Safeway - 10-Q quarterly report FY

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 6, 2003

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 1-41

SAFEWAY INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Not Applicable

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

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SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)

(Continued)

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SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)
(In millions, except per-share amounts)
(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In millions, except per-share amounts)
(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE A - THE COMPANY AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Safeway Inc. and subsidiaries (“Safeway” or the “Company”) for the 12 and 36 weeks ended September 6, 2003 and September 7, 2002 are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, contain all adjustments that are of a normal and recurring nature necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations for such periods. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in the Company’s 2002 Annual Report to Stockholders. The results of operations for the 12 and 36 weeks ended September 6, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year.

Inventory

Net income reflects the application of the LIFO method of valuing certain domestic inventories, based upon estimated annual inflation (“LIFO Indices”). Safeway recorded estimated LIFO expense of $6.9 million during the first 36 weeks of 2003 and $2.3 million during the first 36 weeks of 2002. Actual LIFO Indices are calculated during the fourth quarter of the year based upon a statistical sampling of inventories.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold includes costs of inventory and related purchase and distribution costs. These costs include inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, warehouse inspection costs, warehousing costs, and other costs of Safeway’s distribution network. In addition, advertising and promotional expenses are a component of cost of goods sold. Vendor allowances are also included as an element of cost of goods sold.

Vendor allowances totaled $475 million for the third quarter of 2003 and $469 million for the third quarter of 2002. Vendor allowances totaled $1.4 billion for the first 36 weeks of 2003 and 2002. These allowances can be grouped into the following broad categories: promotional allowances, slotting allowances, and contract allowances.

Promotional allowances make up nearly three-quarters of all allowances. Vendors pay Safeway to promote their product. The promotion may be any combination of a temporary price reduction, a feature in print ads, a feature in a Safeway circular, or a preferred location in the store. The promotions are typically one to two weeks long.

Slotting allowances are a small portion of total allowances (typically less than 5% of all allowances). The vendor reimburses Safeway for the cost of placing new product on the shelf. Safeway has no obligation or commitment to keep the product on the shelf for a minimum period and the slotting allowances do not exceed Safeway’s cost to place the new product on the shelf.

Contract allowances make up the remainder of all allowances. Typically vendors pay Safeway to keep product on the shelf for a minimum period of time or when volume thresholds are achieved.

Slotting and promotional allowances are accounted for as a reduction in the cost of purchased inventory and recognized when the related inventory is sold. Contract allowances are recognized as a reduction in the cost of sales as volume thresholds are achieved or through the passage of time.

Operating and Administrative Expense

Operating and administrative expense consists primarily of store occupancy costs and backstage expenses which, in turn, consist primarily of wages, employee benefits, rent, depreciation and utilities.

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SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists primarily of net income and foreign currency translation adjustments. Total comprehensive income was $170.0 million for the third quarter of 2003 compared to total comprehensive income of $272.5 million for the third quarter of 2002. Total comprehensive income was $626.4 million for the first 36 weeks of 2003 compared to total comprehensive income of $239.2 million for the first 36 weeks of 2002.

NOTE B - NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections.” This statement eliminates extraordinary accounting treatment for a gain or loss reported on the extinguishment of debt, eliminates inconsistencies in the accounting required for sale-leaseback transactions and certain lease modifications with similar effects, and amends other existing authoritative pronouncements to make technical corrections, clarify meanings or describe their applicability under changed conditions. SFAS No. 145 became effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2003 and did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 02-16, “Accounting by a Reseller for Cash Consideration Received from a Vendor,” provides that cash consideration received from a vendor is presumed to be a reduction in the prices of the vendor’s products or services and should, therefore, be characterized as a reduction in cost of sales unless it is a payment for assets or services delivered to the vendor, in which case the cash consideration should be characterized as revenue, or it is a reimbursement of costs incurred to sell the vendor’s products, in which case the cash consideration should be characterized as a reduction of that cost. EITF No. 02-16 became effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2003. The Company applied the provisions of EITF No. 02-16 prospectively which resulted in deferring recognition of $10.3 million of allowances from the first quarter to the second quarter of 2003.

In November 2002, FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees and Indebtedness of Others,” was issued. This interpretation requires initial measurement and recognition, on a prospective basis only, to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. Additionally, certain disclosure requirements became effective for financial statements ending after December 15, 2002. The Company complies with the disclosure provisions of FIN No. 45 and adoption of FIN No. 45 did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

NOTE C - STOCK-BASED EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION

The Company accounts for its stock-based employee compensation plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock at the date of the grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share for the first 12 and 36 weeks of 2003 and 2002 as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to stock-based employee compensation (in millions, except per-share amounts):

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SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE D - GOODWILL

A summary of changes in Safeway’s goodwill during the first 36 weeks of 2003 and 2002 by geographic operating segment is as follows (in millions):

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SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE E - FINANCING

Notes and debentures were composed of the following at September 6, 2003 and December 28, 2002 (in millions):

NOTE F - FURR’S AND HOMELAND CHARGE

In 2001, Safeway recorded a pre-tax charge to earnings of $42.7 million to recognize estimated lease liabilities associated with the bankruptcies of Furr’s Inc. (“Furr’s”) and Homeland Stores, Inc. (“Homeland”). At December 28, 2002, there was $18.6 million remaining in this accrual. During the first 36 weeks of 2003 Safeway adjusted the accrual by $1.0 million due to resolution of certain leases and by $2.5 million as cash was paid out, leaving a balance of $17.1 million at September 6, 2003 which will be paid monthly for leases with remaining terms up to 25 years.

Safeway is unable to determine its maximum potential obligation with respect to other divested operations, should there be any similar defaults, because information about the total number of leases from these divestitures that are still outstanding is not available. Based on an internal assessment by the Company, performed by taking the original inventory of assigned leases at the time of the divestitures and allowing for the passage of time, Safeway expects that any potential losses beyond those recorded, should there be any similar defaults, would not be material to Safeway’s net operating results, cash flow or financial position.

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SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE G - CONTINGENCIES

Legal Matters

Note M to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, under the caption “Legal Matters” on pages 45 and 46 of the 2002 Annual Report to Stockholders, provides information on certain litigation in which the Company is involved. There have been no material developments to these matters, except as noted in subsequent filings.

NOTE H – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Since management’s decision during the fourth quarter of 2002 to sell Dominick’s and exit the Chicago market, Dominick’s operations have been presented as a discontinued operation in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. Accordingly, Dominick’s results are reflected separately in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and Dominick’s information is excluded from the accompanying footnotes and the rest of the statistical and financial information included herein, unless otherwise noted.

Loss from discontinued operations was $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2003, consisting of $3.8 million income from operations, $4.8 million negative adjustment to the estimated loss on disposal and $0.2 million income tax benefit. Loss from discontinued operations was $73.0 million in the first 36 weeks of 2003, consisting of $4.1 million income from operations, $377.3 million negative adjustment to the estimated loss on disposal and $300.2 million income tax benefit. The adjustments to the estimated loss on disposal were based on indications of the value of Dominick’s obtained during the sale process. As a result of the adjustment of Dominick’s net assets to a lower estimated fair value during 2003, Safeway has recorded a net current tax benefit of $300.2 million, consisting of a gross tax benefit of $535.9 million less a reserve of $235.7 million. The estimates of fair value and of the tax benefits are based on management’s judgment with respect to a number of factors, including current indications of interest, the ability to sell Dominick’s, the terms and the timing of the sale and the likelihood of realizing the tax benefit. Changes in estimates or application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results. The final determination as to the fair value of Dominick’s and amount of tax benefit will be made when more information is known and is dependent on a number of factors, including the Company’s ability to complete the sale of Dominick’s, the timing and terms of any such disposition, examination by taxing authorities, which could result in the elimination of some or all of the tax benefit, and possible changes in tax laws.

Loss from discontinued store operations includes all direct charges to operations at Dominick’s as well as allocated interest expense. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, no depreciation was charged to discontinued operations after year-end 2002. Corporate overhead is not included in discontinued store operations. Income from discontinued operations was $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2002 and $11.8 million for the first 36 weeks of 2002. Sales at discontinued operations were $498.4 million in the third quarter of 2003 and $1.5 billion for the first 36 weeks of 2003 compared to sales of $549.0 million in the third quarter of 2002 and $1.7 billion for the first 36 weeks of 2002. The following table presents Dominick’s major classes of assets and liabilities as of September 6, 2003 and December 28, 2002 (in millions):

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SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

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SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations

Net income for the third quarter ended September 6, 2003 was $202.5 million ($0.45 per share). Net income for the third quarter of 2002 was $281.3 million ($0.60 per share).

Income from continuing operations was $203.3 million ($0.46 per share) for the third quarter of 2003. Income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2002 was $280.9 million ($0.60 per share).

Included in results from continuing operations for 2003 are employee buyout and severance costs, primarily in Alberta, Canada, totaling $9.7 million ($0.013 per share).

Third-quarter 2003 comparable store sales increased 0.8% while identical store sales (which exclude replacement stores) rose 0.2%. Excluding the effect of fuel sales, comparable store sales declined 0.9% and identical store sales declined 1.5%. Total sales increased to $7.8 billion from $7.5 billion in the third quarter of 2002, primarily due to new store openings and additional fuel sales. Sales were impacted by continued softness in the economy.

Gross profit decreased 78 basis points to 29.98% of sales in the third quarter of 2003 from gross profit of 30.76% in the third quarter of 2002, primarily due to higher fuel sales, moderately higher shrink and increases in advertising expense. Cost of goods sold includes costs of inventory and related purchase and distribution costs. These costs include inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, warehouse inspection costs, warehousing costs, and other costs of Safeway’s distribution network. In addition, advertising and promotional expenses are a component of cost of goods sold. Vendor allowances are also included as an element of cost of goods sold.

Vendor allowances totaled $475 million for the third quarter of 2003 and $469 million for the third quarter of 2002 and can be grouped into the following broad categories: promotional allowances, slotting allowances, and contract allowances.

Promotional allowances make up nearly three-quarters of all allowances. Vendors pay Safeway to promote their product. The promotion may be any combination of a temporary price reduction, a feature in print ads, a feature in a Safeway circular, or a preferred location in the store. The promotions are typically one to two weeks long.

Slotting allowances are a small portion of total allowances (typically less than 5% of all allowances). The vendor reimburses Safeway for the cost of placing new product on the shelf. Safeway has no obligation or commitment to keep the product on the shelf for a minimum period and the slotting allowances do not exceed Safeway’s cost to place the new product on the shelf.

Contract allowances make up the remainder of all allowances. Typically vendors pay Safeway to keep product on the shelf for a minimum period of time or when volume thresholds are achieved.

Operating and administrative expense consists primarily of store occupancy costs and backstage expenses, which, in turn, consist primarily of wages, employee benefits, rent, depreciation and utilities. Operating and administrative expense increased 91 basis points to 24.60% of sales in the third quarter of 2003 compared to operating and administrative expense of 23.69% of sales in the third quarter of 2002 primarily due to higher health care, pension and workers’ compensation costs and the employee buyout discussed above, combined with soft sales.

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SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Interest expense increased to $92.6 million in the third quarter of 2003 compared to $87.2 million in the third quarter of 2002 primarily due to less interest allocated to discontinued operations in 2003. In accordance with EITF Issue No. 87-24, “Allocation of Interest to Discontinued Operations,” interest expense was allocated to discontinued operations based on the ratio of Dominick’s net assets to total Safeway net assets. Allocated interest decreased in the third quarter of 2003 because Dominick’s net assets have decreased relative to total Safeway net assets.

For the first 36 weeks of 2003, net income was $526.1 million ($1.18 per share) on sales of $23.1 billion compared to income before the cumulative effect of an accounting change of $922.7 million ($1.90 per share) on sales of $22.4 billion for the first 36 weeks of 2002. Income from continuing operations was $599.1 million ($1.34 per share) for the first 36 weeks of 2003 compared to income from continuing operations before the cumulative effect of an accounting change of $910.9 million ($1.88 per share) in 2002. The gross profit margin decreased to 29.98% in the first 36 weeks of 2003 from 31.26% in 2002. Vendor allowances totaled $1.4 billion for the first 36 weeks of 2003 and 2002. Operating and administrative expense increased to 24.62% of sales in the first 36 weeks of 2003 from 23.75% in the first 36 weeks of 2002. Results for the 36 weeks ended September 6, 2003 were the result of the same trends experienced for the 12 weeks ended September 6, 2003, which are discussed above. Safeway recorded a $700 million charge for the cumulative effect of an accounting change related to the adoption of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” in the first quarter of 2002. Net income after the cumulative effect of accounting change was $222.7 million ($0.46 per share) for the first 36 weeks of 2002.

On October 11, 2003, seven UFCW local unions struck the Company’s 289 stores in Southern California. Safeway has developed contingency plans to continue to operate the stores with replacement workers. At this time Safeway cannot specifically estimate the impact on store operations, but does not expect the dispute to have a significant impact on its financial position.

Discontinued Operations

Since management’s decision during the fourth quarter of 2002 to sell Dominick’s and exit the Chicago market, Dominick’s operations have been presented as a discontinued operation in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. Accordingly, Dominick’s results are reflected separately in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and Dominick’s information is excluded from the accompanying footnotes and the rest of the statistical and financial information included herein, unless otherwise noted.

Loss from discontinued operations was $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2003, consisting of $3.8 million income from operations, $4.8 million negative adjustment to the estimated loss on disposal and $0.2 million income tax benefit. Loss from discontinued operations was $73.0 million in the first 36 weeks of 2003, consisting of $4.1 million income from operations, $377.3 million negative adjustment to the estimated loss on disposal and $300.2 million income tax benefit. The adjustments to the estimated loss on disposal were based on indications of the value of Dominick’s obtained during the sale process. As a result of the adjustment of Dominick’s net assets to a lower estimated fair value during 2003, Safeway has recorded a net current tax benefit of $302.0 million, consisting of a gross tax benefit of $535.9 million less a reserve of $235.7 million. The estimates of fair value and of the tax benefits are based on management’s judgment with respect to a number of factors, including current indications of interest, the ability to sell Dominick’s, the terms and the timing of the sale and the likelihood of realizing the tax benefit. Changes in estimates or application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results. The final determination as to the fair value of Dominick’s and amount of tax benefit will be made when more information is known and is dependent on a number of factors, including the Company’s ability to complete the sale of Dominick’s, the timing and terms of any such disposition, examination by taxing authorities, which could result in the elimination of some or all of the tax benefit, and possible changes in tax laws.

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SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Loss from discontinued store operations includes all direct charges to operations at Dominick’s as well as allocated interest expense. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, no depreciation was charged to discontinued operations after year-end 2002. Corporate overhead is not included in discontinued store operations. Income from discontinued operations was $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2002 and $11.8 million for the first 36 weeks of 2002. Sales at discontinued operations were $498.4 million in the third quarter of 2003 and $1.5 billion for the first 36 weeks of 2003 compared to sales of $549.0 million in the third quarter of 2002 and $1.7 billion for the first 36 weeks of 2002.

Critical Accounting Policies

Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that management believes are important to the portrayal of Safeway’s financial condition and results and require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company’s 2002 Annual Report to Stockholders includes a description of certain critical accounting policies, including those with respect to goodwill. The information under “Discontinued Operations” above, which, among other things, describes certain estimates and judgments the Company was required to make in connection with the fair value of Dominick’s and related tax benefits and tax reserve, is incorporated herein by reference.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections.” This statement eliminates extraordinary accounting treatment for a gain or loss reported on the extinguishment of debt, eliminates inconsistencies in the accounting required for sale-leaseback transactions and certain lease modifications with similar effects, and amends other existing authoritative pronouncements to make technical corrections, clarify meanings or describe their applicability under changed conditions. SFAS No. 145 became effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2003 and did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 02-16, “Accounting by a Reseller for Cash Consideration Received from a Vendor,” provides that cash consideration received from a vendor is presumed to be a reduction in the prices of the vendor’s products or services and should, therefore, be characterized as a reduction in cost of sales unless it is a payment for assets or services delivered to the vendor, in which case the cash consideration should be characterized as revenue, or it is a reimbursement of costs incurred to sell the vendor’s products, in which case the cash consideration should be characterized as a reduction of that cost. EITF No. 02-16 became effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2003. The Company applied the provisions of EITF No. 02-16 prospectively which resulted in deferring recognition of $10.3 million of allowances from the first quarter to the second quarter of 2003.

In November 2002, FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees and Indebtedness of Others,” was issued. This interpretation requires initial measurement and recognition, on a prospective basis only, to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. Additionally, certain disclosure requirements became effective for financial statements ending after December 15, 2002. The Company complies with the disclosure provisions of FIN No. 45 and adoption of FIN No. 45 did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Liquidity and Financial Resources

Net cash flow from operating activities was $1,371.4 million in the first 36 weeks of 2003 compared to net cash flow from operating activities of $1,492.6 million in the first 36 weeks of 2002. This decline is due primarily to lower income from continuing operations in 2003 compared to 2002, partly offset by improvement in working capital.

Net cash flow used by investing activities for the first 36 weeks of the year decreased to $443.8 million in 2003 compared to $863.8 million in 2002, due primarily to lower cash capital expenditures in 2003 and greater proceeds from the sale of property.

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SAFEWAY INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net cash flow used by financing activities was $905.8 million in the first 36 weeks of 2003 and $656.2 million in the first 36 weeks of 2002, due primarily to the utilization of cash from operations to pay down debt.

The Company did not repurchase any Safeway common stock during the first 36 weeks of 2003. From initiation of the Company’s share repurchase program in 1999 through the end of the third quarter of 2003, Safeway has repurchased 87 million shares of common stock at a total purchase price of $2.9 billion, leaving $0.6 billion available for repurchases under the current level authorized by the Company’s board of directors. The timing and volume of future repurchases will depend on market conditions.

Based upon the current level of operations, Safeway believes that cash flow from operating activities and other sources of liquidity, including borrowings under Safeway’s commercial paper program and bank credit agreement, will be adequate to meet anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, interest payments and scheduled principal payments for the foreseeable future. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company’s business will continue to generate cash flow at or above current levels or that the Company will maintain its ability to borrow under the commercial paper program and bank credit agreement.

If the Company’s credit rating were to decline below its current level of Baa2/BBB, the ability to borrow under the commercial paper program would be adversely affected. Safeway’s ability to borrow under the bank credit agreement is unaffected by Safeway’s credit rating.

Capital Expenditure Program

During the first 36 weeks of 2003, Safeway invested $566.7 million in cash capital expenditures, opened 31 new stores and closed 24 stores. The Company expects to spend approximately $1.1 billion in 2003 while opening 35 to 40 new stores and completing approximately 100 remodels.

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

Forward -Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements relate to, among other things, same-store sales, capital expenditures, acquisitions, loss on sale of Dominick’s and related tax benefits, share repurchases, improvements in operations, gross margin and costs, shrink reduction efforts, centralization of operations, the valuation of goodwill and our investments in other companies and debt reductions and are indicated by words or phrases such as “estimates,” “on-going,” “expects,” “comfortable,” “guidance,” “management believes,” the Company believes,” “the Company intends,” “we believe,” “we intend,” and similar words or phrases. These statements are based on our current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. The following are among the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements: general business and economic conditions in our operating regions, including the rate of inflation, consumer spending levels, population, employment and job growth in our markets; pricing pressures and competitive factors, which could include pricing strategies, store openings and remodels by our competitors; results of our programs to control or reduce costs including our ability to implement our programs to centralize buying and merchandising and realize savings from that program and the potential operating effects of implementing that program; results of our programs to reduce and control shrink; results of our programs to increase sales, including private-label sales and our promotional programs; results of our programs to improve capital management; the ability to integrate any companies we acquire and achieve operating improvements at those companies; various risks and uncertainties concerning the planned sale of Dominick’s (including whether Safeway is able to dispose of Dominick’s, the timing and manner of sale, the price paid, the terms of the sale, changes in tax law, and review by taxing authorities), changes in financial performance of other companies in which we have investments, including GroceryWorks and the amount of any inventory adjustment at Casa Ley; increases in labor costs and relations with union bargaining units representing our employees or employees of third-party operators of our distribution centers and the effect of labor strikes, including the current strike in Southern California; changes in state or federal legislation, regulation or judicial developments; the cost and stability of power sources; opportunities or acquisitions that we pursue; the availability and timely delivery of perishables and other products; market valuation assumptions and internal projections of future operating results which affect the valuation of goodwill; the rate of return on our pension assets; and the availability and terms of financing. Consequently, actual events and results may vary significantly from those included in or contemplated or implied by such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after the date hereof and disclaims any obligation to do so.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes regarding the Company’s market risk position from the information provided under the caption “Market Risk from Financial Instruments” on page 15 of the Company’s 2002 Annual Report to Stockholders.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management necessarily applied its judgment in assessing the costs and benefits of such controls and procedures which, by their nature, can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management’s control objectives. Management believes that there are reasonable assurances that the Company’s controls and procedures will achieve management’s control objectives. The Company also has investments in certain unconsolidated entities, including Casa Ley. As the Company does not control or manage these entities, its disclosure controls and procedures with respect to such entities are necessarily more limited than those it maintains with respect to its consolidated subsidiaries.

Within 90 days prior to the date of this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer along with the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14. Based upon the foregoing, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer along with the Company’s Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company’s Exchange Act reports. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors which could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date the Company carried out its evaluation.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Note M to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, under the caption “Legal Matters” on pages 45 and 46 of the 2002 Annual Report to Stockholders, provides information on certain litigation in which the Company is involved. There have been no material developments to these matters, except as noted in subsequent filings.

Item 6(a). Exhibits

Item 6(b). Reports on Form 8-K

On July 24, 2003, the Company filed a current report on Form 8-K under “Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure (Information provided under Item 12 – Results of Operations and Financial Condition).”

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Signatures

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

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Exhibit Index

LIST OF EXHIBITS FILED WITH FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD
ENDED September 6, 2003

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