1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed in preparing these financial statements.
Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The Kroger Co. (the “Company”) was founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1902. As of February 1, 2014, the Company was one of the largest retailers in the United States based on annual sales. The Company also manufactures and processes food for sale by its supermarkets. The accompanying financial statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and the Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Certain revenue transactions previously reported in sales and merchandise costs in the Consolidated Statements of Operations are now reported net within sales. Certain prior year amounts have been revised or reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These amounts were not material to the prior periods.
Fiscal Year
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest January 31. The last three fiscal years consist of the 52-week periods ended February 1, 2014 and January 28, 2012 and the 53-week period ended February 2, 2013.
Pervasiveness of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. Disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of consolidated revenues and expenses during the reporting period also is required. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (principally on a last-in, first-out “LIFO” basis) or market. In total, approximately 95% and 96% of inventories for 2013 and 2012, respectively, were valued using the LIFO method. Cost for the balance of the inventories, including substantially all fuel inventories, was determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Replacement cost was higher than the carrying amount by $1,150 at February 1, 2014 and $1,098 at February 2, 2013. The Company follows the Link-Chain, Dollar-Value LIFO method for purposes of calculating its LIFO charge or credit.
The item-cost method of accounting to determine inventory cost before the LIFO adjustment is followed for substantially all store inventories at the Company’s supermarket divisions. This method involves counting each item in inventory, assigning costs to each of these items based on the actual purchase costs (net of vendor allowances and cash discounts) of each item and recording the cost of items sold. The item-cost method of accounting allows for more accurate reporting of periodic inventory balances and enables management to more precisely manage inventory. In addition, substantially all of the Company’s inventory consists of finished goods and is recorded at actual purchase costs (net of vendor allowances and cash discounts).
The Company evaluates inventory shortages throughout the year based on actual physical counts in its facilities. Allowances for inventory shortages are recorded based on the results of these counts to provide for estimated shortages as of the financial statement date.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost or, in the case of assets acquired in a business combination, at fair value. Depreciation expense, which includes the amortization of assets recorded under capital leases, is computed principally using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of individual assets. Buildings and land improvements are depreciated based on lives varying from 10 to 40 years. All new purchases of store equipment are assigned lives varying from three to nine years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term to which they relate, which varies from four to 25 years, or the useful life of the asset. Manufacturing plant and distribution center equipment is depreciated over lives varying from three to 15 years. Information technology assets are generally depreciated over five years. Depreciation expense was $1,703 in 2013, $1,652 in 2012 and $1,638 in 2011.
Interest costs on significant projects constructed for the Company’s own use are capitalized as part of the costs of the newly constructed facilities. Upon retirement or disposal of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet and any gain or loss is reflected in net earnings.
Deferred Rent
The Company recognizes rent holidays, including the time period during which the Company has access to the property for construction of buildings or improvements and escalating rent provisions on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The deferred amount is included in Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Goodwill
The Company reviews goodwill for impairment during the fourth quarter of each year, and also upon the occurrence of trigger events. The Company performs reviews of each of its operating divisions and variable interest entities (collectively, our reporting units) that have goodwill balances. Generally, fair value is determined using a multiple of earnings, or discounted projected future cash flows, and is compared to the carrying value of a division for purposes of identifying potential impairment. Projected future cash flows are based on management’s knowledge of the current operating environment and expectations for the future. If potential for impairment is identified, the fair value of a division is measured against the fair value of its underlying assets and liabilities, excluding goodwill, to estimate an implied fair value of the division’s goodwill. Goodwill impairment is recognized for any excess of the carrying value of the division’s goodwill over the implied fair value. Results of the goodwill impairment reviews performed during 2013, 2012 and 2011 are summarized in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company monitors the carrying value of long-lived assets for potential impairment each quarter based on whether certain trigger events have occurred. These events include current period losses combined with a history of losses or a projection of continuing losses or a significant decrease in the market value of an asset. When a trigger event occurs, an impairment calculation is performed, comparing projected undiscounted future cash flows, utilizing current cash flow information and expected growth rates related to specific stores, to the carrying value for those stores. If the Company identifies impairment for long-lived assets to be held and used, the Company compares the assets’ current carrying value to the assets’ fair value. Fair value is based on current market values or discounted future cash flows. The Company records impairment when the carrying value exceeds fair market value. With respect to owned property and equipment held for sale, the value of the property and equipment is adjusted to reflect recoverable values based on previous efforts to dispose of similar assets and current economic conditions. Impairment is recognized for the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair market value, reduced by estimated direct costs of disposal. The Company recorded asset impairments in the normal course of business totaling $39, $18 and $37 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Costs to reduce the carrying value of long-lived assets for each of the years presented have been included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as “Operating, general and administrative” expense.
Store Closing Costs
The Company provides for closed store liabilities relating to the present value of the estimated remaining non-cancellable lease payments after the closing date, net of estimated subtenant income. The Company estimates the net lease liabilities using a discount rate to calculate the present value of the remaining net rent payments on closed stores. The closed store lease liabilities usually are paid over the lease terms associated with the closed stores, which generally have remaining terms ranging from one to 20 years. Adjustments to closed store liabilities primarily relate to changes in subtenant income and actual exit costs differing from original estimates. Adjustments are made for changes in estimates in the period in which the change becomes known. Store closing liabilities are reviewed quarterly to ensure that any accrued amount that is not a sufficient estimate of future costs, or that no longer is needed for its originally intended purpose, is adjusted to income in the proper period.
Owned stores held for disposal are reduced to their estimated net realizable value. Costs to reduce the carrying values of property, equipment and leasehold improvements are accounted for in accordance with the Company’s policy on impairment of long-lived assets. Inventory write-downs, if any, in connection with store closings, are classified in “Merchandise costs.” Costs to transfer inventory and equipment from closed stores are expensed as incurred.
The following table summarizes accrual activity for future lease obligations of stores that were closed in the normal course of business and assumed in the merger with Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. (“Harris Teeter”):
|
|
|
Future Lease |
| |
|
Balance at January 28, 2012 |
|
$ |
55 |
|
|
Additions |
|
6 |
| |
|
Payments |
|
(10 |
) | |
|
Other |
|
(7 |
) | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Balance at February 2, 2013 |
|
44 |
| |
|
Additions |
|
7 |
| |
|
Payments |
|
(9 |
) | |
|
Other |
|
(2 |
) | |
|
Assumed from Harris Teeter |
|
18 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Balance at February 1, 2014 |
|
$ |
58 |
|
Interest Rate Risk Management
The Company uses derivative instruments primarily to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates. The Company’s current program relative to interest rate protection and the methods by which the Company accounts for its derivative instruments are described in Note 7.
Commodity Price Protection
The Company enters into purchase commitments for various resources, including raw materials utilized in its manufacturing facilities and energy to be used in its stores, manufacturing facilities and administrative offices. The Company enters into commitments expecting to take delivery of and to utilize those resources in the conduct of the normal course of business. The Company’s current program relative to commodity price protection and the methods by which the Company accounts for its purchase commitments are described in Note 7.
Benefit Plans and Multi-Employer Pension Plans
The Company recognizes the funded status of its retirement plans on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Actuarial gains or losses, prior service costs or credits and transition obligations that have not yet been recognized as part of net periodic benefit cost are required to be recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”). All plans are measured as of the Company’s fiscal year end.
The determination of the obligation and expense for Company-sponsored pension plans and other post-retirement benefits is dependent on the selection of assumptions used by actuaries and the Company in calculating those amounts. Those assumptions are described in Note 15 and include, among others, the discount rate, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the rates of increase in compensation and health care costs. Actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect the recognized expense and recorded obligation in future periods. While the Company believes that the assumptions are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the pension and other post-retirement obligations and future expense.
The Company also participates in various multi-employer plans for substantially all union employees. Pension expense for these plans is recognized as contributions are funded. Refer to Note 16 for additional information regarding the Company’s participation in these various multi-employer plans and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (“UFCW”) consolidated fund.
The Company administers and makes contributions to the employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts. Contributions to the employee 401(k) retirement savings accounts are expensed when contributed. Refer to Note 15 for additional information regarding the Company’s benefit plans.
Stock Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock options under fair value recognition provisions. Under this method, the Company recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payments granted. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, over the requisite service period of the award. In addition, the Company records expense for restricted stock awards in an amount equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date of the award, over the period the awards lapse.
Deferred Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting basis. Refer to Note 5 for the types of differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes are classified as a net current or noncurrent asset or liability based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting purposes. A deferred tax asset or liability that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting is classified according to the expected reversal date.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The Company reviews the tax positions taken or expected to be taken on tax returns to determine whether and to what extent a benefit can be recognized in its consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 5 for the amount of unrecognized tax benefits and other related disclosures related to uncertain tax positions.
Various taxing authorities periodically audit the Company’s income tax returns. These audits include questions regarding the Company’s tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income to various tax jurisdictions. In evaluating the exposures connected with these various tax filing positions, including state and local taxes, the Company records allowances for probable exposures. A number of years may elapse before a particular matter, for which an allowance has been established, is audited and fully resolved. As of February 1, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service had concluded its field examination of the Company’s 2008 and 2009 federal tax returns. The Company has filed an administrative appeal with the Internal Revenue Service protesting certain adjustments proposed by the Internal Revenue Service as a result of their field work.
The assessment of the Company’s tax position relies on the judgment of management to estimate the exposures associated with the Company’s various filing positions.
Self-Insurance Costs
The Company is primarily self-insured for costs related to workers’ compensation and general liability claims. Liabilities are actuarially determined and are recognized based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported. The liabilities for workers’ compensation claims are accounted for on a present value basis. The Company has purchased stop-loss coverage to limit its exposure to any significant exposure on a per claim basis. The Company is insured for covered costs in excess of these per claim limits.
The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s self-insurance liability through February 1, 2014.
|
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
| |||
|
Beginning balance |
|
$ |
537 |
|
$ |
529 |
|
$ |
514 |
|
|
Expense |
|
220 |
|
215 |
|
215 |
| |||
|
Claim payments |
|
(215 |
) |
(207 |
) |
(200 |
) | |||
|
Assumed from Harris Teeter |
|
27 |
|
¾ |
|
¾ |
| |||
|
Ending balance |
|
569 |
|
537 |
|
529 |
| |||
|
Less: Current portion |
|
(224 |
) |
(205 |
) |
(197 |
) | |||
|
Long-term portion |
|
$ |
345 |
|
$ |
332 |
|
$ |
332 |
|
The current portion of the self-insured liability is included in “Other current liabilities,” and the long-term portion is included in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company maintains surety bonds related to self-insured workers’ compensation claims. These bonds are required by most states in which the Company is self-insured for workers’ compensation and are placed with third-party insurance providers to insure payment of our obligations in the event the Company is unable to meet its claim payment obligations up to its self-insured retention levels. These bonds do not represent liabilities of the Company, as the Company has recorded reserves for the claim costs.
The Company is similarly self-insured for property-related losses. The Company maintains stop loss coverage to limit its property loss exposures including coverage for earthquake, wind, flood and other catastrophic events.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from the sale of products are recognized at the point of sale. Discounts provided to customers by the Company at the time of sale, including those provided in connection with loyalty cards, are recognized as a reduction in sales as the products are sold. Discounts provided by vendors, usually in the form of paper coupons, are not recognized as a reduction in sales provided the coupons are redeemable at any retailer that accepts coupons. The Company records a receivable from the vendor for the difference in sales price and cash received. Pharmacy sales are recorded when provided to the customer. Sales taxes are recorded as other accrued liabilities and not as a component of sales. The Company does not recognize a sale when it sells its own gift cards and gift certificates. Rather, it records a deferred liability equal to the amount received. A sale is then recognized when the gift card or gift certificate is redeemed to purchase the Company’s products. Gift card and certificate breakage is recognized when redemption is deemed remote and there is no legal obligation to remit the value of the unredeemed gift card. The amount of breakage has not been material for 2013, 2012 and 2011.
Merchandise Costs
The “Merchandise costs” line item of the Consolidated Statements of Operations includes product costs, net of discounts and allowances; advertising costs (see separate discussion below); inbound freight charges; warehousing costs, including receiving and inspection costs; transportation costs; and manufacturing production and operational costs. Warehousing, transportation and manufacturing management salaries are also included in the “Merchandise costs” line item; however, purchasing management salaries and administration costs are included in the “Operating, general, and administrative” line item along with most of the Company’s other managerial and administrative costs. Rent expense and depreciation expense are shown separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Warehousing and transportation costs include distribution center direct wages, repairs and maintenance, utilities, inbound freight and, where applicable, third party warehouse management fees, as well as transportation direct wages and repairs and maintenance. These costs are recognized in the periods the related expenses are incurred.
The Company believes the classification of costs included in merchandise costs could vary widely throughout the industry. The Company’s approach is to include in the “Merchandise costs” line item the direct, net costs of acquiring products and making them available to customers in its stores. The Company believes this approach most accurately presents the actual costs of products sold.
The Company recognizes all vendor allowances as a reduction in merchandise costs when the related product is sold. When possible, vendor allowances are applied to the related product cost by item and, therefore, reduce the carrying value of inventory by item. When the items are sold, the vendor allowance is recognized. When it is not possible, due to systems constraints, to allocate vendor allowances to the product by item, vendor allowances are recognized as a reduction in merchandise costs based on inventory turns and, therefore, recognized as the product is sold.
Advertising Costs
The Company’s advertising costs are recognized in the periods the related expenses are incurred and are included in the “Merchandise costs” line item of the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company’s pre-tax advertising costs totaled $587 in 2013, $553 in 2012 and $532 in 2011. The Company does not record vendor allowances for co-operative advertising as a reduction of advertising expense.
Cash, Temporary Cash Investments and Book Overdrafts
Cash and temporary cash investments represent store cash and short-term investments with original maturities of less than three months. Book overdrafts are included in trade accounts payable and accrued salaries and wages.
Deposits In-Transit
Deposits in-transit generally represent funds deposited to the Company’s bank accounts at the end of the year related to sales, a majority of which were paid for with debit cards, credit cards and checks, to which the Company does not have immediate access but that settle within a few days of the sales transaction.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be temporary cash investments.
Segments
The Company operates retail food and drug stores, multi-department stores, jewelry stores, and convenience stores throughout the United States. The Company’s retail operations, which represent over 99% of the Company’s consolidated sales and EBITDA, are its only reportable segment. The Company’s retail operating divisions have been aggregated into one reportable segment due to the operating divisions having similar economic characteristics with similar long-term financial performance. In addition, the Company’s operating divisions offer to its customers similar products, have similar distribution methods, operate in similar regulatory environments, purchase the majority of the Company’s merchandise for retail sale from similar (and in many cases identical) vendors on a coordinated basis from a centralized location, serve similar types of customers, and are allocated capital from a centralized location. The Company’s operating divisions reflect the manner in which the business is managed and how the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, who act as the Company’s chief operating decision makers, assess performance internally. All of the Company’s operations are domestic.
The following table presents sales revenue by type of product for 2013, 2012 and 2011.
|
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
2011 |
| |||||||||
|
|
|
Amount |
|
% of total |
|
Amount |
|
% of total |
|
Amount |
|
% of total |
| |||
|
Non Perishable (1) |
|
$ |
49,229 |
|
50.0 |
% |
$ |
48,663 |
|
50.4 |
% |
$ |
46,494 |
|
51.5 |
% |
|
Perishable (2) |
|
20,625 |
|
21.0 |
% |
19,761 |
|
20.5 |
% |
18,588 |
|
20.6 |
% | |||
|
Fuel |
|
18,962 |
|
19.3 |
% |
18,896 |
|
19.5 |
% |
16,901 |
|
18.7 |
% | |||
|
Pharmacy |
|
8,073 |
|
8.2 |
% |
8,018 |
|
8.3 |
% |
7,322 |
|
8.1 |
% | |||
|
Other (3) |
|
1,486 |
|
1.5 |
% |
1,281 |
|
1.3 |
% |
964 |
|
1.1 |
% | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
Total Sales and other revenue |
|
$ |
98,375 |
|
100.0 |
% |
$ |
96,619 |
|
100.0 |
% |
$ |
90,269 |
|
100.0 |
% |
|
(1) Consists primarily of grocery, general merchandise, health and beauty care and natural foods. |
|
(2) Consists primarily of produce, floral, meat, seafood, deli and bakery. |
|
(3) Consists primarily of jewelry store sales, outside manufacturing sales and sales from entities not controlled by the Company. |