114	377
Total long-term debt	42,646	43,561
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent	15,194	26,740
Other liabilities	14,372	8,922
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock, no par value: Authorized 10,000 shares, none issued	0	0
Retained earnings	244,308	234,175
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7,406)	(13,339)
Total shareholders’ equity	286,820	271,735
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	455,225	450,254
Class A Common Stock
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock	57,852	55,196
Less treasury stock, Class A, at cost: 477 shares at July 29, 2017 and 353 shares at July 30, 2016	(8,633)	(4,998)
Class B Common Stock
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock	$ 699	$ 701

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - shares	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016
Preferred stock shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Class A Common Stock
Common stock shares authorized (in shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock shares issued (in shares)	10,562,000	10,192,000
Treasury stock shares (in shares)	477,000	343,000
Class B Common Stock
Common stock shares authorized (in shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock shares issued (in shares)	4,304,000	4,319,000
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	4,319,000	4,319,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Sales	$ 1,604,574	$ 1,634,904	$ 1,583,789
Cost of sales	1,167,863	1,189,874	1,150,674
Gross profit	436,711	445,030	433,115
Operating and administrative expense	371,495	376,601	366,254
Depreciation and amortization	24,482	24,101	23,330
Operating income	40,734	44,328	43,531
Interest expense	(4,452)	(4,495)	(4,535)
Interest income	2,841	2,506	2,399
Income before income taxes	39,123	42,339	41,395
Income taxes	16,202	17,295	10,775
Net income	$ 22,921	$ 25,044	$ 30,620
Class A Common Stock
Net income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.80	$ 1.98	$ 2.44
Diluted (in dollars per share)	1.60	1.77	2.16
Class B Common Stock
Net income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	1.16	1.29	1.58
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.16	$ 1.29	$ 1.58

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMEN

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net income		$ 22,921	$ 25,044	$ 30,620
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Curtailment Gain, Net of Tax		0	10,616	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Finalization of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Valuation, Net of Tax		571	0	(189)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), Net of Tax		(794)	(892)	(768)	[1]
Pension adjustment to funded status, net of tax	[2]	4,568	(7,973)	(4,988)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		5,933	3,535	(4,409)
Comprehensive income		$ 28,854	$ 28,579	$ 26,211
[1]	Amounts are net of tax of $549, $612 and $527 for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
[2]	Amounts are net of tax of $3,106, $5,478 and $3,429 for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEME6

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Tax of amortization of pension actuarial loss	$ 549	$ 612	$ 527
Tax (expense) benefit of pension adjustment to funded status	(3,106)	$ (5,478)	(3,429)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Finalization of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Valuation, Tax	$ 394		$ 130

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAR

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common StockClass A Common Stock	Common StockClass B Common Stock	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock Class A
Balance (in shares) at Jul. 26, 2014		10,147	4,361			454
Balance at Jul. 26, 2014	$ 233,136	$ 47,056	$ 708	$ 203,722	$ (12,465)	$ (5,885)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	30,620			30,620
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(4,409)				(4,409)
Dividends	(12,577)			(12,577)
Exercise of stock options	$ 2,392	$ 950				$ 1,442
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	(111)					(111)
Share-based compensation expense (in shares)		3
Share-based compensation expense	$ 3,169	$ 3,169
Tax (deficit) benefit from exercise of stock options and restricted share vesting	436	$ 436
Conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares (in shares)		42	(42)
Conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares	0	$ 7	$ (7)
Balance (in shares) at Jul. 25, 2015		10,192	4,319			343
Balance at Jul. 25, 2015	252,767	$ 51,618	$ 701	221,765	(16,874)	$ (4,443)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	25,044			25,044
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3,535				3,535
Dividends	(12,634)			(12,634)
Exercise of stock options	$ 813	$ 390				$ 423
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	(30)					(30)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeited		(4)
Stock Granted, Value, Share-based Compensation, Forfeited		$ (55)
Share-based compensation expense (in shares)		2
Share-based compensation expense	$ 3,250	$ 3,250
Tax (deficit) benefit from exercise of stock options and restricted share vesting	(7)	$ (7)
Balance (in shares) at Jul. 30, 2016		10,190	4,319			353
Balance at Jul. 30, 2016	271,735	$ 55,196	$ 701	234,175	(13,339)	$ (4,998)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	22,921			22,921
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	5,933				5,933
Dividends	(12,788)			(12,788)
Exercise of stock options	$ 812	$ 366				$ 446
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	(31)					(31)
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)						155
Treasury stock purchases	$ (4,081)					$ (4,081)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeited		(5)
Stock Granted, Value, Share-based Compensation, Forfeited	(102)	$ (102)
Share-based compensation expense (in shares)		362
Share-based compensation expense	3,236	$ 3,236
Tax (deficit) benefit from exercise of stock options and restricted share vesting	(846)	$ (846)
Conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares (in shares)		15	(15)
Conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares		$ 2	$ (2)
Balance (in shares) at Jul. 29, 2017		10,562	4,304			477
Balance at Jul. 29, 2017	$ 286,820	$ 57,852	$ 699	$ 244,308	$ (7,406)	$ (8,633)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHA8

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME PARENTHETICAL - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Tax expense (benefit) associated with other comprehensive loss and income	$ (4,049)	$ (2,422)	$ 3,032

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 22,921	$ 25,044	$ 30,620
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	24,482	24,101	23,330
Non-cash share-based compensation	3,134	3,195	3,169
Deferred taxes	2,279	(70)	14,841
Provision to value inventories at LIFO	(112)	(171)	124
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Merchandise inventories	271	3,932	(1,202)
Patronage dividend receivable	530	(354)	92
Accounts payable to Wakefern	370	849	(5,372)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	111	(1,389)	1,329
Accrued wages and benefits	1,497	1,196	(3,739)
Income taxes receivable / payable	(7,957)	8,819	(47,539)
Other assets and liabilities	(1,373)	(1,051)	1,815
Net cash provided by operating activities	46,153	64,101	17,468
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(27,726)	(19,971)	(23,517)
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	0	919	0
Investment in notes receivable from Wakefern	(1,945)	(1,314)	(823)
Net cash used in investing activities	(29,671)	(20,366)	(24,340)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	812	813	2,392
Excess tax benefit related to share-based compensation	83	28	436
Principal payments of long-term debt	(1,452)	(1,625)	(1,691)
Dividends	(12,788)	(12,634)	(12,577)
Treasury stock purchases	(4,081)	(978)	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(17,426)	(14,396)	(11,440)
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(944)	29,339	(18,312)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR	88,379	59,040	77,352
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR	87,435	88,379	59,040
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH PAYMENTS MADE FOR:
Interest	4,452	4,495	4,446
Income taxes	$ 21,590	$ 8,518	$ 43,038

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Nature of operations Village Super Market, Inc. (the “Company” or “Village”) operates a chain of 29 ShopRite supermarkets in New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland. The Company is a member of Wakefern Food Corporation ("Wakefern"), the nation's largest retailer-owned food cooperative and owner of the ShopRite name. This relationship provides Village many of the economies of scale in purchasing, distribution, private label products, advanced retail technology, marketing and advertising associated with chains of greater size and geographic coverage. Principles of consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Village Super Market, Inc. and its subsidiaries, which are wholly owned. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain amounts have been reclassified in the fiscal 2015 consolidated statement of comprehensive income to conform to the fiscal 2017 presentation. Fiscal year The Company and its subsidiaries utilize a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in the month of July. Fiscal 2017 and 2015 contain 52 weeks. Fiscal 2016 contains 53 weeks. Use of estimates In conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Some of the more significant estimates are patronage dividends, pension accounting assumptions, accounting for uncertain tax positions, accounting for contingencies and the impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Industry segment The Company consists of one operating segment, the retail sale of food and nonfood products. Revenue recognition Merchandise sales are recognized at the point of sale to the customer. Sales tax is excluded from revenue. Discounts provided to customers through ShopRite coupons and loyalty programs are recognized as a reduction of sales as the products are sold. Cash and cash equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Included in cash and cash equivalents are proceeds due from credit and debit card transactions, which typically settle within five business days, of $7,641 and $7,534 at July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 , respectively. Included in cash and cash equivalents at July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 are $60,037 and $63,609 , respectively, of demand deposits invested at Wakefern at overnight money market rates. Merchandise inventories Approximately 65% of merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of LIFO (last-in, first-out) cost or market. If the FIFO (first-in, first-out) method had been used, inventories would have been $14,410 and $14,522 higher than reported in fiscal 2017 and 2016 , respectively. All other inventories are stated at the lower of FIFO cost or market. Vendor allowances and rebates The Company receives vendor allowances and rebates, including the patronage dividend and amounts received as a pass through from Wakefern, related to the Company’s buying and merchandising activities. Vendor allowances and rebates are recognized as a reduction in cost of sales when the related merchandise is sold or when the required contractual terms are completed. Property, equipment and fixtures Property, equipment and fixtures are recorded at cost. Interest cost incurred to finance construction is capitalized as part of the cost of the asset. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of thirty years for buildings, ten years for store fixtures and equipment, and three years for vehicles. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the related lease terms or the estimated useful lives of the related assets. When assets are sold or retired, their cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Investments The Company’s investments in its principal supplier, Wakefern, and a Wakefern affiliate, Insure-Rite, Ltd., are stated at cost (see Note 3). Village evaluates its investments in Wakefern and Insure-Rite, Ltd. for impairment through consideration of previous, current and projected levels of profit of those entities. The Company’s 20%-50% investments in certain real estate partnerships are accounted for under the equity method. One of these partnerships is a variable interest entity which does not require consolidation as Village is not the primary beneficiary (see Note 6). Store opening and closing costs All store opening costs are expensed as incurred. The Company records a liability for the future minimum lease payments and related costs for closed stores from the date of closure to the end of the remaining lease term, net of estimated cost recoveries that may be achieved through subletting, discounted using a risk-adjusted interest rate. Leases Leases that meet certain criteria are classified as capital leases, and assets and liabilities are recorded at amounts equal to the lesser of the present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased properties at the inception of the respective leases. Such assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the related lease terms or the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Amounts representing interest expense relating to the lease obligations are recorded to effect constant rates of interest over the terms of the leases. Leases that do not qualify as capital leases are classified as operating leases. The Company accounts for rent holidays, escalating rent provisions, and construction allowances on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. For leases in which the Company is involved with the construction of the store, if Village concludes that it has substantially all of the risks of ownership during construction of the leased property and therefore is deemed the owner of the project for accounting purposes, an asset and related financing obligation are recorded for the costs paid by the landlord. Once construction is complete, the Company considers the requirements for sale-leaseback treatment. If the arrangement does not qualify for sale-leaseback treatment, the Company amortizes the financing obligation and depreciates the building over the lease term. Advertising Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $11,824 , $11,644 and $11,121 in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Income taxes 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 operations in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company recognizes a tax benefit for uncertain tax positions if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable, based on its technical merits. The tax benefit of a qualifying position is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon effective settlement with a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. Fair value Fair value is defined as the exit price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined using assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The fair value guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in measuring fair value. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Cash and cash equivalents, patronage dividend receivable, income taxes receivable/payable, accounts payable and accrued expenses are reflected in the consolidated financial statements at carrying value, which approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. The carrying values of the Company’s notes receivable from Wakefern approximate their fair value as interest is earned at variable market rates. As the Company’s investment in Wakefern can only be sold to Wakefern at amounts that approximate the Company’s cost, it is not practicable to estimate the fair value of such investment. Long-lived assets The Company reviews long-lived assets, such as property, equipment and fixtures on an individual store basis for impairment when circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. Such review analyzes the undiscounted estimated future cash flows from such assets to determine if the carrying value of such assets are recoverable from their respective cash flows. If impairment is indicated, it is measured by comparing the fair value of the long-lived assets to their carrying value. Goodwill Goodwill is tested at the end of each fiscal year, or more frequently if circumstances dictate, for impairment. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Village operates as a single reporting unit for purposes of evaluating goodwill for impairment and primarily considers earnings multiples and other valuation techniques to measure fair value, in addition to the value of the Company’s stock. Net income per share The Company has two classes of common stock. Class A common stock is entitled to cash dividends as declared 54% greater than those paid on Class B common stock. Shares of Class B common stock are convertible on a share-for-share basis for Class A common stock at any time. The Company utilizes the two-class method of computing and presenting net income per share. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that calculates basic and diluted net income per share for each class of common stock separately based on dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under the two-class method, Class A common stock is assumed to receive a 54% greater participation in undistributed earnings than Class B common stock, in accordance with the classes' respective dividend rights. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are treated as participating securities and therefore included in computing net income per share using the two-class method. Diluted net income per share for Class A common stock is calculated utilizing the if-converted method, which assumes the conversion of all shares of Class B common stock to Class A common stock on a share-for-share basis, as this method is more dilutive than the two-class method. Diluted net income per share for Class B common stock does not assume conversion of Class B common stock to shares of Class A common stock. The tables below reconcile the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted net income per share for all periods presented. 2017 2016 2015 Class A Class B Class A Class B Class A Class B Numerator: Net income allocated, basic $ 17,354 $ 5,025 $ 18,967 $ 5,563 $ 23,050 $ 6,885 Conversion of Class B to Class A shares 5,025 — 5,563 — 6,885 — Effect of share-based compensation on allocated net income 25 (4 ) — (3 ) 46 (23 ) Net income allocated, diluted $ 22,404 $ 5,021 $ 24,530 $ 5,560 $ 29,981 $ 6,862 Denominator: Weighted average shares outstanding, basic 9,663 4,314 9,567 4,319 9,459 4,353 Conversion of Class B to Class A shares 4,314 — 4,319 — 4,353 — Dilutive effect of share-based compensation 27 — — — 48 — Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 14,004 4,314 13,886 4,319 13,860 4,353 Net income per share is as follows: 2017 2016 2015 Class A Class B Class A Class B Class A Class B Basic $ 1.80 $ 1.16 $ 1.98 $ 1.29 $ 2.44 $ 1.58 Diluted $ 1.60 $ 1.16 $ 1.77 $ 1.29 $ 2.16 $ 1.58 Outstanding stock options to purchase Class A shares of 376 , 226 and 224 were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share at July 29, 2017 , July 30, 2016 and July 25, 2015 , respectively, as a result of their anti-dilutive effect. In addition, 361 , 250 and 271 non-vested restricted Class A shares, which are considered participating securities, and their allocated net income were excluded from the diluted net income per share calculation at July 29, 2017 , July 30, 2016 and July 25, 2015 , respectively, due to their anti-dilutive effect. Share-based compensation All share-based payments to employees are recognized in the financial statements as compensation costs based on the fair market value on the date of the grant. Benefit plans The Company recognizes the funded status of its Company sponsored retirement plans on the consolidated balance sheet. Actuarial gains or losses, curtailments, prior service costs or credits, and transition obligations not previously recognized are recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. The Company uses July 31 as the measurement date for these plans. The Company also contributes to several multi-employer pension plans under the terms of collective bargaining agreements that cover certain union-represented employees. Pension expense for these plans is recognized as contributions are made. Recently issued accounting standards In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company expects to adopt the new standard in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending July 27, 2019. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of ASU No. 2014-09 on its financial statements. The Company does not anticipate it will have a material impact on its recognition of revenue at the point of sale, and is continuing to identify and assess transactions that may be affected by the new standard. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases." This guidance requires lessees to recognize lease liabilities and a right-of-use asset for all leases with terms of more than 12 months on the balance sheet. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company expects to adopt the new standard in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending July 25, 2020. ASU 2016-02 requires a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after the date of initial adoption. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 will result in a significant increase to the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets for lease liabilities and right-of-use assets, and the Company is currently evaluating the other effects of adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." The guidance changes several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including accounting for income taxes, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company will adopt the new standard in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending July 28, 2018. The Company does not anticipate it will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT and FIXTURE

PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT and FIXTURES	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT and FIXTURES	NOTE 2 — PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT and FIXTURES Property, equipment and fixtures are comprised as follows: July 29, July 30, Land and buildings $ 105,211 $ 104,451 Store fixtures and equipment 253,227 234,094 Leasehold improvements 104,946 100,076 Leased property under capital leases 25,211 25,211 Construction in progress 2,288 215 Vehicles 3,240 3,225 Total property, equipment and fixtures 494,123 467,272 Accumulated depreciation (281,216 ) (258,356 ) Accumulated amortization of property under capital leases (8,467 ) (7,446 ) Property, equipment and fixtures, net $ 204,440 $ 201,470 Amortization of leased property under capital and financing leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense.

RELATED PARTY INFORMATION - WAK

RELATED PARTY INFORMATION - WAKEFERN	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
RELATED PARTY INFORMATION - WAKEFERN	RELATED PARTY INFORMATION - WAKEFERN The Company’s ownership interest in its principal supplier, Wakefern, which is operated on a cooperative basis for its stockholder members, is 12.9% of the outstanding shares of Wakefern at July 29, 2017 . The investment is stated at cost and is pledged as collateral for any obligations to Wakefern. In addition, all obligations to Wakefern are personally guaranteed by certain shareholders of Village. The Company is obligated to purchase 85% of its primary merchandise requirements from Wakefern until ten years from the date that stockholders representing 75% of Wakefern sales notify Wakefern that those stockholders request that the Wakefern Stockholder Agreement be terminated. If this purchase obligation is not met, Village is required to pay Wakefern’s profit contribution shortfall attributable to this failure. Similar payments are due if Wakefern loses volume by reason of the sale of Company stores or a merger with another entity. Village fulfilled the above obligation in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . The Company also has an investment of approximately 8.0% in Insure-Rite, Ltd., a Wakefern affiliated company, which provides Village with liability and property insurance coverage. Wakefern has increased from time to time the required investment in its common stock for each supermarket owned by a member, with the exact amount per store computed based on the amount of each store’s purchases from Wakefern. At July 29, 2017 , the Company’s indebtedness to Wakefern for the outstanding amount of these stock subscriptions was $406 . Installment payments are due as follows: 2017 - $292 ; 2018 - $114 and none thereafter. The maximum per store investment, which is currently $925 , increased by $25 in both fiscal 2017 and 2016 , resulting in additional investments of $626 and $717 , respectively. Village receives additional shares of common stock to the extent paid for at the end of each fiscal year (which ends on or about September 30) of Wakefern calculated at the then book value per share. The payments, together with any stock issued thereunder, at the option of Wakefern, may be null and void and all payments on this subscription shall become the property of Wakefern in the event the Company does not complete the payment of this subscription in a timely manner. Village purchases substantially all of its merchandise from Wakefern. As a stockholder of Wakefern, Village earns a share of Wakefern’s earnings, which are distributed as a “patronage dividend.” This dividend is based on a distribution of substantially all of Wakefern’s operating profits for its fiscal year in proportion to the dollar volume of purchases by each member from Wakefern during that fiscal year. Patronage dividends are recorded as a reduction of cost of sales as merchandise is sold. Village accrues estimated patronage dividends due from Wakefern quarterly based on an estimate of the annual Wakefern patronage dividend and an estimate of Village’s share of this annual dividend based on Village’s estimated proportional share of the dollar volume of business transacted with Wakefern that year. Patronage dividends and other vendor allowances and rebates amounted to $30,048 , $30,559 and $27,557 in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Wakefern provides the Company with support services in numerous areas including advertising, liability and property insurance, supplies, certain equipment purchasing, coupon processing, certain financial accounting applications, retail technology support, and other store services. Village incurred charges of $32,135 , $33,526 and $33,306 from Wakefern in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, for these services, which are reflected in operating and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, the Company has certain related party leases (see Note 6) with Wakefern. At July 29, 2017 , the Company had $ 44,680 in notes receivable due from Wakefern. Half of these notes earned interest at the prime rate plus .25% and matured on August 15, 2017 and half earn interest at the prime rate plus 1.25% and mature on February 15, 2019 . The Company invested $ 22,000 of the proceeds received from the notes that matured on August 15, 2017 in variable rate notes receivable from Wakefern that earn interest at the prime rate plus 1.25% and mature on August 15, 2022. Wakefern has the right to prepay these notes at any time. Under certain conditions, the Company can require Wakefern to prepay the notes, although interest earned since inception would be reduced as if it was earned based on overnight money market rates as paid by Wakefern on demand deposits. At July 29, 2017 , the Company had demand deposits invested at Wakefern in the amount of $60,037 . These deposits earn overnight money market rates. Interest income earned on investments with Wakefern was $2,841 , $2,506 and $2,399 in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

DEBT

DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
DEBT	NOTE 4 — DEBT Village has an unsecured revolving credit agreement providing a maximum amount available for borrowing of $25,000 . This loan agreement expires on December 31, 2018 . The revolving credit line can be used for general corporate purposes. Indebtedness under this agreement bears interest at the prime rate, or at the Eurodollar rate, at the Company’s option, plus applicable margins based on the Company’s fixed charge coverage ratio. There were no amounts outstanding at July 29, 2017 or July 30, 2016 under this facility. The revolving loan agreement provides for up to $3,000 of letters of credit ( $129 outstanding at July 29, 2017 ), which secure obligations for construction performance guarantees to municipalities. The revolving loan agreement contains covenants that, among other conditions, require a maximum liabilities to tangible net worth ratio, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a positive net income. At July 29, 2017 , the Company was in compliance with all covenants of the revolving loan agreement.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	NOTE 5 — INCOME TAXES The components of the provision for income taxes are: 2017 2016 2015 Federal: Current $ 10,018 $ 13,150 $ 2,424 Deferred 2,167 183 13,954 State: Current 3,906 4,215 (6,490 ) Deferred 111 (253 ) 887 $ 16,202 $ 17,295 $ 10,775 Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: July 29, July 30, Deferred tax assets: Leasing activities $ 8,115 $ 7,922 Federal benefit of uncertain tax positions 304 282 Compensation related costs 2,543 4,209 Pension costs 6,410 11,097 Other 729 704 Total deferred tax assets 18,101 24,214 Deferred tax liabilities: Tax over book depreciation 17,603 17,114 Patronage dividend receivable 5,164 5,270 Investment in partnerships 1,479 1,476 Other — 171 Total deferred tax liabilities 24,246 24,031 Net deferred tax (liability) asset $ (6,145 ) $ 183 Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are included in the following captions on the consolidated balance sheets at July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 : 2017 2016 Other assets 611 1,576 Other liabilities (6,756 ) (1,393 ) A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In management’s opinion, in view of the Company’s previous, current and projected taxable income and reversal of deferred tax liabilities, such tax assets will more likely than not be fully realized. Accordingly, no valuation allowance was deemed to be required at July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 . The effective income tax rate differs from the statutory federal income tax rate as follows: 2017 2016 2015 Statutory federal income tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 6.2 % 5.9 % 6.1 % Unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties on prior year tax positions — % — % (17.6 )% Current year interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits 0.1 % 0.2 % 2.0 % Other 0.1 % (0.3 )% 0.5 % Effective income tax rate 41.4 % 40.8 % 26.0 % In prior years, the state of New Jersey issued two separate tax assessments related to nexus beginning in fiscal 2000 and the deductibility of certain payments between subsidiaries beginning in fiscal 2002. Village contested both of these assessments through the state’s conference and appeals process and was subsequently denied. The Company then filed two complaints in Tax Court against the New Jersey Division of Taxation (the "Division") contesting these assessments and a trial limited to the nexus dispute was conducted in June 2013. On October 23, 2013, the Tax Court issued their opinion on the matter in favor of the Division. As a result, the Company recorded a $10,052 charge, net of federal benefit, to income tax expense in the fiscal quarter ended October 26, 2013, to increase unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties for tax positions taken in prior years. On February 27, 2015, the Company reached an agreement with the Division whereby the Company paid $33,000 in March 2015 to settle the disputes with the Division for fiscal years 2000 through 2014. Net of federal benefit, the total cash outflow as a result of the settlement was approximately $21,000 . Under the terms of the agreement, the Company withdrew its appeal of the Tax Court opinion on the nexus dispute. In addition, the case pending on the deductibility of certain payments between subsidiaries was dismissed and the Division withdrew the related assessments. The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $7,293 , net of federal taxes, in the fiscal quarter ending April 25, 2015 to reverse remaining unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties in excess of the settlement. The Division is currently auditing tax years 2011 through 2015 for all applicable entities and tax years 2000 through 2014 related to the February 2015 settlement agreement. The Company is open to examination by the remaining relevant tax authorities with varying statutes of limitations, generally ranging from three to four years. 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of year $ 631 $ 514 Additions based on tax positions related to prior periods 17 — Additions based on tax positions related to the current year — 117 Balance at end of year $ 648 $ 631 Unrecognized tax benefits at July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 include tax positions of $585 and $541 (net of federal benefit), respectively, that would reduce the Company’s effective income tax rate, if recognized in future periods. Although the outcome and timing are uncertain, the Company anticipates that the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits will reverse during the next twelve months. The Company recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes in income tax expense. The Company recognized expense (benefit) of $50 , $39 and $(9,811) in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, related to interest and penalties on income taxes. The amount of accrued interest and penalties included in the consolidated balance sheet was $242 and $192 at July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 , respectively.

LEASES

LEASES	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Leases [Abstract]
LEASES	NOTE 6 — LEASES Description of leasing arrangements The Company leased 23 stores at July 29, 2017 , including five that are capitalized for financial reporting purposes. The majority of initial lease terms range from 20 to 30 years . Most of the Company’s leases contain renewal options at increased rents of five years each. These options enable Village to retain the use of facilities in desirable operating areas. Management expects that in the normal course of business, most leases will be renewed or replaced by other leases. The Company is obligated under all leases to pay for real estate taxes, utilities and liability insurance, and under certain leases to pay additional amounts based on maintenance and a percentage of sales in excess of stipulated amounts. Future minimum lease payments by year and in the aggregate for all non-cancelable leases with initial terms of one year or more consist of the following at July 29, 2017 : Capital and financing leases Operating leases 2018 $ 4,959 $ 11,102 2019 5,001 9,131 2020 5,173 7,776 2021 5,240 6,450 2022 5,240 4,997 Thereafter 54,355 38,046 Minimum lease payments 79,968 $ 77,502 Less amount representing interest 36,784 Present value of minimum lease payments 43,184 Less current portion 652 $ 42,532 The following schedule shows the composition of total rental expense for the following years: 2017 2016 2015 Minimum rentals $ 11,153 $ 11,585 $ 11,090 Contingent rentals 668 929 893 $ 11,821 $ 12,514 $ 11,983 On November 6, 2013, the Company closed the Morris Plains, New Jersey store and opened a 77,000 sq. ft. replacement store in Hanover Township, New Jersey. The Company recorded a $3,481 charge to Operating and administrative expense in fiscal 2014 for the remaining lease obligations, net of estimated sublease rentals, on the Morris Plains store. The Company paid $788 , $918 and $982 of these costs in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, with no remaining liability as of July 29, 2017 . On April 30, 2014, Village opened a 59,000 sq. ft. store in Union, New Jersey and closed our existing 40,000 sq. ft. store. The Company recorded a $929 charge to Operating and administrative expense in fiscal 2014 for the remaining lease obligations, net of estimated sublease rentals, on the old Union store. The Company paid $0 , $266 and $531 of these costs in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, with no remaining liability as of July 29, 2017 . Related party leases The Company leases a supermarket from a realty firm 30% owned by certain officers of Village. The Company paid rent to related parties under this lease of $688 , $642 and $640 in fiscal years 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. This lease expires in fiscal 2021 with options to extend at increasing annual rent. The Company has ownership interests in three real estate partnerships. Village paid aggregate rents to two of these partnerships for leased stores of $1,500 , $1,400 and $1,300 in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. One of these partnerships is a variable interest entity, which is not consolidated as Village is not the primary beneficiary. This partnership owns one property, a stand-alone supermarket leased to the Company since 1974. Village is a general partner entitled to 33% of the partnership's profits and losses. The Company subleases the Galloway and Vineland stores from Wakefern under sublease agreements which provided for combined annual rents of $1,316 , $1,316 and $ 1,296 in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Both leases contain normal periodic rent increases and options to extend the lease.

SHAREHOLDERS_ EQUITY

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	NOTE 7 — SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY The Company has two classes of common stock. Class A common stock is entitled to one vote per share and to cash dividends as declared 54% greater than those paid on Class B common stock. Class B common stock is entitled to 10 votes per share. Class A and Class B common stock share equally on a per share basis in any distributions in liquidation. Shares of Class B common stock are convertible on a share-for-share basis for Class A common stock at any time. Class B common stock is not transferable except to another holder of Class B common stock or by will or under the laws of intestacy or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company approving the transfer. As a result of this voting structure, the holders of the Class B common stock control greater than 50% of the total voting power of the shareholders of the Company and control the election of the Board of Directors. The Company has authorized 10,000 shares of preferred stock. No shares have been issued. The Board of Directors is authorized to designate series, preferences, powers and participations of any preferred stock issued. During fiscal 2015 the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $5,000 of its Class A Common Stock. Repurchases may be made from time to time through a variety of methods, including open market purchases and other negotiated transactions, including through plans designed to comply with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company made open market purchases totaling $ 1,859 and $ 978 under this repurchase program in fiscal 2017 and 2016, respectively, and an additional $ 2,222 in shares of Class A Common Stock were surrendered in satisfaction of withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted shares in Fiscal 2017. Village has three share-based compensation plans, which are described below. The compensation cost charged against income for these plans was $3,134 , $3,195 and $3,169 in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Total income tax benefit recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for share-based compensation arrangements was $802 , $1,131 and $1,134 in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The Village Super Market, Inc. 2004 Stock Plan (the “2004 Plan”) provides for awards of incentive and nonqualified stock options and restricted stock. There are 1,200 shares of Class A common stock authorized for issuance to employees and directors under the 2004 Plan. Terms and conditions of awards are determined by the Board of Directors. Option awards are primarily granted at the fair value of the Company’s stock at the date of grant, cliff vest three years from the grant date and are exercisable up to ten years from the date of grant. Restricted stock awards primarily cliff vest three years from the grant date. There are no shares remaining for future grants under the 2004 Plan. On December 17, 2010, the shareholders of the Company approved the Village Super Market, Inc. 2010 Stock Plan (the “2010 Plan”) under which awards of incentive and non-qualified stock options and restricted stock may be made. There are 1,200 shares of Class A common stock authorized for issuance to employees and directors under the 2010 Plan. Terms and conditions of awards are determined by the Board of Directors. Option awards granted to date were granted at the fair value of the Company's stock on the date of grant, primarily cliff vest three years from the grant date and are exercisable up to ten years from the grant date. Restricted stock awards primarily cliff vest three years from the date of grant. There are 45 shares remaining for future grants under the 2010 Plan. On December 16, 2016, the shareholders of the Company approved the Village Super Market, Inc. 2016 Stock Plan (the “2016 Plan”) under which awards of incentive and non-qualified stock options and restricted stock may be made. There are 1,200 shares of Class A common stock authorized for issuance to employees and directors under the 2016 Plan. Terms and conditions of awards are determined by the Board of Directors. There have been no awards granted to date under the 2016 Plan. The following table summarizes option activity under all plans for the following years: 2017 2016 2015 Shares Weighted-average exercise price Shares Weighted-average exercise price Shares Weighted-average exercise price Outstanding at beginning of year 424 $ 27.77 473 $ 27.75 591 $ 26.41 Granted — — 7 26.79 4 24.51 Exercised (31 ) 25.75 (30 ) 27.08 (111 ) 21.41 Forfeited (9 ) 26.46 (26 ) 27.99 (11 ) 18.83 Outstanding at end of year 384 $ 27.91 424 $ 27.77 473 $ 27.75 Options exercisable at end of year 371 $ 27.88 203 $ 26.76 248 $ 26.80 As of July 29, 2017 , the weighted-average remaining contractual term of options outstanding and options exercisable was 4.8 years and 4.7 years , respectively. As of July 29, 2017 , the aggregate intrinsic value was $2 for both options outstanding and options exercisable. The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted was $4.79 and $4.32 per share in fiscal 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $204 , $70 and $1,090 in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model using the weighted-average assumptions in the following table. The Company uses historical data for similar groups of employees in order to estimate the expected life of options granted. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock for a period of years corresponding to the expected life of the option. The risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the time of grant for securities with a maturity period similar to the expected life of the option. 2016 2015 Expected life (years) 5.0 5.0 Expected volatility 31.1 % 29.8 % Expected dividend yield 3.8 % 4.1 % Risk-free interest rate 1.5 % 1.5 % The following table summarizes restricted stock activity under all plans for the following years: 2017 2016 2015 Shares Weighted-average grant date fair value Shares Weighted-average grant date fair value Shares Weighted-average grant date fair value Nonvested at beginning of year 250 $ 28.77 271 $ 28.78 288 $ 28.83 Granted 362 27.22 2 28.55 3 23.77 Vested (246 ) 28.77 (19 ) 28.83 (20 ) 28.83 Forfeited (5 ) 28.51 (4 ) 28.83 — — Nonvested at end of year 361 $ 27.22 250 $ 28.77 271 $ 28.78 The total fair value of restricted shares vested during fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 was $4,117 , $549 and $576 , respectively. As of July 29, 2017 , there was $8,685 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested stock options and restricted stock granted under the above plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.6 years . Cash received from option exercises under all share-based compensation arrangements was $812 , $813 and $2,392 in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for tax deductions from option exercises under share-based compensation arrangements was $83 , $29 and $424 in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The Company declared and paid cash dividends on common stock as follows: 2017 2016 2015 Per share: Class A common stock $ 1.000 $ 1.000 $ 1.000 Class B common stock 0.650 0.650 0.650 Aggregate: Class A common stock $ 9,983 $ 9,827 $ 9,749 Class B common stock 2,805 2,807 2,828 $ 12,788 $ 12,634 $ 12,577

PENSION PLANS

PENSION PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
PENSION PLANS	PENSION PLANS Company-Sponsored Pension Plans The Company sponsors four defined benefit pension plans. Two are tax-qualified plans covering members of unions. Benefits under these two plans are based on a fixed amount for each year of service. One is a tax-qualified plan covering nonunion associates. Benefits under this plan are based upon percentages of annual compensation. Funding for these plans is based on an analysis of the specific requirements and an evaluation of the assets and liabilities of each plan. The fourth plan is an unfunded, nonqualified plan providing supplemental pension benefits to certain executives. On November 29, 2016, the Company amended the Village Super Market Local 72 Retail Clerks Employees’ Retirement Plan, which covers union employees in the Stroudsburg store, to freeze all benefits effective January 31, 2017. As a result of this amendment, the Company recognized a pre-tax remeasurement gain totaling $ 629 in accumulated other comprehensive loss during fiscal 2017. The remeasurement had no impact on the consolidated statements of operations. On February 15, 2016, the Company amended the Village Super Market Employees Retirement Plan, which covers nonunion employees and pharmacists, to freeze all benefits effective March 31, 2016. As a result of this amendment, the Company recognized a pre-tax curtailment gain totaling $ 17,904 in accumulated other comprehensive loss during fiscal 2016. Net periodic pension cost for the four plans include the following components: 2017 2016 2015 Service cost $ 388 $ 3,099 $ 3,642 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 2,424 3,031 3,055 Expected return on plan assets (3,684 ) (3,645 ) (3,719 ) Loss (gain) on settlement 965 — (239 ) Amortization of gains and losses 1,343 1,504 1,295 Net periodic pension cost $ 1,436 $ 3,989 $ 4,034 The Company recognized a settlement loss (gain) of $ 965 and $ (239) in fiscal 2017 and 2015 , respectively, for plans where benefits paid exceeded the sum of the service cost and interest cost components of net periodic pension cost during the year. The changes in benefit obligations and the reconciliation of the funded status of the Company’s plans to the consolidated balance sheets were as follows: 2017 2016 Changes in Benefit Obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 80,021 $ 83,961 Service cost 388 3,099 Interest cost 2,424 3,031 Benefits paid (549 ) (3,440 ) Curtailment — (17,904 ) Settlement (4,487 ) — Actuarial loss (6,096 ) 11,274 Benefit obligation at end of year $ 71,701 $ 80,021 Changes in Plan Assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 53,281 $ 51,729 Actual return on plan assets 5,262 1,468 Employer contributions 3,000 3,524 Benefits paid (549 ) (3,440 ) Settlements paid (4,487 ) — Fair value of plan assets at end of year 56,507 53,281 Funded status at end of year $ 15,194 $ 26,740 Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets: Pension liabilities 15,194 26,740 Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes 7,406 13,339 Amounts included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss (pre-tax): Net actuarial loss $ 12,521 $ 22,502 The Company expects approximately $570 of the net actuarial loss to be recognized as a component of net periodic benefit costs in fiscal 2018 . The accumulated benefit obligations of the four plans were $71,701 and $80,021 at July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 , respectively. The following information is presented for those plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets: 2017 2016 Projected benefit obligation $ 70,019 $ 80,021 Accumulated benefit obligation 70,019 80,021 Fair value of plan assets 54,557 53,281 Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations and net periodic pension cost for the Company’s defined benefit plans were as follows: 2017 2016 2015 Assumed discount rate — net periodic pension cost 3.08 % 4.02 % 3.95 % Assumed discount rate — benefit obligation 3.60 % 3.08 % 4.02 % Assumed rate of increase in compensation levels 4 - 4.5 % 4 - 4.5 % 4 - 4.5 % Expected rate of return on plan assets 7.50 % 7.50 % 7.50 % Investments in the pension trusts are overseen by the trustees of the plans, who are officers of Village. The Company’s overall investment strategy is to maintain a broadly diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds and money market instruments that, along with periodic plan contributions, provide the necessary funds for ongoing benefit obligations. Expected rates of return on plan assets are developed by determining projected stock and bond returns and then applying these returns to the target asset allocations of the trusts, resulting in a weighted-average rate of return on plan assets. Equity returns were based primarily on historical returns of the S&P 500 Index. Fixed-income projected returns were based primarily on historical returns for the broad U.S. bond market. The target allocations for plan assets are 50 - 70% equity securities, 25 - 40% fixed income securities and 0 - 10% cash. Asset allocations are reviewed periodically and appropriate rebalancing is performed. Equity securities include investments in large-cap, small-cap and mid-cap companies located both in and outside the United States. Fixed income securities include U.S. treasuries, mortgage-backed securities and corporate bonds of companies from diversified industries. Investments in securities are made both directly and through mutual funds. In addition, one plan held Class A common stock of Village in the amount of $636 and $770 at July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 , respectively. Risk management is accomplished through diversification across asset classes and fund strategies, multiple investment portfolios and investment guidelines. The plans do not allow for investments in derivative instruments. The fair value of the pension assets were as follows: July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Cash $ 166 $ 610 $ 776 $ 1,173 $ — $ 1,173 Equity securities: Company stock 636 — 636 770 — 770 U.S large cap (1) 19,696 1,197 20,893 18,416 — 18,416 U.S. small/mid cap (2) 6,644 179 6,823 6,591 — 6,591 International (3) 7,187 421 7,608 6,752 — 6,752 Emerging markets (4) 1,277 — 1,277 1,219 — 1,219 Fixed income securities: U.S treasuries (5) 9,520 356 9,876 10,560 — 10,560 Mortgage-backed (5) 1,783 106 1,889 — 1,918 1,918 Corporate bonds (5) 2,931 3,179 6,110 3,054 2,140 5,194 International (6) 619 — 619 688 — 688 Total $ 50,459 $ 6,048 $ 56,507 $ 49,223 $ 4,058 $ 53,281 (1) Includes directly owned securities and mutual funds, primarily low-cost equity index funds not actively managed that track the S&P 500. (2) Includes directly owned securities and mutual funds, which invest in diversified portfolios of publicly traded U.S. common stocks of small and medium cap companies. (3) Includes directly owned securities and mutual funds, which invest in diversified portfolios of publicly traded common stocks of large, non-U.S. companies. (4) Consists of mutual and exchange traded funds which invest in non-U.S. stocks in emerging markets. (5) Includes directly owned securities, mutual funds and exchange traded funds. (6) Consists of exchange traded funds which invest in non-U.S. bonds in emerging markets. Based on actuarial assumptions, estimated future defined benefit payments, which may be significantly impacted by participant elections related to retirement dates and forms of payment, are as follows: Fiscal Year 2018 $ 3,670 2019 2,530 2020 3,130 2021 3,101 2022 12,750 2023 - 2027 17,830 The Company expects to contribute $3,500 in cash to all defined benefit pension plans in fiscal 2018 . Multi-Employer Plans The Company contributes to three multi-employer pension plans under collective bargaining agreements covering union-represented employees. These plans provide benefits to participants that are generally based on a fixed amount for each year of service. Based on the most recent information available, certain of these multi-employer plans are underfunded. The amount of any increase or decrease in Village’s required contributions to these multi-employer pension plans will depend upon the outcome of collective bargaining, actions taken by trustees who manage the plans, government regulations and the actual return on assets held in the plans, among other factors. The risks of participating in multi-employer pension plans are different from the risks of participating in single-employer pension plans in the following respects: • Assets contributed to a multi-employer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. • If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan allocable to such withdrawing employer may be borne by the remaining participating employers. • If the Company stops participating in some of its multi-employer pension plans, the Company may be required to pay those plans an amount based on its allocable share of the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability. The Company’s participation in these plans is outlined in the following tables. The “EIN / Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employer Identification Number (“EIN”) and the three-digit pension plan number. The most recent “Pension Protection Act Zone Status” available in 2016 and 2015 is for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, unless otherwise noted. Among other factors, generally, plans in the red zone are less than 65 percent funded, plans in the yellow zone are between 65 and 80 percent funded and plans in the green zone are at least 80 percent funded. The “FIP/RP Status Pending / Implemented” column indicates plans for which a funding improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented. Pension Protection Act Zone Status FIP/RP Status Pending / Implemented Contributions for the year ended (5) Expiration date of Collective- Bargaining Agreement Pension Fund EIN / Pension Plan Number 2016 2015 July 29, July 30, July 25, Surcharge Imposed (6) Pension Plan of Local 464A (1) 22-6051600-001 Green Green N/A $ 762 $ 679 $ 665 N/A October 2020 UFCW Local 1262 & Employers Pension Fund (2), (4) 22-6074414-001 Red Red Implemented 3,498 3,510 3,501 No October 2018 UFCW Regional Pension Plan (3), (4) 16-6062287-074 Red Red Implemented 1,314 1,275 1,235 No March 2019 Total Contributions $ 5,574 $ 5,464 $ 5,401 (1) The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . (2) The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . (3) The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan’s year-end at September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 . (4) This plan has elected to utilize special amortization provisions provided under the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010. There were no changes to the plan’s zone status as a result of this election. (5) The Company’s contributions represent more than 5% of the total contributions received by each applicable pension fund for all periods presented. (6) Under the Pension Protection Act, a surcharge may be imposed when employers make contributions under a collective bargaining agreement that is not in compliance with a rehabilitation plan. As of July 29, 2017 , the collective bargaining agreements under which the Company was making contributions were in compliance with rehabilitation plans adopted by each applicable pension fund. Other Multi-Employer Benefit Plans The Company also contributes to various other multi-employer benefit plans that provide health and welfare benefits to active and retired participants. Total contributions made by the Company to these other multi-employer benefit plans were approximately $28,137 , $27,965 and $26,932 in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Defined Contribution Plans The Company sponsors a 401(k) savings plan for certain eligible associates. Company contributions under that plan, which are based on specified percentages of associate contributions, were $1,132 , $641 and $392 in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The Company also contributes to union sponsored defined contribution plans for certain eligible associates. Company contributions under these plans were $783 , $836 and $817 in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

COMMITMENTS and CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS and CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS and CONTINGENCIES	NOTE 9 — COMMITMENTS and CONTINGENCIES Superstorm Sandy devastated our area on October 29, 2012 and resulted in the closure of almost all of our stores for periods of time ranging from a few hours to eight days. Village disposed of substantial amounts of perishable product and also incurred repair, labor and other costs as a result of the storm. The Company has property, casualty and business interruption insurance, subject to deductibles and coverage limits. During fiscal 2013, Wakefern began the process of working with our insurers to recover the damages and Village recorded estimated insurance recoveries of $ 4,913 . In October 2013, Wakefern, as the policy holder, filed suit against the carrier seeking payment of the remaining claims due for all Wakefern members. The suit was the result of different interpretations of policy terms, including whether the policy's named storm deductible applied. On October 29, 2014, the Court issued their opinion on the matter in favor of the carrier. Based on this decision and its related impact, the Company concluded that recovery of further proceeds was not probable and recorded a $ 2,270 charge to operating and administrative expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 to write-off the remaining insurance receivable. Wakefern continues to pursue further recovery of uncollected amounts from the carrier and other sources. As a result, the Company received an additional $ 940 in insurance proceeds in February 2016 which was recognized as a reduction in Operating and administrative expense in fiscal 2016. Any further proceeds recovered will be recognized as they are received. As of July 29, 2017 , Village has collected $ 3,583 . Approximately 91% of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Contracts with the Company’s seven unions expire between July 2017 and July 2021 . Approximately 6% of our associates are represented by unions whose contracts have already expired or expire within one year . Any work stoppages could have an adverse impact on our financial results. The Company is involved in other litigation incidental to the normal course of business. Company management is of the opinion that the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings should not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN19

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of operations	Village Super Market, Inc. (the “Company” or “Village”) operates a chain of 29 ShopRite supermarkets in New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland. The Company is a member of Wakefern Food Corporation ("Wakefern"), the nation's largest retailer-owned food cooperative and owner of the ShopRite name. This relationship provides Village many of the economies of scale in purchasing, distribution, private label products, advanced retail technology, marketing and advertising associated with chains of greater size and geographic coverage.
Principles of consolidation	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Village Super Market, Inc. and its subsidiaries, which are wholly owned. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Fiscal year	The Company and its subsidiaries utilize a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in the month of July. Fiscal 2017 and 2015 contain 52 weeks. Fiscal 2016 contains 53 weeks.
Use of estimates	In conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Some of the more significant estimates are patronage dividends, pension accounting assumptions, accounting for uncertain tax positions, accounting for contingencies and the impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Industry segment	The Company consists of one operating segment, the retail sale of food and nonfood products.
Revenue recognition	Merchandise sales are recognized at the point of sale to the customer. Sales tax is excluded from revenue. Discounts provided to customers through ShopRite coupons and loyalty programs are recognized as a reduction of sales as the products are sold.
Cash and cash equivalents	The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Included in cash and cash equivalents are proceeds due from credit and debit card transactions, which typically settle within five business days, of $7,641 and $7,534 at July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 , respectively. Included in cash and cash equivalents at July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 are $60,037 and $63,609 , respectively, of demand deposits invested at Wakefern at overnight money market rates.
Merchandise inventories	Approximately 65% of merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of LIFO (last-in, first-out) cost or market. If the FIFO (first-in, first-out) method had been used, inventories would have been $14,410 and $14,522 higher than reported in fiscal 2017 and 2016 , respectively. All other inventories are stated at the lower of FIFO cost or market.
Vendor allowances and rebates	The Company receives vendor allowances and rebates, including the patronage dividend and amounts received as a pass through from Wakefern, related to the Company’s buying and merchandising activities. Vendor allowances and rebates are recognized as a reduction in cost of sales when the related merchandise is sold or when the required contractual terms are completed.
Property, equipment and fixtures	Property, equipment and fixtures are recorded at cost. Interest cost incurred to finance construction is capitalized as part of the cost of the asset. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of thirty years for buildings, ten years for store fixtures and equipment, and three years for vehicles. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the related lease terms or the estimated useful lives of the related assets. When assets are sold or retired, their cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated financial statements.
Investments	The Company’s investments in its principal supplier, Wakefern, and a Wakefern affiliate, Insure-Rite, Ltd., are stated at cost (see Note 3). Village evaluates its investments in Wakefern and Insure-Rite, Ltd. for impairment through consideration of previous, current and projected levels of profit of those entities. The Company’s 20%-50% investments in certain real estate partnerships are accounted for under the equity method. One of these partnerships is a variable interest entity which does not require consolidation as Village is not the primary beneficiary (see Note 6).
Store opening and closing costs	All store opening costs are expensed as incurred. The Company records a liability for the future minimum lease payments and related costs for closed stores from the date of closure to the end of the remaining lease term, net of estimated cost recoveries that may be achieved through subletting, discounted using a risk-adjusted interest rate.
Leases	Leases that meet certain criteria are classified as capital leases, and assets and liabilities are recorded at amounts equal to the lesser of the present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased properties at the inception of the respective leases. Such assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the related lease terms or the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Amounts representing interest expense relating to the lease obligations are recorded to effect constant rates of interest over the terms of the leases. Leases that do not qualify as capital leases are classified as operating leases. The Company accounts for rent holidays, escalating rent provisions, and construction allowances on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. For leases in which the Company is involved with the construction of the store, if Village concludes that it has substantially all of the risks of ownership during construction of the leased property and therefore is deemed the owner of the project for accounting purposes, an asset and related financing obligation are recorded for the costs paid by the landlord. Once construction is complete, the Company considers the requirements for sale-leaseback treatment. If the arrangement does not qualify for sale-leaseback treatment, the Company amortizes the financing obligation and depreciates the building over the lease term.
Advertising	Advertising Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $11,824 , $11,644 and $11,121 in fiscal 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively.
Income taxes	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 operations in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company recognizes a tax benefit for uncertain tax positions if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable, based on its technical merits. The tax benefit of a qualifying position is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon effective settlement with a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information.
Fair value	Fair value is defined as the exit price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined using assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The fair value guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in measuring fair value. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Cash and cash equivalents, patronage dividend receivable, income taxes receivable/payable, accounts payable and accrued expenses are reflected in the consolidated financial statements at carrying value, which approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. The carrying values of the Company’s notes receivable from Wakefern approximate their fair value as interest is earned at variable market rates. As the Company’s investment in Wakefern can only be sold to Wakefern at amounts that approximate the Company’s cost, it is not practicable to estimate the fair value of such investment.
Long-lived assets	The Company reviews long-lived assets, such as property, equipment and fixtures on an individual store basis for impairment when circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. Such review analyzes the undiscounted estimated future cash flows from such assets to determine if the carrying value of such assets are recoverable from their respective cash flows. If impairment is indicated, it is measured by comparing the fair value of the long-lived assets to their carrying value.
Goodwill	Goodwill is tested at the end of each fiscal year, or more frequently if circumstances dictate, for impairment. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Village operates as a single reporting unit for purposes of evaluating goodwill for impairment and primarily considers earnings multiples and other valuation techniques to measure fair value, in addition to the value of the Company’s stock.
Net income per share	The Company has two classes of common stock. Class A common stock is entitled to cash dividends as declared 54% greater than those paid on Class B common stock. Shares of Class B common stock are convertible on a share-for-share basis for Class A common stock at any time. The Company utilizes the two-class method of computing and presenting net income per share. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that calculates basic and diluted net income per share for each class of common stock separately based on dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under the two-class method, Class A common stock is assumed to receive a 54% greater participation in undistributed earnings than Class B common stock, in accordance with the classes' respective dividend rights. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are treated as participating securities and therefore included in computing net income per share using the two-class method. Diluted net income per share for Class A common stock is calculated utilizing the if-converted method, which assumes the conversion of all shares of Class B common stock to Class A common stock on a share-for-share basis, as this method is more dilutive than the two-class method. Diluted net income per share for Class B common stock does not assume conversion of Class B common stock to shares of Class A common stock.
Share-based compensation	All share-based payments to employees are recognized in the financial statements as compensation costs based on the fair market value on the date of the grant.
Benefit plans	The Company recognizes the funded status of its Company sponsored retirement plans on the consolidated balance sheet. Actuarial gains or losses, curtailments, prior service costs or credits, and transition obligations not previously recognized are recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. The Company uses July 31 as the measurement date for these plans. The Company also contributes to several multi-employer pension plans under the terms of collective bargaining agreements that cover certain union-represented employees. Pension expense for these plans is recognized as contributions are made.
Recently issued accounting standards	Recently issued accounting standards In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company expects to adopt the new standard in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending July 27, 2019. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of ASU No. 2014-09 on its financial statements. The Company does not anticipate it will have a material impact on its recognition of revenue at the point of sale, and is continuing to identify and assess transactions that may be affected by the new standard. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases." This guidance requires lessees to recognize lease liabilities and a right-of-use asset for all leases with terms of more than 12 months on the balance sheet. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company expects to adopt the new standard in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending July 25, 2020. ASU 2016-02 requires a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after the date of initial adoption. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 will result in a significant increase to the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets for lease liabilities and right-of-use assets, and the Company is currently evaluating the other effects of adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." The guidance changes several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including accounting for income taxes, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company will adopt the new standard in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending July 28, 2018. The Company does not anticipate it will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN20

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The tables below reconcile the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted net income per share for all periods presented. 2017 2016 2015 Class A Class B Class A Class B Class A Class B Numerator: Net income allocated, basic $ 17,354 $ 5,025 $ 18,967 $ 5,563 $ 23,050 $ 6,885 Conversion of Class B to Class A shares 5,025 — 5,563 — 6,885 — Effect of share-based compensation on allocated net income 25 (4 ) — (3 ) 46 (23 ) Net income allocated, diluted $ 22,404 $ 5,021 $ 24,530 $ 5,560 $ 29,981 $ 6,862 Denominator: Weighted average shares outstanding, basic 9,663 4,314 9,567 4,319 9,459 4,353 Conversion of Class B to Class A shares 4,314 — 4,319 — 4,353 — Dilutive effect of share-based compensation 27 — — — 48 — Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 14,004 4,314 13,886 4,319 13,860 4,353 Net income per share is as follows: 2017 2016 2015 Class A Class B Class A Class B Class A Class B Basic $ 1.80 $ 1.16 $ 1.98 $ 1.29 $ 2.44 $ 1.58 Diluted $ 1.60 $ 1.16 $ 1.77 $ 1.29 $ 2.16 $ 1.58 Outstanding stock options to purchase Class A shares of 376 , 226 and 224 were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share at July 29, 2017 , July 30, 2016 and July 25, 2015 , respectively, as a result of their anti-dilutive effect. In addition, 361 , 250 and 271 non-vested restricted Class A shares, which are considered participating securities, and their allocated net income were excluded from the diluted net income per share calculation at July 29, 2017 , July 30, 2016 and July 25, 2015 , respectively, due to their anti-dilutive effect.

PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT and FIXTU21

PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT and FIXTURES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, equipment and fixtures are comprised as follows: July 29, July 30, Land and buildings $ 105,211 $ 104,451 Store fixtures and equipment 253,227 234,094 Leasehold improvements 104,946 100,076 Leased property under capital leases 25,211 25,211 Construction in progress 2,288 215 Vehicles 3,240 3,225 Total property, equipment and fixtures 494,123 467,272 Accumulated depreciation (281,216 ) (258,356 ) Accumulated amortization of property under capital leases (8,467 ) (7,446 ) Property, equipment and fixtures, net $ 204,440 $ 201,470

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	The components of the provision for income taxes are: 2017 2016 2015 Federal: Current $ 10,018 $ 13,150 $ 2,424 Deferred 2,167 183 13,954 State: Current 3,906 4,215 (6,490 ) Deferred 111 (253 ) 887 $ 16,202 $ 17,295 $ 10,775
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: July 29, July 30, Deferred tax assets: Leasing activities $ 8,115 $ 7,922 Federal benefit of uncertain tax positions 304 282 Compensation related costs 2,543 4,209 Pension costs 6,410 11,097 Other 729 704 Total deferred tax assets 18,101 24,214 Deferred tax liabilities: Tax over book depreciation 17,603 17,114 Patronage dividend receivable 5,164 5,270 Investment in partnerships 1,479 1,476 Other — 171 Total deferred tax liabilities 24,246 24,031 Net deferred tax (liability) asset $ (6,145 ) $ 183 Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are included in the following captions on the consolidated balance sheets at July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 : 2017 2016 Other assets 611 1,576 Other liabilities (6,756 ) (1,393 )
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	The effective income tax rate differs from the statutory federal income tax rate as follows: 2017 2016 2015 Statutory federal income tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 6.2 % 5.9 % 6.1 % Unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties on prior year tax positions — % — % (17.6 )% Current year interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits 0.1 % 0.2 % 2.0 % Other 0.1 % (0.3 )% 0.5 % Effective income tax rate 41.4 % 40.8 % 26.0 %
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward	reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows: 2017 2016 Balance at beginning of year $ 631 $ 514 Additions based on tax positions related to prior periods 17 — Additions based on tax positions related to the current year — 117 Balance at end of year $ 648 $ 631

LEASES (Tables)

LEASES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases	Future minimum lease payments by year and in the aggregate for all non-cancelable leases with initial terms of one year or more consist of the following at July 29, 2017 : Capital and financing leases Operating leases 2018 $ 4,959 $ 11,102 2019 5,001 9,131 2020 5,173 7,776 2021 5,240 6,450 2022 5,240 4,997 Thereafter 54,355 38,046 Minimum lease payments 79,968 $ 77,502 Less amount representing interest 36,784 Present value of minimum lease payments 43,184 Less current portion 652 $ 42,532
Schedule of Rent Expense	The following schedule shows the composition of total rental expense for the following years: 2017 2016 2015 Minimum rentals $ 11,153 $ 11,585 $ 11,090 Contingent rentals 668 929 893 $ 11,821 $ 12,514 $ 11,983

SHAREHOLDERS_ EQUITY (Tables)

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Award Activity	The following table summarizes option activity under all plans for the following years: 2017 2016 2015 Shares Weighted-average exercise price Shares Weighted-average exercise price Shares Weighted-average exercise price Outstanding at beginning of year 424 $ 27.77 473 $ 27.75 591 $ 26.41 Granted — — 7 26.79 4 24.51 Exercised (31 ) 25.75 (30 ) 27.08 (111 ) 21.41 Forfeited (9 ) 26.46 (26 ) 27.99 (11 ) 18.83 Outstanding at end of year 384 $ 27.91 424 $ 27.77 473 $ 27.75 Options exercisable at end of year 371 $ 27.88 203 $ 26.76 248 $ 26.80
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model using the weighted-average assumptions in the following table. The Company uses historical data for similar groups of employees in order to estimate the expected life of options granted. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock for a period of years corresponding to the expected life of the option. The risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the time of grant for securities with a maturity period similar to the expected life of the option. 2016 2015 Expected life (years) 5.0 5.0 Expected volatility 31.1 % 29.8 % Expected dividend yield 3.8 % 4.1 % Risk-free interest rate 1.5 % 1.5 %
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	The following table summarizes restricted stock activity under all plans for the following years: 2017 2016 2015 Shares Weighted-average grant date fair value Shares Weighted-average grant date fair value Shares Weighted-average grant date fair value Nonvested at beginning of year 250 $ 28.77 271 $ 28.78 288 $ 28.83 Granted 362 27.22 2 28.55 3 23.77 Vested (246 ) 28.77 (19 ) 28.83 (20 ) 28.83 Forfeited (5 ) 28.51 (4 ) 28.83 — — Nonvested at end of year 361 $ 27.22 250 $ 28.77 271 $ 28.78
Schedule of Dividends Declared and Paid	The Company declared and paid cash dividends on common stock as follows: 2017 2016 2015 Per share: Class A common stock $ 1.000 $ 1.000 $ 1.000 Class B common stock 0.650 0.650 0.650 Aggregate: Class A common stock $ 9,983 $ 9,827 $ 9,749 Class B common stock 2,805 2,807 2,828 $ 12,788 $ 12,634 $ 12,577

PENSION PLANS (Tables)

PENSION PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs Recognized	Net periodic pension cost for the four plans include the following components: 2017 2016 2015 Service cost $ 388 $ 3,099 $ 3,642 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 2,424 3,031 3,055 Expected return on plan assets (3,684 ) (3,645 ) (3,719 ) Loss (gain) on settlement 965 — (239 ) Amortization of gains and losses 1,343 1,504 1,295 Net periodic pension cost $ 1,436 $ 3,989 $ 4,034
Schedule of Amounts Recognized In Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized	The changes in benefit obligations and the reconciliation of the funded status of the Company’s plans to the consolidated balance sheets were as follows: 2017 2016 Changes in Benefit Obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 80,021 $ 83,961 Service cost 388 3,099 Interest cost 2,424 3,031 Benefits paid (549 ) (3,440 ) Curtailment — (17,904 ) Settlement (4,487 ) — Actuarial loss (6,096 ) 11,274 Benefit obligation at end of year $ 71,701 $ 80,021 Changes in Plan Assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 53,281 $ 51,729 Actual return on plan assets 5,262 1,468 Employer contributions 3,000 3,524 Benefits paid (549 ) (3,440 ) Settlements paid (4,487 ) — Fair value of plan assets at end of year 56,507 53,281 Funded status at end of year $ 15,194 $ 26,740 Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets: Pension liabilities 15,194 26,740 Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes 7,406 13,339 Amounts included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss (pre-tax): Net actuarial loss $ 12,521 $ 22,502
Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets	The following information is presented for those plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets: 2017 2016 Projected benefit obligation $ 70,019 $ 80,021 Accumulated benefit obligation 70,019 80,021 Fair value of plan assets 54,557 53,281
Schedule of Assumptions Used	Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations and net periodic pension cost for the Company’s defined benefit plans were as follows: 2017 2016 2015 Assumed discount rate — net periodic pension cost 3.08 % 4.02 % 3.95 % Assumed discount rate — benefit obligation 3.60 % 3.08 % 4.02 % Assumed rate of increase in compensation levels 4 - 4.5 % 4 - 4.5 % 4 - 4.5 % Expected rate of return on plan assets 7.50 % 7.50 % 7.50 %
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets	The fair value of the pension assets were as follows: July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Cash $ 166 $ 610 $ 776 $ 1,173 $ — $ 1,173 Equity securities: Company stock 636 — 636 770 — 770 U.S large cap (1) 19,696 1,197 20,893 18,416 — 18,416 U.S. small/mid cap (2) 6,644 179 6,823 6,591 — 6,591 International (3) 7,187 421 7,608 6,752 — 6,752 Emerging markets (4) 1,277 — 1,277 1,219 — 1,219 Fixed income securities: U.S treasuries (5) 9,520 356 9,876 10,560 — 10,560 Mortgage-backed (5) 1,783 106 1,889 — 1,918 1,918 Corporate bonds (5) 2,931 3,179 6,110 3,054 2,140 5,194 International (6) 619 — 619 688 — 688 Total $ 50,459 $ 6,048 $ 56,507 $ 49,223 $ 4,058 $ 53,281 (1) Includes directly owned securities and mutual funds, primarily low-cost equity index funds not actively managed that track the S&P 500. (2) Includes directly owned securities and mutual funds, which invest in diversified portfolios of publicly traded U.S. common stocks of small and medium cap companies. (3) Includes directly owned securities and mutual funds, which invest in diversified portfolios of publicly traded common stocks of large, non-U.S. companies. (4) Consists of mutual and exchange traded funds which invest in non-U.S. stocks in emerging markets. (5) Includes directly owned securities, mutual funds and exchange traded funds. (6) Consists of exchange traded funds which invest in non-U.S. bonds in emerging markets.
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments	Based on actuarial assumptions, estimated future defined benefit payments, which may be significantly impacted by participant elections related to retirement dates and forms of payment, are as follows: Fiscal Year 2018 $ 3,670 2019 2,530 2020 3,130 2021 3,101 2022 12,750 2023 - 2027 17,830
Schedule of Multiemployer Plans	The Company’s participation in these plans is outlined in the following tables. The “EIN / Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employer Identification Number (“EIN”) and the three-digit pension plan number. The most recent “Pension Protection Act Zone Status” available in 2016 and 2015 is for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, unless otherwise noted. Among other factors, generally, plans in the red zone are less than 65 percent funded, plans in the yellow zone are between 65 and 80 percent funded and plans in the green zone are at least 80 percent funded. The “FIP/RP Status Pending / Implemented” column indicates plans for which a funding improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented. Pension Protection Act Zone Status FIP/RP Status Pending / Implemented Contributions for the year ended (5) Expiration date of Collective- Bargaining Agreement Pension Fund EIN / Pension Plan Number 2016 2015 July 29, July 30, July 25, Surcharge Imposed (6) Pension Plan of Local 464A (1) 22-6051600-001 Green Green N/A $ 762 $ 679 $ 665 N/A October 2020 UFCW Local 1262 & Employers Pension Fund (2), (4) 22-6074414-001 Red Red Implemented 3,498 3,510 3,501 No October 2018 UFCW Regional Pension Plan (3), (4) 16-6062287-074 Red Red Implemented 1,314 1,275 1,235 No March 2019 Total Contributions $ 5,574 $ 5,464 $ 5,401 (1) The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . (2) The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . (3) The information for this fund was obtained from the Form 5500 filed for the plan’s year-end at September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 . (4) This plan has elected to utilize special amortization provisions provided under the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010. There were no changes to the plan’s zone status as a result of this election. (5) The Company’s contributions represent more than 5% of the total contributions received by each applicable pension fund for all periods presented. (6) Under the Pension Protection Act, a surcharge may be imposed when employers make contributions under a collective bargaining agreement that is not in compliance with a rehabilitation plan. As of July 29, 2017 , the collective bargaining agreements under which the Company was making contributions were in compliance with rehabilitation plans adopted by each applicable pension fund.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN26

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017USD ($)storesegment	Jul. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 25, 2015USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of stores | store	29
Fiscal period duration	371 days	364 days	364 days
Number of operating segments | segment	1
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Credit and debit card receivables	$ 7,641	$ 7,534
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Percentage of LIFO inventory	65.00%
LIFO reserve inventory	$ 14,410	14,522
Marketing and Advertising Expense [Abstract]
Advertising expense	$ 11,824	11,644	$ 11,121
Buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	30 years
Store fixtures and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	10 years
Vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	3 years
Wakefern
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Demand deposits invested at related party Wakefern	$ 60,037	$ 63,609

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN27

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Net Income Per Share (Details) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017USD ($)class_common_stock$ / sharesshares	Jul. 30, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Jul. 25, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of common stock classes | class_common_stock	2
Common stock cash dividends, percent Class A is entitled greater than Class B	54.00%
Class A Common Stock
Numerator:
Net income allocated, basic | $	$ 17,354	$ 18,967	$ 23,050
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares | $	5,025	5,563	6,885
Effect of share-based compensation on allocated net income | $	25	0	46
Net income allocated, diluted | $	$ 22,404	$ 24,530	$ 29,981
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares) | shares	9,663	9,567	9,459
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares (in shares) | shares	4,314	4,319	4,353
Dilutive effect of share-based compensation (in shares) | shares	27	0	48
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares) | shares		13,886	13,860
Net income per share
Basic (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.80	$ 1.98	$ 2.44
Diluted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.60	$ 1.77	$ 2.16
Class B Common Stock
Numerator:
Net income allocated, basic | $	$ 5,025	$ 5,563	$ 6,885
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares | $	0	0	0
Effect of share-based compensation on allocated net income | $	(4)	(3)	(23)
Net income allocated, diluted | $	$ 5,021	$ 5,560	$ 6,862
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares) | shares	4,314	4,319	4,353
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares (in shares) | shares	0	0	0
Dilutive effect of share-based compensation (in shares) | shares	0	0	0
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares) | shares	4,314	4,319	4,353
Net income per share
Basic (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.16	$ 1.29	$ 1.58
Diluted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.16	$ 1.29	$ 1.58

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN28

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Net Income Per Share, Additional Information (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Class A Common Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Class A shares excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	376	226	224
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Class A shares excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	361	250	271

PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT and FIXTU29

PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT and FIXTURES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, equipment and fixtures	$ 494,123	$ 467,272
Accumulated depreciation	(281,216)	(258,356)
Accumulated amortization of property under capital leases	(8,467)	(7,446)
Property, equipment and fixtures, net	204,440	201,470
Land and buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, equipment and fixtures	105,211	104,451
Store fixtures and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, equipment and fixtures	253,227	234,094
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, equipment and fixtures	104,946	100,076
Leased property under capital leases
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, equipment and fixtures	25,211	25,211
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, equipment and fixtures	2,288	215
Vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, equipment and fixtures	$ 3,240	$ 3,225

RELATED PARTY INFORMATION - W30

RELATED PARTY INFORMATION - WAKEFERN (Details) - USD ($)	Aug. 15, 2017	Feb. 15, 2014	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amortization of pension actuarial loss, net of tax			$ 794,000	$ 892,000	$ 768,000	[1]
Notes receivable from Wakefern			$ 44,680,000
Wakefern
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership interest in Wakefern			12.90%
Purchase obligation, as a percentage of merchandise requirements			85.00%
Purchase obligation period			10 years
Percentage of stockholders to request termination			75.00%
Indebtedness to Wakefern			$ 406,000
Installment payments year one			292,000
Installment payments year two			114,000
Installment payments year three			0
Maximum per store investment			925,000
Per store investment increase			25,000	25,000
Additional investment			626,000	717,000
Vendor allowances and rebates			30,048,000	30,559,000	27,557,000
Support services incurred charges			32,135,000	33,526,000	33,306,000
Demand deposits invested at related party Wakefern			60,037,000	63,609,000
Interest income earned on investments related entity			$ 2,841,000	$ 2,506,000	$ 2,399,000
Wakefern | Related Party Note Receivable Maturing August 2017
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		0.25%
Percent of notes receivable		50.00%
Wakefern | Related Party Note Receivable Maturing February 2019
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.25%
Percent of notes receivable		50.00%
Insure-Rite Ltd. | Wakefern
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investment in Insure-Rite, Ltd			8.00%
Subsequent Event [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Notes receivable from Wakefern	$ 22,000,000
Related Party Transaction, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.25%
[1]	Amounts are net of tax of $549, $612 and $527 for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

DEBT (Details)

DEBT (Details)	Jul. 29, 2017USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Maximum borrowing amount	$ 25,000,000
Amount outstanding	0
Revolving loan agreement amount of letters of credit (maximum)	3,000,000
Letters of credit outstanding	$ 129,000

INCOME TAXES - Components of In

INCOME TAXES - Components of Income Tax Provision (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Federal:
Current	$ 10,018	$ 13,150	$ 2,424
Deferred	2,167	183	13,954
State:
Current	3,906	4,215	(6,490)
Deferred	111	(253)	887
Income taxes	$ 16,202	$ 17,295	$ 10,775

INCOME TAXES - Components of De

INCOME TAXES - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Leasing activities	$ 8,115	$ 7,922
Federal benefit of uncertain tax positions	304	282
Compensation related costs	2,543	4,209
Pension costs	6,410	11,097
Other	729	704
Total deferred tax assets	18,101	24,214
Deferred tax liabilities:
Tax over book depreciation	17,603	17,114
Patronage dividend receivable	5,164	5,270
Investment in partnerships	1,479	1,476
Other	0	171
Total deferred tax liabilities	24,246	24,031
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	$ (6,145)
Net deferred tax (liability) asset		$ 183

INCOME TAXES - Deferred Income

INCOME TAXES - Deferred Income Tax Assets And Liabilities Included on Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Other assets	$ 611	$ 1,576
Other liabilities	$ 6,756	$ 1,393

INCOME TAXES - Effective Income

INCOME TAXES - Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	6.20%	5.90%	6.10%
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties on prior year tax positions	0.00%	0.00%	(17.60%)
Current year interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits	0.10%	0.20%	2.00%
Other	0.10%	(0.30%)	0.50%
Effective income tax rate	41.40%	40.80%	26.00%

INCOME TAXES - Additional Infor

INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 25, 2015USD ($)	Jul. 27, 2002complainttax_assessment	Apr. 25, 2015USD ($)	Oct. 26, 2013USD ($)
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Tax settlement	$ 33,000
Cash outflow as a result of tax settlement				$ 21,000
Tax positions that would reduce effective income tax rate		$ 585	$ 541
(Benefit) expense related to interest and penalties		50	39	$ (9,811)
Accrued interest and penalties included in the consolidated balance sheet		$ 242	$ 192
Income Tax Expense on Prior Year Tax Positions
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income tax expense							$ 10,052
Income tax benefit						$ 7,293
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Number of tax assessments | tax_assessment					2
Number of complaints filed | complaint					2

INCOME TAXES - Unrecognized Tax

INCOME TAXES - Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions	$ 17	$ 0
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	631	514
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	0	117
Balance at end of year	$ 648	$ 631

LEASES - Future Minimum Lease P

LEASES - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016
Capital and financing leases
2,016	$ 4,959
2,017	5,001
2,018	5,173
2,019	5,240
2,020	5,240
Thereafter	54,355
Less amount representing interest	36,784
Present value of minimum lease payments	43,184
Less current portion	652	$ 514
Capital and financing lease obligations	42,532	$ 43,184
Operating leases
2,016	11,102
2,017	9,131
2,018	7,776
2,019	6,450
2,020	4,997
Thereafter	38,046
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	79,968
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	$ 77,502

LEASES - Rent Expense (Details)

LEASES - Rent Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Leases [Abstract]
Minimum rentals	$ 11,153	$ 11,585	$ 11,090
Contingent rentals	668	929	893
Total rental expense	$ 11,821	$ 12,514	$ 11,983

LEASES - Additional Information

LEASES - Additional Information (Details) ft² in Thousands	Apr. 30, 2014ft²	Nov. 06, 2013ft²	Apr. 26, 2014USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2017USD ($)real_estate_partnershipstoreproperty	Jul. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 25, 2015USD ($)
Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of stores leased | store				23
Number of leased stores capitalized | store				5
Renewal term				5 years
Number of real estate partnerships with company ownership interests | real_estate_partnership				3
Number of partnerships to which rent was paid for leased stores | real_estate_partnership				2
Rent paid to related partnership				$ 1,500,000	$ 1,400,000	$ 1,300,000
Rent paid to Wakefern under sublease agreement				1,316,000	1,316,000	1,296,000
Hanover Township, New Jersey
Leased Assets [Line Items]
Square feet of store | ft²		77
Morris Plains, New Jersey
Leased Assets [Line Items]
Business exit costs			$ 3,481,000
Exit costs paid				788,000	918,000	982,000
New Store, Union, New Jersey
Leased Assets [Line Items]
Square feet of store | ft²	59
Union, New Jersey
Leased Assets [Line Items]
Square feet of store | ft²	40
Business exit costs			$ 929,000
Exit costs paid				$ 0	266,000	531,000
Minimum
Leased Assets [Line Items]
Lease terms				20 years
Term of non-cancelable leases				1 year
Maximum
Leased Assets [Line Items]
Lease terms				30 years
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of variable interest entity real estate partnerships | real_estate_partnership				1
Number of properties owned by VIE partnership | property				1
Percentage of profits and losses entitled to Company				33.00%
Officer
Leased Assets [Line Items]
Officer ownership percentage in leasing property realty firm				30.00%
Rent paid to related parties				$ 688,000	$ 642,000	$ 640,000

SHAREHOLDERS_ EQUITY - Addition

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY - Additional Information (Details)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 23, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2017USD ($)class_common_stockplanvote$ / sharesshares	Jul. 30, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Jul. 25, 2015USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value		$ 2,000
Number of common stock classes | class_common_stock		2
Common stock cash dividends, percent Class A is entitled greater than Class B		54.00%
Preferred stock shares authorized (in shares) | shares		10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock shares issued (in shares) | shares		0	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value		$ 1,859,000
Number of share-based compensation plans | plan		3
Compensation cost charged against income		$ 3,134,000	$ 3,195,000	$ 3,169,000
Income tax benefit recognized		$ 802,000	$ 1,131,000	1,134,000
Weighted-average remaining contractual term of options outstanding		4 years 9 months 6 days
Weighted-average remaining contractual term of options exercisable		4 years 8 months 4 days
Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding		$ 2,000
Weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted | $ / shares		$ 4.79	$ 4.32
Intrinsic value of options exercised		$ 204,000	$ 70,000	1,090,000
Fair value of restricted shares vested		4,117,000	549,000	576,000
Unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested stock options and restricted stock granted		$ 8,685,000
Weighted-average period of compensation cost expected to be recognized		31 months 2 days
Cash received from option exercises under share-based compensation arrangements		$ 812,000	813,000	2,392,000
Actual tax benefit realized		$ 83,000	$ 29,000	424,000
Class A Common Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of votes entitled per share | vote		1
Authorized amount of share repurchase program				$ 5,000,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	$ 978,000
Class A Common Stock | 2004 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized | shares		1,200,000
Vesting period		3 years
Expiration period		10 years
Shares remaining for future grants (in shares) | shares		0
Class A Common Stock | 2004 Plan | Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period		3 years
Class A Common Stock | 2010 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized | shares		1,200,000
Vesting period		3 years
Expiration period		10 years
Class A Common Stock | 2010 Plan | Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period		3 years
Class B Common Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of votes entitled per share | vote		10
Percentage of voting power (greater than)		50.00%
Withholding In Satisfaction Of Taxes On Vested Equity Award [Member] | Class A Common Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value		$ 2,222,000

SHAREHOLDERS_ EQUITY - Summary

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY - Summary of Option Activity (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Shares
Outstanding at beginning of year (in shares)	424	473	591
Granted (in shares)	0	7	4
Exercised (in shares)	(31)	(30)	(111)
Forfeited (in shares)	(9)	(26)	(11)
Outstanding at end of year (in shares)	384	424	473
Weighted-average exercise price
Outstanding at beginning of year (in dollars per share)	$ 27.77	$ 27.75	$ 26.41
Granted (in dollars per share)	0	26.79	24.51
Exercised (in dollars per share)	25.75	27.08	21.41
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	26.46	27.99	18.83
Outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 27.91	$ 27.77	$ 27.75
Options exercisable at end of year (in shares)	371	203	248
Options exercisable at end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 27.88	$ 26.76	$ 26.80

SHAREHOLDERS_ EQUITY - Restric

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY - Restricted Stock Activity (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Shares
Nonvested at beginning of year (in shares)	250	271	288
Granted (in shares)	362	2	3
Vested (in shares)	(246)	(19)	(20)
Forfeited (in shares)	(5)	(4)	0
Nonvested at end of year (in shares)	361	250	271
Weighted-average grant date fair value
Nonvested at beginning of year (in dollars per share)	$ 28.77	$ 28.78	$ 28.83
Granted (in dollars per share)	27.22	28.55	23.77
Vested (in dollars per share)	28.77	28.83	28.83
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	28.51	28.83	0
Nonvested at end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 27.22	$ 28.77	$ 28.78

SHAREHOLDERS_ EQUITY - Dividend

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY - Dividends declared and paid (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Aggregate:
Total common stock dividends paid	$ 12,788	$ 12,634	$ 12,577
Class A Common Stock
Per share:
Common stock dividends paid (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1
Aggregate:
Common stock dividends paid	$ 9,983	$ 9,827	$ 9,749
Class B Common Stock
Per share:
Common stock dividends paid (in dollars per share)	$ 0.650	$ 0.650	$ 0.650
Aggregate:
Common stock dividends paid	$ 2,805	$ 2,807	$ 2,828

PENSION PLANS - Additional Info

PENSION PLANS - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2018USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2017USD ($)pension_plan	Jul. 30, 2016USD ($)pension_plan	Jul. 25, 2015USD ($)
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
Number of defined benefit plans | pension_plan		4	4,000
Number of defined benefit plans covering union members | pension_plan		2
Number of defined benefit plans covering non-union members | pension_plan		1
Defined Benefit Plan, Curtailments		$ 0	$ (17,904)
Accumulated benefit obligations		71,701	80,021
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Class A common stock held in plan		636	770
Company contributions to other multi-employer benefit plans		28,137	27,965	$ 26,932
401(k) company contributions		1,132	641	392
Company contributions to union sponsored plans		$ 783	$ 836	$ 817
Equity Securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Minimum target allocation		50.00%
Maximum target allocation		70.00%
Fixed Income Funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Minimum target allocation		25.00%
Maximum target allocation		40.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Minimum target allocation		0.00%
Maximum target allocation		10.00%
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year	$ 3,500
Expected net actuarial loss to be recognized	$ 570

PENSION PLANS - Net Periodic Pe

PENSION PLANS - Net Periodic Pension Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 388	$ 3,099	$ 3,642
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	2,424	3,031	3,055
Expected return on plan assets	(3,684)	(3,645)	(3,719)
Loss (gain) on settlement	965	0	(239)
Amortization of gains and losses	1,343	1,504	1,295
Net periodic pension cost	$ 1,436	$ 3,989	$ 4,034

PENSION PLANS - Changes in Bene

PENSION PLANS - Changes in Benefit Obligations and Reconciliation of Funded Status (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Curtailments	$ 0	$ (17,904)
Changes in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	80,021	83,961
Service cost	388	3,099	$ 3,642
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	2,424	3,031	3,055
Benefits paid	(549)	(3,440)
Settlement	(4,487)	0
Actuarial loss	(6,096)	11,274
Benefit obligation at end of year	71,701	80,021	83,961
Changes in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	53,281	51,729
Actual return on plan assets	5,262	1,468
Employer contributions	3,000	3,524
Benefits paid	(549)	(3,440)
Settlements paid	(4,487)	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	56,507	53,281	$ 51,729
Funded status at end of year	15,194	26,740
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets:
Pension liabilities	(15,194)	(26,740)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	7,406	13,339
Amounts included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss (pre-tax):
Net actuarial loss	$ 12,521	$ 22,502

PENSION PLANS - Accumulated Ben

PENSION PLANS - Accumulated Benefit Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
Projected benefit obligation	$ 70,019	$ 80,021
Accumulated benefit obligation	70,019	80,021
Fair value of plan assets	$ 54,557	$ 53,281

PENSION PLANS - Assumptions Use

PENSION PLANS - Assumptions Used (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assumed discount rate — net periodic pension cost	3.08%	4.02%	3.95%
Assumed discount rate — benefit obligation	3.60%	3.08%	4.02%
Expected rate of return on plan assets	7.50%	7.50%	7.50%
Minimum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assumed rate of increase in compensation levels	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assumed rate of increase in compensation levels	4.50%	4.50%	4.50%

PENSION PLANS - Fair Value of P

PENSION PLANS - Fair Value of Pension Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash	$ 776	$ 1,173
Equity Securities [Abstract]
Company stock	636	770
U.S large cap	20,893	18,416
U.S. small/mid cap	6,823	6,591
International	7,608	6,752
Emerging markets	1,277	1,219
Fixed Income Securities [Abstract]
U.S treasuries	9,876	10,560
Mortgage-backed	1,889	1,918
Corporate bonds	6,110	5,194
International	619	688
Total	56,507	53,281
Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash	166	1,173
Equity Securities [Abstract]
Company stock	636	770
U.S large cap	19,696	18,416
U.S. small/mid cap	6,644	6,591
International	7,187	6,752
Emerging markets	1,277	1,219
Fixed Income Securities [Abstract]
U.S treasuries	9,520	10,560
Mortgage-backed	1,783	0
Corporate bonds	2,931	3,054
International	619	688
Total	50,459	49,223
Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash	610	0
Equity Securities [Abstract]
Company stock	0	0
U.S large cap	1,197	0
U.S. small/mid cap	179	0
International	421	0
Emerging markets	0	0
Fixed Income Securities [Abstract]
U.S treasuries	356	0
Mortgage-backed	106	1,918
Corporate bonds	3,179	2,140
International	0	0
Total	$ 6,048	$ 4,058

PENSION PLANS - Estimated Futur

PENSION PLANS - Estimated Future Benefit Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Jul. 29, 2017USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2,016	$ 3,670
2,017	2,530
2,018	3,130
2,019	3,101
2,020	12,750
2021-2025	$ 17,830

PENSION PLANS - Schedule of Mul

PENSION PLANS - Schedule of Multiemployer Plans (Details) - Multiemployer Plans, Pension - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 25, 2015
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Total Contributions	$ 5,574	$ 5,464	$ 5,401
Pension Plan of Local 464A
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
EIN / Pension Plan Number	226,051,600
Multiemployer Plan Number	1
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Green	Green
Total Contributions	$ 762	$ 679	$ 665
Expiration date of collective-bargaining agreement	October 2,020
UFCW Local 1262 & Employers Pension Fund
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
EIN / Pension Plan Number	226,074,414
Multiemployer Plan Number	1
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Red	Red
FIP/RP Status Pending / Implemented	Implemented
Total Contributions	$ 3,498	$ 3,510	$ 3,501
Surcharge Imposed	No
Expiration date of collective-bargaining agreement	October 2,018
UFCW Regional Pension Plan
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
EIN / Pension Plan Number	166,062,287
Multiemployer Plan Number	74
Pension Protection Act Zone Status		Red	Red
FIP/RP Status Pending / Implemented	Implemented
Total Contributions	$ 1,314	$ 1,275	$ 1,235
Surcharge Imposed	No
Expiration date of collective-bargaining agreement	March 2,019
Employer contribution, percentage of pension fund contributions (more than)	5.00%

COMMITMENTS and CONTINGENCIES (

COMMITMENTS and CONTINGENCIES (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	57 Months Ended
	Apr. 23, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 25, 2014USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2017union	Jul. 29, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 27, 2013USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Insurance settlements receivable					$ 4,913
Insurance receivable write-off		$ (2,270)
Insurance recoveries	$ 940			$ 3,583
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of unions | union			7
Expiration period of union contracts			1 year
Labor Force Concentration Risk | Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements			91.00%	91.00%
Unionized Employees Concentration Risk | Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements Expired or Expiring within One Year
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements			6.00%	6.00%