Ingles Markets (IMKTA) Risk Factors

The Company operates in the southeastern United States, and its performance is therefore heavily influenced by economic developments in the Southeast region. The Company's headquarters, warehouse and distribution center and milk processing and packaging plant are located in North Carolina and all of the Company's stores are located in the Southeast region. As a result, the Company's business has been and, in the future, may be, more susceptible to regional factors than the operations of more geographically diversified competitors. These factors include, among others, changes in the economy, weather conditions and natural disasters, demographics and population. For example, on September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene severely impacted western North Carolina, including where the Company's headquarters are located, resulting in catastrophic flooding and destruction, power and communication outages, major road closures and loss of life. The storm caused damage to certain of the Company's properties, including its distribution center and impacted the ability of the Company's stores to report information to the Company's headquarters. Although the Company largely returned to normal operations within a reasonably short period of time following Hurricane Helene, there can be no assurance that future storms impacting the region will not have more severe consequences with respect to the Company's operations, which could more significantly and adversely impact the Company's financial position, cash flow and results of operation.

The supermarket industry is highly competitive and continues to be characterized by intense price competition, increasing fragmentation of retail formats, entry of non-traditional competitors (both physical and online) and market consolidation. Furthermore, some of the Company's competitors have greater financial resources and could use these financial resources to take measures, such as altering product mix, reducing prices, home/in-store fulfillment, or online ordering which could adversely affect the Company's competitive position.

We believe our success depends, in substantial part, on our ability to: ?anticipate, identify and react to fresh, natural and organic grocery and dietary supplement trends and changing consumer preferences and demographics in a timely manner;?translate market trends into appropriate, innovative, saleable product and service offerings in our stores before our competitors and effectively market these trends to our target customers; and ?develop and maintain those relationships that provide us access to the newest on-trend merchandise and customer engagement options on reasonable terms. Consumer preferences often change rapidly and without warning, moving from one trend to another among many product or retail concepts. Our performance is impacted by trends regarding healthy lifestyles, product attributes, dietary preferences, convenient options, fresh, natural and organic products, meal solutions, ingredient transparency and sustainability, and vitamins and supplements, as well as new and evolving methods of engaging with and delivering our products to our customers. Consumer preferences might shift as a result of, among other things, economic conditions, food safety perceptions, scientific research or findings regarding the benefits or efficacy of such products, national media attention and the cost, attributes or sustainability of these products. A change in consumer preferences away from our offerings would have a material adverse effect on our business. Additionally, negative publicity over the safety, efficacy or benefits of any such items, may adversely affect demand for our products, and could result in lower customer traffic, sales, results of operations and cash flows. If we are unable to anticipate and satisfy consumer preferences with respect to product offerings and customer engagement options, our sales may decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company's business is dependent on information technology systems. These complex systems are an important part of ongoing operations. If the Company were to experience disruption in these systems, did not maintain existing systems properly, or did not implement new systems appropriately, operations could suffer. The Company is currently undergoing a systematic program to enhance its information technology abilities. The Company has implemented procedures to protect its information technology systems and data necessary to conduct ongoing operations. The Company cannot, however, be certain that all these systems and data are entirely free from vulnerability to attack. Compliance with tougher privacy and information security laws and standards, including protection of customer debit and credit card information, may result in higher investments in technology and changes to operational processes. In recent years, more industry transactions have been online for ordering and fulfillment. This trend places a higher reliance on effective and efficient information systems.

The Company is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to zoning, land use, workplace safety, public health, community right-to-know, beer and wine sales, country of origin labeling of food products, pharmaceutical sales and fuel station operations. Furthermore, the Company's business is regulated by a variety of governmental agencies, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Employers are also subject to laws governing their relationship with employees, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, working conditions, insurance coverage, disabled access, and work permit requirements. Recent and proposed regulation has had or may have a future impact on the cost of insurance benefits for associates and on the cost of processing debit and credit card transactions. Compliance with, or changes in, these laws could reduce the revenue and profitability of the Company's supermarkets and could otherwise adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.