PHOENIX, 2017-Aug-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (Nasdaq:SFM) today ( 8/3/2017) reported results for the 13-week second quarter ended July 2, 2017.
Second Quarter Highlights:
- Net sales of $1.2 billion; a 15% increase from the same period in 2016
- Comparable store sales growth of 1.4% and two-year comparable store sales growth of 5.5%
- Net income of $41 million; a 10% increase from the same period in 2016
- Diluted earnings per share of $0.29; a 16% increase from the same period in 2016
- Increased full-year sales, comps and EPS guidance for 2017
“Sprouts’ accelerating comp sales and strong top-line growth during this competitive grocery environment demonstrates the power of our brand,” said Amin Maredia, chief executive officer of Sprouts Farmers Market. “Strategic initiatives focused on product innovation, online customer engagement and knowledgeable customer service are driving new store productivity and customer loyalty.”
Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results
Net sales for the second quarter of 2017 were $1.2 billion, a 15% increase compared to the same period in 2016. Net sales growth was driven by strong performance in new stores opened and a 1.4% increase in comparable store sales.
Gross profit for the quarter increased 12% to $342 million, resulting in a gross profit margin of 28.9%, a decrease of 70 basis points compared to the same period in 2016. This primarily reflects the impact of modest cost inflation coupled with the ongoing competitive environment and higher occupancy costs.
Direct store expense (“DSE”) for the quarter increased 14% to $236 million, or 19.9% of sales, compared to 20.1% in the same period in 2016. This leverage primarily reflects our strategic focus on labor productivity improvement and operating efficiencies, partially offset by higher benefit costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for the quarter increased 24% to $38 million, or 3.2% of sales, compared to 3.0% in the same period in 2016. This primarily reflects higher compensation expenses and other corporate costs versus the prior year.
Net income for the quarter was $41 million, a 10% increase compared to net income for the same period in 2016. Diluted earnings per share was $0.29, an increase of $0.04 or 16%, as compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.25 for the same period in 2016. This increase was driven by higher sales, fewer shares outstanding due to our repurchase program and a lower effective tax rate primarily related to the 2017 change in accounting standards for stock-based compensation.
Fiscal Year-to-Date Financial Results
For the 26-week period ended July 2, 2017, net sales were $2.3 billion, a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2016. Growth was driven by a 1.2% increase in comparable store sales and solid performance in new stores opened. Net income was $87 million, a 5% increase compared to net income for the same period in 2016. Diluted earnings per share was $0.62, an increase of $0.07 or 13%, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.55 for the same period in 2016.
Growth and Development
During the second quarter of 2017, we opened 13 new stores: two each in Colorado, Florida, Georgia and Texas and five in California. Five additional stores have been opened in the third quarter to date, resulting in a total of 279 stores in 15 states as of August 3, 2017.
Leverage and Liquidity
We generated cash from operations of $180 million year-to-date through July 2, 2017 and invested $113 million in capital expenditures net of landlord reimbursement, primarily for new stores. In addition, we repurchased 1.8 million shares of common stock for a total investment of $40 million during the quarter. We ended the quarter with a $310 million balance on our revolving credit facility, $25 million of letters of credit outstanding under the facility, $15 million in cash and cash equivalents, and $210 million available under our current share repurchase authorization. Subsequent to the end of the quarter and through July 31, 2017, we repurchased an additional 0.7 million shares of common stock for an investment of $16 million. Year-to-date through July 31, 2017, we have repurchased 6.6 million shares of common stock for a total investment of $136 million.
“Our strong cash generation positions Sprouts well to invest in our business for growth and enhance shareholder returns through our ongoing share repurchase program,” said Brad Lukow, chief financial officer of Sprouts Farmers Market.
2017 Outlook
The following provides information on our guidance for 2017:
| Full-Year 2017 | Full-Year 2017 | |
| Current Guidance | Prior Guidance | |
| Net sales growth | 13% to 14% | 12.5% to 13.5% |
| Unit growth | 32 new stores | 32 new stores |
| Comparable store sales growth | 1.5% to 2.0% | 0.5% to 1.5% |
| Diluted earnings per share | $0.88 to $0.92(1) | $0.87 to $0.91 |
| Capital expenditures (net of landlord reimbursements) |
$155M to $165M | $155M to $165M |
(1) Guidance includes an estimated effective tax rate of 33% for 2017. The lower effective tax rate is due to the 2017 change in accounting standards related to the recognition of excess tax benefits for stock-based compensation and the associated effect of actual and estimated option exercises for the year.
Second Quarter 2017 Conference Call
We will hold a conference call at 7 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time) on Thursday, August 3, 2017, during which Sprouts executives will further discuss our second quarter 2017 financial results.
A webcast of the conference call will be available through Sprouts’ investor webpage located at investors.sprouts.com. Participants should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.
The conference call will be available via the following dial- in numbers:
- U.S. Participants: 877-398-9481
- International Participants: Dial +1-408-337-0130
- Conference ID: 52336771
The audio replay will remain available for 72 hours and can be accessed by dialing 855-859-2056 (toll-free) or 404-537-3406 (international) and entering the confirmation code: 52336771.
Important Information Regarding Outlook
There is no guarantee that Sprouts will achieve its projected financial expectations, which are based on management estimates, currently available information and assumptions that management believes to be reasonable. These expectations are inherently subject to significant economic, competitive and other uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of management. See “Forward-Looking Statements” below.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact (including, but not limited to, statements to the effect that Sprouts Farmers Market or its management “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “expects,” or “believes,” or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions) should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the company’s guidance, outlook and new store openings for 2017. These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations as of the date of this release. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks associated with the company’s ability to successfully compete in its intensely competitive industry; the company’s ability to successfully open new stores; the company’s ability to manage its rapid growth; the company’s ability to maintain or improve its operating margins; the company’s ability to identify and react to trends in consumer preferences; product supply disruptions; general economic conditions; and other factors as set forth from time to time in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, without limitation, the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The company intends these forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of this release and does not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available, except as required by law.
Corporate Profile
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. is a healthy grocery store offering fresh, natural and organic foods at great prices. Sprouts offer a complete shopping experience that includes fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, natural body care and household items catering to consumers’ growing interest in health and wellness. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Sprouts employs more than 27,000 team members and operates more than 275 stores in 15 states from coast to coast. For more information, visit www.sprouts.com or @sproutsfm on Twitter.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), the company has referenced EBITDA. This measure is not in accordance with, and is not intended as an alternative to, GAAP. The company’s management believes that this presentation provides useful information to management, analysts and investors regarding certain additional financial and business trends relating to its results of operations and financial condition. In addition, management uses this measure for reviewing the financial results of the company and as a component of incentive compensation. The company defines EBITDA as net income before interest expense, provision for income tax, and depreciation, amortization and accretion.
Non-GAAP measures are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standard meanings prescribed by GAAP. Use of these terms may differ from similar measures reported by other companies. Because of their limitations, non-GAAP measures should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to use to reinvest in the growth of the company’s business, or as a measure of cash that will be available to meet the company’s obligations. Each non-GAAP measure has its limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the company’s results as reported under GAAP.
Investor Contact:
Susannah Livingston
(602) 682-1584
susannahlivingston@sprouts.com
Media Contact:
Donna Egan
(602) 682-3152
media@sprouts.com
Source: Sprouts Farmers Market