UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
þANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
x         ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 26, 200925, 2010
or
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
o         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to. __________.
Commission file number000-23314
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 13-3139732
(State or other jurisdictionOther Jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)
   
200 Powell Place, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) 
Address of principal executive offices(Zip CodeCode)
   
Registrant’s telephone number, including area codeRegistrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (615) 440-4000

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
  
Title of each className of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.008 par valueNASDAQ Global Select Market
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities ActAct.
YESþ    NOo

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the ActAct.
YESo    NOþ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
YESþ    NOo

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
YESoþ    NOo
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.þo

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated file,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
 
Large accelerated filerþþAccelerated filero
 Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting companyo
(Do (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)Smaller reporting companyo

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.)
YESo    NOþ
The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the closing price of the Common Stock on The NASDAQ Global Select Market on June 26, 2009,25, 2010, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $1,234,085,441.$2,037,338,136.  For purposes of this response, the registrant has assumed that its directors, executive officers, and beneficial owners of 5% or more of its Common Stock are the affiliates of the registrant.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.

Class Outstanding at January 23, 2010
22, 2011 
Common Stock, $.008 par value 36,098,18172,805,868

Documents Incorporated by Reference:
Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 20102011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.


TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
INDEX
 
 

Item No  Form 10-K Report Page
 Forward-Looking Statements  ii
    
 PART I 
    
 1.Business  1
 1A.Risk Factors  4
 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments  7
 2.Properties  7
 3.Legal Proceedings  8
 4.[Removed and Reserved]  8
    
  9
    
 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities  9
 6.Selected Financial Data  12
 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  14
 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk  24
 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data  25
 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure  44
 9A.Controls and Procedures  44
 9B.Other Information  44
    
 PART III  45
    
 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance  45
 11.Executive Compensation  45
 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters  45
 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence  45
 14.Principal Accountant Fees and Services  45
    
 PART IV  46
    
 15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules  46



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TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
INDEX

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION

This Form 10-K and statements included or incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K include certain historical and forward-looking information.  The forward-looking statements included are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”).  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, which address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such things as future capital expenditures (including their amount and nature), business strategy, expansion and growth of the business operations and other such matters are forward-looking statements.  To take advantage of the safe harbor provided by the Act, we are identifying certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements, whether oral or written.  These factors include, without limitation, general economic conditions affecting consumer spending, the timing and acceptance of new products in the stores, the mix of goods sold,  purchase price volatility (including inflationary and deflationary pressures), the ability to increase sales at existing stores, the ability to manage growth and identify suitable locations and negotiate favorable lease agreements on new and relocated stores, the ability to manage expenses, the availability of favorable credit sources, capital market conditions in general, failure to open new stores in the manner currently contemplated, the impact of new stores on our business, competition, weather conditions, the seasonal nature of our business, effective merchandising initiatives and marketing emphasis, the ability to retain vendors, reliance on foreign suppliers, the ability to attract, train and retainre tain qualified team members,employees, product liability and other claims, on-going and potential legal or regulatory proceedings, management of our information systems, effective tax rate changes and results of examination by taxing authorities, the ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting and those described in Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”  Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and are based on our current expectations and projections about future events.  We undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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Overview
Overview

Tractor Supply Company is the largest operator of retail farm and ranch stores in the United States and is focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers and those who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses.  We operate retail stores under the namesTractor Supply CompanyandDel’s Farm Supplyand operate a website under the nameTractorSupply.com.  Our stores are located in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural communities, and they offer the following comprehensive selection of merchandise:
Equine, pet and small animal products, including items necessary for their health, care, growth and containment;

Hardware and seasonal products, including lawn and garden power equipment;
·  Equine, pet and small animal products, including items necessary for their health, care, growth and containment;
Truck, towing and tool products;
·  Hardware, truck, towing and tool products;
Work/recreational clothing and footwear for the entire family;
·  Seasonal products, including lawn and garden items, power equipment, gifts and toys;
Maintenance products for agricultural and rural use; and
·  Maintenance products for agricultural and rural use; and
·  Work/recreational clothing and footwear.
Home décor, candy, snack food and toys.

Our Tractor Supply stores typically range in size from 15,500 square feet to 18,500 square feet of inside selling space and additional outside selling space.  We use a standard 15,500 square foot prototype for most new purpose-built locations.  For new stores located in existing buildings, one of several layout formats is utilized.

Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Del’s Farm Supply, LLC (“Del’s”), which operated 2726 stores as of December 26, 200925, 2010 in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Hawaii, offers a wide selection of products (primarily in the equine, pet and animal category) tailored to those who enjoy the rural lifestyle.Hawaii.  Del’s stores currently range in size from approximately 2,000 to 6,000 square feet of inside selling space plus additional outside and covered/sheltered selling space.

Tractor Supply Company has one reportable industry segment – farm and ranch retail sales, both at our retail locations and online.

At December 26, 2009,25, 2010, we operated 930 (inclusive of 27 Del’s stores)1,001 retail farm and ranch stores in 44 states.

Seasonality and Weather

Our business is highly seasonal.  Historically, our sales and profits have been the highest in the second and fourth fiscal quarters of each year due to the sale of seasonal products.  Unseasonable weather, excessive precipitation, drought, and early or late frosts may also affect our sales. We believe, however, that the impact of extreme weather conditions is somewhat mitigated by the geographic dispersion of our stores.

We experience our highest inventory and accounts payable balances during the first fiscal quarter each year for purchases of seasonal products in anticipation of the spring selling season and again during the third fiscal quarter in anticipation of the winter selling season.

Business Strategy

We believe our sales and earnings growth is a result of executing our business strategy, which includes the following key components:
Market Niche
We have identified a specialized market niche: supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers and those who enjoy the rural lifestyle (which we refer to as the “Out Here” lifestyle), as well as tradesmen and small businesses. By focusing our product mix on these core customers, we believe we are differentiated from general merchandise, home center and other specialty retailers.
Market Niche

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We have identified a specialized market niche:  supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers and those who enjoy the rural lifestyle (which we refer to as the “Out Here” lifestyle), as well as tradesmen and small businesses.  By focusing our product mix on these core customers, we believe we are differentiated from general merchandise, home center and other specialty retailers.



Customer Service
We are committed to providing our customers a high level of in-store service through our motivated, well-trained store team members. We believe the ability of our store team members to provide friendly, responsive and seasoned advice helps to promote strong customer loyalty and repeat shopping. As such, we seek to provide our store team members with decision-making authority, product knowledge and training to enable them to meet our customers’ needs.

We endeavor to staff our stores with courteous, highly motivated team members and devote considerable resources to training store team members, often in cooperation with our vendors. Our training programs include (i) a full management training program which covers all aspects of our operations, (ii) product knowledge modules produced in conjunction with key vendors, (iii) frequent management skills training classes, (iv) semi-annual store manager meetings with vendor product presentations, (v) vendor sponsored in-store training programs and (vi) ongoing product information updates from our management headquarters, the Store Support Center.  We seek to hire and train store team members with farming and ranching backgrounds, with particular emphasis on general maintenance, equine and welding.

Our online shopping site isTractorSupply.com.  The availability of manycertain of our products online provides our customers the ability to purchase products and have them shipped to one of our retail stores, their homes or offices.  ThisWe believe this capability further enhances customer service and extends our market to areas where our retail stores are not currently located.

We offer proprietary, private label credit cards for individuals and business customers.  In addition, we accept cash, checks, debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards and gift cards.

Store Environment
Our stores are designed and managed to make shopping an enjoyable experience and to maximize sales and operating efficiencies.  Stores utilize several layouts, designed to provide an open environment, optimal product placement and visual display locations. In addition, these layouts allow for departmental space to be easily reallocated and visual displays to be easily changed for seasonal products and promotions. Display and product placement information is sent to stores weekly to ensure quality and uniformity among the stores.  Informative signs are located throughout each store to assist customers with purchasing decisions and merchandise location bylocation.  These signs provide customers with a comparison of “good, better, best”product qualities, clear pricing and useful information regarding product benefits and suggestions for appropriate accessories. The general uniformity of our store layouts and visual displays afford our customers a feeling of familiarity and enhances the shopping experience. To further enhance the shopping experience, all of our store team members wear highly visible red vests, aprons or smocks and nametags, and our customer service and checkout counters are conveniently located.
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Merchandising
We offer a differentiated assortment of products for our customers.  Our broad product assortment is tailored to meet the regional and geographic needs of our markets, as well as the physical store size.  Our full line of product offerings is supported by a strong in-stock inventory position with an average of 15,500 to 19,000 unique products per store.  No one product accounted for more than 10% of our sales during 2009.2010.

Our stores carry a wide selection of high quality, nationally recognized, name brand merchandise. We also market a growing list of products under our “private-label programs,” i.e. products manufactured for us by a number of vendors at our direction and specifically for our sole benefit.vendors. The trademarks in the private label brand names are owned by us. Our private label brands include:
MasterhandandJobSmart(tools and tool chests)

DumorandProducers Pride(livestock feed)
·Producers Pride and Dumor (livestock feed)
4health(pet foods)
·Retriever, Paws ‘n Claws, and 4health (pet foods)
RetrieverandPaws ‘n Claws(pet foods)

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Royal Wing(bird feeding supplies)
·Huskee (outdoor power equipment)
Milepost(equine products)
·C.E. Schmidt (apparel and footwear)
Groundwork(lawn and garden supplies)
·Countyline (livestock, farm and ranch equipment)
Huskee(outdoor power equipment)
·Royal Wing (bird feeding supplies)
Countyline(livestock, farm and ranch equipment)
·Traveller (truck/automotive products)
Traveller(truck/automotive products)
·Masterhand and JobSmart (tools and tool chests)
C.E. Schmidt(apparel and footwear)
·Groundwork (lawn and garden supplies)
Bit & Bridle(apparel)
·Bit & Bridle (apparel)
Red Shed(gifts and collectibles)
·Red Shed (gifts and collectibles)

We believe that the availability of tophigh quality private label products at greatcompelling prices provides superior value for our customers, a strategic advantage for us, and positions us as a destination store.

The following chart indicates the average percentages of sales represented by each of our major product categories during fiscal 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007.2008.
            
 Percent of Sales  Percent of Sales 
Product Category 2009 2008(a) 2007(a)  2010  
2009 (a)
  
2008 (a)
 
Livestock and Pet  39%  36%  33%  39%  39%  37%
Hardware and Seasonal 23 24 26 
Truck and Tool 18 19 20 
Hardware, Tools and Truck  23   23   24 
Seasonal, Gift and Toy Products  22   22   23 
Clothing and Footwear 10 10 10   10   10   9 
Agriculture 6 7 7   6   6   7 
Gift and Recreation 4 4 4 
         100%  100%  100%
  100%  100%  100%
       
(a)Reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
(a)Reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
 
 
(a)Reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
Purchasing
We offer a differentiated assortment of products that are sourced through domestic and international vendors for those seeking to enjoy the “Out Here” lifestyle.  Our business is not dependent upon any one vendor or particular group of vendors.  We purchase our products from a core group of approximately 850700 vendors, with no one vendor representing more than 10% of our purchases during fiscal 2009.2010.  Approximately 250 vendors accounted for approximately 90% of our purchases during fiscal 2009.2010.  We have not experienced any significant difficulty in obtaining satisfactory alternative sources of supply for our products, and we believe that adequate sources of supply exist at substantially similar costs for substantiallynearly all of our products.produc ts.  We have no material long-term contractual commitments with any of our vendors.

We maintain a dedicated inventory management team to focus exclusively on all replenishmentforecasting and forecastingreplenishment functions.  This centralized direction permits our buying teams to focus more strategic attention toward vendor line reviews, assortment planning and testing of new products and programs.  Through the combined efforts of these teams, we have improved our overall inventory productivity and in-stock position.

Over 97%98% of our purchase orders are transmitted through an electronic data interchange (“EDI”("EDI") system, and approximately 95% of merchandise vendor invoices are transmitted through EDI. We are expanding the percentage of vendors who electronically transmit invoices and increasing the amount of sales history transmitted.

Distribution
We currently operate a distribution network for supplying our stores with merchandise, and in fiscal 20092010 our stores received approximately 67% of our merchandise through this network.  Our six distribution centers are located in Indiana, Georgia, Maryland, Texas, Nebraska, and Washington, representing total distribution capacity of 2.9 million square feet.  In 2010,2011 we are not planning any additionalhave begun construction on our seventh distribution center, a new 834,000 square footage as we concentrate on increasingfoot facility in Kentucky to be operational during the utilizationfourth quarter of our existing space.fiscal 2011.

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We manage our inbound and outbound transportation activity in-house through the use of a web-based transportation management system.  We outsource the operation of our dedicated fleet to two third-party logistics providers and utilize several common carriers as required for store deliveries.  The third-party logistics providers are responsible for managing drivers and tractors contracted to us, and they deliver animal feed products directly to stores from our vendors. We controlmanage our transportation costs through carrier negotiations, the monitoring of transportation routes, and the scheduling of deliveries and backhauls while minimizing empty miles.deliveries.

Marketing
We utilize an “everyday"everyday value prices”prices" strategy to consistently offer our products at competitive prices complemented by promotions primarily implemented during peak selling seasons.  We regularly monitor prices at competing stores and adjust our prices as appropriate.

To generate store traffic and position ourselves as a destination store, we promote broad selections of merchandise with newspaper circulars, customer targeted direct mail and internet offerings.  Vendors frequently support these specific programs by offering temporary cost reductions, honoring coupons and funding gift card rebate programs.

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Due to the relatively small size of our stores, increased traffic in the store ensures increased exposure to our products. Our vendors are committed to helping us promote our brand and position ourselves as a destination store.  Our vendors provide assistance with product presentation and rack design, brochures, point-of-purchase materials for customers’ education and product education for our team members.  We also receive funding through contributions and incentives on purchases to promote new stores and earn rebates from vendors on product purchases based on volume.
Competition
We operate in a competitive market.retail industry. The principal competitive factors include location of stores, price and quality of merchandise, in-stock consistency, merchandise assortment and presentation, and customer service. We compete with general merchandise retailers, home center retailers and other specialty and discount retailers, as well as independently owned retail farm and ranch stores, numerous privately-held regional farm store chains and farm cooperatives.  Some of these competitors are units of national or regional chains and may have substantially greater resources and financial capacities than we do.  However, we believe we have successfully differentiated ourselves from these entities by focusing on our specialized market niche for customers living the rural lifestyle.

Management and Team Members
As of December 26, 2009,25, 2010, we employed approximately 7,6007,900 full-time and approximately 5,7006,800 part-time team members. We also employ additional part-time team members during peak periods.  We are not party to any collective bargaining agreements.

Our store operations are organized by location into eight regions.nine regions, including Del’s.  Each region is led by a regional manager and the region is further organized into districts, which are led by a district manager or area manager.  Our regional andmanagers, district managers, area managers, store managers and other distribution and support personnel have contributed significantly to our performance.  We have an internal advisory boardboards, one comprised of store managers and the other comprised of district managers.  This group bringsThese groups bring a grassroots perspective to operational initiatives and generatesgenerate chain-wide endorsement of proposed “best-practice” solutions.

We are committed to a continuous improvement program called Tractor Value System (“TVS”).  TVS is a commitment to provide,business management system that emphasizes, through team member engagement, a business managementfocus on continuous improvement.  Utilizing the TVS system, that emphasizes continuous improvementwe improve processes by embracing change of current practices to reduce cost, shorten lead times, and drive innovation.  We have implemented numerous TVScontinuous improvement project teams (comprised of team members from all areas of our operations) to evaluate key operations and implement process changes that will both improve efficiency, reduce costs and strengthen controls.processes. Our management encourages the participation of all team members in decision-making, regularly solicits input and suggestions from our team members and responds to the suggestions.incorporates suggestions into our improv ement activities.

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All of our team members participate in one of various incentive programs, which provide the opportunity to receive additional compensation based upon team and/or Company performance. We also provide our team members the opportunity to participate in an employee stock purchase plan and a 401(k) retirement savings plan (we contribute to the 401(k) savings plan solely through a cash match). Additionally, we share in the cost of health insurance provided to our team members, and team members receive a discount on merchandise purchased at our stores.

We encourage a “promote from within” environment when internal resources permit.  We also provide internal leadership development programs designed to mentor our high potential team members for continued progress and believe we have satisfactory relationships with our team members. Our district managers, area managers, and store managers have an average length of service of approximately five years.  Management believes internal promotions, coupled with the hiring of individuals with previous retail experience, will provide the management structure necessary to support our planned store growth.

Management Information and Control Systems
We have invested considerable resources in our management information and control systems to ensure superior customer service, manage the purchase and distribution of our merchandise and improve our operating efficiencies. Our management information and control systems include a point-of-sale system, a supply chain management and replenishment system, a radio frequency and voice picking system in the distribution centers, a vendor purchase order control system and a merchandise presentation system. These systems are integrated through an enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system.  This ERP system tracks merchandise from initial order through ultimate sale and interfaces with our financial systems.

We continue to evaluate and improve the functionality of our systems to maximize their effectiveness. Such efforts include ongoing hardware and software evaluations and upgrades to support optimal software configurations and application performance.  We plan to upgrade our information technology and implement other efficiency-driving system enhancements (including the continued rollout of a new point-of-sale system, an upgrade to our ERP system and a planned rollout of a new warehouse management system)system to distribution centers, implementation of price optimization software, point-of-sale system upgrades, and store and support center hardware refreshes) in 2010.2011.  In addition, we will continue to strengthen the security of our information systems and support the areas of store and distribution center expansion.  These efforts are directed toward constantly improving the overall business processes and achieving the most efficient and effective use of the systems to manage our operations while ensuring a secure and reliable environment.

Growth Strategy

Our current and long-term growth strategy is toto: (1) expand geographic market presence through opening new retail stores, (2) enhance financial performance through same-store sales increases, achieved through targeted merchandising programs with an “everyday value prices” philosophy and supported by strong customer service, (3) enhance product margin through assortment management, vendor management, global sourcing, and optimization of transportation  and distribution costs, (4) leverage operating costs, especially advertising, distribution and corporate overhead, (5) expand market opportunities via internet sales, and (6) expand through selective acquisition, as such opportunities arise, to enhance penetration into new and existing markets as a complementary strategy to organic growth.

We have experienced considerable sales growth over the lastpast five years, with a compounded annual growth rate of approximately 13.0%12.0%.  We project an increase of 7080 to 8085 new stores in 2010,2011, an increase of approximately 8%.  We opened 74 new stores in 2010 and 76 new stores in 2009, and 91 new stores in 2008, an increase of approximately 9%8% and 12%9%, respectively.

We operated 9301,001 retail farm and ranch stores in 44 states as of December 26, 2009 and have plans to open 70 to 80 stores in fiscal25, 2010.  We have developed a proven method for selecting store sites and have identified over 850800 potential additional markets for new Tractor Supply stores (excluding Del’s) in the United States. The acquisition
Executive Officers of the Registrant

Pursuant to establishGeneral Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the following list is included as an initial presenceunnumbered item in Part I of this Report in lieu of being included in the Pacific Northwest, primarily in Washington, alongProxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 28, 2011.
The following is a list of the names and ages of all executive officers of the registrant, indicating all positions and offices with three stores in Hawaii. We have slowed the growthregistrant held by each such person and each person’s principal occupations and employment during at least the past five years:

NamePositionAge
James F. WrightChairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer61
Gregory A. SandfortPresident and Chief Merchandising Officer55
Stanley L. RutaExecutive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer59
Anthony F. CrudeleExecutive Vice President-Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer54
Kimberly D. VellaSenior Vice President and Chief People Officer44
__________________

James F. Wright has served as Chairman of Del’sthe Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since February 2009, and prior to that time served as we refineChairman of the concept,Board, President and we do not planChief Executive Officer from November 2007 to open any additional Del’s stores in fiscal 2010.February 2009, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from October 2004 to November 2007.  Mr. Wright previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company from October 2000 to October 2004.  Mr. Wright has served as a director of the Company since 2002.

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Gregory A. Sandfort has served as President and Chief Merchandising Officer of the Company since February 2009, and prior to that time served as Executive Vice President-Chief Merchandising Officer of the Company since November 2007.  Mr. Sandfort previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer at Michaels Stores, Inc. from March 2006 to August 2007 and as Vice President – General Merchandise Manager at Michaels Stores, Inc. from January 2004 to February 2006.  Mr. Sandfort served as Vice Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Kleinert’s Inc. (d/b/a Buster Brown) from 2002 to 2003 and as a Vice President, General Merchandise Manager for Sears, Roebuck and Co. from 1998 to 2002.

Stanley L. Ruta has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since February 2009, and prior to that time served as Executive Vice President-Store Operations since January 2007, after having served as Senior Vice President-Store Operations since June 2000 and as Vice President-Store Operations of the Company since 1994.

Anthony F. Crudele has served as Executive Vice President-Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since January 2007, after having served as Senior Vice President-Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company since November 2005.  Mr. Crudele previously served as Chief Financial Officer at Gibson Guitar from August 2003 to September 2005, as Chief Financial Officer of Xcelerate Corp. from 2000 to January 2003, and at The Sports Authority from 1989 through 1999 (serving as Chief Financial Officer from 1996 through 1999).

Kimberly D. Vella has served as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer since July 2010, and prior to that time served as Senior Vice President-Human Resources of the Company since January 2007, after having served as Vice President-Human Resources of the Company since October 2001.

Additional Information

We file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including Annual Reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other reports as required. The public may read and copy any materials the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC  20549.  The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. We are an electronic filer and the SEC maintains an Internet site atsec.govthat contains the reports, proxy and information statements, and other information filed electronically.

We make available free of charge through our Internet website,TractorSupply.com, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.  The information provided on our website is not part of this report, and is therefore not incorporated by reference unless such information is otherwise specifically referenced elsewhere in this report.

Our code of ethics, which is applicable to all of our team members, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Controller, along with our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charters of our Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees of our Board of Directors, is posted on our website.


Our business faces many risks. Those risks which we are currently aware and we deem to be material are described below.  If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risk factors occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations may significantly suffer, and the trading price of our common stock could decline.  These risk factors should be read in conjunction with the other information in this Form 10-K.

General economic conditions may adversely affect our financial performance.
Our results of operations may be sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions that impact consumer spending, including discretionary spending. Economic conditions affecting disposable consumer income such as employment levels, business conditions, interest rates, tax rates, fuel and energy costs, higher labor and healthcare costs, the impact of natural disasters or acts of terrorism, and other matters could reduce consumer spending or cause consumers to shift their spending to lower-priced competitors. A general reduction in the level of discretionary spending or shifts in consumer discretionary spending to our competitors could adversely affect our growth and profitability.  Additionally, changes in the mix of products sold to a mix with a lower overall gross margin or other increased cost of sales, along with slower inventory turnover and greater markdowns on inventory, could adversely affect our operations and operating results.
Purchase price volatility, including inflationary and deflationary pressures, may adversely affect our financial performance.
Although we cannot determine the full effect of inflation and deflation on our operations, we believe our sales and results of operations are affected by both.  We are subject to market risk with respect to the pricing of certain products and services, which include, among other items, steel, grain, petroleum, corn, soybean and other commodities as well as transportation services.  Therefore, we may experience both inflationary and deflationary pressure on product cost, which may impact consumer demand and, as a result, sales and gross margin.  Additionally, significant inflationary pressures could have an adverse affect on our last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory provision, which would negatively impact gross margin. Our strategy is to reduce or mitigate the effects of purchase price volatility principally by taking advantage of vendor incentive programs, economies of scale from increased volume of purchases, adjusting retail prices and selectively buying from the most competitivecompetiti ve vendors without sacrificing quality.  Due to the competitive environment, such conditions have and may continue to adversely impact our financial performance.
There is no assurance that we will be able to continue to increase sales at our existing stores.
We experience fluctuations in our same-store sales, which are defined as stores which have completed twelve months of sales.  Our success depends, in part, upon our ability to improve sales at our existing stores.  Various factors affect same-store sales, including the general retail sales environment, our ability to efficiently source and distribute products, changes in our merchandise mix, competition, current economic conditions, the timing of release of new merchandise and promotional events, the success of marketing programs and weather conditions.  These factors may cause our same- storesame-store sales results to differ materially from prior periods and from expectations.  Past same-store sales are not necessarily an indication of future results, and there can be no assurance that our same-store salessale s will not decrease in the future.

6


Our failure to effectively manage growth could impair our business.
Even if we are able to implement, to a significant degree, our key business strategy of expanding our store base, we may experience managerial or operational problems, which may prevent any expected increase in profitability or negatively impact our cash flow. To manage our planned expansion, we must ensure the continuing adequacy of our existing systems, controls and procedures, including product distribution facilities, store management, financial controls and information systems. There can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve our planned expansion, that the new stores will be effectively integrated into our existing operations or that such stores will be profitable.

Capital requirements for growth may not be available.
The construction and opening or acquisition of new stores and the development of new production and distribution facilities, along with the remodeling and renovation of existing stores, require significant amounts of capital. In the past, our growth has been funded primarily through bank borrowings and internally generated cash flow.

Disruptions in the capital and credit markets could adversely affect the ability of the banks to meet their commitments.  Our access to funds under the credit facility is dependent on the ability of the banks that are parties to the facility to meet their funding commitments.  Those banks may not be able to meet their funding commitments to us if they experience shortages of capital and liquidity or if they experience excessive volumes of borrowing requests within a short period of time.  In addition, tighter lending practices have made it more challenging for our real estate developers to obtain financing under reasonable loan terms and conditions.  Unfavorable lending trends could impact the timing of our store openings and materially adversely affect our ability to open new purpose-built store s in desirable locations.

Longer term disruptions in the capital and credit markets as a result of uncertainty, changing or increased regulation, reduced alternatives, or failures of significant financial institutions could adversely affect our access to liquidity needed for our business.  Any disruption could require us to take measures to conserve cash until the markets stabilize or until alternative credit arrangements or other funding for our business needs can be arranged.  Such measures could include deferring capital expenditures, and reducing or eliminating future share repurchases or other discretionary uses of cash.

Failure to open new stores in the manner currently contemplated could adversely affect our financial performance.
An integral part of our business strategy includes the expansion of our base of stores by opening new stores. This expansion strategy is dependent on our ability to find suitable locations, and we face competition from many retailers for such sites.  If we are unable to implement this strategy, our ability to increase our sales, profitability, and cash flow could be impaired significantly. To the extent that we are unable to open new stores in the manner we anticipate (due to, among other reasons, site approval or unforeseen delays in construction), our sales growth may be impeded.

New stores may negatively impact our results.
There can be no assurance that our new store openings will be successful or result in greater sales and profitability for the Company. New stores build their sales volumes and refine their merchandise selection over time and, as a result, generally have lower gross margins and higher operating expenses as a percentage of sales than our more mature stores. As we continue to open new stores, there may be a negative impact on our results from a lower contribution margin of these new stores until their sales levels ramp to chain average, if at all, as well as from the impact of related pre-opening costs.

Competition in our industry may hinder our ability to execute our business strategy and adversely affect our operations.
We operate in a very competitive market. The principal competitive factors include location of stores, price and quality of merchandise, in-stock consistency, merchandise assortment and presentation, and customer service.  We believe we have successfully differentiated ourselves from general merchandise retailers, home center retailers and other specialty and discount retailers by focusing on our specialized market niche. However, we do face competition from these entities, as well as competition from independently-owned retail farm and ranch stores, privately-held regional farm store chains and farm cooperatives.  Some of our competitors are units of national or regional chains that have substantially greater financial and other resources.

Weather conditions may have a significant impact on our financial results.
Historically, weather conditions have had a significant impact on our operating results. Weather conditions affect the demand for, and in some cases the supply of, products, which in turn has an impact on prices.  In past years, we have experienced extreme weather conditions, including snow and ice storms, flood and wind damage, hurricanes, tornadoes and droughts in some states. Weather conditions also directly affect the demand for seasonal products, particularly during the winter heating season. Accordingly, the weather can have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

7



There are certain risks associated with the seasonal nature of our business.
Our working capital needs and borrowings (if necessary) generally peak in our first and third fiscal quarters because lower sales are generated while expenses are incurred and inventory is increased in preparation for the spring and winter selling seasons.  If cash on hand and borrowings under existing credit facilities are insufficient to meet the seasonal needs or if cash flow generated during the spring and winter is insufficient to repay associated borrowings on a timely basis, this seasonality could have a material adverse effect on our business.

There is no assurance that our merchandising initiatives and marketing emphasis will provide expected results.
We believe our past performance has been based on, and future success will depend upon, in part, the ability to develop and execute merchandising initiatives with effective marketing.  There is no assurance that we will be successful, or that new initiatives will be executed in a timely manner to satisfy our customers’ needs or expectations.  Failure to execute and promote such initiatives in a timely manner could harm our ability to grow the business and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.  Additionally, our success depends on our ability to anticipate and respond in a timely manner to changing customer demand and preferences for merchandise.  If we misjudge the market, we may significantly overstock unpopular products and be forced to take significant inventory markdowns.  Shortages of key items could also have a materially adverse impact on operating results.
We face risks associated with vendors from whom our products are sourced.
The products we sell are sourced from a variety of domestic and international vendors.  All ofAs a general rule, we have agreements with our vendors mustin which the vendors agree to comply with applicable laws, including labor and environmental laws, and otherwise be certified as meeting requiredto indemnify us against certain liabilities and costs.  Our ability to recover liabilities and costs under these vendor standardsagreements is dependent upon the financial condition and integrity of conduct. the vendors.

We rely on foreign manufacturers for various products that we sell.  In addition, many of our domestic suppliers purchase a portion of their products from foreign sources.  We rely on long-term relationships with our suppliers but have no long-term contracts with such suppliers.  Our future success will depend in large measure upon our ability to maintain our existing supplier relationships or to develop new ones.  This reliance increases the risk of inadequate and untimely supplies of various products due to local political, economic, social, or environmental conditions, transportation delays, restrictive actions by foreign governments, or changes in United States laws and regulations affecting imports or domestic distribution.  Our vendors may be forced to reduce their production, shutshu t down their operations or file for bankruptcy protection, which in some cases would make it difficult for us to serve the market’s needs and could have a material adverse effect on our business.

As an importer, our business is subject to the risks generally associated with doing business abroad, such as foreign governmental regulations, economic disruptions, delays in shipments, transportation capacity and costs, currency exchange rates and changes in political or economic conditions in countries from which we purchase products.  If any such factors were to render the conduct of business in particular countries undesirable or impractical or if additional United States quotas, duties, taxes or other charges or restrictions were imposed upon the importation of our products in the future, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Our failure to attract and retain qualified team members could adversely affect our financial performance.
Our ability to continue expanding operations depends on our ability to attract and retain a large and growing number of qualified team members.  Our ability to meet labor needs while controlling wage and related labor costs is subject to numerous external factors, including the availability of a sufficient number of qualified persons in the work force, unemployment levels, prevailing wage rates, changing demographics, health and other insurance costs and changes in employment legislation.  If we are unable to locate, attract or retain qualified personnel, or if costs of labor or related costs increase significantly, our financial performance could be adversely affected.

We may be subject to product liability and other claims in the ordinary course of business.
Our business involves a risk of product liability and other claims in the ordinary course of business.  We maintain general liability insurance with a deductible for each occurrence and a $33,000,000$36,000,000 aggregate retention applicable to all general liability and workers compensation claims.  We also maintain umbrella limits above the primary general liability and product liability cover.  In many cases, we have indemnification rights against the manufacturers of the products and their products liability insurance.  Our ability to recover under such insurance or indemnification arrangements is subject to the financial viability of the insurers and manufacturers and the specific allegations of a claim.  No assurance can be given that our insurance coverage or the manufacturers’ indemnityindemni ty will be available or sufficient in any claims brought against us.

Our costs of doing business could increase as a result of changes in federal, state or local regulations.
Changes in the federal, state or local minimum wage or living wage requirements or changes in other wage or workplace regulations could increase our costs of doing business. In addition, changes in federal, state or local regulations governing the sale of some of our products or tax regulations could increase our costs of doing business.

Because we are subject to numerous laws and governmental regulations, we could incur substantial judgments, fines, legal fees and other costs.
We are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and governmental regulations relating to environmental protection, consumer product safety, building, land use and zoning requirements, workplace regulations, wage and hour, privacy and information security and employment law matters. If we fail to comply with existing or future laws or regulations, or if these laws or regulations are violated by importers, manufacturers or distributers, we may be subject to governmental or judicial fines or sanctions, while incurring substantial legal fees and costs. In addition, our capital expenditures could increase due to remediation measures that may be required if we are found to be noncompliant with any existing or future laws or regulations.

A privacy breach could result in negative publicity and adversely affect the Company’s business.
The protection of customer, employee and company data is critical to the Company.  The regulatory environment surrounding information security and privacy is increasingly demanding, with the frequent imposition of new and constantly changing requirements.  In connection with credit card sales, we transmit confidential credit card information.  Third parties may have the technology or know-how to breach the security of this customer information, and our security measures and those of our technology vendors may not effectively preclude others from obtaining improper access to this information.  Any security breach could expose us to risks of data loss, litigation and liability and could seriously disrupt our operations and any resulting negative publicity could significantly harm our reputation.

In addition, states and the federal government are increasingly enacting laws and regulations to protect consumers against identity theft.  We collect personal information from consumers in the course of doing business.  These laws will likely increase the costs of doing business and, if we fail to comply with these laws and regulations or to implement appropriate safeguards or to detect and provide prompt notice of unauthorized access as required by some of these new laws, we could be subject to potential claims for damages and other remedies, which could harm our business.

Legal proceedings could materially impact our results.
From time to time, we are party to legal proceedings including matters involving personnel and employment issues, personal injury, intellectual property, and other proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business.  Our results could be materially impacted by the decisions and expenses related to pending or future proceedings.

8



If we experience difficulties with our management information systems, our financial performance may be adversely affected.
We depend on management information systems for many aspects of our business.  We could be materially adversely affected if our management information systems are disrupted or if we are unable to improve, upgrade, maintain and expand systems, particularly in light of the contemplated continued store growth.  Many of our information systems contain confidential customer, Company or employee data.  If we fail to adequately restrict access to this information, our financial performanceresults of operations could be adversely affected.
Effective tax rate changes and results of examinations by taxing authorities could materially impact our results.
Our future effective tax rates could be adversely affected by the earnings mix being lower than historical results in states where we have lower statutory rates and higher than historical results in states where we have higher statutory rates, by changes in the measurement of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, or by changes in tax laws or interpretations thereof. In addition, we are subject to periodic audits and examinations by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”("IRS") and other state and local taxing authorities. A portion of our sales are to tax-exempt customers. The business activities of our customers and the intended use of the unique products sold by us create a challenging and complex compliance environment.  These circumstances create risk that we could be challenged as to the propriety of our sales tax compliance. Our results could be materially impacted by the determinations and expenses related to these and other proceedings by the IRS and other state and local taxing authorities.

Failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting could materially impact our business and results.
The Company’sCompany's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. An internal control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all internal control systems, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Any failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting could limit our ability to report our financial results accurately and timely or to detect and prevent fraud, and could expose us to litigationli tigation or adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters could significantly affect our financial results or financial condition.
Generally accepted accounting principles and related accounting pronouncements, implementation guidelines and interpretations with regard to a wide range of matters that are relevant to our business, such as revenue recognition, asset impairment, inventories, lease obligations, self-insurance, tax matters and litigation, are highly complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates or judgments.  Changes in these rules or their interpretation or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates or judgments could significantly change our reported or expected financial performance or financial condition.

None.


At December 26, 2009,25, 2010, we operated 9301,001 stores in 44 states.  We lease more than 94% of our stores, two of our six distribution centers and our management headquarters.  Store leases typically have initial terms of between 10 and 15 years, with two to four renewal periods of five years each, exercisable at our option.  No single lease is material to our operations.

9



Following is a count of our store locations by state:
Number
Stateof Stores
Texas118
Ohio68
Michigan62
Tennessee57
Pennsylvania55
New York50
Georgia39
North Carolina38
Florida36
Indiana36
Kentucky35
Virginia32
Oklahoma22
Alabama20
Washington20
California19
South Carolina19
West Virginia17
Illinois15
Arkansas14
Louisiana14
Wisconsin14
Missouri13
Nebraska12
Kansas11
Iowa10
Maryland9
New Jersey9
Minnesota8
New Hampshire7
North Dakota7
Connecticut6
South Dakota6
Maine5
Vermont5
Massachusetts4
Mississippi4
Delaware3
Hawaii3
Oregon3
New Mexico2
Idaho1
Montana1
Rhode Island1
930

State
Number
of Stores
 State
Number
of Stores
Texas121 Wisconsin15
Ohio69 Kansas12
Michigan63 Nebraska12
Pennsylvania60 Maine10
New York58 Mississippi10
Tennessee57 New Hampshire10
North Carolina43 New Jersey10
Georgia40 Maryland9
Indiana38 Iowa8
Kentucky38 Minnesota8
Florida37 Connecticut7
Virginia33 North Dakota7
Alabama25 Massachusetts6
Oklahoma23 South Dakota6
South Carolina22 Vermont5
Louisiana21 Delaware3
California20 Hawaii3
Washington19 Oregon3
West Virginia18 Montana2
Illinois16 New Mexico2
Arkansas15 Idaho1
Missouri15 Rhode Island1
    1,001


The Company received and responded to a Request for Information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) relating to certain recreational vehicles and non-road spark ignition engines sold by the Company.  In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”), on behalf of the EPA, informed the Company that it believed the Company had violated the Clean Air Act by importing or causing the importation of certain engines not covered by certificates of conformity issued by the EPA, and that unless the DOJ and the Company were able to reach a settlement, the DOJ was prepared to commence a civil action. The Company is currently engaged in settlement discussions with the DOJ that would call for the payment of a civil penalty and c ertain injunctive relief.  The engines were purchased by the Company pursuant to agreements with vendors under which the vendors represented that their products complied with all applicable laws and regulations and under which the vendors agreed to indemnify the Company for any liabilities or costs relating to, among other matters, the noncompliance or alleged noncompliance of their products.  The Company has notified these vendors of the EPA’s position and expects to be reimbursed for any liabilities or costs relating to this matter.  The Company does not expect the resolution of this matter to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

We are also involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business.  We expect these matters will be resolved without material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.  AnyWe believe that any estimated loss related to such matters has been adequately provided in accrued liabilities to the extent probable and reasonably estimable.  It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by changes in circumstances relating to these proceedings.

10



No matter was submitted to a vote of our stockholders during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ended December 26, 2009.PART II
Executive Officers of the Registrant
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the following list is included as an unnumbered item in Part I of this Report in lieu of being included in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 29, 2010.
The following is a list of the names and ages of all executive officers of the registrant, indicating all positions and offices with the registrant held by each such person and each person’s principal occupations and employment during at least the past five years:
NamePositionAge
James F. WrightChairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer60
Gregory A. SandfortPresident and Chief Merchandising Officer54
Stanley L. RutaExecutive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer58
Anthony F. CrudeleExecutive Vice President-Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer53
Kimberly D. VellaSenior Vice President-Human Resources43
James F. Wright has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since February 2009, and prior to that time served as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer from November 2007 to February 2009, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from October 2004 to November 2007. Mr. Wright previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company from October 2000 to October 2004. Mr. Wright has served as a director of the Company since 2002.
Gregory A. Sandfort has served as President and Chief Merchandising Officer of the Company since February 2009, and prior to that time served as Executive Vice President-Chief Merchandising Officer of the Company since November 2007. Mr. Sandfort previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer at Michaels Stores, Inc. from March 2006 to August 2007 and as Vice President – General Merchandise Manager at Michaels Stores, Inc. from January 2004 to February 2006. Mr. Sandfort served as Vice Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Kleinert’s Inc. (d/b/a Buster Brown) from 2002 to 2003 and as a Vice President, General Merchandise Manager for Sears, Roebuck and Co. from 1998 to 2002.
Stanley L. Ruta has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since February 2009, and prior to that time served as Executive Vice President-Store Operations since January 2007, after having served as Senior Vice President-Store Operations since June 2000 and as Vice President-Store Operations of the Company since 1994.
Anthony F. Crudele has served as Executive Vice President-Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since January 2007, after having served as Senior Vice President-Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company since November 2005. Mr. Crudele previously served as Chief Financial Officer at Gibson Guitar from August 2003 to September 2005, as Chief Financial Officer of Xcelerate Corp. from 2000 to January 2003, and at The Sports Authority from 1989 through 1999 (serving as Chief Financial Officer from 1996 through 1999).
Kimberly D. Vella has served as Senior Vice President-Human Resources of the Company since January 2007, after having served as Vice President-Human Resources of the Company since October 2001.

11


PART II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Tractor Supply Company’s common stock trades on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “TSCO”.

The table below sets forth the high and low sales prices of our common stock as reported by The Nasdaq Global Select market for each fiscal quarter of the periods indicated:
                
 Price Range  Price Range (split adjusted) 
 2009 2008  2010  2009 
 High Low High Low  High  Low  High  Low 
First Quarter $37.97 $28.67 $43.25 $28.01  $30.29  $24.56  $18.99  $14.34 
Second Quarter $43.72 $34.17 $42.07 $28.38  $35.93  $28.91  $21.86  $17.09 
Third Quarter $48.99 $39.68 $47.50 $26.70  $39.14  $29.55  $24.50  $19.84 
Fourth Quarter $54.50 $44.33 $45.40 $31.69  $48.79  $38.35  $27.25  $22.17 

As of January 31, 2010,2011, the approximate number of record holders of our common stock was 130120 (excluding individual participants in nominee security position listings), and the estimated number of beneficial holders of our common stock was 30,000.37,000.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

We have a Board-approved share repurchase program which provides for the repurchase of up to $400 million of our outstanding common stock, exclusive of any fees, commissions, or other expenses related to such repurchases, through December 2011.  Stock repurchase activity during fiscal 20092010 is set forth in the table below:
                 
              Maximum Dollar 
          Total Number of  Value of Shares 
  Total      Shares Purchased  That May Yet Be 
  Number of  Average  as Part of Publicly  Purchased Under 
  Shares  Price Paid  Announced Plans  the Plans or 
Period Purchased  Per Share  or Programs  Programs 
First Quarter  280,984  $32.45   280,984  $187,120,351 
Second Quarter  20,639   35.97   20,639   186,378,522 
Third Quarter  19,407   47.13   19,407   185,464,444 
                 
Fourth Quarter:                
9/27/09 – 10/24/09  5,804   47.38   5,804   185,189,616 
10/25/09 – 11/21/09  87,700   45.91   87,700   181,166,127 
11/22/09 – 12/26/09  4,500   47.43   4,500   180,952,848 
               
   98,004   46.06   98,004   180,952,848 
               
                 
As of December 26, 2009  419,034  $36.49   419,034  $180,952,848 
              

Period 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased(a)
  
Average
Price Paid
Per Share(a)
  
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
  
Maximum Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be
Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 
First Quarter (b)
  172,182  $25.90   146,200  $177,152,538 
Second Quarter  298,622   33.13   298,622   167,264,053 
Third Quarter  273,400   33.64   273,400   158,071,329 
                 
Fourth Quarter:                
9/26/10 – 10/23/10
  --   --   --   158,071,329 
10/24/10 – 11/20/10 (b)
  292,999   40.52   290,000   146,324,048 
11/21/10 – 12/25/10
  83,800   42.04   83,800   142,800,349 
   376,799   40.89   373,800   142,800,349 
                 
As of December 25, 2010  1,121,003  $34.75   1,092,022  $142,800,349 

(a)            The number of shares purchased and the average price paid per share shown in the table above have been adjusted to reflect the effect of a two-for-one stock split for all shares purchased prior to the stock split record date.  Actual shares of 73,100, 149,311, and 230,100 were added to treasury in the first, second and third quarters of fiscal 2010, respectively, as the number of shares held in treasury was not adjusted for the two-for-one stock split as stated in Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies in Part II Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
(b)            We withheld 25,982 (split adjusted) shares during the first quarter and 2,999 shares during the fourth quarter to satisfy employee tax obligations on the vesting of restricted stock units in the amounts of $0.7 million in the first quarter and $0.1 million in the fourth quarter at an average price of $25.30 and $42.00, respectively.  For further discussion, see Note 2 – Share-Based Compensation in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
We expect to implement the balance of the repurchase program through purchases made from time to time either in the open market or through private transactions, in accordance with regulations of the SEC.
We have not declared  The timing and amount of any cash dividends duringshares repurchased under the two most recent fiscal years. Our Board of Directors authorizedprogram will depend on a share repurchase strategy, subject to a numbervariety of factors, including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, capital availability, and other market conditions.
Any future declaration of dividends or additional share repurchase programs will be subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and subject to our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.  The program may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice.

12



Common Stock Dividends

During 2010, the Board of Directors declared the following dividends:

Date Declared 
Dividend Amount Per Share
(split adjusted)
 
Stockholders of Record Date
Date Paid
March 1, 2010 $0.07 March 15, 2010March 29, 2010
May 3, 2010  0.07 May 17, 2010June 2, 2010
July 29, 2010  0.07 August 16, 2010August 31, 2010
October 28, 2010  0.07 November 15, 2010November 30, 2010
It is the present intention of the Board of Directors to continue to pay this quarterly cash dividend; however, the declaration and payment of future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion and will depend upon the earnings, financial condition, and capital needs of the Company and other factors which the Board of Directors deems relevant.  There were no dividends declared during fiscal 2009.

On February 4, 2011, we announced that our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share of the Company’s common stock.  The dividend will be paid on March 8, 2011 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 22, 2011.

STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

This performance graph shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Tractor Supply Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on our Common Stock from December 25, 200431, 2005 to December 26, 200925, 2010 (the Company’sCompany's fiscal year-end) with the cumulative total returns of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Retail Index over the same period.  The comparison assumes that $100 was invested on December 25, 200431, 2005 in our Common Stock and in each of the foregoing indices.  The historical stock price performance shown on this graph is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
                         
  12/25/04  12/31/05  12/30/06  12/29/07  12/27/08  12/26/09 
Tractor Supply Company $100.00  $147.34  $124.44  $98.41  $96.08  $150.38 
S&P 500 $100.00  $103.15  $117.20  $122.18  $72.12  $93.09 
S&P Retail Index $100.00  $100.44  $109.84  $90.24  $59.71  $91.88 

13


  12/31/05  12/30/06  12/29/07  12/27/08  12/26/09  12/25/10 
Tractor Supply Company $100.00  $84.45  $66.79  $65.21  $102.06  $182.85 
S&P 500 $100.00  $113.62  $118.44  $69.92  $90.24  $100.68 
S&P Retail Index $100.00  $109.36  $89.85  $59.45  $91.47  $112.13 


Item 6.Selected Financial Data

FIVE YEAR SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

The following selected financial data are derived from the consolidated financial statements of Tractor Supply Company.  Our fiscal year includes 52 or 53 weeks and ends on the last Saturday of the calendar year.  References to fiscal year mean the year in which that fiscal year ended.  Fiscal year 2005 consists of 53 weeks while all otherAll fiscal years presented below consist of 52 weeks.

Effective December 25, 2010, the Company elected to change its method of accounting for inventories from the lower of cost, as determined by the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method, or market to the lower of cost, as determined by average cost method, or market. The following table provides summary historical financial information adjusted for the change in accounting for inventory for the periods ended and as of the dates indicated (in thousands, except per share amounts and selected operating data):
                     
  2009  2008  2007  2006  2005 
Operating Results:
                    
Net sales $3,206,937  $3,007,949  $2,703,212  $2,369,612  $2,067,979 
Gross margin  1,034,957   912,261   852,708   746,146   636,631 
Selling, general and administrative expenses  784,066   715,961   641,603   555,834   466,167 
Depreciation and amortization  66,258   60,731   51,064   42,292   34,020 
                
                     
Operating income  184,633   135,569   160,041   148,020   136,444 
Interest expense, net  1,644   2,133   5,037   2,688   1,632 
                
                     
Income before income taxes(a)
  182,989   133,436   155,004   145,332   134,812 
Income tax provision  67,523   51,506   58,763   54,324   49,143 
                
                     
Net income(a)
 $115,466  $81,930  $96,241  $91,008  $85,669 
                
                     
Net income per share – basic(b)
 $3.21  $2.22  $2.45  $2.27  $2.19 
                
                     
Net income per share – assuming dilution(b)
 $3.15  $2.19  $2.40  $2.22  $2.09 
                
                     
Adjusted weighted average shares for dilutive earnings per share  36,649   37,464   40,100   41,060   40,980 
                
                     
Operating Data (percent of net sales):
                    
Gross margin  32.3%  30.3%  31.5%  31.5%  30.8%
Selling, general and administrative expenses  24.4%  23.8%  23.7%  23.5%  22.6%
Operating income  5.8%  4.5%  5.9%  6.2%  6.6%
Net income  3.6%  2.7%  3.6%  3.8%  4.1%
                     
Number of Stores:
                    
Beginning of year  855   764   676   595   515 
New stores opened  76   91   89   82   65 
New stores acquired              16 
Closed/sold stores  (1)     (1)  (1)  (1)
                
End of year  930   855   764   676   595 
                
                     
Number of stores relocated during year  2   1   12   15   18 
Number of stores remodeled(c)
  6   3   1   3    
Capital expenditures(d)
 $73,974  $91,759  $83,986  $90,565  $78,835 
Same-store sales increase (decrease)(e)
  (1.1%)  1.4%  3.4%  1.6%  5.7%
Average sales per store (000’s)(f)
 $3,586  $3,703  $3,762  $3,699  $3,772 
Average transaction value $42.06  $44.55  $43.60  $43.12  $42.03 
Average number of daily transactions per store  236   230   239   238   245 
Total team members  13,300   12,800   11,600   9,800   8,700 
                     
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
                    
Working capital $415,749  $283,159  $312,068  $316,104  $240,732 
Total assets  1,230,845   1,075,997   1,057,971   998,258   803,176 
Long-term debt, less current portion(g)
  1,407   1,797   57,351   2,808   10,739 
Stockholders’ equity  733,203   610,130   565,337   598,904   477,698 

14

  2010  
2009 (a)
  
2008 (a)
  
2007 (a)
  
2006 (a)
 
Operating Results:               
Net sales $3,638,336  $3,206,937  $3,007,949  $2,703,212  $2,369,612 
Gross margin  1,203,665   1,041,889   955,055   857,940   752,237 
Selling, general and administrative expenses  867,644   784,066   715,961   641,603   555,834 
Depreciation and amortization  69,797   66,258   60,731   51,064   42,292 
                     
Operating income  266,224   191,565   178,363   165,273   154,111 
Interest expense, net  1,284   1,644   2,133   5,037   2,688 
                     
Income before income taxes  264,940   189,921   176,230   160,236   151,423 
Income tax provision  96,968   70,176   68,237   60,777   56,677 
                     
Net income $167,972  $119,745  $107,993  $99,459  $94,746 
                     
Net income per share – basic (b) (c)
 $2.31  $1.66  $1.47  $1.27  $1.18 
                     
Net income per share – assuming dilution (b) (c)
 $2.25  $1.63  $1.44  $1.24  $1.15 
                     
Adjusted weighted average shares for dilutive earnings per share (c)
  74,686   73,297   74,927   80,200   82,119 
                     
Operating Data (percent of net sales):                    
Gross margin  33.1%  32.5%  31.8%  31.7%  31.7%
Selling, general and administrative expenses  23.9%  24.4%  23.8%  23.7%  23.5%
Operating income  7.3%  6.0%  5.9%  6.1%  6.5%
Net income  4.6%  3.7%  3.6%  3.7%  4.0%
                     
Number of Stores:                    
Beginning of year  930   855   764   676   595 
New stores opened  74   76   91   89   82 
Closed/sold stores  (3)  (1)  --   (1)  (1)
End of year  1,001   930   855   764   676 
                     
Number of stores relocated during year  --   2   1   12   15 
Number of stores remodeled (d)
  1   6   3   1   3 
Capital expenditures (e)
 $96,511  $73,974  $91,759  $83,986  $90,565 
Same-store sales increase (decrease) (f)
  7.0%  (1.1%)  1.4%  3.4%  1.6%
Average sales per store (000’s) (g)
 $3,781  $3,586  $3,703  $3,762  $3,699 
Average transaction value $42.07  $42.06  $44.55  $43.60  $43.12 
Average number of daily transactions per store  249   236   230   239   238 
Total team members  14,700   13,300   12,800   11,600   9,800 
                     
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):                    
Working capital $617,153  $475,847  $337,225  $340,405  $340,522 
Total assets  1,463,474   1,276,580   1,143,301   1,083,185   1,010,639 
Long-term debt, less current portion (h)
  1,316   1,407   1,797   2,351   2,808 
Stockholders’ equity  933,242   779,151   651,799   580,943   611,292 


_______________________


(a)In
As discussed in Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies in Part II Item 8 of this Form 10-K regarding our change in accounting for inventories from last-in, first-out (LIFO) method to the average cost method, selected financial data has been retrospectively adjusted.  Retrospective adjustments relating to fiscal 2006, we adopted new accounting guidance for share-based compensation which lowered income before income taxes by $12.1 million, $12.3 million, $10.6 million2009 and $9.7 million for 2009, 2008 2007 and 2006, respectively. Net income was lowered by $7.7 million, $7.5 million, $6.6 million and $6.1 million for 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.have been provided in Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies in Part II Item 8 of this Form 10-K:
    2007  2006 
      
As Previously Reported
  As Adjusted  
As Previously Reported
  As Adjusted 
Operating Results:
                
Net sales
       $2,703,212  $2,703,212  $2,369,612  $2,369,612 
Gross margin
        852,708   857,940   746,146   752,237 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
        641,603   641,603   555,834   555,834 
Depreciation and amortization
        51,064   51,064   42,292   42,292 
                       
Operating income
        160,041   165,273   148,020   154,111 
Interest expense, net
        5,037   5,037   2,688   2,688 
                       
Income before income taxes
        155,004   160,236   145,332   151,423 
Income tax provision
        58,763   60,777   54,324   56,677 
                       
Net income
       $96,241  $99,459  $91,008  $94,746 
                       
Net income per share – basic (b) (c)
       $1.23  $1.27  $1.14  $1.18 
                       
Net income per share – assuming dilution (b) (c)
       $1.20  $1.24  $1.11  $1.15 
                       
Adjusted weighted average shares for dilutive earnings per share (c)
        80,200   80,200   82,119   82,119 
                       
Operating Data (percent of net sales):
                      
Gross margin
        31.5%  31.7%  31.5%  31.7%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
        23.7%  23.7%  23.5%  23.5%
Operating income
        5.9%  6.1%  6.2%  6.5%
Net income
        3.6%  3.7%  3.8%  4.0%
                       
 2008  
2007
  
2006
 
  As Previously Reported  
As Adjusted
   As Previously Reported   
As Adjusted
   As Previously Reported   
As Adjusted
 
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
                      
Working capital
$295,518 $337,225  $324,799  $340,405  $328,134  $340,522 
Total assets
 1,075,997  1,143,301   1,057,971   1,083,185   998,258   1,010,639 
Long-term debt, less current portion (h)
 1,797  1,797   57,351   57,351   2,808   2,808 
Stockholders’ equity
 610,130  651,799   565,337   580,943   598,904   611,292 
(b)Basic net income per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding applied to net income.  Diluted net income per share is calculated using the treasury stock method for stock options and warrants.restricted stock units.
(c)Adjusted to reflect two-for-one stock split that was effective September 2, 2010.
(c)(d)Reflects remodelings costing more than $150,000.
(d)(e)Includes assets acquired through capital leases.
(e)(f)Same-store sales increases (decreases) are calculated on an annual basis, including relocations in 2010, 2009 and 2008 and excluding relocations in 2007 2006 and 2005,2006, using all stores open at least one year.
(f)(g)Average sales per store is calculated based on total sales divided by the weighted average number of daysstores open in the applicable period.year.
(g)(h)Long-term debt includes borrowings under the Company’sCompany's revolving credit agreement and amounts outstanding under its capital lease obligations, excluding the current portion.

15


13
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Item 7.                      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview
Tractor Supply Company is the largest operator of retail farm and ranch stores in the United States and is focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers and of those who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses. We operate retail stores under the namesTractor Supply CompanyandDel’s Farm Supplyand operate a website under the nameTractorSupply.com. Our stores are located in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural communities, and they offer the following comprehensive selection of merchandise:
Equine, pet and small animal products, including items necessary for their health, care, growth and containment;

Hardware and seasonal products, including lawn and garden power equipment;
·  Equine, pet and small animal products, including items necessary for their health, care, growth and containment;
Truck, towing and tool products;
·  Hardware, truck, towing and tool products;
Work/recreational clothing and footwear for the entire family;
·  Seasonal products, including lawn and garden items, power equipment, gifts and toys;
Maintenance products for agricultural and rural use; and
·  Maintenance products for agricultural and rural use; and
·  Work/recreational clothing and footwear.
Home décor, candy, snack food and toys.

Our Tractor Supply stores typically range in size from 15,500 square feet to 18,500 square feet of inside selling space and additional outside selling space. We use a standard 15,500 square foot prototype for new purpose-built locations.  For new stores located in existing buildings, one of several layout formats is utilized.

Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Del’s, which operated 2726 stores as of December 26, 200925, 2010 in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Hawaii, offers a wide selection of products (primarily in the equine, pet and animal category) tailored to those who enjoy the rural lifestyle.Hawaii. Del’s stores currently range in size from approximately 2,000 to 6,000 square feet of inside selling space plus additional outside and covered/sheltered selling space.

Our current and long-term growth strategy is toto:  (1) expand geographic market presence through opening new retail stores, (2) enhance financial performance through same-store sales increases, achieved through targeted merchandising programs with an “everyday value prices” philosophy and supported by strong customer service, (3) enhance product margin through assortment management, vendor management, sourcing and optimization of transportation  and distribution costs, (4) leverage operating costs, especially advertising, distribution and corporate overhead, (5) expand market opportunities via internet sales, and (6) expand through selective acquisition, as such opportunities arise, to enhance penetration into new and existing markets as a complimentary strategy to organic growth.

We have experienced considerable sales growth over the lastpast five years, with a compounded annual growth rate of approximately 13.0%12.0%.  We project an increase of 7080 to 8085 new stores in 2010,2011, an increase of approximately 8%.  We opened 74 new stores in 2010 and 76 new stores in 2009, and 91 new stores in 2008, an increase of approximately 9%8% and 12%9%, respectively.

We operated 9301,001 retail farm and ranch stores in 44 states as of December 26, 2009 and have plans to open 70 to 80 stores in fiscal25, 2010.  We have developed a proven method for selecting store sites and have identified over 850800 potential additional markets for new Tractor Supply stores (excluding Del’s) in the United States. The acquisition of Del’s enabled us to establish an initial presence in the Pacific Northwest, primarily in Washington, along with three stores in Hawaii. We have slowed the growth of Del’s as we refine the concept, and we do not plan to open any additional Del’s stores in fiscal 2010.

The average cash investment for new leased stores opened in 20092010 was $1.3$1.2 million for retrofit stores and $1.0$0.9 million for prototype stores. A majority of the cash outlay was for initial acquisition of inventory and capital expenditures (principally leasehold improvements, fixtures and equipment), and approximately $102,000$92,000 for pre-opening costs.

We have placed significant emphasis on our merchandising programs, evaluating the sales and profitability of our products through detailed line reviews, review of vendor performance measures and modification of the overall product offerings. We believe these efforts, coupled with a strong marketing program and in-depth product knowledge training of our store team members, have enhanced our sales and financial performance.

16



Change in Accounting Method
Effective December 25, 2010, the Company elected to change its method of accounting for inventories from the lower of cost, as determined by the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method, or market to the lower of cost, as determined by the average cost method, or market.  The Company believes the change is preferable as the average cost method better reflects the current value of inventory on the consolidated balance sheets, provides a better reflection of periodic income and improves comparability with our peers.

The Company has applied this change in method of inventory costing retrospectively to all prior periods presented herein in accordance with accounting principles relating to accounting changes.  All financial information in Item 8 of this 10-K has been retrospectively adjusted.  See Note 1,  Significant Accounting Policies, to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8,  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for a complete discussion of our change in accounting method.

Stock Split
On July 29, 2010, our Board of Directors announced a two-for-one split of our outstanding shares of common stock to be effected in the form of a stock dividend. On September 2, 2010, stockholders of record at the close of business on August 19, 2010, were issued one additional share of common stock for each share owned by such stockholder.  The stock split increased the number of shares of common stock outstanding from approximately 36.3 million to approximately 72.7 million.  Share and per-share amounts (including stock options and restricted stock units) shown in this Form 10-K reflect the split. The total number of authorized common shares and the par value thereof was not changed by the split.  The number of shares held in treasury was not adjusted for the split.

Seasonality and Weather
Our business is highly seasonal.  Historically, our sales and profits have been the highest in the second and fourth fiscal quarters of each year due to the sale of seasonal products. Unseasonable weather, excessive precipitation, drought, and early or late frosts may also affect our sales.  We believe, however, that the impact of extreme weather conditions is somewhat mitigated by the geographic dispersion of our stores.

We experience our highest inventory and accounts payable levels during our first fiscal quarter each year for purchases of seasonal product in anticipation of the spring selling season and again during our third fiscal quarter in anticipation of the winter selling season.

Purchase Price Volatility
Although we cannot determine the full effect of inflation and deflation on our operations, we believe our sales and results of operations are affected by both.  We are subject to market risk with respect to the pricing of certain products and services, which include, among other items, steel, grain, petroleum, corn, soybean and other commodities as well as transportation services.  Therefore, we may experience both inflationary and deflationary pressure on product cost, which may impact consumer demand and, as a result, sales and gross margin.  Additionally, significant inflationary pressures could have an adverse affect on our last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory provision, which would negatively impact gross margin. Our strategy is to reduce or mitigate the effects of purchase price volatility principally by taking advantage of vendor incentive programs, economies of scale from increased volume of purchases, adjusting retail prices and selectively buying from the most competitivecompetiti ve vendors without sacrificing quality.  Due to the competitive environment, such conditions have and may continue to adversely impact our financial performance.

Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial position and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.  The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make informed estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  Our financial position and/or results of operations may be materially different when reported under different conditions or when using different assumptions in the application of such policies.  In the event estimates or assumptions prove to be different from actual amounts, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information.  Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  The following discussion addresses our most critical accounting policies, which are those that are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and that require significant judgment or use of complex estimates.

17




DescriptionJudgments and Uncertainties
Effect if Actual Results Differ From Assumptions
   
Effect if Actual Results Differ From
DescriptionJudgmentsRevenue Recognition and UncertaintiesAssumptions
Sales Returns:  
Revenue Recognition and Sales Returns:
We recognize revenue at the time the customer takes possession of merchandise or receives services.  If we receive payment before the customer has taken possession of the merchandise (as per our special order and layaway programs), the revenue is deferred until the sale is complete.  Revenues from the sale of gift cards are deferred and recognized when: (i)when the gift card or merchandise return card is redeemed by the customer; (ii)customer. Income is recognized when the likelihood of the gift card or merchandise return card being redeemed by the customer is remote (referred to as “breakage”); or (iii) the unredeemed merchandise returns cards expire (one year from issuance).
We estimate a liability for sales returns based on a one-year rolling average of historical return trends, and we believe that our estimate for sales returns is an accurate reflection of future returns associated with past sales.  Our estimation methodologies have been consistently applied from year to year; however, as with any estimate, refund activity may vary from estimated amounts.

The gift card and merchandise return card breakage rate is based upon historical redemption patterns and a benefit is recognized for estimated unredeemed gift cards and merchandise return cards in proportion to those historical redemption patterns.
We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to recognize sales returns or breakage in the financial periods presented.

We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to calculate sales returns or gift card and merchandise return card breakage.  However, if actual consumer return or gift card and merchandise return card redemption patterns are not consistent with our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.

A 50 basis point change in our sales return rate at December 26, 2009,25, 2010, would have affected net earningsincome by approximately $170,000 in fiscal 2009.2010.

A 50 basis point change in our gift card and merchandise return card breakage rate would have affected net earningsincome by approximately $250,000$340,000 in fiscal 2009.
2010.
   
Inventory Valuation:  
Inventory Valuation:Impairment Risk
  
Impairment Risk
We identify potentially excess and slow-moving inventory by evaluating turn rates, historical and expected future sales trends, age of merchandise, overall inventory levels, current cost of inventory and other benchmarks.  The estimated inventory valuation reserve to recognize any impairment in value (i.e., an inability to realize the full carrying value) is based on our aggregate assessment of these valuation indicators under prevailing market conditions and current merchandising strategies.
We do not believe our merchandise inventories are subject to significant risk of obsolescence in the near term.  However, changes in market conditions or consumer purchasing patterns could result in the need for additional reserves.

Our impairment reserve contains uncertainties because the calculation requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment regarding forecasted customer demand, and the promotional environment.
We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to recognize inventory impairment reserves in the financial periods presented.

We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to calculate impairment.  However, if assumptions regarding consumer demand or clearance potential for certain products are inaccurate, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.

A 10% change in our impairment reserve at December 26, 2009,25, 2010, would have affected net earningsincome by approximately $545,000$490,000 in fiscal 2009.2010.
Description  Judgments and UncertaintiesEffect if Actual Results Differ From Assumptions
   

18


Shrinkage
  
Effect if ActualResults Differ From
DescriptionJudgments and UncertaintiesAssumptions
Shrinkage
We perform physical inventories at each store at least once a year, and we have established reserves for estimating inventory shrinkage between physical inventory counts.  The reserve is established by assessing the chain-wide average shrinkage experience rate, applied to the related periods’periods' sales volumes.  Such assessments are updated on a regular basis for the most recent individual store experiences.
The estimated store inventory shrink rate is based on historical experience.  We believe historical rates are a reasonably accurate reflection of future trends.

Our shrinkage reserve contains uncertainties because the calculation requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment regarding future shrinkage trends and the effect of loss prevention measures and new merchandising strategies.
We have not made any material changes in the methodology used to recognize shrinkage in the financial periods presented.

We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to calculate our shrinkage reserve.  However, if our estimates regarding inventory losses are inaccurate, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.

A 10% change in our shrinkage reserve at December 26, 2009,25, 2010, would have affected net earningsincome by approximately $835,000$815,000 in fiscal 2009.2010.
   
Vendor Support
  
We receive funding from substantially all of our significant merchandise vendors for the promotion of our brand as well as the sale of their products through a variety of programs and arrangements, including guaranteed funding and volume rebate programs.  The amounts received are subject to terms of vendor agreements, which have varying expiration dates ranging in duration from several months to a few  years.  Many agreements are negotiated annually and are based on expected annual purchases of the vendor’s product.  Vendor funding is initially deferred as a reduction of the purchase price of inventory and then recognized as a reduction of cost of merchandise as the related inventory is sold.  During the interim periods, the amount of expectede xpected funding is estimated based upon initial guaranteed commitments, as well as anticipated purchase levels with applicable vendors.
The estimated purchase volume and related vendor funding is based on our current knowledge of inventory levels, sales trends and expected customer demand, as well as planned new store openings and relocations.  Although we believe we can reasonably estimate purchase volume and related vendor funding at interim periods, it is possible that actual year-end results could significantly differ from previously estimated amounts.

Our allocation methodology contains uncertainties because the calculation requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment regarding customer demand, purchasing activity, target thresholds, vendor attrition and collectibility.
At the end of each fiscal year, a significant portion of the actual purchase activity is known.  Thus, we do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the amounts recorded as vendor support.

We do not believe there is a significant collectibility risk related to vendor support amounts due us at the end of fiscal 2009.

2010.
If a 10% reserve had been applied against our outstanding vendor support due as of December 26, 2009,25, 2010, net earningsincome would have been affected by approximately $1.1$1.6 million.

Although it is unlikely that there will be any significant reduction in historical levels of vendor support, if such a reduction were to occur in future periods, the Company could experience a higher inventory balance and higher cost of sales.
   
Freight
  
We incur various types of transportation and delivery costs in connection with inventory purchases and distribution.  Such costs are included as a component of the overall cost of inventories (on an aggregate basis) and recognized as a component of cost of merchandise sold as the related inventory is sold.
We allocate freight as a component of total cost of sales without regard to inventory mix or unique freight burden of certain categories.  This assumption has been consistently applied for all years presented.
If a 10% increase or decrease had been applied against our current inventory capitalized freight balance, net earningsincome would have been affected by approximately $2.9$3.4 million.

19


   
Effect if ActualResults Differ From
DescriptionJudgments and UncertaintiesAssumptions
Share-Based Compensation:  
Share-Based Compensation:
We have share-based compensation plans, which includesinclude incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock units, and an employee stock purchase plan. See Note 1,  Significant Accounting Policies, and Note 2, Share-Based Compensation, to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8,  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for a complete discussion of our share-based compensation programs.

We estimate the fair value of our stock option awards at the date of grant utilizing a Black-Scholes option pricing model.   We estimate the fair value of our market-based restricted stock units at the date of grant utilizing average market price of our stock on the date of the related award.
Option-pricing models and generally accepted valuation techniques require management to make subjective assumptions and to apply judgment to determine the fair value of our awards. These assumptions and judgments include estimating the future volatility of our stock price, expected dividend yield, future employee turnover rates and future employee stock option exercise behaviors. In addition to the key assumptions used to estimate the fair value, the estimated forfeiture rate of the awarded options is a critical assumption, as it reduces expense ratably over the vesting period.  Changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.estimate and the amount of share-based compensation recognized.
While we update our assumptions annually, we do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to determine share-based compensation expense. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to changes in share-based compensation expense that could be material.  The reported share-based compensation expense may not be representative of the actual economic cost of the share-based compensation.

A 10% change in our stock-basedshare-based compensation expense for the year ended December 26, 2009,25, 2010, would have affected net earningsincome by approximately $765,000.$750,000.
   
Self-Insurance Reserves:
   
Description Judgments and UncertaintiesEffect if Actual Results Differ From Assumptions
Self-Insurance Reserves:
We self-insure a significant portion of our employee medical insurance, workers’workers' compensation and general liability insurance plans.  We have stop-loss insurance policies to protect from individual losses over specified dollar values.

When estimating our self-insured liabilities, we consider a number of factors, including historical claims experience, demographic factors and severity factors.
The full extent of certain claims, especially workers’workers' compensation and general liability claims, may not become fully determined for several years.

Our self-insured liabilities contain uncertainties because management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate the ultimate cost to settle reported claims and claims incurred but not reported as of the balance sheet date.
We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to establish our self-insurance reserves in the financial periods presented.

We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the assumptions we use to calculate insurance reserves.  However, if we experience a significant increase in the number of claims or the cost associated with these claims, we may be exposed to losses that could be material.

A 10% change in our self-insurance reserves at December 26, 2009,25, 2010, would have affected net earningsincome by approximately $1.5$1.8 million in fiscal 2009.2010.

20


   
Effect if ActualResults Differ From
DescriptionJudgments and UncertaintiesAssumptions
Sales Tax Audit Reserve:  
Sales Tax Audit Reserve:
A portion of our sales are to tax-exempt customers.  We obtain exemption information as a necessary part of each tax-exempt transaction.  Many of the states in which we conduct business will perform audits to verify our compliance with applicable sales tax laws.  The business activities of our customers and the intended use of the unique products sold by us create a challenging and complex compliance environment.  These circumstances also create some risk that we could be challenged as to the propriety of our sales tax compliance.

While we believe we reasonably enforce sales tax compliance with our customers and endeavor to fully comply with all applicable sales tax regulations, there can be no assurance that we, upon final completion of such audits, would not have a significant liability for disallowed exemptions.
We review our past audit experience and assessments with applicable states to determine if we have potential exposure for non-compliance.  Any estimated liability is based on an initial assessment of compliance risk and our to-date experience with each audit. As each audit progresses, we quantify the exposure based on preliminary assessments made by the state auditors, adjusted for additional documentation that may be provided to reduce the assessment.

Our sales tax audit reserve contains uncertainties because management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment regarding the regulatory support for the complexity of agricultural-based exemptions, the ambiguity in state tax regulations, the number of ongoing audits, and the length of time required to settle with the state taxing authorities.
We have not made any material changes in the methodology used to establish the sales tax audit reserve in the financial periods presented.

We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to calculate the sales tax liability reserve for current audits.  However, if our estimates regarding the ultimate sales tax liability are inaccurate, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.

A 10% change in our sales tax liability reserve at December 26, 2009,25, 2010, would have affected net earningsincome by approximately $330,000$470,000 in fiscal 2009.2010.
   
Tax Contingencies:  
Tax Contingencies:
Our income tax returns are periodically audited by U.S. federal and state tax authorities. These audits include questions regarding our tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. At any time, multiple tax years are subject to audit by the various tax authorities. In evaluating the exposures associated with our various tax filing positions, we record reserves for probable exposures. A number of years may elapse before a particular matter, for which we have established a reserve, is audited and fully resolved or clarified. We adjust our tax contingencies reserve and income tax provision in the period in which actual results of a settlement with tax authorities differs from our established reserve, the statutest atute of limitations expires for the relevant tax authority to examine the tax position or when more information becomes available.

We recognize a liability for certain tax benefits that do not meet the minimum requirements for recognition in the financial statements.
Our tax contingencies reserve contains uncertainties because management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate the exposures associated with our various filing positions and whether or not the minimum requirements for recognition of tax benefits have been met.

Our effective income tax rate is also affected by changes in tax law, the tax jurisdiction of new stores or business ventures, the level of earnings and the results of tax audits.
We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the reserves established for tax benefits not recognized.

Although management believes that the judgments and estimates discussed herein are reasonable, actual results could differ, and we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.

To the extent we prevail in matters for which reserves have been established, or are required to pay amounts in excess of our reserves, our effective income tax rate in a given financial statement period could be materially affected. An unfavorable tax settlement would require use of our cash and would result in an increase in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution. A favorable tax settlement would be recognized as a reduction in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution.

A 10% change in our unrecognized tax benefit reserve at December 26, 200925, 2010 would have affected net earningsincome by approximately $290,000$370,000 in fiscal 2009.2010.

21


  
   
 Description Judgments and UncertaintiesEffect if ActualResults Differ From Assumptions
DescriptionJudgments and UncertaintiesAssumptions
   
Goodwill:
  
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized.  We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the goodwill may not be recoverable. We complete our impairment evaluation by performing internal valuation analyses, considering other publicly available market information and using an independent valuation firm, as appropriate. All goodwill at
At December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008 isall goodwill was associated with the Del’s business and, for purposes of the fiscal 2009 impairment testing, Del’s iswas considered the reporting unit.

The test  In October 2010, we reevaluated the Del’s reporting unit and concluded that since Del’s has become closely aligned in terms of management, infrastructure, philosophy and performance, we now have only one reporting unit for goodwill impairment evaluation.  All goodwill at December 25, 2010 is a two step process. The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify the potential for impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unitassociated with the carrying value of its net assets, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss to be recorded, if any. The second step, if required, would compare the implied fair value of goodwill with the current carrying amount of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value, an impairment charge would be recordedCompany as a charge to our operations.

whole.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009,2010, we completed our annual impairment testing of goodwill, using the methodology described herein, and determined there was no impairment. We determined that the fair value of the Del’s reporting unit (including goodwill) was in excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit and as such, the second step was not necessary.unit.  In reaching this conclusion, the fair value of the Del’s reporting unit was determined based on a weighting of income and market approaches. Under the income approach, the fair value of the Del’s reporting unit is calculated as the present value of estimated future cash flows.approach. Under the market approach, the fair value is based on observed market multiples for comparable businesses and guideline transactions.prices.
We determine fair value using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow and market multiple analyses. These types of analyses contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies.  Estimates include revenues, gross margins, operating costs and cash flows. We considered historical and estimated future results, economic and market conditions and the impact of planned business and operational strategies in deriving these estimates.
We have not made any material changes in our impairment loss assessment methodology in the financial periods presented.

In developing the key judgments and assumptions used to assess impairment, we consider economic, operational and market conditions that could impact the fair value of the Del’s reporting unit.  These estimates and the judgments and assumptions upon which the estimates are based may differ in some respects from actual results.  Should a significant or prolonged deterioration in economic conditions persist, then key judgments and assumptions may be impacted. At December 26, 2009,25, 2010, the fair value of the Del’s reporting unit exceeded the carrying value of its net assets by approximately $100,000. Thus,a significant amount. However, if actual results are not consistent with our current estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to an impairment charge that could be material.

22


   
Effect if ActualResults Differ From
DescriptionJudgments and UncertaintiesAssumptions
Long-Lived Assets:  
Long-Lived Assets:
Long-lived assets other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, which are separately tested for impairment, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

When evaluating long-lived assets for potential impairment, we first compare the carrying value of the asset to the asset’s estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges). The evaluation for long-lived assets is performed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, which is generally the individual store level.  The significant assumptions used to determine estimated undiscounted cash flows include cash inflows and outflows directly resulting from the use of those assets in operations, including margin on net sales, payroll and related items, occupancy costs, insurance allocations and other costs to operate a store.

If the estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, we calculate an impairment loss. The impairment loss calculation compares the carrying value of the asset to the asset’s estimated fair value, which may be based on an estimated future cash flow model. We recognize an impairment loss if the amount of the asset’s carrying value exceeds the asset’s estimated fair value. If we recognize an impairment loss, the adjusted carrying amount of the asset becomes its new cost basis. For a depreciable long-lived asset, the new cost basis will be depreciated (amortized) over the remaining useful life of that asset.
Our impairment loss calculations contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values, including forecasting useful lives of the assets and selecting the discount rate that reflects the risk inherent in future cash flows.
We have not made any material changes in our impairment loss assessment methodology in the financial periods presented.

We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or assumptions we use to calculate long-lived asset impairment losses. None of these estimates and assumptions are significantly sensitive, and a 10% change in any of these estimates would not have a material impact on our analysis.  However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, we may be exposed to losses that could be material.

23



Quarterly Financial Data

Our unaudited quarterly operating results for each fiscal quarter of 20092010 and 20082009 are shown below (dollars in(in thousands, except per share amounts):
                     First Quarter  Second Quarter  Third Quarter  
Fourth Quarter(2)
 
 First Second Third Fourth   
 Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Total 
2009
 
2010 (1)
 
As Previously Reported
  
As
Adjusted
  
As Previously Reported
  
As
Adjusted
  
As Previously Reported
  
As
Adjusted
     
As
Reported
 
Net sales $650,171 $946,504 $747,730 $862,532 $3,206,937  $710,917  $710,917  $1,065,656  $1,065,656  $829,114  $829,114     $1,032,649 
Gross margin 201,036 302,198 246,038 285,685 1,034,957   228,884   230,931   358,803   360,129   279,139   275,688      336,917 
Operating income 1,185 88,294 35,797 59,357 184,633   14,420   16,467   122,322   123,648   50,858   47,407      78,702 
Net income 470 54,764 21,979 38,253 115,466   9,308   10,582   76,487   77,318   32,017   29,863      50,209 
                                
Net income per share:(1)
 
Net income per share:(3)
                               
Basic
 $0.13  $0.15  $1.05  $1.06  $0.44  $0.41     $0.69 
Diluted
 $0.13  $0.14  $1.02  $1.04  $0.43  $0.40     $0.67 
                               
Same-store sales increase  2.8%  2.8%  6.1%  6.1%  5.0%  5.0%     13.1%
                               
 First Quarter  Second Quarter  Third Quarter  Fourth Quarter 
2009 (1)
 
As Previously Reported
  
As
Adjusted
  
As Previously Reported
  
As
Adjusted
  
As Previously Reported
  
As
Adjusted
  
As Previously Reported
  
As
Adjusted
 
Net sales $650,171  $650,171  $946,504  $946,504  $747,730  $747,730  $862,532  $862,532 
Gross margin  201,036   203,870   302,198   305,901   246,038   247,934   285,685   284,184 
Operating income  1,185   4,019   88,294   91,997   35,797   37,693   59,357   57,856 
Net income  470   2,199   54,764   57,097   21,979   23,175   38,253   37,274 
                                
Net income per share:(3)
                                
Basic $0.01 $1.53 $0.61 $1.06 $3.21  $0.01  $0.03  $0.76  $0.80  $0.30  $0.32  $0.53  $0.52 
Diluted $0.01 $1.50 $0.60 $1.04 $3.15  $0.01  $0.03  $0.75  $0.78  $0.30  $0.32  $0.52  $0.51 
                                 
Same-store sales increase (decrease)  4.2%  (2.7%)  (5.1%)  0.7%  (1.1%)  4.2%  4.2%  (2.7%)  (2.7%)  (5.1%)  (5.1%)  0.7%  0.7%
                                 
2008
 
Net sales $576,208 $898,327 $733,918 $799,496 $3,007,949 
Gross margin 175,516 273,509 218,196 245,040 912,261 
Operating income (loss)  (2,041) 71,158 26,077 40,375 135,569 
Net income (loss)  (2,004) 43,352 15,870 24,712 81,930 
                                 
Net income (loss) per share:(1)
 
Basic $(0.05) $1.17 $0.44 $0.68 $2.22 
Diluted $(0.05) $1.15 $0.43 $0.67 $2.19 
 
Same-store sales increase (decrease)  (6.5%)  3.4%  6.2%  1.3%  1.4%
 
(1)      Amounts have been adjusted for the change in inventory accounting method from LIFO to average cost.
(1)(2)The fiscal fourth quarter does not require an adjustment for the change in inventory accounting method as this change occurred during this period.
(3)Due to the nature of interim earnings per share calculations, the sum of quarterly earnings per share amounts may not equal the reported earnings per share for the year.

24




Results of Operations

Our fiscal year includes 52 or 53 weeks and ends on the last Saturday of the calendar year.  References to fiscal year mean the year in which that fiscal year ended.  The fiscal years ended December 25, 2010, December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007 contain 52 weeks.  All amounts have been adjusted to reflect the Company’s election to change its method of accounting for inventories from the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method to the average cost method.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain items in our Consolidated Statements of Income expressed as a percentage of net sales.
            
 2009 2008 2007  2010  2009  2008 
Net sales  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%
Cost of merchandise sold(a)
 67.7 69.7 68.5   66.9   67.5   68.2 
       
Gross margin(a)
 32.3 30.3 31.5   33.1   32.5   31.8 
Selling, general and administrative expenses(a)
 24.4 23.8 23.7   23.9   24.4   23.8 
Depreciation and amortization 2.1 2.0 1.9   1.9   2.1   2.0 
       
Operating income 5.8 4.5 5.9   7.3   6.0   6.0 
Interest expense, net 0.1 0.1 0.2   --   0.1   0.1 
       
Income before income taxes 5.7 4.4 5.7   7.3   5.9   5.9 
Income tax provision 2.1 1.7 2.1   2.7   2.2   2.3 
       
Net income  3.6%  2.7%  3.6%  4.6%  3.7%  3.6%
                   
            
(a)Our gross margin amounts may not be comparable to those of other retailers since some retailers include all of the costs related to their distribution network in cost of merchandise sold and others like us exclude a portion of these distribution network costs from gross margin and instead include them in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses; refer to Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(a)Our gross margin amounts may not be comparable to those of other retailers since some retailers include all of the costs related to their distribution network in cost of merchandise sold and others like us exclude a portion of these distribution network costs from gross margin and instead include them in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses; refer to Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 

Fiscal 2010 Compared to Fiscal 2009
(a)Our gross margin amounts may not be comparable to those of other retailers since some retailers include all of the costs related to their distribution network in cost of merchandise sold and others like us exclude a portion of these distribution network costs from gross margin and instead include them in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses; refer to Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Net sales increased 13.5% to $3.64 billion in fiscal 2010 from $3.21 billion in fiscal 2009. This increase resulted from the opening of new stores and a 7.0% increase in same-store sales.  The same-store average daily transaction count increased 7.4%, while same-store transaction value decreased 0.3% for fiscal 2010.

Same-store sales increased 7.0% compared with a same-store sales decrease of 1.1% in the prior year.  This same-store sales increase was broad-based and driven by strong results in core consumable categories, principally animal and pet-related products, as well as seasonal products, including heating, insulated outerwear and outdoor power equipment.

In fiscal 2010, we opened 74 new stores (compared to 76 new stores in fiscal 2009), relocated no stores (compared to two in fiscal 2009) and closed three stores (compared to one store in fiscal 2009).

Gross margin increased 15.5% to $1.20 billion compared to $1.04 billion in 2009.  As a percent of sales, gross margin increased to 33.1% for fiscal 2010 compared to 32.5% for fiscal 2009.  The improvement in gross margin is primarily due to expanded direct product margin and a decrease in shrink, partially offset by increased transportation costs. The direct product margin improvement resulted from continued progress on margin driving initiatives which include strategic sourcing, inventory management, and more effective pricing.

As a percent of sales, SG&A expenses including depreciation and amortization improved 70 basis points to 25.8% in fiscal 2010 from 26.5% in fiscal 2009.  The improvement as a percent to sales was primarily attributable to the leverage of strong same-store sales and expense management, partially offset by an increase in incentive compensation expense.

Net interest expense decreased 21.9% to $1.3 million in fiscal 2010 from $1.6 million in fiscal 2009.  This decrease is directly related to lower average borrowings and a decline in interest charges associated with sales tax audits.

Our effective tax rate decreased to 36.6% for fiscal 2010 compared to 36.9% in fiscal 2009. This reduction in the tax resulted from a greater tax benefit received on the disqualified disposition of incentive stock options during fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009.

As a result of the foregoing factors, net income for fiscal 2010 increased 40.3% to $168.0 million, or $2.25 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $119.7 million, or $1.63 per diluted share, in fiscal 2009.

During 2010, we repurchased approximately 0.8 million shares of stock for $38.2 million as part of our previously announced $400 million share repurchase program.  In 2009, we repurchased approximately 0.4 million shares at a total cost of $15.3 million.  As mentioned in Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies in Part II of this Form 10-K, the shares added to treasury were not adjusted for the stock split.

Fiscal 2009 Compared to Fiscal 2008

Net sales increased 6.6% to $3.21 billion in fiscal 2009 from $3.01 billion in fiscal 2008. This increase resulted from the opening of new stores partially offset by a 1.1% decrease in same-store sales.  The same-store average daily transaction count increased 5.3%, while same-store transaction value decreased 6.0% for fiscal 2009.

Same-store sales decreased 1.1% compared with a same-store sales increase of 1.4% in the prior year.  This same-store sales decline was primarily driven by softness in sales of seasonal big ticket (merchandise priced $350 or greater) and discretionary merchandise, partially offset by continued strong results in core consumable categories, including animal and pet-related products.

In fiscal 2009, we opened 76 new stores (compared to 91 new stores in fiscal 2008), relocated two stores (compared to one in fiscal 2008) and closed one store (compared to no stores in fiscal 2008).

Gross margin increased 13.4%9.1% to $1,035.0$1,041.9 million compared to $912.3$955.1 million in 2008.  As a percent of sales, gross margin increased to 32.3%32.5% for fiscal 2009 compared to 30.3%31.8% for fiscal 2008.  The increase in gross margin resulted primarily from a substantial decrease in the LIFO provision and lower transportation costs.
The LIFO charge decreased by $35.9 million to $6.9 million in fiscal 2009 compared to $42.8 million in fiscal 2008. The decrease is due to an overall decline in the rate of inflation and cost reductions in certain product categories. Even as inflation moderates and inventory per store declines, we continue to generate a LIFO charge as we add merchandise that has higher inflation indices than the existing Company average.
As a percent of sales, SG&A expenses increased 60 basis points to 24.4% in fiscal 2009 from 23.8% in fiscal 2008. This increase as a percent of sales was primarily attributable to the deleveraging related to the same-store sales decrease and higher incentive compensation and occupancy costs, partially offset by reduced marketing costs.  Depreciation and amortization expense increased 10 basis points as a percent of sales in fiscal 2009 over fiscal 2008 due mainly to costs associated with new stores.

25



Net interest expense decreased 22.9% to $1.6 million in fiscal 2009 from $2.1 million in fiscal 2008; however, net interest expense remained consistent as a percent of sales.  This decrease is directly related to lower average borrowings partially offset by higher interest charges associated with sales tax audits.

Our effective tax rate decreased to 36.9% for fiscal 2009 compared to 38.6%38.7% in fiscal 2008. This reduction in the tax resulted from the favorable impact of certain federal tax credits and a lower percentage of unfavorable permanent tax differences relative to income before taxes.

As a result of the foregoing factors, net income for fiscal 2009 increased 40.9%10.9% to $115.5$119.7 million, or $3.15$1.63 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $81.9$108.0 million, or $2.19$1.44 per diluted share, in fiscal 2008.

During 2009, we repurchased approximately 0.4 million shares of stock for $15.3 million as part of our previously announced $400 million share repurchase program.  In 2008, we repurchased approximately 1.6 million shares at a total cost of $53.9 million.  As mentioned in Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies in Part II of this Form 10-K, the shares added to treasury were not adjusted for the stock split.
Fiscal 2008 Compared to Fiscal 2007
Net sales increased 11.3% to $3,007.9 million in fiscal 2008 from $2,703.2 million in fiscal 2007. This increase resulted from the opening of new stores as well as a same-store sales improvement of 1.4%. The same-store average daily transaction count increased 0.1%, while same-store transaction value increased 1.3% for fiscal 2008.
Same-store sales improvements of 1.4% compared to 3.4% in the prior year were strongest in core consumable categories including animal and pet-related products, clothing and footwear.
In fiscal 2008, we opened 91 new stores (compared to 89 new stores in fiscal 2007), relocated one store (compared to 12 in fiscal 2007) and closed no stores (compared to selling our only Del’s store located in Canada in fiscal 2007).
Gross margin increased 7.0% to $912.3 million compared to $852.7 million in 2007. As a percent of sales, gross margin decreased to 30.3% for fiscal 2008 compared to 31.5% for fiscal 2007. The decrease in gross margin resulted primarily from a substantial increase in the LIFO provision. The LIFO provision increased by $37.6 million to $42.8 million in fiscal 2008 compared to $5.2 million in fiscal 2007. The increase is due to significant inflation (increases in costs for certain commodities, petroleum-based products and steel), a shift in the product mix towards higher turning, higher inflationary items and clearance activity.
As a percent of sales, SG&A expenses increased 10 basis points to 23.8% in fiscal 2008 from 23.7% in fiscal 2007. This increase was due largely to occupancy and payroll expenses relating to new stores, which generally have higher costs in relation to sales volume than the chain average, offset by an aggressive expense management program. Depreciation and amortization expense increased 18.9% in fiscal 2008 over fiscal 2007 due mainly to costs associated with new stores.
Net interest expense decreased 10 basis points as a percent of sales to $2.1 million in fiscal 2008 from $5.0 million in fiscal 2007. This decrease is directly related to a lower average debt balance primarily due to a reduction in stock repurchase activity in 2008, as compared to 2007.
Our effective tax rate increased to 38.6% for fiscal 2008 compared to 37.9% in fiscal 2007, resulting primarily from increases in state tax rates.
As a result of the foregoing factors, net income for fiscal 2008 decreased 14.9% to $81.9 million, or $2.19 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $96.2 million, or $2.40 per diluted share, in fiscal 2007.
During 2008, we repurchased approximately 1.6 million shares of stock for $53.9 million as part of our previously announced $400 million share repurchase program. In 2007, we repurchased approximately 3.2 million shares at a total cost of $150.0 million.

26


Liquidity and Capital Resources
In addition to normal operating expenses, our primary ongoing cash requirements are for expansion, remodeling and relocation programs, including inventory purchases and capital expenditures.  Our primary ongoing sources of liquidity are existing cash balances, funds provided from operations, commitments available under our revolving credit agreement, capital and operating leases and normal trade credit.  Our inventory and accounts payable levels typically build in the first and third fiscal quarters in anticipation of the spring and winter selling seasons, respectively.

Financial markets experienced extreme volatility in 2008 and 2009 amid negative developments in housing and mortgage-related activities, weakness of major financial institutions, governmental actions, and negative economic developments. These conditions have resultedthe past few years, resulting in disruptions in credit and lending activities.
Disruptions  Further, disruptions in the capital and credit markets could adversely affect the ability of the banks to meet their commitments.  Our access to funds under the credit facility is dependent on the ability of the banks that are parties to the facility to meet their funding commitments.  Those banks may not be able to meet their funding commitments to us if they experience shortages of capital and liquidity or if they experience excessive volumes of borrowing requests within a short period of time.  We have experienced no inability by our banks to meet borrowing requests. We have a diversified banking group which we believe should help mitigate any potential disruptions, if one occurs.

Working Capital

At December 26, 2009,25, 2010, we had working capital of $415.7$617.1 million, a $132.5$141.2 million increase from December 27, 2008.26, 2009.  This increase was primarily attributable to changes in the following components of current assets and current liabilities (in millions):
            
 2009 2008 Variance  2010  2009  Variance 
Current assets:
          
Cash and cash equivalents $172.9 $37.0 $135.9  $257.3  $172.9  $84.4 
Short-term investments
  15.9   --   15.9 
Inventories 601.2 603.4  (2.2)  736.5   676.5   60.0 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 42.3 41.9 0.4   34.0   30.7   3.3 
  1,043.7   880.1   163.6 
Current liabilities:            
Accounts payable
 $247.4  $261.6  $(14.2)
Accrued employee compensation
  34.6   22.7   11.9 
Other accrued expenses
  127.4   100.7   26.7 
Current portion of capital lease obligation
  0.1   0.4   (0.3)
Income taxes payable
  8.3   7.3   1.0 
Deferred income taxes 17.9 1.7 16.2   8.8   11.5   (2.7)
         426.6   404.2   22.4 
 834.3 684.0 150.3             
       
Current liabilities:
 
Accounts payable $273.2 $286.8 $(13.6)
Accrued expenses 137.4 113.5 23.9 
Income taxes payable 7.6  7.6 
Current portion of capital lease obligation 0.4 0.5  (0.1)
       
 418.6 400.8 17.8 
       
 
Working capital
 $415.7 $283.2 $132.5  $617.1  $475.9  $141.2 
       

In comparison to prior year end, working capital increased primarily as a result of an increase in cash.cash and inventory. The increase in cash resulted principally from stronger earnings, a decreaseearnings. The increase in net repayments under the revolving credit agreement, reduced share repurchase activity, and a decline in averageinventory was primarily due to new store growth. Average inventory per store and capital expenditure activity.remained nearly flat at $709,000 for fiscal 2010 compared to $707,000 for fiscal 2009. This was partially offset by increasedan increase in accrued expenses principally as a result of timing of payments and higher incentive compensation accruals over the prior year.
We have aggressively managed inventory and reduced our average inventory per store due to planned inventory management initiatives while improving our in stock levels.
Accounts payable has also declined as a result of an increase in cash held in our bank concentration account, which nets against accounts payable, as well as more timely payments on accounts payable in order to capture payment discounts offered by our vendors. Trade credit arises from our vendors granting payment terms for inventory purchases.  Payment terms generally vary from 30 days to 180 days depending on the inventory product.  Certain vendors offer payment discounts for payments made within a shorter period, typically within 10 to 15 days.

Borrowings and Credit Facilities

We are party to a Senior Credit Facility with Bank of America, N.A., as agent for a lender group (the “Credit Agreement”), which provides for borrowings up to $350 million (with sublimits of $75 million and $20 million for letters of credit and swingline loans, respectively).  The Credit Agreement has an Increase Option for $150 million (subject to additional lender group commitments).  The Credit Agreement is unsecured and matures in February 2012, with proceeds expected to be used for working capital, capital expenditures and share repurchases.

27



At December 26, 200925, 2010 and December 27, 2008,26, 2009, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement.  There were $35.2$27.4 million and $25.1$35.2 million outstanding letters of credit as of December 26, 200925, 2010 and December 27, 2008,26, 2009, respectively.  Borrowings bear interest at either the bank’s base rate (3.25% at December 26, 2009)25, 2010) or the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) (0.23%(0.26% at December 26, 2009)25, 2010) plus an additional amount ranging from 0.35% to 0.90% per annum, adjusted quarterly based on our performance (0.50%(0.40% at December 26, 2009)25, 2010).  We are also required to pay, quarterly in arrears, a commitment fee ranging from 0.06% to 0.18% per annum and adjusted quarterly based on our performance, for unused capacity (0.10%(0.075% at December 26, 2009)25, 2010).   There are no compensatingcom pensating balance requirements associated with the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement requires quarterly compliance with respect to two material covenants:  a fixed charge coverage ratio and a leverage ratio.  The fixed charge coverage ratio principally compares earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock compensation and rent expense (“consolidated EBITDAR”) to the sum of interest paid and rental expense (excluding straight-line rent).  The leverage ratio principally compares total debt plus rental expense (excluding straight-line rent) multiplied by a factor of six to consolidated EBITDAR.  The Credit Agreement also contains certain other restrictions regarding additional indebtedness, capital expenditures, business operations, guarantees, investments, mergers, consolidations and sales of assets, transactions with subsidiariessubsidiar ies or affiliates, and liens.  We were in compliance with all covenants at December 26, 2009.25, 2010.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Our primary source of liquidity is cash provided by operations.  Principal uses of cash for investing activities are capital expenditures and financing activities are payments on debt, and repurchase of the Company’s common stock.stock, and payment of common stock dividends.  The following table presents a summary of cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the last three fiscal years (in millions):
             
  2009  2008  2007 
Net cash provided by operating activities $215.3  $217.7  $154.8 
Net cash used in investing activities  (73.8)  (88.4)  (82.6)
Net cash used in financing activities  (5.6)  (105.5)  (85.1)
          
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $135.9  $23.8  $(12.9)
          

  2010  2009  2008 
Net cash provided by operating activities $222.6  $215.3  $217.7 
Net cash used in investing activities  (112.1)  (73.8)  (88.4)
Net cash used in financing activities  (26.0)  (5.6)  (105.5)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 $84.5  $135.9  $23.8 

Operating Activities

The $7.3 million increase in net cash provided by operations in fiscal 2010 over fiscal 2009 is primarily due to changes in the following operating activities (in millions):

  2010  2009  Variance 
Net income $168.0  $119.7  $48.3 
Depreciation and amortization  69.8   66.3   3.5 
Stock compensation expense  11.8   12.1   (0.3)
Deferred income taxes  2.7   (11.1)  13.8 
Inventories and accounts payable  (74.3)  (29.9)  (44.4)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (3.2)  11.2   (14.4)
Accrued expenses  38.5   22.3   16.2 
Income taxes payable  1.0   7.8   (6.8)
Other, net  8.3   16.9   (8.6)
Net cash provided by operations
 $222.6  $215.3  $7.3 

Cash flow from operating activities continues to provide the primary source of our liquidity. The increase in net cash provided by operations in fiscal 2010 compared with fiscal 2009 was primarily due to stronger net income and an increase in accrued expenses partially offset by an increase in inventory, net of accounts payable, and an increase in prepaids and other current assets. Continued store growth has resulted in increased inventory balances.  Accounts payable levels have decreased as a result of more timely payments in order to capture payment discounts offered by vendors and also as a result of an increase in cash held in our bank concentration account.  The bank concentration account nets against the related book overdraft included in accounts payable. Accrued expenses increased as a result of timing of pa yments as well as incentive compensation earned in fiscal 2010 but not paid until fiscal 2011.

The $2.4 million decrease in net cash provided by operations in fiscal 2009 over fiscal 2008 is primarily due to changes in the following operating activities (in millions):
             
  2009  2008  Variance 
Net income $115.5  $81.9  $33.6 
Depreciation and amortization  66.3   60.7   5.6 
Stock compensation expense  12.1   12.3   (0.2)
Deferred income taxes  (13.6)  1.6   (15.2)
Inventories and accounts payable  (11.4)  61.0   (72.4)
Accrued expenses  23.9   (2.1)  26.0 
Income taxes currently payable  7.6   (5.9)  13.5 
Other, net  14.9   8.2   6.7 
          
Net cash provided by operations $215.3  $217.7  $(2.4)
          

Cash flow from operating activities continues to provide the primary source
  
2009
  
2008
  Variance 
Net income $119.7  $108.0  $11.7 
Depreciation and amortization  66.3   60.7   5.6 
Stock compensation expense  12.1   12.3   (0.2)
Deferred income taxes  (11.1)  18.5   (29.6)
Inventories and accounts payable  (29.9)  18.2   (48.1)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  11.2   1.0   10.2 
Accrued expenses  22.3   (1.8)  24.1 
Income taxes payable  7.8   (6.3)  14.1 
Other, net  16.9   7.1   9.8 
Net cash provided by operations
 $215.3  $217.7  $(2.4)


The decrease in net cash provided by operations in fiscal 2009 compared with fiscal 2008 was primarily due to changes in inventory levels and the timing of payments.payments, partially offset by higher net income and an increase in accrued expenses.  Inventory levels decreasedremained nearly flat in 2009 compared to 2008 due to a continued focus on inventory management in 2009. Accounts payable levels have decreased at a greater ratesubstantially as a result of more timely payments to capture payment discounts offered by vendors.
The $62.9 million increase in net cash provided by operations Accrued expenses increased as a result of timing of payments as well as incentive compensation earned in fiscal 2008 over2009 but not paid until fiscal 2007 is primarily due to changes in the following operating activities (in millions):2010.
             
  2008  2007  Variance 
Net income $81.9  $96.2  $(14.3)
Depreciation and amortization  60.7   51.1   9.6 
Stock compensation expense  12.3   10.6   1.7 
Deferred income taxes  1.6   7.0   (5.4)
Inventories and accounts payable  61.0   (11.9)  72.9 
Accrued expenses  (2.1)  4.3   (6.4)
Income taxes currently payable  (5.9)  (6.5)  0.6 
Other, net  8.2   4.0   4.2 
          
Net cash provided by operations $217.7  $154.8  $62.9 
          

28


The improvement in net cash provided by operations in fiscal 2008 compared with fiscal 2007 was primarily due to changes in inventory levels and the timing of payments. Inventory levels decreased in 2008 compared to 2007, due to an increased focus on inventory management.
Investing Activities

Investing activities used $112.1 million, $73.8 million $88.4 million and $82.6$88.4 million in fiscal 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007,2008, respectively. The majority of this cash requirement relates to our capital expenditures.
Our significant store expansion, coupled with required investment in infrastructure, resulted in the following capital expenditures, including capital leases (in millions):
            
 2009 2008 2007  2010  2009  2008 
New and relocated stores and stores not yet opened $31.7 $39.8 $38.1  $28.6  $31.7  $39.8 
Existing store properties acquired from lessor  8.5 6.8 
Distribution center capacity and improvements  18.1   4.3   16.2 
Existing stores 18.4 10.0 18.3   17.6   18.4   10.0 
Distribution center capacity and improvements 4.3 16.2 3.3 
Information technology 17.6 17.2 17.4   14.9   17.6   17.2 
Purchase of previously leased stores  11.6   --   8.5 
Corporate and other 2.0 0.1 0.1   5.7   2.0   0.1 
        $96.5  $74.0  $91.8 
 $74.0 $91.8 $84.0 
       

Our long-term growth strategy anticipates continued geographic market expansion and further concentration within existing markets.  This growth will also require continuing investment in information technology.  The costs reflected above are typically building improvements, as we lease the majority of our facilities.  We currently estimate that capital expenditures will range between $90$150 million and $100$160 million in fiscal 2010.2011.  While we plan to open approximately the same number ofonly a few more stores in 20102011 compared to 2009,2010, we expect to have additional capital expenditures next year includingas we construct a new distribution center and implement a comprehensive warehouse management system designed to improve throughput and efficiencies in the distribution center network, andalong with other efficiency-driving system enhancements in 2010.2011.

Financing Activities

Financing activities used $26.0 million, $5.6 million, $105.5 million, and $85.1$105.5 million in fiscal 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007,2008, respectively.  The cash used by financing activities in fiscal 20092010 is mainly the result of share repurchase activityquarterly cash dividends paid to stockholders and borrowings and repayments under the Credit Agreement.repurchases of common stock, partially offset by increased net proceeds from issuance of common stock related to share-based compensation.

We have a Board-approved share repurchase program which provides for repurchase of up to $400 million of common stock, exclusive of any fees, commissions, or other expenses related to such repurchases, through December 2011.  The repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.  The timing and amount of any shares repurchased under the program will depend on a variety of factors, including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, capital availability, and other market conditions.  Repurchased shares will be held in treasury.  The program may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice. As of December 26, 2009, we had remaining authorization

We repurchased approximately 0.8 million, 0.4 million and 1.6 million shares under the share repurchase program of $181.0 million exclusive of any fees, commissions, or other expenses.
We repurchased approximately 0.4 million, 1.6 million and 3.2 million shares for a total cost of $38.2 million, $15.3 million $53.9 million and $150.0$53.9 million in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, and 2007, respectively.  As mentioned in Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies in Part II of this Form 10-K, the shares added to treasury were not adjusted for the stock split.  Repurchased shares are accounted for at cost and will be held in treasury for future issuance.  As of December 25, 2010, we had remaining authorization under the share repurchase program of $142.8 million exclusive of any fees, commissions, or other expenses.

We believe that our existing cash balances, expected cash flow from future operations, borrowings available under the Credit Agreement, and normal trade credit will be sufficient to fund our operations and our capital expenditure needs, including store openings, relocations and renovations, over the next several years.

29



Significant Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following table reflects our future obligations and commitments as of December 26, 200925, 2010 (in thousands):
                     
  Payment Due by Period 
  Total               
  Contractual  Less than          More than 
  Obligations  1 year  1-3 years  4-5 years  5 years 
Operating leases $1,484,979  $161,214  $311,229  $280,260  $732,276 
Capital leases(1)
  3,242   526   352   292   2,072 
Purchase obligations(2)
  2,683   2,683          
                
  $1,490,904  $164,423  $311,581  $280,552  $734,348 
                
                     
  Payment Due by Period 
  
Total
Contractual
Obligations
  
Less than
1 year
  
1-3 years
  
4-5 years
  
More than
5 years
 
 Operating leases $1,545,028  $174,846  $335,140  $297,282  $737,760 
 Capital leases (1)  2,716   206   292   292   1,926 
 Purchase obligations (2)  32,242   32,242   --   --   -- 
  $1,579,986  $207,294  $335,432  $297,574  $739,686 
                     
 
  
(1)Capital lease obligations include related interest.
 
(2)  The amounts for purchase obligations include commitments for construction of stores and a distribution center expected to be opened in fiscal 2010.2011.
The Company had outstanding letters of credit of $35.2$27.4 million as of December 26, 2009.25, 2010.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Our off-balance sheet arrangements consist of operating leases and outstanding letters of credit.  The balances for these arrangements are discussed above. We typically lease buildings for retail stores and offices rather than acquiring these assets which allows us to utilize financial capital to operate the business rather than invest in fixed assets.  Letters of credit allow us to purchase inventory, primarily sourced overseas, and support certain risk management programs in a timely manner.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007,June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) modified FASBissued Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, Business CombinationsTopic 810 (originally issued as Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. (“Topic 805”FIN”) 46(R)”).  Previous guidance applied onlyAmong other items, ASC 810 responds to business combinations in which control was obtained by transferring consideration;concerns about an enterprise’s application of certain key provisions of FIN 46(R), including those regarding the revised guidance applies to all transactions or other events in which one entity obtains control over another. Topic 805 now defines the acquirer as the entity that obtains control over one or more other businesses and defines the acquisition date as the date the acquirer achieves control. It also requires the acquirer to recognize assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their respective fair values astransparency of the acquisition date. The revised guidance changes the treatment of acquisition-related costs, restructuring costs related to an acquisition that the acquirer expects butenterprise’s involvement with variable interest entities.  ASC 810 is not obligated to incur, contingent consideration associated with the purchase price and preacquisition contingencies associated with acquired assets and liabilities. Topic 805 retains the guidanceeffective for identifying and recognizing intangible assets apart from goodwill. The revised guidance applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual period that begins after November 15, 2009, and for interim periods within that first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We adopted this revised guidance effective December 28, 2008 (fiscal 2009). Thus we are required to apply the revised guidance to any business acquisition which occurs on or after December 28, 2008, but this modification had no effect on prior acquisitions.
In April 2008, the FASB modified FASB ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, and FASB ASC 275, Risks and Uncertainties, for factors that must be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life over which to amortize the cost of a recognized intangible asset.period.  The modification requires an entity to consider its own assumptions about renewal or extension of the term of the arrangement, consistent with its expected use of the asset, and is an attempt to improve consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset. WeCompany adopted the guidancestandard for determining the useful life of a recognized intangible asset effective December 28, 2008 (fiscal 2009), and the guidance is applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date. The guidance did not have aninterim period ended March 27, 2010.  There was no impact on ourthe C ompany’s financial condition,position, results of operations, cash flows, or cash flow.disclosures.
On April 9, 2009,
In February 2010, the FASB modified FASB ASC 825, Financial Instruments,issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-09 (ASU No. 2010-09), “Subsequent Events (Topic 855):  Amendments to Certain Recognition and FASB ASC 270, Interim Reporting,Disclosure Requirements.”  The amendments remove the requirements for an SEC filer to extend the disclosure requirements related to the fair value of financial instruments to interimdisclose a date, in both issued and revised financial statements, of publicly traded companies. We adopted this guidance effective June 27, 2009. This guidance did notthrough which subsequent events have a significant impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.

30


In May 2009, the FASB modified FASB ASC 855, Subsequent Events, which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but beforebeen reviewed.  Revised financial statements are issued and requires entities to disclose the date through which they have evaluated subsequent events. We adopted this guidanceinclude financial statements revised as a result of either correction of an error or retrospective application of U.S. GAAP.  ASU No. 2010-09 was effective June 27, 2009.upon issuance.  The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In June 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-01 Topic 105, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, which establishes the FASB ASC. The FASB ASC is the single source of authoritative nongovernmental U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), superseding existing FASB, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Emerging Issues Task Force, and related accounting literature. The FASB ASC reorganizes the thousands of GAAP pronouncements into roughly 90 accounting topics and displays them using a consistent structure. Also included is relevant Securities and Exchange Commission guidance organized using the same topical structure in separate sections. We adopted ASU No. 2009-01 effective September 26, 2009. This impacted the Company’s notes to financial statements since all references to authoritative accounting literature are referenced in accordance with the FASB ASC.
Item 7A.7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We aremay be exposed to changes in interest rates primarily from the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement bears interest at either the bank’s base rate (3.25% at both December 26, 200925, 2010 and December 27, 2008)26, 2009) or LIBOR (0.23%(0.26% and 0.46%0.23% at December 26, 200925, 2010 and December 27, 2008,26, 2009, respectively) plus an additional amount ranging from 0.35% to 0.90% per annum, adjusted quarterly, based on our performance (0.50%(0.40% and 0.50% at bothDecember 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009, and December 27, 2008)respectively).  We are also required to pay (quarterly in arrears) a commitment fee ranging from 0.06% to 0.18% based on the daily average unused portion of the credit line (0.10%(0.075% at bothDecember 25, 2010 and 0.10% December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008)2009). A hypothetical 100 basis point adverse move (increase) in interest rates along the entire interest rate yield curve would result in approximately $111,000
24



Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
INDEX
INDEX
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

32





The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Tractor Supply Company

We have audited Tractor Supply Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 26, 2009,25, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Tractor Supply Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations ofo f management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Tractor Supply Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 26, 2009,25, 2010, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Tractor Supply Company as of December 26, 200925, 2010 and December 27, 200826, 2009 and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 26, 200925, 2010 and our report dated February 24, 201023, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Nashville, Tennessee
February 24, 201023, 2011

33




Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Tractor Supply Company

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Tractor Supply Company as of December 26, 200925, 2010 and December 27, 2008,26, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 26, 2009.25, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’sCompany's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Tractor Supply Company at December 26, 200925, 2010 and December 27, 2008,26, 2009, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 26, 2009,25, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has elected to change its method of accounting for inventory from the lower of cost, as determined by the last-in first-out (LIFO) method, or market, to the lower of cost, as determined by the average cost method, or market, effective December 25, 2010.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Tractor Supply Company’sCompany's internal control over financial reporting as of December 26, 2009,25, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 24, 201023, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Nashville, Tennessee
February 24, 201023, 2011

34



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
             
  Fiscal Year 
  2009  2008  2007 
             
Net sales
 $3,206,937  $3,007,949  $2,703,212 
             
Cost of merchandise sold  2,171,980   2,095,688   1,850,504 
          
             
Gross margin
  1,034,957   912,261   852,708 
             
Selling, general and administrative expenses  784,066   715,961   641,603 
Depreciation and amortization  66,258   60,731   51,064 
          
             
Operating income
  184,633   135,569   160,041 
             
Interest expense, net  1,644   2,133   5,037 
          
             
Income before income taxes
  182,989   133,436   155,004 
             
Income tax expense  67,523   51,506   58,763 
          
             
Net income
 $115,466  $81,930  $96,241 
          
             
Net income per share — basic
 $3.21  $2.22  $2.45 
          
             
Net income per share — assuming dilution
 $3.15  $2.19  $2.40 
          

The accompanying notes are an integral part
  Fiscal Year 
  2010  2009  2008 
          
Net sales $3,638,336  $3,206,937  $3,007,949 
             
Cost of merchandise sold  2,434,671   2,165,048   2,052,894 
             
Gross margin
  1,203,665   1,041,889   955,055 
             
Selling, general and administrative expenses  867,644   784,066   715,961 
Depreciation and amortization  69,797   66,258   60,731 
             
Operating income
  266,224   191,565   178,363 
             
Interest expense, net  1,284   1,644   2,133 
             
Income before income taxes  264,940   189,921   176,230 
             
Income tax expense  96,968   70,176   68,237 
             
Net income $167,972  $119,745  $107,993 
             
Net income per share – basic(a)
 $2.31  $1.66  $1.47 
             
Net income per share – assuming dilution(a)
 $2.25  $1.63  $1.44 
             
Weighted average shares outstanding:(a)
            
Basic
  72,597   71,981   73,661 
Diluted
  74,686   73,297   74,927 
             
Dividends declared per common share outstanding (a)
 $0.28  $--  $-- 
(a) All share and per share information has been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split as discussed in Note 1.


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share amounts)
         
  Dec. 26,  Dec. 27, 
  2009  2008 
ASSETS
        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $172,851  $36,989 
Inventories  601,249   603,435 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  42,320   41,902 
Deferred income taxes  17,909   1,676 
       
Total current assets  834,329   684,002 
       
         
Property and Equipment:        
Land  27,646   25,410 
Buildings and improvements  350,505   325,081 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment  226,967   198,881 
Computer software and hardware  88,700   74,589 
Construction in progress  11,562   12,615 
       
   705,380   636,576 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization  (335,135)  (274,543)
       
Property and equipment, net  370,245   362,033 
         
Goodwill  10,258   10,258 
Deferred income taxes  11,091   13,727 
Other assets  4,922   5,977 
       
         
Total assets $1,230,845  $1,075,997 
       
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $273,208  $286,828 
Other accrued expenses  137,375   113,465 
Current portion of capital lease obligations  392   550 
Income taxes payable  7,605    
       
Total current liabilities  418,580   400,843 
         
Revolving credit loan      
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities  1,407   1,797 
Straight-line rent liability  45,515   38,016 
Other long-term liabilities  32,140   25,211 
       
Total liabilities  497,642   465,867 
       
         
Stockholders’ equity:        
Preferred Stock, 40,000 shares authorized; $1.00 par value; no shares issued      
Common Stock, 100,000,000 shares authorized, $.008 par value; 41,309,743 shares issued and 36,076,408 shares outstanding at December 26, 2009 and 40,875,886 shares issued and 36,061,585 shares outstanding at December 27, 2008  330   327 
Additional paid-in capital  190,938   168,045 
Treasury stock, at cost, 5,233,335 shares at December 26, 2009 and 4,814,301 shares at December 27, 2008  (219,204)  (203,915)
Retained earnings  761,139   645,673 
       
Total stockholders’ equity  733,203   610,130 
       
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $1,230,845  $1,075,997 
       

The accompanying notes are an integral part
  
December 25,
2010
  
December 26,
2009
 
ASSETS      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents
 $257,339  $172,851 
Short-term investments
  15,913   -- 
Inventories
  736,520   676,466 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  33,945   30,747 
Total current assets
  1,043,717   880,064 
         
Property and Equipment:        
Land
  30,350   27,646 
Buildings and improvements
  380,228   350,505 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
  256,369   226,967 
Computer software and hardware
  94,878   88,700 
Construction in progress
  20,961   11,562 
   782,786   705,380 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
  (386,997)  (335,135)
Property and equipment, net
  395,789   370,245 
         
Goodwill                                                                                                  10,258   10,258 
Deferred income taxes  5,750   11,091 
Other assets  7,960   4,922 
         
Total assets
 $1,463,474  $1,276,580 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable
 $247,388  $261,635 
Accrued employee compensation
  34,576   22,725 
Other accrued expenses
  127,386   100,695 
Current portion of capital lease obligations
  91   392 
Income taxes payable
  8,269   7,265 
Deferred income taxes
  8,854   11,505 
Total current liabilities
  426,564   404,217 
         
Revolving credit loan  --   -- 
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities  1,316   1,407 
Deferred rent  70,697   63,470 
Other long-term liabilities  31,655   28,335 
Total liabilities
  530,232   497,429 
         
Stockholders’ equity:        
Preferred Stock, 40,000 shares authorized; $1.00 par value; no shares issued
  --   -- 
Common Stock, 100,000,000 shares authorized, $.008 par value; 78,835,508 shares issued and 72,775,862 shares outstanding at December 25, 2010 and 77,386,151  shares issued and 72,152,816 shares outstanding at December 26, 2009
  631   619 
Additional paid-in capital
  235,283   190,649 
Treasury stock, at cost, 6,059,646 shares at December 25, 2010 and 5,233,335 shares at December 26, 2009
  (257,376)  (219,204)
Retained earnings
  954,704   807,087 
Total stockholders’ equity
  933,242   779,151 
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 $1,463,474  $1,276,580 



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except share amounts)
                         
                  Accumulated    
      Additional          Other  Total 
  Common  Paid-in  Treasury  Retained  Comprehensive  Stockholders’ 
  Stock  Capital  Stock  Earnings  Income (Loss)  Equity 
                         
Stockholders’ equity at December 30, 2006
 $322  $129,249  $  $469,355  $(22) $598,904 
                         
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (Note 9)              (1,853)      (1,853)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan (46,654 shares)  1   1,844               1,845 
Exercise of stock options (371,823 shares)  3   5,586               5,589 
Stock compensation      10,620               10,620 
Tax benefit of stock options exercised      4,018               4,018 
Repurchase of common stock (3,216,187 shares)          (150,049)          (150,049)
Foreign currency translation adjustment                  22   22 
Net income              96,241       96,241 
                   
                         
Stockholders’ equity at December 29, 2007
  326   151,317   (150,049)  563,743      565,337 
                         
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan (61,348 shares)      1,680               1,680 
Exercise of stock options (114,329 shares)  1   1,469               1,470 
Stock compensation      12,257               12,257 
Tax benefit of stock options exercised      1,322               1,322 
Repurchase of common stock (1,598,114 shares)          (53,866)          (53,866)
Net income              81,930       81,930 
                   
                         
Stockholders’ equity at December 27, 2008
  327   168,045   (203,915)  645,673      610,130 
                         
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan (50,735 shares)      1,631               1,631 
Exercise of stock options (383,122 shares)  3   4,345               4,348 
Stock compensation      12,130               12,130 
Tax benefit of stock options exercised      4,787               4,787 
Repurchase of common stock (419,034 shares)          (15,289)          (15,289)
Net income              115,466       115,466 
                   
                         
Stockholders’ equity at December 26, 2009
 $330  $190,938  $(219,204) $761,139  $  $733,203 
                   

The accompanying notes are an integral part
  
Common
Stock (a)
  
Additional
Paid-in
Capital (a)
  
Treasury
Stock
  
Retained
Earnings
  
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
                
Stockholders’ equity at December 29, 2007 $625  $151,018  $(150,049) $563,743  $565,337 
                     
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method in prior years(b)
              15,606   15,606 
                     
Stockholders’ equity at December 29, 2007  625   151,018   (150,049)  579,349   580,943 
                     
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan (122,696 shares)(a)
  1   1,679           1,680 
Exercise of stock options (226,638 shares) and restricted stock units (2,020 shares)(a)
  2   1,468           1,470 
Stock compensation      12,257           12,257 
Tax benefit of stock options exercised      1,322           1,322 
Repurchase of common stock  (1,598,114 shares)(a)
  (13)  13   (53,866)      (53,866)
Net income, as adjusted(b)
              107,993   107,993 
                     
Stockholders’ equity at December 27, 2008  615   167,757   (203,915)  687,342   651,799 
                     
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan (101,470 shares)(a)
  1   1,630           1,631 
Exercise of stock options (755,348 shares) and restricted stock units (10,896 shares)(a)
  6   4,342           4,348 
Stock compensation      12,130           12,130 
Tax benefit of stock options exercised      4,787           4,787 
Repurchase of common stock  (419,034 shares)(a)
  (3)  3   (15,289)      (15,289)
Net income, as adjusted(b)
              119,745   119,745 
                     
Stockholders’ equity at December 26, 2009  619   190,649   (219,204)  807,087   779,151 
                     
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan (74,788 shares)(a)
  1   1,739           1,740 
Exercise of stock options (1,550,077 shares) and restricted stock units (90,203 shares)(a)
  13   22,125           22,138 
Stock compensation      11,771           11,771 
Tax benefit of stock options exercised      9,780           9,780 
Restricted stock units withheld for taxes      (783)          (783)
Repurchase of common stock  (826,311 shares)(a)
  (2)  2   (38,172)      (38,172)
Dividends paid              (20,355)  (20,355)
Net income              167,972   167,972 
                     
Stockholders’ equity at December 25, 2010 $631  $235,283  $(257,376) $954,704  $933,242 
                     
                     
 (a)All share and per share information has been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split, except for repurchase of common stock as the number of shares held in treasury was not adjusted for the split. See Note 1 for more information.
 (b)Net income and retained earnings for all periods prior to 2010 have been adjusted to reflect the change in accounting for inventory. See Note 1 for more information.



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
             
  Fiscal Year 
  2009  2008  2007 
Cash flows from operating activities:
            
Net income $115,466  $81,930  $96,241 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:            
Depreciation and amortization  66,258   60,731   51,064 
(Gain) loss on disposition of property and equipment  213   (425)  30 
Stock compensation expense  12,130   12,257   10,620 
Deferred income taxes  (13,597)  1,566   7,047 
Change in assets and liabilities:            
Inventories  2,186   32,553   (41,137)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (409)  1,007   (4,802)
Accounts payable  (13,620)  28,482   29,175 
Accrued expenses  23,910   (2,136)  4,339 
Income taxes payable  7,605   (5,928)  (6,488)
Other  15,175   7,689   8,687 
          
             
Net cash provided by operating activities  215,317   217,726   154,776 
          
             
Cash flows from investing activities:
            
Capital expenditures  (73,974)  (91,759)  (83,547)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment  97   3,324   974 
          
             
Net cash used in investing activities  (73,877)  (88,435)  (82,573)
          
             
Cash flows from financing activities:
            
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement  274,033   853,903   1,050,931 
Repayments under revolving credit agreement  (274,033)  (908,903)  (995,931)
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised  4,280   1,085   3,149 
Principal payments under capital lease obligations  (548)  (851)  (675)
Repurchase of common stock  (15,289)  (53,866)  (150,049)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock  5,979   3,150   7,434 
          
             
Net cash used in financing activities  (5,578)  (105,482)  (85,141)
          
             
Net increase (decrease) in cash
  135,862   23,809   (12,938)
             
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  36,989   13,180   26,118 
          
             
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $172,851  $36,989  $13,180 
          
             
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
            
Cash paid during the year for:            
Interest $838  $3,890  $3,953 
Income taxes  66,888   55,476   54,939 
             
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:            
Equipment acquired through capital leases $  $  $439 

The accompanying notes are an integral part
  Fiscal Year 
  2010  2009  2008 
Cash flows from operating activities:
         
Net income
 $167,972  $119,745  $107,993 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
            
Depreciation and amortization
  69,797   66,258   60,731 
Net loss (gain) on disposition of property and equipment
  1,062   213   (425)
Stock compensation expense
  11,771   12,130   12,257 
Deferred income taxes
  2,690   (11,139)  18,531 
Change in assets and liabilities:
            
Inventories
  (60,054)  (4,745)  (10,241)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  (3,201)  11,164   1,007 
Accounts payable
  (14,247)  (25,193)  28,482 
Accrued employee compensation
  11,851   12,476   (590)
Other accrued expenses
  26,691   9,838   (1,174)
Income taxes payable
  1,004   7,801   (6,359)
Other
  7,272   16,769   7,514 
             
Net cash provided by operating activities
  222,608   215,317   217,726 
             
Cash flows from investing activities:
            
Capital expenditures
  (96,511)  (73,974)  (91,759)
    Proceeds from sale of property and equipment  313   97   3,324 
Purchases of short-term investments
  (15,913)  --   -- 
             
Net cash used in investing activities
  (112,111)  (73,877)  (88,435)
             
Cash flows from financing activities:
            
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement
  --   274,033   853,903 
Repayments under revolving credit agreement
  --   (274,033)  (908,903)
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised
  9,815   4,280   1,085 
Principal payments under capital lease obligations
  (392)  (548)  (851)
Restricted stock units withheld to satisfy tax obligations
  (783)  --   -- 
Repurchase of common stock
  (38,172)  (15,289)  (53,866)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
  23,878   5,979   3,150 
Cash dividends paid to stockholders
  (20,355)  --   -- 
             
Net cash used in financing activities
  (26,009)  (5,578)  (105,482)
             
Net increase in cash  84,488   135,862   23,809 
             
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  172,851   36,989   13,180 
             
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $257,339  $172,851  $36,989 
             
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:            
Cash paid during the year for:            
Interest                                                                        
 $305  $838  $3,890 
Income taxes
  82,821   66,888   55,476 


Nature of Business

Tractor Supply Company (the “Company”, “we”, “us” and/or “our”) is the largest operator of retail farm and ranch stores in the United States.  We are focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers and those who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses.  Stores are located in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural communities.  Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Del’s Farm Supply, LLC (“Del’s”) operated 2726 stores as of December 26, 2009.25, 2010.  At December 26, 2009,25, 2010, we operated a total of 9301,001 retail farm and ranch stores (including Del’s) in 44 states and also offered a number of products online atTractorSupply.com.

Fiscal Year

Our fiscal year ends on the last Saturday of the calendar year and includes 52 or 53 weeks.  The fiscal years ended December 25, 2010, December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007 consist of 52 weeks.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Change in Accounting Method

Effective December 25, 2010, the Company elected to change its method of accounting for inventories from lower of cost, as determined by the LIFO method, or market, to lower of cost, as determined by the average cost method, or market.  The Company believes the change is preferable as the average cost method better reflects the current value of inventory on the consolidated balance sheets, provides a better reflection of periodic income and improves comparability with our peers.

The Company has applied this change in method of inventory costing retrospectively to all prior periods presented herein in accordance with accounting principles relating to accounting changes.  As a result of the retrospective change in accounting principle, opening retained earnings as of December 29, 2007 increased by $15.6 million.  The effect of the change in method on previously reported consolidated operating results for fiscal 2009 and 2008 was to increase net income by $4.3 million ($0.05  per dilutive share), and $26.1 million ($0.35 per dilutive share), respectively.  The effect on the consolidated balance sheet at December 26, 2009 was to increase inventory, tax liabilities and retained earnings by $75.2 million, $29.3 million and $45.9 million, respectively.

Certain components of the Company’s financial statements affected by the change in costing methodology as originally reported under the LIFO method and as adjusted for the change to the average cost method are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

  Fiscal 2009  Fiscal 2008 
  As Previously  Effect of  As  As Previously  Effect of  As 
  Reported  Change  Adjusted  Reported  Change  Adjusted 
Consolidated Statements of Income                  
Cost of merchandise sold $2,171,980  $(6,932) $2,165,048  $2,095,688  $(42,794) $2,052,894 
Gross margin  1,034,957   6,932   1,041,889   912,261   42,794   955,055 
Operating income  184,633   6,932   191,565   135,569   42,794   178,363 
Income before income taxes  182,989   6,932   189,921   133,436   42,794   176,230 
Income tax expense  67,523   2,653   70,176   51,506   16,731   68,237 
Net income $115,466  $4,279  $119,745  $81,930  $26,063  $107,993 
Net income per share – basic $1.60  $0.06  $1.66  $1.11  $0.36  $1.47 
Net income per share – assuming dilution $1.58  $0.05  $1.63  $1.09  $0.35  $1.44 

  Fiscal 2009 
  As Previously  Effect of  As 
  
Reported *
  Change  Adjusted 
Consolidated Balance Sheets         
Inventories $601,249  $75,217  $676,466 
Deferred income taxes (current asset)  17,909   (17,909)  -- 
Total current assets  822,756   57,308   880,064 
Deferred income taxes  11,091   --   11,091 
Total assets  1,219,272   57,308   1,276,580 
Income taxes payable  7,605   (340)  7,265 
Deferred income taxes (current liability)  --   11,505   11,505 
Total current liabilities  393,052   11,165   404,217 
Other long-term liabilities  28,140   195   28,335 
Total liabilities  486,069   11,360   497,429 
Retained earnings  761,139   45,948   807,087 
Total stockholders’ equity  733,203   45,948   779,151 
Total  liabilities and  stockholders’ equity  1,219,272   57,308   1,276,580 
             
*     As described below, certain other amounts in the previously issued balance sheet have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2010 presentation.

 
 
 Fiscal 2009  Fiscal 2008 
  As Previously  Effect of  As  As Previously  Effect of  As 
  Reported  Change  Adjusted  Reported  Change  Adjusted 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                  
Net income $115,466  $4,279  $119,745  $81,930  $26,063  $107,993 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                        
Deferred income taxes  (13,597)  2,458   (11,139)  1,566   16,965   18,531 
Inventories  2,186   (6,931)  (4,745)  32,553   (42,794)  (10,241)
Income taxes payable  7,605   196   7,801   (5,928)  (431)  (6,359)
Other  16,771   (2)  16,769   7,317   197   7,514 
Net cash provided by operating activities $215,317  $--  $215,317  $217,726  $--  $217,726 

Stock Split

On July 29, 2010, our Board of Directors announced a two-for-one split of our outstanding shares of common stock to be effected in the form of a stock dividend. On September 2, 2010, stockholders of record at the close of business on August 19, 2010, were issued one additional share of common stock for each share owned by such stockholder.  The stock split increased the number of shares of common stock outstanding from approximately 36.3 million to approximately 72.7 million.  Share and per-share amounts (including stock options and restricted stock units) shown in the consolidated financial statements and related notes reflect the split. The total number of authorized common shares and the par value thereof was not changed by the split.  The number of shares held in treasury was not adjusted for the split .

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 20092010 presentation.  Amounts related to voucherMarketing support fund receivables ($0.2 million and $0.5 million at December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively) have been reclassifieddue from cash and cash equivalents to prepaid expenses and other current assets. Also, amounts related to prepaid fixtures ($0.3 million at December 27, 2008)vendors previously classified in prepaid expenses and other current assets have been reclassified to reduce vendor accounts payable ($11.6 million at December 26, 2009).  Amounts related to accrued employee compensation ($22.7 million at December 26, 2009) have been reclassified from other assetsaccrued expenses to accrued employee compensation.  A portion of the liabilities related to self-insured workers’ compensation and general liability claims ($14.0 million at December 26, 2009) previously classified in other accrued expenses have been reclassified to other long-term liabilities to reflect their long-term status.  ThoseAlso amou nts related to tenant improvement allowances ($18.0 million at December 26, 2009) previously classified in other long-term liabilities and amounts related to straight-line rent ($45.5 million at December 26, 2009) previously classified as straight-line rent liability have been reclassified as deferred rent to conform to the December 25, 2010 presentation.

These changes have affected our December 27, 200826, 2009 Consolidated Balance Sheet and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended December 27, 200826, 2009 and December 29, 2007.27, 2008.

Segment Information

Tractor Supply Company has one reportable industry segment which is the operation of farm and ranch retail stores.  We also offer a number of products online atTractorSupply.com.

Management Estimates

Our preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States inherently requires estimates and assumptions by us that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant estimates and assumptions by management primarily impact the following key financial statement areas:

Revenue Recognition and Sales Returns
We recognize revenue at the time the customer takes possession of merchandise or receives services.merchandise.  If we receive payment before the customer has taken possession of the merchandise (as per our special order and layaway programs), the revenue is deferred until the sale is complete.
We are required to collect certain taxes and fees from customers on behalf of government agencies and remit such collections to the applicable governmental entity on a periodic basis.  These taxes are collected from customers at the time of purchase, but are not included in net sales.  We record a liability upon collection from the customer and relieve the liability when payments are remitted to the applicable governmental agency.

We estimate a liability for sales returns based on a one-year rolling average of historical return trends, and we believe that our estimate for sales returns is an accurate reflection of future returns associated with past sales.  Our estimation methodologies have been consistently applied from year to year; however, as with any estimate, refund activity may vary from estimated amounts.  At December 26, 200925, 2010 we had a liability of $3.1$3.0 million reserved for sales returns, compared to $3.2$3.1 million at December 27, 2008.26, 2009.

39



We recognize revenue when a benefit for gift cards when: (i) the gift card or merchandise return card is redeemed by the customer; (ii)customer and recognize income when the likelihood of the gift card or merchandise return card being redeemed by the customer is remote (referred to as “breakage”); or (iii) the unredeemed merchandise returns cards expire (one year from issuance).  The gift card and merchandise return card breakage rate is based upon historical redemption patterns and a benefitincome is recognized for unredeemed gift card and merchandise return cards in proportion to those historical redemption patterns.  We recognized a benefitincome of $1.6 million, $1.1 million $1.4 million and $1.2$1.4 million in fiscal 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007,2008, respectively.

Inventory Valuation

Inventory Impairment Risk
We identify potentially excess and slow-moving inventory by evaluating turn rates, historical and expected future sales trends, age of merchandise, overall inventory levels, current cost of inventory and other benchmarks.  The estimated inventory valuation reserve to recognize any impairment in value (i.e. an inability to realize the full carrying value) is based on our aggregate assessment of these valuation indicators under prevailing market conditions and current merchandising strategies. We do not believe our merchandise inventories are subject to significant risk of obsolescence in the near term.  However, changes in market conditions or consumer purchasing patterns could result in the need for additional reserves.

Shrinkage
We perform physical inventories at each store at least once a year, and we have established reserves for estimating inventory shrinkage between physical inventory counts.  The reserve is established by assessing the chain-wide average shrinkage experience rate, applied to the related periods’ sales volumes.  Such assessments are updated on a regular basis for the most recent individual store experiences.   The estimated store inventory shrink rate is based on historical experience.  We believe historical rates are a reasonably accurate reflection of future trends.

Vendor Support
We receive funding from substantially all of our significant merchandise vendors for the promotion of our brand as well as the sale of their products through a variety of programs and arrangements, including guaranteed funding and volume rebate programs.  The amounts received are subject to terms of vendor agreements, which have varying expiration dates ranging in duration from several months to a few years.  Many agreements are negotiated annually and are based on expected annual purchases of the vendor’s product.  Vendor funding is initially deferred as a reduction of the purchase price of inventory and then recognized as a reduction of cost of merchandise as the related inventory is sold.

During the interim periods, the amount of expected funding is estimated based upon initial guaranteed commitments, as well as anticipated purchase levels with applicable vendors.  The estimated purchase volume and related vendor funding is based on our current knowledge of inventory levels, sales trends and expected customer demand, as well as planned new store openings and relocations.  Although we believe we have the ability tocan reasonably estimate purchase volume and related vendor funding at interim periods, it is possible that actual year-end results could differ significantly differ from the previously estimated amounts.

Freight
We incur various types of transportation and delivery costs in connection with inventory purchases and distribution.  Such costs are included as a component of the overall cost of inventories (on an aggregate basis) and recognized as a component of cost of merchandise sold as the related inventory is sold.
Share-Based Compensation
Share-Based Compensation
We have share-based compensation plans, which includesinclude incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock units, and an employee stock purchase plan, covering certain members of management and non-employee directors.

We estimate the fair value of our stock option awards onat the date of grant utilizing aBlack-Scholes option pricing model. TheBlack-Scholesoption valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of short-term traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. However, key assumptions used in theBlack-Scholesmodel are adjusted to incorporate the unique characteristics of our stock option awards. Option pricing models and generally accepted valuation modelstechniques require the input ofmanagement to make subjective assumptions including expected stock price volatility, expected dividend yield, risk-free interest rate and expected life. We rely on historical volatility trends to estimate future volatility assumptions.  The risk-free interest rates used were actual U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity rates for bonds matching the expected term of the option on the date of grant. The expected life of the option on the date of grant was estimated based on our historical experience for similar options.

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In addition to the key assumptions used in theBlack-Scholesmodel, the estimated forfeiture rate at the time of valuation (which is based on historical experience for similar options) is a critical assumption, as it reduces expense ratably over the vesting period. We adjust this estimate periodically, based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from the previous estimate.

We believe our estimates are reasonable in the context of historical experience.  Future results will depend on, among other matters, levels of share-based compensation granted in the future, actual forfeiture rates and the timing of option exercises.

Self-Insurance Reserves
We self-insure a significant portion of our employee medical insurance, workers’ compensation and general liability insurance plans.  We have stop-loss insurance policies to protect from individual losses over specified dollar values. The full extent of certain claims, especially workers’ compensation and general liability claims, may not become fully determined for several years. Therefore, we estimate potential obligations for liabilities that have been incurred but not yet reported based upon historical data and experience. Although we believe the reserves established for these obligations are reasonably estimated, any significant increase in the number of claims or costs associated with claims made under these plans could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.  At December 26, 2009,25, 2010 , we had recorded net insurance reserves of $23.7$29.0 million compared to $22.6$23.7 million at December 27, 2008.26, 2009. 

Sales Tax Audit Reserve
A portion of our sales are to tax-exempt customers.  We obtain exemption information as a necessary part of each tax-exempt transaction.  Many of the states in which we conduct business will perform audits to verify our compliance with applicable sales tax laws.  The business activities of our customers and the intended use of the unique products sold by us create a challenging and complex compliance environment.  These circumstances also create some risk that we could be challenged as to the propriety of our sales tax compliance.  While we believe we reasonably enforce sales tax compliance with our customers and endeavor to fully comply with all applicable sales tax regulations, there can be no assurance that we, upon final completion of such audits, will not have a significant liabilityliabil ity for disallowed exemptions.

We review our past audit experience and assessments with applicable states to determine if we have potential exposure for non-compliance.  Any estimated liability is based on an initial assessment of compliance risk and our to-date experience with each audit. As each audit progresses, we quantify the exposure based on preliminary assessments made by the state auditors, adjusted for additional documentation that may be provided to reduce the assessment.   The reserve for these tax audits can fluctuate depending on numerous factors, including the complexity of agricultural-based exemptions, ambiguity in state tax regulations, the number of ongoing audits and the length of time required to settle with the state taxing authorities.

Tax Contingencies
Our income tax returns are periodically audited by U.S. federal and state tax authorities. These audits include questions regarding our tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. At any time, multiple tax years are subject to audit by the various tax authorities. In evaluating the exposures associated with our various tax filing positions, we record reserves for probable exposures. A number of years may elapse before a particular matter, for which we have established a reserve, is audited and fully resolved or clarified. We adjust our tax contingencies reserve and income tax provision in the period in which actual results of a settlement with tax authorities differs from our established reserve, the statute of limitations expires for the relevant taxta x authority to examine the tax position or when more information becomes available.

We recognize a liability for certain tax benefits that do not meet the minimum requirements for recognition in the financial statements.

Our tax contingencies reserve contains uncertainties because management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate the exposures associated with our various filing positions and whether or not the minimum requirements for recognition of tax benefits have been met.

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Our effective income tax rate is also affected by changes in tax law, the tax jurisdiction of new stores or business ventures, the level of earnings and the results of tax audits.

Credit Cards/Accounts Receivable

Sales generated through our private label credit cards are not reflected as accounts receivable.  Under an agreement with Citi Cards, a division of Citigroup (“Citigroup”), consumer and business credit is extended directly to customers by Citigroup.  All credit program and related services are performed and controlled directly by Citigroup.

Pre-opening Costs

Non-capital expenditures incurred in connection with opening new store and distribution centers, primarily payroll and rent, are expensed as incurred.  Preopening costs were approximately $7.1 million, $7.5 million and $8.7 million in 2010, 2009 and $9.4 million in 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

Store Closing Costs

We regularly evaluate the performance of our stores and periodically close those that are under-performing.  We record a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity when the liability is incurred, usually in the period the store closes.  Store closing costs were not significant to results of operations for any of the fiscal years presented.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Temporary cash investments, with a maturity of three months or less when purchased, are considered to be cash equivalents.  The majority of payments due from banks for customer credit card transactions process within 24-48 hours and are accordingly classified as cash and cash equivalents.

Fair Value of

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.  These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value

Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, short-term receivables, andtrade payables and long-term debt instruments, including capital leases.instruments.  The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, short-term receivables and trade payables equalapproximate current fair value.  We had no borrowings under the Credit Agreementrevolving credit facility at December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009.
Our short-term investment in a U.S. Treasury note is classified as Level 1 as these types of investments trade with sufficient frequency and volume to enable us to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis.  The U.S. Treasury note is held as collateral for a standby letter of credit and is expected to be held to maturity.  The fair value of short-term investments at December 25, 2010 was $15.9 million.  We had no short-term investments at December 26, 2009 or December 27, 2008.2009.

Inventories

Inventories are stated usingat the lower of LIFO cost, as determined by the average cost method, or market.  Quarterly inventory determinations under LIFO are based on assumptions as to projected inventory levels at the endInventory cost consists of the fiscal year, sales for the yeardirect cost of merchandise including freight.  Inventories are net of shrinkage, obsolescence, other valuations and the expected rate of inflation/deflation for the year. If the FIFO method of accounting for inventory had been used, inventories would have been approximately $75.2 million and $68.3 million higher than reported at December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008, respectively.vendor allowances.

Vendor Concentration

Approximately 250 vendors accounted for 90% of our purchases for fiscal 2009,2010, with no one vendor representing more than 10% of purchases during the year.

Cost of Merchandise Sold

Cost of Merchandisemerchandise sold includes the total cost of products sold; freight expenses associated with moving merchandise inventories from our vendors to our distribution centers; from our distribution centers to our retail stores; and from one distribution center to another; vendor support; damaged, junked or defective product; cash discounts from payments to merchandise vendors; and adjustments for shrinkage (physical inventory losses), lower of cost or market valuation, slow moving product and excess inventory quantities and the LIFO inventory valuation.quantities.

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) include payroll and benefit costs for retail, distribution center and corporate employees; occupancy costs of retail, distribution center and corporate facilities; advertising; tender costs, including bank charges and costs associated with credit and debit card interchange fees; outside service fees; and other administrative costs, such as computer maintenance, supplies, travel and lodging.

Warehousing and Distribution Costs

Costs incurred at our distribution centers for receiving, warehousing and preparing product for delivery are expensed as incurred and are included in SG&A expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  Because the Company does not include these costs in cost of sales, the Company’s gross margin may not be comparable to other retailers that include these costs in the calculation of gross margin.  Distribution Centercenter costs for fiscal 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008 were approximately $64.4 million, $59.0 million $52.8 million and $49.9$52.8 million, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost.  Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Improvements to leased premises are amortized using the straight-line method over the initial term of the lease or the useful life of the improvement, whichever is less.  Leasehold improvements added late in the lease term are amortized over the term of the lease (including the first renewal option, if the renewal is reasonably assured) or the useful life of the improvement, whichever is less.  The following estimated useful lives are generally applied:
 
Life
Buildings30 – 35 years
Leasehold and building improvements5 – 1535 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment5 – 10 years
Computer software and hardware3 –   5 years
Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation includes expenses related to all retail, distribution center and corporate assets.  Amortization includes expenses related to definite-lived intangible assets.

Capitalized Software Costs

The Company capitalizes certain costs related to the acquisition and development of software and amortizes these costs using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, which is three to five years.  These costs are included in Computercomputer software and hardware in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Certain software costs not meeting the criteria for capitalization are expensed as incurred.

Leases

Assets under capital leases are amortized in accordance with our normal depreciation policy for owned assets or over the lease term, if shorter, and the related charge to operations is included in depreciation expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Certain leases include rent increases during the initial lease term.  For these leases, we recognize the related rental expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease (which includes the pre-opening period of construction, renovation, fixturing and merchandise placement) and record the difference between the expense charged to operations and amounts paid as a deferred rent liability.

We occasionally receive reimbursements from landlords to be used towards improving the related store to be leased.  Reimbursements are primarily for the purpose of performing work required to divide a much larger location into smaller segments, one of which we will use for our store.  This work could include the addition of demising walls, separation of plumbing, utilities, electric work, entrances (front and back) and other work as required.  Leasehold improvements are recorded at their gross costs including items reimbursed by landlords.  Related reimbursements are amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of rent expense over the initial lease term.

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Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, which are separately tested for impairment, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

When evaluating long-lived assets for potential impairment, we first compare the carrying value of the asset to the asset’s estimated undiscounted future cash flows. The evaluation for long-lived assets is performed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, which is generally the individual store level.  The significant assumptions used to determine estimated undiscounted cash flows include cash inflows and outflows directly resulting from the use of those assets in operations, including margin on net sales, payroll and related items, occupancy costs, insurance allocations and other costs to operate a store.  If the estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, we calculate an impairment loss. The impairment loss calculation compares the carrying value of the asset to the asset’sass et’s estimated fair value, which may be based on an estimated future cash flow model. We recognize an impairment loss if the amount of the asset’s carrying value exceeds the asset’s estimated fair value. If we recognize an impairment loss, the adjusted carrying amount of the asset becomes its new cost basis. For a depreciable long-lived asset, the new cost basis will be depreciated (amortized) over the remaining useful life of that asset.

In fiscal 2010, the company recognized impairment charges of $1.1 million related to the write-off of certain capitalized software development costs.  These assets were not expected to provide any future benefit to the Company and were determined to have no significant fair value.  During fiscal year 2009 impairment charges of $0.8 million were recorded representing the amount required to write-down the carrying value of certain leasehold improvements to the assets’ estimated fair value. Impairment charges are included in SG&A expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Income. No significant impairment charges were recognized in fiscal years 2008 and 2007.2008.

Goodwill

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized.  We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the goodwill may not be recoverable. We complete our impairment evaluation by performing internal valuation analyses, considering other publicly available market information and using an independent valuation firm, as appropriate.  All goodwill at December 25, 2010 is associated with the Company as a whole.  At December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008 isall goodwill was associated with the Del’s business and, for purposes of the fiscal 2009 impairment testing, Del’s iswas considered the reporting unit.  In October 2010, we reevaluated the Del’s reporting unit and concluded that since Del’s has be come closely aligned in terms of management, infrastructure, philosophy and performance, we now have only one reporting unit for goodwill impairment evaluation.

The test for goodwill impairment is a two step process.  The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify the potential for impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with the carrying value of its net assets, including goodwill.  If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss to be recorded, if any.  The second step, if required, would compare the implied fair value of goodwill with the current carrying amount of goodwill.  If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value, an impairment charge would be recorded as a charge to our operations.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009,2010, we completed our annual impairment testing of goodwill and determined there was no impairment. We determined that the fair value of the Del’s reporting unit (including goodwill) was in excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit and as such, the second step was not necessary.  In reaching this conclusion, the fair value of the Del’s reporting unit was determined based on a weighting of income and market approaches. Under the income approach, the fair value of the Del’s reporting unit is calculated as the present value of estimated future cash flows.approach.  Under the market approach, the fair value is based on observed market multiples for comparable businesses and guideline transactions. Both of these approaches involve the use of significant estimates as to revenues, gross margin, operating costs and cash flows. We considered historical and estimated future results, economic and market conditions and the impact of planned business and operational strategies in deriving these estimates.prices.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs consist of expenses incurred in connection with newspaper circulars, television and radio, as well as direct mail, newspaper advertisements and other promotions.  Costs are expensed when incurred with the exception of television advertising and circular and direct mail promotions, which are expensed upon first showing.  Advertising expenses for fiscal 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008 were approximately $48.6 million, $45.7 million $58.0 million and $58.6$58.0 million, respectively. Prepaid advertising costs were approximately $0.2$0.1 million and $0.4$0.2 million at December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009, and December 27, 2008, respectively.

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Income Taxes

We account for income taxes using the liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

Net Income Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average diluted shares outstanding.  Diluted shares are computed using the treasury stock method for options.options and restricted stock units.
Foreign Currency Translation
Adjustments resulting from translating foreign functional currency financial statements into U.S. dollars are included in the foreign currency translation adjustment, a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. The assets and liabilities of our store in British Columbia, which was sold in fiscal 2007, were translated into United States dollars at year-end rates of exchange, while revenues and expense items were translated at average rates for the period.
Note 2 - Share-Based Compensation:
We recognize share-based compensation expense based on the fair value of the awards.
Share-based compensation includes stock option and restricted stock unit grantsawards and certain transactions under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”).   Share-based compensation expense is recognized based on grant date fair value of all options and therestricted stock unit awards plus a discount on shares sold topurchased by employees whichas a part of the ESPP.  The discount under the ESPP represents the difference between the grant date fairmarket value and the employeeemployee’s purchase price.

Share-based compensation expense including reductions in expense for modifications of awards lowered pre-tax income bywas $11.8 million, $12.1 million $12.3 million and $10.6$12.3 million for fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, and 2007, respectively.

Forfeitures are estimated at the time of valuation and reduce expense ratably over the vesting period. This estimate is adjusted periodically based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from the previous estimate.

Effective May 7, 2009, the Company adopted the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan replacing the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.  Following the adoption of the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, no further grants may be made under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.

Under our 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, options may be granted to officers, non-employee directors and other employees.  The per share exercise price of options granted shall not be less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant and such options will expire no later than ten years from the date of grant.  Also, the aggregate fair market value of the stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable on a tax deferred basis for the first time by an individual in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000.  Vesting of options commences at various anniversary dates following the dates of grant.

Under the terms of the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, a maximum of 3,100,0006,200,000 shares are available for grant as stock options or other awards.  At December 26, 2009,25, 2010, we had 3,082,0605,146,530 shares available for future equity awards under the Company’s 2009 Stock Incentive Plan.

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The fair value of each option grant is separately estimated for each vesting date.  The fair value of each option is recognized as compensation expense ratably over the vesting period.  We have estimated the fair value of all stock option awards as of the date of the grant by applying aBlack-Scholespricing valuation model.  The application of this valuation model involves assumptions that are judgmental and highly sensitive in the determination of compensation expense.  The weighted averages for key assumptions used in determining the fair value of options granted during fiscal 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007,2008, as well as a summary of the methodology applied to develop each assumption, are as follows:
       
  Fiscal Year
  2009 2008 2007
Expected price volatility 39.3 – 54.0% 37.6 – 39.7% 38.1 – 41.7%
Risk-free interest rate 0.6 – 2.5% 1.6 – 3.5% 4.1 – 5.0%
Weighted average expected lives (in years) 4.7 – 5.6 4.4 – 5.5 4.1 – 5.4
Forfeiture rate 1.4 – 8.0% 1.4 – 7.1% 1.4 – 8.0%
Dividend yield 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

Expected Price Volatility —This is a measure of the amount by which a price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate. We use actual historical changes in the market value of the stock to calculate expected price volatility because we believe that this is the best indicator of future volatility. We calculate daily market value changes from the date of grant over a past period generally representative of the expected life of the options to determine volatility. An increase in the expected volatility will increase compensation expense.
Risk-Free Interest Rate —This is the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity rate over a term equal to the expected life of the option. An increase in the risk-free interest rate will increase compensation expense.
  Fiscal Year 
  2010  2009  2008 
Expected price volatility  38.5 – 38.9%  39.3 – 54.0%  37.6 – 39.7%
Risk-free interest rate  1.0 – 2.7%  0.6 – 2.5%  1.6 – 3.5%
Weighted average expected lives (in years)  4.8 – 5.8   4.7 – 5.6   4.4 – 5.5 
Forfeiture rate  5.4 – 7.7%  1.4 – 8.0%  1.4 – 7.1%
Dividend yield  0.0 – 1.0%  0.0%  0.0%
Weighted Average Expected Lives —This is the period of time over which the options granted are expected to remain outstanding and is based on historical experience. Options granted generally have a maximum term of ten years. An increase in the expected life will increase compensation expense.
Forfeiture Rate —This is the estimated percentage of options granted that are expected to be forfeited or cancelled before becoming fully vested. This estimate is based on historical experience.
Expected Price VolatilityThis is a measure of the amount by which a price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate. We use actual historical changes in the market value of the stock to calculate expected price volatility because we believe that this is the best indicator of future volatility.  We calculate daily market value changes from the date of grant over a past period generally representative of the expected life of the options to determine volatility.  An increase in the expected volatility will increase in the forfeiture rate will decrease compensation expense.
Dividend Yield —We have not made any dividend payments. An increase in the dividend yield will decrease compensation expense.
Risk-Free Interest Rate — This is the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity rate over a term equal to the expected life of the option. An increase in the risk-free interest rate will increase compensation expense.
Weighted Average Expected Lives — This is the period of time over which the options granted are expected to remain outstanding and is based on historical experience. Options granted generally have a maximum term of ten years. An increase in the expected life will increase compensation expense.

Forfeiture Rate — This is the estimated percentage of options granted that are expected to be forfeited or cancelled before becoming fully vested. This estimate is based on historical experience. An increase in the forfeiture rate will decrease compensation expense.

Dividend Yield —This is the estimated dividend yield for the weighted average expected life of the option granted. An increase in the dividend yield will decrease compensation expense.

Stock Options

We issue new shares for options when exercised. A summary of stock option activity is as follows:
                
 Weighted Weighted Average Aggregate 
 Average Exercise Remaining Intrinsic Value 
 Options Price Contractual Term (in thousands) 
Outstanding December 30, 2006 2,391,361 $29.32 6.5 $45,301 
Granted 579,666 46.78 
Exercised  (371,823) 15.03 
Canceled  (310,878) 49.62 
     
  Options  
Weighted
Average Exercise
Price
  
Weighted Average Fair Value
  
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
  
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
 
Outstanding December 29, 2007 2,288,326 $33.31 6.4 $22,485   4,576,652  $16.66      6.4  $22,485 
Granted 653,350 38.34   1,306,700   19.17  $7.27         
Exercised  (113,319) 12.98   (226,638)  6.49             
Canceled  (274,350) 45.99   (548,700)  23.00             
                         
 
Outstanding December 27, 2008 2,554,007 $34.14 6.2 $19,296   5,108,014  $17.07       6.2  $19,296 
Granted 563,066 34.56   1,126,132   17.28  $6.48         
Exercised  (377,674) 11.66   (755,348)  5.83             
Canceled  (88,977) 46.02   (177,954)  23.01             
                         
Outstanding December 26, 2009  5,300,844  $18.53       6.4  $47,413 
Granted
  908,728   26.70  $10.32         
Exercised
  (1,550,077)  14.28             
Canceled
  (144,638)  21.82             
                     
Outstanding December 26, 2009 2,650,422 $37.05 6.4 $47,413 
Outstanding December 25, 2010  4,514,857  $21.52       6.7  $121,350 
                           
 
Exercisable at December 26, 2009 1,566,916 $36.97 5.1 $29,144 
       
Exercisable at December 25, 2010  2,631,276  $21.18       5.5  $71,618 


The aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represents the total difference between our closing stock price at each year-end and the option exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options at each year-end. As of December 26, 2009,25, 2010, total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options is $8,841,000$9,156,000 with a weighted average expense recognition period of 1.31.4 years.

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The following summarizes information concerning stock option grants during fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007:
             
  2009  2008  2007 
Options granted with exercise price equal to market value:            
Weighted average exercise price $34.56  $38.34  $46.15 
Weighted average fair value $12.96  $14.54  $19.39 
Stock options granted  563,066   653,350   473,748 
During fiscal 2007, certain options were modified to immediately vest and extend the related exercise period, effectively resulting in a cancellation of existing options and grant of new options (thereThere were no material modifications to options in 20082010, 2009 or 2009). The options retained the original exercise price and, as a result, the modified options had exercise prices both above and below the modification date fair market value. The following summarizes the activity related to these modifications:2008.
     
  2007 
Options granted with exercise price greater than market value:    
Weighted average exercise price $58.87 
Weighted average fair value $0.93 
Stock options granted  55,668 
     
Options granted with exercise price less than market value:    
Weighted average exercise price $39.11 
Weighted average fair value $2.16 
Stock options granted  50,250 

Other information relative to option activity during fiscal 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008 is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts)thousands):
             
  2009  2008  2007 
Weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted $12.96  $14.54  $16.15 
Total fair value of stock options vested $10,225  $9,192  $10,748 
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised $12,742  $2,561  $12,075 

  2010  2009  2008 
Total fair value of stock options vested $8,417  $10,225  $9,192 
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised $31,388  $12,742  $2,561 

Restricted Stock Units

We issue shares for restricted stock unit awards once vesting occurs and related restrictions lapse.  The units vest over a one to three-year term.  The status of restricted stock units is presented below:
        
 Weighted 
 Average 
 Grant Date 
Restricted Stock Units Shares Fair Value  Shares  
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
 
Restricted at December 30, 2006 2,480 $64.45 
Granted 68,889 46.01 
Exercised   
Forfeited  (7,500) 46.17 
     
 
Restricted at December 29, 2007 63,869 46.71   127,738  $23.36 
Granted 89,958 38.33   179,916   19.17 
Exercised  (1,010) 59.37   (2,020)  29.69 
Forfeited  (14,114) 42.00   (28,228)  21.00 
     
         
Restricted at December 27, 2008 138,703 41.66   277,406  $20.83 
Granted 154,051 34.99   308,102   17.50 
Exercised  (5,448) 38.06   (10,896)  19.03 
Forfeited  (7,914) 40.73   (15,828)  20.37 
             
Restricted at December 26, 2009  558,784  $19.04 
Granted  148,862   27.37 
Exercised  (119,184)  22.10 
Forfeited  (38,284)  19.28 
         
Restricted at December 26, 2009 279,392 $38.08 
     
Restricted at December 25, 2010  550,178  $20.61 

Other information relative to restricted unit activity during fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 is as follows (in thousands):

  2010  2009  2008 
Total grant date fair value of restricted units vested and exercised $2,634  $207  $60 
Total intrinsic value of restricted units vested and exercised $3,329  $180  $40 
             

For the majority of restricted stock units granted, the number of shares issued on the date the restricted stock units vest is net of the minimum statutory tax withholding requirements that we pay on behalf of our employees.  We issued 90,203, 10,896, and 2,020 shares as a result of vested restricted stock units during fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The 2010 amount is net of 28,981 shares, withheld to satisfy $0.8 million of employees’ tax obligations.  Although shares withheld are not issued, they are treated similar to common stock repurchases as they reduce the number of shares that would have been issued upon vesting.

There were no material modifications to restricted stock units in 2010, 2009, or 2008.

As of December 26, 2009,25, 2010, total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock units is $4,973,000$4,705,000 with a weighted average expense recognition period of 1.81.7 years.

47



Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The ESPP provides our employees the opportunity to purchase, through payroll deductions, shares of common stock at a 15% discount.  Pursuant to the terms of the ESPP, we issued 50,735, 61,34874,788, 101,470 and 46,654122,696 shares of common stock during fiscal 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007,2008, respectively.  The total cost related to the ESPP, including the compensation expense calculations, was approximately $439,000, $449,000 $485,000 and $556,000$485,000 in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, and 2007, respectively.  In connection with the stock split, the number of shares of our common stock that are reserved under the ESPP increased from 4,000,000 shares to 8,000,000 shares.  At December 26, 2009,25, 2010, there were 3,187,3206,299,852 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the ESPP.
There were no significant modifications to the Company’sCompany's share-based compensation plans during fiscal 2009 (provided that, as noted above, the Company adopted its 2009 Stock Incentive Plan in replacement of its 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, effective May 7, 2009).2010.

Note 3 - Credit Agreement:

We are party to a Senior Credit Facility with Bank of America, N.A., as agent for a lender group (the “Credit Agreement”), which provides for borrowings up to $350 million (with sublimits of $75 million and $20 million for letters of credit and swingline loans, respectively).  The Credit Agreement has an Increase Option for $150 million (subject to additional lender group commitments).  The Credit Agreement is unsecured and matures in February 2012, with proceeds expected to be used for working capital, capital expenditures and share repurchases.

At December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009, and December 27, 2008, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement.  There were $35.2$27.4 million and $25.1$35.2 million outstanding letters of credit as of December 26, 200925, 2010 and December 27, 2008,26, 2009, respectively.  Borrowings bear interest at either the bank’s base rate (3.25% at December 26, 2009)25, 2010) or the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (0.23%(0.26% at December 26, 2009)25, 2010) plus an additional amount ranging from 0.35% to 0.90% per annum, adjusted quarterly based on our performance (0.50%(0.40% at December 26, 2009)25, 2010).  We are also required to pay, quarterly in arrears, a commitment fee ranging from 0.06% to 0.18% per annum and adjusted quarterly based on our performance, for unused capacity (0.10%(0.075% at December 26, 2009)25, 2010).   There are no compensating balance requirements associated with the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement requires quarterly compliance with respect to two material covenants:  a fixed charge coverage ratio and a leverage ratio.  The fixed charge coverage ratio principally compares consolidated EBITDAR to the sum of interest paid and rental expense (excluding straight-line rent).  The leverage ratio principally compares total debt plus rental expense (excluding straight-line rent) multiplied by a factor of six to consolidated EBITDAR.  The Credit Agreement also contains certain other restrictions regarding additional indebtedness, capital expenditures, business operations, guarantees, investments, mergers, consolidations and sales of assets, transactions with subsidiaries or affiliates, and liens.  We were in compliance with all covenants at December 26, 2009.25, 2010.

Note 4 - Leases:

We lease the majority of our office space and retail store locations, certain distribution centers, transportation equipment and other equipment under various noncancellable operating leases.  The leases have varying terms and expire at various dates through 2029 and 2025 for capital leases and operating leases, respectively.  Store leases typically have initial terms of between 10 and 15 years, with two to four optional renewal periods of five years each.  Some leases require the payment of contingent rent that is based upon store sales above agreed-upon sales levels for the year.  The sales levels vary for each store and are established in the lease agreements.  Generally, most of the leases also require that we pay associated taxes, insurance and maintenance costs.

Total rent expense for fiscal 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008 was approximately $169.4 million, $162.2 million $144.4 million and $124.2$144.4 million, respectively.  Total contingent rent expense for fiscal 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008 was insignificant.

48



Future minimum payments, by year and in the aggregate, under leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more consist of the following (in thousands):
         
Capital
Leases
  
Operating
Leases
 
 Capital Operating       
 Leases Leases 
 
2010 $526 $161,214 
2011 206 159,263  $206  $174,846 
2012 146 151,966   146   170,642 
2013 146 145,391   146   164,498 
2014 146 134,869   146   153,812 
2015  146   143,470 
Thereafter 2,072 732,276   1,926   737,760 
     
Total minimum lease payments 3,242 $1,484,979   2,716  $1,545,028 
   
Amount representing interest  (1,443)   (1,309)    
   
Present value of minimum lease payments 1,799   1,407     
Less: current portion  (392)   (91)    
   
Long-term capital lease obligations $1,407  $1,316     
   

Assets under capital leases were as follows (in thousands):
         
  2009  2008 
         
Building and improvements $1,581  $1,581 
Computer software and hardware  3,022   3,553 
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization  (3,198)  (3,068)
       
  $1,405  $2,066 
       

  2010  2009 
       
Building and improvements $1,581  $1,581 
Computer software and hardware  2,363   3,022 
Less:  accumulated depreciation and amortization  (2,915)  (3,198)
  $1,029  $1,405 

Note 5 - Capital Stock:

The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of common stock and preferred stock.  The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock.  The Company is also authorized to issue 40,000 shares of Preferred Stock, with such designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Note 6 - Treasury Stock:

We have a Board-approved share repurchase program which provides for repurchase of up to $400 million of common stock, exclusive of any fees, commissions, or other expenses related to such repurchases, through December 2011. The repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.  The timing and amount of any shares repurchased under the program will depend on a variety of factors, including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, capital availability, and other market conditions.  Repurchased shares will be held in treasury.  The program may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice.

We repurchased 0.8 million, 0.4 million 1.6 million and 3.21.6 million shares under the share repurchase program for a total cost of $38.2 million, $15.3 million $53.9 million and $150.0$53.9 million in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, and 2007, respectively.  As mentioned in Note 1, the shares added to treasury were not adjusted for the stock split.  As of December 26, 2009,25, 2010, we had remaining authorization under the share repurchase program of $181.0$142.8 million exclusive of any fees, commissions, or other expenses.

Note 7 — Comprehensive Income:
Comprehensive income for each fiscal year is as follows (in thousands):
             
  2009  2008  2007 
             
Net income $115,466  $81,930  $96,241 
Foreign currency translation adjustment        22 
          
Comprehensive income $115,466  $81,930  $96,263 
          

49


Note 8 —- Net Income Per Share:

Net income per share is calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
             
  2009 
  Net      Per Share 
  Income  Shares  Amount 
Basic net income per share:            
Net income $115,466   35,990  $3.21 
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock units outstanding     659   (0.06)
          
Diluted net income per share $115,466   36,649  $3.15 
          

             2010 
 
Net
Income
  Shares  
Per Share
Amount
 
Basic net income per share:         
Net income
 $167,972   72,597  $2.31 
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock units outstanding
  --   2,089   (0.06)
Diluted net income per share $167,972   74,686  $2.25 
 2008    
 Net Per Share    2009 
 Income Shares Amount  
Net
Income
  Shares  
Per Share
Amount
 
Basic net income per share:             
Net income $81,930 36,830 $2.22  $119,745   71,981  $1.66 
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock units outstanding  634  (0.03)  --   1,316   (0.03)
       
Diluted net income per share $81,930 37,464 $2.19  $119,745   73,297  $1.63 
          
   2008 
 
Net
Income
  Shares  
Per Share
Amount
 
Basic net income per share:            
Net income
 $107,993   73,661  $1.47 
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock units outstanding
  --   1,266   (0.03)
Diluted net income per share $107,993   74,927  $1.44 
             
  2007 
  Net      Per Share 
  Income  Shares  Amount 
Basic net income per share:            
Net income $96,241   39,220  $2.45 
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock units outstanding     880   (0.05)
          
Diluted net income per share $96,241   40,100  $2.40 
          

Anti-dilutive stock options excluded from the above calculations totaled 1,652,937, 1,637,286521,941, 3,305,874 and 1,052,6033,274,572 in 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008, respectively.

Note 98 – Income Taxes:

All amounts in this footnote reflect the change in method of accounting for inventory as discussed in Note 1.

The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
            
 2009 2008 2007  2010  2009  2008 
Current tax expense:          
Federal $71,640 $46,489 $49,395  $85,854  $72,398  $46,664 
State 9,480 3,995 2,321   7,444   9,427   3,495 
       
Total current 81,120 50,484 51,716   93,298   81,825   50,159 
       
             
Deferred tax expense (benefit):             
Federal  (10,926) 1,096 4,449   2,116   (9,425)  14,955 
State  (2,671)  (74) 2,598   1,554   (2,224)  3,123 
       
Total deferred  (13,597) 1,022 7,047   3,670   (11,649)  18,078 
       
Total provision $67,523 $51,506 $58,763  $96,968  $70,176  $68,237 
       

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.  Significant components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
         
  2009  2008 
Current tax assets:        
Inventory valuation $8,462  $8,153 
Accrued employee benefit costs  14,955   7,466 
Accrued sales taxes  3,280   139 
Other  4,651   4,671 
       
   31,348   20,429 
       
         
Current tax liabilities:        
Inventory basis difference  (11,995)  (17,653)
Other  (1,444)  (1,100)
       
   (13,439)  (18,753)
       
Net current tax asset $17,909  $1,676 
       
         

50

  2010  2009 
Current tax assets:      
Inventory valuation
 $8,738  $8,463 
Accrued employee benefit costs
  21,209   14,956 
Accrued sales taxes
  2,687   1,810 
Other
  5,972   6,122 
   38,606   31,351 
Current tax liabilities:        
Inventory basis difference
  (45,952)  (41,412)
Other
  (1,508)  (1,444)
   (47,460)  (42,856)
Net current tax liability $(8,854) $(11,505)
         
Non-current tax assets:        
Capital lease obligation basis difference
 $1,018  $1,017 
Rent expenses in excess of cash payments required
  21,066   18,677 
Deferred compensation
  13,870   11,113 
Other
  1,933   2,981 
   37,887   33,788 
Non-current tax liabilities:        
Depreciation
  (30,696)  (21,825)
Capital lease assets basis difference
  (551)  (571)
Other
  (890)  (301)
   (32,137)  (22,697)
Net non-current tax asset $5,750  $11,091 
         
Net deferred tax liabilities $(3,104) $(414)


         
  2009  2008 
         
Non-current tax assets:        
Capital lease obligation basis difference $1,017  $1,013 
Rent expenses in excess of cash payments required  18,675   15,720 
Deferred compensation  11,113   7,086 
Other  2,981   2,271 
       
   33,786   26,090 
       
         
Non-current tax liabilities:        
Depreciation  (21,823)  (11,376)
Capital lease assets basis difference  (570)  (597)
Other  (302)  (390)
       
   (22,695)  (12,363)
       
Net non-current tax asset $11,091  $13,727 
       
We have evaluated the need for a valuation allowance for all or a portion of the deferred tax assets and we believe that all of the deferred tax assets will more likely than not be realized through future earnings.

A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amounts computed at the federal statutory rate is as follows (in thousands):
            
 2009 2008 2007  2010  2009  2008 
          
Tax provision at statutory rate $64,047 $46,702 $54,252  $92,729  $66,473  $61,680 
Tax effect of:             
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefits 4,455 2,549 3,205   5,848   4,682   4,302 
Permanent differences  (979) 2,255 1,306   (1,609)  (979)  2,255 
        $96,968  $70,176  $68,237 
 $67,523 $51,506 $58,763 
       

The Company and its affiliates file income tax returns in the U. S.U.S. and various state and local jurisdictions.  With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2004.2005.  Various states have completed an examination of our income tax returns for 2001 through 2007.2008.
As a result of adopting new accounting guidance for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, we recognized a $1.9 million increase (net of applicable federal tax benefit) in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, including interest, which was accounted for as a reduction to the December 30, 2006 balance of retained earnings.
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would decrease the effective tax rate, is $2.9$3.7 million at December 26, 2009.25, 2010. In addition, we recognize current interest and penalties accrued related to these uncertain tax positions as interest expense, (a component of total operating expenses) and the amount is not material to the Consolidated Statements of Income.  A reconciliation of the beginning and ending gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits (exclusive of interest and penalties) is as follows (in thousands):
             
  2009  2008  2007 
Balance at beginning of year $3,052  $4,236  $3,558 
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year  1,295   762   812 
Additions for tax positions of prior years  437      278 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years  (688)  (520)  (377)
Reductions due to audit results  (207)  (1,426)  (35)
          
Balance at end of year $3,889  $3,052  $4,236 
          

  2010  2009  2008 
Balance at beginning of year $4,084  $3,249  $4,236 
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
  1,453   1,293   959 
Additions for tax positions of prior years
  --   437   -- 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
  (736)  (688)  (520)
Reductions due to audit results
  --   (207)  (1,426)
Balance at end of year $4,801  $4,084  $3,249 

Note 10 —9 - Retirement Benefit Plans:

We have a defined contribution benefit plan, the Tractor Supply Company 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (the “Plan”), which provides retirement benefits for our employees.  Employees become eligible on the first month following their fulfillment of the eligibility requirements.  To be eligible, an employee must be at least 21 years of age, have completed 12 months of employment, and performed 1,000 hours of service in a year of service as defined by the Plan.  We match (in cash) 100% of the employee’s elective contributions up to 3% of the employee’s eligible compensation plus 50% of the employee’s elective contributions from 3% to 6% of the employee’s eligible compensation.  In no event shall the total Company match made on behalf of the employee exceed 4.5% of the employee’s eligible compensation.  All current contributions are immediately 100% vested.  Company contributions to the Plan during fiscal 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007,2008, were approximately $3.7 million, $3.2 million and $2.8 million, and $2.6 million, respectively.

51



We offer, through a deferred compensation program, the opportunity for certain qualifying employees to elect a deferral of up to 40% of their annual base salary and up to 100% of their annual incentive bonus under their respective incentive bonus programs.  To be eligible for the salary deferral, each participant must contribute the maximum amount of salary to the Tractor Supply Company 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan subject to the Company’s match.  Under the deferred compensation program, the participants’ salary deferral is matched by the Company, 100% on the first $3,000 of base salary contributed and 50% on the next $3,000 of base salary contributed limited to a maximum annual matching contribution of $4,500.  Each participant’s account earns simple annual interest at the prime rate as in effect on January 1 each year.  EachEa ch participant is fully vested in all amounts credited to their deferred compensation account.  Payments under the program, which are made in cash and paid in ten annual installments or in a single lump sum payment at the election of the participant, are made within 30 days following the earlier of the participant’s (i) death, (ii) retirement, plus six months if the participant is a key employee, (iii) total and permanent disability, (iv) separation from service, plus six months if the participant is a key employee, or (v) some other date designated by the participant at the time of the initial deferral. The Company’s contributions, including accrued interest, were $0.3 million $0.3 millionin each of the fiscal years 2010, 2009 and $0.5 million for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.2008.

Note 11 —10 – Commitments and Contingencies:

Construction and Real Estate Commitments
We
At December 25, 2010, we had commitments related to construction projects for new store construction projectsstores and a distribution center totaling approximately $2.7 million at December 26, 2009.$32.2 million.

Litigation

The Company received and responded to a Request for Information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) relating to certain recreational vehicles and non-road spark ignition engines sold by the Company.  In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”), on behalf of the EPA, informed the Company that it believed the Company had violated the Clean Air Act by importing or causing the importation of certain engines not covered by certificates of conformity issued by the EPA, and that unless the DOJ and the Company were able to reach a settlement, the DOJ was prepared to commence a civil action. The Company is currently engaged in settlement discussions with the DOJ that would call for the payment of a civil penalty and c ertain injunctive relief.  The engines were purchased by the Company pursuant to agreements with vendors under which the vendors represented that their products complied with all applicable laws and regulations and under which the vendors agreed to indemnify the Company for any liabilities or costs relating to, among other matters, the noncompliance or alleged noncompliance of their products.  The Company has notified these vendors of the EPA’s position and expects to be reimbursed for any liabilities or costs relating to this matter.   The Company does not expect the resolution of this matter to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

We are also involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business.  Management expects these matters will be resolved without material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.  AnyWe believe that any estimated loss related to such matters has been adequately provided in accrued liabilities to the extent probable and reasonably estimable.  It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by changes in circumstances relating to these proceedings.

Note 12 —11 - Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards:

In December 2007,June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810 (originally issued as Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 167, “Amendments to FASB modified FASB ASC 805, Business CombinationsInterpretation No. (“Topic 805”FIN”) 46(R)”).  Previous guidance applied onlyAmong other items, ASC 810 responds to business combinations in which control was obtained by transferring consideration;concerns about an enterprise’s application of certain key provisions of FIN 46(R), including those regarding the revised guidance applies to all transactions or other events in which one entity obtains control over another. Topic 805 now defines the acquirer as the entity that obtains control over one or more other businesses and defines the acquisition date as the date the acquirer achieves control. It also requires the acquirer to recognize assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their respective fair values astransparency of the acquisition date. The revised guidance changes the treatment of acquisition-related costs, restructuring costs related to an acquisition that the acquirer expects butenterprise’s involvement with variable interest entities.  ASC 810 is not obligated to incur, contingent consideration associated with the purchase price and preacquisition contingencies associated with acquired assets and liabilities. Topic 805 retains the guidanceeffective for identifying and recognizing intangible assets apart from goodwill. The revised guidance applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual period that begins after November 15, 2009, and for interim periods within that first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We adopted this revised guidance effective December 28, 2008 (fiscal 2009). Thus we are required to apply the revised guidance to any business acquisition which occurs on or after December 28, 2008, but this modification had no effect on prior acquisitions.
In April 2008, the FASB modified FASB ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, and FASB ASC 275, Risks and Uncertainties, for factors that must be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life over which to amortize the cost of a recognized intangible asset.period.  The modification requires an entity to consider its own assumptions about renewal or extension of the term of the arrangement, consistent with its expected use of the asset, and is an attempt to improve consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset. WeCompany adopted the guidancestandard for determining the useful life of a recognized intangible asset effective December 28, 2008 (fiscal 2009), and the guidance is applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date. The guidance did not have aninterim period ended March 27, 2010.  There was no impact on ourthe C ompany’s financial condition,position, results of operations, cash flows, or cash flow.disclosures.

52



On April 9, 2009,In February 2010, the FASB modified FASB ASC 825, Financial Instruments,issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-09 (ASU No. 2010-09), “Subsequent Events (Topic 855):  Amendments to Certain Recognition and FASB ASC 270, Interim Reporting,Disclosure Requirements.”  The amendments remove the requirements for an SEC filer to extend the disclosure requirements related to the fair value of financial instruments to interimdisclose a date, in both issued and revised financial statements, of publicly traded companies. We adopted this guidance effective June 27, 2009. This guidance did notthrough which subsequent events have a significant impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.
In May 2009, the FASB modified FASB ASC 855, Subsequent Events, which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but beforebeen reviewed.  Revised financial statements are issued and requires entities to disclose the date through which they have evaluated subsequent events. We adopted this guidanceinclude financial statements revised as a result of either correction of an error or retrospective application of U.S. GAAP.  ASU No. 2010-09 was effective June 27, 2009.upon issuance.  The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In June 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-01 Topic 105, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles which establishes the FASB ASC. The FASB ASC is the single source
Note 12 – Subsequent Events:

On February 4, 2011, we announced that our board of authoritative nongovernmental U.S. GAAP, superseding existing FASB, American Institutedirectors declared a quarterly cash dividend of Certified Public Accountants, Emerging Issues Task Force, and related accounting literature. The FASB ASC reorganizes the thousands$0.07 per share of GAAP pronouncements into roughly 90 accounting topics and displays them using a consistent structure. Also included is relevant Securities and Exchange Commission guidance organized using the same topical structure in separate sections. We adopted ASU No. 2009-01 effective September 26, 2009. This impacted the Company’s notescommon stock.  The dividend will be paid on March 8, 2011 to financial statements since all references to authoritative accounting literature are referenced in accordance withstockholders of record as of the FASB ASC.close of business on February 22, 2011.
Note 13 — Subsequent Events:
We evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after December 26, 2009 up through February 24, 2010, which represents the date these financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
43


Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None

Item 9A.Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the 1934 Act) as of December 26, 2009.25, 2010.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the 1934 Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of December 26, 2009,25, 2010, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the 1934 Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’sSecurities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the 1934 Act.  The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

53



Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 26, 2009.25, 2010.  In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework.  Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of December 26, 2009,25, 2010, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm which also audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements, has issued a report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.

Change in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.9B.Other Information

None.

54





Item 10.10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information set forth under the caption “Executive"Executive Officers of the Registrant”Registrant" in Part I of this Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.

The information set forth under the captions “Corporate Governance – Code of Ethics,” “Item 1: Election of Directors,” “Board Meetings and Committees,” and “Section"Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”Compliance" in our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 29, 201028, 2011 is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11.11.Executive Compensation

The information set forth under the captions “Corporate Governance – Compensation Committee InterlockInterlocks and Insider Participation,” “Compensation of Directors”, “Executive Compensation”, “Compensation Committee Report”, “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, “2009“2010 Summary Compensation Table”, “2009“2010 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation”, “2009“2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards”, “Outstanding Equity Awards At Fiscal 20092010 Year-End”, “2009“2010 Option Exercises and Stock Vested”, and “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” in our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 29, 201028, 2011 is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information set forth under the caption “Security"Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management”Management" in our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 29, 201028, 2011 is incorporated herein by reference.

Following is a summary of our equity compensation plans as of December 26, 2009,25, 2010, under which equity securities are authorized for issuance, aggregated as follows:
            
 Number of Securities to be Weighted Average   
 Issued Upon Exercise of Exercise Price of Number of Securities 
 Outstanding Options, Outstanding Options, Remaining Available 
Plan Category Warrants, and Rights Warrants and Rights for Future Issuance  
Number of Securities to be
Issued Upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options, Warrants, and Rights
  
Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
  
Number of Securities
Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
 
          
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders: 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
         
          
2009 Stock Incentive Plan 17,940 $33.36 3,082,060   1,052,404  $22.72   5,146,530 
2006 Stock Incentive Plan(1)
 1,743,915 32.78    2,720,413   16.49   -- 
2000 Stock Incentive Plan(1)
 1,014,373 35.68    1,133,784   22.72   -- 
1994 Stock Option Plan(1)
 153,586 27.70    158,434   16.67   -- 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan(2)
   3,187,320   --   --   6,299,852 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders:    
       
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders:
  --   --   -- 
             
Total 2,929,814 $33.52 6,269,380   5,065,035  $19.18   11,446,382 
       
 
(1)The 2006 Stock Incentive Plan was superseded in May 2009. The 2000 Stock Incentive Plan was superseded in May 2006. The 1994 Stock Option Plan expired in February 2004.
  
(2)Represents shares available as of December 26, 2009.25, 2010.
The information set forth in Note 2 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in this ReportForm 10-K provides further information with respect to the material features of each plan.

55



Item 13.13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information set forth under the captions “Item 1 – Election of Directors”, “Corporate Governance” and “Related-Party Transactions” in our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 29, 201028, 2011 is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14.14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information set forth under the caption “Item 2 – Ratification of Reappointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 29, 2010,28, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 15.15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a) (1)
Financial Statements
See Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 on pages 32 through 53 of this Report.

See Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 on pages 36 through 55 of this Form 10-K.

(a) (2)
Financial Statement Schedules
None
Financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable.
None

Financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable.
(a) (3)
Exhibits
The exhibits listed in the Index to Exhibits, which appears on pages 58 through 61 of this Form 10-K, are incorporated herein by reference or filed as part of this Form 10-K.

56


The exhibits listed in the Index to Exhibits, which appears on pages 60 through 63 of this Form 10-K, are incorporated herein by reference or filed as part of this Form 10-K.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
Date:  February 24, 2010 23, 2011By:
/s/ Anthony F. Crudele
Anthony F. Crudele 
Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

SignatureTitleDate
/s/ Anthony F. Crudele
Anthony F. Crudele
Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
February 24, 2010
23, 2011
/s/ James F. Wright
James F. Wright
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal
(Principal Executive Officer)
February 24, 2010
23, 2011
/s/ JohnJohnston C. Adams
Johnston C. Adams
 
John Adams
DirectorFebruary 24, 2010
23, 2011
/s/ William Bass
William Bass
DirectorFebruary 24, 2010
23, 2011
/s/ Jack C. Bingleman
Jack C. Bingleman
DirectorFebruary 24, 2010
/s/ S.P. Braud
S.P. Braud
Director February 24, 2010
23, 2011
/s/ Richard W. Frost
Richard W. Frost
DirectorFebruary 24, 2010
23, 2011
/s/ Cynthia T. Jamison
Cynthia T. Jamison
DirectorFebruary 24, 2010
23, 2011
/s/ Gerard E. Jones
Gerard E. Jones
DirectorFebruary 24, 2010
23, 2011
/s/ George MacKenzie
George MacKenzie
DirectorFebruary 24, 2010
23, 2011
/s/ Edna K. Morris
Edna K. Morris
DirectorFebruary 24, 201023, 2011

57





EXHIBIT INDEX

 
3.1Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on February 14, 1994 (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant’sRegistrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-102768, filed with the Commission on January 28, 2003. and incorporated herein by reference).

 3.2Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 28, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Registrant’sRegistrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-102768, filed with the Commission on January 28, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference).

 3.3Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 13, 1994 (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Registrant’sRegistrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-102768, filed with the Commission on January 28, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference).

 3.4Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on May 3, 2005, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).

 3.5Second Amended and Restated By-laws (filed as Exhibit 3(ii) to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on February 11, 2009, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).

 4.1
Form of Specimen Certificate representing the Company’sCompany's Common Stock, par value $.008 per share (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’sRegistrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on January 31, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference).

 10.1Tractor Supply Company 1994 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.28 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 10.2Amendment to the Tractor Supply Company 1994 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 4.6 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-10699, filed with the Commission on June 14, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 10.3Second Amendment to the Tractor Supply Company 1994 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.44 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 24, 2000, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 10.4Third Amendment to the Tractor Supply Company 1994 Stock Option Plan, effective February 8, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.36 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on February 28, 2007, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference.)+

 10.5Certificate of Insurance relating to the Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan of the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.33 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference).

 10.6Summary Plan Description of the Executive Life Insurance Plan of the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.34 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference).+

58



 
10.7Tractor Supply Company 1996 Associate Stock Purchase Plan (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-10699, filed with the Commission on August 23, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 10.8Tractor Supply Company Restated 401(k) Retirement Plan (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 333-35317, filed with the Commission on September 10, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 10.9First Amendment, dated December 22, 2003 to the Tractor Supply Company 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.53 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 8, 2004, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 10.10Second Amendment to Tractor Supply Company Restated 401(k) Retirement Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.57 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 23, 2001, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 10.11Trust Agreement (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 333-35317, filed with the Commission on September 10, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference).

 10.12Split-Dollar Agreement, dated January 27, 1998, between the Company and Joseph H. Scarlett, Jr., Tara Anne Scarlett and Andrew Sinclair Scarlett (filed as Exhibit 10.45 to Registrant’sRegistrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 17, 1999, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).

 10.13Tractor Supply Company 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 4.5 to Registrant’sRegistrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-102768, filed with the Commission on January 28, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference).+

 10.14First Amendment to the Tractor Supply Company 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, effective February 8, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.37 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on February 28, 2007, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference.) +

 10.15First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2000, between Tractor Supply Company and GOF Partners (filed as Exhibit 10.56 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 23, 2001, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).

 10.16Transportation Management Services Agreement between UPS Logistics Group, Inc. and Tractor Supply Company dated May 10, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 10.58 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 14, 2001 Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).

 10.17Tractor Supply Company Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, dated November 11, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 10.58 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on May 13, 2002, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).

 10.18Transition and Separation Agreement dated February 17, 2006 between Tractor Supply Company and Calvin B. Massmann (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, Registration No. 000-23314 filed with the Commission on February 21, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 10.19Lease Agreement dated January 22, 2004 between Tractor Supply Company and The Prudential Insurance Company of America (filed as Exhibit 10.54 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 8, 2004, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).

59



 
10.20Tractor Supply Co. 2004 Cash Incentive Plan, effective April 15, 2004 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 4, 2004, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).

 10.21Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Tractor Supply Company and James F. Wright effective July 12, 2004 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 4, 2004, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+
10.22First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated December 22, 2008, by and between Tractor Supply Company and James F. Wright (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on February 17,21, 2010 Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+
10.23Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated February 11, 2010, by and between Tractor Supply Company and James F. Wright (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on February 17,December 22, 2010, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 
10.2410.22Chairman of the Board Bonus Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on April 27, 2005, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 
10.2510.23Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.46 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 10, 2005, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 
10.2610.24Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.44 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 16, 2006, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 
10.2710.25Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.39 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on February 28, 2007, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 
10.2810.26Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.45 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on February 27, 2008, Commission File No. 000-23314, incorporated herein by reference).+

 
10.2910.27Tractor Supply Company 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’sRegistrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 27, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 
10.3010.28First Amendment, dated April 27, 2006 to the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on April 27, 2006, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 
10.3110.29Second Amendment to the Tractor Supply Company 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, effective February 8, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.38 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on February 28, 2007, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference.)+

 
10.3210.30Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.41 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on February 25, 2009, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

60



 
10.3310.31Form of Change in Control Agreement for each of Anthony F. Crudele; Stanley L. Ruta; Gregory A. Sandfort; and Kimberly D. Vella (filed as Exhibit 10.42 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 4, 2009, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 10.32
10.34Form ofAmended and Restated Change in Control Agreement for James F. Wright (filed as Exhibit 10.4310.41 to Registrant’s QuarterlyCurrent Report on Form 10-Q,8-K, filed with the Commission on August 4, 2009,December 22, 2010, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 
10.3510.33Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the Tractor Supply Company 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.44 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 4, 2009, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 
10.3610.34Form of Restricted Share Unit Agreement under the Tractor Supply Company 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.45 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 4, 2009, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 
10.3710.35Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the Tractor Supply Company 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.46 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 4, 2009, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 
10.3810.36Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of February 22, 2007 by and among Tractor Supply Company, the banks party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, (filed as Exhibit 10.47 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on November 2, 2009, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).
 
10.3910.37First Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of February 25, 2008 by and among Tractor Supply Company, the banks party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (filed as Exhibit 10.46 to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on February 27, 2008, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).

 
10.4010.38Form of Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.48 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on November 2, 2009, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 
10.4110.39Form of Restricted Share Unit Agreement for Officers (filed as Exhibit 10.49 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on November 2, 2009, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 
10.4210.40Form of Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement for Directors (filed as Exhibit 10.50 to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on November 2, 2009, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 
10.4310.41Tractor Supply Company 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on April 14, 2009, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).+

 18*Letter re:  Change in accounting principles.

 23.1*21*List of subsidiaries.

 23*Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

 31.1*Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 31.2*Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
32.1*32*Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 101
The following financial information from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal 2010, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2011, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the consolidated balance sheets at December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009, (ii) the consolidated statements of income for years ended December 25, 2010, December 26, 2009, and December 27, 2008 (iii) the consolidated statements of cash flows for years ended December 25, 2010 December 26, 2009, and December 27, 2008, (iv) the consolidated statements of stockholders' equity for the years ended December 25, 2010 December 26, 2009, and December 27, 2008, and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.(1)
*           Filed herewith
+           Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

* Filed herewith
+(1)Management contractThe XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or compensatory planotherwise subject to liability of that section and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing or arrangementother document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing or document.

61