Comparable store sales for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020 decreased 5.8% including fuel and 7.7% excluding fuel. In the first twenty-six weeks, comparable store sales for 2021 also remained negative when compared to the same period in 2020, with decreases of 2.4% and 3.6% including and excluding fuel, respectively. The Company is experiencing a reduction in sales as compared to the increased sales demand in 2020 related to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Although the Company experienced retail inflation and deflation in various commodities for the periods presented, impacts of the novel coronavirus pandemic have caused uncertainty about future economic conditions and may change future product mix. Management cannot accurately measure the full impact of inflation or deflation on retail pricing due to changes in the types of merchandise sold between periods, shifts in customer buying patterns and the fluctuation of competitive factors. Management remains confident in its ability to generate long-term sales growth in a highly competitive environment, but also understands some competitors have greater financial resources and could use these resources to take measures which could adversely affect the Company’s competitive position.
Cost of Sales and Gross Profit
Cost of sales consists of direct product costs (net of discounts and allowances), net advertising costs, distribution center and transportation costs, as well as manufacturing facility operations. Decreased sales volume resulted in a decrease in cost of sales. Both direct product costs and distribution costs decrease when sales volume decreases.
Gross profit on sales decreased 4.0% for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. Gross profit margin increased to 26.8% in the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2021, from 26.7% in the thirteen weeks ended June 27, 2020. In the first twenty-six weeks of 2021 gross profit on sales decreased 1.5% when compared to the same period in 2020. The decrease is mainly attributable to a decrease in sales in 2021 compared to the higher sales in 2020 as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Non-cash LIFO inventory valuation adjustments represent expense of $865 thousand in the first twenty-six weeks of 2021 compared to expense of $3.3 million in the same period in 2020. Although the Company experienced cost inflation and deflation in various commodities for the periods presented, the Company anticipates overall product costs to remain level or increase given the recent inflationary indicators in the food retail industry.
Operating, General and Administrative Expenses
The majority of the operating, general and administrative expenses are driven by sales volume.
Employee-related costs such as wages, employer paid taxes, health care benefits and retirement plans, comprise approximately 62.5% of the total “Operating, general and administrative expenses.” As a percent of sales, direct store labor decreased 0.5% in the second thirteen weeks of 2021 when compared to the same period in 2020 and decreased 0.2% when comparing the first twenty-six weeks of 2021 with the same period in 2020.
Depreciation and amortization expense charged to “Operating, general and administrative expenses” was $23.8 million, or 2.3% of net sales during the second thirteen weeks of 2021 compared to $21.7 million, or 2.0% of net sales during the second thirteen weeks of 2020. During the first twenty-six weeks of 2021 and 2020, depreciation and amortization expense charged to “Operating, general and administrative expenses” was $47.0 million, or 2.3% of net sales and $43.4 million, or 2.1% of net sales, respectively. See the Liquidity and Capital Resources section for further information regarding the Company’s capital expenditure program.