Loblaw Companies Limited Reports 2011 Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2011 Results(1)

BRAMPTON, ON, Feb. 23, 2012 /CNW/ - Loblaw Companies Limited (TSX: L) ("Loblaw" or the "Company") today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter of 2011 and the release of its 2011 Annual Report, which includes the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. The Company's 2011 Annual Report will be available in the Investor Centre section of the Company's website at www.loblaw.ca and will be filed with SEDAR and available at www.sedar.com.

Fourth Quarter 2011 Summary⁽¹⁾

• Basic net earnings per common share of $0.62, up 5.1% compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.
• EBITDA margin⁽²⁾ of 6.6% compared to 6.7% in the fourth quarter of 2010.
• Revenue of $7,373 million, an increase of 3.6% over the fourth quarter of 2010.
• Retail sales growth of 3.2% and same-store sales growth of 2.5%, positively impacted by an extra day of store operations compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.

"We are pleased with our performance in the fourth quarter and the year. The ongoing strengthening of our customer proposition delivered improved sales at satisfactory margins, particularly in the second half of the year," said Galen G. Weston, Executive Chairman, Loblaw Companies Limited. "Looking ahead to 2012, we estimate incremental costs related to investments in information technology and supply chain to be approximately $70 million, and the continuation of investments in our customer proposition to be approximately $40 million. We do not expect our operations to cover these incremental costs, and as a result, we anticipate full-year 2012 net earnings per share to be down year-over-year, with more pressure in the first half of the year."

Due to the transition to International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS" or "GAAP") effective January 2, 2011, all comparative figures for 2010 that were previously reported in the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("CGAAP") have been restated to conform with IFRS. Further information on the transition to IFRS and its impact on the Company's financial position, financial performance and cash flows is included in note 31 of the Company's 2011 Annual Report - Financial Review.

With this transition, the Company has two reportable operating segments:

• The Retail segment, which consists primarily of food and also includes drugstore, gas bars, apparel and other general merchandise; and
• The Financial Services segment, which includes credit card services, a retail loyalty program, insurance brokerage services, personal banking services provided by a major Canadian chartered bank, deposit taking services and telecommunication services.

(1)     This News Release contains forward-looking information. See Forward-Looking Statements in this News Release for a discussion of material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the conclusions, forecasts and projections herein and of the material factors and assumptions that were used when making these statements. This News Release should be read in conjunction with Loblaw Companies Limited's filings with securities regulators made from time to time, all of which can be found at sedar.com and at loblaw.ca.

(2)     See Non-GAAP Financial Measures in this News Release.

Consolidated Quarterly Results of Operations

• The $254 million increase in revenue compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 was driven by improvements in both Retail sales and Financial Services revenue, as described below.
• Operating income decreased by $9 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 as a result of a decrease in Retail operating income of $6 million and a decrease in Financial Services operating income of $3 million. Operating margin was 4.3% for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to 4.6% in the same quarter in 2010.
• Consolidated operating income included the following notable items:
• A $23 million charge (2010 - nil) related to the transition of certain Ontario conventional stores to more cost effective and efficient operating terms of collective agreements ratified in 2010;
• Incremental costs of $22 million related to investments in information technology ("IT") and supply chain. These costs included the following charges:
• $43 million (2010 - $34 million) related to depreciation and amortization;
• $74 million (2010 - $60 million) related to other supply chain and IT costs; and
• A nil charge (2010 - $1 million) related to changes in the distribution network.
• $16 million (2010 - nil) of start-up costs associated with the launch of the Company's Joe Fresh brand in the United States;
• A $5 million charge (2010 - $7 million recovery) for fixed asset impairments net of recoveries, related to asset carrying values in excess of recoverable amounts for specific retail locations; and
• A charge of $4 million (2010 - $7 million) related to the effect of share-based compensation net of equity forwards.
• The increase in net earnings of $9 million, or 5.5%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 was primarily due to a decrease in net interest expense and other financing charges and a decline in the effective income tax rate, partially offset by the decrease in operating income. In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company recognized a tax expense of $14 million related to changes in the federal tax legislation that resulted in the elimination of the Company's ability to deduct costs associated with cash-settled stock options.
• Basic net earnings per common share were impacted by the following
• A $0.06 charge (2010 - nil) related to the transition of certain Ontario conventional stores to the operating terms under collective agreements ratified in 2010;
• A $0.06 charge related to incremental investments in IT and supply chain;
• A $0.04 charge (2010 - nil) related to the start-up costs associated with the launch of the Company's Joe Freshbrand in the United States;
• A $0.01 charge (2010 - $0.02 recovery) for fixed asset impairments net of recoveries;
• A $0.01 charge (2010 - $0.02) related to the effect of share-based compensation net of equity forwards; and
• A nil charge (2010 - $0.05) related to the tax expense recognized due to changes in federal tax legislation related to share-based compensation.
• In 2011, the Company invested $1.0 billion in capital expenditures with approximately 50% invested in its IT and supply chain infrastructure and the remaining 50% invested in its retail operations.

(1)     See Non-GAAP Financial Measures in this News Release.

The consolidated quarterly results by reportable operating segments were as follows:

Retail Results of Operations

• In the fourth quarter of 2011, the increase of $225 million, or 3.2%, in Retail sales over the same period in the prior year was impacted by the following factors:
• Same-store sales growth was 2.5% (2010 - 1.6% decline), with an extra day of store operations having a positive impact estimated to be between 0.8% and 1.0%;
• Sales growth in food was strong, partially driven by the extra day of store operations;
• Sales growth in drugstore was flat;
• Gas bar sales growth was strong as a result of higher retail gas prices and moderate volume growth;
• Sales in general merchandise, excluding apparel, declined marginally due to continued reductions in square footage and optimization of range and assortment of products;
• Sales growth in apparel was strong, partially driven by increased apparel square footage, including five new Joe Fresh free standing stores; and
• The Company experienced moderate average quarterly internal food price inflation during the fourth quarter of 2011, which was lower than the average quarterly national food price inflation of 5.2% (2010 - 1.5%) as measured by "The Consumer Price Index for Food Purchased from Stores" ("CPI"). CPI does not necessarily reflect the effect of inflation on the specific mix of goods sold in Loblaw stores.
• In the fourth quarter of 2011 the gross profit percentage was 21.7%, consistent with the third quarter of 2011, but a decline from 22.6% in the fourth quarter of 2010. The decline was primarily driven by a higher level of promotional activity and higher input costs outpacing internal food price inflation, a higher proportion of lower margin gas bar sales and increased transportation costs, partially offset by improved shrink. The $14 million decrease in gross profit was mainly due to increases in promotional pricing programs and transportation costs, partially offset by improved control brand profitability, improved shrink and the growth and performance of the Company's franchise business.
• Operating income decreased by $6 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 and operating margin was 4.1% for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to 4.3% in the same period in 2010. In addition to the notable items described in the "Consolidated Quarterly Results of Operations" above, these decreases were also driven by the decline in gross profit, partially offset by improvements in the growth and performance of the Company's franchisees and continued labour, supply chain and other operating cost efficiencies.

Financial Services Results of Operations

• The 24.6% increase in revenue over the fourth quarter of 2010 was driven by increased credit card transaction values resulting in higher interchange fee income and higher PC Telecom revenues as a result of the launch of the new Mobile Shop kiosks in the fourth quarter.
• The decreases of $3 million in operating income and $4 million in earnings before income taxes compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 were attributable to investments in the launch of PC Telecom's Mobile Shop kiosks and an increased credit card loss provision as a result of quarterly growth in the receivables program, partially offset by the increase in interchange fee income.

Outlook⁽¹⁾

• For fiscal 2012, the Company expects:
• Capital expenditures to be approximately $1.1 billion, with approximately 40% to be dedicated to investing in the IT infrastructure and supply chain projects and the remaining 60% to be spent on retail operations;
• Costs associated with the transition of certain Ontario conventional stores under collective agreements ratified in 2010 to range from $30 million to $40 million;
• Incremental costs related to investments in IT and supply chain to be approximately $70 million;
• Incremental investments in its customer proposition to be approximately $40 million; and
• Full-year 2012 net earnings per share to be down year-over-year, with more pressure in the first half of the year, as a result of the Company's expectation that operations will not cover the incremental costs related to the investments in IT and supply chain and its customer proposition.

Forward-Looking Statements

This News Release for Loblaw Companies Limited contains forward-looking statements about the Company's objectives, plans, goals, aspirations, strategies, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, performance, prospects and opportunities. These forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "expect", "believe", "foresee", "could", "estimate", "goal", "intend", "plan", "seek", "strive", "will", "may" and "should" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company and its management. In this News Release, forward looking statements include the Company's expectation that:

• its capital expenditures in 2012 will be approximately $1.1 billion;
• costs associated with the transition of certain Ontario conventional stores under collective agreements ratified in 2010 will range from $30 million to $40 million;
• incremental costs related to investments in IT and supply chain in 2012 will be approximately $70 million;
• incremental costs associated with strengthening its customer proposition will be approximately $40 million; and
• full-year 2012 net earnings per share to be down year-over-year, with more pressure in the first half of the year, as a result of the Company's expectation that operations will not cover the incremental costs related to the investments in IT and supply chain and its customer proposition.

These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect the Company's current expectations concerning future results and events. They also reflect management's current assumptions regarding the risks and uncertainties referred to below and their respective impact on the Company. In addition, the Company's expectation with regard to its net earnings in 2012 is based in part on the assumptions that tax rates will be similar to those in 2011, the Company achieves its plan to increase net retail square footage by 1% and there are no unexpected adverse events or costs related to the Company's investments in IT and supply chain.

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risksand uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to:

• failure to realize revenue growth, anticipated cost savings or operating efficiencies from the Company's major initiatives, including investments in the Company's IT systems, including the Company's IT systems implementation, or unanticipated results from these initiatives;
• the inability of the Company's IT infrastructure to support the requirements of the Company's business;
• heightened competition, whether from current competitors or new entrants to the market place;
• changes in economic conditions including the rate of inflation or deflation, changes in interest and currency exchange rates and derivative and commodity prices;
• public health events including those related to food safety;
• failure to achieve desired results in labour negotiations, including the terms of future collective bargaining agreements, which could lead to work stoppages;
• the inability of the Company to manage inventory to minimize the impact of obsolete or excess inventory and to control shrink;
• failure by the Company to maintain appropriate records to support its compliance with accounting, tax or legal rules, regulations and policies;
• failure of the Company's franchise stores to perform as expected;
• reliance on the performance and retention of third-party service providers including those associated with the Company's supply chain and apparel business;
• supply and quality control issues with vendors;
• changes to or failure to comply with laws and regulations affecting the Company and its business, including changes to the regulation of generic prescription drug prices and the reduction of reimbursement under public drug benefit plans and the elimination or reduction of professional allowances paid by drug manufacturers;
• changes in the Company's income, commodity, other tax and regulatory liabilities including changes in tax laws, regulations or future assessments;
• any requirement of the Company to make contributions to its registered funded defined benefit pension plans or the multi-employer pension plans in which it participates in excess of those currently contemplated;
• the risk that the Company would experience a financial loss if its counterparties fail to meet their obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of their contracts with the Company; and
• the inability of the Company to collect on its credit card receivables.

This is not an exhaustive list of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Other risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that the Company presently believes are not material could also cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time, including the Enterprise Risks and Risk Management section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") and the MD&A included in the Company's 2011 Annual Report - Financial Review. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's expectations only as of the date of this News Release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: EBITDA and EBITDA margin. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to both management and investors in measuring the financial performance and financial condition of the Company for the reasons outlined below. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies, and they should not be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP.

EBITDA and EBITDA Margin The following table reconciles earnings before income taxes, interest expense and depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") to operating income which is reconciled to GAAP net earnings measures reported in the consolidated statements of earnings for the years ended December 31, 2011 and January 1, 2011. EBITDA is useful to management in assessing performance of its ongoing operations and its ability to generate cash flows to fund its cash requirements, including the Company's capital investment program.

EBITDA margin is calculated as EBITDA divided by sales.

2011 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and MD&A

The Company's 2011 Annual Report will be available in the Investor Centre section of the Company's website at www.loblaw.caor at www.sedar.com.

Investor Relations

Shareholders, security analysts and investment professionals should direct their requests to Kim Lee, Vice President, Investor Relations at the Company's National Head Office or by e-mail at investor@loblaw.ca.

Additional information has been filed electronically with various securities regulators in Canada through the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) and with the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) as the primary regulator for the Company's subsidiary, President's Choice Bank.

Conference Call and Webcast

Loblaw Companies Limited will host a conference call as well as an audio webcast on February 23, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. (EST).

To access via tele-conference please dial (647) 427-7450. The playback will be made available two hours after the event at (416) 849-0833, access code: 42503608. To access via webcast please visit www.loblaw.ca, go to Investor Centre and click on webcast. Pre-registration will be available.

Full details are available on the Loblaw Companies Limited website at www.loblaw.ca.