Village Super Market Inc.
10/08/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/08/2026 10:48
Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ending July 25, 2026 (Form 10-K)
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
The following management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations ("MD&A") should be read together with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The Company's MD&A contains forward-looking statements. Refer to the "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" section at the beginning of this Form 10-K for risks, uncertainties and other information regarding forward-looking statements.
Included in the MD&A section of this Form 10-K is a discussion related to the results of operations and changes in our cash flows for fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025. For discussion related to the results of operations and changes in our cash flows for fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024, refer to Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our fiscal 2025 Form 10-K.
OVERVIEW
Village Super Market, Inc. (the "Company" or "Village") operates a chain of 34 supermarkets in New Jersey (26), New York (6), Maryland (1) and Pennsylvania (1) under the ShopRite and Fairway banners and three Gourmet Garage specialty markets in New York City. Village is the second largest member of Wakefern Food Corporation ("Wakefern"), the nation's largest retailer-owned food cooperative and owner of the ShopRite, Fairway and Gourmet Garage names. This ownership interest in Wakefern provides Village with many of the economies of scale in purchasing, distribution, advanced retail technology, marketing and advertising associated with larger chains.
The grocery industry is highly competitive and characterized by narrow profit margins. The Company competes directly with multiple retail formats both in-store and online, including, but not limited to, national, regional and local supermarket chains, warehouse clubs, supercenters, pharmacies, discount retailers, dollar stores, convenience stores, specialty retailers, online retailers, fast food chains, restaurants and meal delivery services. The Company competes by providing a superior customer service experience, competitive pricing and a broad range of consistently available quality products. The ShopRite Price Plus and Fairway Insider customer loyalty programs enable Village to offer continuity programs, focus on targeted marketing initiatives and to offer discounts and attach digital coupons directly to a customer's loyalty card.
Online grocery ordering for in-store pick up or home delivery is available in all of our ShopRite stores through either shoprite.com, the ShopRite app or through third-party service providers. Online ordering for home delivery is available in all Fairway stores through fairwaymarket.com, the Fairway app or through third-party service providers. Online ordering for home delivery is available in all Gourmet Garage stores through gourmetgarage.com, the Gourmet Garage app or through third-party service providers. Additionally, the ShopRite and Fairway Order Express apps enable customers to pre-order deli, catering, specialty occasion cakes and other items.
To promote production efficiency, product quality and consistency, the Company operates a centralized commissary supplying certain products in deli, bakery, prepared foods and other perishable product categories to all stores.
The Company's stores, nine of which are owned, average 58,000 total square feet. These larger store sizes enable the Company to offer a wide variety of national branded and locally sourced food products, including grocery, meat, produce, dairy, deli, seafood, prepared foods, bakery and frozen foods, as well as non-food product offerings, including health and beauty care, general merchandise, liquor and 21 in-store pharmacies. Most product departments include high-quality, competitively priced own-brand offerings under the Wholesome Pantry, Bowl & Basket, Paperbird, Fairway and Gourmet Garage brands. Our Fairway markets offer a one-stop destination shopping experience with an emphasis on fresh, unique, and high quality offerings paired with an expansive variety of natural, organic, specialty and gourmet products. Our Gourmet Garage specialty markets offer organic produce, signature soups and prepared foods, high-quality meat and seafood, charcuterie and gourmet cheeses, artisan baked bread and pastries, chef-prepared meals to go and pantry staples.
The Company has an ongoing program to evaluate, upgrade and expand its supermarket chain. This program has included store remodels, as well as the opening or acquisition of additional stores. When remodeling, Village has sought, whenever possible, to increase the amount of selling space in its stores.
On May 27, 2026, we opened a 69,000 square foot ShopRite store in East Orange, NJ that replaced our existing 50,000 square foot store.
On April 9, 2025, we opened a 72,000 square foot ShopRite store in Watchung, NJ that replaced an existing 44,000 square foot store.
On March 17, 2024, we opened an 83,000 square foot ShopRite store in Old Bridge, NJ that replaced our existing 32,000 square foot store.
We operated an automated micro-fulfillment center to facilitate online order fulfillment for our south New Jersey stores. The facility was closed on September 1, 2024 and the related real estate was subsequently sold in fiscal 2026.
On November 1, 2023, we closed an 8,400 square foot Gourmet Garage store located in New York City. The impact associated with the closure and ongoing results of operating were not material to Village's consolidated financial statements.
We consider a variety of indicators to evaluate our performance, such as same store sales; percentage of total sales by department (mix); shrink; departmental gross profit percentage; sales per labor hour; units per labor hour; and hourly labor rates.
The Company utilizes a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in the month of July. Fiscal 2026, 2025 and 2024 each contain 52 weeks.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
The accompanying consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). We provide non-GAAP measures, including Adjusted net income and Adjusted operating and administrative expenses as management believes these supplemental measures are useful to investors and analysts. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be reviewed in isolation or considered as a substitute for our financial results as reported in accordance with GAAP, nor as an alternative to net income, operating and administrative expense or any other GAAP measure of performance. Management believes Adjusted net income and Adjusted operating and administrative expense are useful to investors because they provide supplemental measures that exclude the financial impact of certain items that affect period-to-period comparability. Management and the Board of Directors use these measures as they provide greater transparency in assessing ongoing operating performance on a period-to-period basis. Other companies may have different definitions of non-GAAP measures and provide for different adjustments, and comparability to the Company's results of operations may be impacted by such differences. The Company's presentation of non-GAAP measures should not be construed as an implication that its future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
The following table reconciles Net income to Adjusted net income and Operating and administrative expenses to Adjusted operating and administrative expenses:
| Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||
|
July 25, 2026 |
July 26, 2025 |
July 27, 2024 |
|||||||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 52,455 | $ | 56,380 | $ | 50,462 | |||||||||||
| Adjustments to Operating and Administrative Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
|
Pension settlement charge (gain) (1)
|
338 | (874) | - | ||||||||||||||
|
Rent concession (2)
|
- | (517) | - | ||||||||||||||
| Adjustments to Impairment of Assets: | |||||||||||||||||
|
Impairment of assets (3)
|
- | 1,462 | 2,125 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjustments to Income Taxes: | |||||||||||||||||
| Tax impact of special items | (105) | (22) | (659) | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted net income | $ | 52,688 | $ | 56,429 | $ | 51,928 | |||||||||||
| Operating and administrative expenses | $ | 578,928 | $ | 555,038 | $ | 544,348 | |||||||||||
| Adjustments to operating and administrative expenses | (338) | 1,391 | - | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted operating and administrative expenses | $ | 578,590 | $ | 556,429 | $ | 544,348 | |||||||||||
| Adjusted operating and administrative expenses as a % of sales | 24.05 | % | 23.98 | % | 24.34 | % | |||||||||||
(1)Fiscal 2026 pension settlement charge relates to the termination of a Company-sponsored plan. Fiscal 2025 pension settlement gain relates to lump payments made under an unfunded, non-qualified company sponsored defined benefit plan.
(2)Fiscal 2025 includes income related to rent concessions received on one store location to compensate for disruption in operations during redevelopment of the retail center.
(3)Fiscal 2025 includes non-cash impairment charges on the long-lived assets of one Gourmet Garage store and real estate assets classified as held for sale. Fiscal 2024 includes non-cash impairment charges for long-lived assets due to the closure of the automated micro-fulfillment center in south New Jersey.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth the components of the consolidated statements of operations of the Company as a percentage of sales:
| Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||
|
July 25, 2026 |
July 26, 2025 |
July 27, 2024 |
|||||||||||||||
| Sales | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | |||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 71.83 | % | 71.43 | % | 71.30 | % | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 28.17 | % | 28.57 | % | 28.70 | % | |||||||||||
| Operating and administrative expense | 24.06 | % | 23.92 | % | 24.34 | % | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 1.43 | % | 1.48 | % | 1.48 | % | |||||||||||
| Impairment of assets | - | % | 0.06 | % | 0.10 | % | |||||||||||
| Operating income | 2.68 | % | 3.11 | % | 2.78 | % | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | 0.14 | % | 0.16 | % | 0.18 | % | |||||||||||
| Interest income | (0.53 | %) | (0.58 | %) | (0.66 | %) | |||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 3.07 | % | 3.53 | % | 3.26 | % | |||||||||||
| Income taxes | 0.88 | % | 1.10 | % | 1.00 | % | |||||||||||
| Net income | 2.19 | % | 2.43 | % | 2.26 | % | |||||||||||
Sales
Sales were $2,405,707 in fiscal 2026 compared to $2,320,690 in fiscal 2025. Sales increased due primarily to same store sales growth of 2.2% and the openings of the Watchung, NJ and East Orange, NJ replacement stores on April 9, 2025 and May 27, 2026, respectively. Same store sales increased due primarily to digital sales growth, strong performance in fresh and pharmacy departments, and continued growth in remodeled and replacement stores. These increases were partially offset by egg price deflation and sales cannibalization from the Watchung replacement store. New stores, replacement stores and stores with banner changes are included in same store sales in the quarter after the store has been in operation for four full quarters. Store renovations and expansions are included in same store sales immediately.
Gross Profit
Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 28.17% in fiscal 2026 compared to 28.57% in fiscal 2025. The decline was due primarily to lower patronage dividends and other rebates received from Wakefern (.32%), an unfavorable change in product mix (.07%) and increased promotional spending (.05%), partially offset by increased departmental gross margin percentages (.07%).
Operating and Administrative Expense
Operating and administrative expense as a percentage of sales increased to 24.06% in fiscal 2026 compared to 23.92% in fiscal 2025. Adjusted operating and administrative expense as a percentage of sales increased to 24.05% in fiscal 2026 compared to 23.98% in fiscal 2025. The increase in Adjusted operating and administrative expense is due primarily to higher legal and other professional fees (.12%), utility, repair and maintenance costs (.10%), facility insurance costs (.06%) and store pre-opening costs (.06%). These increases were largely offset by lower employee costs (.13%), lower advertising costs (.10%) and short-term rental income (.05%).
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Depreciation and amortization expense increased in fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025 due primarily to capital expenditures.
Impairment of Assets
No impairment charges were recorded in fiscal 2026. In fiscal 2025, Company recognized non-cash impairment charges of $1,462 on the long-lived assets of one Gourmet Garage store and real estate assets classified as held for sale.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased in fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025 due primarily to lower average outstanding debt balances.
Interest Income
Interest income decreased in fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025 due primarily to lower interest rates earned on variable rate notes receivable from Wakefern and demand deposits invested at Wakefern.
Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate was 28.8% in fiscal 2026 compared to 31.1% in fiscal 2025. The decline in the effective income tax rate was primarily due to the excess tax benefit from vested stock-based compensation in fiscal 2026.
Net Income
Net income was $52,455 in fiscal 2026 compared to $56,380 in fiscal 2025. Adjusted net income was $52,688 in fiscal 2026 compared to $56,429 in fiscal 2025. Adjusted net income decreased approximately 7% compared to the prior fiscal year due primarily to the decline in gross margin and increase in operating and administrative expense, partially offset by the decline in the effective income tax rate, all as previously discussed.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that management believes are important to the portrayal of the Company's financial condition and results of operations. These policies require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Impairment
The Company reviews the carrying values of its long-lived assets, such as property, equipment and fixtures and operating lease assets on an individual store basis for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. Factors considered by the Company that could result in an impairment triggering event include a current period operating or cash flow loss, underperformance of a store relative to historical or expected operating results, and significant negative industry or economic trends. If an impairment triggering event is identified, the Company analyzes the undiscounted estimated future net cash flows from asset groups at the store level to determine if the carrying value of such assets are recoverable from their respective cash flows. If impairment is indicated, it is measured by comparing the fair value of the long-lived asset groups to their carrying value.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested at the end of each fiscal year, or more frequently if circumstances dictate, for impairment. The Company utilizes valuation techniques, such as earnings multiples, in addition to the Company's market capitalization, to assess goodwill for impairment. Calculating the fair value of a reporting unit requires the use of estimates. Management believes the fair value of Village's one reporting unit exceeds its carrying value as of July 25, 2026. Should the Company's carrying value of its one reporting unit exceed its fair value, the amount of any resulting goodwill impairment may be material to the Company's financial position and results of operations. The fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets are estimated based on the discounted cash flow model using the relief from royalty method.
Patronage Dividends
As a stockholder of Wakefern, Village earns a share of Wakefern's earnings, which are distributed as a "patronage dividend." This dividend is based on a distribution of substantially all of Wakefern's operating profits for its fiscal year (which ends on or about September 30) in proportion to the dollar volume of purchases by each member from Wakefern during that fiscal year. Patronage dividends are recorded as a reduction of cost of sales as merchandise is sold. Village accrues estimated patronage dividends due from Wakefern quarterly based on an estimate of the annual Wakefern patronage dividend and an estimate of Village's share of this annual dividend based on Village's estimated proportional share of the dollar volume of business transacted with Wakefern that year. The patronage dividend receivable based on these estimates was $14,870 and $14,144 as of July 25, 2026 and July 26, 2025, respectively.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
For discussion related to recently issued accounting standards, see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows
The following table details our cash flows in fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025:
| Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||
|
July 25, 2026 |
July 26, 2025 |
$ Change |
|||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 108,800 | $ | 93,277 | $ | 15,523 | |||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (61,753) | (75,578) | 13,825 | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (26,907) | (24,261) | (2,646) | ||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 20,140 | $ | (6,562) | $ | 26,702 | |||||||||||
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $108,800 in fiscal 2026 compared to $93,277 in fiscal 2025. The $15,523 net increase in cash provided by operating activities was due to a net favorable change related to our operating assets and liabilities, including our working capital.
The net favorable change related to our operating assets and liabilities, including our working capital, was due primarily to favorable changes in income tax receivables and payables due to a lower effective tax rate and timing of payments, a lower increase in merchandise inventories and favorable changes in accounts payable (including to Wakefern) and accrued expenses largely driven by timing of payments. These favorable changes were partially offset by lower patronage dividends received in fiscal 2026 compared to the prior fiscal year.
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $61,753 in fiscal 2026 compared to $75,578 in fiscal 2025. The $13,825 net decline in cash used in investing activities was due primarily to a $5,024 decrease in capital expenditures, proceeds from the sales of assets of $4,504 in fiscal 2026 primarily attributable to the sale of real estate assets of our closed automated micro-fulfillment center in south New Jersey and acquisition costs of $8,133 to purchase right-of-use assets in fiscal 2025. These decreases in cash used in investing activities were partially offset by an investment of $4,431 in notes receivable in fiscal 2026 related to a New Markets Tax Credit financing transaction associated with our replacement store in East Orange, NJ.
During fiscal 2026, we invested $53,741 on capital expenditures including costs associated with the construction of our East Orange replacement store that opened on May 27, 2026, construction costs for a future replacement store in Galloway, NJ expected to open in fiscal 2027, one major remodel, several smaller remodels and merchandising initiatives, and various technology, equipment and facility upgrades, including initial costs to install solar panels at four locations.
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $26,907 in fiscal 2026 compared to $24,261 in fiscal 2025. The $2,646 net increase in cash used in financing activities was due primarily to repurchases of shares surrendered for withholding tax purposes of $8,163 associated with the vesting of restricted stock awards in fiscal 2026, partially offset by $5,563 in proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs, in fiscal 2026 associated with a New Markets Tax Credit financing transaction associated with our replacement store in East Orange, NJ.
During fiscal 2026 and 2025, we made dividend payments of $13,336 and $13,308, respectively.
Liquidity and Debt
Working capital was $27,108 as of July 25, 2026 compared to $23,840 as of July 26, 2025. Working capital ratios at the same dates were 1.14 and 1.13 to one, respectively. The Company's working capital needs are reduced, since inventories are generally sold by the time payments to Wakefern and other suppliers are due.
We have budgeted $80,000 for capital expenditures in fiscal 2027. Planned expenditures include costs for construction of a replacement store in Galloway, NJ expected to open in mid-fiscal 2027, a new Fairway store in Manhattan expected to open in late fiscal 2027, several smaller store remodels, merchandising initiatives and various technology, equipment and facility upgrades, including installation of solar panels at certain of our locations. The Company's primary sources of liquidity in fiscal 2027 are expected to be cash and cash equivalents on hand as of July 25, 2026 and operating cash flows generated in fiscal 2027.
The Company holds a 30% interest in the development of a retail center in Old Bridge, New Jersey, which includes the Village Old Bridge replacement store. As of July 25, 2026, the Company had an operating lease obligation of $4,279 related to the project and had invested $17,694 in the real estate partnership. The investment is accounted for under the equity method and is included in Investments in Real Estate Partnerships on the consolidated balance sheets. No additional equity investment is expected for this project.
As of July 25, 2026, the Company held variable rate notes receivable due from Wakefern of $39,460 that earn interest at the prime rate plus .50% and mature on August 15, 2027, $40,733 that earn interest at the prime rate plus .50% and mature on September 28, 2027, and $39,097 that earn interest at the SOFR plus 2.25% and mature on February 15, 2029. Wakefern has the right to prepay these notes at any time. Under certain conditions, the Company can require Wakefern to prepay the notes, although interest earned since inception would be reduced as if it was earned based on overnight money market rates as paid by Wakefern on demand deposits.
As of July 25, 2026, Village had demand deposits invested at Wakefern in the amount of $111,776. These deposits earn overnight money market rates.
Credit Facility
The Company has a credit facility (the "Credit Facility") with Wells Fargo National Bank, National Association ("Wells Fargo"). The principal purpose of the Credit Facility is to finance general corporate and working capital requirements, Village's fiscal 2020 acquisition of certain Fairway assets and certain capital expenditures. Among other things, the Credit Facility provides for:
•An unsecured revolving line of credit providing a maximum amount available for borrowing of $75,000. Indebtedness under this agreement bears interest at the applicable Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus 1.25% and expires on April 30, 2030.
•An unsecured $25,500 term loan issued on May 12, 2020, repayable in equal monthly installments based on a seven-year amortization schedule through May 4, 2027 and bearing interest at the applicable SOFR plus 1.46%. An interest rate swap with notional amounts equal to the term loan fixes the base SOFR at .26% per annum through May 4, 2027, resulting in a fixed effective interest rate of 1.72% on the term loan.
•A secured $50,000 term loan issued on September 1, 2020 repayable in equal monthly installments based on a fifteen-year amortization schedule through September 1, 2035 and bearing interest at the applicable SOFR plus 1.61%. An interest rate swap with notional amounts equal to the term loan fixes the base SOFR at .57% per annum through September 1, 2035, resulting in a fixed effective interest rate of 2.18% on the term loan. The term loan is secured by real properties of Village Super Market, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including the sites of three Village stores.
•A secured $7,350 term loan issued on January 28, 2022 repayable in equal monthly installments based on a fifteen-year amortization schedule through January 28, 2037 and bearing interest at the applicable SOFR plus 1.50%. An interest rate swap with notional amounts equal to the term loan fixes the base SOFR at 1.41% per annum through January 28, 2037, resulting in a fixed effective interest rate of 2.91% on the term loan. The term loan is secured by the Galloway store shopping center.
•An unsecured $10,000 term loan issued on September 1, 2022 repayable in equal monthly installments based on a seven-year amortization schedule through September 4, 2029 and bearing interest at the applicable SOFR plus 1.35%. An interest rate swap for a notional amount equal to the term loan fixes the base SOFR at 2.95% per annum through September 4, 2029, resulting in a fixed effective interest rate of 4.30% on the term loan. This loan qualified for an interest rate subsidy program with Wakefern on financing related to certain capital expenditure projects. Net of the subsidy, the Company will pay interest at a fixed effective rate of 2.30%.
•A secured $7,125 term loan issued on January 27, 2023 repayable in equal monthly installments based on a fifteen-year amortization schedule through January 27, 2038 and bearing interest at the applicable SOFR plus 1.75%. An interest rate swap for a notional amount equal to the term loan fixes the base SOFR at 3.59% per annum through January 27, 2038, resulting in a fixed effective interest rate of 5.34% on the term loan. The term loan is secured by the Vineland store shopping center.
The Credit Facility also provides for up to $25,000 of letters of credit ($9,021 outstanding as of July 25, 2026), which secure obligations for store leases and construction performance guarantees to municipalities. The Credit Facility contains covenants that, among other conditions, require a minimum tangible net worth, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio. The Company was in compliance with all covenants of the credit agreement as of July 25, 2026. As of July 25, 2026, $65,979 remained available under the unsecured revolving line of credit.
Based on current trends, the Company believes cash and cash equivalents on hand as of July 25, 2026, operating cash flows and availability under our Credit Facility are sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future beyond the next twelve months.
Village paid cash dividends of $13,336, $13,308 and $13,341 during fiscal 2026, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Dividends during each of these fiscal years consisted of $1.00 per Class A common share and $.65 per Class B common share. The Board's current intention is to continue to pay quarterly dividends in fiscal 2027 at the most recent rate of $.25 per Class A and $.1625 per Class B share. However, any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will ultimately be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant, including economic and market conditions.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Firm Commitments
The following table summarizes certain of our aggregate material cash requirements as of July 25, 2026, and the estimated timing and effect that such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods. We expect to fund these contractual obligations with operating cash flows generated in the normal course of business and, if necessary, through availability under our credit facility or other accessible sources of financing.
|
Fiscal 2027 |
Fiscal 2028 |
Fiscal 2029 |
Fiscal 2030 |
Fiscal 2031 |
Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | $ | 33,413 | $ | 35,330 | $ | 34,195 | $ | 32,512 | $ | 31,085 | $ | 161,628 | $ | 328,163 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance leases | 2,657 | 2,893 | 2,893 | 3,046 | 3,135 | 11,326 | 25,950 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt | 8,763 | 5,727 | 5,727 | 4,536 | 4,298 | 25,621 | 54,672 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 44,833 | $ | 43,950 | $ | 42,815 | $ | 40,094 | $ | 38,518 | $ | 198,575 | $ | 408,785 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following is a description of our material, firmly committed obligations as of July 25, 2026:
•Lease obligations represent fixed payments due over the lease term of our noncancelable leases of real estate. Information has been presented separately for operating and finance leases.
•Debt represents the principal amounts due on our outstanding secured term loans, unsecured term loans and New Market Tax Credit Financing arrangement, all as described in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements. Amounts do not include unamortized debt issuance costs or interest payments.
Excluded from the above contractual obligations table is the following: (i) amounts recorded in current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet as of July 25, 2026, which will be paid within one year, other than lease obligations and current portion of debt; (ii) non-current pension liabilities of $2,590 as of July 25, 2026, as we cannot make a reliable estimate of the period in which the liabilities will be settled; (iii) future contributions to be made to various multi-employer benefit plans due to the uncertainty of the cash outflows associated with such contributions; and (iv) non-current liabilities that have no cash outflows associated with them or the cash outflows associated with them are uncertain or do not represent a "purchase obligation" as such term is used herein (e.g., deferred taxes and other miscellaneous items).
We are also obligated to purchase 85% of our primary merchandise requirements from Wakefern, as described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
In addition to the commitments included in the above table, our other off-balance sheet firm commitments relating to our outstanding letters of credit amounted to $9,021 as of July 25, 2026. We do not maintain any other off-balance sheet arrangements, transactions, obligations or other relationships with unconsolidated entities that would be expected to have a material current or future effect on our consolidated financial statements.
OUTLOOK
Summarized below are the Company's current expectations of certain operating metrics for its fiscal 2027. Refer to the "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" section at the beginning of this Form 10-K for risks, uncertainties and other information regarding forward-looking statements.
•We expect the increase in same store sales to range from 0.5% to 2.0% in fiscal 2027.
•We have budgeted $80,000 for capital expenditures in fiscal 2027. Planned expenditures include costs for construction of a replacement store in Galloway, NJ expected to open in mid-fiscal 2027, a new Fairway store in Manhattan expected to open in late fiscal 2027, several smaller store remodels, merchandising initiatives and various technology, equipment and facility upgrades, including installation of solar panels at certain of our locations. The Company's primary sources of liquidity in fiscal 2027 are expected to be cash and cash equivalents on hand as of July 25, 2026 and operating cash flows generated in fiscal 2027.
•The Board's current intention is to continue to pay quarterly dividends in fiscal 2027 at the most recent rate of $.25 per Class A and $.1625 per Class B share.
•We believe cash and cash equivalents on hand, operating cash flows and the Company's Credit Facility will be adequate to meet anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures and debt payments for the foreseeable future.
•We expect our effective income tax rate in fiscal 2027 to be in the range of 31.0% to 32.0%.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company holds an investment in Wakefern, its principal supplier. Village purchases substantially all of its merchandise from Wakefern in accordance with the Wakefern Stockholder Agreement. As part of this agreement, Village is required to purchase certain amounts of Wakefern common stock. As of July 25, 2026, the Company's indebtedness to Wakefern for the outstanding amount of this stock subscription was $396. The maximum per store investment is currently $975. Wakefern distributes as a "patronage dividend" to each member a share of its earnings in proportion to the dollar volume of purchases by the member from Wakefern during the year. Wakefern provides the Company with support services in numerous areas including advertising, supplies, liability and property insurance, technology support and other store services. Additional information is provided in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
On February 15, 2024, notes receivable due from Wakefern of $33,338 that earned interest at the prime rate plus .75% matured. The Company invested all of the proceeds received in variable rate notes receivable from Wakefern that earn interest at the SOFR plus 2.25% and mature on February 15, 2029.
As of July 25, 2026, the Company held variable rate notes receivable due from Wakefern of $39,460 that earn interest at the prime rate plus .50% and mature on August 15, 2027, $40,733 that earn interest at the prime rate plus .50% and mature on September 28, 2027, and $39,097 that earn interest at the SOFR plus 2.25% and mature on February 15, 2029. Wakefern has the right to prepay these notes at any time. Under certain conditions, the Company can require Wakefern to prepay the notes, although interest earned since inception would be reduced as if it was earned based on overnight money market rates as paid by Wakefern on demand deposits.
As of July 25, 2026, Village had demand deposits invested at Wakefern in the amount of $111,776. These deposits earn overnight money market rates.
As disclosed under the heading "Legal Proceedings," we are currently engaged in litigation with Wakefern. To date, the Company believes the dispute with Wakefern has not materially impacted the Company's operations or financial performance. At this time, the Company is unable to determine the probability of the outcome of this matter, or the range of reasonably possible loss, if any.
The Company leases a supermarket from a realty firm 30% owned by certain Village officers and members of the Board of Directors. The Company paid rent to related parties under this lease of $812, $735 and $735 in fiscal 2026, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and has a related lease obligation of $9,140 as of July 25, 2026. This lease agreement was extended in fiscal 2026 and expires in fiscal 2041, with options to extend at increasing annual rents.
The Company has ownership interests in four real estate partnerships. Village paid aggregate rents to three of these partnerships for leased stores of $2,223, $2,159 and $1,827 in fiscal 2026, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and has aggregate lease obligations of $14,279 as of July 25, 2026 related to these leases.
In connection with our participation in a New Markets Tax Credit program related to the construction of a replacement store in East Orange, New Jersey, on December 19, 2025, the Company and its Chief Executive Officer, John J. Sumas, entered into a joint venture agreement to form the Leverage Lender (as defined in Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements), an affiliate of the Company. The Company and Mr. Sumas have a 95% and 5% ownership interest in the Leverage Lender, respectively. In connection with this joint venture, Mr. Sumas loaned the Company $222. See Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional discussion regarding this related party transaction.
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