Edgar Filing: SUPERVALU INC

Form 10-Q

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
		SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

		For the quarterly period (12 weeks) ended November 30, 2002

[_]		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 1-5418

SUPERVALU INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)

DELAWARE (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		41-0617000 (I.R.S. Employer identification No.)

11840 VALLEY VIEW ROAD EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA (Address of principal executive offices)		55344 (Zip Code)

(952) 828-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 ¨

The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of Common Stock as of December 28, 2002 is as follows:

Title of Each Class		Shares Outstanding
Common Shares		133,688,277

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUPERVALU INC. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(In thousands, except percent and per share data)

	Third Quarter (12 weeks) ended
	November 30, 2002		% of sales		December 1, 2001		% of sales
Net sales	$	4,704,768	100.00	%	$	4,610,293	100.00	%

Costs and expenses
Cost of sales		4,108,425	87.32			4,018,382	87.15
Selling and administrative expenses		467,818	9.94			444,671	9.65
Amortization of goodwill		—	—			10,817	0.23
Interest
Interest expense		42,508	0.91			43,666	0.95
Interest income		4,709	0.10			4,309	0.09

Interest expense, net		37,799	0.81			39,357	0.86

Total costs and expenses		4,614,042	98.07			4,513,227	97.89


Earnings before income taxes		90,726	1.93			97,066	2.11

Provision for income taxes
Current		13,188				9,019
Deferred		20,401				30,031

Income tax expense		33,589	.72			39,050	.85

Net earnings	$	57,137	1.21	%	$	58,016	1.26	%


Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Diluted		134,087				135,068
Basic		133,639				133,475

Net earnings per common share—diluted	$	0.43			$	0.43

Net earnings per common share—basic	$	0.43			$	0.43

Dividends declared per common share	$	.1425			$	.1400

All data subject to year-end audit.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

SUPERVALU INC. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(In thousands, except percent and per share data)

	Year-to-date (40 weeks) ended
	November 30, 2002		% of sales		December 1, 2001		% of sales
Net sales	$	15,049,007	100.00	%	$	16,257,118	100.00	%

Costs and expenses
Cost of sales		13,104,039	87.07			14,307,278	88.01
Selling and administrative expenses		1,510,845	10.04			1,500,305	9.23
Amortization of goodwill		—	—			36,788	0.23
Interest
Interest expense		143,166	0.95			152,265	0.94
Interest income		15,551	0.10			16,609	0.11

Interest expense, net		127,615	0.85			135,656	0.83

Total costs and expenses		14,742,499	97.96			15,980,027	98.30


Earnings before income taxes		306,508	2.04			277,091	1.70

Provision for income taxes
Current		78,625				74,051
Deferred		34,784				37,488

Income tax expense		113,409	0.76			111,539	0.68

Net earnings	$	193,099	1.28	%	$	165,552	1.02	%


Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Diluted		135,160				133,826
Basic		133,742				132,979

Net earnings per common share—diluted	$	1.43			$	1.24

Net earnings per common share—basic	$	1.44			$	1.24

Dividends declared per common share	$	.4250			$	.4175

All data subject to year-end audit.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

SUPERVALU INC. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET SALES AND EARNINGS

(In thousands, except percent data)

	Third Quarter (12 weeks) ended						Year-to-date (40 weeks) ended
	Actual November 30, 2002			Last Year December 1, 2001			Actual November 30, 2002			Last Year December 1, 2001
Net Sales

Retail food	$	2,271,198		$	2,194,831		$	7,330,572		$	7,172,872
% of total		48.3	%		47.6	%		48.7	%		44.1	%

Food distribution		2,433,570			2,415,462			7,718,435			9,084,246
% of total		51.7	%		52.4	%		51.3	%		55.9	%

Total net sales	$	4,704,768		$	4,610,293		$	15,049,007		$	16,257,118
		100.0	%		100.00	%		100.0	%		100.0	%


Earnings

Retail food	$	93,385		$	91,815		$	321,282		$	270,590
% of sales		4.1	%		4.2	%		4.4	%		3.8	%

Food distribution		43,603			54,931			140,551			173,316
% of sales		1.8	%		2.3	%		1.8	%		1.9	%

Subtotal		136,988			146,746			461,833			443,906
% of sales		2.9	%		3.2	%		3.1	%		2.7	%

General corporate expenses		(8,463	)		(10,323	)		(27,710	)		(31,159	)

Total operating earnings		128,525			136,423			434,123			412,747
% of sales		2.7	%		3.0	%		2.9	%		2.5	%

Interest expense		(42,508	)		(43,666	)		(143,166	)		(152,265	)

Interest income		4,709			4,309			15,551			16,609


Earnings before income taxes		90,726			97,066			306,508			277,091

Provision for income taxes		(33,589	)		(39,050	)		(113,409	)		(111,539	)


Net earnings	$	57,137		$	58,016		$	193,099		$	165,552

All data subject to year-end audit.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

SUPERVALU INC. and Subsidiaries

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

	Third Quarter		Fiscal Year End
	November 30, 2002		February 23, 2002
Assets

Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	53,483	$	12,171
Receivables, net ($274,061 in fiscal 2003 and $0 in fiscal 2002 pledged as collateral)		535,335		447,243
Inventories, net		1,272,089		1,038,050
Other current assets		72,360		78,030

Total current assets		1,933,267		1,575,494

Long-term notes receivable, net		143,232		137,326

Property, plant and equipment, net		2,218,063		2,208,633

Goodwill		1,576,584		1,531,312

Other assets		403,672		343,484


Total assets	$	6,274,818	$	5,796,249


Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Current Liabilities
Notes payable	$	223,800	$	27,465
Accounts payable		1,323,255		1,013,140
Current debt and obligations under capital leases		52,927		356,408
Other current liabilities		285,702		293,498

Total current liabilities		1,885,684		1,690,511

Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases		2,018,886		1,875,873

Other liabilities and deferred income taxes		334,876		330,727

Commitments and contingencies

Total stockholders’ equity		2,035,372		1,899,138


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	6,274,818	$	5,796,249

All data subject to year-end audit.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

SUPERVALU INC. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands, except per share data)

	Common Stock			Capital in Excess of Par Value			Treasury Stock					Comprehensive Income			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income			Total
	Shares	Amount		Capital in Excess of Par Value			Shares		Amount			Comprehensive Income			Retained Earnings						Total
BALANCES AT FEBRUARY 24, 2001	150,670	$	150,670	$	128,492		(18,296	)	$	(342,100	)	$	—		$	1,846,087		$			$	1,783,149
Net earnings			—							—			198,326			198,326						198,326
Sales of common stock under option plans			—		(2,103	)	1,401			28,005			—			—						25,902
Cash dividends declared on common stock—$.5575 per share			—							—			—			(74,429	)					(74,429	)
Compensation under employee incentive plans			—		(4,945	)	576			10,293			—			—						5,348
Other comprehensive loss			—							—			(7,075	)		—			(7,075	)		(7,075	)
Purchase of shares for treasury			—				(1,462	)		(32,083	)		—			—						(32,083	)

BALANCES AT FEBRUARY 23, 2002	150,670	$	150,670	$	121,444		(17,781	)	$	(335,885	)	$	191,251		$	1,969,984		$	(7,075	)	$	1,899,138


Net earnings			—				—			—			193,099			193,099						193,099
Sales of common stock under option plans			—		(10,186	)	2,150			47,466			—			—						37,280
Cash dividends declared on common stock $.4250 per share			—							—			—			(57,176	)					(57,176	)
Compensation under employee incentive plans			—		1,780		156			3,148			—			—						4,928
Other comprehensive income			—							—			262			—			262			262
Purchase of shares for treasury			—				(1,508	)		(42,159	)		—			—						(42,159	)

BALANCES AT NOVEMBER 30, 2002	150,670	$	150,670	$	113,038		(16,983	)	$	(327,430	)	$	193,361		$	2,105,907		$	(6,813	)	$	2,035,372

All data subject to year-end audit.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

SUPERVALU INC. and Subsidiaries

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

	Year-to-date (40 weeks ended)
	November 30, 2002			December 1, 2001
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	389,179		$	350,210


Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to long-term notes receivable		(44,755	)		(36,471	)
Proceeds received on long-term notes receivable		34,284			30,831
Proceeds from sale of assets		29,752			73,243
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(290,339	)		(197,578	)
Other investing activities		7,564			(9,767	)


Net cash used in investing activities		(263,494	)		(139,742	)


Cash flows from financing activities
Net issuance (reduction) of short-term notes payable		196,335			(347,822	)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		296,535			218,014
Repayment of long-term debt		(485,549	)		(12,416	)
Reduction of obligations under capital leases		(24,493	)		(20,928	)
Net proceeds from the sale of common stock under option plans		31,542			11,805
Dividends paid		(56,584	)		(55,195	)
Payment for purchase of treasury shares		(42,159	)		(3,000	)


Net cash used in financing activities		(84,373	)		(209,542	)


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		41,312			926
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		12,171			10,396


Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	$	53,483		$	11,322


Supplemental Information:

Pretax LIFO expense	$	2,766		$	4,372
Pretax depreciation and amortization	$	221,746		$	257,816

All data subject to year-end audit.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

SUPERVALU INC. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GENERAL

Accounting Policies

The summary of significant accounting policies is included in the notes to consolidated financial statements set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A of SUPERVALU INC. (“SUPERVALU” or the “Company”) for its fiscal year ended February 23, 2002 (“fiscal 2002”).

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in February. The Company’s first quarter consists of 16 weeks, while the second, third and fourth quarters each consist of 12 weeks. The last three fiscal years consist of the 52-week periods ended February 23, 2002, February 24, 2001 and February 26, 2000, respectively. The Company’s reporting period for the third quarter and year-to-date periods ended November 30, 2002 and December 1, 2001 includes twelve weeks and forty weeks, respectively.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior years’ data to the current presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on reported earnings.

Statement of Registrant

The data presented herein is unaudited but, in the opinion of management, includes all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries at November 30, 2002 and December 1, 2001, and the results of the Company’s consolidated operations and condensed consolidated cash flows for the periods then ended. These interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results of the fiscal years as a whole.

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Basic EPS is calculated using income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS except that the weighted average of common shares outstanding is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares, such as options, had been issued.

The following table details the computation of EPS:

	Third Quarter (12 weeks) ended				Year-to-date (40 weeks) ended
	November 30, 2002		December 1, 2001		November 30, 2002		December 1, 2001
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Earnings per share – basic
Income available to common shareholders	$	57,137	$	58,016	$	193,099	$	165,552
Weighted average shares outstanding		133,639		133,475		133,742		132,979
Earnings per share – basic	$	0.43	$	0.43	$	1.44	$	1.24

Earnings per share – diluted
Income available to common shareholders	$	57,137	$	58,016	$	193,099	$	165,552
Weighted average shares outstanding		133,639		133,475		133,742		132,979
Dilutive impact of options outstanding		448		1,593		1,418		847


Weighted average shares and potential dilutive shares outstanding		134,087		135,068		135,160		133,826
Earnings per share – diluted	$	0.43	$	0.43	$	1.43	$	1.24

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) approved Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. SFAS No. 142 requires companies to cease amortizing goodwill and test at least annually for impairment. For SUPERVALU, amortization of goodwill ceased on February 24, 2002, at which time it was tested for impairment. Each of the Company’s reporting units were tested for impairment by comparing the fair value of the respective reporting unit with its carrying value as of February 24, 2002. Fair value was determined primarily based on valuation studies performed by the Company, which considered the discounted cash flow method consistent with the Company’s valuation guidelines. As a result of impairment tests performed, the Company recorded no impairment loss.

In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 144 effective February 24, 2002. As a result of impairment tests performed, the Company recorded no impairment loss.

Emerging Issue Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 01-09, “Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of a Vendor’s Products)”, which codified EITF Issue No. 00-14, “Accounting for Certain Sales Incentives”; EITF Issue No. 00-22, “Accounting for ‘Points’ and Certain Other Time-Based or Volume-Based Sales and Incentive Offers, and Offers for Free Products or Services to be Delivered in the Future”; and EITF Issue No. 00-25, “Vendor Income Statement Characterization of Consideration Paid to a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products”, became effective for the Company on February 24, 2002. These issues address the appropriate accounting for certain vendor contracts and loyalty programs. This EITF did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Statement of Position (SOP) No. 01-06, “Accounting by Certain Entities (Including Entities with Trade Receivables) that Lend to or Finance the Activities of Others”, became effective for the Company on February 24, 2002. SOP No. 01-06 addresses the appropriate accounting for a company’s financing and lending activities. SOP No. 01-06 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”, which addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. The Company plans to adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 143 in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 143 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, “Recission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections”. SFAS No. 145 allows only those gains and losses on the extinguishment of debt that meet the criteria of extraordinary items to be treated as such in the financial statements. SFAS No. 145 also requires sales-leaseback accounting for certain lease modifications that have economic effects that are similar to sales-leaseback transactions. Certain provisions of SFAS No. 145 are effective for transactions occurring after May 15, 2002, while the remaining provisions will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 145 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”. SFAS No. 146 addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and nullifies EITF Issue No. 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)”. SFAS No. 146 requires recognition of a liability for the costs associated with an exit or disposal activity when the liability is incurred, as opposed to when the entity commits to an exit plan as required under EITF Issue 94-3. The Company plans to adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 146 for exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002.

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure”. SFAS No. 148 amends SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. SFAS No. 148 also amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require additional disclosure in both annual and interim financial statements on the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. The Company plans to adopt the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003.

In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation (FIN) No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others”. FIN No. 45 requires companies to recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. Guarantees in existence at December 31, 2002 are grandfathered for the purposes of recognition and would only need to be disclosed. The Company plans to adopt the initial recognition and measurement provisions of FIN No. 45 for guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002.

EITF Issue No. 02-13, “Deferred Income Tax Considerations in Applying the Goodwill Impairment Test in FASB Statement No. 142, ‘Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets’ “, requires that deferred income taxes be included in the carrying amount of a reporting unit for the purposes of the first step of the SFAS No. 142 goodwill impairment test. EITF No. 02-13 is effective for goodwill impairment tests performed after September 12, 2002. The Company is currently analyzing the impact EITF No. 02-13 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

EITF Issue No. 02-16, “Accounting by a Reseller for Cash Consideration Received from a Vendor”, addresses how a reseller of a vendor’s products should account for cash consideration received from a vendor and how to measure that consideration in its income statement. The Company plans to adopt the provisions of EITF No. 02-16 in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. The Company does not expect the adoption of EITF No. 02-16 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

EITF Issue No. 02-17, “Recognition of Customer Relationship Intangible Assets Acquired in a Business Combination”, focuses on customer relationship assets. EITF No. 02-17 addresses the contractual or other legal criteria that must be met for determining the fair value of intangible assets apart from goodwill, even if the contract does not exist at the date of the acquisition. EITF No. 02-17 is effective for business combinations consummated and goodwill impairment tests performed after October 25, 2002. The Company will incorporate EITF No. 02-17 requirements in all future business combinations and impairment tests.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

At November 30, 2002, the Company had $1.6 billion of goodwill on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets of which $0.9 billion was related to the retail food segment and $0.7 billion was related to the food distribution segment.

In the following table, the Company has adjusted reported net earnings, diluted net earnings per common share and basic net earnings per common share to exclude amortization expense related to goodwill, that is no longer being amortized upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142:

	Third Quarter (12 weeks) ended				Year-to-date (40 weeks) ended
	November 30, 2002		December 1, 2001		November 30, 2002		December 1, 2001
	(in thousands)
Reported net earnings	$	57,137	$	58,016	$	193,099	$	165,552
Goodwill amortization				10,817				36,788

Adjusted net earnings	$	57,137	$	68,833	$	193,099	$	202,340


Diluted net earnings per common share:
Reported net earnings	$	0.43	$	0.43	$	1.43	$	1.24
Goodwill amortization				0.08				0.27

Adjusted net earnings	$	0.43	$	0.51	$	1.43	$	1.51


Basic net earnings per common share:
Reported net earnings	$	0.43	$	0.43	$	1.44	$	1.24
Goodwill amortization				0.08				0.27

Adjusted net earnings	$	0.43	$	0.51	$	1.44	$	1.51

The carrying amount of other intangible assets as of November 30, 2002 was as follows:

	Balance November 30, 2002
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	(in thousands)
Non-compete agreements	$	8,506	$	(3,858	)	$	4,648
Customer lists and other		8,390		(4,204	)		4,186

Total	$	16,896	$	(8,062	)	$	8,834

Other intangible assets are presented in the “Other assets” line in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amortization expense of approximately $323,000 and $1.1 million was recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2003 year-to-date, respectively. Future amortization expense will approximate $1.0 million per year for each of the next five years.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

In the first quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company entered into swap agreements in the notional amount of $225.0 million that exchange a fixed interest rate payment obligation for a floating interest rate payment obligation. The swaps have been designated as a fair value hedge on long-term fixed rate debt of the Company and are reflected in the “Other assets” line in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. At November 30, 2002, the hedge was highly effective. Changes in the fair value of the swaps and debt are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings, and through November 30, 2002, the net earnings impact was zero.

On February 25, 2001, the effective date of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, the Company’s existing interest rate swap agreements were recorded at fair value in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. On July 6, 2001, the swaps were terminated and the remaining fair market value adjustments, which are offsetting, are being amortized over the original term of the hedge. Approximately $340,000 of after-tax loss is expected to be reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income into the Consolidated Statement of Earnings within the next 12 months.

The Company has only limited involvement with derivative financial instruments and uses them only to manage well-defined interest rate risks. The Company does not use financial instruments or derivatives for any trading or other speculative purposes.

RESTRUCTURE AND OTHER CHARGES

Restructure 2002

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company identified additional efforts that will allow it to extend its distribution efficiency program begun early in fiscal 2001. The additional distribution efficiency initiatives identified resulted in pre-tax restructure charges of $16.3 million, primarily related to personnel reductions in administrative and transportation functions. Management began the initiatives in fiscal 2003 and expects the majority of these actions to be completed by the end of fiscal 2003.

Reserves for the fiscal 2002 restructure plan represent lease related costs as well as severance and employee related costs. Details of the fiscal 2002 restructure activity for fiscal 2003 are as follows:

	Balance February 23, 2002		Fiscal 2003 Usage		Balance November 30, 2002
	(In thousands)
Lease related costs:
Transportation efficiency initiatives	$	3,235	$	404	$	2,831

		3,235		404		2,831

Employee related costs:
Administrative realignment		8,000		3,312		4,688
Transportation efficiency initiatives		5,065		4,295		770

		13,065		7,607		5,458


Total restructure and other charges	$	16,300	$	8,011	$	8,289

Details of the fiscal 2002 restructure activity as it relates to the number of terminated employees are as follows:

		Original Estimate		Employees Terminated in Prior Year		Balance February 23, 2002		Employees Terminated in Fiscal 2003		Balance November 30, 2002
Employees		800		0		800		609		191

Restructure 2001

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001, the Company completed a strategic review that identified certain assets that did not meet return objectives, provide long-term strategic opportunities or justify additional capital investments. This review process culminated in the Company recording pre-tax restructure and other charges of $181.6 million, including $89.7 million for asset impairment charges, $52.1 million for lease subsidies, lease cancellation fees, future payments on exited leased facilities and guarantee obligations, and $39.8 million for severance and employee related costs. During fiscal 2002, the fiscal 2001 charges were increased by $17.8 million as a result of changes in estimates primarily due to the softening real estate market, including $19.1 million for increased lease liabilities in exiting the non-core retail markets and the disposal of non-core assets, offset by a net decrease of $1.3 million in restructure reserves for the consolidation of distribution centers.

Included in the asset impairment charges of $89.7 million were $57.4 million of charges related to the retail food segment and $32.3 million of charges related to the food distribution segment. Writedowns for property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangibles, and other assets were $58.4 million, $21.8 million and $9.5 million, respectively, and were reflected in the “Restructure and other charges” line in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings

for fiscal 2001. The impairment charges reflect the difference between the carrying value of the assets and the estimated fair values, which were based on the estimated market values for similar assets.

All activity for the fiscal 2001 restructure plan has been completed. Remaining reserves represent future payments on exited lease facilities and unpaid employee benefits. Details of the fiscal 2001 restructure activity for fiscal 2003 are as follows:

	Balance February 23, 2002		Fiscal 2003 Usage		Balance November 30, 2002
	(In thousands)
Lease related costs:
Consolidation of distribution centers	$	8,081	$	5,436	$	2,645
Exit of non-core retail markets		15,988		11,224		4,764
Disposal of non-core assets and other administrative reductions		7,194		1,479		5,715

		31,263		18,139		13,124

Employee related costs:
Consolidation of distribution centers		17,982		8,399		9,583
Exit of non-core retail markets		6,172		3,480		2,692
Disposal of non-core assets and other administrative reductions		554		554		—

		24,708		12,433		12,275


Total restructure and other charges	$	55,971	$	30,572	$	25,399

The number of actual employees terminated under the fiscal 2001 restructure plan was adjusted to a lower number than originally expected primarily due to higher than anticipated voluntary attrition. Details of the fiscal 2001 restructure activity as it relates to the number of terminated employees are as follows:

		Original Estimate		Employees Terminated in Prior Years		Adjustments in Prior Years		Balance February 23, 2002		Employees Terminated in Fiscal 2003		Adjustment		Balance November 30, 2002
Employees		4,500		3,043		(707)		750		567		(183)		0

Restructure 2000

In fiscal 2000, the Company recorded pre-tax restructure and other charges of $103.6 million as a result of an extensive review to reduce costs and enhance efficiencies. The restructure and other charges included costs for facility consolidation, non-core store disposal, and rationalization of redundant and certain decentralized administrative functions. The original reserve amount was reduced by $10.3 million in fiscal 2001, primarily for a change in estimate for the closure of a remaining facility. The reserve amount was subsequently increased $12.2 million in fiscal 2002, due to a change in estimate on the remaining facility primarily due to the softening real estate market.

All activity for the fiscal 2000 restructure plan has been completed. Remaining reserves represent future payments on exited lease facilities and unpaid employee benefits. Details of the fiscal 2000 restructure activity for fiscal 2003 are as follows:

	Balance February 23, 2002		Fiscal 2003 Usage		Balance November 30, 2002
	(In thousands)
Lease related costs:
Facility consolidation	$	10,300	$	3,047	$	7,253
Non-core store disposal		4,611		1,511		3,100

		14,911		4,558		10,353

Employee related costs:
Facility consolidation		2,938		2,495		443
Infrastructure realignment		142		142		—

		3,080		2,637		443


Total restructure and other charges	$	17,991	$	7,195	$	10,796

The number of actual employees terminated under the fiscal 2000 restructure plan was adjusted to a lower number than originally expected primarily due to higher than anticipated voluntary attrition. Details of the fiscal 2000 restructure activity as it relates to employees are as follows:

		Original Estimate		Actual Employees Terminated		Adjustments in Prior Years		Balance February 23, 2002
Employees		2,517		1,693		(824)		0

RESERVES FOR CLOSED PROPERTIES AND ASSET IMPAIRMENT

The Company maintains reserves for estimated losses on retail stores, distribution warehouses and other properties that are no longer being utilized in current operations. The reserves for closed properties include management’s estimates for lease subsidies, lease terminations, future payments on exited leased facilities and severance. Details of the activity for closed property reserves for fiscal 2003 are as follows:

		Balance February 23, 2002		Additions		Usage		Balance November 30, 2002
Reserves for Closed Properties		$74,996		8,789		(21,122)		$		62,663

The Company recognized impairment charges of $4.0 million for fiscal 2003 year-to-date on the write-down of property, plant and equipment for properties to be closed. Of the $4.0 million impairment charge, $3.4 million related to food distribution and $0.6 million related to retail food. Impairment charges, a component of selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings, reflect the difference between the carrying value of the assets and the estimated fair values, which were based on the estimated market values for similar assets.

NOTES PAYABLE

In August 2002, the Company renewed its accounts receivable securitization program, under which the Company can borrow up to $200.0 million on a revolving basis, with borrowings secured by accounts receivable. As of November 30, 2002, the Company had $163.8 million of borrowings outstanding under this program and $274.0 million in receivables pledged as collateral.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In July and August 2002, several class action lawsuits were filed against the Company in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota on behalf of purchasers of the Company’s securities between July 29, 1999 and June 26, 2002. The complaints allege that the Company and certain of its officers and directors violated Federal securities laws by issuing materially false and misleading statements relating to its financial performance. The complaints have been consolidated into a single lawsuit. The Company believes that the lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend the action. No damages have been specified. The Company is unable to evaluate the likelihood of prevailing in the case at this early stage of the proceedings.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER:

In the third quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company achieved net sales of $4.7 billion compared to $4.6 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2002. Net earnings for third quarter of fiscal 2003 were $57.1 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.43. Net earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2002 were $58.0 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.43. Net earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 reflect the adoption of SFAS No. 142. The effect of the adoption of SFAS No. 142 was to increase earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 by $10.8 million pre-tax, or $0.08 net earnings per share, reflecting the non-amortization of goodwill.

Net Sales

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 were $4.7 billion, an increase of 2.0 percent from last year. Retail food sales were 48.3 percent of net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 compared with 47.6 percent last year. Distribution sales were 51.7 percent of net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 compared with 52.4 percent last year.

Retail food sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 increased 3.5 percent compared to the third quarter of last year, primarily as a result of new store growth. Store activity over the past year, including licensed units, resulted in 175 net new stores opened and acquired, including 83 opened and acquired Deal$-Nothing Over a Dollar general merchandise stores, for a total of 1,391 stores at quarter-end, an increase in square footage of approximately 9.2 percent over last year. Same-store retail sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 were negative 2.3 percent, impacted by approximately 100 basis points in cannibalization within key expansion markets. Cannibalization is defined as the negative sales impact the opening of a new store has on an existing store in the same market. As the Company adds new stores to major existing markets, it experiences cannibalization. Other factors contributing to the decline in same store sales performance include a weakened economy and a more intense promotional environment.

Food distribution sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 increased 0.7 percent compared to the third quarter of last year. Growth occurred in the quarter despite the weak economy and cycling prior year customer losses, the most significant including the final portion of the Genuardi’s supply contract (approximately two percent) and prior year restructuring activities (approximately one percent). In addition, customer attrition approximated four percent.

Gross Profit

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 12.7 percent for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 compared to 12.9 percent last year. The slight decline in gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, is primarily attributed to increased employee benefit costs. Gross profit also reflects the higher gross profit margin of Deal$-Nothing Over A Dollar general merchandise stores, acquired during the first quarter of fiscal 2003, that was substantially offset by the change in our distribution customer mix.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 9.9 percent for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 compared to 9.7 percent last year. The slight increase in selling and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales, reflects the higher selling and administrative expense ratio incurred at the recently acquired and opened Deal$-Nothing Over a Dollar general merchandise stores and negative expense leverage, including rising employee benefit costs, as a result of the soft sales environment. These increases in selling and administrative expenses were substantially offset by other administrative cost reductions.

Operating Earnings

The Company’s earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were $128.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 compared to $136.4 million for the third quarter of last year, a 5.8 percent decrease. Retail food EBIT increased 1.7 percent to $93.4 million, or 4.1 percent of net sales, for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 from last year’s EBIT of $91.8 million, or 4.2 percent of net sales, primarily reflecting the discontinuation of goodwill amortization of $5.8 million, offset in part by rising employee benefit costs and related negative expense leverage from the impact of soft sales. Food distribution EBIT decreased 20.6 percent to $43.6 million, or 1.8 percent of net sales, for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 from last year’s EBIT of $54.9 million, or 2.3 percent of net sales. The decrease in food distribution EBIT reflects the overall impact of the weak economic environment, our changing customer mix and rising employee benefit costs. These decreases in food distribution EBIT were partially offset by administrative cost reductions and the discontinuation of goodwill amortization of $5.0 million.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) decreased 8.1 percent to $196.7 million, or 4.2 percent of net sales, for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 from $213.9 million, or 4.6 percent of net sales last year. Retail food EBITDA was $132.6 million, or 5.8 percent of net sales, for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 compared to last year’s EBITDA of $132.7 million, or 6.0 percent of net sales. Food distribution EBITDA was $71.8 million, or 3.0 percent of net sales, for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 compared to last year’s EBITDA of $90.9 million, or 3.8 percent of net sales.

Net Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased to $42.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 compared with $43.7 million last year, primarily reflecting lower average interest rates, largely due to the interest rate swap agreements entered into in the first quarter of fiscal 2003. Interest income increased to $4.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 compared with $4.3 million last year primarily due to higher average invested cash balances.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 37.0 percent for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 compared with 40.2 percent last year. The decrease in the effective tax rate was due to the discontinuation of goodwill amortization as of February 24, 2002, which is not deductible for income tax purposes.

Net Earnings

Net earnings were $57.1 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 compared with net earnings of $58.0 million, or $0.43 per diluted share last year.

Weighted average diluted shares decreased to 134.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 compared with last year’s weighted average diluted shares of 135.1 million, reflecting the impact of stock option activity and shares repurchased under the treasury stock program.

YEAR-TO-DATE RESULTS:

Year-to-date for fiscal 2003, the Company achieved net sales of $15.0 billion compared to $16.3 billion last year. Net earnings for fiscal 2003 year-to-date were $193.1 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.43. Net earnings for fiscal 2002 year-to-date were $165.6 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.24. Net earnings for fiscal 2003 year-to-date reflect the adoption of SFAS No. 142. The effect of the adoption of SFAS No. 142 was to increase earnings for fiscal 2003 year-to-date by $36.8 million pre-tax, or $0.27 net earnings per share, reflecting the non-amortization of goodwill.

Net Sales

Net sales for fiscal 2003 year-to-date were $15.0 billion, a decrease of 7.4 percent from last year. Retail food sales were 48.7 percent of net sales for fiscal 2003 year-to-date compared with 44.1 percent last year. Distribution food sales were 51.3 percent of net sales for fiscal 2003 year-to-date compared with 55.9 percent last year.

Retail food sales for fiscal 2003 year-to-date increased 2.2 percent compared to last year, primarily as a result of new store growth. Same-store retail sales for fiscal 2003 year-to-date were negative 1.5 percent, impacted by approximately 120 basis points in cannibalization within key expansion markets. Other factors contributing to the decline in same store sales performance include a weakened economy and a more intense promotional environment.

Food distribution sales for fiscal 2003 year-to-date decreased 15.0 percent compared to last year, reflecting lost customer sales including the exit of the Kmart supply contract, which terminated June 30, 2001, the loss of Genuardi’s as a customer and restructure activities, which accounted for approximately ten percent, four percent and two percent, respectively, of the decrease in food distribution sales.

Gross Profit

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 12.9 percent for fiscal 2003 year-to-date compared to 12.0 percent last year. The increase in gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, reflects the growing proportion of the Company’s retail food business, which operates at a higher gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales than does the food distribution business, including the higher gross profit margin of the recently acquired and opened Deal$-Nothing Over a Dollar general merchandise stores and improved merchandising execution in the retail food business.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 10.0 percent for fiscal 2003 year-to-date compared to 9.2 percent last year. The increase in selling and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales, reflects the growing proportion of the Company’s retail food business, which operates at a higher selling and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales than does the food distribution business, the higher selling and administrative expense ratio incurred at the recently acquired and opened Deal$-Nothing Over a Dollar general merchandise stores and negative expense leverage as a result of the soft sales environment.

Operating Earnings

The Company’s EBIT was $434.1 million for fiscal 2003 year-to-date compared to $412.7 million last year, a 5.2 percent increase, primarily reflecting the discontinuation of goodwill amortization of $36.8 million effective February 24, 2002. Retail food EBIT increased 18.7 percent to $321.3 million, or 4.4 percent of net sales, for fiscal 2003 year-to-date from last year’s EBIT of $270.6 million, or 3.8 percent of net sales. This increase in retail food EBIT reflects the growth of new stores and the discontinuation of goodwill amortization of $19.5 million, offset in part by negative expense leverage from the impact of soft sales. Food distribution EBIT decreased 18.9 percent to $140.6 million, or 1.8 percent of net sales, for fiscal 2003 year-to-date from last year’s EBIT of $173.3 million, or 1.9 percent of sales. The decrease in food distribution EBIT primarily reflects the decline in net sales due to net customer losses and related negative expense leverage as a result of soft sales, partially offset by the impact of the discontinuation of goodwill amortization of $17.3 million.

EBITDA decreased 2.2 percent to $655.9 million, or 4.4 percent of net sales, for fiscal 2003 year-to-date from $670.6 million, or 4.1 percent of net sales last year. Retail food EBITDA was $444.1 million, or 6.1 percent of net sales, for fiscal 2003 year-to-date compared to last year’s EBITDA of $402.5 million, or 5.6 percent of net sales. Food distribution EBITDA was $237.4 million, or 3.1 percent of net sales, for fiscal 2003 year-to-date compared to last year’s EBITDA of $297.0 million, or 3.3 percent of net sales.

Net Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased to $143.2 million for fiscal 2003 year-to-date compared with $152.3 million last year, primarily reflecting lower average borrowing levels and, to a lesser extent, lower average interest rates. Interest income decreased to $15.6 million for fiscal 2003 year-to-date compared with $16.6 million last year, primarily due to lower average outstanding notes receivable balances.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 37.0 percent for fiscal 2003 year-to-date compared with 40.3 percent last year. The decrease in the effective tax rate was due to the discontinuation of goodwill amortization as of February 24, 2002, which is not deductible for income tax purposes.

Net Earnings

Net earnings were $193.1 million, or $1.43 per diluted share, for fiscal 2003 year-to-date compared with net earnings of $165.6 million, or $1.24 per diluted share last year.

Weighted average diluted shares increased to 135.2 million for fiscal 2003 year-to-date compared with last year’s weighted average diluted shares of 133.8 million, reflecting the impact of stock option activity and shares repurchased under the treasury stock program.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Net cash from operations was $389.2 million for fiscal 2003 year-to-date compared with $350.2 million last year.

Cash used in investing activities was $263.5 million for fiscal 2003 year-to-date compared to $139.7 million for fiscal 2002 year-to-date. The fiscal 2003 year-to-date investing activities was primarily attributable to capital spending to fund retail store expansion, including the acquisition of Deal$-Nothing Over a Dollar stores and technology enhancements.

Cash used in financing activities was $84.4 million for fiscal 2003 year-to-date compared to $209.5 million for fiscal 2002 year-to-date. The fiscal 2003 year-to-date financing activities include both the $300 million 10-year 7.5% bond offering completed in May 2002 and the redemption of $173 million of the Company’s 9.75% Senior Notes due 2004 at the redemption price of 102.4375% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company also retired a $300 million 7.8% bond that matured in November of 2002 using cash on hand and funds available through its existing credit facilities.

In April 2002, the Company finalized a new three-year, unsecured $650 million revolving credit agreement with rates tied to LIBOR plus 0.650 to 1.400 percent, based on the Company’s credit ratings. The agreement contains various financial covenants including ratios for fixed charge interest coverage, asset coverage and debt leverage, in addition to a minimum net worth covenant. This credit facility replaced the Company’s $300 million and $400 million credit facilities, which had expiration dates in August and October of 2002, respectively. As of November 30, 2002, the Company had $60.0 million in outstanding borrowings under the credit facility. Letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility were $129.0 million and the unused available credit under the facility was $461.0 million.

As of November 30, 2002, the Company had $163.8 million in outstanding borrowings under the Company’s $200.0 million accounts receivable securitization program. The program was renewed for another year in August 2002.

In November 2001, the Company sold zero-coupon convertible debentures due 2031. In the event SUPERVALU’s stock price reaches the convertible debentures’ conversion trigger price of $34.61 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company would be required to include an additional 7.8 million shares in its diluted shares outstanding calculation for the first quarter of fiscal 2004. Holders of the debentures may require the Company to purchase all or a portion of their debentures on the first day of October 2003, 2006 and 2011 at a purchase price equal to the accreted value of the debentures, which includes accrued and unpaid interest. The timing and volume of future repurchases will depend on market conditions.

During fiscal 2003, the Company repurchased 1.5 million shares of treasury stock at an average cost of $27.96 as part of the 5.0 million share repurchase program authorized in fiscal 2002.

SFAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pension”, requires the balance sheet to reflect a prepaid pension asset or minimum pension liability based on the current market value of plan assets and the accumulated benefit obligation of the plan. Based on the current year performance of the pension plan assets and the potential assumption changes in the discount rate and/or expected rate of return, the Company expects to record a net after-tax adjustment in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 in the range of $60.0 to $80.0 million to reflect a minimum pension liability. This adjustment would be a non-cash reduction of equity and would not impact earnings. This adjustment could be reversed in future years should market performance improve and/or interest rates increase. Changes in assumptions on the discount rate and/or expected rate of return would impact future expense and cash flows as follows: each 25 basis point reduction in the discount rate would increase fiscal 2004 pension expense by approximately $3.0 million; each 100 basis point change in the expected rate of return on plan assets would increase fiscal 2004 pension expense by approximately $5.0 million.

Management expects that the Company will continue to replenish operating assets with internally generated funds. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company’s business will continue to generate cash flow at current levels. The Company will continue to obtain short-term financing from its revolving credit agreement with various financial institutions, as well as through its accounts receivable securitization program. Long-term financing will be maintained through existing and new debt issuances. The Company’s short-term and long-term financing abilities are believed to be adequate as a supplement to internally generated cash flows to fund its capital expenditures and acquisitions as opportunities arise. Maturities of debt issued will depend on management’s views with respect to the relative attractiveness of interest rates at the time of issuance and other debt maturities.

EBITDA, calculated as earnings before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP reported measures of net income or cash flows from operating activities, as an indicator of operating performance or as a measure of liquidity. Management provides EBITDA to assist investors in their evaluation of the Company’s ability to service its debt by providing a commonly used measure of cash available to pay interest, and to facilitate comparisons of the Company’s results of operations with those of companies having different capital structures. Other companies may define EBITDA differently and, as a result, such measures may not be comparable to the Company’s EBITDA.

RESTRUCTURE AND OTHER CHARGES

Restructure 2002

	Balance February 23, 2002		Fiscal 2003 Usage		Balance November 30, 2002
	(In thousands)
Lease related costs:
Transportation efficiency initiatives	$	3,235	$	404	$	2,831

		3,235		404		2,831

Employee related costs:
Administrative realignment		8,000		3,312		4,688
Transportation efficiency initiatives		5,065		4,295		770

		13,065		7,607		5,458


Total restructure and other charges	$	16,300	$	8,011	$	8,289

Details of the fiscal 2002 restructure activity as it relates to the number of terminated employees are as follows:

		Original Estimate		Employees Terminated in Prior Year		Balance February 23, 2002		Employees Terminated in Fiscal 2003		Balance November 30, 2002
Employees		800		0		800		609		191

Restructure 2001

Included in the asset impairment charges of $89.7 million were $57.4 million of charges related to the retail food segment and $32.3 million of charges related to the food distribution segment. Writedowns for property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangibles, and other assets were $58.4 million, $21.8 million and $9.5 million, respectively, and were reflected in the restructure and other charges line in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for fiscal 2001. The impairment charges reflect the difference between the carrying value of the assets and the estimated fair values, which were based on the estimated market values for similar assets.

	Balance February 23, 2002		Fiscal 2003 Usage		Balance November 30, 2002
	(In thousands)
Lease related costs:
Consolidation of distribution centers	$	8,081	$	5,436	$	2,645
Exit of non-core retail markets		15,988		11,224		4,764
Disposal of non-core assets and other administrative reductions		7,194		1,479		5,715

		31,263		18,139		13,124

Employee related costs:
Consolidation of distribution centers		17,982		8,399		9,583
Exit of non-core retail markets		6,172		3,480		2,692
Disposal of non-core assets and other administrative reductions		554		554		—

		24,708		12,433		12,275


Total restructure and other charges	$	55,971	$	30,572	$	25,399

		Original Estimate		Employees Terminated in Prior Years		Adjustments in Prior Years		Balance February 23, 2002		Employees Terminated in Fiscal 2003		Adjustment		Balance November 30, 2002
Employees		4,500		3,043		(707)		750		567		(183)		0

Restructure 2000

	Balance February 23, 2002		Fiscal 2003 Usage		Balance November 30, 2002
	(In thousands)
Lease related costs:
Facility consolidation	$	10,300	$	3,047	$	7,253
Non-core store disposal		4,611		1,511		3,100

		14,911		4,558		10,353

Employee related costs:
Facility consolidation		2,938		2,495		443
Infrastructure realignment		142		142		—

		3,080		2,637		443


Total restructure and other charges	$	17,991	$	7,195	$	10,796

		Original Estimate		Actual Employees Terminated		Adjustments in Prior Years		Balance February 23, 2002
Employees		2,517		1,693		(824)		0

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, “Recission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections”. SFAS No. 145 allows only those gains and losses on the extinguishment of debt that meet the criteria of extraordinary items to be treated as such in the financial statements. SFAS No. 145 also requires sales-leaseback accounting for certain lease modifications that have economic effects that are similar to sales lease-back transactions. Certain provisions of SFAS No. 145 are effective for transactions occurring after May 15, 2002, while the remaining of the provisions will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 145 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Emerging Issue Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 01-09, “Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of a Vendor’s Products)”, which codified EITF Issue No. 00-14, “Accounting for Certain Sales Incentives”; EITF Issue No. 00-22, “Accounting for ‘Points’ and Certain Other Time-Based or Volume-Based Sales and Incentive Offers, and Offers for Free Products or Services to be Delivered in the Future”, and EITF Issue No. 00-25, “Vendor Income Statement Characterization of Consideration Paid to a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products”, became effective for the Company on February 24, 2002. These issues address the appropriate accounting for certain vendor contracts and loyalty programs. This EITF did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

EITF Issue No. 02-13, “Deferred Income Tax Considerations in Applying the Goodwill Impairment Test in FASB Statement No. 142, ‘Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets’,” requires that deferred income taxes be included in the carrying amount of a reporting unit for the purposes of the first step of the SFAS No. 142 goodwill impairment test. EITF No. 02-13 is effective for goodwill impairment tests performed after September 12, 2002. The Company is currently analyzing the impact EITF No. 02-13 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Statement of Position (SOP) No. 01-06, “Accounting for Certain Entities (Including Entities with Trade Receivables) that Lend to or Finance the Activities of Others”, became effective for the Company on February 24, 2002. SOP No. 01-06 addresses the appropriate accounting for a company’s financing and lending activities. SOP No. 01-06 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Any statements in this report regarding SUPERVALU’s outlook for its businesses and their respective markets, such as projections of future performance, statements of management’s plans and objectives, forecasts of market trends and other matters, are forward-looking statements based on management’s assumptions and beliefs. Such statements may be identified by such words or phrases as “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “outlook,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” “management believes” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements and no assurance can be given that the results in any forward-looking statement will be achieved. For these statements, SUPERVALU claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

The following is a summary of certain factors, the results of which could cause SUPERVALU’s future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements contained in this report:

competitive practices in the retail food and food distribution industries,

the nature and extent of the consolidation of the retail food and food distribution industries,

our ability to attract and retain customers for our food distribution business and to control food distribution costs,

our ability to grow through acquisitions and assimilate acquired entities,

general economic or political conditions that affect consumer buying habits generally or acts of terror directed at the food industry that affect consumer behavior,

potential work disruptions from labor disputes or national emergencies,

the timing and implementation of certain restructure activities we have announced, including our consolidation of certain distribution facilities and our disposition of under-performing stores and non-operating properties,

the availability of favorable credit and trade terms, and

other risk factors inherent in the retail food and food distribution industries.

These risks and uncertainties are set forth in further detail in Exhibit 99(i) to this report. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and SUPERVALU undertakes no obligation to update such statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after such date.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There were no material changes in market risk for the Company in the period covered by this report.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

Within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report (the “Evaluation Date”), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s chief executive officer and its chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-14(c) under the Exchange Act) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

(b)

Changes in internal controls.

There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their most recent evaluation nor were there any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In June 2002, the Company announced that it had identified an understatement of cost of goods sold resulting from intentional inventory misstatements by a former employee in its pharmacy division. The effect of the correction of the misstatements was to reduce previously reported net income $7.2 million, $9.1 million and $1.3 million and net earnings per share – diluted by $0.05, $0.07, and $0.01 for fiscal 2002, 2001 and 2000 respectively. The consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended February 23, 2002, February 24, 2001 and February 26, 2000, and the notes thereto, included in amended Annual Reports on Form 10-K have been restated to include the effects of the corrections of these misstatements.

Following the announcement of the Company’s restatement, several class action lawsuits were filed in July and August 2002 against the Company in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota on behalf of purchasers of the Company’s securities between July 29, 1999 and June 26, 2002. The complaints allege that the Company and certain of its officers and directors violated Federal securities laws by issuing materially false and misleading statements relating to its financial performance. The complaints have been consolidated into a single lawsuit. The Company believes that the lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend the action. No damages have been specified. The Company is unable to evaluate the likelihood of prevailing in the case at this early stage of the proceedings.

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

None

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

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

None

Item 5. Other Information

None

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a)

Exhibits filed with this Form 10-Q:

(12)		Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

(99)(i)		Cautionary Statements pursuant to the Securities Litigation Reform Act.

(99)(ii)		Certification of Periodic Financial Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Reports on Form 8-K:

None

SIGNATURES

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

	SUPERVALU INC. (Registrant)

Dated: January 14, 2003	By:	/s/ PAMELA K. KNOUS
		Pamela K. Knous Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)

I, Jeffrey Noddle, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of SUPERVALU INC.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which the quarterly report is being prepared;

b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

6. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.


Date:	January 14, 2003	/s/ JEFFREY NODDLE

		President and Chief Executive Officer

I, Pamela K. Knous, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of SUPERVALU INC.;

b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and


Date:	January 14, 2003	/s/ PAMELA K. KNOUS

		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
(12)		Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

(99)(i)		Cautionary Statements pursuant to the Securities Litigation Reform Act.

(99)(ii)		Certification of Periodic Financial Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.