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These excerpts taken from the WMT 10-K filed Mar 31, 2008. SAMS CLUB SEGMENT ALIGN="center">CLUB COUNT AND SQUARE FOOTAGESIZE="2">FISCAL YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2004 THROUGH 2008(1) STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">
in our Annual Report to Shareholders under the caption Fiscal 2008 End-of-Year Store Count and is incorporated herein by reference. Portions of such Annual Report to Shareholders are included as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Sams Club Segment The Sams Club segment had net sales of $44.4 billion, $41.6 billion and $39.8 billion for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. During the most recent fiscal year, no single club location accounted for as much as 1% of total Company net sales. General. As a membership club warehouse, we operate Sams Clubs in 48 states. Facility sizes for Sams Clubs generally range between 71,000 and 190,000 square feet, with the average Sams Club facility being approximately 132,000 square feet. Sams Club also provides its members with a broad assortment of merchandise and services online at www.samsclub.com. Merchandise. Sams Club offers bulk displays of brand name merchandise, including hardgoods, some softgoods, institutional-size grocery items, and selected private-label items under the MEMBERS MARK, BAKERS & CHEFS and SAMS CLUB brands. Generally, each Sams Club also carries software, electronics, jewelry, exercise equipment, outdoor goods, tires, office supplies and books. Most clubs have fresh departments, which include bakery, meat, produce, floral and Sams Cafe. Additionally, a significant number of our clubs offer photo processing, pharmaceuticals, optical departments and gasoline stations. Sales for the Sams Club segment by general merchandise category were as follows during the fiscal year ended:
Operations. Operating hours for Sams Clubs are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Additionally, all club locations offer a Gold Key program that permits business members to shop before the regular operating hours Monday through Saturday, starting at 7:00 a.m. Sams Clubs are membership-only operations. A variety of payment methods are accepted at our clubs, including debit cards, some types of credit cards, and a private label and co-branded Discover credit cards through a third-party provider. In addition, our pharmacy departments accept payments for prescription drugs through our customers health benefit plans. Members include both small business owners and individual consumers. Individuals who are not business owners can become Advantage members. The annual membership fee for an individual Advantage member is $40 for the primary membership card, with a spouse/household card available at no additional cost. The annual membership fee for business members is $35 for the primary membership card, with a spouse/household card available at no additional cost. In addition, business members can add up to eight business associates (add-ons) to their business account for $35 each. Businesses can also purchase Advantage memberships for their employees under a Group Membership Program. Group rates are $30 per group Advantage membership when purchasing 50 - 999 memberships and $25 per group Advantage membership when purchasing 1,000 or more memberships. Sams Club PLUS is a premium membership program that offers additional benefits and services. The annual fee for a Primary PLUS member (Business or Advantage) is $100. In addition, Business Plus primary members can add up to 16 business associates (add-ons) to their business membership for $35 each. Seasonal Aspects of Operations. The Sams Club segments business is seasonal to a certain extent. Generally, its highest volume of sales occurs in the fourth fiscal quarter, which includes the holiday season, and the lowest volume occurs during the first fiscal quarter. Competition. Sams Club competes with other warehouse clubs, as well as with discount retailers, retail and wholesale grocers, general merchandise wholesalers and distributors, internet-based retailers and catalog businesses. We compete with other retailers and warehouse clubs for desirable new club sites. Our ability to offer low prices and quality merchandise to meet the needs of small business members largely determines our competitive position in the warehouse club industry.
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Distribution. During fiscal 2008, approximately 65% of the Sams Club segment non-fuel purchases were shipped from the Sams Club segments dedicated distribution facilities and some of the Wal-Mart Stores segments distribution centers for certain items. Suppliers shipped the balance of the Sams Club purchases directly to Sams Club locations. Our Sams Club segment operations are supported by 24 distribution facilities as of January 31, 2008, located strategically throughout the continental United States. Of these 24 distribution facilities, we owned and operated 7. Third parties owned and operated the remaining 17 distribution facilities. The principal focus of our Sams Clubs distribution operations is on crossdocking merchandise, while stored inventory is minimized. Crossdocking is a distribution process under which shipments are directly transferred from inbound to outbound trailers. Shipments typically spend less than 24 hours in a crossdock facility, sometimes less than an hour. Sams Club uses a combination of our private truck fleet as well as common carriers to transport non-perishable merchandise from distribution centers to clubs. We contract with common carriers to transport perishable grocery merchandise from distribution centers to clubs. Sams Club Segment
Growth in net sales for the Sams Club segment in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 resulted from comparable club sales increases of 4.9% in fiscal 2008 and 2.5% in fiscal 2007, along with our club expansion program. Comparable club sales in fiscal 2008 increased at a faster rate than in fiscal 2007 primarily due to higher growth in food, pharmacy, electronics and certain consumables categories as well as an increase in both member traffic and average transaction size per member. Fuel sales had a positive impact of 0.7 percentage points on comparable club sales in fiscal 2008, while contributing a negative impact of 0.4 percentage points to fiscal 2007 comparable club sales. Sams Club segment expansion consisted of the opening of 12 new clubs in fiscal 2008 and 15 clubs in fiscal 2007. No clubs were closed in fiscal 2008, but three clubs were closed in fiscal 2007. Our total expansion program added 2.0 million of additional club square footage, or 2.6%, in fiscal 2008 and 2.9 million, or 3.9%, of additional club square footage in fiscal 2007. Gross margin increased during fiscal 2008 due to strong sales in fresh food and other food-related categories, pharmacy and certain consumables categories, in addition to the $39 million excise tax refund on taxes previously paid on prior period prepaid phone card sales. In fiscal 2007, gross margin increased compared to the prior year due to strong sales in certain higher margin categories, including pharmacy and jewelry. Operating expenses as a percentage of segment net sales decreased in fiscal 2008 when compared to fiscal 2007 primarily due to a decrease in advertising costs. In the first half of fiscal 2008, operating expenses include the net positive impact of the favorable change in estimated losses associated with our general liability and workers compensation claims, which reduced the accrued liabilities for such claims by $21 million pretax, partially offset by $15 million in pre-tax charges for certain litigation contingencies. Furthermore, operating expenses in fiscal 2007 included an $11 million charge related to closing two Sams Clubs, partially offset by the favorable impact of property
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insurance-related gains of $6 million. In fiscal 2007, operating expenses as a percentage of segment net sales increased compared to fiscal 2006 primarily due to a slight increase in employee-related costs. Membership and other income, which includes a variety of income categories, increased in fiscal 2008 when compared to fiscal 2007. These excerpts taken from the WMT 10-K filed Mar 27, 2007. Sams Club Segment The Sams Club segment had net sales of $41.6 billion, $39.8 billion and $37.1 billion for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. During the most recent fiscal year, no single club location accounted for as much as 1% of total Company net sales or net income. General. We operate Sams Clubs in 48 states. Facility sizes for Sams Clubs generally range between 72,000 and 190,000 square feet, with the average Sams Club facility being approximately 132,000 square feet. Sams Club also provides its members with a broad assortment of merchandise and services online at www.samsclub.com. Merchandise. Sams Club offers bulk displays of brand name merchandise, including hardgoods, some softgoods, institutional-size grocery items, and selected private-label items under the MEMBERS MARK, BAKERS & CHEFS and SAMS CLUB brands. Generally, each Sams Club also carries software, electronics, jewelry, exercise equipment, outdoor goods, tires, office supplies and books. Most clubs have fresh departments, which include bakery, meat, produce, floral and Sams Cafe. Additionally, a significant number of our clubs offer photo processing, pharmaceuticals, optical departments and gasoline stations. Sales in the Sams Club segment, which are subject to seasonal variance, by product category were as follows during the fiscal year ended:
Operations. Operating hours for Sams Clubs are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Additionally, all club locations offer a Gold Key program that permits business members to shop before the regular operating hours Monday through Saturday, starting at 7:00 a.m. Sams Clubs are membership-only operations. A variety of payment methods are accepted at our clubs, including MasterCard beginning in fiscal 2007. Additionally, Sams Club markets private label and Discover accounts that are without recourse to the Company. Members include both small business owners and individual consumers. Individuals who are not business owners can become Advantage members. The annual membership fee for an individual Advantage member is $40 for the primary membership card, with a spouse card available at no additional cost. The annual membership fee for business members is $35 for the primary membership card, with a spouse/household card available at no additional cost. In addition, business members can add up to eight business associates (add-ons) to their business account for $35 each. Businesses can also purchase Advantage memberships for their employees under a Group Membership Program. Group rates are $30 per group Advantage membership when purchasing 50 - 999 memberships and $25 per group Advantage membership when purchasing 1,000 or more memberships. Sam's Club PLUS is a premium membership program that offers additional benefits
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and services. The annual fee for a Primary PLUS member (Business or Advantage) is $100. In addition, Business Plus primary members can add up to 16 business associates (add-ons) to their business membership for $35 each. Seasonal Aspects of Operations. The Sams Club segments business is seasonal to a certain extent. Generally, its highest volume of sales occurs in the fourth fiscal quarter, which includes the holiday season, and the lowest volume occurs during the first fiscal quarter. Competition. Sams Club competes with other warehouse clubs, as well as with discount retailers, retail and wholesale grocers, general merchandise wholesalers and distributors, internet-based retailers and catalog businesses. We compete with other retailers for desirable new club sites. Our ability to offer low prices and quality merchandise to meet the needs of small business members largely determines our competitive position in the warehouse club industry. Distribution. During fiscal 2007, approximately 65% of the Sams Club non-fuel purchases were shipped from the Sams Club segments dedicated distribution facilities and some of the Wal-Mart Stores segments distribution centers for perishable items, jewelry, tires and product returns. Suppliers shipped the balance of the Sams Club purchases directly to Sams Club locations. The principal focus of our Sams Clubs distribution operations is on crossdocking product, while stored inventory is minimized. Crossdocking is a distribution process under which shipments are directly transferred from inbound to outbound trailers without extra storage. Shipments typically spend less than 24 hours in a crossdock facility, sometimes less than an hour. A combination of seven Company-owned and operated distribution facilities, 13 third-party owned and operated facilities, and two third-party owned and operated import distribution centers constitute the overall distribution structure for the Sams Club segment. To support the samsclub.com business, Sams Club uses one third-party owned and operated distribution center in Texas. Two of the Company-owned and operated facilities are located in Texas with single facilities located in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana and Minnesota. Of the third-party owned and operated facilities, two are in California and one is in each of Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington. The third-party operated import facilities are located in California and South Carolina. Sams Club uses a combination of our private truck fleet as well as common carriers to transport non-perishable merchandise from distribution centers to clubs. We contract with common carriers to transport perishable grocery merchandise from distribution centers to clubs. Sams Club Segment
Growth in net sales for the Sams Club segment in fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006 resulted from comparable club sales increases of 2.5% in fiscal 2007 and 5.0% in fiscal 2006, along with our club expansion program. Comparable club sales in fiscal 2007 increased at a slower rate than in fiscal 2006 primarily due to lower growth rates in fuel and certain food-related categories and media categories. Fuel sales had a negative impact of 0.4 percentage points on comparable club sales in fiscal 2007, while contributing 1.3 percentage points to fiscal 2006 comparable club sales. Sams Club segment expansion consisted of the opening of 15 new clubs in fiscal 2007 and 17 clubs in fiscal 2006. Three clubs were closed in fiscal 2007 and one club was closed in fiscal 2006. Our total expansion program added 2.9 million of additional club square footage, or 3.9%, in fiscal 2007 and 2.7 million, or 3.8%, of additional club square footage in fiscal 2006. Consistent with past periods, segment operating income as a percentage of segment net sales increased slightly in fiscal 2007 when compared to fiscal 2006. The increase was due to an improvement in gross margin and membership revenue as a percentage of segment net sales, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses as a percentage of segment net sales. Gross margin as a percentage of segment net sales increased due to strong sales in certain higher margin categories, including pharmacy and jewelry, during fiscal 2007. Operating expenses as a percentage of segment net sales increased primarily due to a slight increase in employee-related costs in fiscal 2007 when compared to fiscal 2006. Fiscal 2007 also included an $11 million charge related to the closing of three clubs during the year. Segment operating income as a percentage of segment net sales increased slightly in fiscal 2006 when compared to fiscal 2005. The increase was due to an improvement in operating expenses and other income as a percentage of segment net sales, partially offset by a slight decrease in gross margin as a percentage of segment net sales. Operating expenses as a percentage of segment net sales improved primarily due to lower wage and accident costs as a percentage of segment net sales in fiscal 2006 when compared to fiscal 2005, partially offset by increased utility costs. The increase in other income as a percentage of segment net sales was primarily the result of income recognized from higher membership sales in fiscal 2006. Gross margin as a percentage of segment net sales decreased due to strong segment net sales in certain lower margin categories, including fuel and tobacco, during fiscal 2006.
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This excerpt taken from the WMT 10-K filed Mar 29, 2006. SAMS CLUB Segment
Growth in net sales for the SAMS CLUB segment in fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005 resulted from comparative club sales increases of 5.0% in fiscal 2006 and 5.8% in fiscal 2005, along with our expansion program. Comparative club sales in fiscal 2006 increased at a slower rate than in fiscal 2005 primarily due to lower growth rates in certain fresh and hardline categories. The impact of fuel sales contributed 130 basis points and 121 basis points to fiscal 2006 and 2005 comparative club sales, respectively. We believe that a greater focus on providing a quality in-club experience for our members will improve overall sales, including sales in these categories. Segment expansion consisted of the opening of 17 new clubs in fiscal 2006 and 13 clubs in fiscal 2005. One club closed in fiscal 2006. Our total expansion program added approximately 3 million of additional club square footage, or 3.8%, in fiscal 2006 and approximately 3 million, or 3.7%, of additional club square footage in fiscal 2005. Segment operating income as a percentage of segment net sales increased slightly in fiscal 2006 when compared to fiscal 2005. The increase was due to an improvement in operating expenses and other income as a percentage of segment net sales, partially offset by a slight decrease in gross margin as a percentage of segment net sales. Operating expenses as a percentage of segment net sales improved primarily due to lower wage and accident costs in fiscal 2006 when compared to fiscal 2005, partially offset by the impact of increased utility costs. The increase in other income as a percentage of segment net sales was primarily the result of income recognized from higher membership sales in fiscal 2006. Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased due to strong sales in certain lower margin categories, including fuel and tobacco, during fiscal 2006. Segment operating income as a percentage of segment net sales increased slightly in fiscal 2005 when compared to fiscal 2004 due to an improvement in gross margin, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses as a percentage of segment net sales and the impact of the adoption of EITF 02-16 in fiscal 2004. The improvement in gross margin was primarily a result of strong sales in higher margin categories. Operating expenses as a percentage of segment net sales increased due to higher wage costs resulting from our new job classification and pay structure, which was implemented in the second quarter of fiscal 2005. The adoption of EITF 02-16 resulted in a decrease to the segments operating income in fiscal 2004 of $44 million.
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This excerpt taken from the WMT 10-K filed Mar 31, 2005. SAMS CLUB Segment
Growth in net sales for the SAMS CLUB segment in fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004 resulted from comparative club sales increases of 5.8% in fiscal 2005 and 5.3% in fiscal 2004, along with our expansion program. Comparative club sales in 2005 increased at a higher rate than in 2004 primarily as the result of continued focus on small business members, along with improved sales in fresh and specialty categories, including fuel. Segment expansion consisted of the opening of 13 new clubs in both fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004. Our total expansion program added approximately 3 million of additional club square footage, or 3.7%, in fiscal 2005 and approximately 2 million, or 3.6%, of additional club square footage in fiscal 2004.
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment net sales increased slightly in fiscal 2005 when compared to fiscal 2004. The increase is due to an improvement in gross margin, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses as a percentage of segment net sales and the impact of the adoption of EITF 02-16 in fiscal 2004. The improvement in gross margin is primarily a result of strong sales in higher margin categories. Operating expenses as a percentage of segment net sales increased due primarily to higher wage costs resulting from our new job classification and pay structure, which was implemented in the second quarter of fiscal 2005. The adoption of EITF 02-16 resulted in a decrease to the segments operating income in fiscal 2004 of $44 million.
Segment operating income as a percentage of segment net sales increased slightly in fiscal 2004 when compared to fiscal 2003, due to a reduction in operating expenses resulting from working more closely with the Wal-Mart Stores segment.
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