Form 10-Q

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For Quarter Ended May 1, 2010

Commission file number 001-13143

 

 

BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE   04-3360747
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

One Mercer Road

Natick, Massachusetts

  01760
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(508) 651-7400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨.

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨.

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨      Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes  ¨    No  x.

The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding as of May 21, 2010: 53,831,603

 

 

 


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended  
     May 1,
2010
    May 2,
2009
 
     (Dollars in Thousands except
Per Share Amounts)
 

Net sales

   $ 2,548,961      $ 2,258,598   

Membership fees

     46,982        44,387   

Other revenues

     12,171        10,986   
                

Total revenues

     2,608,114        2,313,971   
                

Cost of sales, including buying and occupancy costs

     2,331,906        2,066,017   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     229,866        205,132   

Preopening expenses

     1,954        1,569   
                

Operating income

     44,388        41,253   

Interest expense, net

     (227     (135
                

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     44,161        41,118   

Provision for income taxes

     17,974        16,694   
                

Income from continuing operations

     26,187        24,424   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit of $68 and $61

     (98     (88
                

Net income

   $ 26,089      $ 24,336   
                

Basic earnings per share:

    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.50      $ 0.46   

Loss from discontinued operations

     —          (0.01
                

Net income

   $ 0.50      $ 0.45   
                

Diluted earnings per share:

    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.49      $ 0.45   

Loss from discontinued operations

     —          —     
                

Net income

   $ 0.49      $ 0.45   
                

Number of common shares for earnings per share computations:

    

Basic

     51,984,549        53,572,601   

Diluted

     53,311,957        54,446,255   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

2


BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

     May 1,
2010
    January 30,
2010
    May 2,
2009
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

ASSETS

      

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 63,647      $ 58,752      $ 40,024   

Accounts receivable, net

     131,868        128,137        119,238   

Merchandise inventories

     932,623        930,289        883,442   

Current deferred income taxes

     17,577        18,252        13,918   

Prepaid expenses

     36,569        37,197        29,629   
                        

Total current assets

     1,182,284        1,172,627        1,086,251   
                        

Property at cost:

      

Land and buildings

     703,808        694,136        689,022   

Leasehold costs and improvements

     231,255        229,915        219,613   

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

     623,527        599,949        572,475   
                        
     1,558,590        1,524,000        1,481,110   

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (592,147     (562,159     (562,232
                        
     966,443        961,841        918,878   

Deferred income taxes

     5,897        5,553        7,218   

Other assets

     26,084        26,066        22,924   
                        

Total assets

   $ 2,180,708      $ 2,166,087      $ 2,035,271   
                        

LIABILITIES

      

Current liabilities:

      

Current installments of long-term debt

   $ 619      $ 608      $ 577   

Short-term debt

     —          —          35,000   

Accounts payable

     685,639        665,907        621,141   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     281,217        318,897        282,668   

Accrued federal and state income taxes

     13,453        18,980        19,452   

Closed store lease obligations due within one year

     1,725        1,687        1,857   
                        

Total current liabilities

     982,653        1,006,079        960,695   
                        

Long-term debt, less portion due within one year

     381        540        1,000   

Noncurrent closed store lease obligations

     7,967        8,291        9,164   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     124,620        117,810        105,886   

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

      

Preferred stock, par value $.01, authorized 20,000,000 shares, no shares issued

     —          —          —     

Common stock, par value $.01, authorized 180,000,000 shares, issued 74,410,190 shares

     744        744        744   

Additional paid-in capital

     229,806        224,206        205,808   

Retained earnings

     1,489,056        1,463,146        1,374,373   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (773     (773     (270

Treasury stock, at cost, 20,599,537, 20,616,431 and 19,710,339 shares

     (653,746     (653,956     (622,129
                        

Total stockholders’ equity

     1,065,087        1,033,367        958,526   
                        

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 2,180,708      $ 2,166,087      $ 2,035,271   
                        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

3


BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended  
     May 1,
2010
    May 2,
2009
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income

   $ 26,089      $ 24,336   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Provision for club closing costs

     166        28   

Depreciation and amortization of property

     30,088        27,042   

Loss on property disposals

     131        15   

Other noncash items, net

     (642     550   

Share-based compensation expense

     5,345        4,850   

Deferred income taxes

     331        833   

Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     (252     (5

Tax benefit from share-based compensation

     255        (15

Increase (decrease) in cash due to changes in:

    

Accounts receivable

     (3,731     5,260   

Merchandise inventories

     (2,334     (23,922

Prepaid expenses

     628        (2,265

Other assets

     (18     (594

Accounts payable

     28,707        33,278   

Changes in book overdrafts

     (8,975     4,496   

Accrued expenses

     (29,446     (3,710

Accrued income taxes

     (5,527     5,964   

Closed store lease obligations

     (419     (318

Other noncurrent liabilities

     6,568        (4,646
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     46,964        71,177   
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Property additions

     (38,603     (46,557

Proceeds from property disposals

     16        —     

Purchase of marketable securities

     (500     (436

Sale of marketable securities

     1,032        31   
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (38,055     (46,962
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     252        5   

Borrowing of short-term debt

     —          35,000   

Repayment of long-term debt

     (148     (138

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     5,072        195   

Purchase of treasury stock

     (9,190     (70,410
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (4,014     (35,348
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     4,895        (11,133

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     58,752        51,157   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 63,647      $ 40,024   
                

Supplemental cash flow information:

    

Treasury stock issued for compensation plans

   $ 317      $ 1,487   

Treasury stock surrendered upon vesting of restricted stock

     871        18   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

4


BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

                           Accumulated                    
               Additional           Other                 Total  
     Common Stock    Paid-in     Retained     Comprehensive     Treasury Stock     Stockholders’  
     Shares    Amount    Capital     Earnings     Income (Loss)     Shares     Amount     Equity  
                     (In Thousands)                          

Balance, January 31, 2009

   74,410    $ 744    $ 200,973      $ 1,351,217      $ (270   (17,872   $ (567,860   $ 984,804   

Net income

   —        —        —          24,336        —        —          —          24,336   

Issuance of common stock

   —        —        (15     (1,180     —        43        1,376        181   

Purchase of treasury stock

   —        —        —          —          —        (1,881     (55,645     (55,645

Stock compensation expense

   —        —        4,850        —          —        —          —          4,850   
                                                          

Balance, May 2, 2009

   74,410    $ 744    $ 205,808      $ 1,374,373      $ (270   (19,710   $ (622,129   $ 958,526   
                                                          

Balance, January 30, 2010

   74,410    $ 744    $ 224,206      $ 1,463,146      $ (773   (20,616   $ (653,956   $ 1,033,367   

Net income

   —        —        —          26,089        —        —          —          26,089   

Issuance of common stock

   —        —        255        (179     —        165        5,251        5,327   

Purchase of treasury stock

   —        —        —          —          —        (148     (5,041     (5,041

Stock compensation expense

   —        —        5,345        —          —        —          —          5,345   
                                                          

Balance, May 1, 2010

   74,410    $ 744    $ 229,806      $ 1,489,056      $ (773   (20,599   $ (653,746   $ 1,065,087   
                                                          

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

5


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying interim financial statements of BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, reflect all normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. References to “we,” “our,” “us,” “BJ’s” or “the Company” refer to BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010.

Our results for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full fiscal year or any future period because, among other things, our business, in common with the business of retailers generally, is subject to seasonal influences. Our sales and operating income have typically been highest in the fourth quarter holiday season and lowest in the first quarter of each fiscal year.

2. Stock Incentive Plans

On May 25, 2010 at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan was amended and restated to increase the number of shares available for issuance from 4,000,000 to 7,500,000. During the quarter ended May 1, 2010, we granted 10,000 restricted shares and no stock options. In last year’s first quarter, we granted 46,812 restricted shares and no stock options.

Presented below is information regarding pretax share-based compensation for this year’s and last year’s first quarters:

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended
         May 1,    
2010
       May 2,    
2009
     (Dollars in Thousands)

Stock option expense

   $ 283    $ 891

Restricted stock expense

     5,062      3,959
             

Total

   $ 5,345    $ 4,850
             

3. Interest

The components of interest expense, net were as follows:

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended  
         May 1,    
2010
        May 2,    
2009
 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

Interest income

   $ 83      $ —     

Capitalized interest

     96        77   

Interest expense on debt

     (406     (212
                

Interest expense, net

   $ (227   $ (135
                

 

6


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

4. Earnings Per Share

The following details the calculation of earnings per share from continuing operations for the periods presented below (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended
         May 1,    
2010
       May 2,    
2009

Income from continuing operations

   $ 26,187    $ 24,424
             

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, used for basic computation

     51,985      53,573

Plus: Incremental shares from assumed conversion of stock options and restricted stock

     1,327      873
             

Weighted-average number of common and dilutive potential shares outstanding

     53,312      54,446
             

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.50    $ 0.46
             

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.49    $ 0.45
             

The following stock options and restricted share amounts were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the periods indicated because their effect would have been antidilutive:

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended
         May 1,    
2010
       May 2,    
2009

Stock options

   400,000    835,000

Restricted stock

   9,000    32,000

5. Discontinued Operations

The following tables summarize the activity for the quarters ended May 1, 2010 and May 2, 2009 associated with our discontinued operations, which consist of our closing of both ProFoods clubs in January 2007, three BJ’s clubs in 2002 and one BJ’s club in 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Discontinued Operations
     Liabilities
January 30,
2010
   Increases    Reductions     Liabilities
May  1,
2010
   Cumulative
Charges
To Date, Net

ProFoods clubs

   $ 2,952    $ 40    $ (114   $ 2,878    $ 22,409

BJ’s clubs - 2002

     7,026      93      (305     6,814      26,991
                                   

Total

   $ 9,978    $ 133    $ (419   $ 9,692    $ 49,400
                                   

Current portion

   $ 1,687         $ 1,725   

Long-term portion

     8,291           7,967   
                     

Total

   $ 9,978         $ 9,692   
                     

 

7


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

     Discontinued Operations
     Liabilities
January 31,
2009
   Increases    Reductions     Liabilities
May  2,
2009

ProFoods clubs

   $ 3,153    $ 44    $ (95   $ 3,102

BJ’s clubs - 2002

     7,825      107      (191     7,741

BJ’s club - 2008

     50      —        (50     —  
                            

Total

   $ 11,028    $ 151    $ (336   $ 10,843
                            

Current portion

   $ 1,692         $ 1,679

Long-term portion

     9,336           9,164
                  

Total

   $ 11,028         $ 10,843
                  

Closure of ProFoods

Both ProFoods clubs were closed in the fourth quarter ended February 3, 2007. We recorded a charge of $25.7 million to close these clubs, which included lease obligation costs of $8.8 million. We have since settled one of the two leases. The reserve at May 1, 2010 was related to the lease obligations for the remaining club. Increases to the reserve in this year’s and last year’s first quarter consisted of interest accretion charges and reductions to the reserve consisted of lease obligation payments.

2002 Closure of Three BJ’s Locations

On November 9, 2002, we closed both of our clubs in the Columbus, Ohio, market and a club in North Dade, Florida. We have since settled two of the three leases. The reserve at May 1, 2010 was related to the lease obligations for the remaining club. Increases to the reserve in this year’s and last year’s first quarter consisted of interest accretion charges and reductions to the reserve consisted of lease obligation payments.

The charges for both ProFoods and BJ’s lease obligations were based on the present value of rent liabilities under the relevant leases, including estimated real estate taxes and common area maintenance charges, reduced by estimated income from the potential subleasing of these properties. An annual discount rate of 6% was used to calculate the present value of the obligations. The liabilities for the closed club leases are included in current and noncurrent closed store lease obligations on our balance sheet.

2008 Closure of One BJ’s Location

In the third quarter of 2008, we sold our owned club in Greenville, South Carolina. As of May 1, 2010, we have paid all liabilities and do not expect any future expenses related to this closing.

6. 2009 Wage and Hour Settlement

In November 2008, BJ’s was sued in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (“the court”) in a purported class action brought on behalf of “current and former department and other assistant managers,” in which plaintiffs principally alleged that they had not been compensated for overtime work as required under federal and Massachusetts law. (Caissie v. BJ’s Wholesale Club., Case No. 3:08cv30220.)

In the third quarter of 2009, we recorded a pretax charge in selling, general and administrative expenses of $11.7 million in connection with a proposed settlement of this claim and related payments. Under the settlement, which still must be finally approved by the court, certain current and former mid-level managers will be eligible to receive payments to compensate them for particular hours worked in prior years. The settlement of the lawsuit is not an admission by us of

 

8


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

any wrongdoing. In this year’s first quarter, we paid $9.2 million into a settlement fund and $0.1 million in legal fees and are awaiting a final approval from the court before all claims and related payments are made. As of May 1, 2010, the remaining reserve for related payments in this matter was $2.4 million. While the ultimate outcome of the claims paid could differ from what we have recorded, the difference is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or liquidity.

7. Postretirement Medical Benefits

Net periodic benefit cost recognized for our unfunded defined benefit postretirement medical plan was as follows:

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended
         May 1,    
2010
       May 2,    
2009
     (Dollars in Thousands)

Service cost

   $ 207    $ 172

Interest cost

     121      121

Amortization of net loss

     10      —  
             

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 338    $ 293
             

8. Credit Facilities

We have a $200 million unsecured credit agreement with a group of banks which expires October 30, 2012. The agreement includes a $50 million sub-facility for letters of credit. We are required to pay an annual commitment fee which is currently 0.375% of the amount by which the total commitment exceeds the total outstanding balance. Interest on borrowings is payable at BJ’s option either at (a) the LIBOR rate plus a margin which is currently 2.75% or (b) a floating rate equal to a margin which is currently 1.75%, plus the highest of (i) the sum of the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the agent bank’s prime rate or (iii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.0%. The commitment fee, the LIBOR margin and the floating rate margin are subject to change based upon our adjusted leverage ratio as defined in the agreement.

The agreement contains financial covenants which require a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum adjusted leverage ratio. We are required to comply with these covenants on a quarterly basis. Under the credit agreement, we may pay dividends or repurchase our own stock in any amount so long as we remain in compliance with all requirements under the agreement. We have no credit rating triggers that would accelerate the maturity date if borrowings were outstanding under our credit agreement. We were in compliance with the covenants and other requirements set forth in our credit agreement at May 1, 2010.

In addition to the credit agreement, we maintain a $25 million uncommitted credit line for short-term borrowings. We also maintain two separate facilities totaling $72 million for letters of credit, primarily to support the purchase of inventories, of which $18.8 million was outstanding at May 1, 2010.

There were no borrowings outstanding under our bank credit agreement or our uncommitted credit line at May 1, 2010 or January 30, 2010. There was $35 million outstanding under our previous bank credit agreement at May 2, 2009.

 

9


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

9. Capital Stock

During this year’s first quarter, we repurchased 122,800 shares of our common stock for $4.2 million. In last year’s first quarter, we repurchased 1,880,600 shares of our common stock for $55.6 million. These amounts are lower than the stock repurchase amounts reported in the statement of cash flows by $5.0 million and $14.8 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, due to transactions that had not settled at the beginning of each quarter. On March 29, 2010, we announced that the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $200 million of the Company’s common stock. As of May 1, 2010, our remaining repurchase authorization from the Board of Directors was $272.0 million.

In addition to the above repurchases, upon the vesting of certain restricted stock awards, 25,587 shares in this year’s first quarter and 595 shares in last year’s first quarter were reacquired to satisfy employees’ tax withholding obligations. In this year’s first quarter, these reacquired shares were recorded as an additional $0.9 million of treasury stock and accordingly, reduced the number of common shares outstanding by 25,587 shares. In last year’s first quarter, the reacquired shares were recorded as an additional $18,000 of treasury stock and accordingly, reduced the number of common shares outstanding by 595 shares.

 

10


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Thirteen Weeks (First Quarter) Ended May 1, 2010 versus Thirteen Weeks Ended May 2, 2009.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our unaudited quarterly financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Some accounting policies have a significant impact on amounts reported in these financial statements. A description of our critical accounting policies is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010 in the “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Overview

Key items for the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the first quarter of 2009 include the following:

 

   

Net sales increased 12.9% to $2.55 billion, driven by a 7.8% increase in comparable club sales.

 

   

Merchandise comparable club sales increased 4.2%, driven by strong sales of perishables and strong customer count.

 

   

Membership fee income increased 5.8%, due to new membership sign-ups, strong renewals and increased penetration in the Rewards membership program.

 

   

We reported strong gasoline income and slightly improved merchandise margin rates.

 

   

Technology costs increased by approximately $3.5 million.

 

   

We recorded a reserve for our home office relocation of $3.3 million.

 

   

Net income increased 7.2% to $26.1 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, compared to $24.3 million, or $0.45 per diluted share.

 

   

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $63.6 million at the end of the quarter compared to $40.0 million at the end of last year’s first quarter. Cash provided by operating activities was $47.0 million in this year’s first quarter.

 

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Results of Operations

Net sales for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 increased 12.9% to $2.55 billion from $2.26 billion reported in last year’s first quarter. The increase was principally due to a 7.8% increase in comparable club sales which represented approximately 60% of the increase in total net sales. The remaining increase was due to sales from new clubs and gasoline stations. The increase in comparable club sales included a favorable impact from gasoline sales of 3.6%. Gasoline sales were approximately 53% higher than last year’s first quarter due to an approximate 40% increase in the average retail price of gasoline and an approximate 9% increase in gallons sold. We estimate that new competition and cannibalization negatively impacted our comparable club sales by approximately 1.6% in the first quarter.

 

     Thirteen
Weeks  Ended
May 1, 2010
 

Comparable club sales increase

   7.8

Impact of gasoline sales

   3.6
      

Merchandise comparable club sales

   4.2
      

In this year’s first quarter merchandise comparable club sales increased 4.2%, due largely to increased sales of food. Food accounted for approximately 66% of merchandise sales in this year’s first quarter versus 65% in last year’s first quarter. On a comparable club basis, food sales increased by approximately 6% for the quarter and general merchandise sales increased by approximately 1% for the quarter. Merchandise comparable club sales were unfavorably affected by price deflation of an estimated 0.5% to 1.0%, particularly in our perishables business. Perishable comparable sales increased 8% in the first quarter, with comparable unit sales up an estimated 10%. We expect our trend of strong perishables sales to continue for the year and we expect the impact of price deflation to decrease in the second quarter and fully cycle by the end of the year.

Stronger performing departments compared to last year’s first quarter included candy, cigarettes, dairy, frozen foods, health & wellness, housewares, juices, meat, milk, produce, seasonal, small appliances and salty snacks. Weaker performing departments compared to last year’s first quarter included household chemicals, major appliances, pre-recorded video, televisions, and trash bags & foils.

Excluding sales of gasoline, customer count on a comparable club basis increased approximately 4% over last year’s first quarter, in part, due to our continued focus on our perishable food business which drives more frequent trips by our members. The average transaction amount by the same measure was approximately flat to last year’s first quarter.

Membership fee income was $47.0 million in this year’s first quarter versus $44.4 million in last year’s comparable period, a 5.8% increase. The increase reflected the benefit from membership sign-ups at new clubs, strong renewal rates in comparable clubs and an increase in Rewards memberships. As a result of our increased focus in this area, Rewards memberships increased by approximately 33% versus last year and accounted for 6.3% of our primary members versus 5.0% last year.

Other revenues were $12.2 million in this year’s first quarter versus $11.0 million in last year’s first quarter, a 10.8% increase. The increase was driven mainly by increases in food court revenue, tire bay revenue and commissions from our third-party optical services provider.

 

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Cost of sales, including buying and occupancy costs was 91.48% of net sales in this year’s first quarter versus 91.47% in last year’s first quarter. The increase of one basis point was driven by leveraging of buying and occupancy costs of approximately 17 basis points and favorable merchandise margins of approximately three basis points, offset by strong sales of low margin gasoline of approximately 20 basis points.

As a percentage of sales, buying and occupancy costs benefitted from higher gasoline sales and lower utilities costs, due to favorable energy rates, which partially offset increased occupancy expense from new club openings and higher maintenance and depreciation costs. Merchandise margins were favorable due to strong sales of perishables and a favorable sales mix of higher margin general merchandise. While gasoline profit increased versus last year’s first quarter, since the margin rate on gasoline is lower than our overall margin rate, increased gasoline sales caused an unfavorable mix impact.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were 9.02% of net sales in this year’s first quarter versus 9.08% in last year’s comparable period. The six basis point improvement was largely due to leveraging from strong merchandise and gasoline sales.

Total SG&A expenses increased by $24.7 million, or 12.1%, over last year’s first quarter. Payroll and benefits (including stock compensation) increased $19.0 million over last year’s first quarter, driven by increases in club payroll, home office payroll and fringe benefits expense. The increase in club payroll was principally due to new club openings and strategic investments in payroll to drive perishable sales. The increase in home office payroll was driven by an increase in spending for our technology initiatives and fringe benefits increased largely due to medical expense inflation. Payroll and payroll benefits (including stock compensation) accounted for 76% of all SG&A expenses in this year’s and last year’s first quarter. The remaining increase in SG&A expenses was due largely to a $3.3 million reserve related to the relocation of our home office and increased credit transaction fees of $2.3 million driven by increased merchandise and gasoline sales.

Preopening expenses were $2.0 million in this year’s first quarter versus $1.6 million in last year’s first quarter. This increase reflected the timing of new club openings. We opened one new club in this year’s first quarter in Quincy, Massachusetts, and expect to open two clubs in the second quarter, including one relocation. No new clubs were opened in last year’s first quarter but spending had commenced on three new clubs that opened in the second quarter.

Our income tax provision was 40.7% of pretax income from continuing operations in this year’s first quarter versus 40.6% in last year’s first quarter. We expect our income tax rate to be approximately 40.7% for the year.

Income from continuing operations was $26.2 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, in this year’s first quarter versus $24.4 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, in last year’s comparable period. Loss from discontinued operations (net of income tax benefit), which consisted primarily of accretion charges, was $0.1 million in the first quarter of both this year and last year.

Net income for the first quarter was $26.1 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, this year versus $24.3 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, last year. These results reflect a 7% increase in net income and a 9% increase in diluted earnings per share versus the prior year.

The Company operated 188 clubs on May 1, 2010 versus 180 clubs on May 2, 2009.

 

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Seasonality

Our business, in common with the business of retailers generally, is subject to seasonal influences. Our sales and operating income have typically been highest in the fourth quarter holiday season and lowest in the first quarter of each fiscal year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities was $47.0 million in the first quarter of 2010 versus $71.2 million in the first quarter of 2009. The decrease was driven by higher bonus payments, increased payments for income taxes, a partial payment related to settlement of our wage and hour litigation, and growth in accounts receivable due to increased sales. These items were partially offset by improved inventory turns, which drove a favorable change in merchandise inventories, net of accounts payable.

Cash provided by changes in merchandise inventories, net of accounts payable, increased by $26.4 million in this year’s first quarter versus an increase of $9.4 million in last year’s comparable period. Our inventory levels were well controlled at the end of the quarter with average inventory per club increasing only 1.1% versus last year as compared to our merchandise comparable club sales of 4.2%. The ratio of accounts payable to merchandise inventories was 73.5% at the end of this year’s quarter versus 70.3% at the end of last year’s first quarter. This increase reflected faster inventory turns and exceptional inventory management.

Cash expended for property additions was $38.6 million in this year’s first quarter versus $46.6 million in last year’s comparable period. The decrease was due to the timing of new club openings, club renovations and IT projects. One new club was opened in this year’s first quarter and two clubs are expected to open in the second quarter, including one club relocation. No new clubs were opened in last year’s first quarter but spending had commenced on three new clubs that opened in the second quarter. Our full-year capital expenditures are expected to total approximately $215 million to $235 million in 2010, based on plans to open seven more clubs, including one relocation, and increase spending on IT projects. The timing of actual openings and the amount of related expenditures could vary from the estimates above due, among other things, to the complexity of the real estate development process. Spending on IT projects could vary due to the complexity of the projects and the availability of resources needed to complete the projects.

During this year’s first quarter, we repurchased 122,800 shares of our common stock for $4.2 million. In last year’s first quarter, we repurchased 1,880,600 shares of our common stock for $55.6 million. These amounts are lower than the stock repurchase amounts reported in the statement of cash flows by $5.0 million and $14.8 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, due to transactions that had not settled at the beginning of each quarter. On March 29, 2010, we announced that the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $200 million of the Company’s common stock. As of May 1, 2010, our remaining repurchase authorization from the Board of Directors was $272.0 million.

We have a $200 million unsecured credit agreement with a group of banks which expires October 30, 2012. The agreement includes a $50 million sub-facility for letters of credit, of which no amount was outstanding at May 1, 2010. See Note 8 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on the credit agreement.

In addition to the credit agreement, we maintain a $25 million uncommitted credit line for short-term borrowings. We also maintain two separate facilities totaling $72 million for letters of credit, primarily to support the purchase of inventories, of which $18.8 million was outstanding at May 1, 2010.

 

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There were no borrowings outstanding under our bank credit agreement or our uncommitted credit line at May 1, 2010 or January 30, 2010. There was $35.0 million outstanding under our previous bank credit agreement at May 2, 2009.

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $63.6 million as of May 1, 2010. We believe that our current resources, together with anticipated cash flow from operations, will be sufficient to finance our operations and anticipated capital expenditures through the term of our credit agreement. However, we may from time to time seek to obtain additional financing.

Lease Obligations

During the third quarter of 2002, we established reserves for our liabilities related to leases for three closed BJ’s clubs. Since the closings, we have settled two of the three leases. Our reserve of $6.8 million as of May 1, 2010 is based on the present value of our rent liability under the lease for the remaining club, including real estate taxes and common area maintenance charges, reduced by estimated future income from subleasing the property. An annual discount rate of 6% was used to calculate the present value of the obligation.

In 2006, we established reserves for our liabilities related to leases for the two ProFoods clubs which closed in the fourth quarter. Our reserve of $2.9 million as of May 1, 2010 is based on the present value of rent liabilities under the remaining lease, including estimated real estate taxes and common area maintenance charges, reduced by estimated future income from potential subleasing of the property. An annual discount rate of 6% was used to calculate the present value of the obligation.

We believe that the liabilities recorded in the financial statements adequately provide for these lease obligations. However, there can be no assurance that our actual liability for closed store obligations will not differ materially from amounts recorded in the financial statements due to a number of factors, including future economic factors which may affect the ability to successfully sublease, assign or otherwise settle liabilities related to these properties. We consider our maximum reasonably possible undiscounted pretax exposure for our closed store lease obligations to be approximately $15.3 million at May 1, 2010.

In this year’s first quarter, we established a reserve of $3.3 million for our current home office lease obligations related to the relocation of our home office. The reserve is based on the present value of rent liabilities under the remaining leases, including estimated real estate taxes and common area maintenance charges. An annual discount rate of 6% was used to calculate the present value of the obligation.

Legal Matters

In November 2008, BJ’s was sued in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (“the court”) in a purported class action brought on behalf of “current and former department and other assistant managers,” in which plaintiffs principally alleged that they had not been compensated for overtime work as required under federal and Massachusetts law (See Note 6 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.) In last year’s third quarter, we recorded a pretax charge of $11.7 million in connection with a proposal to settle this claim and related payments. In this year’s first quarter, we paid $9.2 million into a settlement fund and $0.1 million in legal fees and are awaiting a final approval from the court

 

15


before all claims and related payments are made. As of May 1, 2010, the remaining reserve for related payments in this matter was $2.4 million. While the ultimate outcome of the claims paid could differ from what we have recorded, the difference is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or liquidity.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains a number of “forward-looking statements,” including statements regarding planned capital expenditures, planned club openings, expected provision for income taxes, BJ’s reserve for the wage and hour settlement, lease obligations in connection with closed BJ’s and ProFoods clubs, and other information with respect to our plans and strategies, including those disclosed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “expects” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual events or our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, levels of gasoline profitability; levels of customer demand; economic and weather conditions; the rate of inflation or deflation; federal, state and local regulation in the Company’s markets; federal budgetary and tax policy; litigation; activities by organized labor; competitive conditions; our success in settling lease obligations for closed clubs; and progress associated with the implementation of technology initiatives. Each of these and other factors are discussed in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010.

Any forward-looking statements represent our estimates only as of the day this quarterly report was first filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We believe that our potential exposure to market risk as of May 1, 2010 is not material because of the short contractual maturities of our cash and cash equivalents on that date. There were no borrowings outstanding under our bank credit agreement or uncommitted credit line at May 1, 2010. We held no derivatives at May 1, 2010.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of May 1, 2010. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no

 

16


matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of May 1, 2010, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of such date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended May 1, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

17


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings

Discussions of the wage and hour settlement appear in Part I of this Form 10-Q and are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A – Risk Factors

Information regarding risk factors appears in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” in Part I - Item 2 of this Form 10-Q and in Part I – Item 1A of BJ’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 30, 2010. There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in BJ’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

In twelve separate authorizations beginning August 26, 1998, with the most recent authorization being announced on March 29, 2010 for an additional $200 million, the Board of Directors has authorized a total of $1.35 billion of common stock repurchases. Under the program, repurchases may be made at management’s discretion, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. No expiration dates were set under any of the Board’s authorizations. From the inception of the program through May 1, 2010, we have repurchased approximately 34.6 million shares for a total of $1.08 billion, leaving a remaining authorization of $272.0 million.

The following table summarizes our share repurchase activity in the quarter ended May 1, 2010:

 

Period

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (1)
   Average Price
Paid per
Share
   Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced
Program
   Maximum Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Program
                    (In Thousands)

Jan. 31 – Feb. 27

   122,800    $ 33.95    122,800    $ 71,951

Feb. 28 – Apr. 3

   —        —      —        271,951

Apr. 4 – May 1

   —        —      —        271,951
                       

Total for the quarter

   122,800    $ 33.95    122,800    $ 271,951
                       

 

(1) Not included in the table above are 25,587 shares tendered to us at an average per share price of $34.04 by employees who vested in restricted stock and used shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations. The number of shares required to be surrendered was determined using the closing price of our common stock on the day before the vesting date.

 

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Item 6 – Exhibits

 

    3.1

   By-Laws, as amended (1)

  10.1

   BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (2)

  10.2

   Amendment to Change of Control Severance Agreement dated as of March 25, 2010 with Laura J. Sen

  10.3

   Amendment to Change of Control Severance Agreement dated as of March 25, 2010 with Frank D. Forward

  10.4

   Amendment to Change of Control Severance Agreement dated as of March 25, 2010 with Thomas F. Gallagher

  10.5

   Amendment to Change of Control Severance Agreement dated as of March 25, 2010 with Lon F. Povich

  10.6

   Amendment to Change of Control Severance Agreement dated as of March 25, 2010 with Christina M. Neppl-Totino

  31.1

   Principal Executive Officer–Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  31.2

   Principal Financial Officer–Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  32.1

   Principal Executive Officer–Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  32.2

   Principal Financial Officer–Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

(1) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 as filed on May 25, 2010 (Commission File No. 333-167071)
(2) Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement as filed on April 16, 2010 (Commission File No. 001-13143)

 

19


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

   

BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB, INC.

(Registrant)

Date: May 28, 2010     /s/    LAURA J. SEN        
    Laura J. Sen
   

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: May 28, 2010     /s/    FRANK D. FORWARD        
    Frank D. Forward
   

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

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