Press Release Details

United Natural Foods Announces 23% Increase in Net Revenue and 19% Increase In Earnings Per Share, Excluding Special Items, for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2004

December 2, 2003

Reports Record Sales of $381 Million in the First Quarter of Fiscal 2004

DAYVILLE, Conn., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Natural Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNFI) today reported net income of $6.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2004, ended October 31, 2003, or $0.34 per share on a diluted basis, including special items. Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 was $6.6 million, or $0.33 per share on a diluted basis, excluding special items.

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 were $381.4 million, an increase of $70.4 million, or 22.6%, from the $311.0 million recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2003. This increase included growth in the independent and the conventional mass market channels of 30% and 19%, respectively. The supernatural channel grew 9% and was impacted by the loss of Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (Wild Oats). These increases include a full quarter of sales in fiscal 2004 from Blooming Prairie, which was acquired on October 11, 2002, and Northeast Cooperative, which was acquired on December 31, 2002.

Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2004, excluding the effect of special items, increased 23.2% to $6.6 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to $5.4 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, excluding special items, for the quarter ended October 31, 2002. The special items for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 consisted of a non-cash income item related to the change in fair value of interest rate swaps and the related option agreements. A special non-cash charge was recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 related to the non cash change in fair value of interest rate swaps and the related option agreements and certain costs relating to the transition of Wild Oats to a new primary distributor. Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2004, including the effect of special items, increased 70.1% to $6.8 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to $4.0 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the quarter ended October 31, 2002.

    The following table details the amounts and effects of these items:


     Quarter Ended October 31, 2003
     (in thousands, except
      per share data)                Pretax                      Per diluted
                                     Income        Net of Tax       share

     Income, excluding
      special items:                $10,806          $6,591         $0.33

     Special items -
      Income/(Expense)
      Interest rate swap
      agreement (change in fair
      value of financial
      instruments)                      304             186          0.01

     Income, including
      special items:                $11,110          $6,777         $0.34


     Quarter Ended October 31, 2002
     (in thousands, except
      per share data)                Pretax                      Per diluted
                                     Income        Net of Tax       share

     Income, excluding
      special items:                 $8,921          $5,352         $0.28

     Special items -
      Income/(Expense)
      Interest rate swap
      agreements (change in fair
      value of financial
      instruments)                   (1,706)         (1,023)        (0.05)
     Costs related to loss of
      Wild Oats (included in
      operating expenses)              (574)           (345)        (0.02)

     Income, including
      special items:                 $6,641          $3,984         $0.20*
     * Total reflects rounding

The non-cash items from the change in fair value on interest rate swap agreements were caused by favorable and unfavorable changes in interest rate yield curves during the quarters ended October 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The costs related to the transition of Wild Oats to a new primary distributor consisted primarily of severance and expenses related to the transfer of their private label inventory.

The Company entered into interest rate swap agreements in October 1998, August 2001 and April 2003. The October 1998 and August 2001 agreements are "ineffective" hedges. Applicable accounting treatment requires that the Company record the changes in fair value of the October 1998 and August 2001 agreements in its consolidated statement of income, rather than within "other comprehensive income" in its statement of stockholders' equity. The changes in fair value are dependent upon the forward looking yield curves for each swap. The April 2003 agreement is an "effective" hedge and therefore does not require this treatment. The Company's believes that its October 1998 and August 2001 agreements are special items that are excludable as non-recurring items. First, the Company only intends to enter into "effective" hedges going forward. This stated intention began with the April 2003 agreement. Second, the Company believes that the October 1998 and August 2001 agreements may distort and confuse investors if the change in fair value cannot be treated as a special charge because their inclusion directly impacts the Company's reported earnings per share. A change in fair value, whether positive or negative, can significantly increase or decrease the Company's reported earnings per share. For example, the Company recorded a positive change in fair value for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 that increased its earnings per share by $0.01. If the Company were prohibited from excluding this item as a special charge, it would artificially inflate its reported earnings per share and thereby mislead investors as to its financial condition.

Comments from Management

Commenting on the first quarter results, Steven Townsend, Chief Executive Officer, said, "This is an excellent start to our new fiscal year as we continue executing on our business plan and growth objectives. During the quarter, we achieved a 22.6% year over year growth in sales and a 23.2% increase in net income, excluding special items. This strong growth continues across all sales channels where our growth rates to independents, conventional mass market and supernaturals were 30%, 19% and 9% respectively. With our focus on Natural and Organic Products, we intend to be the leading source for these products over the long term."

Mr. Townsend added, "Operationally, we continue to work at building efficiencies that, over time, will serve to lower operating expenses and improve our operating margins. Concurrently, we are focused on maintaining and improving our service levels to all of our customers across all of our distribution centers."

The Company had previously announced guidance for fiscal 2004, ending July 31, 2004, with net revenues in the $1.55 to $1.57 billion range and net income, excluding potential special items, in the range of $1.42 - $1.46 per diluted share. Subsequent to this guidance, as previously announced by Wild Oats, Wild Oats and its primary distributor have mutually agreed to terminate their primary distribution relationship and Wild Oats plans to transition its primary distribution business to the Company. If this transition occurs, the Company would anticipate incurring start up costs in the second quarter of fiscal 2004 related to the Wild Oats transition and, achieving revenue consistent with a primary distribution relationship during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004. The Company will provide revised guidance for fiscal 2004 after the primary distribution agreement with Wild Oats has been executed.

Historically, interest rate swaps, distribution facility expansions and asset impairment charges (including goodwill) have been classified as special items. However, at this time we do not know the extent or significance of these items or whether the Company will in fact incur any of these items in fiscal 2004. The Company's guidance is based on a number of assumptions, which are subject to change and many of which are outside the control of the Company. If any of these assumptions vary, the Company's guidance may change. There can be no assurance that the Company will achieve these results.

Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call and audio webcast at 11:00 a.m. ET on December 2, 2003 to review the Company's quarterly results, market trends and future outlook. The conference call dial-in number is (877) 423-3894. The audio webcast will be available, on a listen only basis, via the Internet at www.viavid.net or at the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, www.unfi.com . Please allow extra time to the webcast to visit the site and download any software required to listen to the Internet broadcast. The online archive of the webcast will be available for 30 days.

About United Natural Foods

United Natural Foods, Inc. carries and distributes over 32,000 products to more than 14,000 customers nationwide. The Company serves a wide variety of retail formats including conventional supermarket chains, natural product superstores, independent retail operators and the food service channel. For more information on United Natural Foods, Inc., visit the Company's website at www.unfi.com .

For more information on United Natural Foods, Inc., visit the Company's website at www.unfi.com .

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding the Company's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to general business conditions, the impact of competition and our dependence on principal customers, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on October 22, 2003, and its other filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such, speak only as of the date made. The Company is not undertaking to update any information in the foregoing reports until the effective date of its future reports required by applicable laws. Any projections of future results of operations should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur. These projections are subject to change and could differ materially from final reported results. The Company may from time to time update these publicly announced projections, but it is not obligated to do so.

Non-GAAP Results: To supplement its financial statements presented on a GAAP basis, the Company uses non-GAAP additional measures of operating results, net earnings and earnings per share adjusted to exclude special charges. The Company believes that the use of these additional measures is appropriate to enhance an overall understanding of its past financial performance and also its prospects for the future as these special charges are not expected to be part of the Company's ongoing business. The adjustments to the Company's GAAP results are made with the intent of providing both management and investors with a more complete understanding of the underlying operational results and trends and its marketplace performance. For example, these adjusted non-GAAP results are among the primary indicators management uses as a basis for its planning and forecasting of future periods. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings or diluted earnings per share prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. A comparison and reconciliation from non-GAAP to GAAP results is included in the tables within this release.

                 UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                 (UNAUDITED)

                                                         QUARTER ENDED
                                                           OCTOBER 31,
    (In thousands, except per share data)              2003           2002

    Net sales                                       $381,382       $310,993

    Cost of sales                                    305,209        247,568

        Gross profit                                  76,173         63,425

    Operating expenses                                62,932         53,432

    Amortization of intangibles                          232             38

        Total operating expenses                      63,164         53,470

        Operating income                              13,009          9,955

    Other expense (income):
      Interest expense                                 2,320          1,847
      Change in fair value of financial instruments     (304)         1,706
      Other, net                                        (117)          (238)

        Total other expense                            1,899          3,315

        Income before income taxes                    11,110          6,640

    Income taxes                                       4,333          2,656

        Net income                                    $6,777         $3,984

    Per share data (basic):

        Net income                                     $0.35          $0.21

    Weighted average basic shares of common stock     19,526         19,106

    Per share data (diluted):

        Net income                                     $0.34          $0.20

    Weighted average diluted shares of common stock   20,182         19,434


                 UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

    (In thousands)                                 OCTOBER 31,      JULY 31,
                                                      2003            2003
                                                   (UNAUDITED)      (AUDITED)
    ASSETS
    Current assets:
      Cash                                           $10,149         $3,645
      Accounts receivable, net                        93,891         90,111
      Notes receivable, trade                            594            585
      Inventories                                    175,869        158,263
      Prepaid expenses                                 5,593          5,706
      Deferred income taxes                            6,004          6,455
      Refundable income taxes                              -            704
        Total current assets                         292,100        265,469

    Property & equipment, net                        100,900        101,238

    Other assets:
      Notes receivable, trade, net                     1,609          1,261
      Goodwill                                        57,744         57,400
      Intangible assets, net                             878          1,014
      Other, net                                       3,232          3,717

        Total assets                                $456,463       $430,099

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
      Notes payable - line of credit                 $95,587        $96,170
      Current installments of long-term debt           4,136          4,459
      Current installment of obligations under
       capital leases                                    889            903
      Accounts payable                                89,761         67,187
      Accrued expenses                                22,207         26,347
      Financial instruments                            5,800          6,104
      Income taxes payable                             3,230              -
        Total current liabilities                    221,610        201,170

      Long-term debt, excluding current
       installments                                   37,816         38,507
      Obligations under capital leases,
       excluding current installments                    338            612
      Deferred income taxes                            2,247          2,247
        Total liabilities                            262,011        242,536

    Commitments and contingencies

    Stockholders' equity:
    Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 5,000
     Shares; none issued and outstanding
    Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 50,000
     Shares; issued and outstanding 19,545 at
     October 31, 2003; issued and outstanding
     19,510 at July 31, 2003                             195            195
      Additional paid-in capital                      86,531         86,068
      Unallocated shares of ESOP                      (1,890)        (1,931)
      Accumulated other comprehensive income              40            432
      Retained earnings                              109,576        102,799
        Total stockholders' equity                   194,452        187,563

    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity      $456,463       $430,099


                 UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (UNAUDITED)

                                                        THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                            OCTOBER 31,
    (In thousands)                                      2003           2002
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
    Net income                                        $6,777         $3,984
      Adjustments to reconcile net income to
       net cash provided by operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization                  2,744          2,370
        Change in fair value of financial instruments   (304)         1,706
        Gain on disposals of property & equipment          2              9
        Deferred income tax benefit                      451              -
        Provision for doubtful accounts                  570          1,060
        Changes in assets and liabilities, net of
         acquired companies:
        Accounts receivable                           (4,350)          (227)
        Inventory                                    (17,606)        (4,111)
        Prepaid expenses and other assets                951           (588)
        Notes receivable, trade                         (357)            95
        Accounts payable                              22,574          9,303
        Accrued expenses                              (4,140)           750
        Income taxes payable                           3,230          1,805
        Tax effect of stock option exercises              97              -
          Net cash provided by operating activities   10,639         16,156

    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
        Purchases of acquired businesses, net of
         cash acquired                                  (344)       (29,960)
        Proceeds from disposals of property
         and equipment                                    57             33
        Capital expenditures                          (2,329)        (4,313)
          Net cash used in investing activities       (2,616)       (34,240)

    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
        Net borrowings under note payable               (583)        12,077
        Repayments on long-term debt                  (1,014)          (470)
        Principal payments of capital lease
         obligations                                    (288)          (312)
        Proceeds from exercise of stock options          366              4
          Net cash (used in) provided by
           financing activities                       (1,519)        11,299

    NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH                    6,504         (6,785)
    Cash at beginning of period                        3,645         11,184
    Cash at end of period                            $10,149         $4,399

    Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
      Cash paid during the period for:
        Interest                                      $2,220         $1,823
        Income taxes, net of refunds                    $388           $819

SOURCE United Natural Foods, Inc. -0- 12/02/2003 /CONTACT: Rick Puckett, Chief Financial Officer of United Natural Foods, Inc., +1-860-779-2800; or General Information, Joseph Calabrese, +1-212-445-8434, or Analyst Information, Susan Garland, +1-212-445-8458, both of Financial Relations Board/ /Web site: http://www.unfi.com / (UNFI) CO: United Natural Foods, Inc. ST: Connecticut