Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales increased by 8.5% to $1,130,000,000 compared to the previous year, driven by new store openings and a 30 basis point increase in comparable store sales [6][29] - Gross profit rose by 12.7% to $342,400,000, with gross margin improving by 110 basis points to 30.4%, exceeding expectations due to better inventory management [30] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 31.7% to $51,900,000, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 4.6%, up 80 basis points from the prior year [33] - Net loss was $23,300,000 or negative $0.24 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1,000,000 or negative $0.01 per diluted share last year [32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company opened 11 new stores and closed one, ending the quarter with 543 stores across 16 states, on track to meet the annual target of 33 to 35 new stores [29] - Comparable store sales growth was driven by a 2.3% increase in the number of transactions, partially offset by a 2% decrease in average transaction size [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is moderating its outlook for annual comparable store sales growth due to current business trends and macroeconomic uncertainties [22][28] - The first quarter was impacted by the Easter holiday shift, affecting sales performance [29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on four strategic imperatives: improving new store performance, securing top talent, addressing execution gaps, and enhancing execution at scale [9][10] - Plans include piloting a new commercial execution playbook and clustering stores in new markets to optimize returns on invested capital [11][12] - The company aims to strengthen relationships with independent operators and suppliers to enhance the overall business model [7][8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term addressable market and the potential for improved costs and margins with focused execution [9] - The company is committed to enhancing the in-store experience and driving customer loyalty through better execution and value delivery [23][24] - Management acknowledged the need to balance margin maintenance with market share defense in the current environment [92] Other Important Information - The company incurred $33,900,000 in restructuring charges during the first quarter, primarily related to lease terminations and employee severance [32] - The effective tax rate for the quarter was 19.7%, a significant decrease from 60% in the previous year [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Strategy and Growth Level - Management emphasized a focus on execution and building a loved brand, with priorities on capabilities to enhance customer experience and drive loyalty [40][41] Question: Second Quarter Guidance and Comp Trajectory - Management discussed ongoing commercial and execution activities aimed at improving sales, with expectations for modest sequential improvement in the back half of the year [43][47] Question: Real-Time Order Guide Impact - Initial feedback on the real-time order guide has been positive, with improved fill rates expected to translate into sales over time [50][51] Question: Gross Margin Performance - Improved shrinkage and inventory management contributed to better-than-expected gross margin performance, with sustainability anticipated throughout the year [53][55] Question: Opportunistic Sourcing Trends - Strong supplier relationships continue to provide opportunities for opportunistic sourcing, with efforts to enhance visibility and communication with independent operators [58][60] Question: Basket Size and Consumer Behavior - Management noted that while traffic remains strong, there has been a decrease in basket size, attributed to execution-related issues rather than a shift in consumer behavior [70][71] Question: Restructuring Plan and Cash Expenditures - The restructuring plan remains within the original cost range, with no impact on profitability guidance for the year [90] Question: Market Share and Margin Trade-offs - Management is focused on balancing margin maintenance with market share defense, with plans to react quickly to pricing changes as needed [92][94] Question: United Grocery Outlet Integration - Sales growth at United Grocery Outlet is in line with expectations, with integration plans set for late 2026 [97]