| Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 3 Months Ended |
| Mar. 25, 2018 |
| Significant Accounting Policies | |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. All credit card, debit card and electronic benefits transfer transactions that process in less than seven days are classified as cash equivalents. The carrying amount of cash equivalents is approximately the same as their respective fair values due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. |
| Accounts Receivable, Net | Accounts Receivable, Net
Accounts receivable generally represent billings to customers, billings to vendors for earned rebates and allowances, receivables from SFDN, and other items. The receivable from SFDN primarily relates to billings for the shipment of inventory product to SFDN.
The Company evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable and determines the appropriate reserve for doubtful accounts based on analysis of historical trends of write-offs and recoveries on various levels of aged receivables. When the Company becomes aware of the deteriorated collectability of a specific account, additional reserves are made to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount reasonably expected to be collectible or zero. When the specific account is determined to be uncollectible, the net recognized receivable is written off in its entirety against such reserves.
The Company is exposed to credit risk on trade accounts receivable. The Company provides credit to certain trade customers in the ordinary course of business and performs ongoing credit evaluations. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited due to the number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base. The Company currently believes the allowance for doubtful accounts is sufficient to cover customer credit risks. |
| Inventories | Inventories
Inventories consist of merchandise purchased for resale which is stated at the weighted-average cost (which approximates first-in, first-out (“FIFO”)) or market. The Company provides for estimated inventory losses between physical inventory counts at its stores based upon historical inventory losses as a percentage of sales. The provision is adjusted periodically to reflect updated trends of actual physical inventory count results. |
| Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets include primarily prepaid rent, insurance, property taxes, income taxes receivable, properties held for sale and other current assets.
As of March 25, 2018, the Company designated a property as held for sale in the amount of $9.2 million. |
| Property, Plant, and Equipment | Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment is stated at cost or estimated fair value based on purchase accounting less accumulated depreciation and depreciated or amortized using the straight-line method. Leased property meeting certain criteria is capitalized and the amortization is based on the straight-line method over the term of the lease.
The estimated useful lives are as follows:
Buildings and improvements
20 - 25 years
Fixtures and equipment
3 - 10 years
Leasehold improvements
Lesser of lease term or useful life of improvement
Costs of normal maintenance and repairs and minor replacements are charged to expense when incurred. Major replacements, remodeling or betterments of properties are capitalized. When assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the costs and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Included in property, plant, and equipment are costs associated with the selection and procurement of real estate sites. These costs are amortized over the remaining lease term of the successful sites with which they are associated.
The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company groups and evaluates long-lived assets for impairment at the individual store level, which is the lowest level at which individual cash flows can be identified. The Company regularly reviews its stores’ operating performance for indicators of impairment. Factors it considers important that could trigger an impairment review include a significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results, a significant change in the manner of the use of the asset or a significant negative industry or economic trend. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized to the extent the sum of the estimated discounted future cash flows from the use of the asset is less than the carrying value. The Company measured the fair value of its long-lived assets on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs as defined in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 6, Fair Value Measurements. As a result of such reviews, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment loss of $1.2 million for the quarter ended March 25, 2018 in the Smart & Final segment. The impairment loss was reported within “operating and administrative expenses” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. |
| Capitalized Software | Capitalized Software
Capitalized software costs are comprised of third-party purchased software costs, capitalized costs associated with internally developed software including internal direct labor costs, and installation costs. Such capitalized costs are amortized over the period that the benefits of the software are fully realizable and enhance the operations of the business, ranging from three to seven years, using the straight-line method.
Capitalized software costs, like other long-lived assets, are subject to review for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the capitalized software may not be recoverable, whether it is in use or under development. Impairment is recognized to the extent the sum of the estimated discounted future cash flows from the use of the capitalized software is less than the carrying value. |
| Goodwill and Intangible Assets | Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are evaluated on an annual basis for impairment during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value including the associated goodwill. The Company has designated its reporting units to be its Smart & Final stores and Cash & Carry Smart Foodservice stores. The Company determines the fair value of the reporting units using the income approach methodology of valuation that includes the discounted cash flow method as well as other generally accepted valuation methodologies. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets, including goodwill assigned to that unit, goodwill is not impaired. If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s net assets, including goodwill, exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which that carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit.
The Company evaluates its indefinite-lived intangible assets associated with trade names by comparing the fair value of each trade name with its carrying value. The Company determines the fair value of the indefinite-lived trade names using a “relief from royalty payments” methodology. This methodology involves estimating reasonable royalty rates for each trade name and applying these royalty rates to a revenue stream and discounting the resulting cash flows to determine fair value.
As of the annual impairment assessment date of December 3, 2017, the Company continued to experience a sustained decline in its share price and market capitalization from mid-2017. Additionally, the market multiples of publicly traded peer companies also experienced a sustained decline over this time period reflecting an increasingly competitive environment. As a result of the changed market conditions the Company updated its short-term operating plan in the fourth quarter 2017 to reflect this environment. The annual evaluation of impairment for fiscal year 2017 was performed as of December 3, 2017 resulting in a goodwill impairment charge of $180.0 million associated with the S mart & Final reporting unit recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017.
The finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful benefit period and have the following weighted-average amortization periods:
Signature brands
20 years
Leasehold interests
24 years
Finite-lived intangible assets, like other long-lived assets are subject to review for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the finite-lived intangible asset may not be recoverable. Impairment is recognized to the extent the sum of the discounted estimated future cash flows from the use of the finite-lived intangible asset is less than the carrying value. |
| Other Assets | Other Assets
Other assets primarily consist of assets held in trusts for certain retirement plans (see Note 7, Retirement Benefit Plans and Postretirement and Postemployment Benefit Obligations), insurance recovery receivables related to self-insurance, liquor licenses and other miscellaneous assets. |
| Accounts Payable | Accounts Payable
The Company’s banking arrangements provide for the daily replenishment and limited monthly advanced payments of vendor payable accounts as checks are presented or payments are demanded. The checks and the advanced payments outstanding in these bank accounts are included in “Accounts payable” in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. |
| Other Long-Term Liabilities | Other Long-Term Liabilities
Other long-term liabilities include primarily general liability reserves, workers’ compensation reserves, liabilities for the deferred compensation plan, leasehold interests, financing obligations for “build-to-suit” lease arrangements and other miscellaneous long-term liabilities. These leasehold interests are amortized over their estimated useful benefit periods, which is typically the lease term. The weighted-average amortization period is 14 years. |
| Lease Accounting | Lease Accounting
Certain of the Company’s operating leases provide for minimum annual payments that increase over the life of the lease. The aggregate minimum annual payments are charged to expense on a straight-line basis beginning when the Company takes possession of the property and extending over the term of the related lease. The amount by which straight-line rent expense exceeds actual lease payment requirements in the early years of the leases is accrued as deferred minimum rent and reduced in later years when the actual cash payment requirements exceed the straight-line expense. Accounting guidance for asset retirement obligations requires an entity to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Due to the nature of the Company’s business, its asset retirement obligation with respect to owned or leased properties is not significant.
The Company records an asset and related financing lease obligation for the estimated construction costs under “build-to-suit” lease arrangements where it is considered, in substance, to be the owner of the building due to the Company’s involvement in the building’s construction. Upon occupancy and shortly thereafter, the Company assesses whether these arrangements qualify for sales recognition under the sale-leaseback accounting guidance. If the Company continues to be deemed the owner of the building, the Company will continue to account for the arrangement as a financing lease. |
| Store Opening and Closing Costs | Store Opening and Closing Costs
New store opening costs consisting primarily of rent, store payroll and general operating costs are charged to expense as incurred prior to the store opening.
In the event a leased store is closed before the expiration of the associated lease, the discounted remaining lease obligation less estimated sublease rental income, asset impairment charges related to improvements and fixtures, inventory write-downs and other miscellaneous closing costs associated with the disposal activity are recognized when the store closes. |
| Share-Based Compensation | Share-Based Compensation
All share-based payments are recognized over the requisite service period in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss as compensation expense based on the fair value of an award, taking into consideration estimated forfeiture rates.
The Company measures share-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognizes share-based compensation cost as an expense over the award’s vesting period. As share-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss of the Company is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, the amount of expense has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. The Company’s forfeiture rate assumption used in determining its share-based compensation expense is estimated primarily based upon historical data. The actual forfeiture rate could differ from these estimates.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model to determine the grant date fair value for each stock option grant. The Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model requires extensive use of subjective assumptions. Application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different estimates of the fair value of share-based compensation and, consequently, the related amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company recognizes compensation cost for graded vesting awards as if they were granted in multiple awards. Management believes the use of this “multiple award” method is preferable because a stock option grant or restricted stock grant with graded vesting is effectively a series of individual grants that vest over various periods and management believes that this method provides for better matching of compensation costs with the associated services rendered throughout the applicable vesting periods. See Note 9, Share-Based Compensation. |
| Significant Accounting Estimates | Significant Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and assumptions could affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
| Revenue Recognition | Revenue Recognition
Revenues from the sale of products are recognized at the point of sale. Discounts provided to customers at the time of sale are recognized as a reduction in sales as the products are sold. Returns are also recognized as a reduction in sales and are immaterial in relation to total sales. The Company collects sales tax on taxable products purchased by its customers and remits such collections to the appropriate taxing authority in accordance with local laws. Sales tax collections are presented in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss on a net basis and, accordingly, are excluded from reported revenues.
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), which amended the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 establishes principles for recognizing revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. Because the Company’s primary source of revenues is from the sale of products which are recognized at the point of sale, the impact on its consolidated financial statements is not material.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Principal Versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross Versus Net) (“ASU 2016-08”), which amended existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. The Company adopted ASU 2016-08 in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. The Company performed a detailed review of key contracts and comparison of historical accounting policies and practices to the new standard including principal versus agent considerations as amended through ASU 2016-08. The Company’s analysis of its contracts under the new standard supports the recognition of revenue at the point of sale, consistent with its current revenue policy. Furthermore, the Company evaluated the principal versus agent considerations as it relates to certain arrangements with third parties and determined that there would be no impact to the presentation of gross or net revenue reporting.
Proceeds from the sale of the Company’s Smart & Final gift cards are recorded as a liability at the time of sale, and recognized as sales when they are redeemed by the customer. The Smart & Final gift cards do not have an expiration date and the Company is not required to escheat the value of unredeemed gift cards in the applicable jurisdictions. The Company has determined a gift card breakage rate based upon historical redemption patterns. Estimated breakage amounts are accounted for under the redemption recognition method, which results in recognition of estimated breakage income in proportion to actual gift card redemptions. |
| Cost of Sales, Buying and Occupancy | Cost of Sales, Buying and Occupancy
The major categories of costs included in cost of sales, buying and occupancy are cost of goods, distribution costs, costs of the Company’s buying department and store occupancy costs, net of earned vendor rebates and other allowances. Distribution costs consist of all warehouse receiving and inspection costs, warehousing costs, all transportation costs associated with shipping goods from the Company’s warehouses to its stores, and other costs of its distribution network. The Company does not exclude any material portion of these costs from cost of sales. |
| Vendor Rebates and Other Allowances | Vendor Rebates and Other Allowances
As a component of the Company’s consolidated procurement program, the Company frequently enters into contracts with vendors that provide for payments of rebates or other allowances. These vendor payments are reflected in the carrying value of the inventory when earned or as progress is made toward earning the rebate or allowance and as a component of cost of sales as the inventory is sold. Certain of these vendor contracts provide for rebates and other allowances that are contingent upon the Company meeting specified performance measures such as a cumulative level of purchases over a specified period of time. Such contingent rebates and other allowances are given accounting recognition at the point at which achievement of the specified performance measures are deemed to be probable and reasonably estimable. |
| Operating and Administrative Expenses | Operating and Administrative Expenses
The major categories of operating and administrative expenses include store direct expenses associated with displaying and selling at the store level, primarily labor and related fringe benefit costs, advertising and marketing costs, overhead costs and corporate office costs. The Company charges to expense the costs of advertising as incurred. |
| Income Taxes | Income Taxes
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the liability method, which requires an adjustment to the deferred tax asset or liability to reflect income tax rates currently in effect. When income tax rates increase or decrease, a corresponding adjustment to income tax expense is recorded by applying the rate change to the cumulative temporary differences. The Company also determines whether it is “more likely than not” that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authorities before any part of the benefit can be recognized. |
| Foreign Currency Translations | Foreign Currency Translations
The Company’s joint venture in Mexico uses the Mexican Peso as its functional currency. The joint venture’s assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet dates. Revenue and expense accounts are translated into U.S. dollars at average exchange rates during the year. Foreign exchange translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss,” which is reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. |
| Derivative Financial Instruments | Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage a portion of its exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates. The contracts are accounted for in accordance with accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging, which requires every derivative instrument to be recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. The Company designates its interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges and formally documents its hedge relationships, including identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction. Accordingly, changes in estimated fair value related to the interest rate swaps are recognized in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss when the hedged items affect earnings. See Note 5, Derivative Financial Instruments. |
| Debt Discount and Debt Issuance Costs | Debt Discount and Debt Issuance Costs
Costs incurred in connection with the placement of long-term debt paid directly to the Company’s lenders are treated as a debt discount. Costs incurred in connection with the placement of long-term debt paid to third parties are treated as debt issuance costs and are amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method.
The Company presents capitalized debt issuance costs in its condensed consolidated balance sheets as a direct reduction to debt. |
| Self-Insurance | Self-Insurance
The Company has various insurance programs related to its risks and costs associated with workers’ compensation and general liability claims. The Company has elected to purchase third-party insurance to cover the risk in excess of certain dollar limits established for each respective program. The Company establishes estimated accruals for its insurance programs based on available claims data, historical trends and experience, and projected ultimate costs of the claims. These accruals are based on estimates prepared with the assistance of outside actuaries and consultants, and the ultimate cost of these claims may vary from initial estimates and established accruals. The actuaries periodically update their estimates and the Company records such adjustments in the period in which such determination is made. Included in the aggregate accrual are amounts related to the risk in excess of certain dollar limits related to the Company’s workers’ compensation California self-insured program and its general liability program. The Company has also recorded a corresponding insurance recovery receivable from its third-party insurance carriers related to the risk in excess of certain reinsurance dollar limits related to such programs. The accrued obligation for these self-insurance programs and the corresponding insurance recovery receivable are included in “Other long-term liabilities” and “Other Assets,” respectively, in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. |
| Fair Value of Financial Instruments | Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, derivatives, investments in affiliates, accounts payable, accrued expenses and long-term variable rate debt. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, derivatives, equity investment in joint venture, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value.
The Company’s debt is not listed or traded on an established market. For the purpose of determining the fair value of the Company’s first lien term loan facility (as amended, the “Term Loan Facility”), the administrative agent has provided to the Company the fair value of the Term Loan Facility based upon orderly trading activity and related closing prices for actual trades of the Term Loan Facility as well as indications of interest by prospective buyers and sellers and related bid/ask prices. As of March 25, 2018, the carrying value of the Term Loan Facility approximates fair value based upon valuations received from the administrative agent, which reflected a pricing valuation of 98.5% of carrying value. The carrying value of the Term Loan Facility was $625.0 million, compared to an indicated fair value of $615.6 million as of March 25, 2018. The Company’s estimates of the fair value of long-term debt were classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements reflect its investment in Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (“Sprouts”), through the Company’s supplemental deferred compensation plan. The investment is presented at fair market value. |
| Accounting for Retirement Benefit Plans | Accounting for Retirement Benefit Plans
The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit plan, measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the plan’s benefit obligation, as an asset or liability in its consolidated balance sheets and recognizes changes to that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through accumulated other comprehensive loss. Measurement of the funded status of a plan is required as of the Company’s consolidated balance sheet dates. |
| Earnings (Loss) per Share | Earnings (Loss) per Share
Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the fiscal period.
Diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the fiscal period.
Potentially dilutive securities representing 6,266,238 shares of Common Stock for the twelve weeks ended March 25, 2018 and 5,699,439 shares of Common Stock for the twelve weeks ended March 26, 2017 were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive. |
