Financial Performance - Net sales decreased from 1.50billionto1.49 billion, a period-over-period decrease of 0.5%[90] - Operating loss of 1,232.1millionprimarilyduetogoodwillimpairmentof1,222.5 million, compared to operating income of 48.1millionintheprioryear[90]−NetlossattributabletoClassAandB−1commonstockholderswas1,241.1 million, compared to net income of 19.9millionintheprioryear[90]−AdjustedEBITDAdecreasedfrom120.2 million to 72.2million[90]−Grossprofitmargindecreasedto36.87.1 million, or 0.5%, to 1.49billionforthethirteenweeksendedOctober28,2023,whileincreasingby122.8 million, or 2.8%, to 4.58billionforthethirty−nineweeksendedOctober28,2023[93]−Grossprofitdecreasedby47.7 million, or 8.0%, to 550.0millionforthethirteenweeksendedOctober28,2023,withagrossprofitrateof36.872.2 million, down from 120.2millionforthesameperiodin2022,representingadecreaseof404.58 billion, compared to 4.46billionforthesameperiodin2022,reflectingayear−over−yearincreaseof2.7(1.24) billion for the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2023, compared to a profit of 19.9millionforthesameperiodin2022[113]SalesandRevenueBreakdown−TotalnetsalesforthethirteenweeksendedOctober28,2023,included1,257.8 million from products and 236.4millionfromservicesandother[91]−Consumablessalesincreasedby12.8 million, or 1.8%, to 733.3millionforthethirteenweeksendedOctober28,2023,drivenbyadditionalbrandsintheassortment[93]−Service−relatedsales,includingveterinaryhospitals,increasedby14.010.0 million, or 1.8%, to 559.6millionforthethirteenweeksendedOctober28,2023,representing37.59.3 million, or 33.9%, to 36.6millionforthethirteenweeksendedOctober28,2023,primarilyduetohigherinterestrates[103]−FreeCashFlowforthethirty−nineweeksendedOctober28,2023,was(7.8) million, compared to (2.6)millionforthesameperiodin2022,indicatingadeclineincashgeneration[116]−Netcashprovidedbyoperatingactivitiesdecreasedto168.7 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2023, from 209.5millionforthesameperiodin2022,drivenbylowerearningsandincreasedcashoutflows[122]−Financingactivitiesresultedinanetcashoutflowof84.0 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2023, compared to 27.0millionforthesameperiodin2022,primarilyduetoprincipalrepaymentsonthetermloan[125]GoodwillandImpairment−Goodwillimpairmentchargeof1.22 billion was recorded during the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2022, due to an interim impairment test[101] - The company incurred 1.22billioningoodwillimpairmentduringthethirteenweeksendedOctober28,2023,whichsignificantlyimpactednetincome[113]LiquidityandDebt−TheliquiditypositionasofOctober28,2023,was586.4 million, which includes cash and cash equivalents of 139.8millionand446.6 million available on the ABL Revolving Credit Facility[118] - As of October 28, 2023, the Company had 1,595.3millionoutstandingundertheFirstLienTermLoan[141]−A100basispointsincreaseinvariableratesontheFirstLienTermLoanandABLRevolvingCreditFacilitywouldincreaseannualcashinterestbyapproximately16.2 million[142] - The Company has no amounts outstanding under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility as of October 28, 2023[142] - The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents at major financial institutions, likely exceeding insured limits, with minimal credit risk[144] Business Operations - Total pet care centers at the end of the period remained stable at 1,429[92] - Total veterinarian practices increased to 282 from 229 in the prior year[92] - The company operates over 275 veterinary hospitals, contributing to the growth in its veterinary and grooming business[95] Taxation - The effective tax rate was 1.8% for the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2023, resulting in an income tax benefit of $22.9 million, compared to an effective tax rate of 17.3% in the prior year[106] Market Conditions - Substantially all business is conducted in U.S. dollars, with no material effect expected from a 10% fluctuation in the relative value of the U.S. dollar[145]