UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

x                              ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For The Fiscal Year Ended March 3, 2007

OR

o                                 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For The Transition Period From                 To               

Commission File Number 1-5742

RITE AID CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

23-1614034

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

30 Hunter Lane, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

 

17011

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (717) 761-2633

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Name of each exchange

Title of each class

 

on which registered

Common Stock, $1.00 par value

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:   None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x   No o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes o   No x

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 o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Yes x   No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “Accelerated Filer” and “Large Accelerated Filer’’ in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large Accelerated x   Accelerated Filer o   Non-Accelerated Filer o

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

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant based on the closing price at which such stock was sold on the New York Stock Exchange on September 1, 2006 was approximately $2,293,456,926. For purposes of this calculation, executive officers, directors and 5% shareholders are deemed to be affiliates of the registrant.

As of April 20, 2007 the registrant had outstanding 538,408,486 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the proxy statement for the registrant’s annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 27, 2007 are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

 

3

PART I

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

 

Business

 

4

ITEM 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

14

ITEM 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

24

ITEM 2.

 

Properties

 

24

ITEM 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

26

ITEM 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

26

PART II

 

 

 

 

ITEM 5.

 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

28

ITEM 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

 

30

ITEM 7.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      

 

31

ITEM 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

48

ITEM 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

49

ITEM 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     

 

49

ITEM 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

50

ITEM 9B.

 

Other Information

 

51

PART III

 

 

 

 

ITEM 10.

 

Directors and Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

 

ITEM 11.

 

Executive Compensation

 

 

ITEM 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

 

ITEM 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

 

 

ITEM 14.

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

 

ITEM 15.

 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

52

SIGNATURES

 

101

 

2




CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report, as well as our other public filings or public statements, include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are often identified by terms and phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “continue,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “will” and similar expressions and include references to assumptions and relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

·       our high level of indebtedness;

·       our ability to make interest and principal payments on our debt and satisfy the other covenants contained in our senior secured credit facility and other debt agreements;

·       our ability to improve the operating performance of our existing stores in accordance with our long term strategy;

·       our ability to hire and retain pharmacists and other store personnel;

·       our ability to open or relocate stores according to our real estate development program;

·       the efforts of private and public third party payors to reduce prescription drug reimbursement and encourage mail order;

·       competitive pricing pressures and continued consolidation of the drugstore industry;

·       changes in state or federal legislation or regulations;

·       the outcome of lawsuits and governmental investigations;

·       general economic conditions and inflation, interest rate movements and access to capital;

·       our ability to consummate the pending acquisition of Jean Coutu, USA and realize the benefits of the pending acquisition; and

·       other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“the SEC”).

We undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements included in this report, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this report. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Such factors are discussed in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Overview and Factors Affecting Our Future Prospects” included in this annual report on Form 10-K.

3




PART I

Item 1.                        Business

Overview

We are the third largest retail drugstore chain in the United States based on revenues and number of stores. We operate our drugstores in 27 states across the country and in the District of Columbia. As of March 3, 2007, we operated 3,333 stores.

In our stores, we sell prescription drugs and a wide assortment of other merchandise, which we call “front-end” products. In fiscal 2007, prescription drug sales accounted for 63.7% of our total sales. We believe that our pharmacy operations will continue to represent a significant part of our business due to favorable industry trends, including an aging population, increased life expectancy, the federally funded prescription drug benefit program (“Medicare Part D”), the discovery of new and better drug therapies and our on-going program of purchasing prescription files from independent pharmacies. We offer approximately 26,000 front-end products, which accounted for the remaining 36.3% of our total sales in fiscal 2007. Front end products include over-the-counter medications, health and beauty aids, personal care items, cosmetics, household items, beverages, convenience foods, greeting cards, seasonal merchandise and numerous other everyday and convenience products, as well as photo processing. We attempt to distinguish our stores from other national chain drugstores, in part, through our private brands and our strategic alliance with GNC, a leading retailer of vitamin and mineral supplements. We offer approximately 3,000 products under the Rite Aid private brand, which contributed approximately 12.6% of our front-end sales in the categories where private brand products were offered in fiscal 2007.

The overall average size of each store in our chain is approximately 12,800 square feet. The average size of our stores is larger in the western United States. As of March 3, 2007, approximately 56% of our stores are freestanding; approximately 43% of our stores include a drive-thru pharmacy; approximately 67% include one-hour photo shops; and approximately 38% include a GNC store-within-Rite Aid-store.

Our headquarters are located at 30 Hunter Lane, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011, and our telephone number is (717) 761-2633. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol of “RAD”. We were incorporated in 1968 and are a Delaware corporation.

Acquisition of Jean Coutu, USA

On August 23, 2006, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Jean Coutu Group (PJC), Inc. (“Jean Coutu Group”) to acquire all of the membership interests of JCG (PJC) USA, LLC (“Jean Coutu USA”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jean Coutu Group and the holding company for the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains.  As consideration for the pending acquisition of Jean Coutu USA, we will issue 250 million shares of our common stock to Jean Coutu Group in accordance with the terms of the stock purchase agreement and pay Jean Coutu Group $2.3 billion in cash (subject to a working capital adjustment) which will be funded by the issuance of new debt. We had previously considered assuming 8.5% senior secured notes due 2014 held by Jean Coutu Group as a component of the consideration for the acquisition. Jean Coutu Group has initiated a tender offer for these notes and therefore we will not assume them. This has increased the amount of consideration that we intend to fund by the issuance of new debt from $1.45 billion to $2.3 billion.

Following the completion of the pending acquisition, Jean Coutu Group will be our largest shareholder, owning approximately 32.0% of our common stock, which will represent approximately 30.2% of the voting power of our voting securities then outstanding. Upon the completion of the pending acquisition, we will expand our Board of Directors to 14 members, with four of the seats being held by members designated by Jean Coutu Group. In connection with entering into the stock purchase agreement, on August 23, 2006, we entered into a stockholder agreement with Jean Coutu Group and

4




certain Coutu family members that will become effective upon consummation of the acquisition and will govern, among other matters, Jean Coutu Group’s ownership interest in Rite Aid. The stockholder agreement contains provisions relating to board and board committee composition, corporate governance, stock ownership, stock purchase rights, transfer restrictions, voting arrangements and other matters. We also entered into a registration rights agreement with Jean Coutu Group giving Jean Coutu Group certain rights with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the shares of our common stock to be issued to Jean Coutu Group or acquired by Jean Coutu Group pursuant to certain stock purchase rights or open market purchase rights under the stockholder agreement.

Jean Coutu, USA, as of March 3, 2007, employed approximately 46,000 people and, operated six distribution centers and 1,856 stores located in 18 states of the Northeastern, mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. The overall average size of each store is approximately 11,000 square feet. Approximately 1,720 of the stores are leased.

We believe that our pending acquisition of Jean Coutu USA provides several strategic benefits, including the following:

·       a significant increase in the footprint and operating scale of our business, with increased presence in key strategic markets;

·       the creation of the leading drugstore retailer in the Eastern United States, which we believe will allow us to achieve the scale necessary to remain competitive with our major competitors;

·       long-term value creation through net reductions in costs and expenses, achievement of meaningful synergies, including additional operational efficiencies, greater economies of scale and revenue enhancements resulting in higher operating cash flow and a decrease in our leverage ratio;

·       better positioning to capture additional growth in a sector where growth is projected over the next 5 years and;

·       an opportunity to apply our scaleable infrastructure, including our programs, best practices and management capabilities, across a larger store network, which we believe will improve profitability through cost savings and sales growth.

Industry Trends

We believe pharmacy sales in the United States will grow between 5% and 8% each year over the next four years based upon studies published by a pharmaceutical market intelligence firm. This anticipated growth is expected to be driven by greater drug utilization, an aging population caused by the “baby boom’’ generation entering their sixties, the increasing life expectancy of the American population, the Medicare Part D drug benefit program, the introduction of new drugs and the rate of inflation.

Generic prescription drugs help lower overall costs for customers and third party payors. We believe the utilization of existing generic pharmaceuticals is expected to continue to increase for several years. Further, we believe a significant number of new generics are expected to be introduced in the next couple of years. The gross profit from a generic drug prescription in the retail drugstore industry is greater than the gross profit from a brand drug prescription.

The retail drugstore industry is highly competitive and has been experiencing consolidation. We believe that the continued consolidation of the drugstore industry, continued new store openings, increased mail order, increased competition from internet based providers, drug importation and mergers of retail drugstores and pharmaceutical services companies will further increase competitive pressures in the industry. In addition, sales of potential generic pharmaceuticals continue to grow as a percentage of total prescription drug sales, which has a dampening effect on sales growth. The growth rate of

5




prescription drug sales has also been impacted by slower introductions of successful new prescription drugs and safety concerns sometimes resulting in the recall of some drugs.

The retail drugstore industry relies significantly on third party payors. Third party payors, including the Medicare Part D plans and the state sponsored Medicaid agencies, periodically evaluate and at times change the eligibility requirements to reduce the number of participants or reduce certain reimbursement rates. These evaluations and resulting changes and reductions are expected to continue. When third-party payors, including the Medicare Part D program and the state sponsored Medicaid agencies, reduce the number of participants or reduce their reimbursement rates, sales and margins in the industry could be reduced, and profitability of the industry could be adversely affected. These possible adverse effects can be partially or entirely offset by expense control, by dispensing more higher margin generics or dispensing more prescriptions, which could come from the anticipated growth opportunities mentioned above or from competitors.

Strategy

Our strategy is to continue to focus on improving the productivity of our existing stores and developing new and relocated stores in our strongest existing markets as well as integrating the stores we acquire from Jean Coutu Group under the Rite Aid banner. We believe that improving the sales of existing stores and growing our existing markets is critical to improving our profitability and cash flow. We believe the consummation of the pending acquisition will broaden and accelerate the implementation of our strategy.

The following paragraphs describe in more detail the components of our strategy:

Integrate Brooks and Eckerd Stores Under Rite Aid Banner and Develop Stores in Existing Markets.   We intend to convert all Brooks and Eckerd stores to the Rite Aid systems and banner within 16 months following the completion of the pending acquisition. We have assigned senior managers focused exclusively on and fully dedicated to ensuring the successful integration of the Brooks and Eckerd stores, with oversight by our senior executives including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Initially, as part of the integration and conversion process, the banners and signs of the Brooks and Eckerd stores will be changed to Rite Aid and all Brooks and Eckerd store systems will be converted to the Rite Aid store systems, including our pharmacy management and dispensing system, Nexgen. Following the store system conversion, the stores will be re-set, re-merchandised and upgraded to the Rite Aid décor package. To ensure successful integration and conversion with minimal disruption to our customers, we intend to launch and complete a pilot store conversion program to test our integration and conversion process over a 4 month period, and then convert all the remaining Brooks and Eckerd stores gradually over a 12 month period. We also expect to continue our new and relocated store and store remodeling program and intend to incorporate the Brooks and Eckerd stores into the program. We expect that some of the Brooks and Eckerd stores will also be remodeled within the first 12 months following the completion of the pending acquisition. We expect that almost all Brooks and Eckerd stores will be remodeled over the next several years. As part of the new and relocated store and store remodeling program, some of the Brooks or Eckerd and Rite Aid stores that are in close proximity to one another may be combined to improve overall productivity.

Our new and relocated store program is focused on our strongest existing markets. Our goal currently and after the pending acquisition, is to open or relocate approximately 800 to 1,000 stores over the next five years, of which we expect that at least 50% will be relocated stores. As part of this program, we also plan to continue remodeling stores. An integral part of the program is a new prototype store. Approximately 150 new or relocated stores have been constructed and opened utilizing the new prototype. We expect that almost all of the planned new and relocated stores will be the new prototype store. We

6




believe that this program, over the longer term, along with the execution of our near term strategy of improving store productivity, will increase our sales and customer satisfaction.

Grow our Pharmacy Sales and Attract More Customers.   We believe that customer service and convenience are key factors to growing pharmacy sales. To improve customer service, we are focused on our “With Us, It’s Personal” program that is aimed at delivering more personalized service along with timely delivery to our customers. To help our pharmacists do this, we developed and implemented a new pharmacy management and dispensing system and expect to implement this system in the Brooks and Eckerd stores that we acquire in the pending acquisition. This system, which we call “Nexgen,” provides our pharmacists with better tools and information to meet our customers’ needs. In addition, Nexgen provides management with important information about the performance of each pharmacy in critical operating areas that drive customer service. We provide our customers with an easy and convenient way to order refills over the telephone or the internet using our automatic refill program. To provide better value to our customers we recommend, when appropriate, the utilization of generic drugs. Generic drugs, which often cost our customers significantly less than a branded drug, are also more profitable for us. Our generic penetration continues to increase every year, and we are setting our goals even higher in future years to take advantage of the substantial number of new generics expected to come to market.

The Medicare Part D program provides prescription drug coverage to senior citizens, including those who previously were not covered by any drug benefit program. We communicate information on the Medicare Part D program to senior citizens. We also offer senior citizens newsletters and prescription discounts through our Living More program, a customer loyalty program. We have also expanded our home health category to target senior citizens with products like wheelchairs, canes, electric scooters and products that enhance bath safety. We believe that programs like these will help us to grow prescription sales in this important market.

To help grow sales and script count, we acquire pharmacy files from other drug stores and have initiatives designed to attract and retain those customers. Other initiatives that we expect to grow our pharmacy sales include the opening of in-store health clinics such as those in the Los Angeles, California and Sacramento, California areas, and the continuing pilot of a medication therapy management program, a fee for service arrangement, in conjunction with physicians and the University of Pittsburgh. We believe these initiatives have been effective at growing sales in their target markets and have scalable, replicable potential for future expansion.

We also have the capability to provide pharmacy benefit management ("PBM") services to employers, health plans and insurance companies. We intend to offer, through our PBM capabilities, a 90 day at retail alternative to mail order. We believe that providing PBM services will create opportunities to direct customers to our stores.

Grow Front-End Sales.   We intend to grow front-end sales through continued emphasis on core drugstore categories, a commitment to health and wellness products to enhance our pharmacy position, a focus on seasonal and cross-merchandising, offering a wider selection of products and services to our customers and effective promotions in our weekly advertising circulars. Our focus for expanding our products and services includes several fully integrated health condition marketing programs, e.g., diabetes, allergy, vitamins, heart health, skincare and pain management, a continued strengthening of our collaborative relationship with our suppliers, an emphasis on our Rite Aid private brand products, which provide better value for our customers and higher margins for us, offering ethnic products targeted to selected markets, expansion of the number of GNC store-within-Rite Aid-store, and utilizing digital technology in our one-hour photo development. We believe that the new store and relocation program described earlier will also contribute to an increase in our front-end sales.

The average front-end sales per store for the Rite Aid stores are approximately 35% more than the average front-end sales per store for the Brooks and Eckerd stores located in the same markets, even

7




though the average square footage of such Rite Aid stores is slightly less than the average square footage of such Brooks and Eckerd stores. Our goal is to increase the average Brooks and Eckerd front-end sales per store to the level of the average Rite-Aid front-end sales per store. We believe that following the consummation of the pending acquisition, the implementation of the Rite Aid “best practices” described in the previous paragraph will increase the average Brooks and Eckerd front-end sales per store to a level similar to the average Rite Aid front-end sales per store.

Focus on Customers and Associates.   Our “With Us, It’s Personal” commitment encourages associates to provide customers with a superior customer service experience. We obtain feedback on our customer service performance by utilizing an automated survey system that collects store specific information from customers shortly after the point of sale and from independent third party customer surveys. We also have programs in place that are designed to enhance customer satisfaction, an example of which is the maintenance of a customer support center that centrally receives and processes all customer calls. We continue to develop and implement associate training programs such as our “Take 10” program to improve customer satisfaction and educate our associates about the products we offer. We have implemented programs that create compensatory and other incentives for associates to provide customers with excellent service. We believe that these steps further enable and motivate our associates to deliver superior customer service.

Expense Control and Cost Savings Through Synergies.   In our existing stores, and in the combined company upon completion of the pending acquisition, our goal is to either reduce costs, lower expense or contain expense in order to leverage the pharmacy and front end sales growth strategies described earlier, which will allow for more investment in the strategies important for our future. We budget and monitor all areas of expense and have also targeted areas of spending for continuous improvement. Our targeted expense areas are subject to analysis of the processes involved, with an emphasis on collaboration between areas in the company and vendors, utilization of competition between vendors and consolidation of spending volumes to achieve economies of scale. Examples of expense areas that are targeted for continuous improvement include: (i) inventory returns, (ii) utility expense and (iii) temporary labor. We have begun to implement strategies to reduce the volume of merchandise returns and thereby reduce the labor expense and inventory valuation losses related to returns. We also have taken steps to better control utility expense by focusing on improving the energy management practices, replacing certain equipment to lower consumption and accessing alternative energy sources for a lower cost. We have begun the process of consolidating the various temporary labor arrangements throughout our business to achieve economies of scale.

In addition to the focus and activities described in the previous paragraph, following consummation of the pending acquisition which we expect to happen at the end of our first quarter of fiscal 2008, we estimate that net reductions in costs and expenses of approximately $155 million (which is net of assumed loss of store level EBITDA due to store disposals as mandated by regulatory authorities and additional labor and benefit expense), will be realized in the area of merchandise purchasing, advertising, distribution and administration. Beginning in fiscal 2009, we estimate that annual net reductions in costs and expenses of approximately $225 million (which is net of an assumed loss of $15 million of store-level EBITDA and $50 million of additional labor and benefit expense) will be realized. The general categories of anticipated cost and expense reduction opportunities are cost of product, corporate administrative expenses, advertising expenses and other expense reduction opportunities. We estimate cost of product reductions of approximately $155 million, primarily from purchasing certain products for all stores at lower costs and increases in vendor support. We also estimate corporate administrative expense reductions of approximately $55 million, related to the consolidation of the Brooks and Eckerd headquarter functions into the Rite Aid headquarter functions. We estimate advertising expense reductions of approximately $45 million, from eliminating advertising expense that is duplicated in common markets. We also expect other expense reduction opportunities of approximately $35 million in areas such as energy management,

8




physical inventory processes and supply procurement processes. We also expect other benefits and synergies to result from additional operational efficiencies, greater economies of scale and revenue enhancement opportunities. However, the timing and size of these other benefits and synergies cannot be currently determined. We can provide no assurance that the anticipated benefits and synergies from the pending acquisition described herein will be realized upon consummation of the pending acquisition.

Products and Services

Sales of prescription drugs represented approximately 63.7%, 63.2%, and 63.6% of our total sales fiscal years 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. In fiscal years 2007, 2006 and 2005, prescription drug sales were $11.1 billion, $10.9 billion, and $10.7 billion, respectively. See “Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements.

We sell approximately 26,000 different types of non-prescription, or front-end products. The types and number of front-end products in each store vary, and selections are based on customer needs and preferences and available space. No single front-end product category contributed significantly to our sales during fiscal 2007, although certain front-end product classes contributed in excess of 10% to our sales. Our principal classes of products in fiscal 2007 were the following:

Product Class

 

 

 

Percentage of
 Sales

 

Prescription drugs

 

 

63.7

%

 

Over-the-counter medications and personal care

 

 

21.5

%

 

Health and beauty aids

 

 

4.7

%

 

General merchandise and other

 

 

10.1

%

 

 

We offer approximately 3,000 products under the Rite Aid private brand, which contributed approximately  12.6% of our front-end sales in the categories where private brand products were offered in fiscal 2007. During fiscal 2007, we added approximately 244 products under our private brand. We intend to continue to increase the number of private brand products.

We have a strategic alliance with GNC under which we have opened 1,270 GNC “stores-within-Rite Aid-stores.”  We have incorporated the GNC store-within-Rite Aid store into our new and relocated stores and intend to incorporate the GNC store-within-RiteAid-store concept into the Brooks Eckerd stores that we acquire where appropriate.

Technology

All of our stores are integrated into a common information system, which enables our customers to fill or refill prescriptions in any of our stores throughout the country, reduces chances of adverse drug interactions, and enables our pharmacists to fill prescriptions more accurately and efficiently. This system can be expanded to accommodate new stores. We expect to integrate all of the Brooks Eckerd stores that we acquire into our information system following the consummation of the pending acquisition. Our customers may also order prescription refills over the Internet through www.riteaid.com powered by drugstore.com, or over the phone through our telephonic rapid automated refill systems, which we also expect to be made available at all of the Brooks and Eckerd stores that we acquire. As of March 3, 2007 we had installed ScriptPro automated pharmacy dispensing units, which are linked to our pharmacists’ computers and fill and label prescription drug orders, in 966 stores, and we expect to extend this technology to the Brooks and Eckerd stores where appropriate. The efficiency of ScriptPro units allows our pharmacists to spend an increased amount of time consulting with our customers. Additionally, each of our stores employs point-of-sale technology that supports sales analysis and recognition of customer

9




trends. This same point-of-sale technology facilitates the maintenance of perpetual inventory records which together are the basis for our automated inventory replenishment process.

In fiscal 2005, we completed the roll-out of our next generation pharmacy dispensing system, and expanded e-prescribing services to all of our stores. We expect to integrate all of the Brooks and Eckerd stores that we acquire into our next generation pharmacy dispensing system and to extend e-prescribing services to all of the Brooks and Eckerd stores that we acquire. We believe our next generation pharmacy system has enhanced management of customers’ prescription orders, assignment of responsibilities within the pharmacy, quality control and measurement and monitoring of each of our pharmacies’ key performance indicators, which include timeliness, completeness, and backlog. Our next generation pharmacy system was designed with optimal ease of use in mind so as to further enable our pharmacists to work directly with customers and doctors.

Suppliers

We purchase almost all of our generic (non-brand name) pharmaceuticals directly from manufacturers. During fiscal 2007, we purchased brand pharmaceuticals and some generic pharmaceuticals, which amounted to approximately 94% of the dollar volume of our prescription drugs, from a single wholesaler, McKesson Corp (“McKesson”), under a contract, which runs through March 2009. We expect to continue to purchase a significant volume of our prescription drugs from McKesson subsequent to the pending acquisition. Under the contract, with limited exceptions, we are required to purchase all of our branded pharmaceutical products from McKesson. If our relationship with McKesson was disrupted, we could temporarily have difficulty filling brand drug prescriptions until we executed a replacement strategy, which could negatively affect our business.

We purchase our non-pharmaceutical merchandise from numerous manufacturers and wholesalers. We believe that competitive sources are readily available for substantially all of the non-pharmaceutical merchandise we carry and that the loss of any one supplier would not have a material effect on our business.

We sell private brand and co-branded products that generally are supplied by numerous competitive sources. The Rite Aid and GNC co-branded PharmAssure vitamin and mineral supplement products and the GNC branded vitamin and mineral supplement products that we sell in our stores are developed by GNC, and along with our Rite Aid brand vitamin and mineral supplements, are manufactured by GNC.

Customers and Third Party Payors

During fiscal 2007, our stores served an average of 1.7 million customers per day. The loss of any one customer would not have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.

In fiscal 2007, 95.4% of our pharmacy sales were to customers covered by health plan contracts which typically contract with third parties payors (such as insurance companies, prescription benefit management companies, governmental agencies, private employers, health maintenance organizations or other managed care providers) that agree to pay for all or a portion of a customer’s eligible prescription purchases and negotiate with us for reduced prescription rates. During fiscal 2007, the top five third party payors accounted for approximately 31.2% of our total sales, the largest of which represented 9.4% of our total sales. During fiscal 2007, Medicaid related sales were approximately 6.8% of our total sales, of which the largest single Medicaid payor was less than 2% of our total sales.

Competition

The retail drugstore industry is highly competitive. We compete with, among others, retail drugstore chains, independently owned drugstores, supermarkets, mass merchandisers, discount stores, dollar stores

10




and mail order pharmacies. We compete on the basis of store location and convenient access, customer service, product selection and price. We believe continued consolidation of the drugstore industry, continued new store openings and increased mail order will further increase competitive pressures in the industry.

Marketing and Advertising

In fiscal 2007, marketing and advertising expense was $295.2 million, which was spent primarily on weekly circular advertising. We have implemented various programs that are designed to support our health and wellness vision and improve our image with customers by delivering upon our “With Us, It’s Personal” brand promise. These include health condition marketing platforms focused on specific health conditions, increased GNC presence through expanded locations and promotional activity, continuation of our Rite Aid Health and Beauty Expos, and marketing and merchandising strategies that capitalize on emerging beauty trends such as men’s grooming, spa products, proprietary cosmetics and skincare. We continue to implement programs that are specifically directed to our pharmacy business. These include promotions that provide incentives for customers that transfer their prescriptions to us, a card-based loyalty program for senior citizens called “Living More” that provides meaningful discounts and targeted newsletters and offers, direct marketing programs, comprehensive health condition management programs, and other educational materials to help customers with their healthcare decisions. We are creating a more inviting store environment for our Hispanic customers through tailored product assortments and bi-lingual signing and advertising in stores with large Hispanic customer bases.

Associates

We believe that our relationships with our associates are good. As of March 3, 2007, we had approximately 69,700 associates, 13% of which were pharmacists, 46% of which were part-time and 37% of which were unionized. Associate satisfaction is critical to the success of our strategy. We have surveyed our associates to obtain feedback on various employment-related topics, including job satisfaction and their understanding of our core values and mission.

There is a national shortage of pharmacists. We have implemented various associate incentive plans in order to attract and retain qualified pharmacists, have added a survey to find out how newly hired pharmacists are doing and have an advisory board made up entirely of associates that are pharmacists. We have also expanded our efforts in recruitment of pharmacists through an increase in the number of recruiters, a successful pharmacist intern program, improved relations with pharmacy schools and an international recruiting program.

Research and Development

We do not make significant expenditures for research and development.

Licenses, Trademarks and Patents

The Rite Aid name is our most significant trademark and the most important factor in marketing our stores and private brand products. We hold licenses to sell beer, wine and liquor, cigarettes and lottery tickets. As part of our strategic alliance with GNC we have a license to operate GNC “stores-within-Rite Aid-stores”. Additionally, we hold licenses granted to us by the Nevada Gaming Commission that allow us to place slot machines in our Nevada stores. We also hold licenses to operate our pharmacies and our distribution facilities. Together, these licenses are material to our operations.

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Seasonality

We experience moderate seasonal fluctuations in our results of operations concentrated in the first and fourth fiscal quarters as the result of the concentration of the cough, cold and flu season and the holidays. We tailor certain front-end merchandise to capitalize on holidays and seasons. We increase our inventory levels during our third fiscal quarter in anticipation of the seasonal fluctuations described above. Our results of operations in the fourth and first fiscal quarters may fluctuate based upon the timing and severity of the cough, cold and flu season, both of which are unpredictable.

Regulation

Our business is subject to federal, state, and local government laws, regulations and administrative practices. We must comply with numerous provisions regulating health and safety, equal employment opportunity, minimum wage and licensing for the sale of drugs, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and other products. In addition we must comply with regulations pertaining to product labeling, dating and pricing.

Pursuant to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (“OBRA”) and comparable state regulations, our pharmacists are required to offer counseling, without additional charge, to our customers about medication, dosage, delivery systems, common side effects and other information deemed significant by the pharmacists and may have a duty to warn customers regarding any potential adverse effects of a prescription drug if the warning could reduce or negate such effect.

The appropriate state boards of pharmacy must license our pharmacies and pharmacists. Our pharmacies and distribution centers are also registered with the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration and are subject to Federal Drug Enforcement Agency regulations relative to our pharmacy operations, including regulations governing purchasing, storing and dispensing of controlled substances. Applicable licensing and registration requirements require our compliance with various state statutes, rules and/or regulations. If we were to violate any applicable statute, rule or regulation, our licenses and registrations could be suspended or revoked and we could be subject to fines or penalties.

In recent years, an increasing number of legislative proposals have been enacted, introduced or proposed in Congress and in some state legislatures that effect or would effect major changes in the healthcare system, either nationally or at the state level. The legislative initiatives include drug importation, changes in qualified participants and changes in reimbursement levels. Although we believe we are well positioned to respond to these developments, we cannot predict the long-term outcome or effect of legislation from these efforts.

Our pharmacy business is subject to patient privacy and other obligations, including corporate, pharmacy and associate responsibility imposed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. As a covered entity, we are required to implement privacy standards, train our associates on the permitted uses and disclosures of protected health information, provide a notice of privacy practice to our pharmacy customers and permit pharmacy customers to access and amend their records and receive an accounting of disclosures of protected health information. Failure to properly adhere to these requirements could result in the imposition of civil as well as criminal penalties.

We are also subject to laws governing our relationship with our associates, including minimum wage requirements, overtime and working conditions. Increases in the federal minimum wage rate, associate benefit costs or other costs related to associates could adversely affect our results of operations.

In addition, in connection with the ownership and operations of our stores, distribution centers and other sites, we are subject to laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment  and health and safety matters, including those governing the management and disposal of hazardous substances and the cleanup of contaminated sites. Violations of or liabilities under these laws and regulations as a result of

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our current or former operations or historical activities at our sites, such as gasoline service stations and dry cleaners, could result in significant costs.

Corporate Governance and Internet Address

We recognize that good corporate governance is an important means of protecting the interests of our stockholders, associates, customers, and the community. We have closely monitored and implemented relevant legislative and regulatory corporate governance reforms, including provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”), the rules of the SEC interpreting and implementing Sarbanes-Oxley, and the corporate governance listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

Our corporate governance information and materials, including our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, Corporate Governance Guidelines, the charters of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee, our Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers, our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and our Related Person Transaction Policy are posted on the corporate governance section of our website at www.riteaid.com and are available in print upon request to Rite Aid Corporation, 30 Hunter Lane, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Our Board will regularly review corporate governance developments and modify these materials and practices as warranted.

Our website also provides information on how to contact us and other items of interest to investors. We make available on our website, free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we file these reports with, or furnish to, the SEC.

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Item 1A.                Risk Factors

Factors Affecting our Future Prospects

Set forth below is a description of certain risk factors which we believe may be relevant to an understanding of us and our business. Security holders are cautioned that these and other factors may affect future performance and cause actual results to differ from those which may, from time to time, be anticipated. See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Risks Related to Our Financial Condition

We are highly leveraged. Our substantial indebtedness could limit cash flow available for our operations and could adversely affect our ability to service debt or obtain additional financing if necessary.

We had, as of March 3, 2007, $3.1 billion of outstanding indebtedness and stockholders’ equity of approximately $1.66 billion. We also had additional borrowing capacity under our existing $1.75 billion senior secured revolving credit facility of approximately $1.33 billion at that time, net of outstanding letters of credit of $117.1 million. At the time of closing for the pending acquisition, we will fund the $2.3 billion cash portion of the purchase price with the issuance of additional debt.

 Our debt obligations adversely affect our operations in a number of ways and while we believe we have adequate sources of liquidity to meet our anticipated requirements for working capital, debt service and capital expenditures through fiscal year 2008, there can be no assurance that our cash flow from operations will be sufficient to service our debt, which may require us to borrow additional funds for that purpose, restructure or otherwise refinance our debt. Our earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges for fiscal 2007, 2006, 2004, and 2003 by $50.8 million, $23.1 million, $2.6 million, and $204.3 million, respectively. Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for fiscal 2005 was 1.15.

Our high level of indebtedness will continue to restrict our operations. Among other things, our indebtedness will:

·       limit our ability to obtain additional financing;

·       limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in the markets in which we compete;

·       place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to our competitors with less indebtedness;

·       render us more vulnerable to general adverse economic, regulatory and industry conditions; and

·       require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to service our debt.

Our ability to meet our cash requirements, including our debt service obligations, both now and after the consummation of the pending acquisition, will be dependent upon our ability to substantially improve our operating performance, which will be subject to general economic and competitive conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which we cannot control. If our cash flow from our operating activities is insufficient, we may take certain actions, including delaying or reducing capital or other expenditures, attempting to restructure or refinance our debt, selling assets or operations or seeking additional equity capital. We may be unable to take any of these actions on satisfactory terms or in a timely manner. Further, any of these actions may not be sufficient to allow us to service our debt obligations or may have an adverse impact on our business. Our existing debt agreements limit our ability to take certain of these actions. Our failure to generate sufficient operating cash flow to pay our debts or to successfully undertake any of these actions could have a material adverse effect on us.

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Borrowings under our existing and new credit facilities and expenses related to the sale of our accounts receivable under our receivables securitization agreements are based upon variable rates of interest, which could result in higher expense in the event of increases in interest rates.

Approximately $445 million of our outstanding indebtedness as of March 3, 2007 and approximately $1.1 billion of debt to be issued at the time of closing for the pending acquisition bears or will bear an interest rate that varies depending upon the Londan Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). If we borrow additional amounts under our senior credit facility, the interest rate on those borrowings will also vary depending upon LIBOR. Further, we pay ongoing program fees under our receivables securitization agreements that vary depending upon LIBOR. If LIBOR rises, the interest rates on outstanding debt and the program fees under our receivables securitization program will increase. Therefore an increase in LIBOR would increase our interest payment obligations under these loans, increase our receivables securitization program fee payments and have a negative effect on our cash flow and financial condition. We currently do not maintain any hedging contracts that would limit our exposure to variable rates of interest.

The covenants in our current indebtedness and the indebtedness to be incurred to finance the acquisition impose restrictions that may limit our operating and financial flexibility.

The covenants in the instruments that govern our current indebtedness and the indebtedness to be incurred in connection with the pending acquisition limit our ability to:

·       incur liens and debt;

·       pay dividends;

·       make redemptions and repurchases of capital stock;

·       make loans and investments;

·       prepay, redeem or repurchase debt;

·       engage in acquisitions, consolidations, assets dispositions, sale-leaseback transactions and affiliate transactions;

·       change our business;

·       amend some of our debt and other material agreements;

·       issue and sell capital stock of subsidiaries;

·       restrict distributions from subsidiaries; and

·       grant negative pledges to other creditors.

In addition, if we have less than $100.0 million of revolver availability under our senior secured credit facility, we will be subject to a fixed charge coverage ratio maintenance test. If we are unable to meet the terms of the financial covenants or if we breach any of these covenants, a default could result under one or more of these agreements. A default, if not waived by our lenders, could result in the acceleration of our outstanding indebtedness and cause our debt to become immediately due and payable. If acceleration occurs, we would not be able to repay our debt and it is unlikely that we would be able to borrow sufficient additional funds to refinance such debt. Even if new financing is made available to us, it may not be available on terms acceptable to us. If we obtain modifications of our agreements, or are required to obtain waivers of defaults, we may incur significant fees and transaction costs.

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Risks Related to Our Operations

We need to continue to improve our operations in order to improve our financial condition, but our operations will not improve if we cannot continue to effectively implement our business strategy or if our strategy is negatively affected by general economic conditions.

We have not yet achieved the sales productivity level of our major competitors. We believe that improving the sales of existing stores is important to improving profitability and operating cash flow. If we are not successful in implementing our strategy, or if our strategy is not effective, we may not be able to improve our operations. In addition, any adverse change in general economic conditions or major industries can adversely affect drug benefit plans and reduce our pharmacy sales or can adversely affect consumer buying practices and reduce our sales of front-end products, and cause a decrease in our profitability. Failure to continue to improve operations or a decline in major industries or general economic conditions would adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows and our ability to make principal or interest payments on our debt.

Our new store and store relocation development program requires entering construction and development commitments and occasionally purchasing land that will not be utilized for several years which may limit our financial flexibility.

We will enter into significant construction and development commitments as part of our new store and store relocation development program. Also, we will occasionally make capital expenditures to acquire land that may not be used for several years. Even if there are significant negative economic or competitive developments in our industry, financial condition or the regions where we have made these commitments, we are obligated to fulfill these commitments. Further, if we subsequently dispose of the property that we acquire, we may receive less than our purchase price or the net book value of such property, which may result in financial loss.

We are dependent on our management team, and the loss of their services could have a material adverse effect on our business and the results of our operations or financial condition.

The success of our business is materially dependent upon the continued services of our executive management team. The loss of key personnel could have a material adverse effect on the results of our operations, financial condition or cash flows. Additionally, we cannot assure you that we will be able to attract or retain other skilled personnel in the future.

We are substantially dependent on a single wholesaler of branded pharmaceutical products to sell products to us on satisfactory terms. A disruption in this relationship may have a negative effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.

We purchase all of our brand prescription drugs from a single wholesaler, McKesson, pursuant to a contract that runs through March 2009. Pharmacy sales represented approximately 63.7% of our total sales during fiscal 2007, and, therefore, our relationship with McKesson is important to us. Any significant disruptions in our relationship with McKesson would make it difficult for us to continue to operate our business until we executed a replacement strategy. There can be no assurance that we would be able to find a replacement supplier on a timely basis or that such supplier would be able to fulfill our demands on similar terms, which would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

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Risks Related to Our Industry

The markets in which we operate are very competitive and further increases in competition could adversely affect us.

We face intense competition with local, regional and national companies, including other drugstore chains, independently owned drugstores, supermarkets, mass merchandisers, discount stores, dollar stores and mail order pharmacies. Our industry also faces growing competition from companies who import drugs directly from other countries, such as Canada, as well as from large-scale retailers that offer generic drugs at a substantial discount. Some of our competitors have or may merge with or acquire pharmaceutical services companies, which may further increase competition. We may not be able to effectively compete against them because our existing or potential competitors may have financial and other resources that are superior to ours. In addition, we may be at a competitive disadvantage because we are more highly leveraged than our competitors. The ability of our stores to achieve profitability depends on their ability to achieve a critical mass of customers. We believe that the continued consolidation of the drugstore industry will further increase competitive pressures in the industry. As competition increases, a significant increase in general pricing pressures could occur, which would require us to increase our sales volume and to sell higher margin products and services in order to remain competitive. We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue effectively to compete in our markets or increase our sales volume in response to further increased competition.

Drug benefit plan sponsors and third party payors could change their plan eligibility criteria and further encourage or require the use of mail-order prescriptions which could decrease our sales and reduce our margins and have a material adverse effect on our business.

An adverse trend for drugstore retailing has been initiatives to contain rising healthcare costs leading to the rapid growth in mail-order prescription processors. These prescription distribution methods have grown in market share relative to drugstores as a result of the rapid rise in drug costs experienced in recent years and are predicted to continue to rise. Mail-order prescription distribution methods are perceived by employers and insurers as being less costly than traditional distribution methods and are being encouraged, and, in some cases, required, by third party pharmacy benefit managers, employers and unions that administer benefits. As a result, some labor unions and employers are requiring, and others may encourage or require, that their members or employees obtain medications from mail-order pharmacies which offer drug prescriptions at prices lower than we are able to offer.

Another adverse trend for drugstore retailing has been for drug benefit plan sponsors and third party payors to change their plan eligibility requirements resulting in fewer beneficiaries covered and a reduction in the number of prescriptions allowed.

Mail-order prescription distribution and drug benefit plan eligibility changes have negatively affected sales for traditional chain drug retailers, including us, in the last few years and we expect such negative effect to continue in the future. There can be no assurance that our efforts to offset the effects of mail order and eligibility changes will be successful.

The availability of pharmacy drugs is subject to governmental regulations.

The continued conversion of various prescription drugs to over-the-counter medications may reduce our pharmacy sales and customers may seek to purchase such medications at non-pharmacy stores. Also, if the rate at which new prescription drugs become available slows or if new prescription drugs that are introduced into the market fail to achieve popularity, our pharmacy sales may be adversely affected. The withdrawal of certain drugs from the market or concerns about the safety or effectiveness of certain drugs or negative publicity surrounding certain categories of drugs may also have a negative effect on our pharmacy sales or may cause shifts in our pharmacy or front-end product mix.

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Changes in third party reimbursement levels for prescription drugs could reduce our margins and have a material adverse effect on our business.

Sales of prescription drugs, as a percentage of sales, and the percentage of prescription sales reimbursed by third parties, have been increasing and we expect them to continue to increase. In fiscal 2007, sales of prescription drugs represented 63.7% of our sales and 95.4% of all of the prescription drugs that we sold were with third party payors. During fiscal 2007, the top five third-party payors accounted for approximately 31.2% of our total sales, the largest of which represented 9.4% of our total sales. Third party payors could reduce the levels at which they will reimburse us for the prescription drugs that we provide to their members. Any significant loss of third-party payor business or any significant reduction in reimbursement levels could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

In fiscal 2007, approximately 6.8% of our revenues were from state sponsored Medicaid agencies, the largest of which was 2% of our total sales. In fiscal 2007, approximately 13% of our prescription sales were to customers covered by Medicare Part D, and we expect these sales to continue. There have been a number of recent proposals and enactments by the Federal government and various states to reduce Medicaid reimbursement levels in response to budget problems, some of which propose to reduce reimbursement levels in the applicable states significantly, and we expect other similar proposals in the future. If third party payors reduce their reimbursement levels or if Medicare Part D or state Medicaid programs cover prescription drugs at lower reimbursement levels, our margins on these sales would be reduced, and the profitability of our business and our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows could be adversely affected.

We are subject to governmental regulations, procedures and requirements; our noncompliance or a significant regulatory change could adversely affect our business, the results of our operations or our financial condition.

Our business is subject to federal, state and local government laws, regulations and administrative practices. We must comply with numerous provisions regulating health and safety, equal employment opportunity, minimum wage and licensing for the sale of drugs, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and other products. In addition, we must comply with regulations pertaining to product labeling, dating and pricing. Our pharmacy business is subject to local registrations in the states where our pharmacies are located, applicable Medicare and Medicaid regulations and prohibitions against paid referrals of patients. Failure to properly adhere to these and other applicable regulations could result in the imposition of civil and criminal penalties including suspension of payments from government programs; loss of required government certifications; loss of authorizations to participate in or exclusion from government reimbursement programs, such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs; loss of licenses; significant fines or monetary penalties for anti-kickback law violations, submission of false claims or other failures to meet reimbursement program requirements and could adversely affect the continued operation of our business.

Our pharmacy business is subject to the patient privacy and other obligations including corporate, pharmacy and associate responsibility, imposed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. As a covered entity, we are required to implement privacy standards, train our associates on the permitted use and disclosures of protected health information, provide a notice of privacy practice to our pharmacy customers and permit pharmacy health customers to access and amend their records and receive an accounting of disclosures of protected health information. Failure to properly adhere to these requirements could result in the imposition of civil as well as criminal penalties.

Federal and state reform programs, such as healthcare reform and enforcement initiatives of federal and state governments may also affect our pharmacy business. These initiatives include:

·       proposals designed to significantly reduce spending on Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs;

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·       changes in programs providing for reimbursement for the cost of prescription drugs by third party plans;

·       increased scrutiny of, and litigation relating to, prescription drug manufacturers’ pricing and marketing pactices; and

·       regulatory changes relating to the approval process for prescription drugs.

These initiatives could lead to the enactment of, or changes to, federal regulations and state regulations that could adversely impact our prescription drug sales and, accordingly, our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. It is uncertain at this time what additional healthcare reform initiatives, if any, will be implemented, or whether there will be other changes in the administration of governmental healthcare programs or interpretations of governmental policies or other changes affecting the healthcare system. Future healthcare or budget legislation or other changes, including those referenced above, may materially adversely impact our pharmacy sales.

Certain risks are inherent in providing pharmacy services; our insurance may not be adequate to cover any claims against us.

Pharmacies are exposed to risks inherent in the packaging and distribution of pharmaceuticals and other healthcare products, such as with respect to improper filling of prescriptions, labeling of prescriptions, adequacy of warnings and unintentional distribution of counterfeit drugs. In addition, federal and state laws that require our pharmacists to offer counseling, without additional charge, to their customers about medication, dosage, delivery systems, common side effects and other information the pharmacists deem significant can impact our business. Our pharmacists may also have a duty to warn customers regarding any potential negative effects of a prescription drug if the warning could reduce or negate these effects. Although we maintain professional liability and errors and omissions liability insurance, from time to time, claims result in the payment of significant amounts, some portions of which are not funded by insurance. We cannot assure you that the coverage limits under our insurance programs will be adequate to protect us against future claims, or that we will be able to maintain this insurance on acceptable terms in the future. Our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows may be adversely affected if in the future our insurance coverage proves to be inadequate or unavailable or there is an increase in liability for which we self-insure or we suffer reputational harm as a result of an error or omission.

We will not be able to compete effectively if we are unable to attract, hire and retain qualified pharmacists.

There is a nationwide shortage of qualified pharmacists. However, we may not be able to attract, hire and retain enough qualified pharmacists. This could adversely affect our operations.

We may be subject to significant liability should the consumption of any of our products cause injury, illness or death.

Products that we sell could become subject to contamination, product tampering, mislabeling or other damage requiring us to recall our private label products. In addition, errors in the dispensing and packaging of pharmaceuticals could lead to serious injury or death. Product liability claims may be asserted against us with respect to any of the products or pharmaceuticals we sell and we may be obligated to recall our private brand products. A product liability judgment against us or a product recall could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

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Risks Related to The Pending Acquisition

Although we expect that the pending acquisition of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains will result in benefits to us, we may not realize those benefits because of integration difficulties.

Integrating the operations of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains successfully or otherwise realizing any of the anticipated benefits of the acquisition including anticipated cost savings and additional revenue opportunities, involve a number of potential challenges. The failure to meet these integration challenges could seriously harm our results of operations .

Realizing the benefits of the acquisition will depend in part on the integration of information technology, operations and personnel. These integration activities are complex and time-consuming and we may encounter unexpected difficulties or incur unexpected costs, including:

·       diversion of management attention from ongoing business concerns to integration matters;

·       difficulties in consolidating and rationalizing information technology platforms and administrative infrastructures;

·       difficulties in integrating the Brooks and Eckerd store operations to serve the combined customer base of Rite Aid and the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains;

·       difficulties in converting the distribution centers;

·       difficulties in combining corporate cultures, maintaining associate morale and retaining key associates; and

·       challenges in demonstrating to our customers and to customers of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains that the acquisition will not result in adverse changes in customer service standards or business focus.

We expect to spend approximately $475 million of integration-related capital expenditures and to incur $205 million of integration-related non-recurring expenses during the 16-month integration period. If the anticipated benefits and synergies are not realized, or if the integration-related expenses and capital requirements are greater than anticipated, the anticipated accretive effect of the acquisition could be decreased or delayed, which could cause a decline in the price of our common stock.

Moreover, the Brooks and Eckerd chains are not fully integrated with one another and in many instances operate using different systems. As a result, following the pending acquisition, we will be undertaking to integrate not one but two drugstore chains into our operations. Complications in integrating these two drugstore chains could increase our integration costs and make it more difficult to achieve a successful integration following the acquisition.

We may not successfully integrate the operations of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains in a timely manner and we may not realize the anticipated net reductions in costs and expenses and other benefits and synergies of the pending acquisition of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains to the extent, or in the timeframe, anticipated. In addition to the integration risks discussed above, our ability to realize these net reductions in costs and expenses and other benefits and synergies could be adversely impacted by practical or legal constraints on our ability to combine operations.

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Following the pending acquisition, for so long as Jean Coutu Group (and, subject to certain conditions, certain members of the Coutu family) maintain certain levels of Rite Aid stock ownership, Jean Coutu Group (and, subject to certain conditions, certain members of the Coutu family) will exercise significant influence over us.

When the pending acquisition is completed, Jean Coutu Group will own approximately 30.2% of the voting power of Rite Aid. As a result, Jean Coutu Group (and, subject to certain conditions, certain members of the Coutu family) generally will have the ability to significantly influence the outcome of any matter submitted for the vote of Rite Aid stockholders. The stockholder agreement provides that Jean Coutu Group (and, subject to certain conditions, certain members of the Coutu family) will designate four of the fourteen members of the Rite Aid board of directors, subject to adjustment based on its ownership position in Rite Aid. Accordingly, Jean Coutu Group generally will be able to significantly influence the outcome of all matters that come before the Rite Aid board of directors. As a result of its significant interest in Rite Aid, Jean Coutu Group may have the power, subject to applicable law (including the fiduciary duties of the directors designated by Jean Coutu Group), to significantly influence actions that might be favorable to Jean Coutu Group, but not necessarily favorable to Rite Aid’s financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the ownership position and governance rights of Jean Coutu Group could discourage a third party from proposing a change of control or other strategic transaction concerning Rite Aid. As a result, the common stock of Rite Aid could trade at a price that does not reflect a “takeover premium” to the same extent as do the stocks of similarly situated companies that do not have a stockholder with an ownership interest as large as that of Jean Coutu Group.

We will incur significant indebtedness in connection with the acquisition of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains and the resulting debt service obligations may significantly limit our ability to execute our business strategy and increase the risk of default under our debt obligations.

We intend to borrow approximately $2.4 billion in connection with our financing for the acquisition of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains. It is a condition to the completion of the acquisition that we shall have received the proceeds of the financing in an amount sufficient to consummate the acquisition. Although we currently expect that such financing will be available on commercially reasonable terms, there can be no assurance of this. If we are unable to consummate a permanent debt financing, we may enter into a bridge facility of up to $1.72 billion that is likely to be on terms substantially more restrictive and is likely to be more costly than the terms of the contemplated financing.

Following the completion of the acquisition, our ability to meet our cash requirements, including our debt service obligations, will be dependent upon our ability to substantially improve our operating performance, which will be subject to general economic and competitive conditions and to financial, business and other factors affecting our operations, many of which are or may be beyond our control. In addition, some of these debt service obligations have interest payments that are subject to variable interest rates and are therefore dependent upon future interest rates which are beyond our control. We cannot provide assurance that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations to fund these cash requirements and debt service obligations. If our operating results, cash flow or capital resources prove inadequate, or if interest rates increase significantly, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt and other obligations. If we are unable to service our debt, we could be forced to reduce or delay planned expansions and capital expenditures, sell assets, restructure or refinance our debt or seek additional equity capital, and we may be unable to take any of these actions on satisfactory terms or in a timely manner. Further, any of these actions may not be sufficient to allow us to service our debt obligations or may have an adverse impact on our business. Our existing debt agreements limit our ability to take certain of these actions. Our failure to generate sufficient operating cash flow to pay our debts or to successfully undertake any of these actions could have a material adverse effects on us.

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In addition, the degree to which we may be leveraged as a result of the indebtedness incurred in connection with the acquisition or otherwise could materially and adversely affect our ability to obtain financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements or other purposes, could make us more vulnerable to general adverse economic, regulatory and industry conditions, could limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes and opportunities in the markets in which we compete, could place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt or could require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to service our debt.

The announcement and pendency of the pending acquisition may cause disruptions in the business of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains, which could have an adverse effect on their business, financial condition or results of operations and, post-closing, our business, financial condition or results of operations.

The announcement and pendency of the pending acquisition could cause disruptions of the business of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains. Specifically:

·       certain vendors may change their programs or processes which might adversely affect the supply or cost of the products, which then might adversely affect Brooks and Eckerds’ stores sales or gross profit;

·       current and prospective associates of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains may experience uncertainty about their future roles with Rite Aid, which might adversely affect the ability of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains to attract and retain key personnel; and

·       current and prospective customers of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains may experience uncertainty about the ability of the Brooks and Eckerd stores to meet their needs, which might cause customers to make purchases or fill their prescriptions elsewhere.

These disruptions could be exacerbated by a delay in the completion of the pending acquisition and could have an adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains prior to the completion of the pending acquisition and on Rite Aid following the completion of the pending acquisition.

The pending acquisition is subject to the approvals from government entities that may not be received as well as certain closing conditions that may not be satisfied or waived. Failure to consummate the pending acquisition could have a material adverse effect on us.

We cannot complete the pending acquisition unless we receive various consents, approvals and clearances from antitrust and other authorities in the United States. While we believe that we will receive the requisite approvals from these authorities, there can be no assurance of this.

The stock purchase agreement we entered into with Jean Coutu Group contains numerous conditions to closing, the satisfaction or waiver of which are required to complete the pending acquisition. The conditions include, among others, the accuracy of our and Jean Coutu Group’s respective representations and warranties in the stock purchase agreement, as well as the performance in all material respects by us and the Jean Coutu Group of our and its respective obligations under the stock purchase agreement. There can be no assurance that the conditions required to consummate the pending acquisition will be satisfied or waived.

If the pending acquisition is not consummated for any reason, we will have incurred substantial expenses without realizing the anticipated benefits of the pending acquisition, including anticipated net reductions in costs and expenses. We have incurred substantial legal, accounting and financial advisory fees and our management has devoted considerable time and effort in connection with the pending acquisition.

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Conflicts of interest may arise between us and Jean Coutu Group, which may be resolved in a manner that adversely affects our business, financial condition or results of operations.

After the pending acquisition, Jean Coutu Group will continue its Canadian operations but will no longer have any operations in the United States; we currently have no operations in Canada. Despite the lack of geographic overlap after the transaction, conflicts of interest may arise between us and Jean Coutu Group in areas relating to past, ongoing and future relationships, including corporate opportunities, potential acquisitions or financing transactions, sales or other dispositions by Jean Coutu Group of its interests in us and the exercise by Jean Coutu Group of its influence over our management and affairs.

After the completion of the pending acquisition, a number of the directors on the Rite Aid board of directors will be persons who are also officers or directors of Jean Coutu Group or its subsidiaries. Service as a director or officer of both Rite Aid and Jean Coutu Group or its other subsidiaries could create conflicts of interest if such directors or officers are faced with decisions that could have materially different implications for Rite Aid and for Jean Coutu Group. Apart from the conflicts of interest policy contained in Rite Aid’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and applicable to Rite Aid directors, the parties have not established any formal procedures for Rite Aid and Jean Coutu Group to resolve potential or actual conflicts of interest between them. There can be no assurance that any of the foregoing conflicts will be resolved in a manner that does not adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Following the completion of the pending acquisition, we will be dependent on Jean Coutu Group for certain transitional services pursuant to a transition services agreement. The failure of Jean Coutu Group to perform its obligations under the transition services agreement could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our ability to effectively monitor and control the operations of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains we are acquiring depends to a large extent on the proper functioning of our information technology and business support systems. Following the completion of the acquisition, we will be initially dependent upon Jean Coutu Group to continue to provide certain information technology, network and support services to the Brooks and Eckerd stores for a period of time after the completion of the acquisition to facilitate the transition of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains. The terms of these arrangements will be governed by a transition services agreement to be entered into as of the closing of the acquisition. Rite Aid and Jean Coutu Group are obligated to negotiate in good faith the transition services agreement. If, however, we fail to reach a satisfactory agreement with respect to certain services or Jean Coutu Group falls to perform its obligations under the transition services agreement, we may not be able to perform such services ourselves or obtain such services from third parties at all or on terms favorable to us. In addition, upon termination of the transition services agreement, if we are unable to develop the necessary systems, resources and controls necessary to allow us to provide the services currently being provided by Jean Coutu Group or to obtain such services from third parties, it could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Subject to certain limitations, Jean Coutu Group may sell Rite Aid common stock at any time following the completion of the acquisition of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains, which could cause our stock price to decrease.

The shares of Rite Aid common stock that Jean Coutu Group will receive following the completion of the acquisition of the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains are restricted, but Jean Coutu Group may sell these shares following the acquisition under certain circumstances, including pursuant to a registered underwritten public offering under the Securities Act or in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act. We have entered into a registration rights agreement with Jean Coutu Group, which will give Jean Coutu Group the right to require us to register all or a portion of its shares at any time. The sale of a

23




substantial number of our shares by Jean Coutu Group or our other stockholders within a short period of time could cause our stock price to decrease, make it more difficult for us to raise funds through future offerings of Rite Aid common stock or acquire other businesses using Rite Aid common stock as consideration.

Upon successful completion of the pending acquisition, we will be able to issue more shares of our common stock than currently authorized. As a result, such future issuances of our common stock could have a dilutive effect on the earnings per share and voting power of current stockholders.

The amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Rite Aid common stock has been approved by our stockholders. Therefore, upon completion of the acquisition, we will be able to issue more shares of our common stock than currently authorized. Current Rite Aid stockholders do not have preemptive rights with respect to our common stock. If the Rite Aid board of directors elects to issue additional shares of common stock in the future, whether in public offerings, in connection with mergers and acquisitions, or otherwise, such additional issuances could dilute the earnings per share and voting power of current stockholders. Additionally, the amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Rite Aid common stock, which will become effective upon completion of the pending acquisition, could have an anti-takeover effect under some circumstances.

Item 1B.     Unresolved SEC Staff Comments

None

Item 2.                        Properties

As of March 3, 2007, we operated 3,333 retail drugstores. The overall average selling square feet of each store in our chain is 11,000 square feet. The overall average total square feet of each store in our chain is 12,800. The stores in the eastern part of the U.S. average 8,900 selling square feet per store (10,100 average total square feet per store). The stores in the southern part of the U.S. average 9,300 selling square feet per store (10,300 average total square feet per store). The stores in the central part of the U.S. average 9,200 selling square feet per store (10,100 average total square feet per store). The stores in the western part of the U.S. average 16,300 selling square feet per store (20,100 average total square feet per store).

Our new world store prototype, which is being utilized in our new store and store relocation program, has an overall average selling square footage of 11,500 and an overall average total square feet of 14,500. The new world store prototype in the eastern parts of the U.S. will average 10,200 square feet (13,000 average total square feet per store). The new world store prototype in the western part of the U.S. will average 14,000 selling square feet (17,400 average total square feet per store).

24




The table below identifies the number of stores by state as of March 3, 2007:

State

 

 

 

Store Count

 

Alabama

 

 

107

 

 

California

 

 

594

 

 

Colorado

 

 

23

 

 

Connecticut

 

 

35

 

 

Delaware

 

 

24

 

 

District of Columbia

 

 

7

 

 

Georgia

 

 

45

 

 

Idaho

 

 

19

 

 

Indiana

 

 

9

 

 

Kentucky

 

 

120

 

 

Louisiana

 

 

70

 

 

Maine

 

 

79

 

 

Maryland

 

 

133

 

 

Michigan

 

 

312

 

 

Mississippi

 

 

28

 

 

Nevada

 

 

35

 

 

New Hampshire

 

 

38

 

 

New Jersey

 

 

159

 

 

New York

 

 

386

 

 

Ohio

 

 

238

 

 

Oregon

 

 

70

 

 

Pennsylvania

 

 

351

 

 

Tennessee

 

 

46

 

 

Utah

 

 

24

 

 

Vermont

 

 

11

 

 

Virginia

 

 

136

 

 

Washington

 

 

132

 

 

West Virginia

 

 

102

 

 

Total

 

 

3,333

 

 

 

Our stores have the following attributes at March 3, 2007:

Attribute

 

 

 

Number

 

Percentage

 

Freestanding

 

 

1,855

 

 

 

56%

 

 

Drive through pharmacy

 

 

1,449

 

 

 

43%

 

 

One-hour photo development department

 

 

2,233

 

 

 

67%

 

 

GNC stores-within a Rite Aid-store

 

 

1,270

 

 

 

38%

 

 

 

We lease 3,116 of our operating drugstore facilities under non-cancelable leases, many of which have original terms of 10 to 22 years. In addition to minimum rental payments, which are set at competitive market rates, certain leases require additional payments based on sales volume, as well as reimbursement for taxes, maintenance and insurance. Most of our leases contain renewal options, some of which involve rent increases.

We own our corporate headquarters, which is located in a 205,000 square foot building at 30 Hunter Lane, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011. We lease 125,000 square feet of space in various buildings near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for use by additional administrative personnel.

25




We operate the following distribution centers and overflow storage locations, which we own or lease as indicated:

Location

 

 

 

Owned or
Leased

 

Approximate
Square
Footage

 

Rome, New York

 

 

Owned

 

 

 

283,000

 

 

Utica, New York(1)

 

 

Leased

 

 

 

172,000

 

 

Poca, West Virginia

 

 

Owned

 

 

 

255,000

 

 

Dunbar, West Virginia(1)

 

 

Leased

 

 

 

110,000

 

 

Perryman, Maryland

 

 

Owned

 

 

 

885,000

 

 

Belcamp, Maryland(1)

 

 

Leased

 

 

 

252,000

 

 

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

 

 

Owned

 

 

 

230,000

 

 

Cottondale, Alabama(1)

 

 

Leased

 

 

 

155,000

 

 

Pontiac, Michigan

 

 

Owned

 

 

 

325,000

 

 

Woodland, California

 

 

Owned

 

 

 

513,000

 

 

Woodland, California(1)

 

 

Leased

 

 

 

200,000

 

 

Wilsonville, Oregon

 

 

Leased

 

 

 

517,000

 

 

Wilsonville, Oregon(1)

 

 

Leased

 

 

 

96,000

 

 

Lancaster, California

 

 

Owned

 

 

 

914,000

 

 


(1)          Overflow storage locations.

The original terms of the leases for our distribution centers range from 5 to 22 years. In addition to minimum rental payments, certain distribution centers require tax reimbursement, maintenance and insurance. Most leases contain renewal options, some of which involve rent increases. Although from time to time, we may be near capacity at some of our distribution facilities, particularly at our older facilities, we believe that the capacity of our facilities is adequate.

We also own a 55,800 square foot ice cream manufacturing facility located in El Monte, California.

On a regular basis and as part of our normal business, we evaluate store performance and may reduce in size, close or relocate a store if the store is redundant, under performing or otherwise deemed unsuitable. When we reduce in size, close or relocate a store, we often continue to have leasing obligations or own the property. We attempt to sublease this space. As of March 3, 2007, we have 5,983,175 square feet of excess space, of which 3,940,295 square feet was subleased.

Item 3.                        Legal Proceedings

We are subject from time to time to various claims and lawsuits and governmental investigations arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these suits purport or have been determined to be class actions and/or seek substantial damages. We believe these matters are adequately covered by insurance or, if not so covered, are without merit or are of such nature or involve amounts that would not have a material adverse effect on our financial conditions, results of operations or cash flows if decided adversely.

Item 4.                        Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

On January 18, 2007, our stockholders voted to approve the issuance of 250 million shares of our common stock to Jean Coutu Group in connection with the pending acquisition. Our stockholders also approved an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock to 1.5 billion and approved a new equity compensation plan. The increase in authorized shares and the new equity plan are contingent upon and effective on the closing of the pending acquisition.

26




The table below summarizes the voting results from the January 18, 2007 stockholder meeting.

Proposal

 

 

 

Votes For

 

Votes
Against

 

Votes Abstain

 

Broker
Non-Vote

 

Issuance of 250 million shares of common stock

 

354,270,933

 

8,996,383

 

 

999,891

 

 

 

0

 

 

Increase authorized number of common shares to 1.5 billion

 

349,210,055

 

13,574,918

 

 

1,482,236

 

 

 

0

 

 

Approval of new equity compensation plan

 

280,934,566

 

78,707,446

 

 

4,625,191

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

27




PART II

Item 5.                        Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuers Purchases of Equity Securities.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RAD.” On April 20, 2007, we had approximately 24,377 shareholders of record. Quarterly high and low stock prices, based on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) composite transactions, are shown below.

Fiscal Year

 

 

 

Quarter

 

High

 

Low

 

2008 (through April 20, 2007)

 

First

 

$

6.59

 

$

5.53

 

2007

 

First

 

4.85

 

3.79

 

 

 

Second

 

4.74

 

4.07

 

 

 

Third

 

4.87

 

4.28

 

 

 

Fourth

 

6.36

 

4.75

 

2006

 

First

 

4.24

 

3.49

 

 

 

Second

 

4.82

 

3.96

 

 

 

Third

 

4.28

 

3.28

 

 

 

Fourth

 

4.10

 

3.45

 

 

We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock since the third quarter of fiscal 2000 and we do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Our senior secured credit facility and some of the indentures that govern our other outstanding indebtedness restrict our ability to pay dividends. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

We have not sold any unregistered equity securities during the period covered by this report, nor have we repurchased any equity securities during the period covered by this report.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Company certified to the NYSE on June 23, 2006 that she was not aware of any violation by the Company of the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards.

28




STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The graph below compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock for the last five fiscal years with the cumulative total return on (i) the Russell 1000 Consumer Staples Index, and (ii) the Russell 1000 Index, over the same period (assuming the investment of $100.00 in our common stock and such indexes on March 3, 2002 and reinvestment of dividends).

For comparison of cumulative total return, we have elected to use the Russell 1000 Consumer Staples Index, consisting of 44 companies including the three largest drugstore chains, and the Russell 1000 Index. This allows comparison of the company to a peer group of similar sized companies. We are one of the companies included in the Russell 1000 Consumer Staples Index and the Russell 1000 Index. The Russell 1000 Consumer Staples Index is a capitalization-weighted index of companies that provide products directly to consumers that are typically considered nondiscretionary items based on consumer purchasing habits. The Russell 1000 Index consists of the largest 1000 companies in the Russell 3000 Index and represents the universe of large capitalization stocks from which many active money managers typically select.

Comparison of 5 Years Cumulative Total Return
Assumes Initial Investment of $100
February 2007

GRAPHIC

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

Rite Aid Corporation

 

$

100.00

 

$

79.47

 

$

184.77

 

$

113.91

 

$

133.43

 

$

192.38

 

Russell 1000 Index

 

$

100.00

 

$

77.78

 

$

108.65

 

$

116.77

 

$

128.28

 

$

144.02

 

Russell Consumer Staples Index

 

$

100.00

 

$

89.27

 

$

109.73

 

$

120.10

 

$

127.37

 

$

140.81

 


*                    Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to February 29 or March 1. Fiscal year 2007 included 52 weeks and ended on March 3, 2007.

29




Item 6.                        Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing on pages 58-99.

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

March 3,
2007
(52 weeks)

 

March 4,
2006
(53 weeks)

 

February 26,
2005
(52 weeks)

 

February, 28,
2004
(52 weeks)

 

March 1,
2003
(52 weeks)

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Summary of Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

17,507,719

 

$

17,270,968

 

$

16,816,439

 

$

16,600,449

 

$

15,791,278

 

Costs and expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold

 

12,791,597

 

12,571,860

 

12,202,894

 

12,163,735

 

11,611,829

 

Selling, general and administrative
expenses(1)

 

4,370,481

 

4,307,421

 

4,127,536

 

4,029,220

 

3,900,553

 

Store closing and impairment charges

 

49,317

 

68,692

 

35,655

 

22,074

 

135,328

 

Interest expense

 

275,219

 

277,017

 

294,871

 

313,498

 

330,020

 

Interest rate swap contracts

 

 

 

 

 

278

 

Loss (gain) on debt modifications and retirements, net

 

18,662

 

9,186

 

19,229

 

35,315

 

(13,628

)

(Gain) loss on sale of assets and investments, net

 

(11,139

)

(6,462

)

2,247

 

2,023

 

(18,620

)

Total costs and expenses

 

17,494,137

 

17,227,714

 

16,682,432

 

16,565,865

 

15,945,760

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

13,582

 

43,254

 

134,007

 

34,584

 

(154,482

)

Income tax benefit

 

(13,244

)

(1,229,752

)

(168,471

)

(48,795

)

(41,940

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

26,826

 

$

1,273,006

 

$

302,478

 

$

83,379

 

$

(112,542

)

Basic and diluted (loss) income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic (loss) income per share

 

$

(0.01

)

$

2.36

 

$

0.50

 

$

0.11

 

$

(0.28

)

Diluted (loss) income per share

 

$

(0.01

)

$

1.89

 

$

0.47

 

$

0.11

 

$

(0.28

)

Year-End Financial Position:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working capital

 

$

1,363,063

 

$

741,488

 

$

1,335,017

 

$

1,894,247

 

$

1,676,889

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

1,743,104

 

1,717,022

 

1,733,694

 

1,882,763

 

1,867,830

 

Total assets

 

7,091,024

 

6,988,371

 

5,932,583

 

6,245,634

 

6,132,766

 

Total debt(2)

 

3,100,288

 

3,051,446

 

3,311,336

 

3,891,666

 

3,862,628

 

Redeemable preferred stock(3)

 

20,072

 

19,970

 

19,868

 

19,766

 

19,663

 

Stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

1,662,846

 

1,606,921

 

322,934

 

(8,277

)

(129,938

)

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

309,145

 

417,165

 

518,446

 

227,515

 

305,383

 

Investing activities

 

(312,780

)

(231,084

)

(118,985

)

(242,150

)

(72,214

)

Financing activities

 

33,716

 

(272,835

)

(571,395

)

(15,931

)

(211,903

)

Capital expenditures

 

363,728

 

341,349

 

222,417

 

267,373

 

116,154

 

Basic weighted average shares

 

524,460,000

 

523,938,000

 

518,716,000

 

515,822,000

 

515,129,000

 

Diluted weighted average shares(4)

 

524,460,000

 

676,666,000

 

634,062,000

 

525,831,000

 

515,129,000

 

Number of retail drugstores

 

3,333

 

3,323

 

3,356

 

3,382

 

3,404

 

Number of associates

 

69,700

 

70,200

 

71,200

 

72,500

 

72,000

 


(1)             Includes stock-based compensation expense. Stock based compensation expense for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2007, was determined using the fair value method set forth in SFAS No. 123(R), “Share Based Payment”. Stock-based compensation expense for the fiscal years end March 4, 2006, February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004 was determined using the fair value method set forth in SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”. Stock-based compensation expense for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2003 was determined using the intrinsic method set forth in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”.

(2)             Total debt included capital lease obligations of $189.7 million, $178.2 million, $168.3 million, $183.2 million and $176.2 million, as of March 3, 2007, March 4, 2006, February 26, 2005, February 28, 2004 and March 1, 2003, respectively.

30




(3)             Redeemable preferred stock was included in “Other Non-current liabilities” as of March 3, 2007,  March 4, 2006, February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004, respectively.

(4)             Diluted weighted average shares for the years ended March 4, 2006 and February 26, 2005 included the impact of stock options, as calculated under the treasury stock method and convertible debt and preferred stock, as calculated under the if-converted method. Diluted weighted average shares for the year ended February 28, 2004 included the impact of stock options, as calculated under the treasury stock method.

Item 7.                        Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Net income for fiscal 2007 was $26.8 million, with a net loss of $0.01 per diluted share, compared to $1,273.0  million, or $1.89 per diluted share in fiscal 2006, and $302.5 million, or $0.47 per diluted share in fiscal 2005. Our operating results are described in detail in the Results of Operations section of this Item 7. However, some of the key factors that impacted our results in fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005 are summarized as follows:

Income Tax Valuation Allowance Adjustment.   We maintained a valuation allowance of $239.8 million against net deferred tax assets as of March 3, 2007.  Net income for fiscal 2007 included state tax expense of $9.1 million for an increase in the valuation allowance associated with our state net operating loss carryforwards.  Decreases during the current year to the valuation allowance related primarily to the expiration of capital loss and state net operating loss carryforwards which had been fully reserved as of the beginning of the fiscal year.  The net decrease in the valuation allowance was $19.8 million. Net income included benefits of $1,231.1 million and $179.5 million, during fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively, related to the recognition of net deferred tax assets as a result of the release of a tax valuation allowance. Based upon a review of a number of factors, including historical operating performance and our expectation that we can generate sustainable consolidated taxable income for the foreseeable future, we concluded at the end of fiscal 2006 that the majority of the net deferred tax assets would be utilized. Thus, pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, we recorded a tax benefit during fiscal 2006 releasing a majority of the remaining valuation allowance, resulting in a non-cash increase in net income of $1,231.1 million. Based upon the then available factors at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, we recorded a tax benefit for a portion of our net deferred tax assets by releasing a portion of our valuation allowance, resulting in a non-cash increase in net income of $179.5 million during fiscal 2005.

Debt Refinancing and Receivables Securitization.   In fiscal years 2007, 2006 and 2005, we took several steps to extend the terms of our debt, lower our interest rates and obtain more flexibility.  In fiscal 2007, we issued our 7.5% senior secured notes due January 2015, the proceeds of which were used to redeem our 9.5% senior secured notes due February 2011.  We incurred a charge to call these notes prior to maturity and recorded a write-off of unamortized debt issue costs. These items totaled $18.7 million, which was recorded as a loss on debt modification in fiscal 2007.  In fiscal 2006, we amended our senior secured credit facility to consist solely of a $1.75 billion revolving credit facility, paid at maturity the remaining outstanding principal on two existing notes and completed the early redemption of another existing note.  As a result of amending our senior secured credit facility and the early redemption of an existing note, we recorded a loss on debt modification of $9.2 million.  In fiscal 2005, we replaced our senior secured credit facility with a new credit facility, entered into receivables securitization agreements, issued new senior secured notes and repurchased portions of several existing notes prior to maturity.  As a result of entering into the new senior secured credit facility and the receivables securitization agreements, we recorded a loss on debt modification of $20.0 million, offset by net gains of $0.8 million related to the note repurchases described above.  These transactions are discussed in more detail in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section below.

Hurricane Katrina.   On August 27, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana and proceeded to move through Mississippi and Alabama, causing one of the worst natural disasters in the

31




history of the United States.  As a result of this disaster, we had to close 14 stores, which resulted in lost inventory and fixed assets.  We also incurred repair and maintenance charges related to our clean-up efforts.  We received advance payments from our insurance carriers of $30.9 million in fiscal 2006.  These payments, less the amounts of inventory and fixed assets written off and other Katrina related costs incurred, were deferred at the end of fiscal 2006.

In February 2007, we entered into a final binding settlement of our claims under Hurricane Katrina with our insurance carriers.  As a result of this settlement, we recorded a gain in fiscal 2007 of $17.6 million.  The portion of this gain related to reimbursement for lost and damaged fixed assets was $9.4 million and was recorded as a gain on sale of assets and investments.  The portion relating to reimbursement for lost or damaged inventory was $2.2 million and was recorded as a reduction of costs of goods sold.  The portion of this gain related to repair and maintenance and other clean-up charges was $6.0 million and was recorded as a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”).

Dilutive Equity Issuances.   At March 3, 2007, 536.7 million shares of common stock were outstanding and an additional 154.9 million shares of common stock were issuable related to outstanding stock options and preferred stock.

Our 154.9 million shares of potentially issuable common stock consist of the following:

(Shares in thousands)

Strike price

 

 

 

Outstanding
 Stock Options(a)

 

Preferred
Stock

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

(Shares in thousands)

 

$5.50 and under

 

 

54,466

 

 

 

94,290

 

 

148,756

 

$5.51 to $7.50

 

 

1,988

 

 

 

 

 

1,988

 

$7.51 and over

 

 

4,142

 

 

 

 

 

4,142

 

Total issuable shares

 

 

60,596

 

 

 

94,290

 

 

154,886

 


(a)           The exercise of these options would provide cash of $278.8 million

Pending Acquisition

On August 23, 2006, we entered into a stock purchase agreement with Jean Coutu Group. Under the terms of the Agreement, we will acquire (the “Acquisition”) from Jean Coutu Group all of the membership interests of The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) USA, Inc. (“Jean Coutu USA”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Jean Coutu Group, which is engaged in the business of owning and operating retail pharmacy stores conducting business under the Eckerd and Brooks banners. As consideration for the Acquisition, we will issue 250 million shares of Rite Aid common stock and will pay $2.3 billion in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment. We intend to finance the Acquisition through the issuance of new debt.

The shares of Rite Aid common stock issuable to Jean Coutu Group in the Acquisition will represent approximately 30.2% of our total voting power after giving effect to the Acquisition. Upon the closing of the Acquisition, we will expand our Board of Directors to 14 members, with four of the seats being held by members designated by Jean Coutu Group. In connection with entering into the stock purchase agreement, on August 23, 2006, we entered into a Stockholder Agreement (the “Stockholder Agreement”) with Jean Coutu Group and certain Coutu family members that will become effective upon consummation of the Acquisition and will govern, among other matters, Jean Coutu Group’s ownership interest in Rite Aid. The Stockholder Agreement contains provisions relating to board and board committee composition, corporate governance, stock ownership, stock purchase rights, transfer restrictions, voting arrangements and other matters. We also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with Jean Coutu Group giving Jean Coutu Group certain rights with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as

32




amended, of the shares of our common stock to be issued to Jean Coutu Group or acquired by Jean Coutu Group pursuant to certain stock purchase rights or open market purchase rights under the Stockholder Agreement.

Rite Aid and Jean Coutu Group have each made customary representations, warranties and covenants in the Stock Purchase Agreement, including, among others, Jean Coutu Group’s covenant to cause Jean Coutu USA and its subsidiaries to conduct their business in the ordinary course between the execution of the Agreement and the closing of the Acquisition and to refrain from certain types of transactions during that period. Consummation of the Acquisition is subject to customary conditions, including, among others: (i) expiration or termination of the applicable anti-trust waiting period, (ii) receipt of NYSE listing approval with respect to the shares of our common stock to be issued to Jean Coutu Group, (iii) absence of any law or order prohibiting the consummation of the Acquisition, (iv) no threatened or pending litigation seeking to limit our ownership or operation of Rite Aid’s or Jean Coutu USA’s assets and (v) subject to certain exceptions, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the parties. We have completed the majority of these items including obtaining the approval of the Acquisition by our shareholders and reaching an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) staff to divest 24 stores. The agreement with the FTC staff is subject to approval by the Commissioner of the FTC, which we expect to obtain. We expect to complete the Acquisition by the end of May 2007.

33




Results of Operations

Revenue and Other Operating Data

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

March 3,
2007
(52 Weeks)

 

March 4,
2006
(53 Weeks)

 

February 26,
2005
(52 Weeks)

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Revenues

 

$

17,507,719

 

$

17,270,968

 

$

16,816,439

 

Revenue growth

 

1.4

%

2.7

%

1.3

%

Same store sales growth(1)

 

3.4

%

1.1

%

1.6

%

Pharmacy sales growth

 

2.2

%

2.0

%

1.3

%

Same store pharmacy sales growth(1)

 

4.4

%

0.3

%

1.6

%

Pharmacy sales as a % of total sales

 

63.7

%

63.2

%

63.6

%

Third-party sales as a % of total pharmacy sales

 

95.4

%

93.9

%

93.5

%

Front-end sales growth

 

0.1

%

3.8

%

1.1

%

Same store front-end sales growth(1)

 

1.9

%

2.6

%

1.6

%

Front-end sales as a % of total sales

 

36.3

%

36.8

%

36.4

%

Store data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stores (beginning of period)

 

3,323

 

3,356

 

3,382

 

New stores

 

40

 

17

 

7

 

Closed stores

 

(32

)

(56

)

(38

)

Store acquisitions, net

 

2

 

6

 

5

 

Total stores (end of period)

 

3,333

 

3,323

 

3,356

 

Remodeled stores

 

19

 

173

 

169

 

Relocated stores

 

66

 

53

 

13

 


(1)          Same store sales for fiscal 2007 are calculated by comparing the 52 week period ended March 3, 2007 with the 52 week period ended March 4, 2006. Same store sales for fiscal 2006 are calculated by comparing the 53 week period ended March 4, 2006 with the 53 week period ended March 5, 2005.

Revenues

Fiscal 2007 compared to Fiscal 2006:   The 1.4% growth in revenues for fiscal 2007 was driven by front-end sales growth of 0.1% and pharmacy sales growth of 2.2%. Sales growth in front-end and pharmacy was driven by increases in same store sales, which are discussed in more detail in the paragraphs below, offset somewhat by the additional week in fiscal 2006. We include in same store sales all stores that have been opened at least one year. Stores in liquidation are considered closed. Relocation stores are not included in same store sales until one year has lapsed.

Fiscal 2007 pharmacy same store sales increased 4.4% due to an increase in same store prescription growth of 2.0% and an increase in price per prescription. In addition to favorable demographic trends, our script growth was positively impacted by Medicare Part D and by initiatives such as our focus on customer satisfaction, prescription file buys, our senior loyalty program, our health condition programs and the new and relocated store program. These items were partially offset primarily by an increase in generic sales, a milder cough, cold and flu season and lower reimbursement rates, including lower reimbursement rates from the Medicare Part D program.

Fiscal 2007 front-end same store sales increased 1.9%, primarily as a result of strong performance in core categories, such as over-the-counter and health and beauty and an increase in sales driven by promotional activities. These items were partially offset primarily by a decrease in photo and film sales and a milder cough, cold and flu season.

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Fiscal 2006 compared to Fiscal 2005:   The 2.7% growth in revenues for fiscal 2006 was driven by front-end sales growth of 3.8% and pharmacy sales growth of 2.0%. Sales growth in front-end and pharmacy was driven by increases in same store sales, which are discussed in more detail in the paragraphs below, and by the additional week in fiscal 2006.

Fiscal 2006 pharmacy same store sales increased by 0.3%, due to an increase in price per prescription, offset by an increase in generic sales, lower reimbursement rates, including the lower reimbursement rates from the Medicare Part D program, and a decrease in the number of prescriptions filled. The decrease in the number of prescriptions filled was due primarily to certain third party payors requiring or encouraging customers to use mail order, competitor growth in our markets, changes in Medicaid coverages, safety concerns in antiarthritic, psychotherapeutic and hormone therapy prescriptions and a milder cough, cold and flu season than the prior year.

Fiscal 2006 front-end same store sales increased by 2.6%, primarily as a result of improvement in our core categories such as over-the-counter, health and beauty care and consumable and food products partially offset by a decrease in photo and film sales and the decrease in categories negatively impacted by a milder cough, cold and flu season.

Costs and Expenses

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

March 3,
2007
(52 Weeks)

 

March 4,
2006
(53 Weeks)

 

February 26,
2005
(52 Weeks)

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Costs of goods sold

 

$

12,791,597

 

$

12,571,860

 

$

12,202,894

 

Gross profit

 

4,716,122

 

$

4,699,108

 

$

4,613,545

 

Gross margin

 

26.9

%

27.2

%

27.4

%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

$

4,370,481

 

$

4,307,421

 

$

4,127,536

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues

 

25.0

%

24.9

%

24.5

%

Store closing and impairment charges

 

49,317

 

68,692

 

35,655

 

Interest expense

 

275,219

 

277,017

 

294,871

 

Loss on debt modifications and retirements, net

 

18,662

 

9,186

 

19,229

 

(Gain) loss on sale of assets and investments, net

 

(11,139

)

(6,462

)

2,247

 

 

Cost of Goods Sold

Gross margin rate was 26.9% for fiscal 2007 compared to 27.2% in fiscal 2006. Gross margin rate was primarily negatively impacted by a decline in front-end gross margin rate, which was caused by a higher mix of promotional sales and a reduction in photo and film gross profit. Gross margin rate was also negatively impacted by the recording of a LIFO charge of $43.0 million in fiscal 2007 compared to a $32.2 milion charge in fiscal 2006. Our pharmacy gross profit had a slight positive contribution to consolidated gross margin rate due to the increase in sales. However, our pharmacy gross margin rate was down slightly. Although there was an increase in generic prescriptions and a reduction in pharmacy shrink, these positive factors were offset by a reduction in reimbursement rates, particularly from Medicare Part D prescriptions.

Gross margin was 27.2% for fiscal 2006 compared to 27.4% in fiscal 2005. Gross margin rate was negatively impacted by the recording of a LIFO charge of $32.2 million in fiscal 2006, compared to a LIFO credit of $18.9 million in fiscal 2005. The LIFO credit in fiscal 2005 was caused by significant generic drug deflation. This difference in the LIFO charge from fiscal 2005 to fiscal 2006 decreased gross margin by 0.3%. Gross margin was positively impacted by improvements in pharmacy margin, which was driven by improved generic product mix and reduced inventory costs resulting from purchasing improvements. These

35




items were partially offset by lower reimbursement rates. Gross margin was negatively impacted by a decrease in front-end margin, which was driven by an increase in markdowns.

We use the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of inventory valuation. The LIFO charge (credit) was $43.0 million in fiscal 2007, $32.2 million in fiscal 2006 and ($18.9) million in fiscal 2005.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A for fiscal 2007 was 25.0% as a percentage of revenues, compared to 24.9% in fiscal 2006. SG&A was positively impacted primarily by effective labor and expense control, offset by an increase in rent and occupancy expense from new and relocated stores and the sale-leaseback of owned stores and an increase in depreciation and amortization expense resulting from capital expenditures related to prescription file buys and new and relocated stores. Also negatively impacting the comparison to fiscal 2006 was a $20.0 million accrual reversal recorded in fiscal 2006 resulting from the United States Attorney closing its investigation involving matters related to prior management’s business practices.

Total selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for fiscal 2006 was 24.9% as a percentage of revenues, compared to 24.5% for fiscal 2005. The increase in SG&A as a percent of revenues in fiscal 2006 was driven primarily by increases in pharmacy salaries, rent from new and relocated stores and the sale-leaseback of owned stores, securitization program fees, advertising expense, utility expense, and a decrease in income from litigation settlements. These items were partially offset by a decrease in self-insurance expense for general liability insurance and a $20.0 million accrual reversal resulting from the United States Attorney closing its investigation involving matters related to prior management’s business practices.

Store Closing and Impairment Charges

Store closing and impairment charges consist of:

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

March 3, 2007
(52 Weeks)

 

March 4, 2006
(53 Weeks)

 

February 26, 2005
(52 Weeks)

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Impairment charges

 

 

$

31,425

 

 

 

$

46,114

 

 

 

$

30,014

 

 

Store and equipment lease exit charges

 

 

17,892

 

 

 

22,578

 

 

 

5,641

 

 

 

 

 

$

49,317

 

 

 

$

68,692

 

 

 

$

35,655

 

 

 

Impairment Charges.   In fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005, store closing and impairment charges include non-cash charges of $31.4 million, $46.1 million and $30.0 million, respectively, for the impairment of long-lived assets at 342, 414, and 291 stores, respectively. These amounts include the write-down of long-lived assets to estimated fair value at stores that were identified for impairment as part of our on-going store performance review at all of our stores or management’s intention to relocate or close the store.

Store and Equipment Lease Exit Charges.   In fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005, we recorded charges for 49, 43, and 13 stores, respectively, to be closed or relocated under long-term leases. We calculate our liability for closed stores on a store-by-store basis. The calculation includes the future minimum lease payments and related ancillary costs, from the date of closure to the end of the remaining lease term, net of estimated cost recoveries that may be achieved through subletting properties or through favorable lease terminations. This liability is discounted using a risk-free rate of interest. We evaluate these assumptions each quarter and adjust the liability accordingly.

As part of our ongoing business activities, we will continue to assess stores for potential closure. There can be no assurance that other such actions may not be required in the future, or that such actions would not have a material adverse effect on our operating results for the period in which we take those actions.

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Interest Expense

In fiscal 2007, 2006, and 2005, interest expense was $275.2 million, $277.0 million and $294.9 million, respectively. Interest expense for 2007 decreased from 2006 due to an extra week in fiscal 2006 which was partially offset by slightly higher borrowings and slightly higher interest rates. Interest expense for fiscal 2006 decreased from fiscal 2005 due to decreases in outstanding borrowings and a lower interest rate partially offset by an extra week in fiscal 2006.

The annual weighted average interest rates on our indebtedness in fiscal 2007, fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005 were 7.6%, 7.4% and 7.0%, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income tax benefits of $13.2 million, $1,229.8 million and $168.5 million have been recorded for fiscal 2007, fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005, respectively. The fiscal 2007 benefit includes a state tax benefit of $24.1 million which primarily related to an increase in the our state tax rate applied to the net deferred tax assets partially offset by state tax expense of $9.1 million related to an increase in the valuation allowance. The fiscal 2006 benefit was primarily comprised of a federal and state tax benefit of $1,231.1 million for the release of valuation allowances for net deferred tax assets that have an expected future utilization. The fiscal 2005 benefit was comprised of a tax benefit of $179.5 million for the release of valuation allowance offset by tax expense of $11.0 million consisting primarily of state income taxes.

Generally accepted accounting principles require that a valuation allowance be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances from period to period are included in the tax provision in the period of change. In determining whether a valuation allowance is required, we take into account all available positive and negative evidence with regard to the utilization of a deferred tax asset including our past earnings history, expected future earnings, the character and jurisdiction of such earnings, unsettled circumstances that, if unfavorably resolved, would adversely affect utilization of a deferred tax asset, carryback and carryforward periods, and tax strategies that could potentially enhance the likelihood of realization of a deferred tax asset. Significant judgment is required in making these assessments.

Based upon a review of a number of factors, including historical operating performance and our expectation that we can generate sustainable consolidated taxable income for the foreseeable future, we concluded at the end of fiscal 2006 that the majority of the net deferred tax assets would be utilized. Thus, pursuant to SFAS No. 109, we recorded a tax benefit during fiscal 2006 releasing a majority of the remaining valuation allowance, resulting in a non-cash increase in net income of $1,231.1 million. Based upon the then available factors at the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, we recorded a tax benefit for a portion of our net deferred tax assets by releasing a portion of our valuation allowance, resulting in a non-cash increase in net income of $179.5 million during fiscal 2005. Until the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, we provided a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets.

We will continue to monitor all available evidence related to our ability to utilize our remaining net deferred tax assets. We maintained a valuation allowance of $239.8 million and $259.6 million against remaining net deferred tax assets at fiscal year end 2007 and 2006, respectively. The majority of the valuation allowance relates to state net operating loss carryforwards.

We underwent an ownership change for statutory tax purposes during fiscal 2002, which resulted in a limitation on the future use of net operating loss carryforwards. This limitation was considered when determining the required level for the valuation allowance.

37




Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

We have five primary sources of liquidity: (i) cash and cash equivalents; (ii) cash provided by operating activities; (iii) the sale of accounts receivable under our receivable securitization agreements, (iv) the revolving credit facility under our senior secured credit facility; and (v) sale-leasebacks of owned property. Our principal uses of cash are to provide working capital for operations, to service our obligations to pay interest and principal on debt, to provide funds for capital expenditures and to provide funds for payment and repurchase of our debt.

2007 Transactions

Credit Facility

In November 2006, we entered into an amendment of our senior secured credit facility to permit the financing of the Acquisition. Pursuant to the terms of the senior secured facility amendment, we established a senior secured term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of $145.0 million and borrowed the full amount thereunder. Proceeds from the borrowings under the new senior secured term loan facility (the “Tranche 1 Term Loans”) were used to pay amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility, which had been used to repay, at maturity, the outstanding principal and accrued interest payable under our 12.5% senior secured notes due September 2006.

The Tranche 1 Term Loans currently bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.50%, if we choose to make LIBOR borrowings, or at Citibank’s base rate plus 0.50%. The interest rate can fluctuate depending on the amount of availability under our revolving credit facility, as specified in the senior secured credit facility. The amounts outstanding under the Tranche 1 Term Loans become due and payable in September 2010, or earlier, if there is a shortfall in our borrowing base under the revolving credit facility.

In addition to the issuance of the Tranche 1 Term Loans, the lenders to the senior secured credit facility agreed to establish, in connection with the Acquisition, an additional senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $1.105 billion (the “Tranche 2 Term Loans”). We expect to draw the full amount of the Tranche 2 Term Loans upon closing of the Acquisition and to use the proceeds to pay a portion of the consideration for the Acquisition.

In addition to the Tranche 1 Term Loans described above, our senior credit facility consists of a $1.75 billion revolving credit facility. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility currently bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.50%, if we choose to make LIBOR borrowings, or at Citibank’s base rate plus 0.50%. The interest rate can fluctuate depending on the amount of revolver availability, as specified in the senior secured credit facility. We are required to pay fees of 0.25% per annum on the daily unused amount of the revolving credit facility. The amounts drawn on the revolving credit facility become due and payable in September 2010.

The senior secured credit facility allows us to have outstanding, at any time, up to $1.8 billion in secured subordinated debt in addition to the senior secured credit facility (which amount is reduced by any additional unsecured debt that matures prior to December 31, 2010, as described below). We have the ability to incur additional unsecured debt of up to $750.0 million with a scheduled maturity date prior to December 31, 2010. The maximum amount of additional secured second priority debt and unsecured debt with a maturity prior to December 31, 2010 that can be incurred is $1.8 billion. At March 3, 2007, remaining additional permitted secured second priority debt under the senior secured credit facility was $740.0 million in addition to what is available under the revolver; however, other debentures do not permit additional secured debt if the revolving credit facility is fully drawn. The amendment of our senior secured credit facility that will occur at the closing of the Acquisition will permit the issuance of the Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 Term Loans discussed above without reducing our ability to incur additional secured or

38




unsecured debt under the senior secured credit facility. The senior secured credit facility allows us to incur an unlimited amount of unsecured debt with a maturity beyond December 31, 2010; however, other debentures limit the amount of unsecured debt that can be incurred if certain interest coverage levels are not met at the time of incurrence of said debt. The senior secured facility also allows for the repurchase of any debt with a maturity on or before December 2010, and for the repurchase of debt with a maturity after December 2010, if we maintain availability on the revolving credit facility of at least $100.0 million.

The senior secured credit facility contains covenants, which place restrictions on the incurrence of debt beyond the restrictions described above, the payment of dividends, mergers and acquisitions and the granting of liens. The senior secured credit facility also requires us to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, but only if availability on the revolving credit facility is less than $100.0 million.

The senior secured credit facility provides for events of default including nonpayment, misrepresentation, breach of covenants and bankruptcy. It is also an event of default if we fail to make any required payment on debt having a principal amount in excess of $50.0 million or any event occurs that enables, or which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would enable, the holder of such debt to accelerate the maturity of such debt.

Our ability to borrow under the revolving credit facility is based upon a specified borrowing base consisting of inventory and prescription files. At March 3, 2007, we had $300.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility. At December 2, 2006, we also had letters of credit outstanding against the revolving credit facility of $117.1 million, which gave us additional borrowing capacity of $1,332.9 million.

Other Transactions

In February 2007, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.5% senior secured notes due 2017.  These notes are unsubordinated obligations of Rite Aid Corporation and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsubordinated indebtedness.  Our obligations under the notes are guaranteed, subject to certain limitations, by subsidiaries that guarantee the obligations under our senior secured credit facility.  The guarantees are secured, subject to the permitted liens, by shared second priority liens, with holders of our 8.125% senior secured notes due 2010 and our 7.5% senior secured notes due 2015, granted by subsidiary guarantors on all their assets that secure the obligations under the senior secured credit facility, subject to certain exceptions.  The indenture governing the 7.5% senior secured notes due 2017 contains covenant provisions that, among other things, include limitations on our ability to pay dividends, make investments or other restricted payments, incur debt, grant liens, sell assets and enter into sale-leaseback transactions.  Proceeds from this offering were used to repay outstanding borrowings on our revolving credit facility and to fund the redemption of our 9.5% senior secured notes due 2011, by deposit into an escrow fund with an independent trustee.  Per the terms of the indenture that governed the 9.5% senior secured notes due 2011, we paid a premium to the noteholders of 104.75% of par.  We recorded a loss on debt modification of $18.7 million related to the early redemption of the 9.5% senior secured notes due 2011, which included the call premium and unamortized debt issue costs on the notes.

In February 2007, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 8.625% senior notes due 2015.  These notes are unsecured.  The indenture governing the 8.625% senior notes due 2015 contains provisions that, among other things, include limitations on our ability to pay dividends, make investments or other restricted payments, incur debt, grant liens, sell assets and enter into sale-leaseback transactions.  The 8.625% senior notes due 2015 do not have the benefit of subsidiary guarantees.  Proceeds from the issuance of the notes were used to repay borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

In January 2007, we paid at maturity the remaining outstanding principal amount of $184.1 million of our 7.125% notes due January 2007.  We funded this payment with borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

39




In December 2006, we paid at maturity the remaining outstanding principal amount of $250.0 million of our 4.75% convertible  notes due December 2006.  We funded this payment with borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

In September 2006, we completed the early redemption of all of our outstanding $142.0 million of our 12.5% senior secured notes due September 2006.  We funded this payment with borrowing under our revolving credit facility, which were subsequently repaid with borrowings of the Tranche 1 term loans.

Sale-Leaseback Transactions

During fiscal 2007, we sold the land and building on a total of 29 owned properties to independent third parties. Net proceeds from these sales were approximately $82.1 million. Concurrent with these sales, we entered into agreements to lease the stores back from the purchasers over minimum lease terms of 20 years. We accounted for 24 of these leases as operating leases and the remaining five leases were accounted for using the financing method, as these lease agreements contain a clause that allows the buyer to force us to repurchase the property under certain conditions.

Financing for the Pending Acquisition

On the closing date of the Acquisition, we intend to (i) issue and sell one or more tranches of notes in an aggregate amount of $1.220 billion and (ii) borrow $1.105 billion of Tranche 2 Term Loans available to us under our senior secured credit facility. Depending on the timing of the transaction as well as the actual fees and expenses, we may also borrow additional amounts under our revolving credit facility. Under the terms of a commitment letter, Citicorp has also agreed to provide us up to a $1.720 billion senior secured bridge facility if we are unable to sell the full amount of notes required by the commitment letter.

We had previously considered assuming 8.5% senior secured notes due 2014 held by Jean Coutu Group as a component of the consideration for the acquisition. The Jean Coutu Group has initiated a tender offer for these notes and therefore we will not assume them. This has increased the amount of consideration that we intend to fund by the issuance of new debt from $1.45 billion to $2.3 billion.

2006 Transactions

Credit Facility

On September 30, 2005, we amended our senior secured credit facility. The amended senior credit facility consisted solely of a $1.75 billion revolving credit facility and had a maturity date of September, 2010.

Preferred Stock Transactions

In fiscal 2006, we issued 4.8 million shares of Series I Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series I preferred stock”) at an offering price of $25 per share. Dividends on the Series I preferred stock are $1.38 per share per year, and are due and payable on a quarterly basis in either cash or common stock or a combination of both at our election. The Series I preferred stock will automatically convert into common stock on November 17, 2008 at a rate that is dependent upon the adjusted applicable market value of our common stock (as defined in the Series I Certificate of Designations). If the adjusted applicable market value of our common stock is $5.30 a share or higher at the conversion date, then the Series I preferred stock is convertible at a rate of 4.7134 per share of our common stock for every share of Series I preferred stock outstanding. If the adjusted applicable market value of our common stock is less than or equal to $4.42 per share at the conversion date, then the Series I preferred stock is convertible at a rate of 5.6561 shares of our common stock for every share of Series I preferred stock outstanding. If the adjusted applicable market value of our common stock is between $4.42 per share and $5.30 per share at the conversion date, then the Series I preferred stock is convertible into common stock at a rate that is between 4.7134 and 5.6561 per share. The holder may convert shares of the Series I preferred stock into

40




common stock at any time prior to the mandatory conversion date at the rate of 4.7134 per share. The Series I preferred stock is also convertible at our option, but only if the adjusted applicable market value of our common stock exceeds $9.55. If we are subject to a cash acquisition (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) prior to the mandatory conversion date, the holder may elect to convert the shares of Series I preferred stock into shares of common stock using a conversion rate set forth in the Certificate of Designations. The holder will also receive a payment equal to the present value of all scheduled dividends through the mandatory conversion date.

Proceeds from the issuance of the Series I preferred stock, along with borrowings under the revolver, were used to redeem all shares of our Series F preferred stock, at 105% of the liquidation preference of $100 share. We paid a premium to redeem the Series F preferred stock of $5.9 million.

Sale Leaseback Transactions

During fiscal 2006, we sold the land and buildings on a total of 32 owned properties to independent third parties. Net proceeds from these sales were approximately $85.3 million. Concurrent with these sales, we entered into agreements to lease the stores back from the purchasers over minimum lease terms of 20 years. We accounted for 30 of these leases as operating leases and the remaining two leases were accounted for using the financing method, as these lease agreements contain a clause that allows the buyer to force us to repurchase the property under certain conditions.

Other Transactions

On December 15, 2005, we paid at maturity the remaining outstanding principal amount of $38.0 million of our 6.0% fixed-rate senior notes due December 2005.

On July 15, 2005, we completed the early redemption of all of our outstanding $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 11.25% notes due July 2008 at their contractually determined early redemption price of 105.625% plus accrued interest. We funded this redemption with borrowings under our receivable securitization agreements. We recorded a loss on debt modification of $9.2 million related to this transaction.

On April 15, 2005, we paid at maturity the remaining outstanding principal amount of $170.5 million of our 7.625% senior notes due April 2005.

2005 Transactions

Credit Facility

On September 22, 2004, we amended our then existing senior secured credit facility. The facility consisted of a $450.0 million term loan and a $950.0 million revolving credit facility, and had a maturity date of September, 2009. The proceeds of the loans made on the closing date of the credit facility along with available cash and proceeds from receivables securitization agreements were used to repay outstanding amounts under the old credit facility.

Sale Leaseback Transactions

During fiscal 2005, we sold the land and buildings on 36 owned properties to several outside entities. Proceeds from these sales totaled $94.2 million. We entered into agreements to lease these stores back from the purchasers over minimum lease terms of 20 years. The leases are being accounted for as operating leases.

Preferred Stock Transactions

In the thirteen week period ended February 26, 2005, we issued 2.5 million shares of Series E mandatory convertible preferred stock at an offering price of $49 per share. Dividends on the Series E

41




preferred stock are $3.50 per share per year, and are due and payable on a quarterly basis beginning on May 2, 2005. The dividends are payable in either cash or common stock or a combination thereof at our election. The Series E preferred stock will automatically convert into common stock on February 1, 2008 at a rate that is dependent upon the adjusted applicable market value of our common stock (as defined in the Series E preferred stock agreement). If the adjusted applicable market value of our common stock is $5.36 a share or higher at the conversion date, then the Series E preferred stock is convertible at a rate of 9.3284 shares (or higher) of our common stock for every share of Series E preferred stock outstanding. If the adjusted applicable market value of our common stock is less than or equal to $3.57 per share at the conversion date, then the Series E preferred stock is convertible at a rate of 14.0056 shares of our common stock for every share of Series E preferred stock outstanding. If the adjusted applicable market value of our common stock is between $3.57 per share and $5.36 per share at the conversion date, then the Series E preferred stock is convertible into common stock at a rate that is between 14.0056 per share and 9.3284 per share of common stock.

Proceeds of $120.0 million, net of issuance costs of $2.5 million, from the offering of our Series E preferred stock were used to redeem 1.04 million shares of our Series D preferred stock. In accordance with the provisions of the Series D stock agreement, we paid a premium of 105% of the liquidation preference of $100 per share. The total premium was $5.7 million and was recorded as a reduction to accumulated deficit in the year ended February 26, 2005. Subsequent to the issuance of our Series E preferred stock, we exchanged the remaining 3.5 million shares of our Series D preferred stock for equal amounts of Series F, G and H preferred stock. The Series F, G and H preferred stock have substantially the same terms as our Series D preferred stock, except for differences in dividend rates and redemption features. The Series F preferred stock pays dividends at 8% of liquidation preference and was redeemable at our election at any point after issuance. We redeemed all of the outstanding shares of Series F preferred stock in fiscal 2006. The Series G preferred stock pays dividends at 7% of liquidation preference and can be redeemed at our election after January 2009. The Series H preferred stock pays dividends of 6% of liquidation preference and can be redeemed at our election after January 2010. All dividends can be paid in either cash or in additional shares of preferred stock, at our election. Any redemptions are at 105% of the liquidation preference of $100 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends.

Other Transactions

In January 2005, we issued $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 7½% senior secured notes due 2015. The notes are unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of Rite Aid Corporation, and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness. Our obligations under the notes are guaranteed, subject to certain limitations, by subsidiaries that guarantee the obligations under our senior secured credit facility. The guarantees are secured, subject to the permitted liens, by shared second priority liens, with the holders of our 12.5% senior notes, our 9.5% senior secured notes and our 8.125% senior secured notes, granted by the subsidiary guarantors on all of their assets that secure the obligations under the senior secured credit facility, subject to certain exceptions. The indenture governing our 7½% senior secured notes contains covenant provisions that, among other things, include limitations on our ability to pay dividends, make investments or other restricted payments, incur debt, grant liens, sell assets and enter into sale-leaseback transactions.

During fiscal 2005, we purchased the following securities (in thousands):

Debt Redeemed

 

 

 

Principal
Amount
Repurchased

 

Amount
Paid

 

Gain/
(loss)

 

7.625% notes due 2005

 

 

$

27,500

 

 

$

28,275

 

$

(795

)

7.125% notes due 2007

 

 

26,000

 

 

26,548

 

(605

)

6.875% fixed rate senior notes due 2028

 

 

12,000

 

 

9,660

 

2,191

 

Total

 

 

$

65,500

 

 

$

64,483

 

$

791

 

 

42




The gain on the transactions listed above is recorded as part of the loss on debt modifications in the accompanying statement of operations for fiscal 2005.

Off Balance Sheet Obligations

We maintain securitization agreements with several multi-seller asset-backed commercial paper vehicles (“CPVs”). Under the terms of the securitization agreements, we sell substantially all of our eligible third party pharmaceutical receivables to a bankruptcy remote Special Purpose Entity (SPE) and retain servicing responsibility. The assets of the SPE are not available to satisfy the creditors of any other person, including any of our affiliates. These agreements provide for us to sell, and for the SPE to purchase these receivables. The SPE then transfers an interest in these receivables to various CPVs. Transferred outstanding receivables cannot exceed $400.0 million.

The amount of transferred receivables outstanding at any one time is dependent upon a formula that takes into account such factors as default history, obligor concentrations and potential dilution (“Securitization Formula”). Adjustments to this amount can occur on a weekly basis. At March 3, 2007 and March 4, 2006, the total of outstanding receivables that had been transferred to the CPVs were $350.0 million and $330.0 million, respectively. The average amount of outstanding receivables transferred during fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $334.6 million, $243.6 million, and 263.3 million respectively. Total receivable transfers for fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005 totaled $4.7 billion, $3.7 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively. Collections made by us as part of the servicing arrangement on behalf of the CPVs, for fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005 totaled $4.7 billion, $3.5 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively. At March 3, 2007 and March 4, 2006, we retained an interest in the third party pharmaceutical receivables not transferred to the CPVs of $255.1 million and $248.3 million, respectively, inclusive of the allowance for uncollectible accounts, which is included in accounts receivable, net, on the consolidated balance sheet at allocated cost, which approximates fair value.

We are subject to an ongoing program fee of approximately LIBOR plus 1.125% on the amount transferred to the CPVs under the securitization agreements and must pay a liquidity fee of 0.375% on the daily unused amount under the securitization agreements. The program and the liquidity fees are recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. Program and liquidity fees for fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005 were $21.9 million, $12.8 million and $4.0 million, respectively. Rite Aid Corporation guarantees certain performance obligations of its affiliates under the securitization agreements, which includes the continued servicing of such receivables, but does not guarantee the collectibility of the receivables and obligor creditworthiness. The CPVs have a commitment to purchase that ends September 2007 with the option to annually extend the commitment to purchase. Should any of the CPVs fail to renew their commitment under these securitization agreements, we have access to a backstop credit facility, which is backed by the CPVs and which expires in September 2007, to continue to provide liquidity to us.

Proceeds from the collections under the receivables securitization agreements are submitted to an independent trustee on a daily basis. The trustee withholds any cash necessary to (1) fund amounts owed to the CPVs as a result of such collections and, (2) fund the CPVs when the Securitization Formula indicates a lesser amount of outstanding receivables transferred is warranted. The remaining collections are swept to our corporate concentration account. At March 3, 2007 and March 4, 2006, we had $3.0 million and $2.2 million of cash, respectively that was restricted for the payment of trustee fees.

We have determined that the transactions meet the criteria for sales treatment in accordance with SFAS No. 140 “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities”. Additionally, we have determined that we do not hold a variable interest in the CPVs, pursuant to the guidance in FIN 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”, and therefore have determined that the de-recognition of the transferred receivables is appropriate.

43




As of March 3, 2007, we had no material off balance sheet arrangements, other than the receivables securitization agreements described above and operating leases, which are included in the table below.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table details the maturities of our indebtedness and lease financing obligations as of March 3, 2007, as well as other contractual cash obligations and commitments.

 

 

Payment due by period

 

 

 

 

Less Than
 1 Year

 

1 to 3 Years

 

3 to 5 Years

 

After 5 Years

 

Total

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

Contractual Cash Obligations   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long term debt(1)

 

$

223,198

 

$

586,291

 

$1,142,833

 

 

$

2,848,571

 

 

$

4,800,893

 

Capital lease obligations(2)

 

31,282

 

47,636

 

46,925

 

 

176,720

 

 

302,563

 

Operating leases(3)

 

600,243

 

1,181,277

 

1,056,937

 

 

4,155,633

 

 

6,994,090

 

Open purchase orders

 

269,730

 

 

 

 

 

 

269,730

 

Redeemable preferred stock(4)

 

 

 

 

 

21,300

 

 

21,300

 

Other, primarily self insurance and retirement plan obligations(5)

 

100,391

 

118,026

 

28,595

 

 

65,443

 

 

312,455

 

Total contractual cash obligations

 

$

1,224,844

 

$

1,933,230

 

$

2,275,290

 

 

$

7,267,667

 

 

$

12,701,031

 

Commitments  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease guarantees

 

$

17,346

 

$

34,114

 

$

32,952

 

 

$

96,763

 

 

$

181,175

 

Outstanding letters of credit

 

117,138

 

 

 

 

 

 

117,138

 

Total commitments

 

$

134,484

 

$

34,114

 

$

32,952

 

 

$

96,763

 

 

$

298,313

 


(1)          Includes principal and interest payments for all outstanding debt instruments. Interest was calculated on variable rate instruments using rates as of March 3, 2007.

(2)          Represents the minimum lease payments on non-cancelable leases, including interest, but net of sublease income.

(3)          Represents the minimum lease payments on non-cancelable leases, net of sublease income.

(4)          Represents value of redeemable preferred stock at its redemption date.

(5)          Includes the undiscounted payments for self-insured medical coverages, actuarially determined undiscounted payments for self-insured workers’ compensation and general liability, and actuarially determined obligations for defined benefit pension and nonqualified executive retirement plans.

Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating, Investing and Financing Activities

Cash flow provided by operating activities was $309.1 million in fiscal 2007. Cash flow from operating activities was positively impacted by income from operations, net proceeds of $20.0 million for the sale of certain of our third party receivables and a decrease in accounts payable. These items were partially offset by increases in accounts receivable and inventory.

Cash provided by operating activities was $417.2 million in fiscal 2006. Cash flow from operating activities was positively impacted by net proceeds of $180.0 million from the sale of certain of our third party receivables and receipts of cash related to insured losses. These items were partially offset by an increase in inventory net of an increase in accounts payable and an increase in accounts receivable and prepaid expenses.

Cash provided by operating activities was $518.4 million in fiscal 2005. Cash flow from operating activities was positively impacted by income from operations and net proceeds of $150.0 million from the

44




sale of certain of our third party receivables, partially offset by an increase in inventory and accounts payable.

Cash used in investing activities was $312.8 million in fiscal 2007. Cash was used for: the purchase of property, plant and equipment—$334.5 million, the purchase of prescription files—$29.2 million and capitalizable direct acquisition costs related to our pending acquisition of Jean Coutu, USA—$18.4 million. Cash of $55.6 million was provided by proceeds from our sale leaseback transactions and cash of $9.3 million was provided by proceeds from other asset dispositions.

Cash used in investing activities was $231.1 million in fiscal 2006. Cash was used for: the purchase of property, plant and equipment—$287.8 million and the purchase of prescription files—$53.6 million. Cash of $77.3 million was provided by proceeds from our sale leaseback transactions and cash of $26.4 million was provided by proceeds from other asset dispositions.

Cash used in investing activities was $119.0 million in fiscal 2005. Cash was used for: the purchase of property, plant and equipment—$190.8 million and the purchase of prescription files—$31.6 million. Cash of $94.2 million was provided by proceeds from our sale leaseback transactions and cash of $9.3 million was provided by proceeds from other asset dispositions.

Cash provided by financing activities was $33.7 million in fiscal 2007. Cash provided from issuance of two bonds and the term loan portion of our senior secured credit facility was used to fund the redemption and payment at maturity of several bonds and to pay down a portion of the outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

Cash used in financing activities was $272.8 million in fiscal 2006, due to the amending of our credit facility and principal payments on long term debt.

Cash used in financing activities was $571.4 million in fiscal 2005, due to the amending of our credit facility and early redemption of several bonds.

Capital Expenditures

We plan to make total capital expenditures of approximately $825 million to $875 million during fiscal 2008, consisting of approximately 40% related to new store construction, store relocation, store remodel and store improvement projects, 40% related to the integration of Brooks Eckerd, 10% related to the purchase of prescription files from independent pharmacies and 10% related to technology enhancements, improvements to distribution centers, and other corporate requirements. Management expects that these capital expenditures will be financed primarily with cash flow from operating activities, proceeds from sale leaseback transactions and use of the revolving credit facility.

In fiscal 2009, we intend to make capital expenditures of approximately $700 million to $730 million, including capital expenditures related to the integration of Brooks Eckerd. In years after fiscal 2009, capital expenditures are planned to be approximately $575 million to $600 million.

In fiscal 2005, we resumed our new store and store relocation program. In fiscal 2008, our goal is to open or relocate approximately 125 stores, whether or not the acquisition is consumated. At least 50% of the stores will be relocated or expanded stores and the remaining will be new stores. The program is focused on our strongest existing markets. We also expect to continue remodeling stores.

Future Liquidity

We are highly leveraged. Our high level of indebtedness: (i) limits our ability to obtain additional financing; (ii) limits our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry; (iii) places us at a competitive disadvantage relative to our competitors with less debt; (iv) renders us more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions; and (v) requires us to dedicate a

45




substantial portion of our cash flow to service our debt. In addition, the acquisition of Jean Coutu, USA will require us to incur approximately $2.3 billion in additional debt. Based upon our current levels of operations, planned improvements in our operating performance and the opportunities that we believe the acquisition of Jean Coutu USA provides, we believe that cash flow from operating activities together with available borrowings under the senior secured credit facility, sales of accounts receivable under our securitization agreements, borrowings that have been committed to by our lenders related to the Acquisition and other sources of liquidity will be adequate to fund the Acquisition and to meet our requirements for working capital, debt service and capital expenditures including capital expenditures related to the Acquisition, for the next twelve months. We will continue to assess our liquidity position and potential sources of supplemental liquidity in light of our operating performance, funding requirements related to the Acquisition and other relevant circumstances. Should we determine, at any time, that it is necessary to obtain additional short-term liquidity, we will evaluate our alternatives and take appropriate steps to obtain sufficient additional funds. The restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness in our senior secured credit facility and several of our bond indentures may limit our ability to obtain additional funds. There can be no assurance that any such supplemental funding, if sought, could be obtained or if obtained, would be on terms acceptable to us.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.  The Interpretation establishes criteria for recognizing and measuring the financial statement tax effects of positions taken on a company’s tax returns.  A two-step process is prescribed whereby the threshold for recognition is a more-likely-than-not test that the tax position will be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position, and the tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.  The interpretation is effective for our 2008 fiscal year and will be applicable to all tax positions upon initial adoption.  Only tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold at the effective date may continue to be recognized upon adoption.  We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting FIN 48 on our consolidated financial statements.  The cumulative effect of adopting this interpretation will be recorded as a charge to retained earnings.  We do not expect that the adoption of FIN 48 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, “Accounting for the Servicing of Financial Assets.”  This standard is required to be adopted as of the first fiscal year beginning after September 15, 2006.  We may be required to recognize a servicing asset or liability related to our securitization agreements.  We have not quantified the impact of adopting SFAS No. 156, but we do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial statements or results of operations.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”.  This standard establishes a standard definition for fair value, establishes a framework under generally accepted accounting principles for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements for fair value measurements.  This standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  We have not yet assessed the impact, if any, of adopting SFAS No. 157.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R).”  This standard requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur as a component of comprehensive income.  The standard also requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position.

46




The requirement to recognize the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan is effective as of the end of the fiscal period ending after December 15, 2006.  We have adopted this requirement and the effects are reflected in our financial position as of March 3, 2007.  The requirement to measure plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end statement of financial position is effective for the fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008.  We have not yet adopted this requirement.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115”.  SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value.  Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings.  SFAS No. 159 does not affect any existing accounting literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value.  SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We have not yet assessed the impact, if any, of adopting SFAS No. 159.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to allowance for uncollectible receivables, inventory shrink, impairment, self insurance liabilities, pension benefits, lease exit liabilities, income taxes and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience, current and anticipated business conditions, the condition of the financial markets and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under existing conditions. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The following critical accounting policies require the use of significant judgments and estimates by management:

Allowance for uncollectible receivables:   The majority of our prescription sales are made to customers that are covered by third party payors, such as insurance companies, government agencies and employers. We carry receivables that represent the amount owed to us for sales made to customers or employees of those payors that have not yet been paid. We maintain a reserve for the amount of these receivables deemed to be uncollectible. This reserve is calculated based upon historical collection activity adjusted for current conditions. If the financial condition of the payors were to deteriorate, resulting in an inability to make payments, then an additional reserve would be recorded.

Inventory:   Included in our valuation of inventory are estimates of the losses related to shrink, which occurs during periods between physical inventory counts. When estimating these losses, we consider historical loss results at specific locations as well as overall loss trends. Should actual shrink losses differ from the estimates that our reserves are based on, our operating results will be impacted.

Impairment:   We evaluate long-lived assets, including stores and excluding goodwill, for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may not be recoverable. The impairment is measured by calculating the estimated future cash flows expected to be generated by the store, and comparing this amount to the carrying value of the store’s assets. Cash flows are calculated utilizing individual store forecasts and total company projections for the remaining estimated lease lives of the stores being analyzed. Should actual results differ from those forecasted and projected, we may incur future impairment charges related to these facilities.

Goodwill Impairment:   As disclosed in the consolidated financial statements, we have unamortized goodwill in the amount of $656.0 million. In connection with the provisions of SFAS No. 142, we perform

47




an annual impairment test of goodwill. Our test as of March 3, 2007 resulted in no impairment being identified. However, the process of evaluating goodwill for impairment involves the determination of the fair value of our company. Inherent in such fair value determinations are certain judgments and estimates, including the interpretation of economic indicators and market valuations and assumptions about our strategic plans. To the extent that our strategic plans change, or that economic and market conditions worsen, it is possible that our conclusion regarding goodwill impairment could change and result in a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Self-insurance liabilities:   We record estimates for self-insured medical, dental, workers’ compensation and general liability insurance coverage with assistance from actuaries. Should a greater amount of claims occur compared to what was estimated, or medical costs increase beyond what was anticipated, reserves recorded may not be sufficient, and additional expense may be recorded.

Benefit plan accrual:   We have several defined benefit plans, under which participants earn a retirement benefit based upon a formula set forth in the plan. We record expense related to these plans using actuarially determined amounts that are calculated under the provisions of SFAS No. 158 “Employers’ Accounting For Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—An Amendment of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R)”. Key assumptions used in the actuarial valuations include the discount rate, the expected rate of return on plan assets and the rate of increase in future compensation levels. These rates are based on market interest rates, and therefore fluctuations in market interest rates could impact the amount of pension expense recorded for these plans.

The accumulated benefit obligation of the defined benefit plans is a discounted amount calculated using the discount rate from published high-quality long-term bond indices, the terms of which approximate the term of the cash flows to pay the accumulated benefit obligations when due. An increase in the market interest rates, assuming no other changes in the estimates, reduces the amount of the accumulated benefit obligation and the related required expense.

Lease exit liabilities:   We record reserves for closed stores based on future lease commitments, that are present valued at current risk free interest rates, anticipated ancillary occupancy costs, and anticipated future subleases of properties. If interest rates or the real estate leasing markets change, reserves may be increased or decreased.

Income taxes:   We currently have net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards that can be utilized to offset future income for federal and state tax purposes. These NOLs generate a significant deferred tax asset. We regularly review the deferred tax assets for recoverability considering our historical profitability, projected taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences and tax planning strategies. We will establish a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets when we determine that it is more likely than not that some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances from period to period are included in the tax provision in the period of change. Significant judgment is required in making these assessments.

Litigation reserves:   We are involved in litigation on an on-going basis. We accrue our best estimate of the probable loss related to legal claims. Such estimates are developed in consultation with in-house and outside counsel, and are based upon a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. To the extent additional information arises or our strategies change, it is possible that our best estimate of the probable liability may also change.

Item 7A.                Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks

Our future earnings, cash flow and fair values relevant to financial instruments are dependent upon prevalent market rates. Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates. Our major market risk exposure is changing interest rates. Increases in interest rates would increase

48




our interest expense. We enter into debt obligations to support capital expenditures, acquisitions, working capital needs and general corporate purposes. Our policy is to manage interest rates through the use of a combination of variable-rate credit facilities, fixed-rate long-term obligations and derivative transactions.

The table below provides information about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The table presents principal payments and the related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates as of March 3, 2007.

 

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

2012

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Fair Value
at March 3,
 2007

 

Long-term debt, Including current portion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed rate

 

$

643

 

$

150,322

 

$

122

 

$

357,930

 

$

115

 

$

1,956,495

 

$

2,465,627

 

$

2,358,634

 

Average Interest Rate

 

8.00

%

6.13

%

8.00

%

8.17

%

8.00

%

7.86

%

7.80

%

 

 

Variable Rate

 

 

 

 

$

445,000

 

 

 

$

445,000

 

$

445,000

 

Average Interest Rate

 

 

 

 

6.81

%

 

 

6.81

%

 

 

 

Our ability to satisfy our interest payment obligations on our outstanding debt will depend largely on our future performance, which, in turn, is subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors beyond our control. If we do not have sufficient cash flow to service our interest payment obligations on our outstanding indebtedness and if we cannot borrow or obtain equity financing to satisfy those obligations, our business and results of operations will be materially adversely affected. We cannot be assured that any replacement borrowing or equity financing could be successfully completed.

The interest rate on the variable-rate borrowings on this facility are LIBOR plus 1.50% for the revolving credit facility. Changes in one month LIBOR affect our cost of borrowings because the interest rate on our variable-rate obligations is based on LIBOR. If the market rates of interest for one month LIBOR change by 10% (approximately 53 basis points) as compared to the LIBOR rate of 5.32% as of March 3, 2007 our annual interest expense would change by approximately $2.4 million based upon our variable-rate debt outstanding of approximately $445.0 million on March 3, 2007.

A change in interest rates generally does not have an impact upon our future earnings and cash flow for fixed-rate debt instruments. As fixed-rate debt matures, however, and if additional debt is acquired to fund the debt repayment, future earnings and cash flow may be affected by changes in interest rates. This effect would be realized in the periods subsequent to the periods when the debt matures.

In addition to the financial instruments listed above, the program fees incurred on proceeds from the sale of receivables under our receivables securitization agreements are determined based on LIBOR.

Item 8.        Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto are included elsewhere in this report and are incorporated by reference herein. See Item 15 of Part IV.

Item 9.        Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Not applicable

49




Item 9A.                Controls and Procedures

(a)          Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

(b)   Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management has concluded that, as of March 3, 2007, we did not have any material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and our internal control over financial reporting was effective.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued an audit report on our management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting.

Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, on our management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting is included after the next paragraph.

(c)   Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during our fourth fiscal quarter ended March 3, 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Rite Aid Corporation
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that Rite Aid Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 3, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment

50




and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 3, 2007, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 3, 2007, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended March 3, 2007, of the Company and our report dated April 27, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule.

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 27, 2007

Item 9B.               Other Information

None

51




PART III

We intend to file with the SEC a definitive proxy statement for our 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held on June 27, 2007, pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after March 3, 2007. The information required by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) is incorporated by reference from that proxy statement.

PART IV

Item 15.                 Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) The consolidated financial statements of the Company and report of the independent registered public accounting firm identified in the following index are included in this report from the individual pages filed as a part of this report:

1.                 Financial Statements

The following financial statements, report of the independent registered public acounting firm and supplementary data are included herein:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

58

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 3, 2007 and March 4, 2006

 

59

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended March 3, 2007, March 4, 2006 and February 26, 2005

 

60

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the fiscal years ended March 3, 2007, March 4, 2006 and February 26, 2005

 

61

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended March 3, 2007, March 4, 2006 and February 26, 2005

 

62

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

63

 

 

2.                 Financial Statement Schedules

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not required or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

3.                 Exhibits

Exhibit
Numbers

 

Description

 

Incorporation By
Reference To

2.1

 

Stock Purchase Agreement, dated August 23, 2006, by and between Rite Aid Corporation and The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc.

 

Exhibit 2 to Form 8-K, filed on August 24, 2006

2.2

 

Stockholder Agreement, dated August 23, 2006, by and between Rite Aid Corporation, The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc., Jean Coutu, Marcelle Coutu, Francois J. Coutu, Michel Coutu, Louis Coutu, Sylvie Coutu and Marie-Josee Coutu

 

Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K, filed on August 24, 2006

2.3

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 23, 2006, by and between Rite Aid Corporation and The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc.

 

Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K, filed on August 24, 2006

3.1

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated December 12, 1996

 

Exhibit 3(i) to Form 8-K, filed on November 2, 1999

52




 

3.2

 

Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated February 22, 1999

 

Exhibit 3(ii) to Form 8-K, filed on November 2, 1999

3.3

 

Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated June 27, 2001

 

Exhibit 3.4 to Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-64950, filed on July 12, 2001

3.4

 

Form of Proposed Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation

 

Included in Preliminary Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on October 2, 2006

3.5

 

7.0% Series E Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation dated January 25, 2005

 

Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K, filed on February 1, 2005

3.6

 

7% Series G Cumulative Convertible Pay-in-Kind Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation dated January 28, 2005

 

Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K, filed on February 2, 2005

3.7

 

6% Series H Cumulative Convertible Pay-in-Kind Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation dated January 28, 2005

 

Exhibit 3.3 to Form 8-K, filed on February 2, 2005

3.8

 

5.5% Series I Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation dated August 2, 2005

 

Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K, filed on August 24, 2005

3.9

 

By-laws, as amended and restated

 

Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K, filed on December 14, 2005

3.10

 

Form of Amended and Restated By-Laws

 

Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K, filed on April 13, 2007

4.1

 

Indenture, dated August 1, 1993, by and between Rite Aid Corporation, as issuer, and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as trustee, related to the Company’s 6.70% Notes due 2001, 7.125% Notes due 2007, 7.70% Notes due 2027, 7.625% Notes due 2005 and 6.875% Notes due 2013

 

Exhibit 4A to Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 033-63794, filed on June 3, 1993

4.2

 

Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 3, 2000, between Rite Aid Corporation, as issuer, and U.S. Bank Trust National Association as successor to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, to the Indenture dated as of August 1, 1993, relating to the Company’s 6.70% Notes due 2001, 7.125% Notes due 2007, 7.70% Notes due 2027, 7.625% Notes due 2005 and 6.875% Notes due 2013

 

Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed on February 7, 2000

4.3

 

Indenture, dated as of December 21, 1998, between Rite Aid Corporation, as issuer, and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as trustee, related to the Company’s 5.50% Notes due 2000, 6% Notes due 2005, 6.125% Notes due 2008 and 6.875% Notes due 2028

 

Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-74751, filed on March 19, 1999

4.4

 

Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 3, 2000, between Rite Aid Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, to the Indenture dated December 21, 1998, between Rite Aid Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, related to the Company’s 5.50% Notes due 2000, 6% Notes due 2005, 6.125% Notes due 2008 and 6.875% Notes due 2028

 

Exhibit 4.4 to Form 8-K, filed on February 7, 2000

53




 

4.5

 

Indenture, dated as of April 22, 2003, between Rite Aid Corporation, as issuer, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee, related to the Company’s 8.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2010

 

Exhibit 4.11 to Form 10-K, filed on May 2, 2003

4.6

 

Indenture, dated as of May 20, 2003, between Rite Aid Corporation, as issuer, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee, related to the Company’s 9.25% Senior Notes due 2013

 

Exhibit 4.12 to Form 10-Q, filed on July 3, 2003

4.7

 

Indenture, dated as of February 15, 2007, between Rite Aid Corporation, as issuer, the subsidiary guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, related to the Company’s 7.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2017

 

Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K, filed on February 26, 2007

4.8

 

Indenture, dated as of February 15, 2007, between Rite Aid Corporation, as issuer, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, related to the Company’s 8.625% Senior Notes due 2015

 

Exhibit 99.2 to Form 8-K, filed on February 26, 2007

4.9

 

Third Amendment and Restatement dated as of September 30, 2005, to the Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 2001, as amended and restated as of September 22, 2004, among Rite Aid Corporation, a Delaware corporation, the lender from time to time party thereto, Citicorp North America, Inc., as administrative agent and collateral processing co-agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent and collateral processing co-agent, Fleet Retail Group, Inc., as co-documentation agent and collateral agent, The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc., as co-documentation agent, and General Electric Capital Corporation, as co-documentation agent.

 

Exhibit 4.11 to Form 10-Q, filed on October 3, 2005

4.10

 

Amendment and Restatement Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2006, relating to the Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 2001, as amended and restated as of September 30, 2005, among Rite Aid Corporation, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Citicorp North America, Inc., as administrative agent and collateral processing agent and Bank of America, N.A., as syndication agent

 

Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K, filed on November 15, 2006

4.11

 

Amendment No. 4 to Receivables Financing Agreement and Consent, dated as of November 9, 2006, by and among Rite Aid Funding II, CAFCO, LLC, Jupiter Securitization Corporation, Variable Funding Capital Company LLC, Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as investor agent, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as investor agent, Citicorp North America, Inc., as investor agent and program agent, Rite Aid Hdqtrs. Funding, Inc., as collection agent, and certian other parties thereto as originators

 

Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K filed on November 15, 2006

54




 

4.12

 

Definitions Annex to the Senior Loan Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents

 

Exhibit 4.12 to Form 10-Q, filed on October 3, 2005

4.13

 

Second Amendment, dated as of September 30, 2005, to the Amended and Restated Collateral Trust and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2001, as amended and restated as of May 28, 2003, among Rite Aid Corporation and its subsidiaries that are a party thereto, the collateral trustees, the collateral processing co-agents and the trustees of various indentures covered by this agreement.

 

Exhibit 4.13 to Form 10-Q, filed on October 3, 2005

4.14

 

First Amendment, dated as of September 22, 2004, to the Amended and Restated Collateral Trust and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2001, among Rite Aid Corporation, the Subsidiary Guarantors (named therein), Wilmington Trust Company, as collateral trustee; the senior collateral processing co-agents (named therein) and the senior collateral agents (named therein)

 

Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q filed on September 25, 2004

4.15

 

Amended and Restated Collateral Trust and Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 28, 2003, among Rite Aid Corporation, each Subsidiary of Rite Aid named therein or which becomes a party hereto, Wilmington Trust Company, as collateral trustee for the holders from time to time of the Second Priority Debt Obligations, Citicorp North America, Inc., as senior collateral processing co-agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as senior collateral processing co-agent for the Senior Secured Parties under the Senior Loan Documents, U.S. Bank and Trust, as trustee under the 12.5% Note Indenture, BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee under the 9.5% Note Indenture and as trustee under the 8.125% Note Indenture, and each other Second Priority Representative which becomes a party thereto

 

Exhibit 10.2 to Registration Statement of Form 8-K, filed on May 30, 2003

10.1

 

1999 Stock Option Plan*

 

Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-K, filed on May 21, 2001

10.2

 

2000 Omnibus Equity Plan*

 

Included in Proxy Statement dated October 24, 2000

10.3

 

2001 Stock Option Plan*

 

Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-K, filed on May 21, 2001

10.4

 

2004 Omnibus Equity Plan*

 

Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-K, filed on April 28, 2005

10.5

 

2006 Omnibus Equity Plan

 

Exhibit 10 to Form 8-K, filed on January 22, 2007

10.6

 

Employment Agreement by and between Rite Aid Corporation and Robert G. Miller, dated as of April 9, 2003*

 

Exhibit 10.7 to Form 10-K, filed on May 2, 2003

10.7

 

Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement by and between Rite Aid Corporation and Robert G. Miller, dated as of April 28, 2005*

 

Exhibit 10.8 to Form 10-K, filed on April 28, 2005

55




 

10.8

 

Rite Aid Corporation Restricted Stock and Stock Option Award Agreement, made as of December 5, 1999, by and between Rite Aid Corporation and Robert G. Miller*

 

Exhibit 4.31 to Form 8-K, filed on January 18, 2000

10.9

 

Employment Agreement by and between Rite Aid Corporation and Mary F. Sammons, dated as of December 5, 1999*

 

Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K, filed on January 18, 2000

10.10

 

Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement by and between Rite Aid Corporation and Mary F. Sammons, dated as of May 7, 2001*

 

Exhibit 10.12 to Form 10-K, filed on May 21, 2001

10.11

 

Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement by and between Rite Aid Corporation and Mary F. Sammons, dated as of September 30, 2003*

 

Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-Q, Filed on October 7, 2003

10.12

 

Rite Aid Corporation Restricted Stock and Stock Option Award Agreement, made as of December 5, 1999, by and between Rite Aid Corporation and Mary F. Sammons*

 

Exhibit 4.32 to Form 8-K, filed on January 18, 2000

10.13

 

Employment Agreement by and between Rite Aid Corporation and Douglas  E. Donley, dated as of August 1, 2000*

 

Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q, Filed on December 22, 2005

10.14

 

Employment Agreement by and between Rite Aid Corporation and Mark de Bruin, dated as of February 5, 2003*

 

Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q, Filed on December 22, 2005

10.15

 

Employment Agreement by and between Rite Aid Corporation and Mark C. Panzer, dated June 27, 2001*

 

Exhibit 10.34 to Form 10-K, filed on May 2, 2003

10.16

 

Employment Agreement by and between Rite Aid Corporation and James Mastrian, dated as of September 27, 1999*

 

Exhibit 10.20 to Form 10-K, filed on May 21, 2001

10.17

 

Rite Aid Corporation Special Executive Retirement Plan*

 

Exhibit 10.15 to Form 10-K, filed on April 26, 2004

10.18

 

Employment Agreement by and between Rite Aid Corporation and Robert B. Sari, dated as of February 28, 2001*

 

Exhibit 10.49 to Form 10-K filed on May 21, 2001

10.19

 

Employment Agreement by and between Rite Aid Corporation and Kevin Twomey, dated as of September 30, 2003*

 

Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-Q, Filed on October 7, 2003

10.20

 

Employment Agreement by and between Rite Aid Corporation and Pierre Legault, dated as of February 2, 2007

 

Filed herewith

11

 

Statement regarding computation of earnings per share

 

Filed herewith (see note 2 to the consolidated financial statements)

12

 

Statement regarding computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges

 

Filed herewith

21

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

 

Filed herewith

23

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Filed herewith

56




 

31.1

 

Certification of CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14 (a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Filed herewith

31.2

 

Certification of CFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14 (a)/15d-14 (a) under Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Filed herewith

32

 

Certification of CEO and CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Filed herewith


*                    Constitutes a compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed with this Form 10-K.

57




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Rite Aid Corporation
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Rite Aid Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 3, 2007 and March 4, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 3, 2007. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2). These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Rite Aid Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 3, 2007 and March 4, 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 3, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 3, 2007, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated April 27, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 27, 2007

58




RITE AID CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

March 3,
2007

 

March 4,
2006

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

106,148

 

$

76,067

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

374,493

 

354,949

 

Inventories, net

 

2,335,679

 

2,341,410

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

136,668

 

112,386

 

Total current assets

 

2,952,988

 

2,884,812

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

1,743,104

 

1,717,022

 

Goodwill

 

656,037

 

656,037

 

Other intangibles, net

 

178,220

 

193,228

 

Deferred tax assets

 

1,380,942

 

1,392,889

 

Other assets

 

179,733

 

144,383

 

Total assets

 

$

7,091,024

 

$

6,988,371

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of convertible notes, long-term debt and lease financing obligations

 

$

16,184

 

$

584,196

 

Accounts payable

 

902,807

 

862,192

 

Accrued salaries, wages and other current liabilities

 

670,934

 

696,936

 

Total current liabilities

 

1,589,925

 

2,143,324

 

Long-term debt, less current maturities

 

2,909,983

 

2,298,706

 

Lease financing obligations, less current maturities

 

174,121

 

168,544

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

754,149

 

770,876

 

Total liabilities

 

5,428,178

 

5,381,450

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock—series E, par value $1 per share; liquidation value $50 per share; 2,500 shares authorized; shares issued 2,500

 

120,000

 

120,000

 

Preferred stock—series G, par value $1 per share; liquidation value $100 per share; 2,000 shares authorized; shares issued 1,299 and 1,212

 

129,917

 

121,207

 

Preferred stock—series H, par value $1 per share; liquidation value $100 per share; 2,000 shares authorized; shares issued 1,274 and 1,200

 

127,385

 

120,020

 

Preferred stock—series I, par value $1 per share; liquidation value $25 per share; 5,200 shares authorized; shares issued 4,820

 

116,415

 

116,074

 

Common stock, par value $1 per share; 1,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding 536,686 and 527,667

 

536,686

 

527,667

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

3,118,299

 

3,114,997

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(2,462,197

)

(2,489,023

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(23,659

)

(24,021

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

1,662,846

 

1,606,921

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

7,091,024

 

$

6,988,371

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

59




RITE AID CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

March 3,
2007

 

March 4,
2006

 

February 26,
2005

 

Revenues

 

$

17,507,719

 

$

17,270,968

 

$

16,816,439

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold

 

12,791,597

 

12,571,860

 

12,202,894

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

4,370,481

 

4,307,421

 

4,127,536

 

Store closing and impairment charges

 

49,317

 

68,692

 

35,655

 

Interest expense

 

275,219

 

277,017

 

294,871

 

Loss on debt modifications and retirements, net

 

18,662

 

9,186

 

19,229

 

(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net

 

(11,139

)

(6,462

)

2,247

 

 

 

17,494,137

 

17,227,714

 

16,682,432

 

Income before income taxes

 

13,582

 

43,254

 

134,007

 

Income tax benefit

 

(13,244

)

(1,229,752

)

(168,471

)

Net income

 

$

26,826

 

$

1,273,006

 

$

302,478

 

Computation of (loss) income applicable to common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

26,826

 

$

1,273,006

 

$

302,478

 

Accretion of redeemable preferred stock

 

(102

)

(102

)

(102

)

Cumulative preferred stock dividends

 

(31,455

)

(32,723

)

(35,226

)

Premium to redeem preferred stock

 

 

(5,883

)

(5,650

)

(Loss) income applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(4,731

)

$

1,234,298

 

$

261,500

 

Basic and diluted (loss) income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic (loss) income per share

 

$

(0.01

)

$

2.36

 

$

0.50

 

Diluted (loss) income per share

 

$

(0.01

)

$

1.89

 

$

0.47

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

60




RITE AID CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
For the Years Ended March 3, 2007, March 4, 2006 and February 26, 2005
(In thousands)

 

Preferred Stock
Series D

 

Preferred Stock
Series E

 

Preferred Stock-
Series F

 

Preferred Stock-
Series G

 

Preferred
Stock-Series H

 

Preferred
Stock-Series I

 

Common Stock

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

Total

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE FEBRUARY 28, 2004

 

4,178

 

$

  417,803