Sprouts Farmers Market Inc
For the period ended Mar 30, 2025. Filed Apr 30, 2025.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 30, 2025 · Filed Apr 30, 2025
SFM$49.10-4.8%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026
What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-09-29; filed 2024-10-30.
0001575515-24-000172
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-03-30; filed 2025-04-30.
0001575515-25-000178
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 97 previous paragraphs and 76 current paragraphs.
49 unchanged; 26 reworded; 1 added; 15 removed; 7 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 26 previous and 15 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (1)
Current report
•Invest in Technology for Growth. We continue to make investments in technology in support of our strategy, with a focus on enhancing efficiency, scalability, and customer experience. While we are showing positive outcomes on our strategic investments in inventory management and customer personalization, we believe that ongoing investments in our technology foundation will allow us to streamline operations and improve decision making to execute on our strategy.
Removed paragraphs (15)
Previous report
Results of Operations for Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 29, 2024 and October 1, 2023
Previous report
Comparison of Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 29, 2024 to Thirty-nine Weeks Ended October 1, 2023
Previous report
Net Sales
Previous report
Gross profit totaled $2.2 billion during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024, an increase of $280.1 million, or 15%, compared to the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023, driven by increased sales volume. Gross margin increased to 38.1% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024, compared to 37.0% for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023, due to improved inventory management and continued promotional optimization efforts as well as leverage on our supply chain from higher sales.
Previous report
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Previous report
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $189.5 million, or 13%, compared to the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by the increase in new stores opened since the prior year period. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased due to higher incentive compensation costs and ecommerce fees driven by strong sales performance and higher professional fees and other costs incurred related to strategic initiatives.
Previous report
Depreciation and amortization
Previous report
Depreciation and amortization expense (exclusive of depreciation included in cost of sales) was $98.1 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024, compared to $99.8 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023. Depreciation and amortization expenses (exclusive of depreciation included in cost of sales) primarily consists of depreciation and amortization for buildings, store leasehold improvements, and equipment. Depreciation and amortization for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023 was inclusive of $5.9 million in accelerated depreciation in connection with the closing of certain underperforming stores during 2023. See Note 12, “Store Closures” of our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Previous report
Store closure and other costs, net decreased $24.9 million to $9.0 million, compared to $33.9 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023. Store closure and other costs, net during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024 was primarily related to ongoing occupancy costs associated with our closed store locations. Store closure and other costs, net during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023 primarily consisted of $27.8 million of impairment losses related to the write-down of leasehold improvements and right-of-use assets as well as other costs incurred in association with the closing of 11 underperforming stores during 2023. See Note 12, “Store Closures” of our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Previous report
Interest (income) expense, net
Previous report
Interest (income) expense, net decreased to $0.4 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024, compared to $6.1 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023 primarily due to lower average debt outstanding and higher interest income earned as a result of higher interest rates. See Note 4, “Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Liabilities” of our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Previous report
Income tax provision
Previous report
The effective tax rate increased to 24.5% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024 from 24.0% for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to an unfavorable current year return-to-provision true-up compared to the favorable prior year period true-up, a prior period refund of interest from amended returns, and the increase in pre-tax income outpacing the increase to the benefit from enhanced inventory donations deductions, partially offset by an increase in excess tax benefits associated with share-based payment awards.
Previous report
Net income
Previous report
Diluted earnings per share
Reworded paragraphs (26)
Previous wording
Sprouts Farmers Market offers a unique specialty grocery experience featuring an open layout with fresh produce at the heart of the store. Sprouts inspires wellness naturally with a carefully curated assortment of better-for-you products paired with purpose-driven people. We continue to bring the latest in wholesome, innovative products made with lifestyle-friendly ingredients such as organic, plant-based and gluten-free. From our founding in 2002, we have grown rapidly, significantly increasing our sales, store count and profitability. Headquartered in Phoenix with 428 stores in 23 statesas of September 29, 2024, we are one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States.
Current wording
Sprouts Farmers Market offers a unique specialty grocery experience featuring an open layout with fresh produce at the heart of the store. Sprouts inspires wellness naturally with a carefully curated assortment of better-for-you products paired with purpose-driven people. We continue to bring the latest in wholesome, innovative products made with lifestyle-friendly ingredients such as organic, plant-based and gluten-free. From our founding in 2002, we have grown rapidly, significantly increasing our sales, store count and profitability. Headquartered in Phoenix with 443 stores in 24 statesas of March 30, 2025, we are one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States.
Previous wording
•Update Format and Expand in Select Markets. We are delivering unique smaller stores with expectations of stronger returns, while maintaining the approachable, fresh-focused farmer’s market heritage Sprouts is known for. From 2021 through September 29, 2024, we opened 63 new stores and remodeled one store featuring our new format. Our geographic store expansion and new store placement will intersect where our target customers live, in markets with growth potential and supply chain support, which we believe will provide a long runway of approximately 10% annual unit growth.
Current wording
•Market Expansion. We are delivering unique smaller stores with expectations of stronger returns, while maintaining the approachable, fresh-focused farmer’s market heritage Sprouts is known for. From 2021 through March 30, 2025, we have opened 78 new stores and remodeled one store featuring our updated format. Our geographic store expansion and new store placement will intersect where our target customers live, in markets with growth potential and supply chain support, which we believe will provide a long runway of approximately 10% annual unit growth.
Previous wording
•Create an Advantaged Fresh Supply Chain. We believe our network of fresh distribution centers can drive efficiencies across the chain and support our growth plans. To further deliver on our fresh commitment and reputation, as well as to increase our local offerings and improve financial results, we aspire to ultimately position fresh distribution centers within a 250-mile radius of stores. Following the opening of two fresh distribution centers in fiscal 2021 and the relocation of our Southern California distribution center, closure of our Georgia distribution center and partnership with a third-party fresh distribution center in the Northeast in fiscal 2023, we are better leveraging our existing distribution center capacity, and approximately 80% of our stores were within 250 miles of a distribution center as of September 29, 2024.
Current wording
•Create an Advantaged Supply Chain. We believe our network of distribution centers can drive efficiencies across the chain and support our growth plans. To further deliver on our fresh commitment and reputation, as well as to increase our local offerings and improve financial results, we aspire to ultimately position fresh distribution centers within a 250-mile radius of stores. We are better leveraging our existing distribution center capacity, and approximately 80% of our stores were within 250 miles of a distribution center as of March 30, 2025.
Previous wording
•Refine Brand and Marketing Approach. We believe we are elevating our national brand recognition and positioning by telling our unique brand story rooted in product innovation and differentiation. We are increasing our use of data analytics and insights. We believe this data-driven intelligence will increase customer engagement through personalization efforts with digital and social connections to drive additional sales growth and loyalty.
Current wording
•Customer Engagement and Personalization. We believe we are elevating our national brand recognition and positioning by telling our unique brand story rooted in product innovation and differentiation. We are increasing our use of data analytics and insights. We believe this data-driven intelligence will increase customer engagement through personalization efforts with digital and social connections to drive additional sales growth and loyalty.
Previous wording
•Inspire and Engage Our Talent to Create a Best Place to Work. Subsequent to the initial launch of our long-term growth strategy, we have added the focus area of inspiring and engaging our talent through our culture, acquisition and development and total rewards program to attract and retain the talent we believe we need to execute on our strategic goals and transform our company into a premier place to work.
Current wording
•Inspire and Engage Our Talent to Make Sprouts a Best Place to Work. Subsequent to the initial launch of our long-term growth strategy, we have added the focus area of inspiring and engaging our talent through our culture, acquisition and development and total rewards program to attract and retain the talent we believe we need to execute on our strategic goals and transform our company into a premier place to work.
Previous wording
•Deliver on Financial Targets and Box Economics. We are measuring and reporting on the success of this strategy against a number of long-term financial and operational targets. With the implementation of our strategy beginning in 2020, we have significantly improved our margin structure above our 2019 baseline.
Current wording
•Deliver on Key Financial Metrics. We are measuring and reporting on the success of this strategy against a number of long-term financial and operational targets. Since the implementation of our strategy beginning in 2020, we have significantly improved our margin structure above our 2019 baseline.
Previous wording
Net sales during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2024 totaled $1.9 billion, an increase of $232.5 million or 14%, compared to the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2023. The sales increase was driven by sales from new stores opened in the last twelve months and a 8.4% increase in comparable store sales. Comparable stores contributed approximately 94% of total sales for the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2024 and approximately 95% of total sales for the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2023.
Current wording
Net sales during the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025 totaled $2.2 billion, an increase of $352.6 million or 19%, compared to the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024. The sales increase was driven by sales from new stores opened in the last twelve months and a 11.7% increase in comparable store sales. Comparable stores contributed approximately 93% of total sales for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025 and approximately 94% of total sales for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024.
Previous wording
Gross profit totaled $740.9 million during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2024, an increase of $115.5 million or 18%, compared to the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2023, driven by increased sales volume. Gross margin increased by 1.6% to 38.1% for the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2024, compared to 36.5% for the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2023, primarily driven by improved inventory management and robust sales.
Current wording
Gross profit totaled $886.4 million during the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025, an increase of $164.1 million or 23%, compared to the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024, driven by increased sales volume. Gross margin increased by 1.3% to 39.6% for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025, compared to 38.3% for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024, primarily driven by improved inventory management.
Previous wording
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $77.5 million or 15%, compared to the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2023. The increase was primarily due to the increase in new stores opened since the comparable period last year. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased slightly as a result of higher incentive compensation costs and ecommerce fees due to strong sales performance and higher professional fees and other costs incurred related to strategic initiatives.
Current wording
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $83.5 million or 15%, compared to the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to the increase in new stores opened since the comparable period last year. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses improved slightly as a result of leverage gained from store compensation and occupancy costs.
Previous wording
Depreciation and amortization expense (exclusive of depreciation included in cost of sales) was $34.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2024, compared to $31.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2023. Depreciation and amortization expense primarily consists of depreciation and amortization for buildings, store leasehold improvements, and equipment for new stores as well as remodel initiatives in older stores.
Current wording
Depreciation and amortization expense (exclusive of depreciation included in cost of sales) was $35.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025, compared to $32.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024. Depreciation and amortization expense primarily consists of depreciation and amortization for buildings, store leasehold improvements, and equipment for new stores as well as remodel initiatives in older stores.
Previous wording
Store closure and other costs, net for the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2024 of $3.7 million and for the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2023 of $3.2 million was primarily related to ongoing occupancy costs associated with our closed store locations. See Note 12, “Store Closures” of our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Current wording
Store closure and other costs, net for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025 of $1.7 million primarily related to disaster recovery charges from the California wildfires as well as ongoing occupancy costs associated with our closed locations. Store closure and other costs, net for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 of $2.0 million primarily related to ongoing occupancy costs associated with our closed store locations. See Note 12, “Store Closures” of our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Previous wording
The decrease in interest (income) expense, net for the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2024 compared to the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2023 was primarily due to lower average debt outstanding and higher interest income driven by higher interest rates. See Note 4, “Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Liabilities” of our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Current wording
The decrease in interest (income) expense, net for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025 compared to the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 was primarily due to lower average debt outstanding. See Note 4, “Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Liabilities” of our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Previous wording
The effective tax rate increased to 25.8% for the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2024 from 24.0% for the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2023. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to an increase in non-deductible executive compensation, an unfavorable current year return-to-provision true-up compared to the favorable prior year period true-up, and the increase in pre-tax income outpacing the increase to the benefit from enhanced inventory donations deductions.
Current wording
The effective tax rate decreased to 20.8% for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025 from 22.6% for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to an increase in benefit from current year stock-based compensation partially offset by an increase in non-deductible executive compensation.
Previous wording
Net income increased $26.3 million primarily due to higher gross profit, partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses for the reasons discussed above.
Current wording
Net income increased $65.9 million primarily due to higher gross profit, partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses for the reasons discussed above.
Previous wording
The increase in diluted earnings per share of $0.27 was driven by higher net income and fewer diluted shares outstanding compared to the prior year, due primarily to the share repurchase program.
Current wording
The increase in diluted earnings per share of $0.69 was driven by higher net income and fewer diluted shares outstanding compared to the prior year, due primarily to the share repurchase program.
Previous wording
(2)Special items related to store closure, supply chain transition and acquisition related charges net of tax.
Current wording
(2)Special items related to store closure and supply chain transition, net of tax.
Previous wording
(4)2024 and 2023 estimated interest on operating leases is calculated by multiplying operating leases by the 7.2% and 7.1% discount rate, respectively, for each lease recorded as rent expense within direct store expense.
Current wording
(4)2025 and 2024 estimated interest on operating leases is calculated by multiplying operating leases by the 7.0% and 7.2% discount rate, respectively, for each lease recorded as rent expense within direct store expense.
Previous wording
Cash flows from operating activities increased $111.4 million to $520.4 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024 compared to $409.0 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023. The increase in cash flows from operating activities was primarily a result of higher net income adjusted for non-cash items of $91.6 million and favorable changes in working capital of $43.4 million, partially offset by higher payments on our operating lease liabilities of $18.9 million due to growth.
Current wording
Cash flows from operating activities increased $79.4 million to $299.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025 compared to $219.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024. The increase in cash flows from operating activities was primarily a result of higher net income adjusted for non-cash items of $75.3 million and favorable changes in working capital of $9.9 million, partially offset by higher payments on our operating lease liabilities of $4.7 million due to growth.
Previous wording
Cash flows provided by operating activities from changes in working capital were $114.2 million in the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024 compared to $70.8 million in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023. This $43.4 million increase in cash flows from changes in working capital was primarily attributable to a $20.2 million change in accounts receivable driven by the timing of collections as well as $17.0 million change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, primarily due to timing differences of payments for goods and services. Certain other immaterial items combined to result in an additional $6.2 million net increase in cash flows from changes in working capital.
Current wording
Cash flows provided by operating activities from changes in working capital were $77.9 million in the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025 compared to $68.0 million in the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024. This $9.9 million increase in cash flows from changes in working capital was primarily attributable to $25.1 million change in accrued income taxes, $13.6 million change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities primarily due to timing differences of payments for goods and services and $2.2 million change in accounts receivable driven by the timing of collections. These increases were partially offset by $14.9 million change in prepaid expenses and other current assets primarily driven by switching from a new prepaid tax position to a net payable position and $12.1 million change in accrued salaries and benefits primarily driven by increased corporate bonuses. Certain other immaterial items combined to result in an additional $4.0 million net increase in cash flows from changes in working capital.
Previous wording
Cash flows used in investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures in new stores, including leasehold improvements and store equipment, capital expenditures to maintain the appearance of our stores, sales enhancing initiatives and other corporate investments as well as cash outlays for acquisitions. Cash flows used in investing activities were $161.7 million and $178.0 million, for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024 and thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023, respectively. Cash flows used in investing activities during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023 included our acquisition of Ronald Cohn, Inc. See Note 13, "Business Combination" of our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Current wording
Cash flows used in investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures in new stores, including leasehold improvements and store equipment, capital expenditures to maintain the appearance of our stores, sales enhancing initiatives and other corporate investments as well as cash outlays for acquisitions. Cash flows used in investing activities were $59.5 million and $51.2 million, for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025 and thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024, respectively.
Previous wording
We expect capital expenditures to be in the range of $205 - 215 million in 2024, including expenditures incurred to date, net of estimated landlord tenant improvement allowances, primarily to fund investments in new stores, remodels, maintenance capital expenditures and corporate capital expenditures. We expect to fund our capital expenditures with cash on hand and cash generated from operating activities.
Current wording
We expect capital expenditures to be in the range of $230 - 250 million in 2025, including expenditures incurred to date, net of estimated landlord tenant improvement allowances, primarily to fund investments in new stores, remodels, maintenance capital expenditures and corporate capital expenditures. We expect to fund our capital expenditures with cash on hand and cash generated from operating activities.
Previous wording
Cash flows used in financing activities were $250.8 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024 compared to $272.3 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024, cash flows used in financing activities primarily consisted of $125.0 million in payments on our Credit Agreement and $129.7 million for stock repurchases, partially offset by $4.7 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
Current wording
Cash flows used in financing activities were $219.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025 compared to $58.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024. During the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025, cash flows used in financing activities primarily consisted of $218.8 million for stock repurchases.
Previous wording
During the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023, cash flows used in financing activities primarily consisted of $180.4 million for stock repurchases and $100.0 million in payments on our Credit Agreement, partially offset by $8.8 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
Current wording
During the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024, cash flows used in financing activities primarily consisted of $60.0 million for stock repurchases, partially offset by $2.3 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
Previous wording
The Company had no long-term debt outstanding as of September 29, 2024. Long-term debt outstanding as of December 31, 2023 was $125.0 million.
Current wording
The Company had no long-term debt outstanding as of March 30, 2025 and December 29, 2024.
Previous wording
Subsequent to September 29, 2024 and through the date of this filing, we repurchased an additional 0.1 million shares of common stock for $5.6 million, excluding excise tax.
Current wording
Subsequent to March 30, 2025 and through April 28, 2025, we repurchased an additional 0.3 million shares of common stock for $53.0 million, excluding excise tax.
Previous wording
There have been no substantial changes to these estimates, or the policies related to them during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024. For a full discussion of these estimates and policies, see “Critical Accounting Estimates” in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Current wording
There have been no substantial changes to these estimates, or the policies related to them during the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025. For a full discussion of these estimates and policies, see “Critical Accounting Estimates” in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2024.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (7)
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
The following tables set forth our unaudited results of operations and other operating data for the periods presented. The period-to-period comparison of financial results is not necessarily indicative of financial results to be achieved in future periods. All dollar amounts are in thousands, unless otherwise noted.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Net sales during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024 totaled $5.7 billion, an increase of $584.2 million, or 11%, over the same period of the prior fiscal year. The sales increase was primarily due to new stores opened in the last twelve months and a 6.4% increase in comparable store sales. Comparable stores contributed approximately 94% of total sales for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024 and approximately 96% of total sales for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2023.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Cost of sales and gross profit
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Store closure and other costs, net
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Income tax provision differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate to pretax income as a result of the following:
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Net income increased $92.2 million primarily due to higher gross profit and lower store closure and other costs, partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses for the reasons discussed above.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
The increase in diluted earnings per share of $0.96 was driven by higher net income and fewer diluted shares outstanding compared to the prior year due primarily to the share repurchase program.