EXHIBIT 12.1
<Table>
<Caption>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED THE LAST SATURDAY IN DECEMBER 16 WEEKS ENDED
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 APRIL 21, 2001 APRIL 20, 2002
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(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
Earnings:
Pretax income $ 82,685 $(598,202) $ (62,581) $(200,889) $ 62,799 $ 27,209 $ 41,220
Fixed charges, net 197,923 195,956 193,263 198,413 184,166 62,290 57,132
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total earnings $ 280,608 $(402,246) $ 130,682 $ (2,476) $ 246,965 $ 89,499 $ 98,352
Fixed charges:
Interest expense $ 162,506 $ 161,581 $ 165,180 $ 174,569 $ 165,534 $ 57,502 $ 50,413
Portion of rental charges
deemed to be interest 35,050 33,948 27,626 23,331 18,134 4,604 6,282
Capitalized interest and debt
issuance cost amortization 1,186 604 1,117 2,051 7,950 409 2,990
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total fixed charges $ 198,742 $ 196,133 $ 193,923 $ 199,951 $ 191,618 $ 62,515 $ 59,685
Deficiency $ 598,379 $ 63,241 $ 202,427
Ratio of earnings to
fixed charges 1.41 (2.05) 0.67 (0.01) 1.29 1.43 1.65
</Table>
<Table>
<Caption>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED THE LAST SATURDAY IN DECEMBER
1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
Total adjusted earnings $261,757 $306,279 $341,071
Total fixed charges $193,923 $199,951 $191,618
Adjusted ratio of earnings to
fixed charges 1.35 1.53 1.78
</Table>