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Published: 2021-04-08 16:08:53 ET
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

x

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

For the quarterly period ended February 28, 2021

OR

¨

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 0-22793

PriceSmart, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

33-0628530

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

9740 Scranton Road, San Diego, CA

92121

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(858) 404-8800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value

PSMT

NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x

No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes  x

No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x

Accelerated filer  ¨

Non-accelerated filer  ¨ 

Smaller Reporting Company  ¨

Emerging growth company  ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨

No  x

The registrant had 30,749,497 shares of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding at March 31, 2021. 

 


 

PRICESMART, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

Page

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2021 (UNAUDITED) AND AUGUST 31, 2020

2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2021 AND FEBRUARY 29, 2020 - UNAUDITED

4

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2021 AND FEBRUARY 29, 2020 - UNAUDITED

5

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2021 AND FEBRUARY 29, 2020 - UNAUDITED

6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2021 AND FEBRUARY 29, 2020 - UNAUDITED

8

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

10

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

33

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

56

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

57

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

58

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

58

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

58

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

59

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

59

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

59

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

60

 

i


PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart,” “we” or the “Company”) unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of February 28, 2021 and the consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2020, the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three and six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, the unaudited consolidated statements of equity for the three and six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, and the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 are included herein. Also included herein are the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

1


PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

February 28,

2021

August 31,

(Unaudited)

2020

ASSETS

Current Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

180,179

$

299,481

Short-term restricted cash

736

185

Short-term investments

81,430

46,509

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $178 as of February 28, 2021 and $147 as of August 31, 2020, respectively

11,874

13,153

Merchandise inventories

339,237

309,509

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

32,283

30,165

Total current assets

645,739

699,002

Long-term restricted cash

6,864

4,105

Property and equipment, net

712,758

692,279

Operating lease right-of-use assets, net

123,968

119,533

Goodwill

45,157

45,206

Other intangibles, net

8,974

10,166

Deferred tax assets

22,332

21,672

Other non-current assets (includes $228 and $872 as of February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively, for the fair value of derivative instruments)

54,462

54,260

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

10,582

10,602

Total Assets

$

1,630,836

$

1,656,825

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current Liabilities:

Short-term borrowings

$

23,067

$

65,143

Accounts payable

335,821

373,172

Accrued salaries and benefits

29,278

32,946

Deferred income

28,283

23,525

Income taxes payable

10,181

7,727

Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities

35,835

37,731

Operating lease liabilities, current portion

7,975

8,594

Dividends payable

10,755

Long-term debt, current portion

20,406

19,437

Total current liabilities

501,601

568,275

Deferred tax liability

1,557

1,713

Long-term income taxes payable, net of current portion

5,439

5,132

Long-term operating lease liabilities

129,789

124,181

Long-term debt, net of current portion

106,160

112,610

Other long-term liabilities (includes $3,712 and $4,685 for the fair value of derivative instruments and $6,522 and $6,155 for post-employment plans as of February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively)

11,039

12,182

Total Liabilities

755,585

824,093

 

 

2


Stockholders' Equity:

Common stock $0.0001 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized; 31,451,915 and 31,417,576 shares issued and 30,777,030 and 30,670,712 shares outstanding (net of treasury shares) as of February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively

3

3

Additional paid-in capital

454,881

454,455

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(174,778)

(176,820)

Retained earnings

616,943

582,487

Less: treasury stock at cost, 674,885 shares as of February 28, 2021 and 746,864 shares as of August 31, 2020

(22,781)

(28,406)

Total stockholders' equity attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. stockholders

874,268

831,719

Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries

983

1,013

Total Stockholders' Equity

875,251

832,732

Total Liabilities and Equity

$

1,630,836

$

1,656,825

See accompanying notes. 

 

3


PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

2021

2020

Revenues:

Net merchandise sales

$

898,404

$

871,726

$

1,736,773

$

1,650,454

Export sales

9,706

8,434

20,587

16,708

Membership income

13,799

14,093

27,098

27,839

Other revenue and income

15,660

12,482

30,543

23,675

Total revenues

937,569

906,735

1,815,001

1,718,676

Operating expenses:

Cost of goods sold:

Net merchandise sales

755,108

743,434

1,458,727

1,406,158

Export sales

9,315

8,078

19,748

16,049

Non-merchandise

6,268

4,662

12,092

8,913

Selling, general and administrative:

Warehouse club and other operations

90,449

84,022

175,281

163,395

General and administrative

31,270

27,618

58,791

53,502

Pre-opening expenses

48

44

650

997

Loss on disposal of assets

132

68

202

139

Total operating expenses

892,590

867,926

1,725,491

1,649,153

Operating income

44,979

38,809

89,510

69,523

Other income (expense):

Interest income

445

586

936

879

Interest expense

(2,228)

(1,690)

(4,261)

(2,552)

Other income (expense), net

(292)

723

(1,837)

(262)

Total other expense

(2,075)

(381)

(5,162)

(1,935)

Income before provision for income taxes and
loss of unconsolidated affiliates

42,904

38,428

84,348

67,588

Provision for income taxes

(14,565)

(12,702)

(28,183)

(22,105)

Loss of unconsolidated affiliates

(12)

(15)

(21)

(63)

Net income

28,327

25,711

56,144

45,420

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

(91)

(111)

(171)

(92)

Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.

$

28,236

$

25,600

$

55,973

$

45,328

Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. per share available for distribution:

Basic

$

0.92

$

0.85

$

1.82

$

1.49

Diluted

$

0.92

$

0.85

$

1.82

$

1.49

Shares used in per share computations:

Basic

30,376

30,255

30,387

30,266

Diluted

30,404

30,258

30,412

30,271

See accompanying notes. 

 

4


PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

2021

2020

Net income

$

28,327

$

25,711

$

56,144

$

45,420

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

(91)

(111)

(171)

(92)

Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.

$

28,236

$

25,600

$

55,973

$

45,328

Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:

Foreign currency translation adjustments (1)

(2,331)

(3,384)

430

(7,107)

Defined benefit pension plan:

Net gain arising during period

2

6

62

13

Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial gains included in net periodic pensions cost

33

19

66

37

Total defined benefit pension plan

35

25

128

50

Derivative instruments: (2)

Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in derivative
obligations

(75)

1,691

1,155

1,263

Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in
fair value of interest rate swaps

1,251

(6,128)

329

(5,191)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to other expense, net for settlement of derivatives

2,747

2,751

Total derivative instruments

1,176

(1,690)

1,484

(1,177)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

(1,120)

(5,049)

2,042

(8,234)

Comprehensive income

27,116

20,551

58,015

37,094

Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

27

21

58

55

Comprehensive income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.

$

27,089

$

20,530

$

57,957

$

37,039

(1)Translation adjustments arising in translating the financial statements of a foreign entity have no effect on the income taxes of that foreign entity. They may, however, affect: (a) the amount, measured in the parent entity's reporting currency, of withholding taxes assessed on dividends paid to the parent entity and (b) the amount of taxes assessed on the parent entity by the government of its country. The Company has determined that the reinvestment of earnings of its foreign subsidiaries are indefinite because of the long-term nature of the Company's foreign investment plans. Therefore, deferred taxes are not provided for on translation adjustments related to non-remitted earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries.

(2)See Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

See accompanying notes. 

 

5


PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

Three Months Ended

Total

Accumulated

Stockholders'

Additional

Other

Equity

Common Stock

Paid-in

Comprehensive

Retained

Treasury Stock

Attributable to

Noncontrolling

Total

Shares

Amount

Capital

Loss

Earnings

Shares

Amount

PriceSmart, Inc.

Interest

Equity

Balance at November 30, 2019

31,475 

$

3 

$

452,242 

$

(147,524)

$

545,532 

862 

$

(33,424)

$

816,829 

$

943 

$

817,772 

Purchase of treasury stock

15 

(920)

(920)

(920)

Issuance of treasury stock

(25)

(2,246)

(25)

2,246 

Issuance of restricted stock award

24 

Forfeiture of restricted stock awards

(23)

Stock-based compensation

2,862 

2,862 

2,862 

Dividend paid to stockholders

(10,710)

(10,710)

(101)

(10,811)

Dividend payable to stockholders

(10,719)

(10,719)

(10,719)

Net income

25,600 

25,600 

111 

25,711 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

(5,049)

(5,049)

21 

(5,028)

Balance at February 29, 2020

31,451 

$

3 

$

452,858 

$

(152,573)

$

549,703 

852 

$

(32,098)

$

817,893 

$

974 

$

818,867 

Balance at November 30, 2020

31,396 

$

3 

$

450,666 

$

(173,658)

$

610,224 

658 

$

(21,068)

$

866,167 

$

1,124 

$

867,291 

Purchase of treasury stock

17 

(1,713)

(1,713)

(1,713)

Issuance of restricted stock award

56 

Stock-based compensation

4,215 

4,215 

4,215 

Dividend paid to stockholders

(10,762)

(10,762)

(259)

(11,021)

Dividend payable to stockholders

(10,755)

(10,755)

(10,755)

Net income

28,236 

28,236 

91 

28,327 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

(1,120)

(1,120)

27 

(1,093)

Balance at February 28, 2021

31,452 

$

3 

$

454,881 

$

(174,778)

$

616,943 

675 

$

(22,781)

$

874,268 

$

983 

$

875,251 

See accompanying notes.


 

6


PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

Six Months Ended

Total

Accumulated

Stockholders'

Additional

Other

Equity

Common Stock

Paid-in

Comprehensive

Retained

Treasury Stock

Attributable to

Noncontrolling

Total

Shares

Amount

Capital

Income (Loss)

Earnings

Shares

Amount

PriceSmart, Inc.

Interest

Equity

Balance at August 31, 2019

31,461 

$

3 

$

454,570 

$

(144,339)

$

525,804 

924 

$

(38,687)

$

797,351 

$

928 

$

798,279 

Purchase of treasury stock

22 

(1,381)

(1,381)

(1,381)

Issuance of treasury stock

(94)

(7,970)

(94)

7,970 

Issuance of restricted stock award

109 

Forfeiture of restricted stock awards

(25)

Stock-based compensation

6,258 

6,258 

6,258 

Dividend paid to stockholders

(10,710)

(10,710)

(101)

(10,811)

Dividend payable to stockholders

(10,719)

(10,719)

(10,719)

Net income

45,328 

45,328 

92 

45,420 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

(8,234)

(8,234)

55 

(8,179)

Balance at February 29, 2020

31,451 

$

3 

$

452,858 

$

(152,573)

$

549,703 

852 

$

(32,098)

$

817,893 

$

974 

$

818,867 

Balance at August 31,2020

31,418 

$

3 

$

454,455 

$

(176,820)

$

582,487 

747 

$

(28,406)

$

831,719 

$

1,013 

$

832,732 

Purchase of treasury stock

24 

(2,239)

(2,239)

(2,239)

Issuance of treasury stock

(96)

(7,864)

(96)

7,864 

Issuance of restricted stock award

133 

Forfeiture of restricted stock awards

(3)

Stock-based compensation

8,290 

8,290 

8,290 

Dividend paid to stockholders

(10,762)

(10,762)

(259)

(11,021)

Dividend payable to stockholders

(10,755)

(10,755)

(10,755)

Net income

55,973 

55,973 

171 

56,144 

Other comprehensive income

2,042 

2,042 

58 

2,100 

Balance at February 28, 2021

31,452 

$

3 

$

454,881 

$

(174,778)

$

616,943 

675 

$

(22,781)

$

874,268 

$

983 

$

875,251 

 

7


PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

Six Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

Operating Activities:

Net income

$

56,144

$

45,420

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

Depreciation and amortization

31,765

29,988

Allowance for doubtful accounts

31

(19)

Loss on sale of property and equipment

202

139

Deferred income taxes

(1,997)

(4,063)

Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates

21

63

Stock-based compensation

8,290

6,258

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

Receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets, non-current assets, accrued salaries and benefits, deferred membership income and other accruals

10,156

4,711

Merchandise inventories

(29,728)

8,251

Accounts payable

(45,157)

(1,683)

Net cash provided by operating activities

29,727

89,065

Investing Activities:

Additions to property and equipment

(47,170)

(70,818)

Purchases of short-term investments

(51,314)

(20,507)

Proceeds from settlements of short-term investments

16,158

7,059

Purchases of long-term investments

(1,477)

(1,478)

Proceeds from settlements of long-term investments

1,477

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment

50

23

Net cash used in investing activities

(82,276)

(85,721)

Financing Activities:

Proceeds from long-term bank borrowings

3,000

45,820

Repayment of long-term bank borrowings

(8,467)

(5,308)

Proceeds from short-term bank borrowings

90,019

Repayment of short-term bank borrowings

(41,916)

(93,825)

Cash dividend payments

(11,021)

(10,811)

Purchase of treasury stock

(2,239)

(1,381)

Other financing activities

(171)

(92)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(60,814)

24,422

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

(2,629)

2,767

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents

(115,992)

30,533

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

303,771

106,236

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$

187,779

$

136,769

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing activities:

Capital expenditures accrued, but not yet paid

$

11,529

$

10,357

Dividends declared but not yet paid

10,755

10,719


8


Table of Contents

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following table provides a breakdown of cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the statement of cash flows:

Six Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

Cash and cash equivalents

$

180,179

$

132,845

Short-term restricted cash

736

93

Long-term restricted cash

$

6,864

$

3,831

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows

$

187,779

$

136,769

See accompanying notes. 

 

9


 

   

  Table of Contents

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

February 28, 2021

 

NOTE 1 – COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart,” the “Company,” or "we") business consists primarily of international membership shopping warehouse clubs similar to, but typically smaller in size than, warehouse clubs in the United States. As of February 28, 2021, the Company had 47 warehouse clubs in operation in 12 countries and one U.S. territory (eight in Costa Rica and Colombia; seven in Panama; five in the Dominican Republic, four in Trinidad and Guatemala; three in Honduras; two each in El Salvador and Nicaragua; and one each in Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica and the United States Virgin Islands), of which the Company owns 100% of the corresponding legal entities (see Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies). The Company also plans to open new warehouse clubs in Guatemala City, Guatemala and Bucaramanga, Colombia in the fall of 2021, and in Portmore, Jamaica in the spring of 2022. Once these three new clubs are open, the Company will operate 50 warehouse clubs. 

PriceSmart continues to invest in technology to increase operational efficiencies that are expected to lead to greater value to the member, to gain greater insights into the shopping preferences of our members and to enhance the overall member experience by expanding valuable services and time-saving features. Technology developments are driving omni-channel initiatives and capabilities, including online shopping and services. As of February 28, 2021, the Company offered the Click & Go™ curbside pickup and delivery service in all 13 of its markets. These services provide an alternative and convenient way for members to shop, while reducing physical contact. PriceSmart also operates a package forwarding (casillero) and marketplace business under the “Aeropost” banner in 38 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, many of which overlap with markets where it operates warehouse clubs.

Basis of Presentation – The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q for interim financial reporting pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the economies of the U.S. and the countries where the Company operates. The Company has assessed the impact that COVID-19 has had on our estimates, assumptions and accounting policies and made additional disclosures, if and as necessary.

These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 (the “2020 Form 10-K”). The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PriceSmart, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. Inter-company transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

 

10


 

   

  Table of Contents

 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of ConsolidationThe interim consolidated financial statements of the Company included herein include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest, and the Company’s joint ventures for which the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary. The Company’s net income excludes income attributable to noncontrolling interests. The Company reports noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities as a component of equity separate from the Company’s equity. The interim consolidated financial statements also include the Company's investment in, and the Company's share of the income (loss) of, joint ventures recorded under the equity method. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC and reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year.

The Company determines whether any of the joint ventures in which it has made investments is a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) at the start of each new venture and if a reconsideration event has occurred. At this time, the Company also considers whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement in a VIE. A reporting entity must consolidate a VIE if that reporting entity has a variable interest (or combination of variable interests) and is determined to be the primary beneficiary. If the Company determines that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE, then the Company records its investment in, and the Company's share of the income (loss) of, joint ventures recorded under the equity method. Due to the nature of the joint ventures that the Company participates in and the continued commitments for additional financing, the Company determined these joint ventures are VIEs.

In the case of the Company's ownership interest in real estate development joint ventures, both parties to each joint venture share all rights, obligations and the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance. As a result, the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIEs and, therefore, has accounted for these entities under the equity method. Under the equity method, the Company's investments in unconsolidated affiliates are initially recorded as an investment in the stock of an investee at cost and are adjusted for the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the investor's share of the earnings or losses of the investee after the date of the initial investment. The Company's ownership interest in real estate development joint ventures the Company has recorded under the equity method as of February 28, 2021 are listed below:

Real Estate Development Joint Ventures

Countries

Ownership

Basis of
Presentation

GolfPark Plaza, S.A.

Panama

50.0

%

Equity(1)

Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A.

Costa Rica

50.0

%

Equity(1)

(1)Joint venture interests are recorded as investment in unconsolidated affiliates on the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company has determined that for its ownership interest in store-front joint ventures within its marketplace and casillero business, the Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these VIEs. Therefore, the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and has consolidated these entities within its consolidated financial statements. The Company's ownership interest in store-front joint ventures for which the Company has consolidated their financial statements as of February 28, 2021 are listed below:

Marketplace and Casillero Store-front Joint Ventures

Countries

Ownership

Basis of
Presentation

Guatemala

Guatemala

60.0

%

Consolidated

Tortola

British Virgin Islands

50.0

%

Consolidated

Trinidad

Trinidad

50.0

%

Consolidated

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

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Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers as cash and cash equivalents all cash on deposit, highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase and proceeds due from credit and debit card transactions in the process of settlement.

Restricted Cash – The following table summarizes the restricted cash reported by the Company (in thousands):

February 28,

August 31,

2021

2020

Short-term restricted cash

$

736

$

185

Long-term restricted cash

6,864

4,105

Total restricted cash(1)

$

7,600

$

4,290

(1)Restricted cash consists of cash deposits held within banking institutions to comply with federal regulatory requirements in Costa Rica and Panama. In addition, the Company is required to maintain a certificate of deposit of Trinidad dollars, as measured in U.S. dollars, of approximately $3.0 million with one of its lenders as a compensating balance for a $3.0 million U.S. dollar denominated loan payable over several years. The certificate of deposit will be reduced annually commensurate with the loan balance.

Short-Term Investments – The Company considers as short-term investments certificates of deposit and similar time-based deposits with financial institutions with maturities over three months and up to one year.

Long-Term Investments – The Company considers as long-term investments certificates of deposit and similar time-based deposits with financial institutions with maturities over one year.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, net – Goodwill and other intangibles totaled $54.1 million as of February 28, 2021 and $55.4 million as of August 31, 2020.  The Company reviews reported goodwill and other intangibles at the cash-generating unit level for impairment. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired.

Receivables Receivables consist primarily of credit card receivables and receivables from vendors and are stated net of allowances for credit losses. The determination of the allowance for credit losses is based on the Company’s assessment of collectability along with the consideration of current and expected market conditions that could impact collectability.

Tax Receivables The Company pays Value Added Tax (“VAT”) or similar taxes, income taxes, and other taxes within the normal course of business in most of the countries in which it operates related to the procurement of merchandise and/or services the Company acquires and/or on sales and taxable income. VAT is a form of indirect tax applied to the value added at each stage of production (primary, manufacturing, wholesale and retail). This tax is similar to, but operates somewhat differently than, sales tax paid in the United States. The Company generally collects VAT from its members upon sale of goods and services and pays VAT to its vendors upon purchase of goods and services. Periodically, the Company submits VAT reports to governmental agencies and reconciles the VAT paid and VAT received. The net overpaid VAT may be refunded or applied to subsequent returns, and the net underpaid VAT must be remitted to the government. With respect to income taxes paid, if the estimated income taxes paid or withheld exceed the actual income tax due this creates an income tax receivable. In most countries where the Company operates, the governments have implemented additional collection procedures, such as requiring credit card processors to remit a portion of sales processed via credit and debit cards directly to the government as advance payments of VAT and/or income tax. This collection mechanism generally leaves the Company with net VAT and/or income tax receivables, forcing the Company to process significant refund claims on a recurring basis. These refund or offset processes can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete.

In most countries where the Company operates, there are defined and structured processes to recover VAT receivables via refunds or offsets. However, in one country without a clearly defined refund process, the Company is actively engaged with the local government to recover VAT receivables totaling $8.7 million and $7.0 million as of February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively. In two other countries, there have been changes in the method of computing minimum tax payments, under which the governments have sought to require the Company to pay taxes based on a percentage of sales rather than taxable income. As a result, the Company has made and may continue to make income tax payments substantially in excess of those it would expect to pay based on taxable income. The Company had income tax receivables of $11.0 million and $10.4 million and

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

deferred tax assets of $3.2 million and $2.8 million as of February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively, in these countries. While the rules related to refunds of income tax receivables in these countries are either unclear or complex, the Company has not placed any type of allowance on the recoverability of these tax receivables or deferred tax assets, because the Company believes that it is more likely than not that it will ultimately succeed in its refund requests. Similarly, we have not placed any recoverability allowances on tax receivables that arise from payments we are required to make originating from tax assessments that we are appealing, as we believe it is more likely than not that we will ultimately prevail in the related appeals. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be successful in recovering all tax receivables or deferred tax assets.

The Company’s policy for classification and presentation of VAT receivables, income tax receivables and other tax receivables is as follows:

Short-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Prepaid expenses and other current assets: This classification is used for any countries where the Company’s subsidiary has generally demonstrated the ability to recover the VAT or income tax receivable within one year. The Company also classifies as short-term any approved refunds or credit notes to the extent that the Company expects to receive the refund or use the credit notes within one year.

Long-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other non-current assets: This classification is used for amounts not approved for refund or credit in countries where the Company’s subsidiary has not demonstrated the ability to obtain refunds within one year and/or for amounts which are subject to outstanding disputes. An allowance is provided against VAT and income tax receivable balances in dispute when the Company does not expect to eventually prevail in its recovery. The Company does not currently have any allowances provided against VAT and income tax receivables.

The following table summarizes the VAT receivables reported by the Company (in thousands):

February 28,

August 31,

2021

2020

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

$

2,023

$

1,749

Other non-current assets

27,493

25,851

Total amount of VAT receivables reported

$

29,516

$

27,600

The following table summarizes the Income tax receivables reported by the Company (in thousands):

February 28,

August 31,

2021

2020

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

$

8,896

$

10,944

Other non-current assets

19,630

20,116

Total amount of income tax receivables reported

$

28,526

$

31,060

Lease Accounting – The Company’s leases are operating leases for warehouse clubs and non-warehouse club facilities such as corporate headquarters, regional offices, and regional distribution centers. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease and classifies it as either a finance or operating lease at lease inception. Operating leases are included in Operating lease right-of-use assets, net; Operating lease liabilities, current portion; and Long-term operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not have finance leases.

Operating lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The Company’s leases generally do not have a readily determinable implicit rate; therefore, the Company uses a collateralized incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The incremental borrowing rate is based on a yield curve derived from publicly traded bond offerings for companies with credit characteristics that approximate the Company's market risk profile. In addition, we adjust the incremental borrowing rate for jurisdictional risk derived from quoted interest rates from financial institutions to reflect the cost of borrowing in the Company’s local markets. The Company’s lease terms may include options to purchase, extend or terminate the lease, which are

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

recognized when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The Company does not combine lease and non-lease components.

The Company measures Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets based on the corresponding lease liabilities, adjusted for any initial direct costs and prepaid lease payments made to the lessor before or at the commencement date (net of lease incentives). The lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease payments are not included in the calculation of the ROU asset and the related lease liability and are recognized as this lease expense is incurred. The Company’s variable lease payments generally relate to amounts the Company pays for additional contingent rent based on a contractually stipulated percentage of sales.

Merchandise Inventories – Merchandise inventories, which include merchandise for resale, are valued at the lower of cost (average cost) or net realizable value. The Company provides for estimated inventory losses and obsolescence based on a percentage of sales. The provision is adjusted every reporting period to reflect the trend of actual physical inventory and cycle count results. In addition, the Company may be required to take markdowns below the carrying cost of certain inventory to expedite the sale of such merchandise.

Stock Based Compensation The Company utilizes three types of equity awards: restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”). Compensation related to RSAs, RSUs and PSUs is based on the fair market value at the time of grant. The Company recognizes the compensation cost related to RSAs and RSUs over the requisite service period as determined by the grant, amortized ratably or on a straight-line basis over the life of the grant. The Company also recognizes compensation cost for PSUs over the performance period of each tranche, adjusting this cost based on the Company’s estimate of the probability that performance metrics will be achieved. If the Company determines that an award is unlikely to vest, any previously recorded expense is then reversed.

The Company accounts for actual forfeitures as they occur. The Company records the tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of expense for stock-based compensation and the tax deficiency resulting from stock-based compensation in excess of the related tax deduction as income tax expense or benefit. In addition, the Company reflects the tax savings (deficiency) resulting from the taxation of stock-based compensation as an operating cash flow in its consolidated statement of cash flows.

RSAs are outstanding shares of common stock and have the same cash dividend and voting rights as other shares of common stock. Shares of common stock subject to RSUs are not issued nor outstanding until vested, and RSUs do not have the same dividend and voting rights as common stock. However, all outstanding RSUs have accompanying dividend equivalents, requiring payment to the employees and directors with unvested RSUs of amounts equal to the dividend they would have received had the shares of common stock underlying the RSUs been actually issued and outstanding. Payments of dividend equivalents to employees are recorded as compensation expense.

PSUs, similar to RSUs, are awarded with dividend equivalents, provided that such amounts become payable only if the performance metric is achieved. At the time the Compensation Committee confirms the performance metric has been achieved, the accrued dividend equivalents are paid on the PSUs.

Treasury Stock – Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company are recorded at cost as treasury stock and result in the reduction of stockholders’ equity in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  The Company may reissue these treasury shares as part of its stock-based compensation programs.  When treasury shares are reissued, the Company uses the first in/first out (“FIFO”) cost method for determining cost of the reissued shares.  If the issuance price is higher than the cost, the excess of the issuance price over the cost is credited to additional paid-in capital (“APIC”).  If the issuance price is lower than the cost, the difference is first charged against any credit balance in APIC from treasury stock and the balance is charged to retained earnings. During the six months ended February 28, 2021, the Company reissued approximately 96,400 treasury shares.

Fair Value Measurements – The Company measures the fair value for all financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. The fair value of an asset is the price at which the asset could be sold in an orderly transaction between unrelated, knowledgeable and willing parties able to engage in the transaction. A liability’s fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a new obligor in a transaction between such parties, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor.

 

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The Company has established a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring and revaluing fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. The Company was not required to revalue any assets or liabilities utilizing Level 1 or Level 3 inputs at the balance sheet dates. The Company's Level 2 assets and liabilities revalued at the balance sheet dates, on a recurring basis, consisted of cash flow hedges (interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps) and forward foreign exchange contracts. In addition, the Company utilizes Level 2 inputs in determining the fair value of long-term debt.

Non-financial assets and liabilities are revalued and recognized at fair value subsequent to initial recognition when there is evidence of impairment. For the periods reported, no impairment of such non-financial assets was recorded.

The Company’s current and long-term financial assets and liabilities have fair values that approximate their carrying values. The Company’s long-term financial liabilities consist of long-term debt, which is recorded on the balance sheet at issuance price and adjusted for any applicable unamortized discounts or premiums and debt issuance costs. There have been no significant changes in fair market value of the Company’s current and long-term financial assets, and there have been no material changes to the valuation techniques utilized in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities disclosed in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities – The Company uses derivative financial instruments for hedging and non-trading purposes to manage its exposure to changes in interest and currency exchange rates. In using derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging the Company’s exposure to interest and currency exchange rate risks, the contractual terms of a hedged instrument closely mirror those of the hedged item and are intended to provide a high degree of risk reduction and correlation. Contracts that are effective at meeting the risk reduction and correlation criteria (effective hedge) are recorded using hedge accounting. If a derivative financial instrument is an effective hedge, changes in the fair value of the instrument will be reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss until the hedged item completes its contractual term. Instruments that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting, or contracts for which the Company has not elected hedge accounting, are valued at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings during the period of the change. The Company did not change valuation techniques utilized in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities presented on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets from previous practice during the reporting period. The Company seeks to manage counterparty risk associated with these contracts by limiting transactions to counterparties with which the Company has an established banking relationship. There can be no assurance, however, that this practice effectively mitigates counterparty risk.

Cash Flow Instruments. The Company is a party to receive floating interest rate, pay fixed-rate interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate risk of certain U.S. dollar denominated debt within its international subsidiaries. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of interest expense risk. These instruments are considered effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting. The Company is also a party to receive variable interest rate, pay fixed interest rate cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate and currency exposure associated with the expected payments of principal and interest of U.S. denominated debt within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of the currency risk and interest-rate risk related to payments on the U.S. denominated debt. These instruments are also considered to be effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting. Under cash flow hedging, the entire gain or loss of the derivative, calculated as the net present value of the future cash flows, is reported on the consolidated balance sheets in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss are released to earnings in the same period that the hedged transaction impacts consolidated earnings. Refer to “Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” for information on the fair value of interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps as of February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020.

Fair Value Instruments. The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations in the normal course of business. This includes exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts that are intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to currency exchange movements. The contracts are intended primarily to economically address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value instruments and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting, and as such the Company does not apply derivative hedge accounting to record these transactions. As a result, these contracts are valued at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings during the

 

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period of the change. The Company seeks to mitigate foreign currency exchange-rate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features and are limited to less than one year in duration.

Other Instruments. Other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consist primarily of written call options in which the Company receives a premium that it uses to reduce the costs associated with its hedging activities. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, the Company recognizes changes in fair value of the derivative instrument, as well as the offsetting change in the fair value of the hedged item, in Other expense, net in the consolidated statements of income in the period of change.

Revenue Recognition – The accounting policies and other disclosures such as the disclosure of disaggregated revenues are described in “Note 3 – Revenue Recognition.”

Insurance Reimbursements – Receipts from insurance reimbursements up to the amount of the losses recognized are considered recoveries. These recoveries are accounted for when they are probable of receipt. Insurance recoveries are not recognized prior to the recognition of the related cost. Anticipated proceeds in excess of the amount of loss recognized are considered gains and are subject to gain contingency guidance. Anticipated proceeds in excess of a loss recognized in the financial statements are not recognized until all contingencies related to the insurance claim are resolved.

Cost of Goods Sold – The Company includes the cost of merchandise, food service and bakery raw materials in cost of goods sold, net merchandise sales. The Company also includes in cost of goods sold: net merchandise sales the external and internal distribution and handling costs for supplying merchandise, raw materials and supplies to the warehouse clubs, and, when applicable, costs of shipping to members. External costs include inbound freight, duties, drayage, fees, insurance, and non-recoverable value-added tax related to inventory shrink, spoilage and damage. Internal costs include payroll and related costs, utilities, consumable supplies, repair and maintenance, rent expense and building and equipment depreciation at the Company's distribution facilities and payroll and other direct costs for in-club demonstrations.

For export sales, the Company includes the cost of merchandise and external and internal distribution and handling costs for supplying merchandise in cost of goods sold, exports.

For the marketplace and casillero operations, the Company includes the costs of external and internal shipping, handling and other direct costs incurred to provide delivery, insurance and customs processing services in cost of goods sold, non-merchandise.

Vendor consideration consists primarily of volume rebates, time-limited product promotions, cooperative marketing efforts, digital advertising, slotting fees, demonstration reimbursements and prompt payment discounts. Volume rebates that are not threshold based are incorporated into the unit cost of merchandise reducing the inventory cost and cost of goods sold. Volume rebates that are threshold based are recorded as a reduction to cost of goods sold when the Company achieves established purchase levels that are confirmed by the vendor in writing or upon receipt of funds. On a quarterly basis, the Company calculates the amount of rebates recorded in cost of goods sold that relates to inventory on hand and this amount is reclassified as a reduction to inventory, if significant. Cooperative marketing efforts and digital advertising are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for non-distinct online advertising services on the Company’s website and social media platforms. Slotting fees are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for preferential "end cap" placement of the vendor's products within the warehouse club. Demonstration reimbursements are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for the in-club promotion of the vendors' products. The Company records the reduction in cost of goods sold on a transactional basis for these programs. Prompt payment discounts are taken in substantially all cases and therefore are applied directly to reduce the acquisition cost of the related inventory, with the resulting effect recorded to cost of goods sold when the inventory is sold.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

Selling, General and Administrative – Selling, general and administrative costs consist primarily of expenses associated with operating warehouse clubs and freight forwarding operations. These costs include payroll and related costs, utilities, consumable supplies, repair and maintenance, rent expense, building and equipment depreciation, bank, credit card processing fees, and amortization of intangibles. Also included in selling, general and administrative expenses are the payroll and related costs for the Company’s U.S. and regional management and purchasing centers.

Pre-Opening Costs – The Company expenses pre-opening costs (the costs of start-up activities, including organization costs and rent) for new warehouse clubs as incurred.

Contingencies and Litigation – The Company records and reserves for loss contingencies if (a) information available prior to issuance of the consolidated financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and (b) the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If one or both criteria for accrual are not met, but there is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss will occur, the Company does not record and reserve for a loss contingency but describes the contingency within a note and provides detail, when possible, of the estimated potential loss or range of loss. If an estimate cannot be made, a statement to that effect is made.

Foreign Currency Translation – The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are translated to U.S. dollars when the functional currency in the Company’s international subsidiaries is the local currency and not U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date, and revenue, costs and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange in effect during the period. The corresponding translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. These adjustments will affect net income upon the sale or liquidation of the underlying investment.

The following table discloses the net effect of translation into the reporting currency on other comprehensive loss for these local currency denominated accounts for the three and six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 (in thousands):

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

2021

2020

Effect on other comprehensive income/(loss) due to foreign currency translation

$

(2,331)

$

(3,384)

$

430

$

(7,107)

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity (primarily U.S. dollars) are revalued to the functional currency using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. These foreign exchange transaction gains (losses), including transactions recorded involving these monetary assets and liabilities, are recorded as Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income (in thousands):

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

2021

2020

Currency gain (loss)

$

(238)

$

755

$

(1,731)

$

(902)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Not Yet Adopted

FASB ASC 740 ASU 2019-12—Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. ASU No. 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects to adopt ASU No. 2019-12 on September 1, 2021, the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact adoption of this guidance may have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

FASB ASC 848 ASU 2020-04—Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASU No. 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions, if certain criteria are met, for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. This accounting standards update is intended to ease the process of migrating away from LIBOR to new reference rates. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). The amendments in this ASU refine the scope of ASC 848 and clarifies some of its guidance as it relates to recent rate reform activities.

A substantial number of the Company’s debt agreements and hedging relationships bear interest at variable interest rates, primarily based on USD-LIBOR. To preserve the presentation of the Company’s debt and derivatives, the Company adopted ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 effective December 1, 2020, on a prospective basis. The Company has elected to apply the contract modification expedient and the hedge accounting expedients related to critical terms, probability of forecasted transactions, and the assessments of effectiveness for future LIBOR-indexed cash flows to assume that the index upon which future hedged transactions will be based matches the index on the corresponding derivatives. The adoption of, and future elections under ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01, did not and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s accounting policies or consolidated financial statements. We will continue to monitor the impact the discontinuance of LIBOR will have on the Company’s contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions.

FASB ASC 350 ASU 2018-15 – Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. ASU No. 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). As such, the amendment in this ASU requires an entity (customer) in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract to follow the guidance in subtopic 350-40 in order to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset and which costs to expense.

Additionally, the amendments in this ASU require the entity to expense the capitalized implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract over the term of the hosting arrangement. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-15 on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 820 ASU 2018-13 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). The standard eliminates such disclosures as the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. ASU No. 2018-13 adds new disclosure requirements for Level 3 measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-13 on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 350 ASU 2017-04 – Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The amendments in this ASU modify the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. An entity no longer will determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Under this ASU, entities should now calculate any goodwill

 

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impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge to the goodwill for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU No. 2017-04 on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 326 ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326), which amends the FASB’s guidance on the impairment of financial instruments. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments to clarify and address certain items related to the amendments in ASU 2016-13. These amendments require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the amendments on a prospective basis on September 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

There were no other new accounting standards that had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements during the three and six month periods ended February 28, 2021, and there were no other new accounting standards or pronouncements that were issued but not yet effective as of February 28, 2021 that the Company expects to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

  

NOTE 3 – REVENUE RECOGNITION

Performance Obligations

The Company identifies each distinct performance obligation to transfer goods (or bundle of goods) or services. The Company recognizes revenue when (or as) it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of the goods or services to the customer.



Net Merchandise Sales.  The Company recognizes net merchandise sales revenue, net of sales taxes, on transactions where the Company has determined that it is the principal in the sale of merchandise. These transactions may include shipping commitments and/or shipping revenue if the transaction involves delivery to the customer. 



Non-merchandise Sales. The Company recognizes non-merchandise revenue, net of sales taxes, on transactions where the Company has determined that it is the agent in the transaction.  These transactions primarily consist of contracts the Company enters into with its customers to provide delivery, insurance and customs processing services for products its customers purchase online in the United States either directly from other vendors utilizing the vendor’s website or through the Company’s marketplace site. Revenue is recognized when the Company’s performance obligations have been completed (that is when delivery of the items have been made to the destination point) and is recorded in “non-merchandise revenue” on the consolidated statements of income.  Prepayment for orders for which the Company has not fulfilled its performance obligation are recorded as deferred income. Additionally, the Company records revenue at the net amounts retained, i.e., the amount paid by the customer less amounts remitted to the respective merchandise vendors, as the Company is acting as an agent and is not the principal in the sale of those goods being purchased from the vendors by the Company’s customers.



Membership Fee Revenue. Membership income represents annual membership fees paid by the Company’s warehouse club members, which are recognized ratably over the 12-month term of the membership. Our membership policy allows members to cancel their membership in the first 60 days and receive a full refund. After the 60-day period, membership refunds are prorated over the remaining term of the membership. The Company has significant experience with membership refund patterns and expects membership refunds will not be material. Therefore, no refund reserve was required for the periods presented. Membership fee revenue is included in membership income in the Company's consolidated statements of income. The deferred membership fee is included in deferred income in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.



 

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

Platinum Points Reward Programs. The Company currently offers Platinum memberships in all of its thirteen countries.  The annual fee for a Platinum membership is approximately $75. The Platinum membership provides members with a 2% rebate on most items, up to an annual maximum of $500. The rebate is issued annually to Platinum members on March 1 and expires August 31.  Platinum members can apply this rebate to future purchases at the warehouse club during the redemption period.  The Company records this 2% rebate as a reduction of revenue at the time of the sales transaction.  Accordingly, the Company has reduced warehouse sales and has accrued a liability within other accrued expenses and other current liabilities, platinum rewards. The Company has determined that breakage revenue is 5% of the awards issued; therefore, it records 95% of the Platinum membership liability at the time of sale. Annually, the Company reviews for expired unused rebates outstanding, and the expired unused rebates are recognized as “Other revenue and income” on the consolidated statements of income.

Co-branded Credit Card Points Reward Programs.  Most of the Company’s subsidiaries have points reward programs related to co-branded Credit Cards. These points reward programs provide incremental points that can be used at a future time to acquire merchandise within the Company’s warehouse clubs.  This results in two performance obligations, the first performance obligation being the initial sale of the merchandise or services purchased with the co-branded credit card and the second performance obligation being the future use of the points rewards to purchase merchandise or services.  As a result, upon the initial sale, the Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation with the amount allocated to the future use points rewards recorded as a contract liability within other accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The portion of the selling price allocated to the reward points is recognized as Net merchandise sales when the points are used or when the points expire. The Company reviews on an annual basis expired points rewards outstanding, and the expired rewards are recognized as Net merchandise sales on the consolidated statements of income within markets where the co-branded credit card agreement allows for such treatment.   



Gift Cards. Members’ purchases of gift cards, to be utilized at the Company's warehouse clubs, are not recognized as sales until the card is redeemed and the customer purchases merchandise using the gift card. The outstanding gift cards are reflected as other accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. These gift cards generally have a one-year stated expiration date from the date of issuance and are generally redeemed prior to expiration.  However, the absence of a large volume of transactions for gift cards impairs the Company's ability to make a reasonable estimate of the redemption levels for gift certificates; therefore, the Company assumes a 100% redemption rate prior to expiration of the gift certificate. The Company periodically reviews unredeemed outstanding gift certificates, and the gift certificates that have expired are recognized as “Other revenue and income” on the consolidated statements of income.



Co-branded Credit Card Revenue Sharing Agreements. As part of the co-branded credit card agreements that the Company has entered into with financial institutions within its markets, the Company often enters into revenue sharing agreements. As part of these agreements, in some countries, the Company receives a portion of the interest income generated from the average outstanding balances on the co-branded credit cards from these financial institutions (“interest generating portfolio” or “IGP”).   The Company recognizes its portion of interest received as revenue during the period it is earned. The Company has determined that this revenue should be recognized as “Other revenue and income” on the consolidated statements of income.

 

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

Contract Performance Liabilities

Contract performance liabilities as a result of transactions with customers primarily consist of deferred membership income, other deferred income, deferred gift card revenue, Platinum points programs, and liabilities related to co-branded credit card points rewards programs which are included in deferred income and other accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The following table provides these contract balances from transactions with customers as of the dates listed (in thousands):

Contract Liabilities

February 28,

2021

August 31,

2020

Deferred membership income

$

27,324

$

23,051

Other contract performance liabilities

$

11,175

$

5,190

Disaggregated Revenues

In the following table, net merchandise sales are disaggregated by merchandise category (in thousands):

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

February 28,

2021

February 29,
2020

February 28,

2021

February 29,
2020

Foods & Sundries

$

448,751

$

438,345

$

867,127

$

831,150

Fresh Foods

257,505

241,317

492,794

456,555

Hardlines

110,712

100,419

223,496

191,422

Softlines

46,935

49,904

87,264

90,263

Other Business

34,501

41,741

66,092

81,064

Net Merchandise Sales

$

898,404

$

871,726

$

1,736,773

$

1,650,454

 

NOTE 4 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company presents basic net income per share using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that treats a participating security as having rights to earnings that otherwise would have been available to common stockholders and that determines basic net income per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings that would have been available to common stockholders. A participating security is defined as a security that may participate in undistributed earnings with common stock. The Company’s capital structure includes securities that participate with common stock on a one-for-one basis for distribution of dividends. These are the restricted stock awards and restricted stock units issued pursuant to the 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan. The Company does not include performance stock units as participating securities until they vest. The Company determines the diluted net income per share by using the more dilutive of the two class-method or the treasury stock method and by including the basic weighted average of outstanding performance stock units in the calculation of diluted net income per share under the two-class method and including all potential common shares assumed issued in the calculation of diluted net income per share under the treasury stock method.

 

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

The following table sets forth the computation of net income per share for the three and six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

2021

2020

Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.

$

28,236

$

25,600

$

55,973

$

45,328

Less: Allocation of income to unvested stockholders

(117)

(64)

(580)

(339)

Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. per share available for distribution

$

28,119

$

25,536

$

55,393

$

44,989

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

30,376

30,255

30,387

30,266

Add dilutive effect of performance stock units (two-class method)

28

3

25

5

Diluted average shares outstanding

30,404

30,258

30,412

30,271

Basic net income per share

$

0.92

$

0.85

$

1.82

$

1.49

Diluted net income per share

$

0.92

$

0.85

$

1.82

$

1.49

 

NOTE 5 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Dividends

The following table summarizes the dividends declared and paid during fiscal year 2021 and 2020 (amounts are per share).

First Payment

Second Payment

Declared

Amount

Record
Date

Date
Paid

Date
Payable

Amount

Record
Date

Date
Paid

Date
Payable

Amount

2/4/2021

  

$

0.70

  

2/15/2021

  

2/26/2021

  

N/A

  

$

0.35

  

8/15/2021

  

N/A

  

8/31/2021

  

$

0.35

2/6/2020

  

$

0.70

  

2/15/2020

  

2/28/2020

  

N/A

  

$

0.35

  

8/15/2020

  

8/31/2020

  

N/A

  

$

0.35

The Company anticipates the ongoing payment of semi-annual dividends in subsequent periods, although the actual declaration of future dividends, the amount of such dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates is subject to final determination by the Board of Directors at its discretion after its review of the Company’s financial performance and anticipated capital requirements, taking into account the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results of operations and cash flows.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following tables disclose the effects of each component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (in thousands):

Attributable to

Noncontrolling

PriceSmart

Interests

Total

Beginning balance, September 1, 2020

$

(176,820)

$

134

$

(176,686)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

430

58

488

Defined benefit pension plans (1)

128

128

Derivative instruments (2)

1,484

1,484

Ending balance, February 28, 2021

$

(174,778)

$

192

$

(174,586)

 

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

Attributable to

Noncontrolling

PriceSmart

Interests

Total

Beginning balance, September 1, 2019

$

(144,339)

$

20

$

(144,319)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

(7,107)

55

(7,052)

Defined benefit pension plans (1)

50

50

Derivative Instruments (2)

(1,177)

(1,177)

Ending balance, February 29, 2020

$

(152,573)

$

75

$

(152,498)

Attributable to

Noncontrolling

PriceSmart

Interests

Total

Beginning balance, September 1, 2019

$

(144,339)

$

20

$

(144,319)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

(29,413)

114

(29,299)

Defined benefit pension plans (1)

(79)

(79)

Derivative Instruments (2)

(5,803)

(5,803)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

2,814

2,814

Ending balance, August 31, 2020

$

(176,820)

$

134

$

(176,686)

(1)Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the minimum pension liability are included in warehouse club and other operations in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

(2)Refer to Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

 

Retained Earnings Not Available for Distribution

The following table summarizes retained earnings designated as legal reserves of various subsidiaries which cannot be distributed as dividends to PriceSmart, Inc. according to applicable statutory regulations (in thousands):

February 28,

August 31,

2021

2020

Retained earnings not available for distribution

$

9,218

$

8,726

 

NOTE 6 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business related to the Company’s operations and property ownership. The Company evaluates such matters on a case by case basis, and vigorously contests any such legal proceedings or claims which the Company believes are without merit. The Company believes that the final disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. It is possible, however, that the Company's results of operations for a particular quarter or fiscal year could be impacted by changes in circumstances relating to such matters.

The Company establishes an accrual for legal proceedings if and when those matters reach a stage where they present loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. In such cases, there may be a possible exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. The Company monitors those matters for developments that would affect the likelihood of a loss and the accrued amount, if any, thereof, and adjusts the amount as appropriate. If the loss contingency at issue is not both probable and reasonably estimable, the Company does not establish an accrual, but will continue to monitor the matter for developments that will make the loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. If it is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss will occur, the Company will provide disclosure regarding the contingency.

On May 22, 2019, a class action complaint was filed against PriceSmart, Inc., as well as certain former and current officers in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. On October 7, 2019, the Court granted Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico’s (PERA’s) Motion for Appointment as Lead Plaintiff. On January 3, 2020,

 

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

PERA filed a consolidated class action complaint, which alleges violations of Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against any obligations or liability to the plaintiffs with respect to such claims. The Company believes the claims are without merit. During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the Plaintiff’s Consolidated Amended Complaint and the Plaintiff filed an Opposition to the Motion to Dismiss. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company filed a Reply to the Opposition and in the second quarter of fiscal 2021, the Motion to Dismiss was granted. The Plaintiff’s time to appeal the Order of the court granting the Company’s Motion to Dismiss has expired.

Income Taxes – For interim reporting, the Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate (AETR), pursuant to ASC 740-270, to calculate income tax expense. Income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best estimate of current and future taxes to be paid. The Company is subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in the determination of the consolidated income tax expense. Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, which will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. In evaluating its ability to recover deferred tax assets in the jurisdictions from which they arise, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In projecting future taxable income, the Company begins with historical results adjusted for the results of discontinued operations and incorporates assumptions about the amount of future state, federal, and foreign pretax operating income adjusted for items that do not have tax consequences. The assumptions about future taxable income require the use of significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, the Company considers three years of cumulative operating income (loss).

The Company is required to file federal and state tax returns in the United States and various other tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The preparation of these tax returns requires the Company to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax paid by the Company. The Company, in consultation with its tax advisors, bases its tax returns on interpretations that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The tax returns, however, are subject to routine reviews by the various taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which the Company files its returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with the interpretations the Company used to calculate its tax liability and therefore require the Company to pay additional taxes.

The Company accrues an amount for its estimate of probable additional income tax liability. In certain cases, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50% likelihood of being sustained. There were no significant changes in the Company's uncertain income tax positions since August 31, 2020.

In evaluating the exposure associated with various non-income tax filing positions, the Company accrues for probable and estimable exposures for non-income tax related tax contingencies.  As of February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Company has recorded within other accrued expenses and other current liabilities a total of $2.0 million and $2.5 million, respectively, for various non-income tax related tax contingencies.

While the Company believes the recorded liabilities are adequate, there are inherent limitations in projecting the outcome of litigation, in estimating probable additional income tax liability taking into account uncertain tax positions and in evaluating the probable additional tax associated with various non-income tax filing positions. As such, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of the sensitivity to change of estimates affecting its recorded liabilities. As additional information becomes available, the Company assesses the potential liability and revises its estimates as appropriate.

In two other countries where the Company operates, minimum income tax rules require the Company to pay taxes based on a percentage of sales rather than income. As a result, the Company is making income tax payments substantially in excess of those it would expect to pay based on taxable income. The Company had income tax receivables of $11.0 million and $10.4 million and deferred tax assets of $3.2 million and $2.8 million as of February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively, in these countries. While the rules related to refunds of income tax receivables in these countries are either unclear or complex, the Company has not placed any type of allowance on the recoverability of these tax receivables or deferred tax assets, because the Company believes that it is more likely than not that it will ultimately succeed in its refund requests.

 

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

Other Commitments

The Company is also committed to non-cancelable construction service obligations for various warehouse club developments and expansions. As of February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $19.1 million and $5.1 million, respectively, in contractual obligations for construction services not yet rendered.

From time to time, the Company has entered into general land purchase and land purchase option agreements. The Company’s land purchase agreements are typically subject to various conditions, including, but not limited to, the ability to obtain necessary governmental permits or approvals. A deposit under an agreement is typically returned to the Company if all permits or approvals are not obtained. Generally, the Company has the right to cancel any of its agreements to purchase land without cause by forfeiture of some or all of the deposits it has made pursuant to the agreement. As of February 28, 2021, the Company had entered into a land purchase option agreement that, if completed, would result in the use of approximately $7.6 million in cash.

The table below summarizes the Company’s interest in real estate joint ventures, commitments to additional future investments and the Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement in these joint venture as of February 28, 2021 (in thousands):

Entity

%
Ownership

Initial
Investment

Additional
Investments

Net Income

Inception to

Date

Company’s
Variable
Interest
in Entity

Commitment
to Future
Additional
Investments(1)

Company's
Maximum
Exposure
to Loss in
Entity(2)

GolfPark Plaza, S.A.

50

%

$

4,616

$

2,402

$

41

$

7,059

$

99

$

7,158

Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A.

50

%

2,193

1,236

94

3,523

785

4,308

Total

$

6,809

$

3,638

$

135

$

10,582

$

884

$

11,466

(1)The parties intend to seek alternate financing for the project, which could reduce the amount of investments each party would be required to provide. The parties may mutually agree on changes to the project, which could increase or decrease the amount of contributions each party is required to provide.

(2)The maximum exposure is determined by adding the Company’s variable interest in the entity and any explicit or implicit arrangements that could require the Company to provide additional financial support.

 

NOTE 7 – DEBT

Short-term borrowings consist of unsecured lines of credit. The following table summarizes the balances of total facilities, facilities used and facilities available (in thousands):

Facilities Used

Total Amount

Short-term

Letters of

Facilities

Weighted average

of Facilities

Borrowings

Credit

Available

interest rate

February 28, 2021

$

131,000

$

23,067

$

259

$

107,674

2.2

%

August 31, 2020

$

81,210

$

65,143

$

388

$

15,679

3.7

%

As of February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all covenants or amended covenants for each of its short-term facility agreements. These facilities generally expire annually or bi-annually and are normally renewed.

 

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

The following table provides the changes in long-term debt for the six-months ended February 28, 2021:

(Amounts in thousands)

Current
portion of
long-term debt

Long-term
debt (net of current portion)

Total

Balances as of August 31, 2020

$

19,437

$

112,610

$

132,047

(1)

Proceeds from long-term debt incurred during the period:

Trinidad subsidiary

547

2,453

3,000

Regularly scheduled loan payments

(650)

(7,817)

(8,467)

Reclassifications of long-term debt due in the next 12 months

1,058

(1,058)

Translation adjustments on foreign currency debt of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar (2)

14

(28)

(14)

Balances as of February 28, 2021

$

20,406

$

106,160

$

126,566

(3)

(1)The carrying amount of non-cash assets assigned as collateral for these loans was $158.6 million. No cash assets were assigned as collateral for these loans.

(2)These foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded within Other comprehensive loss.

(3)The carrying amount of cash and non-cash assets assigned as collateral for these loans was $3.0 million and $149.3 million, respectively.

 

As of February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $100.0 million and $107.4 million, respectively, of long-term loans in several foreign subsidiaries that require these subsidiaries to comply with certain annual or quarterly financial covenants, which include debt service and leverage ratios. The Company was in compliance with all covenants or amended covenants for both periods.

Annual maturities of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):

Twelve Months Ended February 28,

Amount

2022

$

20,406

2023

21,046

2024

17,079

2025

26,754

2026

4,476

Thereafter

36,805

Total

$

126,566

 

 

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

NOTE 8 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk relating to its ongoing business operations. To manage interest rate exposure, the Company enters into hedge transactions (interest rate swaps) using derivative financial instruments. The objective of entering into interest rate swaps is to eliminate the variability of cash flows in the LIBOR interest payments associated with variable-rate loans over the life of the loans. As changes in interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedges provide a synthetic offset to interest rate movements.

In addition, the Company is exposed to foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure related to non-functional currency long-term debt of two of its wholly owned subsidiaries. To manage this foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure, the Company’s subsidiaries entered into cross-currency interest rate swaps that convert their U.S. dollar denominated floating interest payments to functional currency fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument.  As changes in foreign exchange and interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedges are intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate and foreign exchange movements.

These derivative instruments (cash flow hedging instruments) are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, with the entire gain or loss on the derivative reported as a component of other comprehensive loss. Amounts are deferred in other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings in the same income statement line item that is used to present earnings effect of the hedged item when the hedged item affects earnings.

The Company is exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations in the normal course of business, including foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts (NDFs) that are intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements. These contracts are intended primarily to economically address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The Company seeks to mitigate foreign-currency exchange-rate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features.

The Company uses other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments that consist primarily of written call options in which the Company receives a premium from the holder. This premium lowers the cost of the Company’s hedging activities. The Company recognizes changes in fair value of the derivative instrument, as well as the offsetting change in the fair value of the hedged item, in Other expense, net in the consolidated statements of income in the period of change.

 

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

Cash Flow Hedges

As of February 28, 2021, all of the Company’s interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap derivative financial instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. The Company formally documents the hedging relationships for its derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting.

The following table summarizes agreements for which the Company has recorded cash flow hedge accounting for the six months ended February 28, 2021:

Subsidiary

Date
Entered
into

Derivative
Financial
Counter-
party

Derivative
Financial
Instruments

Initial
US$
Notional
Amount

Bank
US$
loan 
Held
with

Floating Leg
(swap
counter-party)

Fixed Rate
for PSMT
Subsidiary

Settlement
Dates

Effective
Period of swap

Colombia

3-Dec-19

Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")

Cross currency interest rate swap

$

7,875,000

Citibank, N.A.

Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.45%

7.87

%

3rd day of each December, March, June, and September, beginning on March 3, 2020

December 3, 2019 -
December 3, 2024

Colombia

27-Nov-19

Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")

Cross currency interest rate swap

$

25,000,000

Citibank, N.A.

Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.45%

7.93

%

27th day of each November, February, May and August beginning February 27, 2020

November 27, 2019 -
November 27, 2024

Colombia

24-Sep-19

Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")

Cross currency interest rate swap

$

12,500,000

PriceSmart, Inc.

Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.50%

7.09

%

24th day of each December, March, June and September beginning December 24, 2019

September 24, 2019 -
September 26, 2022

Panama

25-Jun-18

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

Interest rate swap

$

14,625,000

Bank of Nova Scotia

Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 3.0%

5.99

%

23rd day of each month beginning on July 23, 2018

June 25, 2018 -
March 23, 2023

Honduras

26-Feb-18

Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")

Cross currency interest rate swap

$

13,500,000

Citibank, N.A.

Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 3.00%

9.75

%

29th day of May, August, November and February beginning May 29, 2018

February 26, 2018 -
February 24, 2024

PriceSmart, Inc

7-Nov-16

MUFG Union Bank, N.A. ("Union Bank")

Interest rate swap

$

35,700,000

Union Bank

Variable rate 1-month Libor plus 1.7%

3.65

%

1st day of each month beginning on April 1, 2017

March 1, 2017 - March 1, 2027

For the three and six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, the Company included the gain or loss on the hedged items (that is, variable-rate borrowings) in the same line item—interest expense—as the offsetting gain or loss on the related interest rate swaps as follows (in thousands):

Income Statement Classification

Interest
expense on
borrowings(1)

Cost of
swaps (2)

Total

Interest expense for the three months ended February 28, 2021

$

676

$

953

$

1,629

Interest expense for the three months ended February 29, 2020

$

1,206

$

596

$

1,802

Interest expense for the six months ended February 28, 2021

$

1,360

$

1,878

$

3,238

Interest expense for the six months ended February 29, 2020

$

2,219

$

857

$

3,076

(1)This amount is representative of the interest expense recognized on the underlying hedged transactions.

(2)This amount is representative of the interest expense recognized on the interest rate swaps and cross-currency swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

 

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

The total notional balance of the Company’s pay-fixed/receive-variable interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps was as follows (in thousands):

Notional Amount as of

February 28,

August 31,

 Floating Rate Payer (Swap Counterparty)

2021

2020

Union Bank

$

33,256

$

33,894

Citibank N.A.

53,371

55,086

Scotiabank

10,875

11,625

Total

$

97,502

$

100,605

Derivatives listed on the table below were designated as cash flow hedging instruments. The table summarizes the effect of the fair value of interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap derivative instruments that qualify for derivative hedge accounting and its associated tax effect on accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss (in thousands):

February 28, 2021

August 31, 2020

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments

Balance Sheet
Classification

Fair
Value

Net Tax
Effect

Net
OCI

Fair
Value

Net Tax
Effect

Net
OCI

Cross-currency interest rate swaps

Other non-current assets

$

228

$

(69)

$

159

$

872

$

(265)

$

607

Interest rate swaps

Other long-term liabilities

(2,517)

591

(1,926)

(3,857)

898

(2,959)

Cross-currency interest rate swaps

Other long-term liabilities

(1,195)

360

(835)

(828)

248

(580)

Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments

$

(3,484)

$

882

$

(2,602)

$

(3,813)

$

881

$

(2,932)

Fair Value Instruments

From time to time the Company enters into non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts. These contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value contracts and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts is intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements. These contracts are intended primarily to economically hedge exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. As of February 28, 2021, the Company did not have any material non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts.

Other Instruments

Other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consist primarily of written call options in which the Company receives a premium that it uses to reduce the costs associated with its hedging activities. As of February 28, 2021, all of the Company’s contracts are designated as hedging instruments.

For the three and six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, the Company included in its consolidated statements of income the loss of its other non-designated derivative contracts as follows (in thousands):

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

February 28,

February 29,

Income Statement Classification

2021

2020

2021

2020

Other income (expense), net

$

$

358

$

$

(912)

 

 

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

NOTE 9 – SEGMENTS

The Company and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the international operation of membership shopping in 47 warehouse clubs located in 12 countries and one U.S. territory that are located in Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia. In addition, the Company operates distribution centers and corporate offices in the United States. The Company has aggregated its warehouse clubs, distribution centers and corporate offices into reportable segments. The Company’s reportable segments are based on management’s organization of these locations into operating segments by general geographic location, used by management and the Company's chief operating decision maker in setting up management lines of responsibility, providing support services, and making operational decisions and assessments of financial performance. Segment amounts are presented after converting to U.S. dollars and consolidating eliminations. Certain revenues, operating costs and inter-company charges included in the United States segment are not allocated to the segments within this presentation, as it is impractical to do so, and they appear as reconciling items to reflect the amount eliminated on consolidation of intersegment transactions. From time to time, the Company revises the measurement of each segment's operating income and net income, including certain corporate overhead allocations, and other measures as determined by the information regularly reviewed by the Company's chief operating decision maker. When the Company does so, the previous period amounts and balances are reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation.

 

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

The following tables summarize by segment certain revenues, operating costs and balance sheet items (in thousands):

United
States
Operations

Central
American
Operations

Caribbean
Operations(1)

Colombia Operations

Reconciling
Items(2)

Total

Three Months Ended February 28, 2021

Revenue from external customers

$

22,768 

$

541,000 

$

260,169 

$

113,632 

$

937,569 

Intersegment revenues

296,255 

3,801 

1,124 

850 

(302,030)

Depreciation, Property and equipment

1,784 

7,683 

3,858 

2,362 

15,687 

Amortization, Intangibles

593 

593 

Operating income (loss)

2,028 

40,362 

20,766 

6,439 

(24,616)

44,979 

Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.

(1,545)

32,309 

17,480 

4,699 

(24,707)

28,236 

Capital expenditures, net

1,500 

14,066 

5,804 

7,007 

28,377 

Six Months Ended February 28, 2021

Revenue from external customers

$

46,385 

$

1,035,692 

$

518,685 

$

214,239 

$

$

1,815,001 

Intersegment revenues

646,358 

8,537 

2,270 

1,979 

(659,144)

Depreciation, Property and equipment

3,449 

15,377 

7,650 

4,097 

30,573 

Amortization, Intangibles

1,192 

1,192 

Operating income (loss)

7,771 

74,807 

42,359 

12,004 

(47,431)

89,510 

Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.

(1,917)

61,547 

34,650 

9,295 

(47,602)

55,973 

Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)

80,449 

483,729 

181,815 

162,641 

908,634 

Intangibles, net

8,974 

8,974 

Goodwill

10,695 

24,389 

10,073 

45,157 

Total assets

201,726 

770,899 

430,327 

227,884 

1,630,836 

Capital expenditures, net

2,718 

21,610 

8,262 

15,546 

48,136 

Three Months Ended February 29, 2020

Revenue from external customers

$

18,848 

$

522,607 

$

261,683 

$

103,597 

$

$

906,735 

Intersegment revenues

287,362 

3,909 

860 

547 

(292,678)

Depreciation, Property and equipment

1,338 

7,568 

3,826 

1,844 

14,576 

Amortization, Intangibles

599 

599 

Operating income (loss)

1,928 

37,667 

15,079 

5,400 

(21,265)

38,809 

Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.

(841)

30,339 

13,810 

3,666 

(21,374)

25,600 

Capital expenditures, net

3,489 

18,128 

7,230 

4,465 

33,312 

Six Months Ended February 29, 2020

Revenue from external customers

$

36,187 

$

989,409 

$

496,700 

$

196,380 

$

$

1,718,676 

Intersegment revenues

637,312 

7,954 

2,079 

1,083 

(648,428)

Depreciation, Property and equipment

2,687 

14,450 

7,792 

3,861 

28,790 

Amortization, Intangibles

1,198 

1,198 

Operating income (loss)

4,516 

69,367 

26,889 

9,924 

(41,173)

69,523 

Net income (loss) attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.

(1,564)

57,091 

24,129 

6,937 

(41,265)

45,328 

Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)

86,306 

477,195 

187,641 

145,981 

897,123 

Intangibles, net

11,378 

11,378 

Goodwill

10,695 

24,522 

10,196 

45,413 

Total assets

157,116 

723,673 

390,000 

227,503 

1,498,292 

Capital expenditures, net

4,118 

33,371 

11,750 

25,299 

74,538 

As of August 31, 2020

Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)

$

81,008 

$

475,744 

$

177,166 

$

146,862 

$

$

880,780 

Intangibles, net

10,166 

10,166 

Goodwill

10,696 

24,418 

10,092 

45,206 

Total assets

272,190 

741,523 

395,244 

247,868 

1,656,825 

(1)Management considers its club in the U.S. Virgin Islands to be part of its Caribbean operations.

(2)The reconciling items reflect the amount eliminated on consolidation of intersegment transactions.

 

 

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 PRICESMART, INC. 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)

 

NOTE 10 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated all events subsequent to the balance sheet date of February 28, 2021 through the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements and has determined that there are no subsequent events that require disclosure.

 

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PRICESMART, INC.

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

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements concerning PriceSmart, Inc.'s ("PriceSmart", the "Company" or "we") anticipated future revenues and earnings, adequacy of future cash flows, omni-channel initiatives, proposed warehouse club openings, the Company's performance relative to competitors and related matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements containing the words “expect,” “believe,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipated,” “scheduled,” “intend,” and like expressions, and the negative thereof. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, but not limited to: adverse changes in economic conditions in our markets, natural disasters, compliance risks, volatility in currency exchange rates and illiquidity of certain local currencies in our markets, competition, consumer and small business spending patterns, political instability, increased costs associated with the integration of online commerce with our traditional business, whether the Company can successfully execute strategic initiatives, cybersecurity breaches that could cause disruptions in our systems or jeopardize the security of member or business information, cost increases from product and service providers, interruption of supply chains, novel coronavirus (COVID-19) related factors and challenges, including among others, the duration of the pandemic, the unknown long-term economic impact, the impact of government policies and restrictions that have limited access for our members, and shifts in demand away from discretionary or higher priced products to lower priced products, exposure to product liability claims and product recalls, recoverability of moneys owed to PriceSmart from governments, and other important factors discussed under the captions “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on October 30, 2020. These risk factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date that they are made, and the Company does not undertake to update them, except as required by law. In addition, these risks are not the only risks that the Company faces. The Company could also be affected by additional factors that apply to all companies operating globally and in the U.S., as well as other risks that are not presently known to the Company or that the Company currently considers to be immaterial.

The following discussion and analysis compares the results of operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, and the accompanying notes included therein.

 

Overview

PriceSmart exists to improve the lives and businesses of our Members, our employees and our communities through the ethical delivery of the best quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices. PriceSmart began operations in 1996 in San Diego, California. We own and operate U.S. style membership shopping warehouse clubs in Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia. We also function as a wholesale supplier to a retailer in the Philippines. We sell high quality brand name and private label consumer products, offer prepared foods through our bakeries and food courts with the option for delivery, and in certain clubs we provide services such as optical and tires at low prices to individuals and businesses. Historically, our typical warehouse buildings have ranged in sales floor size from approximately 40,000 to 60,000 square feet and are located primarily in and around the major cities in our markets to take advantage of dense populations and relatively higher levels of disposable income. Additionally, we operate smaller format clubs, with sales floors ranging from approximately 30,000 to 40,000 square feet. These smaller format clubs are an alternative intended to serve markets where the population is likely to support a smaller club or densely populated urban areas. This smaller format, coupled with our omni-channel initiatives, has the potential to expand our geographic reach in existing markets and provide greater value and more convenience for our members. We continue to invest in technology to increase efficiencies and to enhance the member shopping experience with omni-channel capabilities, including e-commerce online shopping. Most notably, the Company launched its Click & Go™ online order, curbside pickup and delivery service, in fiscal 2020, which provides contactless shopping in all 13 of our markets.

We believe that our business success depends on our ability to provide curated high-quality items and valuable services at a low cost in our markets and to offer the best value on attractive products and services in a safe and responsible environment. We believe that lower prices on products and services drive sales volume, which increases the Company’s buying leverage, which in turn leads to better pricing that we can then offer to our members, validating the annual membership investment that they make. 

 

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Logistics and distribution efficiencies are fundamental to delivering high quality merchandise at low prices to our members. To reduce the risk of supply chain disruption, we have developed greater supply chain flexibility between our U.S. and regional distribution centers, which provides us increased flexibility amidst this evolving global environment. We continue to explore ways to deliver value, improve efficiency, reduce costs and ensure a flow of high quality, curated merchandise to our warehouse clubs.

Purchasing land and constructing warehouse clubs is generally our largest ongoing capital investment. Securing land for warehouse club locations is challenging in several of our markets because suitable sites at economically feasible prices are difficult to find. We believe real estate ownership provides a number of advantages as compared to leasing, including lower operating expenses, flexibility to expand or otherwise enhance our buildings, long-term control over the use of the property and the residual value that the real estate may have in future years. We own and lease our real estate, depending upon the best available opportunities.

Our warehouse clubs currently operate in emerging markets that historically have had higher growth rates and lower warehouse club market penetration than the U.S. market. In the countries in which we operate, we do not currently face direct competition from U.S. membership warehouse club operators. However, we do face competition from various retail formats such as hypermarkets, supermarkets, cash and carry, home improvement centers, electronic retailers, specialty stores, convenience stores, traditional wholesale distribution and growing online sales.

The number of warehouse clubs as of February 28, 2021 for each country or territory were as follows:

Number of

Number of

Warehouse Clubs

Warehouse Clubs

in Operation as of

in Operation as of

Country/Territory

February 28, 2021

February 29, 2020

Costa Rica

8

7

Colombia

8

7

Panama

7

7

Dominican Republic

5

5

Trinidad

4

4

Guatemala

4

4

Honduras

3

3

El Salvador

2

2

Nicaragua

2

2

Aruba

1

1

Barbados

1

1

U.S. Virgin Islands

1

1

Jamaica

1

1

Totals

47

45

Our warehouse clubs and local distribution centers are located in Latin America and the Caribbean, and our corporate headquarters, U.S. buying operations and regional distribution centers are located primarily in the United States. Our operating segments are the United States, Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia.

While we continue to closely monitor developments arising from the outbreak of COVID-19 and recognize that the potential social and economic impacts in the markets where we operate and any resulting consequences to our results of operations and cash flow remain unknown, we have decided to proceed with the construction of three warehouse clubs on land we previously acquired. The first will be a standard format warehouse club located within the Zone 5 locality of Guatemala City, Guatemala, which will be our fifth warehouse club located in Guatemala. We expect to open this warehouse club in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. The second will be a smaller format warehouse club located within the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia. We expect to open this warehouse club, which will be our ninth warehouse club in Colombia, in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. The third will be a standard format warehouse club located within the city of Portmore, Jamaica. Portmore is a suburb west of the capital city of Kingston. We expect to open this warehouse club, which will be our second warehouse club in Jamaica, in the third quarter of fiscal 2022.

We also operate a package forwarding business (casillero) and marketplace business under the “Aeropost” banner in 38 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, many of which overlap with markets where we operate warehouse clubs.

 

 

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Factors Affecting Our Business

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant challenges across our 13 markets since March 2020. Many markets imposed limitations, varying by market and in frequency, on access to the Company’s clubs and on the Company’s club operations, including in some cases frequent temporary club closures, a reduction in the number of days during the week and hours per day the Company’s clubs were permitted to be open, restrictions on segments of the population permitted to shop or circulate on particular days, and significant limits on the number of people permitted to be in the club at the same time. We also experienced product mix shifts due to changing consumer habits, decreases in purchases by many business members, particularly restaurants and hotels, and sporadic supply chain challenges, which can impact inventory levels. In response, early in calendar year 2020 we identified four main priorities:

Protect the safety and well-being of our employees and our members.

Take proactive measures to protect our supply chain.

Expand technology-enabled shopping.

Manage cash and capital resources.

Our priorities today remain the same, and we are focused on evolving consumer demands emerging from the COVID experience and the apparent desire of consumers to satisfy their shopping and service needs in one location. Due to the unpredictability of the duration and intensity of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to see periodic reinstatements of stay-at-home orders and other restrictions. In addition, we expect continued uncertainty in the economies of our markets as a result of the pandemic and expect volatility in employment trends, industry and consumer confidence and demand; volatility and liquidity of foreign currency exchange rates; volatility of commodity prices; and possible fiscal austerity measures taken by governments in our markets, which will likely impact our results for the foreseeable future. For additional information, refer to the risk factors discussed in Part I. “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2020.

We view the continued development and integration of technology to create an omni-channel member experience as an important component of our value proposition, which can also offset some of the impact of pandemic-related restrictions. Our Click & Go™ curbside and delivery service contributed approximately 3.1% of total net merchandise sales for the fiscal second quarter ended February 28, 2021. The demand for delivery through our Click &Go™ service has been increasing and represents a growing proportion of total Click & Go™ sales. Developing greater efficiencies remains a priority especially within these new sales channels. We believe that Click & Go™ curbside and delivery services will remain important alternative shopping methods and provide increased value for our members by enabling them to leverage their membership across multiple shopping platforms. We also see value in the insights gained by communicating with our members through a variety of our online channels. Beyond Click & Go™, we continue to invest in technology to increase efficiencies, enhance our member experience by enabling additional omni-channel capabilities, and finding new ways to generate value and benefits for our members and the Company.

Increasing “same store” sales is an important element of our growth strategy, and we believe that there are a number of ways to achieve this goal. We are committed to increasing same store sales by increasing both the number of member transactions and by increasing the average ticket. We have started or recently completed expansions and/or remodels of several clubs in our Central America segment in fiscal 2021, which we believe will contribute to same store sales growth. We have also increased our digital marketing efforts, which has resulted in enhanced reach and visibility of our products and services, contributing to the success of our recent programs. In particular, we believe that our Wellness programs offered in our clubs, such as Optical, which is now available in seven markets, and Pharmacy, which we are piloting in Costa Rica, will create value for our members and help drive overall sales growth.

Additionally, in an effort to provide healthy options for our members, we source additional high quality fresh products through our Direct Farm Program. We believe that our Direct Farm Program reduces costs and improves quality on our fresh produce offerings, while simultaneously supporting local farmers and industry. Our produce distribution centers allow us to provide farm-to-table produce quicker and more efficiently. We opened two produce distribution centers in fiscal 2020 and expect to open additional produce distribution centers in fiscal 2021.

Overall economic trends, foreign currency exchange volatility, and other factors impacting the business

Our sales and profits vary from market to market depending on general economic factors, including GDP growth; consumer preferences; foreign currency exchange rates; political policies and social conditions; local demographic characteristics (such as population growth); the number of years we have operated in a particular market; and the level of retail and wholesale competition in that market. The economies of many of our markets are dependent on foreign trade, tourism, and foreign direct investments. Global and local travel restrictions and the general slowdown in global economic activity as a result of COVID-19

 

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have significantly impacted and may continue to impact the economies in our markets, causing significant declines in GDP and employment and devaluations and illiquidity of local currencies against the U.S. dollar. In general, positive conditions in the broader economy promote greater member spending in our warehouse clubs, and economic weakness generally results in a reduction of customer spending.

Currency fluctuations can be one of the largest variables affecting our overall sales and profit performance, as we have experienced in prior fiscal years, because many of our markets are susceptible to foreign currency exchange rate volatility. During the first six months of fiscal year 2021 and 2020, approximately 78.3% and 77.7%, respectively, of our net merchandise sales were in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Of those sales, 48.8% and 51.3% consisted of sales of products we purchased in U.S. dollars for each period, respectively.

A devaluation of local currency reduces the value of sales and membership income that is generated in that country when translated to U.S. dollars for our consolidated results. In addition, when local currency experiences devaluation, we may elect to increase the local currency price of imported merchandise to maintain our target margins, which could impact demand for the merchandise affected by the price increase. We may also modify the mix of imported versus local merchandise and/or the source of imported merchandise in an effort to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations. Information about the effect of local currency devaluations is discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Net Merchandise Sales and Comparable Sales.”

Our capture of total retail and wholesale sales can vary from market to market due to competition and the availability of other shopping options for our members. Demographic characteristics within each of our markets can affect both the overall level of sales and future sales growth opportunities. Island markets such as Aruba, Barbados and the U.S. Virgin Islands offer us limited upside for sales growth given their overall market size.

Political and other factors in each of our markets may have significant effects on our business. U.S. foreign policy can also have an impact on the social and economic stability in the countries where we operate. For example, the transition in the U.S. Government as a result of the recent presidential election, could result in changes in U.S. foreign policy towards Latin America that could impact the business environment in the countries we serve.

Our operations are subject to volatile weather conditions and natural disasters. In November 2020, Hurricanes Eta and Iota brought severe rainfall, winds, and flooding to a significant portion of Central America, especially Honduras, that caused significant damage to parts of that country’s infrastructure. Although our warehouse clubs were not significantly affected and we were able to manage our supply chain to keep our warehouse clubs stocked with merchandise, these natural disasters could adversely impact our overall sales, costs and profit performance in the future.

In the past, we have experienced a lack of availability of U.S. dollars in certain markets (U.S. dollar illiquidity), particularly in Trinidad. This can and has impeded our ability to convert local currencies obtained through merchandise sales into U.S. dollars to settle the U.S. dollar liabilities associated with our imported products and to otherwise redeploy these funds in our Company and, increases our foreign exchange exposure to any devaluation of the local currency relative to the U.S. dollar. We continued to experience significant limitations on our ability to convert Trinidad dollars to U.S. dollars or other tradeable currencies during fiscal 2020, with a further deterioration and the problem becoming more acute in August 2020. This U.S. dollar illiquidity situation persisted throughout the first half of fiscal 2021 and we anticipate the situation to continue. As liquidity conditions have tightened, we have methodically raised prices on imported goods in Trinidad, due to increased costs of conversion of Trinidad dollars to U.S. dollars and risks associated with continued illiquidity. We have also sought to shift the purchase of certain goods to local sources, where appropriate. Additionally, we are actively seeking to exchange Trinidad dollars for tradeable currencies, in order to manage our exposure to any potential devaluation. Moreover, in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, we began limiting shipments of goods from the U.S. to Trinidad.

Comparable net merchandise sales declined in Trinidad by 10.7% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2021, due to our first quarter decision to reduce, temporarily, the levels of imported merchandise to amounts in-line with our ability to exchange Trinidad dollars for U.S. dollars or other tradeable currencies. We also saw a drop in member accounts of 2.5% during the second quarter, which we believe is also related to the reduction in imports. During the second quarter of fiscal 2021, working with our banks in Trinidad, we were able to source modestly more tradeable currency than we had been able to source in the immediately preceding months. Therefore, we began to increase slightly our levels of imported merchandise in the beginning of our third fiscal quarter. However, we expect similar, albeit slightly moderated, declines in sales in this market going forward until we are able to establish more reliable sources of tradeable currencies.

We are exploring and beginning to execute several options to increase our ability to generate more reliable sources of U.S. dollars in Trinidad. These efforts include, but are not limited to, sourcing locally produced goods in Trinidad dollars and

 

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exporting these goods to our clubs and/or third parties in other countries in exchange for U.S. dollars. While these initiatives are being developed, we are exploring ways to finance additional imports, even if a higher level of imports exceeds the amount of U.S. dollars we are able to source in Trinidad. Alternatives we are considering include new U.S. dollar denominated loans, foreign currency exchange forwards, investing in financial instruments, and purchase and sales of commodities, which could create immediate U.S. dollar liquidity and/or fix the exchange rate of Trinidad dollars to U.S. dollars. Some of these alternatives may not mitigate the resulting increase in exposure to a potential devaluation of the Trinidad dollar if our uses of U.S. dollars continue to exceed our sources of U.S. dollars, and could result in our being required to take a discount on the amount of U.S. dollars we accept in exchange for Trinidad dollars, relative to what we would receive upon exchange in accordance with the official exchange rate.

As of February 28, 2021, our Trinidad subsidiary had Trinidad dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents and short and long-term investments measured in U.S. dollars of approximately $96.7 million, an increase of $17.1 million from August 31, 2020 when these same balances were approximately $79.6 million. The Trinidad central bank manages the exchange rate of the Trinidad dollar with the U.S. dollar. While the Trinidad government has publicly stated it has no intention to devalue the Trinidad dollar, it could in the future decide to devalue the currency to improve market liquidity, resulting in a devaluation in the U.S. dollar value of these cash and investments balances. If, for example, a hypothetical 20% devaluation of the Trinidad dollar were to occur, the value of our Trinidad dollar cash and investments position, measured in U.S. dollars, would decrease by approximately $19.3 million, with a corresponding increase in Accumulated other comprehensive loss reflected on our consolidated balance sheet. Separate from the Trinidad dollar denominated cash and investments balances described above, as of February 28, 2021, we had a U.S. dollar denominated monetary liability position of approximately $7.7 million in Trinidad (net of U.S. dollar denominated assets), which would produce a loss from a potential devaluation of Trinidad dollars. If, for example, a hypothetical 20% devaluation of the Trinidad dollar occurred, the net effect on Other income (expense), net on our consolidated statement of operations of revaluing these U.S. dollar denominated net monetary liabilities would be an approximate $1.5 million loss. While we may pay premiums or enter into financial transactions at a discount to convert our Trinidad dollars into U.S. dollars, we use the official exchange rate published by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago to measure the U.S. dollar equivalent of Trinidad dollar-based assets and liabilities and the Trinidad dollar equivalent of U.S. dollar-based monetary assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes, as there are no other reliable references available to translate or remeasure our assets and liabilities.

Our Barbados subsidiary also recently began facing a U.S. dollar illiquidity situation. The Barbados dollar has a conventional fixed-peg currency arrangement, in which the Barbados dollar exchange rate is fixed to the U.S. dollar. Thus, we do not expect a devaluation of this currency at this time. However, as of February 28, 2021, our Barbados subsidiary had Barbados dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents measured in U.S. dollars of approximately $14.0 million, which cannot be readily converted to U.S. dollars for general use within the Company.

 

Mission and Business Strategy

PriceSmart exists to improve the lives and businesses of our Members, our employees and our communities through the ethical delivery of the best quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices. Our mission is to serve as a model company, which operates profitably and provides a good return to our investors, by serving our members in emerging and developing markets, with safe, clean buildings, equipment and work environment, and by providing good jobs, fair wages and benefits, quality merchandise and services at compelling prices that are made accessible to a broader segment of the population, while treating our suppliers right, empowering them where we can, and conducting ourselves in a socially responsible manner and by respecting the environment and the laws of all the countries in which we operate. To do this, we make available a wide range of high quality, curated merchandise sourced from around the world at good value. The annual membership fee enables us to operate our business with lower margins than traditional retail stores. Through the use of technology and the development of an omni-channel platform, we are pursuing opportunities to satisfy our members’ shopping expectations, create additional efficiencies in the supply chain and better understand and serve our members’ needs to play greater role in their lives. We strive to establish a relationship with our members that enhances their lives with quality goods and services and offers a shopping experience that blends the excitement and appeal of our brick and mortar business with the convenience of online shopping and services. 

 

Growth

We measure our growth primarily by the amount of the period-over-period activity in our net merchandise sales, our comparable club net merchandise sales, membership income and total revenues. Our investments are geared toward creating greater efficiencies, which enable us to offer lower prices, better services, enhanced convenience and exciting experiences for our members, which we believe will support membership renewals and sustained growth for the Company. However, these investments can impact near-term results, such as when we invest in technology and talent that are expected to yield long-term benefits or when we incur fixed costs in advance of achieving full projected sales, negatively impacting near-term operating profit

 

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and net income. When we open a new warehouse club in an existing market, which may reduce reported comparable net merchandise sales due to the transfer of sales from existing warehouse clubs, we do so to enhance the member experience, grow membership and support long-term sales growth and profitability.

Financial highlights for the second quarter of fiscal year 2021 included:

Total revenues increased 3.4% over the comparable prior year period.

Net merchandise sales increased 3.1% over the comparable prior year period. We ended the quarter with 47 warehouse clubs compared to 45 warehouse clubs at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacted net merchandise sales negatively by 3.2% versus the comparable three-month period.

Comparable net merchandise sales (that is, sales in the 45 warehouse clubs that have been open for greater than 13 ½

calendar months) for the 13 weeks ended February 28, 2021 increased 1.1%. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacted comparable net merchandise sales negatively by 3.0%.

Membership income for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 decreased 2.1% to $13.8 million primarily due to a decline in the overall account base due to a decrease in in-club traffic because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Total gross margins (net merchandise sales less associated cost of goods sold) increased 11.7% over the prior-year period, and merchandise gross profits as a percent of net merchandise sales were 16.0%, an increase of 130 basis points (1.3%) from the same period in the prior year. The increase is attributable to more focused merchandising strategies, inventory management, and pricing actions to offset foreign currency exchange costs.

Operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 was $45.0 million, an increase of 15.9%, or $6.2 million, compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

We recorded a $0.2 million net currency loss from currency transactions in the second quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to a $0.8 million net currency gain in the same period last year.

Our effective tax rate increased in the second quarter of fiscal 2021 to 33.9% from 33.1% in the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

Net income attributable to PriceSmart for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 was $28.2 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, compared to $25.6 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

Financial highlights for the six months ended February 28, 2021 included:

Total revenues increased 5.6% over the comparable prior year period.

Net merchandise sales increased 5.2% over the comparable prior year period. We ended the quarter with 47 warehouse clubs compared to 45 warehouse clubs at the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2020. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacted net merchandise sales negatively by 3.4%.

Comparable net merchandise sales (that is, sales in the 45 warehouse clubs that have been open for greater than 13 ½ calendar months) for the 26 weeks ended February 28, 2021 increased 2.3%. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacted comparable net merchandise sales negatively by 3.2%.

Membership income decreased 2.7% to $27.1 million primarily due to a decline in the overall account base due to a decrease in in-club traffic because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Merchandise gross profits (net merchandise sales less associated cost of goods sold) increased 13.8% over the comparable prior year period and warehouse gross profits as a percent of net merchandise club sales were 16.0%, an increase of 120 basis points (1.2%) from the same period last year.

Operating income was $89.5 million, an increase of 28.7%, or $20.0 million, compared to the first six months fiscal year 2020.

We recorded a $1.7 million net currency loss from currency transactions in the current six-month period compared to a $0.9 million net loss in the same period last year.

Our effective tax rate increased for the first six months of fiscal 2021 to 33.4% from 32.7% in the first six months of fiscal year 2020.

Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. for the first six months of fiscal year 2021 was $56.0 million, or $1.82 per diluted share, compared to $45.3 million, or $1.49 per diluted share, in the comparable prior year period.

 

 

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COMPARISON OF THE three and six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020

The following discussion and analysis compares the results of operations for the three-month and six-month periods ended on February 28, 2021 with the three-month and six-month periods ended on February 29, 2020 and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this report. Unless otherwise noted, all tables on the following pages present U.S. dollar amounts in thousands. Certain percentages presented are calculated using actual results prior to rounding.

 

Net Merchandise Sales

The following tables indicate the net merchandise club sales in the segments in which we operate and the percentage growth in net merchandise sales by segment during the three and six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020.

Three Months Ended

February 28, 2021

February 29, 2020

Amount

% of net
sales

Increase/
(decrease)
from
prior year

Change

Amount

% of net
sales

Central America

$

530,833

59.1

%

$

18,381

3.6

%

$

512,452

58.7

%

Caribbean

256,128

28.5

(1,559)

(0.6)

257,687

29.6

Colombia

111,443

12.4

9,856

9.7

101,587

11.7

Net merchandise sales

$

898,404

100.0

%

$

26,678

3.1

%

$

871,726

100.0

%

Six Months Ended

February 28, 2021

February 29, 2020

Amount

% of net
sales

Increase

from

prior year

Change

Amount

% of net
sales

Central America

$

1,015,873

58.5

%

$

46,670

4.8

%

$

969,203

58.7

%

Caribbean

510,734

29.4

21,896

4.5

488,838

29.6

Colombia

210,166

12.1

17,753

9.2

192,413

11.7

Net merchandise sales

$

1,736,773

100.0

%

$

86,319

5.2

%

$

1,650,454

100.0

%

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020

Overall, total net merchandise sales grew 3.1% for the second quarter and 5.2% for the six-month period ended February 28, 2021. The second quarter increase resulted from a 13.8% increase in average ticket, partially offset by a 9.4% decrease in transactions. For the six-month period, the increase resulted from a 14.8% increase in average ticket, partially offset by an 8.3% decrease in transactions. Transactions represent the total number of visits our members make to our warehouse clubs and Click & Go™ curbside pickup and delivery service transactions. Average ticket represents the amount our members spend on each visit or Click & Go™ order.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the number of visits our members make due to governmental restrictions and/or health concerns regarding the virus. Lastly, we had 47 clubs in operation as of February 28, 2021 compared to 45 clubs as of February 29, 2020.

Net merchandise sales in our Central America segment increased 3.6% and 4.8% for the second quarter and the six-months ended February 28, 2021, respectively. These increases had a 210 basis point (2.1%) and 280 basis point (2.8%) positive impact on total net merchandise sales growth, respectively. All markets within this segment, with the exception of Panama, showed increased net merchandise sales for the three and six-month period ended February 28, 2021. Panama had the most government restrictions with the longest duration during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to negative sales growth in both periods presented. We added one new club to the segment when compared to the comparable prior year period. We opened our eighth club in Costa Rica in June 2020.

 

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Net merchandise sales in our Caribbean segment decreased 0.6% and increased 4.5% for the second quarter and the six-months ended February 28, 2021, respectively. The decrease had a 20 basis point (0.2%) negative impact on the quarter net merchandise sales growth and the increase had a 130 basis point (1.3%) positive impact on total net merchandise sales growth, respectively. Our Dominican Republic market continued its strong performance in the quarter and six-month period, despite experiencing a significant foreign currency devaluation, with 15.4% and 16.8% growth, respectively. This strong performance was partially offset by our Trinidad market which had declines in net merchandise sales for each period presented. Trinidad sales were adversely affected during the second quarter because we started limiting merchandise shipments to the market due to the ongoing U.S. dollar illiquidity situation. Refer to “Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” for more discussion on the Trinidad liquidity situation. Aruba also had soft sales in both periods presented due to this market’s on-going economic slowdown caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, primarily due to a reduction in tourism.

Net merchandise sales in our Colombia segment increased 9.7% and 9.2% for the second quarter and the six-months ended February 28, 2021, respectively. These increases had a 120 basis point (1.2%) and 110 basis point (1.1%) positive impact on total net merchandise sales growth, respectively. The primary driver of the increased revenue for the quarter and six-month period was due to the additional club added to the segment when compared to the comparable prior year period. We opened our eighth club in Colombia in December 2020.

The following table indicates the impact that currency exchange rates had on our net merchandise sales in dollars and the percentage change from the three and six-month period ended February 28, 2021. The term “currency exchange rates” refers to the currency exchange rates we use to convert net merchandise and comparable net merchandise sales for all countries where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar into U.S. dollars. We calculate the effect of changes in currency exchange rates as the difference between current period activities translated using the current period’s currency exchange rates and the comparable prior year period’s currency exchange rates. We believe the disclosure of the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations on our results permits investors to understand better the Company’s underlying performance.

Currency exchange rate fluctuations for the

Three months ended

February 28, 2021

Amount

% change

Central America

$

(12,614)

(2.5)

%

Caribbean

(10,265)

(4.1)

Colombia

(4,382)

(4.3)

Net merchandise sales

$

(27,261)

(3.2)

%

Currency exchange rate fluctuations for the

Six months ended

February 28, 2021

Amount

% change

Central America

$

(20,077)

(2.1)

%

Caribbean

(20,529)

(4.2)

Colombia

(14,083)

(7.3)

Net merchandise sales

$

(54,689)

(3.4)

%

Overall, the effects of currency fluctuations within our markets had an approximately $27.3 million and $54.7 million, or 320 basis point (3.2%) and 340 basis point (3.4%), negative impact on net merchandise sales for the quarter and six-months ended February 28, 2021, respectively.

Currency fluctuations had a $12.6 million and $20.1 million, or 250 basis point (2.5%) and 210 basis point (2.1%), negative impact on net merchandise sales in our Central America segment for the quarter and six months ended February 28, 2021. The currency fluctuations contributed approximately 150 basis points (1.5%) and 120 basis points (1.2%) of the total negative impact on total net merchandise sales, respectively. The Costa Rica Colón depreciated significantly against the dollar as compared to the same three and six-month periods a year ago, and was a significant factor in the contribution to the unfavorable currency fluctuations in this segment.

Currency fluctuations had a $10.3 million and $20.5 million, or 410 basis point (4.1%) and 420 basis point (4.2%), negative impact on net merchandise sales in our Caribbean segment for the quarter and six months ended February 28, 2021. The currency fluctuations contributed approximately 120 basis points (1.2%) and 130 basis points (1.3%) of the total negative impact

 

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on total net merchandise sales, respectively. Jamaica and the Dominican Republic markets both experienced currency devaluation when compared to the same periods last year.

Currency fluctuations had a $4.4 million and $14.1 million, or 430 basis point (4.3%) and 730 basis point (7.3%), negative impact on net merchandise sales in our Colombia segment for the quarter and six months ended February 28, 2021. The currency fluctuations contributed approximately 50 basis points (0.5%) and 90 basis points (0.9%) of the total negative impact on total net merchandise sales, respectively.

Comparable Merchandise Sales

We report comparable net merchandise sales on a “same week” basis with 13 weeks in each quarter beginning on a Monday and ending on a Sunday. The periods are established at the beginning of the fiscal year to provide as close of a match as possible to the calendar month and quarter that is used for financial reporting purposes. This approach equalizes the number of weekend days and weekdays in each period for improved sales comparison, as we experience higher merchandise club sales on the weekends. Each of the warehouse clubs used in the calculations was open for at least 13 ½ calendar months before its results for the current period were compared with its results for the prior period. As a result, sales related to two of our warehouse clubs opened during calendar year 2020, will not be used in the calculation of comparable sales until they have been open for at least 13 ½ months. Therefore, comparable net merchandise sales includes 45 warehouse clubs for the thirteen and twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2021.

The following tables indicate the comparable net merchandise sales in the reportable segments in which we operate and the percentage changes in net merchandise sales by segment during the thirteen week and twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2021 and March 1, 2020.

Thirteen Weeks Ended

February 28, 2021

March 1, 2020

% Increase/(decrease)
in comparable
net merchandise sales

% Increase/(decrease)
in comparable
net merchandise sales

Central America

2.4

%

0.1

%

Caribbean

0.8

1.3

Colombia

(4.5)

(0.6)

Consolidated comparable net merchandise sales

1.1

%

0.4

%

Twenty-Six Weeks Ended

February 28, 2021

March 1, 2020

% Increase

in comparable

net merchandise sales

% Increase/(decrease)

in comparable

net merchandise sales

Central America

0.9

%

0.9

%

Caribbean

5.1

1.6

Colombia

1.7

(2.9)

Consolidated comparable net merchandise sales

2.3

%

0.7

%

Comparison of Thirteen and Twenty-Six Week Periods Ended February 28, 2021 and March 1, 2020

Comparable net merchandise sales for those warehouse clubs that were open for at least 13 ½ months for some or all of the thirteen-week period ended February 28, 2021 increased 1.1%. Comparable net merchandise sales for those warehouse clubs that were open for at least 13 ½ months for some or all of the twenty-six-week period ended February 28, 2021 increased 2.3%.

Comparable net merchandise sales in our Central America segment increased 2.4% and 0.9% for the thirteen week and twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2021, respectively. These increases contributed approximately 140 basis points (1.4%) and 50 basis points (0.5%) of positive impact in total comparable merchandise sales, respectively.

For the thirteen and twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2021, strong performance in the relatively smaller markets of Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador, contributed approximately 300 basis points (3.0%) and 220 basis

 

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points (2.2%) of positive impact on the segments comparable net merchandise sales, respectively. This increase was offset by a 140 basis point (1.4%) and 170 basis point (1.7%) negative impact on the segments comparable net merchandise sales, respectively from the larger Panama and Costa Rica markets. During the quarter, Panama had governmental restrictions on days the clubs were permitted to operate. Costa Rica experienced foreign currency exchange headwinds, with the Costa Rica Colón devaluing versus the comparable prior year period.

Comparable net merchandise sales in our Caribbean segment increased 0.8% and 5.1% for the thirteen week and twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2021, respectively. These increases contributed approximately 20 basis points (0.2%) and 160 basis points (1.6%) of positive impact in total comparable merchandise sales, respectively.

Our Dominican Republic market continued its strong performance in the thirteen and twenty-six week period, despite having a foreign currency exchange devaluation, with 16.3% and 17.3% comparable sales growth, respectively. This strong performance was offset by our Trinidad market which declined in comparable net merchandise sales for each period presented. Trinidad sales were adversely affected during the second fiscal quarter because we started limiting merchandise shipments to the market due to the ongoing U.S. dollar illiquidity situation. Refer to “Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” for more discussion on the Trinidad illiquidity situation.

Comparable net merchandise sales in our Colombia segment decreased 4.5% and increased 1.7% for the thirteen week and twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2021, respectively. The decrease contributed approximately 50 basis points (0.5%) of negative impact on total comparable merchandise sales and the increase contributed approximately 20 basis points (0.2%) of positive impact in total comparable merchandise sales, respectively. The decrease in Colombia during the current quarter and the soft comparable sales for the year to date period is primarily due to sales transfers from our recent club that opened in December 2020.

The following tables illustrate the impact that changes in foreign currency exchange rates had on our comparable merchandise sales in dollars and the percentage change from the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2021.

Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations for the

Thirteen Weeks Ended

February 28, 2021

Amount

% change

Central America

$

(11,993)

(2.4)

%

Caribbean

(10,360)

(4.0)

Colombia

(3,859)

(3.8)

Consolidated comparable net merchandise sales

$

(26,212)

(3.0)

%

Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations for the

Twenty-Six Weeks Ended

February 28, 2021

Amount

% change

Central America

$

(19,200)

(2.0)

%

Caribbean

(20,613)

(4.2)

Colombia

(13,392)

(6.9)

Consolidated comparable net merchandise sales

$

(53,205)

(3.2)

%

Overall, the mix of currency fluctuations within our markets had an approximate $26.2 million and $53.2 million, or 300 basis point (3.0%) and 320 basis point (3.2%), negative impact on comparable net merchandise sales for the thirteen and twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2021.

Currency fluctuations within our Central America segment accounted for approximately 140 basis points (1.4%) and 120 basis points (1.2%) of negative impact in total comparable merchandise sales for the thirteen and twenty-six week period, respectively. Our Costa Rica market experienced currency devaluation when compared to the same period last year.

Currency fluctuations within our Caribbean segment accounted for approximately 120 basis points (1.2%) of negative impact in total comparable merchandise sales for both the thirteen and twenty-six week period. Our Dominican Republic and Jamaica markets experienced currency devaluation when compared to the same period last year.

 

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Currency fluctuations within our Colombia segment accounted for approximately 40 basis points (0.4%) and 80 basis points (0.8%) of negative impact in total comparable merchandise sales for the thirteen and twenty-six week period, respectively. This reflects the devaluation of the Colombian peso when compared to the same period a year ago. 

Membership Income

Membership income is recognized ratably over the one-year life of the membership.

Three Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

Amount

Increase (decrease)
from
prior year

% Change

Membership
income % to
net merchandise
club sales

Amount

Membership income - Central America

$

8,080

$

(367)

(4.3)

%

1.5

%

$

8,447

Membership income - Caribbean

3,815

47

1.2

1.5

3,768

Membership income - Colombia

1,904

26

1.4

1.7

1,878

Membership income - Total

$

13,799

$

(294)

(2.1)

%

1.5

%

$

14,093

Six Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

Amount

Increase (decrease)

from

prior year

% Change

Membership
income % to
net merchandise
club sales

Amount

Membership income - Central America

$

15,954

$

(790)

(4.7)

%

1.6

%

$

16,744

Membership income - Caribbean

7,526

80

1.1

1.5

7,446

Membership income - Colombia

3,618

(31)

(0.8)

1.7

3,649

Membership income - Total

$

27,098

$

(741)

(2.7)

%

1.6

%

$

27,839

Number of accounts - Central America

850,544

(30,475)

(3.5)

%

881,019

Number of accounts - Caribbean

426,718

(13,067)

(3.0)

439,785

Number of accounts - Colombia

318,868

(16,203)

(4.8)

335,071

Number of accounts - Total

1,596,130

(59,745)

(3.6)

%

1,655,875

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020

The number of member accounts as of February 28, 2021 was 3.6% lower than the number as of February 29, 2020. Membership income decreased 2.1% and 2.7% over the three and six-month periods ended February 28, 2021, respectively, compared to the same prior-year periods.

Membership income declined in Central America and was essentially flat in our Caribbean and Colombia segments for both the three and six-month periods ended February 28, 2021. The consolidated decline in membership income was due to a declining membership base in the second half of fiscal year 2020 because of lower member traffic in our clubs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the membership base is down compared to the comparable prior-year period, we have seen incremental increases in our membership base since the end of our last fiscal year. Since August 31, 2020, all segments have increased their membership base. Colombia had the largest increase in membership base in the first half of fiscal year 2021 due to the opening of its eighth club in December 2020 and had 5.2% growth, followed by Central America with a 2.6% increase and the Caribbean with a 0.1% increase.

 

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We began offering our Platinum membership program in Nicaragua in October 2020 and in El Salvador in March 2021. We now offer this program in all locations where PriceSmart operates. The annual fee for a Platinum membership in most markets is approximately $75. The Platinum membership program provides members with a 2% rebate on most items, up to an annual maximum of $500. We record the 2% rebate as a reduction on net merchandise sales at the time of the sales transaction.

Our trailing twelve-month renewal rate was 81.5% and 86.2 % for the periods ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, respectively. Historically, membership renewals have been transacted primarily at the registers in the club at the time of purchase of merchandise or services when a membership has expired. The renewal rate decline contributed to the overall decrease in membership accounts of 3.6% over the same period because of a significant decline of in-club traffic in some of our markets due to governmental COVID-19 movement restrictions on their respective general populaces. Reductions in in-club traffic resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the launch of a new online catalogue and our Click & Go services has driven increased sign-ups and renewals completed online. Approximately 14% and 2% of our membership sign-ups were completed using our online platform for the six month periods ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, respectively. Our online platform facilitates capturing data and provides the opportunity for automatic renewal of memberships.

Other Revenue

Other revenue primarily consists of non-merchandise revenue from freight and handling fees generated from our marketplace and casillero operations, interest-generating portfolio from our co-branded credit cards, and rental income from operating leases where the Company is the lessor.

Three Months Ended

February 28, 2021

February 29, 2020

Amount

Increase (decrease) from
prior year

% Change

Amount

Non-merchandise revenue

$

13,018

$

2,917

28.9

%

$

10,101

Miscellaneous income

1,900

281

17.4

1,619

Rental income

742

(20)

(2.6)

762

Other revenue

$

15,660

$

3,178

25.5

%

$

12,482

Six Months Ended

February 28, 2021

February 29, 2020

Amount

Increase (decrease) from
prior year

% Change

Amount

Non-merchandise revenue

$

25,674

$

6,728

35.5

%

$

18,946

Miscellaneous income

3,397

169

5.2

3,228

Rental income

1,472

(29)

(1.9)

1,501

Other revenue

$

30,543

$

6,868

29.0

%

$

23,675

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020

The primary driver of the $3.2 million increase in other revenue for quarter is due to a $2.9 million increase in non-merchandise revenue compared to the prior year from higher package volume in our marketplace and casillero operations during the current quarter compared to the comparable prior year period. Miscellaneous income also increased by $281,000 primarily due to higher interest generating portfolios from our co-branded credit cards and other payments received from our credit card vendors.

The primary driver of the $6.9 million increase in other revenue for the six-month period is due to a $6.7 million increase in non-merchandise revenue compared to the prior year from higher package volume in our marketplace and casillero operations during the current period compared to the comparable prior year period.

 

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Results of Operations

Three Months Ended

Results of Operations Consolidated

February 28, 2021

February 29, 2020

Increase

(Amounts in thousands, except percentages and
number of warehouse clubs)

Net merchandise sales

Net merchandise sales

$

898,404

$

871,726

$

26,678

Total gross margin

$

143,296

$

128,292

$

15,004

Total gross margin percentage

16.0

%

14.7

%

1.3

%

Revenues

Total revenues

$

937,569

$

906,735

$

30,834

Percentage change from prior period

3.4

%

Comparable net merchandise sales

Total comparable net merchandise sales increase

1.1

%

0.4

%

0.7

%

Total revenue margin

Total revenue margin

$

166,878

$

150,561

$

16,317

Total revenue margin percentage

17.8

%

16.6

%

1.2

%

Selling, general and administrative

Selling, general and administrative

$

121,899

$

111,752

$

10,147

Selling, general and administrative percentage of total revenues

13.0

%

12.3

%

0.7

%

Three Months Ended

February 28,

% of

February 29,

% of

Results of Operations Consolidated

2021

Total Revenue

2020

Total Revenue

Operating income- by segment

Central America

$

40,362

4.3

%

$

37,667

4.2

%

Caribbean

20,766

2.2

15,079

1.7

Colombia

6,439

0.7

5,400

0.6

United States

2,028

0.2

1,928

0.2

Reconciling Items (1)

(24,616)

(2.6)

(21,265)

(2.4)

Operating income - Total

$

44,979

4.8

%

$

38,809

4.3

%

(1)The reconciling items reflect the amount eliminated upon consolidation of intersegment transactions.

 

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Six Months Ended

Results of Operations Consolidated

February 28, 2021

February 29, 2020

Increase

(Amounts in thousands, except percentages and
number of warehouse clubs)

Net merchandise sales

Net merchandise sales

$

1,736,773

$

1,650,454

$

86,319

Total gross margin

$

278,046

$

244,296

$

33,750

Total gross margin percentage

16.0

%

14.8

%

1.2

%

Revenues

Total revenues

$

1,815,001

$

1,718,676

$

96,325

Percentage change from comparable period

5.6

%

Comparable net merchandise sales

Total comparable net merchandise sales decrease

2.3

%

0.7

%

1.6

%

Total revenue margin

Total revenue margin

$

324,434

$

287,556

$

36,878

Total revenue margin percentage

17.9

%

16.7

%

1.2

%

Selling, general and administrative

Selling, general and administrative

$

234,924

$

218,033

$

16,891

Selling, general and administrative percentage of total revenues

12.9

%

12.7

%

0.2

%

Warehouse clubs

Warehouse clubs at period end

47

45

2

Warehouse club sales square feet at period end

2,325

2,244

81

Six Months Ended

February 28,

% of

February 29,

% of

Results of Operations Consolidated

2021

Total Revenue

2020

Total Revenue

Operating income- by segment

Central America

$

74,807

4.1

%

$

69,367

4.0

%

Caribbean

42,359

2.3

26,889

1.6

Colombia

12,004

0.7

9,924

0.6

United States

7,771

0.4

4,516

0.2

Reconciling Items (1)

(47,431)

(2.6)

(41,173)

(2.4)

Operating income - Total

$

89,510

4.9

%

$

69,523

4.0

%

(1)The reconciling items reflect the amount eliminated upon consolidation of intersegment transactions.

 

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The following table summarizes the selling, general and administrative expense for the periods disclosed.

Three Months Ended

February 28,

% of

February 29,

% of

2021

Total Revenue

2020

Total Revenue

Warehouse club and other operations

$

90,449

9.7

%

$

84,022

9.3

%

General and administrative

31,270

3.3

27,618

3.0

Pre-opening expenses

48

44

Loss on disposal of assets

132

68

Total Selling, general and administrative

$

121,899

13.0

%

$

111,752

12.3

%

Six Months Ended

February 28,

% of

February 29,

% of

2021

Total Revenue

2020

Total Revenue

Warehouse club and other operations

$

175,281

9.7

%

$

163,395

9.5

%

General and administrative

58,791

3.2

53,502

3.1

Pre-opening expenses

650

997

0.1

Loss on disposal of assets

202

139

Total Selling, general and administrative

$

234,924

12.9

%

$

218,033

12.7

%

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020

Total gross margin is derived from our Revenue – Net merchandise sales less our Cost of goods sold – Net merchandise sales and represents our sales and cost of sales generated from the business activities of our warehouse clubs. We express our Total gross margin percentage as a percentage of our Net merchandise sales.

On a consolidated basis, total gross margin for the three months ended February 28, 2021 was 16.0%, 130 basis points (1.3%) higher than the comparable prior year period. Approximately 90 basis points (0.9%) of this increase is due to certain pricing actions we took to offset foreign currency exchange costs and COVID-related operating costs. In particular, we substantially increased the liquidity premium we factor into our sales prices in Trinidad on our imported merchandise, as we continue to experience a shortage of available U.S. dollars for exchange in that market. Refer to “Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” for additional discussion. The remainder of approximately 40 basis points (0.4%) of this improvement is primarily attributable to more focused merchandising strategies and inventory management that primarily resulted from fewer markdowns.

On a consolidated basis, total gross margin for the six-months ended February 28, 2021 was 16.0%, 120 basis points (1.2%) higher than the comparable prior-year period. Approximately 80 basis points (0.8%) of this increase is due to certain pricing actions described above with the remaining 40 basis points (0.4%) is primarily attributable to more focused merchandising strategies and inventory management that primarily resulted from fewer markdowns.

Total revenue margin is derived from Total revenues, which includes our Net merchandise sales, Membership income, Export sales, and Other revenue and income less our Cost of goods sold for net merchandise sales, Export sales, and Non-merchandise revenues. We express our Total revenue margin as percentage of Total revenues.

Total revenue margin increased 120 basis points (1.2%) for the three months ended February 28, 2021 compared to the prior-year period, which is primarily the result of the higher total gross margins of 130 basis points (1.3%). This increase was offset by 10 basis points (0.1%) from lower revenue margins from our casillero and marketplace business in the current quarter compared to the prior year. Total revenue margin increased 120 basis points (1.2%) for the six-month period presented, which is the result of the higher total gross margins of 120 basis points (1.2%).

Selling, general, and administrative expenses consist of warehouse club and other operations, general and administrative expenses, pre-opening expenses, and loss on disposal of assets. In total, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $10.1 million to 13.0% of total revenue compared to 12.3% of total revenues for the second quarter of fiscal year 2021 compared to the second quarter of fiscal year 2020.

Warehouse club and other operations expenses increased to 9.7% of total revenues for the second quarter of fiscal year 2021 compared to 9.3% for the second quarter of fiscal year 2020. Colombia added 20 basis points (0.2%) while Costa Rica and

 

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Honduras each added 10 basis points (0.1%) as a percentage of revenue year over year. Colombia and Costa Rica have new clubs that had not reached sales maturity as of February 28, 2021, thus increasing the operational expense ratios in those markets. Honduras had a currency appreciation during the quarter, which led to a slight deleveraging of expenses.

General and administrative expenses increased to 3.3% of total revenues for the current quarter compared to 3.0% for the second quarter of fiscal year 2020. The 30 basis point (0.3%) increase is primarily due to our continued investments to support our technology development, talent acquisition, and employee development.

In total, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $16.9 million to 12.9% of total revenues for the six-month period ended February 28, 2021 compared to 12.7% of total revenues in the same prior year period.

Warehouse club and other operations expenses increased to 9.7% of total revenues for the first six months of the fiscal year 2021 compared to 9.5% for the prior-year period. Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Honduras together added 20 basis points (0.2%) as a percentage of revenue year over year. Colombia, Guatemala, and Costa Rica have new clubs that had not reached sales maturity as of February 28, 2021, thus increasing the operational expense ratios in those markets and Honduras had a currency appreciation during the first six-month period which led to a slight deleveraging of expenses.

General and administrative expenses increased to 3.2% of total revenues for the first six months of fiscal year 2021 compared to 3.1% for the same period in the prior year. The 10 basis point (0.1%) increase is primarily due to our continued investments to support our technology development, talent acquisition, and employee development.

Pre-opening expenses remained stable in the second quarter ended February 28, 2021 compared to the same prior year period. For the six-months ended February 28, 2021, pre-opening expense decreased 0.1% of total revenues compared to the prior year period. The decrease is attributable to fewer costs incurred to open our new warehouse clubs compared to the prior year period.

Operating income in the second quarter of fiscal year 2021 increased to $45.0 million (4.8% of total revenue) compared to $38.8 million (4.3% of total revenue) for the same period last year. This reflects the increase in total revenue margin dollars primarily from net merchandise sales of 120 basis points (1.2%) partially offset by a 70 basis point (0.7%) decrease due to deleveraging of selling, general and administrative expenses over the comparable prior-year period. These were the primary factors for the overall 50 basis point (0.5%) increase in operating income as a percentage of total revenue increase in operating income.

Operating income for the six months ended February 28, 2021 increased to $89.5 million (4.9% of total revenue) compared to $69.5 million (4.0% of total revenue) for the same period last year. This reflects the increase in total revenue margin dollars primarily from net merchandise sales of 120 basis points (1.2%) partially offset by a 20 basis point (0.2%) decrease due to deleveraging of selling, general and administrative expenses over the comparable prior-year period. These were the primary factors for the overall 90 basis point (0.9%) as a percentage of total revenue.

  

Interest Expense

Net interest expense reflects borrowings by PriceSmart, Inc. and our wholly owned foreign subsidiaries to finance new land acquisition and construction for new warehouse clubs, warehouse club expansions and distribution centers, the capital requirements of warehouse club and other operations and ongoing working capital requirements.

Three Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

Amount

Change

Amount

Interest expense on loans

$

1,573

$

(208)

$

1,781

Interest expense related to hedging activity

953

357

596

Less: Capitalized interest

(298)

389

(687)

Net interest expense

$

2,228

$

538

$

1,690

 

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Six Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

Amount

Change

Amount

Interest expense on loans

$

3,298

$

252

$

3,046

Interest expense related to hedging activity

1,878

1,021

857

Less: Capitalized interest

(915)

436

(1,351)

Net interest expense

$

4,261

$

1,709

$

2,552

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020

Net interest expense increased for the three and six-month period ended February 28, 2021 compared to the prior-year periods primarily due to higher average long-term loan balances to fund our capital projects and drawdowns on short-term lines of credit as part of our COVID-19 related efforts to secure cash. The increase in interest expense related to hedging activity is a result of the incremental loans and their related cross-currency interest rate hedges for our Colombia subsidiary. We also capitalized less interest compared to a year ago due to the timing of construction projects.

 

Other income (expense), net

Other expense, net, consists of currency gains or losses, as well as net benefit costs related to our defined benefit plans and the receipt of a one-time indemnification payment from a business combination escrow account.

Three Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

Amount

Increase

from

prior year

% Change

Amount

Other income (expense), net

$

(292)

$

(1,015)

(140.4)

%

$

723

Six Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

Amount

Increase
from
prior year

% Change

Amount

Other expense, net

$

(1,837)

$

(1,575)

(601.1)

%

$

(262)

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity (primarily U.S. dollars) are revalued to the functional currency using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. These foreign exchange transaction gains (losses) are recorded as currency gains or losses. Additionally, gains or losses from transactions denominated in currencies other that the functional currency of the respective entity also generate currency gains or losses.

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020

For the three and six-months ended February 28, 2021 the primary driver of Other income (expense), net included $238,000 and $1.7 million losses, respectively, associated with foreign currency transactions and the revaluation of monetary assets and liabilities in several of our markets. The foreign currency gains and losses resulted from the revaluation of net U.S. dollar assets and liabilities in markets where the local functional currency revalued or devalued against the U.S. dollar, and from exchange transactions.

The primary impacts during the quarter were higher transaction costs associated with converting Trinidad dollars into available tradeable currencies such as Euros or Canadian dollars before converting them to U.S. dollars. This was offset by a devaluation of the Jamaican dollar, which resulted in a gain recognized on our net U.S. dollar asset position in that market. The

 

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primary impacts during the six-month period were higher transaction costs associated with converting Trinidad dollars into available tradeable currencies such as Euros or Canadian dollars, before converting them to U.S. dollars. This was offset by an appreciation of the Honduran Lempira, which resulted in a gain recognized on our net U.S. dollar liability position in that market.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

Three Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

Amount

Increase

 from

prior year

Amount

Provision for income taxes

$

14,565

$

1,863

$

12,702

Effective tax rate

33.9

%

33.1

%

Six Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

Amount

Increase
 from
prior year

Amount

Provision for income taxes

$

28,183

$

6,078

$

22,105

Effective tax rate

33.4

%

32.7

%

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020

For the three months ended February 28, 2021, the effective tax rate was 33.9%. The increase in the effective tax rate versus the prior year was primarily attributable to the following factors:

A comparably unfavorable net tax impact from non-recurring items, of 4.8%, primarily related to changes in uncertain tax positions; and

A comparably favorable benefit from recurring items, of 3.9%, primarily related to the reduced impact of the loss of benefit of foreign tax credits in the current quarter compared to the prior year due to higher income before the provision for income taxes for the current quarter, and improvements in other tax credits in our countries of operation.

For the six months ended February 28, 2021, the effective tax rate was 33.4%. The increase in the effective tax rate versus the prior year was primarily attributable to the following factors:

A comparably unfavorable net tax impact from non-recurring items, of 3.2%, primarily related to changes in uncertain tax positions; and

A comparably favorable benefit from recurring items, of 2.5%, primarily related to the reduced impact of the loss of benefit of foreign tax credits in the current six-month period compared to the prior year due to higher income before the provision for income taxes for the current six-month period and improvements in other tax credits in our countries of operation.

 

 

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Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Three Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

Amount

Change

% Change

Amount

Other comprehensive loss

$

(1,120)

$

3,929

77.8

%

$

(5,049)

Six Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

Amount

Change

% Change

Amount

Other comprehensive income (loss)

$

2,042

$

10,276

124.8

%

$

(8,234)

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020

Our other comprehensive loss of approximately $1.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2021 resulted primarily from the comprehensive loss of approximately $2.3 million from foreign currency translation adjustments related to assets and liabilities and the translation of revenue, costs and expenses on the statements of income of our subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, offset by approximately $1.2 million related to unrealized gains on changes in our derivative obligations. Other comprehensive income for six-months ended February 28, 2021 of approximately $2.0 million was primarily the result of the comprehensive income of $0.4 million from foreign currency translation adjustments and $1.5 million related to unrealized gains on changes in the fair value of our derivative obligations. For the quarter and six month periods, the Costa Rica Colón and Jamaican Dollar exchange rate with the U.S. Dollar have declined significantly during both periods presented and these declines were offset by an appreciation of the Colombia Peso over the same period.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Financial Position and Cash Flow

Our operations have historically supplied us with a significant source of liquidity. Our cash flows provided by operating activities, supplemented with our long-term debt and short-term borrowings, have generally been sufficient to fund our operations while allowing us to invest in activities that support the long-term growth of our operations and to pay dividends on our common stock. We evaluate our funding requirements on a regular basis to cover any shortfall in our ability to generate sufficient cash from operations to meet our capital requirements. We may consider funding alternatives to provide additional liquidity if necessary. There is some uncertainty surrounding the continuing potential impact of COVID-19 on our results of operations and cash flows. As a result, we have taken steps to increase cash available on-hand, including, but not limited to, drawing funds on our short-term facilities. Refer to “Item 1. Financial Statements: Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 7 - Debt” for additional information regarding our drawdown on our short-term facilities and long-term borrowings.

Repatriation of cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries may require us to accrue and pay taxes. We have no plans at this time to repatriate cash through the payment of cash dividends by our foreign subsidiaries to our domestic operations and, therefore, have not accrued taxes that would be due from repatriation.

The following table summarizes the cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, held by our foreign subsidiaries and domestically (in thousands).

February 28,

August 31,

2021

2020

Amounts held by foreign subsidiaries

$

153,446

$

203,598

Amounts held domestically

34,333

100,173

Total cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash

$

187,779

$

303,771

 

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The following table summarizes the short-term investments held by our foreign subsidiaries and domestically (in thousands).

February 28,

August 31,

2021

2020

Amounts held by foreign subsidiaries

$

81,430

$

46,509

Amounts held domestically

Total short-term investments

$

81,430

$

46,509

As of February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020, certificates of deposit with a maturity of over a year held by our foreign subsidiaries and domestically were $1.5 million in both periods.

From time to time, we have experienced a lack of availability of U.S. dollars in certain markets (U.S. dollar illiquidity). This impedes our ability to convert local currencies obtained through merchandise sales into U.S. dollars to settle the U.S. dollar liabilities associated with our imported products or otherwise fund our operations. Since fiscal 2017, we have experienced this situation in Trinidad and have been unable to source a sufficient level of tradeable currencies. We are working with our banks in Trinidad and government officials to source tradeable currencies. We expect the illiquid market conditions in Trinidad to continue and are considering various measures to address the adverse effect of this situation on the Company’s liquidity. In addition, our Barbados subsidiary recently began facing a similar U.S. dollar liquidity situation. Refer to “Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” for our quantitative analysis and discussion.

Our cash flows are summarized as follows (in thousands):

Six Months Ended

February 28,

February 29,

2021

2020

Change

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

29,727

$

89,065

$

(59,338)

Net cash used in investing activities

(82,276)

(85,721)

3,445

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(60,814)

24,422

(85,236)

Effect of exchange rates

(2,629)

2,767

(5,396)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

$

(115,992)

$

30,533

$

(146,525)

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $29.7 million and $89.1 million for the six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, respectively. We generate cash from operations primarily through net merchandise sales and membership fees. Cash used in operations generally consist of payments to our merchandise vendors, warehouse operating costs (including payroll, employee benefits and utilities), as well as payments for income taxes.  The $59.3 million decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a net decrease of $76.0 million from changes in operating assets and liabilities, offset by a net increase of $16.7 million from changes in non-cash reconciling items.

The $76.0 million decrease from changes in operating assets and liabilities is primarily due to decreases in net working capital of $81.4 million, which resulted in a $38.0 million decrease of cash due to the increase in merchandise inventories and a $43.4 million decrease of cash from the decrease in accounts payable over the comparable six-months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020. The increase in merchandise inventories is primarily the result of having two additional clubs in the current year. The accounts payable decrease is largely the result of the expiration of temporary extensions of vendor terms negotiated as part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The $81.4 million decrease in net working capital was partially offset by a $5.4 million increase in all other current asset and current liability changes. The $16.7 million change in non-cash reconciling items was primarily due to the increase in net income, deferred income taxes, stock compensation, and depreciation for the six-month period ended February 28, 2021 compared to the prior year.

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $82.3 million and $85.7 million for the six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, respectively.  Our cash used in investing activities is primarily for the construction of and improvements to our warehouse clubs and management of our cash investments. The $3.4 million decrease in cash used in investing activities is primarily the result of a net $20.2 million increase in short-term and long-term certificate of deposit purchases and fewer settlements compared to the same six-month period a year-ago offset by a $23.6 million decrease in construction expenditures versus the same comparable periods. The increase in purchases and fewer settlements is the result of additional Trinidad dollars we have on-hand and that we have invested into certificates of deposit to generate interest income while we actively work to

 

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convert those Trinidad dollars into U.S. dollars as availability allows. Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” for additional discussion of the current U.S. dollar illiquidity we are experiencing in that market.



Net cash used in financing activities totaled $60.8 million and net cash provided by financing activities was $24.4 million for the six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, respectively. We use cash flows provided by financing primarily to fund our working capital needs and our warehouse club expansions and investments. The $85.2 million shift from cash provided by to cash used in financing activities is primarily the result of a net decrease of proceeds from long-term borrowings of $46.0 million compared to a year ago and a net decrease of $38.1 million in cash provided by short-term borrowings compared to the same six-month period a year-ago. In the prior year period, we executed long-term loans primarily to finance land purchases and construction of several of our warehouse clubs. Our beginning cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash balance for the current year period was $303.8 million, thus reducing our need for drawdowns on our outstanding lines of credit for the comparable six-month periods.

The following table summarizes the dividends declared and paid during fiscal year 2021 (amounts are per share).

First Payment

Second Payment

Declared

Amount

Record
Date

Date
Paid

Date
Payable

Amount

Record
Date

Date
Paid

Date
Payable

Amount

2/4/2021

  

$

0.70

  

2/15/2021

  

2/26/2021

  

N/A

  

$

0.35

  

8/15/2021

  

N/A

  

8/31/2021

  

$

0.35

2/6/2020

  

$

0.70

  

2/15/2020

  

2/28/2020

  

N/A

  

$

0.35

  

8/15/2020

  

8/31/2020

  

N/A

  

$

0.35

We anticipate the ongoing payment of semi-annual dividends in subsequent periods, although the actual declaration of future dividends, the amount of such dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates is subject to final determination by the Board of Directors at its discretion after its review of our financial performance and anticipated capital requirements, taking into account all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results of operations and cash flows.

Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt

Our financing strategy is to ensure liquidity and access to capital markets while minimizing our borrowing costs. The proceeds of these borrowings were or will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, funding for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, and repayment of existing debt. Please refer to “Item 1. Financial Statements: Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 7 – Debt.”

Derivatives

Please refer to “Item 1. Financial Statements: Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” for further discussion.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a material current or future effect on its financial condition or consolidated financial statements.

Repurchase of Equity Securities and Reissuance of Treasury Shares

At the vesting dates for restricted stock awards to our employees, we repurchase a portion of the shares that have vested at the prior day's closing price per share and apply the proceeds to pay the employees' minimum statutory tax withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted stock awards. The Company expects to continue this practice going forward. We do not currently have a stock repurchase program.

Shares of common stock repurchased by us are recorded at cost as treasury stock and result in the reduction of stockholders’ equity in our consolidated balance sheets. We may reissue these treasury shares in the future.

We have reissued treasury shares as part of our stock-based compensation programs.  During the six-months ended February 28, 2021, we reissued 96,400 treasury shares.

 

 

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Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires that management make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Some of our accounting policies require management to make difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Management continues to review its accounting policies and evaluate its estimates, including those related to business acquisitions, contingencies and litigation, income taxes, value added taxes, and long-lived assets. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the present circumstances. Using different estimates could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Income Taxes

For interim reporting, we estimate an annual effective tax rate (AETR) pursuant to ASC 740-270 to calculate income tax expense. Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best estimate of current and future taxes to be paid. We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in the determination of the consolidated income tax expense. Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, which will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets in the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In projecting future taxable income, we begin with historical results adjusted for the results of discontinued operations and incorporate assumptions about the amount of future state, federal, and foreign pretax operating income adjusted for items that do not have tax consequences. The assumptions about future taxable income require the use of significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, we consider three years of cumulative operating income (loss).

We are required to file federal and state income tax returns in the United States and various other tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The preparation of these tax returns requires us to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax we pay. We, in consultation with our tax advisors, base our tax returns on interpretations that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The tax returns, however, are subject to routine reviews by the various taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which we file our tax returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with respect to the interpretations we used to calculate our tax liability and, therefore, require us to pay additional taxes.

We accrue an amount for our estimate of probable additional income tax liability. In certain cases, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50% likelihood of being sustained. This requires significant judgment, the use of estimates, and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. When facts and circumstances change, we reassess these probabilities and record any changes in the consolidated financial statements as appropriate. There were no material changes in our uncertain income tax positions since August 31, 2020.

Tax Receivables

We pay Value Added Tax (“VAT”) or similar taxes, income taxes, and other taxes within the normal course of our business in most of the countries in which we operate related to the procurement of merchandise and/or services we acquire and/or on sales and taxable income. VAT is a form of indirect tax applied to the value added at each stage of production (primary, manufacturing, wholesale and retail). This tax is similar to, but operates somewhat differently than, sales tax paid in the United States. We generally collect VAT from our members upon sale of goods and services and pay VAT to our vendors upon purchase of goods and services. Periodically, we submit VAT reports to governmental agencies and reconcile the VAT paid and VAT received. The net overpaid VAT may be refunded or applied to subsequent returns, and the net underpaid VAT must be remitted to the government. With respect to income taxes paid, if the estimated income taxes paid or withheld exceed the actual income tax due this creates an income tax receivable. In most countries where we operate, the governments have implemented additional collection procedures, such as requiring credit card processors to remit a portion of sales processed via credit and debit cards directly to the government as advance payments of VAT and/or income tax. This collection mechanism generally leaves us with net VAT and/or income tax receivables, forcing us to process significant refund claims on a recurring basis. These refund or offset processes can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete.

 

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In most countries where we operate, there are defined and structured processes to recover VAT receivables via refunds or offsets. However, in one country without a clearly defined refund process, the Company is actively engaged with the local government to recover VAT receivables totaling $8.7 million and $7.0 million as of February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively. In addition, in two other countries where the Company operates, there have been changes in the method of computing minimum tax payments under which the governments have sought to require the Company to pay taxes based on a percentage of sales rather than taxable income. As a result, we have made and may continue to make income tax payments substantially in excess of those we would expect to pay based on taxable income. The Company had income tax receivables of $11.0 million and $10.4 million and deferred tax assets of $3.2 million and $2.8 million as of February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively, in these countries. While the rules related to refunds of income tax receivables in these countries are either unclear or complex, the Company has not placed any type of allowance on the recoverability of these tax receivables or deferred tax assets because the Company believes that it is more likely than not that it will ultimately succeed in its refund requests. Similarly, we have not placed any recoverability allowances on tax receivables that arise from payments we are required to make originating from tax assessments that we are appealing, as we believe it is more likely than not that we will ultimately prevail in the related appeals. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be successful in recovering all tax receivables or deferred tax assets.

Our policy for classification and presentation of VAT receivables, income tax receivables and other tax receivables is as follows:

Short-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other current assets: This classification is used for any countries where our subsidiary has generally demonstrated the ability to recover the VAT or income tax receivable within one year. We also classify as short-term any approved refunds or credit notes to the extent that we expect to receive the refund or use the credit notes within one year.

Long-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other non-current assets: This classification is used for amounts not approved for refund or credit in countries where our subsidiary has not demonstrated the ability to obtain refunds within one year and/or for amounts which are subject to outstanding disputes. An allowance is provided against VAT and income tax receivable balances in dispute when we do not expect to eventually prevail in our recovery of such balances. We do not currently have any allowances provided against VAT and income tax receivables.

Long-lived Assets

We evaluate quarterly our long-lived assets for indicators of impairment. Indicators that an asset may be impaired are:

the asset's inability to continue to generate income from operations and positive cash flow in future periods;

loss of legal ownership or title to the asset;

significant changes in its strategic business objectives and utilization of the asset(s); and

the impact of significant negative industry or economic trends.

Management's judgments are based on market and operational conditions at the time of the evaluation and can include management's best estimate of future business activity, which in turn drives estimates of future cash flows from these assets. These periodic evaluations could cause management to conclude that impairment factors exist, which could require an adjustment of these assets to their then-current fair market value. Loss/(gain) on disposal of assets recorded during the years reported resulted from improvements to operations and normal preventive maintenance.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangibles

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived acquired intangible assets are not amortized but are evaluated for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value of a certain asset may be impaired. Generally, this evaluation begins with a qualitative assessment to determine whether a quantitative impairment test is necessary. If we determine, after performing an assessment based on the qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount, or that a fair value of the reporting unit substantially in excess of the carrying amount cannot be assured, then a quantitative impairment test would be performed. The quantitative test for impairment requires management to make judgments relating to future cash flows, growth rates and economic and market conditions. These evaluations are based on determining the fair value of a reporting unit or asset using a valuation method such as discounted cash flow or a relative, market-based approach. Historically, our reporting units and other indefinite-lived acquired intangible assets have generated sufficient returns to recover the cost of goodwill and other indefinite-lived acquired intangible assets. Because of

 

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the nature of the factors used in these tests, if different conditions occur in future periods, future operating results could be materially impacted. For approximately $45.2 million of certain acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets, the fair value approximated the carrying value; any deterioration in the fair value may result in an impairment charge.

 

Seasonality

Historically, our merchandising businesses have experienced holiday retail seasonality in their markets. In addition to seasonal fluctuations, our operating results fluctuate quarter-to-quarter as a result of economic and political events in markets that we serve, the timing of holidays, weather, the timing of shipments, product mix, and currency effects on the cost of U.S.-sourced products which may make these products more or less expensive in local currencies and therefore more or less affordable. Because of such fluctuations, the results of operations of any quarter are not indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year or any future quarter. In addition, there can be no assurance that our future results will be consistent with past results or the projections of securities analysts.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risks relating to our operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in currency exchange rates. There have been no material changes in our market risk factors at February 28, 2021 compared to those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020.

From time to time, we have experienced a lack of availability of U.S. dollars in certain markets (U.S. dollar illiquidity).  This impedes our ability to convert local currencies obtained through merchandise sales into U.S. dollars to settle the U.S. dollar liabilities associated with our imported products. Since fiscal year 2017, we have experienced this situation in Trinidad and have been unable to source a sufficient level of tradeable currencies.  We are working with our banks in Trinidad and Barbados to source tradeable currencies. We expect the illiquid market conditions in both markets to continue. Refer to “Item 2. Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Factors Affecting Our Business” and “Item 2. Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Liquidity: Financial Position and Cash Flow” for our quantitative analysis and discussion.

Information about the financial impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations for the three and six-month period ended February 28, 2021 is disclosed in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Other Expense, net”.

Information about the change in the fair value of our hedges and the financial impact thereof for the three and six-month period ended February 28, 2021 is disclosed in “Item 1. Financial Statements: Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8 – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”

Information about the movements in currency exchange rates and the related impact on the translation of the balance sheets of our subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar for the three and six-month period ended February 28, 2021 is disclosed in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion & Analysis – Other Comprehensive Loss.”

 

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the timelines specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decision regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and in reaching a reasonable level of assurance, management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Also, we have investments in certain unconsolidated entities. Because we do not control or manage those entities, our control procedures with respect to those entities were substantially more limited than those we maintain with respect to our consolidated subsidiaries.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by SEC Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e), we carried out an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon their evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

In the ordinary course of business, we review our system of internal control over financial reporting and make changes to our systems and processes to improve controls and increase efficiency, while ensuring that we maintain an effective internal control environment. Changes may include such activities as implementing new, more efficient systems and automating manual processes. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

The certifications required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are filed as Exhibit 31.1 and 31.2 to this report.

 

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are often involved in claims arising in the ordinary course of business seeking monetary damages and other relief. Based upon information currently available to us, none of these claims is expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

On May 22, 2019, a class action complaint was filed against PriceSmart, Inc., as well as certain former and current officers in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. On October 7, 2019, the Court granted Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico’s (PERA’s) Motion for Appointment as Lead Plaintiff. On January 3, 2020, PERA filed a consolidated class action complaint, which alleges violations of Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against any obligations or liability to the plaintiffs with respect to such claims. The Company believes the claims are without merit. During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the Plaintiff’s Consolidated Amended Complaint and the Plaintiff filed an Opposition to the Motion to Dismiss. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company filed a Reply to the Opposition and in the second quarter of fiscal 2021, the Motion to Dismiss was granted. The Plaintiff’s time to appeal the Order of the court granting the Company’s Motion to Dismiss has expired.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the reader should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I. “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2020. There have been no material changes in the Company's risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(a)           None.

(b)           None.

(c)           Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers.

Upon vesting of restricted stock awarded by the Company to employees, the Company repurchases shares and withholds the amount of the repurchase payment to cover employees’ tax withholding obligations. As set forth in the table below, during the quarter ended February 28, 2021, the Company repurchased 17,372 shares in the indicated months. These were the only repurchases of equity securities made by the Company during the second quarter of fiscal year 2021. The Company does not have a stock repurchase program.

Period

(a)
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased

(b)
Average Price
Paid Per Share

(c)
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs

(d)
Maximum
Number of
Shares That
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plans or
Programs

December 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020

$

N/A

January 1, 2021 - January 31, 2021

17,372

$

98.60

N/A

February 1, 2021 - February 28, 2021

$

N/A

Total

17,372

$

98.60

 

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ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits:

3.1(1)

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.

3.2(2)

Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.

3.3(3)

Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.

3.4(4)

Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.

31.1

Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1**

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2**

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

*

Identifies management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

**

These certifications are being furnished solely to accompany this Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, and are not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of PriceSmart, Inc., whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

(1)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1997 filed with the Commission on November 26, 1997.

(2)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004 filed with the Commission on April 14, 2004.

(3)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2004 filed with the Commission on November 24, 2004.

(4)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 17, 2015.

 

 

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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.

PRICESMART, INC.

Date:

April 8, 2021

By:

/s/ SHERRY S. BAHRAMBEYGUI

Sherry S. Bahrambeygui

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date:

April 8, 2021

By:

/s/ MICHAEL L. MCCLEARY

Michael L. McCleary

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

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