Roundy's Reports Third Quarter Financial Results

By CnAgri Print

Roundy's, Inc., a leading grocer in the Midwest, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 29, 2012.

"During the third quarter, our results continued to be negatively affected by the general weakness in the overall economy and increased competitive environment," said Robert Mariano, Roundy's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We have worked very hard to strengthen our leading market position as a provider of quality, value and convenience to consumers, but the impact of increased price investments and promotional activities on our gross margins and profitability was greater than we anticipated. In addition, customers did not respond as enthusiastically as we had expected to our Monopoly promotion program, which contributed to last year's very strong third quarter results. As we look ahead, we are carefully examining our entire operation for ways in which we might improve sales and earnings and, accordingly, have already made adjustments to our pricing and promotions to drive our performance. Despite the headwinds in certain of our core markets, we continue to be pleased with the performance of our Chicago area stores. With eight Mariano's now open in the Chicago area, we are gaining significant traction, and continue to invest in the growth of that market. We believe that our continued focus on enhancing the execution of our overall business model will position us to deliver greater overall sales growth and profitability."

Mariano continued, "Recognizing that the economy and competitive environment are likely to remain challenging into fiscal 2013, we are reducing our quarterly dividend to strengthen our balance sheet and increase our financial flexibility. We believe that it is in the best long-term interest of our shareholders as it will enable us to continue to invest in the business and expand our growth banner, Mariano's, in the Chicago market, as well as provide cash flow to pay down debt. Our new dividend policy will continue to provide for a dividend pay-out as a percentage of net income and dividend yield that is very attractive relative to our peers."

Net sales for the third quarter of 2012 were $973.6 million, a decrease of $3.3 million, or 0.3%, from $976.9 million for the third quarter of 2011. The decrease primarily reflects a 3.6% decrease in same-store sales, partially offset by the impact of new stores. The decline in same-store sales was primarily due to a 3.0% decrease in the number of customer transactions and a 0.7% decrease in average transaction size. Same-store sales comparisons were negatively impacted by the increased effect of competitive store openings and related pricing and promotional activity in certain of our markets as a result of the continuation of a challenging economic environment for our customers, as well as the performance of certain promotional programs which did not perform as well as last year. In addition, we did experience deflationary trends, some of which were related to pricing and promotional activity, in several key product categories that also negatively affected our same-store sales.

Gross profit for the third quarter of 2012 decreased 4.6% to $251.2 million, from $263.2 million in the third quarter of 2011. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 25.8% for the third quarter of 2012, compared to 26.9% in the third quarter of 2011. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net sales primarily reflects greater price and promotional investments in certain markets and increased shrink as a result of warm weather conditions.

Operating and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2012 increased to $225.9 million, from $224.5 in the same period last year. Operating and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 23.2% in the third quarter of 2012, from 23.0% in the same period last year, due to increased occupancy costs related to new and replacement stores, one-time employee costs, incremental costs related to being a public company and reduced fixed cost leverage in the Company's core business resulting from lower same store sales. Included in the third quarter 2012 were $1.4 million of one-time recruiting, relocation and severance charges related to the Company's recently announced management changes.

For the third quarter of 2012, adjusted net income was $8.8 million, or $0.20 diluted earnings per common share, compared to $12.4 million, or $0.41 diluted earnings per common share, for the third quarter of 2011. Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2012 excludes a $0.8 million after-tax charge, or $0.02 per diluted common share, for one-time employee related expenses as discussed above. Net income for the third quarter of 2012 was $7.9 million, or $0.18 diluted earnings per common share.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended September 29, 2012 was $43.1 million, compared to $56.7 million in the third quarter of 2011. The decrease was primarily due to the effect of a more challenging economic and competitive environment, which resulted in lower same-store sales, lower gross margins and reduced fixed cost leverage.