Filed by Rite Aid Corporation

Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933

and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12

under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934

Subject Company: Rite Aid Corporation

Commission File No.: 001-05742

 

On June 26, 2018, Rite Aid Corporation distributed the following letter to certain of its supplier partners concerning the definitive proxy materials filed in connection with the proposed merger with Albertsons Companies, Inc.:

 

 

June 26, 2018

 

Dear Rite Aid Supplier Partners,

 

Today, we announced that the definitive proxy materials filed in connection with our proposed merger with Albertsons have been declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which is an important step in obtaining the necessary shareholder approval for the merger.*

 

In connection with this filing, we have also issued a letter to shareholders detailing the merits of the proposed merger and recommending that our shareholders vote FOR the merger. Additional information can be found in the press release below and by visiting www.riteaid-albertsons.com, our newly launched website dedicated to the transaction.

 

Rite Aid will mail its proxy statement/prospectus, which includes important information about the proposed transaction and voting instructions to shareholders of record as of June 22, 2018. As previously announced, a special stockholder meeting to approve the merger will be held on August 9, 2018 in New York City.

 

We remain excited about this tremendous opportunity to combine with Albertsons to accelerate the transformation of our business and create a truly differentiated leader in food, health and wellness. The Rite Aid Board and management team are confident that the merger with Albertsons is the right combination, with the right partner, at the right time.

  

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As we pursue this strategic transaction, thanks for everything you’re doing to collaborate with us in delivering value, convenience and innovation for our customers. We look forward to working together in building additional momentum and making the most of our opportunities for growth.

 

Sincerely,

 

John Standley Kermit Crawford
Chairman and CEO President and COO

 

*Press release incorporated by reference

 

Press Release

For Further Information Contact:

 

INVESTORS: MEDIA:
Byron Purcell Ashley Flower
(717) 975-5809 (717) 975-5718

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

RITE AID Announces Effectiveness of definitive proxy materials In connection WITH PROPOSED MERGER WITH ALBERTSONS

 

Sends Letter to Shareholders Detailing Merits of the Proposed Merger

 

Special Meeting of Rite Aid Shareholders Scheduled for August 9, 2018

 

SEC Declares Form S-4 Registration Statement Effective

 

 

CAMP HILL, Pa. – (June 26, 2018) – Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) today announced that the registration statement on Form S-4, in connection with its proposed merger with Albertsons Companies Inc. (“Albertsons”), has been declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

In connection with the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, Rite Aid issued a letter to shareholders detailing the merits of the proposed merger with Albertsons and recommending shareholders vote FOR the transaction. In addition, the Company launched a dedicated transaction website, www.riteaid-albertsons.com, containing information about the transaction.

 

Rite Aid will mail its proxy statement/prospectus which includes important information about the proposed transaction and voting instructions to shareholders of record as of June 22, 2018. The proxy statement/prospectus is also available at www.riteaid-albertsons.com, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and Rite Aid’s investor relations website at www.riteaid.com/corporate/investor-relations.

 

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As previously announced, the Special Meeting of Rite Aid shareholders is scheduled to be held on August 9, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time at the office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, 4 Times Square, New York, NY 10036. Rite Aid shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 22, 2018 are entitled to, among other things, consider and vote on a proposal to approve the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 18, 2018 (the “Merger Agreement”), with Albertsons.

 

Consummation of the merger remains subject to various closing conditions, including but not limited to the approval of the Merger Agreement by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Rite Aid stock entitled to vote on the merger. The merger is expected to be completed in the second half of the 2018 calendar year.

  

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The full letter to shareholders is available at https://bit.ly/2N0iaPI and the text is included below.

 

SUPPORT RITE AID’S PATH TOWARDS VALUE CREATION BY VOTING TO APPROVE ITS MERGER WITH ALBERTSONS

 

Dear Rite Aid Shareholder:

 

On February 20, 2018, Rite Aid announced plans to merge with privately held Albertsons Companies (“Albertsons”) to create a new publicly traded leader in food, health and wellness. You are being asked to vote to approve this merger and show your support for the future of Rite Aid.

 

The Rite Aid Board and management team are confident that the merger with Albertsons is the right combination, with the right partner, at the right time. This combination significantly enhances the company’s scale and diversifies its business. We also expect it will improve the company’s growth prospects, financial strength and ability to deliver compelling long-term value for shareholders and customers. In addition to ownership in a stronger, better-positioned company, Rite Aid shareholders will also share in the incremental benefits created by the $375 million in expected run-rate cost synergies and $3.6 billion of expected incremental revenue opportunities.

 

In the face of a consolidating and evolving marketplace, we have worked hard to defend and improve our competitive position. This merger accelerates those efforts by transforming our business strategically and financially and providing shareholders with the opportunity to realize significant value anticipated from the combination.

 

Accelerating Rite Aid’s Transformation for the Future

 

By strengthening the company’s geographic presence and local market leadership in existing markets, and creating new levers for growth through access to attractive new markets, we believe the transaction will enable Rite Aid to deliver more value to customers and shareholders. A graphical representation of how this merger creates a top-five food and drug retailer with an expected 4,310 pharmacy counters nationwide is available here: https://bit.ly/2K6y1yt

 

Strategic Transformation

 

The combined company is expected to be a top five food and drug retailer with significantly improved scale and market position, as well as an enhanced ability to compete in the face of increasing competition, drug reimbursement rate pressure and consolidation.

 

Combination Highlights:

·Differentiated leader in Food, Health and Wellness with expected ~$83 billion in revenues and 40+ million customers per week
·Unique opportunity to drive loyalty among pharmacy and grocery customers
·Best-in-class omni-channel retail experience, strong loyalty program and compelling technology capabilities to build strong customer relationships
·Increased local-market scale to better compete in markets where scale matters, with highly recognizable brands
·Strengthened presence in key existing markets with #1 or #2 position in 66% of combined metropolitan markets

  

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Financial Transformation

 

In addition to the strategic transformation, the merger is expected to transform Rite Aid’s pro forma financial profile in terms of scale, profitability, financial strength and growth:

 

Increased Scale(1) · ~4x expected increase in revenues from ~$22 billion to ~$83 billion
Improved EBITDA(1) · ~6x expected increase in Adjusted EBITDA from ~$645 million to ~$3.7 billion with higher margins
Reduced Leverage · Combined company leverage, including synergies, anticipated to be 3.9x, which is lower than current standalone Rite Aid leverage of 4.6x(2)
· Clear path to reducing leverage to less than 2.75x within 36 months after closing
Substantial Estimated Merger Synergies · $375 million in identified run-rate cost synergies expected by February 2022(3)
· $3.6 billion of expected incremental revenue opportunities(3)
Strong and Diversified Cash Flow · $1.9 billion FY18E combined free cash flow(4) from multiple revenue sources: Grocery (72%), Pharmacy (13%), Front End (8%) and PBM (8%)
Attractive Growth Outlook (3 Year CAGR) · Expected revenue growth of 3.5% -- 4.5%
· Expected Adjusted EBITDA growth of 11% -- 15%

  

Market Commentators Agree on the Merits of a Combination(5)

 

Enhanced Competitive Position

 

“We also think that the omni-channel platform makes the business more defensible against the potential threat of AMZN and retailers offering delivery services.” – Cowen, May 15, 2018

 

“CVS and WBA will face a stronger competitor as opposed to a share donor as they have in recent years with RAD.” – Leerink, Feb. 20, 2018

 

“We think this is a good option for the remaining pro forma RAD as it yields attractive synergies, makes the combined company a stronger regional player.” – Mizuho, Feb. 20, 2018

 

Necessary Scale and Capabilities

 

“We believe the increased scale should provide additional leverage in negotiations with the supply chain…. allows the Rite Aid business to become part of a more diversified business … allows for a greater opportunity to reinvest cash flow into the store base. Further, we point to the ability to leverage a broader footprint in key markets as it relates to narrow/preferred network opportunities under EnvisionRx integrated PBM model.” – J.P. Morgan, Feb. 21, 2018

 

“With 4,345 pharmacies post-close, the combined company will be better positioned, due to greater scale and broader geographic presence, to compete for preferred pharmacy networks. Additionally, the combination of RAD and ABC provides greater leverage in discussions with MCK, which could result in better and/or earlier relief in its drug purchasing costs.” – Cowen, May 15, 2018

 

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Preferred Strategic Option

 

“…we view the deal as preferable for Rite Aid shareholders relative to the company pursuing a stand-alone strategy.” – J.P. Morgan, Feb. 21, 2018

 

“We believe there is a low likelihood that others step in with a competing bid.” – J.P. Morgan, Feb 21, 2018

 

“We think the acquisition by ABS is the best outcome for RAD shareholders, given the challenges it was facing as a smaller, regional pharmacy player.” – Cowen, May 15, 2018

 

“We do not expect any other bidders for RAD.” – Mizuho, Feb 20, 2018

 

A Robust, Thorough Process Leading to the Right Combination at the Right Time

 

Over the last few years, we have faced unprecedented challenges in our industry. Our management team and Board of Directors have worked hard to respond to these challenges with decisive action, including entering into the pending merger with Albertsons.

 

Under the guidance of our highly engaged Board, over the past several years, we have had robust discussions, including with an extensive list of third parties, around a range of strategic options for Rite Aid. Based on these discussions and a thorough analysis of the growth opportunities this proposed combination presents for both companies, our Board ultimately determined this merger is the best path forward. Rite Aid conducted rigorous due diligence and engaged in extensive negotiations with Albertsons prior to entering into the merger agreement, the terms of which provide Rite Aid with the ability to entertain a superior proposal should one arise prior to the shareholder vote. Ultimately, Rite Aid, with the unanimous approval of our Board, agreed to terms for the merger that we believe will create significant value for you.

 

Shareholders will benefit from the combined expertise of the Rite Aid and Albertsons management teams in leading the company. There will be significant Rite Aid representation on the combined Board which will include nine directors, with four appointed by Rite Aid, four appointed by Albertsons and one jointly designated by Rite Aid and Albertsons. There are also strong Rite Aid shareholder protections in place post-merger, including a standstill agreement with Cerberus, Albertsons’ largest shareholder, and agreements with all of Albertsons’ current significant shareholders which, among other things, provide for the orderly sale of such shareholders’ ownership in the combined company over time.

 

Your vote is important, as a failure to vote will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST the merger proposal. In order to pass, the merger proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Rite Aid common stock. No matter how many shares you own, we urge you to sign and return your proxy card and vote FOR the proposal to approve this highly compelling combination with Albertsons. You may also vote by phone or Internet by following the instructions on your proxy card.

 

We hope you share our excitement for this transformational next chapter in Rite Aid’s history.

  

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We kindly ask you for your vote. Please vote your proxy today, either by Internet, phone or mail. If you have questions about how to vote your shares, please contact Morrow Sodali, our proxy solicitor at (800) 662-5200 or at RAD.info@morrowsodali.com.

 

Thank you for your continued investment in and support of Rite Aid.

 

Sincerely,

 

John Standley

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Rite Aid Corporation

 

Michael Regan

Lead Independent Director, Rite Aid Corporation

 

(1)On April 12, 2018, Rite Aid provided guidance for its FY ending February 2019. For further information about this guidance, including a reconciliation of the Adjusted EBITDA range to the net income (loss) range, see the Appendix to this letter or Rite Aid's Form 8-K dated April 12, 2018. On April 11, 2018, Albertsons provided a financial outlook for FY ending February 2019. For further information, including a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income, see the Appendix to this letter or Albertsons’ Form 8-K dated April 11, 2018. Adjusted EBITDA includes full expected run-rate cost synergies of $375 million.
(2)Pro forma net debt as of June 1, 2018 excludes refinancing, transaction costs and $200mm potential cash consideration from cash election.
(3)The company estimates there are associated one-time costs of $400mm related to achieving the cost synergies and $300mm for achieving the incremental revenue opportunities.
(4)Defined as Adjusted EBITDA – Capex (excluding synergies). Expected amount based on fiscal year ending February 2019.
(5)Permission to use analyst quotes not sought or granted.

 

 

About Rite Aid Corporation

 

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with fiscal 2018 annual revenues of $21.5 billion. The company also owns EnvisionRxOptions, a multi-faceted healthcare and pharmacy benefit management (PBM) company supporting a membership base of more than 22 million members; RediClinic, a convenient care clinic operator with locations in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington; and Health Dialog, a leading provider of population health management solutions including analytics, a multi-channel coaching platform and shared decision-making tools. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com. 

  

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Important Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This communication contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, both as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the pending merger between Rite Aid Corporation (“Rite Aid”) and Albertsons Companies, Inc. (“Albertsons”) and the transactions contemplated thereby, and the parties perspectives and expectations, are forward looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the benefits of the proposed merger, integration plans, expected synergies and revenue opportunities, anticipated future financial and operating performance and results, including estimates for growth, the expected management and governance of the combined company, and the expected timing of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The words “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan” and similar expressions indicate forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, assumptions (including assumptions about general economic, market, industry and operational factors), known or unknown, which could cause the actual results to vary materially from those indicated or anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the pending merger, including the risk that the transaction may not close due to one or more closing conditions to the transaction not being satisfied or waived, such as regulatory approvals not being obtained, on a timely basis or otherwise, or that a governmental entity prohibited, delayed or refused to grant approval for the consummation of the transaction or required certain conditions, limitations or restrictions in connection with such approvals, or that the required approval of the merger agreement by the stockholders of Rite Aid was not obtained; risks related to the ability of Albertsons and Rite Aid to successfully integrate the businesses; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement (including circumstances requiring Rite Aid to pay Albertsons a termination fee pursuant to the merger agreement); the risk that there may be a material adverse change of Rite Aid or Albertsons; risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction; the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Rite Aid’s common stock, and the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of Rite Aid to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers and on their operating results and businesses generally; risks related to successfully integrating the businesses of the companies, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected; the risk that the combined company may be unable to achieve its guidance, its cost-cutting synergies, its incremental revenue opportunities or it may take longer or cost more than expected to achieve those synergies and opportunities; the risk that the market may not value the combined company at a similar multiple to earnings as that applied to the companies that Rite Aid and Albertsons believe should be comparable to the combined company; and risks associated with the financing of the proposed transaction. A further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Rite Aid’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus that was filed with the SEC on June 25, 2018 in connection with the proposed merger, and other documents that the parties may file or furnish with the SEC, which you are encouraged to read. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate only to the date they were made, and Rite Aid undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made except as required by law or applicable regulation. All information regarding Rite Aid assumes completion of Rite Aid’s previously announced transaction with Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. There can be no assurance that the consummation of such transaction will be completed on a timely basis, if at all. For further information on such transaction, see Rite Aid’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2018.

 

The pro forma financial information presented herein has not been prepared pursuant to Article 11 of Regulation S-X or reviewed by either company’s auditors. The pro forma financial information that is included in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus may be materially different from the pro forma information included herein, as such pro forma information does not include any potential synergies. The pro forma information included herein gives effect to certain synergies that Rite Aid and Albertsons do not expect to be realized in full until February 2022. Expected run-rate cost synergies and revenue opportunities have associated one-time costs of $400 million and $300 million, respectively.

  

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Additional Information and Where to Find It

 

In connection with the proposed merger involving Rite Aid and Albertsons, Rite Aid and Albertsons have prepared a registration statement on Form S-4 that included a proxy statement/prospectus. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus was filed with the SEC on June 25, 2018. The registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC. Rite Aid has mailed the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and a proxy card to each stockholder entitled to vote at the special meeting relating to the proposed merger. Rite Aid and Albertsons also plan to file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the proposed merger. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AS WELL AS OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. RITE AID’S EXISTING PUBLIC FILINGS WITH THE SEC SHOULD ALSO BE READ, INCLUDING THE RISK FACTORS CONTAINED THEREIN.

 

Investors and security holders may obtain copies of the Form S-4, including the proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Rite Aid, free of charge, from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). Investors and security holders may also obtain Rite Aid’s SEC filings in connection with the transaction, free of charge, from Rite Aid’s website (www.RiteAid.com) under the link “Investor Relations” and then under the tab “SEC Filings,” or by directing a request to Rite Aid, Byron Purcell, Attention: Senior Director, Treasury Services & Investor Relations. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Albertsons will be made available, free of charge, on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) and on Albertsons’ website at www.albertsonscompanies.com.

 

Non-Solicitation

 

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Non-GAAP Measures

 

This communication includes certain non-GAAP measures, including EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization), Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and net debt (collectively, the "Non-GAAP Measures"). These Non-GAAP Measures are performance measures that provide supplemental information that Albertsons and Rite Aid believe are useful to analysts and investors to evaluate ongoing results of operations, when considered alongside other GAAP measures such as net income, operating income and gross profit. These Non-GAAP Measures exclude the financial impact of items management does not consider in assessing the ongoing operating performance of Albertsons, Rite Aid or the combined company, and thereby facilitate review of its operating performance on a period-to-period basis. Other companies may have different capital structures or different lease terms, and comparability to the results of operations of Albertsons, Rite Aid or the combined company may be impacted by the effects of acquisition accounting on its depreciation and amortization. As a result of the effects of these factors and factors specific to other companies, Albertsons and Rite Aid believe these Non-GAAP measures provide helpful information to analysts and investors to facilitate a comparison of their operating performance to that of other companies. A reconciliation of the Non-GAAP Measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included at the end of this communication. Additional information regarding these Non-GAAP measures are available in previously disclosed SEC filings of Albertsons, Albertsons Companies, LLC and Rite Aid. The appearance of Non-GAAP Measures in this communication should not be construed as an inference that its future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Except as otherwise noted herein, a reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures has not been provided because such reconciliation could not be produced without unreasonable effort.

  

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Rite Aid – Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA (FY Ending February 2019 Guidance)1

  

($ in millions)  FYE February 2019 Guidance Range 
   Low   High 
Net loss  $(95)  $(40)
Adjustments:          
Interest expense   210    210 
Income tax benefit   (15)   (10)
Depreciation and amortization   380    380 
LIFO charge   35    35 
Loss on debt retirements   15    15 
Store closings and impairment charges   40    40 
Other   45    45 
Adjusted EBITDA  $615   $675 

  

Albertsons – Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA (Q4 and Full Year Ending February 2018)2

  

($ in millions)  Q4 FYE
February 2018
   Full-Year FYE
February 2018
 
Net income (loss)  $388   $46 
Depreciation and amortization   436    1,898 
Interest expense, net   196    875 
Income tax benefit   (373)   (964)
EBITDA  $647   $1,855 
Adjustments:          
Gain on interest rate and commodity hedges, net   (1)   (6)
Acquisition and integration costs3   56    218 
Loss (gain) on debt extinguishment   0    (5)
Equity-based compensation expense   21    46 
Net (gain) loss on property dispositions, asset impairment and lease exit costs   (0)   67 
Goodwill impairment   -    142 
LIFO (benefit) expense   (21)   3 
Facility closures and related transition costs4   1    12 
Other5   8    65 
Adjusted EBITDA  $712   $2,398 

  

 
1Source: Rite Aid’s Form 8-K dated April 12, 2018.
2Source: Albertsons Form 8-K dated April 11, 2018.
3Primarily includes costs related to acquisitions, integration of acquired businesses, expenses related to management fees in connection with acquisition and financing activities, adjustments to tax indemnification assets and liabilities and losses on acquired contingencies in connection with the Safeway acquisition.
4Includes costs related to facility closures and the transition to our decentralized operating model.
5Primarily includes lease adjustments related to deferred rents and deferred gains on leases. Also includes amortization of unfavorable leases on acquired Safeway surplus properties, estimated losses related to the security breach, changes in our equity method investment in Casa Ley, fair value adjustments to CVRs, foreign currency translation gains, costs related to our initial public offering and pension expense in excess of cash contributions.

 

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Albertsons – Reconciliation of Operating Income to Adjusted EBITDA (FY Ending February 2019)

  

($ in millions)  FYE February 2019 Guidance Range 
   Low   High 
Operating income  $475   $550 
Adjustments:          
Depreciation and amortization   1,900    1,890 
Acquisition and integration costs6   155    145 
Equity-based compensation expense   45    40 
Other adjustments7   105    95 
Adjusted EBITDA  $2,860   $2,720 

  

 

6Primarily includes forecasted costs related to integration of acquired businesses, acquisitions and amortization of management fees paid.
7Primarily includes forecasted LIFO expense and lease adjustments related to deferred rents and deferred gains on leases and estimated net costs incurred on acquired surplus properties.

 

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