WEIS MARKETS, INC.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of Weis Markets, Inc.’s (the “Company”) financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2021, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the cautionary statement captioned "Forward-Looking Statements" immediately following this analysis.
Company Summary
Weis Markets is a conventional supermarket chain that operates 197 retail stores with over 23 thousand associates located in Pennsylvania and six surrounding states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and West Virginia. Its products include groceries, dairy products, frozen foods, meats, seafood, fresh produce, floral, pharmacy services, deli products, prepared foods, bakery products, beer and wine, fuel and general merchandise items, such as health and beauty care and household products. The store product selection includes national, local and private brands.
The Company advertises its products and promotes its brand through digital and printed circulars; radio ads; e-mail blasts; and on-line via its web site, social media and mobile applications. The Company promotes by using Everyday Lower Price; Low Price Guarantee; Low, Low Price; 3 Day Sale; senior and military discounts; and Loyalty programs. The Loyalty program includes reward points that may be redeemed for discounts on items in store, at the Company’s fuel stations or one of its third-party fuel station partners.
Utilizing its own strategically located distribution center and transportation fleet, Weis Markets self distributes approximately 63% of product with the remaining being supplied by direct store delivery vendors. In addition, the Company has three manufacturing facilities which process milk, ice cream and fresh meat products. The corporate offices are located in Sunbury, PA where the Company was founded in 1912.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) had become a pandemic, and on March 13, the U.S. President declared a National Emergency concerning the disease. This resulted in government mandated shutdowns, as well as multiple legislative acts to provide emergency economic assistance for individuals, families and businesses affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic. These events were accretive to our sales and gross profits compared to the time periods preceding the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Company is not able to speculate how the ensuing economy or unknown future related expenses will affect it after the governmental novel coronavirus pandemic measures have ended.
The Company continues to innovate and remain relevant to industry trends and offering customer convenience by presenting programs like “Weis 2 Go Online” ordering with curbside pickup and home delivery. As of September 24, 2022, the Company offered Weis 2 Go Online curbside pickup in 188 of its locations as well as home delivery with Shipt in 176 locations. In September 2021, the Company announced a partnership with DoorDash to offer on-demand grocery delivery, which is currently available in 189 locations. Total Ecommerce sales were $51.3 million in the first thirty-nine weeks of 2022 compared to $57.2 million in the same period in 2021, a decrease of 10.3 percent. When compared to the first thirty-nine weeks of 2020 total Ecommerce sales have increased 3.3 percent.