| Significant Accounting Policies | 3. Significant Accounting Policies Fiscal Years The Company reports its results of operations on a 52- or 53-week fiscal calendar ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. Fiscal year 2019 ended on December 29, 2019 and included 52-weeks 52-weeks 52-weeks Significant Accounting Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and assumptions 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. The Company’s critical accounting estimates include, but are not limited to: inventory valuations, lease assumptions, self-insurance reserves, impairment of long-lived assets, fair values of share-based awards and derivatives, and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions in the United States of America. Deposits in transit includes sales through the end of the period, the majority of which were paid with credit and debit cards and settle within a few days of the sales transactions. The amounts due from banks for these transactions at each reporting date were as follows:
As Of
December 29, 2019
December 30, 2018
Due from banks for debit and credit card transactions
$
49,405
$
52,896
Restricted Cash Restricted cash relates to the Company’s defined benefit plan forfeitures and the Company’s healthcare plan benefits of approximately $1.5 million and $0.7 million as of December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, respectively, and is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable primarily represents billings to vendors for scan, advertising and other rebates, and billings to landlords for tenant allowances. Accounts receivable also includes receivables from the Company’s insurance carrier for payments expected to be made in excess of self-insured retentions. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts when a specific account is determined to be uncollectible. Inventories Inventories consist of merchandise purchased for resale, which are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost method is used for distribution center and store perishable department inventories by assigning costs to each of these items based on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis (net of vendor discounts). The Company’s non-perishable inventory is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value using weighted averaging, the use of which approximates the FIFO method. The Company believes that all inventories are saleable and no allowances or reserves for obsolescence were recorded as of December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Expenditures for major additions and improvements to facilities are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statements of income. Depreciation expense, which includes the amortization of assets recorded as finance leases, is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets. Terms of leases used in the determination of estimated useful lives may include renewal options if the exercise of the renewal option is determined to be reasonably certain. The following table includes the estimated useful lives of certain of the Company’s asset classes:
Computer hardware and software
3 to 5 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
7 to 20 years
Leasehold improvements
up
Buildings
40 years Store development costs, which include costs associated with the selection and procurement of real estate sites, are also included in property and equipment. These costs are included in leasehold improvements and are amortized over the remaining lease term of the successful sites with which they are associated. Self-Insurance Reserves The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance programs to provide for costs associated with general liability, workers’ compensation and team member health benefits. Liabilities for self-insurance reserves are estimated through consideration of various factors, which include historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. Amounts expected to be recovered from insurance companies are included in the liability, with a corresponding amount recorded in accounts receivable. Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the cost of acquired businesses in excess of the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired. The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names related to “Sprouts Farmers Market” and liquor licenses. The Company also holds intangible assets with finite useful lives consisting of the “Sunflower Farmers Market” trade name. The trade name related to “Sunflower Farmers Market” meets the definition of a defensive intangible asset and is amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of 10 years from the date of its acquisition by the Company. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth fiscal quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Our impairment evaluation of goodwill consists of a qualitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Our qualitative assessment considered factors including changes in the competitive market, budget-to-actual performance, trends in market capitalization for us and our peers, turnover in key management personnel and overall changes in macroeconomic environment. If this qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, no further analysis is required and goodwill is not impaired. Otherwise, we compare the estimated fair value of the asset to its carrying amount with an impairment loss recognized for the amount, if any, by which carrying value exceeds estimated fair value. Our impairment evaluation for our indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of a qualitative assessment similar to that for goodwill. If our qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its carrying value, no further analysis is required and the asset is not impaired. Otherwise, we compare the estimated fair value of the asset to its carrying amount with an impairment loss recognized for the amount, if any, by which carrying value exceeds estimated fair value. The Company has determined its business consists of a single reporting unit, healthy grocery stores. The Company has had no goodwill impairment charges for the past three fiscal years. See Note 8, “Intangible Assets” and Note 9, “Goodwill” for further discussion. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company assesses its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, right-of-use assets and finite-lived intangible assets, for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. These events primarily include current period losses combined with a history of losses or a projection of continuing losses, a significant decrease in the market value of an asset or a decision to close or relocate a store. The Company groups and evaluates long-lived assets for impairment at the individual store level, which is the lowest level at which independent identifiable cash flows are available. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset group to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset group. Our impairment analysis contains management assumptions about key variables including sales growth rate, gross margin, payroll and other controllable expenses. If impairment is indicated, a loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value of the asset group. The fair value of the asset group is estimated based on the discounted future cash flows using a discount rate commensurate with the related risk or comparable market values, if available. I Deferred Financing Costs The Company capitalizes certain fees and costs incurred in connection with the issuance of debt. Deferred financing costs are amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt using the effective interest method. For the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Former Credit Facility (as defined in Note 13, “Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Liabilities”), deferred financing costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the facility. Upon prepayment, redemption or conversion of debt, the Company accelerates the recognition of an appropriate amount of financing costs as loss on extinguishment of debt. The current and noncurrent portions of deferred financing costs are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other assets, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Leases The Company leases all stores, distribution centers, and administrative offices. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease assets, current portion of operating lease liabilities and noncurrent portion of operating lease liabilities in the Company’s fiscal year 2019 consolidated balance sheet. Finance leases are included in property, plant, equipment, net, current portion of finance lease liabilities, and long-term debt and finance lease liabilities in the Company’s fiscal year 2019 consolidated balance sheet. Operating lease payments are charged on a straight-line basis to rent expense, a component of selling, general and administrative expenses, over the lease term and finance lease payments are charged to interest expense and depreciation and amortization expense using a debt model over the lease term. The Company’s lease assets represent a right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Lease assets and liabilities and the related rent expense are recognized at the lease commencement date (date on which the Company gains access to the property) based on the estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term, net of landlord allowances expected to be received. The Company accounts for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component for all current classes of leases. Most of the Company’s lease agreements include variable payments related to pass-through costs for maintenance, taxes, and insurance. Additionally, some of the Company’s lease agreements include rental payments based on a percentage of retail sales over contractual levels. These variable payments are not included in the measurement of the lease liability or asset and are expensed as incurred. As most of the Company’s lease agreements do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses an estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is derived from third-party information available at the lease commencement date, in determining the present value of lease payments. The rate used is for a secured borrowing of a similar term as the lease. Most leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term from one to twenty years or more. The exercise of lease renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion. The lease term includes the initial contractual term as well as any options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Leases with a term of 12 months or less (“short-term leases”) are not recorded on the balance sheet. The Company does not currently have any material short-term leases. Additionally, the Company’s lease agreements do not contain any residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The Company subleases certain real estate to third parties, which have all been classified as operating leases. The Company recognized sublease income on a straight-line basis. Fair Value Measurements The Company records its financial assets and liabilities in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value in accordance with ASC 820. This framework establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value: Level 1: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Level 2: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 3: Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities are primarily used in the valuation of derivative instruments, impairment analysis of goodwill, intangible assets, and long-lived assets. Impairment losses related to store-level assets are calculated using significant unobservable inputs including the present value of future cash flows expected to be generated using a risk-adjusted market based weighted-average cost of capital, comparable store sales growth assumptions, and third party property appraisal data. Therefore, these inputs are classified as a level 3 measurement in the fair value hierarchy. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued salaries and benefits and other accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments. Derivative Financial Instruments The Company records derivatives at fair value. The designation of a derivative instrument as a hedge and its ability to meet the hedge accounting criteria determine how the Company reflects the change in fair value of the derivative instrument in its financial statements. A derivative qualifies for hedge accounting if, at inception, the derivative is expected to be highly effective in offsetting the underlying hedged cash flows, and the Company fulfills the hedge documentation standards at the time it enters into the derivative contract. The Company designates its hedge based on the exposure it is hedging. For qualifying cash flow hedges, the Company records changes in fair value in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). The Company releases the derivative’s gain or loss from OCI to match the timing of the underlying hedged item’s effect on earnings. The Company review s the effectiveness of its hedging instruments quarterly. The Company recognize s changes in the fair value for derivatives not designated as hedges or those not qualifying for hedge accounting in current period earnings. The Company discontinue s hedge accounting for any hedge that is no longer evaluated to be highly effective. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes, and it monitors the financial stability and credit standing of its counterparties in these transactions. Share-Based Compensation 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 expense over the vesting period. As share-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of income is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, the amount of expense has been reduced for actual forfeitures as they occur. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the grant date fair value for each option grant. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires extensive use of subjective assumptions. See Note 26, “Share-Based Compensation” for a discussion of assumptions used in the calculation of fair values. Application of alternative assumptions could produce different estimates of the fair value of share-based compensation and, consequently, the related amounts recognized in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The grant date fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance share awards (“PSAs”), and restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) is based on the closing price per share of the Company’s stock on the grant date. The Company recognizes compensation expense for time-based awards on a straight-line basis and for performance-based awards on the graded-vesting method over the vesting period of the awards. Revenue Recognition The Company’s performance obligations are satisfied upon the transfer of goods to the customer, which occurs at the point of sale, and payment from customers is also due at the time of sale. Proceeds from the sale of gift cards are recorded as a liability at the time of sale, and recognized as sales when they are redeemed by the customer and the performance obligation is satisfied by the Company. The Company’s gift cards do not expire. Based on historical redemption rates, a small and relatively stable percentage of gift cards will never be redeemed, referred to as "breakage." Estimated breakage revenue is recognized over time in proportion to actual gift card redemptions and was not material in any period presented.
Balance as of December 30, 2018
Gift Cards Issued During Current Period But Not Redeemed (a)
Revenue Recognized From Beginning Liability
Balance as of December 29, 2019
Gift card liability, net
14,629
11,729
(10,456
)
15,902
(a)
The nature of goods the Company transfers to customers at the point of sale are inventories, consisting of merchandise purchased for resale. The Company does not have any material contract assets or receivables from contracts with customers, any revenue recognized in the current period from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods, any contract performance obligations, or any material costs to obtain or fulfill a contract as of December 29, 2019. Cost of Sales Cost of sales includes the cost of inventory sold during the period, including the direct costs of purchased merchandise (net of discounts and allowances), distribution and supply chain costs, supplies and depreciation and amortization for distribution centers and supply chain related assets. The Company recognizes vendor allowances and merchandise volume related rebate allowances as a reduction of inventories during the period when earned and reflects the allowances as a component of cost of sales as the inventory is sold. The Company’s largest supplier accounted for approximately 40%, 34% and 34% of total purchases during 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries, wages and benefits costs, share-based compensation, occupancy costs (including rent, property taxes, utilities, common area maintenance and insurance), advertising costs, buying cost, pre-opening and other administrative costs. The Company charges certain vendors to place advertisements in the Company’s in-store guide and circulars under a cooperative advertising program. The Company records rebates received from vendors in connection with cooperative advertising programs as a reduction to advertising costs when the allowance represents a reimbursement of a specific incremental and identifiable cost. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense, net of rebates, was $57.2 million, $50.2 million and $42.3 million for 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization expense (exclusive of depreciation included in cost of sales) primarily consists of depreciation and amortization for buildings, store leasehold improvements, and equipment. Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. 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 basis and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. 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 income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company’s deferred tax assets are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. Realization of the deferred tax assets is principally dependent upon achievement of projected future taxable income offset by deferred tax liabilities. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the judgment occurs. The Company files income tax returns for federal purposes and in many states. The Company’s tax filings remain subject to examination by applicable tax authorities for a certain length of time, generally three years, following the tax year to which those filings relate. The Company’s U.S. federal income tax return for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company recognizes the effect of uncertain income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of income tax expense. Share Repurchases The Company has elected to retire shares repurchased to date. Shares retired become part of the pool of authorized but unissued shares. The Company has elected to record purchase price of the retired shares in excess of par value directly as a reduction of retained earnings. Net Income per Share Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the fiscal period. Diluted net income per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding, plus, where applicable, shares that would have been outstanding related to dilutive options, PSAs, RSAs, and RSUs. Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income consists of net income and the unrealized gains or losses on derivative instruments that qualify for and have been designated as cash flow hedges, for all periods presented. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (ASC 842).” ASU No. 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability for all leases with terms greater than twelve months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses will depend on classification as a financing or operating lease. The Company adopted the standard as of December 31, 2018, the first day of fiscal year 2019. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, permits companies not to reassess prior conclusions on lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company did not elect the hindsight practical expedient. The adoption of the standard resulted in the recognition of operating lease assets and liabilities of approximately $1.0 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2018, including recognition of operating lease assets and liabilities for certain third-party operated distribution center locations. Included in the measurement of the new lease assets and liabilities is the reclassification of balances historically recorded as deferred rent and unfavorable and favorable leasehold interests. Additionally, the Company recognized a cumulative effect adjustment, which increased retained earnings by $11.4 million, net of tax. This adjustment was driven by the derecognition of approximately $114.0 million of lease obligations and $102.6 million of net assets related to leases that had been classified as financing lease obligations under the former failed-sale leaseback guidance, and are now classified as operating leases as of the transition date. This reclassification also resulted in the recognition of rent expense beginning December 31, 2018, which was previously reported as interest expense under the former failed sale-leaseback guidance. Lastly, the adoption of this standard resulted in a change in naming convention for leases classified historically as capital leases. These leases are now referred to as finance leases. The adoption of this standard did not have any impact on the Company’s liquidity or cash flows. Refer to Note 7, “Leases”, for additional information related to the Company’s updated lease accounting policy. Leases – Codification Improvements In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU no. 2019-01, “Leases (Topic 842) Codification Improvements. The amendments in this update provide clarifications related to lessors, and required transition disclosures related to the adoption of the new lease standard. The Company adopted this standard commensurate with the adoption of ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842) in December 2018. The adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Intangibles – Goodwill In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” The amendments in this update eliminate the second step of the goodwill impairment test and provide that a n entity will apply a one-step quantitative test and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The new guidance does not amend the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment. The Company adopted this standard in the fourth quarter of 2019. The adoption did not have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted Financial Instruments – Credit Losses In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU no. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The amendments in this update introduce a new standard to replace the incurred loss impairment methodology under current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The Company will be required to use a forward-looking credit loss model for accounts receivables and other financial instruments. The guidance will be effective for the Company for its Fiscal year 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Stock Compensation – Scope of Modification Accounting In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, “Compensation —Retirement Benefits —Defined Benefit Plans —General (Subtopic 715-20) —Disclosure Framework —Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” The amendments in this update remove disclosures that no longer are considered cost-beneficial, clarify the specific requirements of disclosures, and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The guidance will be effective for the Company for its fiscal year 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this ASU to materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Income Taxes –Accounting for Income Taxes In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU no. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” Among other things, the amendment removes certain exceptions for periods with operating losses, and reduces the complexity surrounding franchise tax, step up in tax basis of goodwill in conjunction with a business combination, and timing of enacting changes in tax laws during interim periods. The amendments in this update are effective for the Company for its fiscal year 2021 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this update to have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial statements. No other new accounting pronouncements issued or effective during fiscal 2019 had, or are expected to have, a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. |
