Slate Retail REIT (TSX: SRT.U) (TSX: SRT.UN) (the "REIT") provides the
following update in connection with the announcement by Southeastern
Grocers, LLC (“SEG”), the parent of Winn-Dixie, BI-LO, Fresco y Más and
Harveys Supermarket grocery stores, that SEG has entered into a
Restructuring Support Agreement (“RSA”) on March 15, 2018.
As part of the RSA, SEG has announced its intention to close
approximately 18% of its stores. None of the REIT’s 10 properties
anchored by Winn-Dixie or BI-LO grocery stores are expected to be part
of such store closures.
In contemplation of a potential restructuring by SEG, the REIT entered
into conditional lease amendments with SEG to modify the terms of
certain of the REIT’s existing leases. The impact of these changes
include:
-
Minor rent reductions will be provided at 6 of the REIT’s 10
properties over the remaining term to maturity in return for lease
term modifications and store investments by SEG. This reduction is
equal to approximately 0.7% of the REIT’s fourth quarter 2017 net
operating income on an annualized basis.
-
SEG has committed to providing certain minimum investments at the
REIT’s properties, to either upgrade or improve the existing format.
-
The term of certain leases will be amended, however, the weighted
average term to maturity will remain at 6.6 years.
-
The aggregate carrying value at December 31, 2017 of the REIT’s
properties anchored by Winn-Dixie or BI-LO grocery stores reflected a
potential restructuring and certain rent adjustments.
The conditional lease amendments agreed to between the REIT and SEG are
effective upon SEG’s successful emergence from the restructuring.
“Confirmation by Southeastern Grocers that none of its grocery stores at
the REIT’s properties are expected to close is reflective of our team’s
ability to identify and acquire high quality real estate.” said Greg
Stevenson, Chief Executive Officer of the REIT. “We look forward to
continuing to build on our strong relationship with Southeastern
Grocers, working constructively with them.”
REIT’s Properties Anchored by SEG’s Winn-Dixie or BI-LO Grocery Stores
|
Property
|
|
City, State, MSA
|
|
Banner
|
|
Sq. Ft.
|
|
Barefoot Commons
|
|
North Myrtle Beach, SC, Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach
SC-NC MSA
|
|
Bi-LO
|
|
48,520
|
|
Dill Creek Commons
|
|
Greer, SC, Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin SC MSA
|
|
Bi-LO
|
|
45,876
|
|
Armstrong Plaza
|
|
Fountain Inn, SC, Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin SC MSA
|
|
Bi-LO
|
|
38,588
|
|
98 Palms
|
|
Destin, FL, Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin FL MSA
|
|
Winn-Dixie
|
|
48,397
|
|
Bloomingdale Plaza
|
|
Brandon, FL, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater FL MSA
|
|
Winn-Dixie
|
|
47,195
|
|
Seminole Oaks
|
|
Seminole, FL, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater FL MSA
|
|
Winn-Dixie
|
|
44,702
|
|
Errol Plaza
|
|
Apopka, FL, Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford FL MSA
|
|
Winn-Dixie
|
|
46,160
|
|
Uptown Station
|
|
Fort Walton Beach, FL, Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin FL MSA
|
|
Winn-Dixie
|
|
48,106
|
|
Salerno Village Square
|
|
Stuart, FL, Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach FL MSA
|
|
Winn-Dixie
|
|
45,802
|
|
Meres Town Centre
|
|
Tarpon Springs, FL, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater FL MSA
|
|
Winn-Dixie
|
|
37,500
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
450,846
|
About Slate Retail REIT (TSX: SRT.U / SRT.UN)
Slate Retail
REIT is a real estate investment trust focused on U.S. grocery-anchored
real estate. The REIT owns and operates approximately U.S. $1.5 billion
of assets located across the top 50 U.S. metro markets that are visited
regularly by consumers for their everyday needs. The REIT’s conservative
payout ratio, together with its diversified portfolio and quality tenant
covenants, provides a strong basis to continue to grow unitholder
distributions and the flexibility to capitalize on opportunities that
drive value appreciation. Visit slateretailreit.com to
learn more about the REIT.
About Slate Asset Management L.P.
Slate Asset Management
L.P. is a leading real estate investment platform with over $4.5 billion
in assets under management. Slate is a value-oriented manager and a
significant sponsor of all of its private and publicly-traded investment
vehicles, which are tailored to the unique goals and objectives of its
investors. The firm's careful and selective investment approach creates
long-term value with an emphasis on capital preservation and outsized
returns. Slate is supported by exceptional people, flexible capital and
a proven ability to originate and execute on a wide range of compelling
investment opportunities. Visit slateam.com to
learn more.
Forward‐Looking Statements
Certain information herein
constitutes “forward‐looking information” as defined under Canadian
securities laws which reflect management’s expectations regarding
objectives, plans, goals, strategies, future growth, results of
operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities of the
REIT. The words “plans”, “expects”, “does not expect”, “scheduled”,
“estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “does not anticipate”,
“projects”, “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or
statements to the effect that certain actions, events or results “may”,
“will”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur”, “be achieved”, or “continue”
and similar expressions identify forward‐looking statements. Some of the
specific forward‐looking statements contained herein include, but are
not limited to statements with respect to the following: the intention
of SEG to remain open at all of the REIT’s properties, SEG’s successful
emergence from bankruptcy protection, and the effectiveness of the
conditional lease amendments (including the receipt of court approval
and certain additional approvals in respect of such amendments). Such
forward‐looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the
inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations,
including that the transactions contemplated herein are completed.
Forward‐looking statements are necessarily based on a number of
estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by
management as of the date hereof, are inherently subject to significant
business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. When
relying on forward‐looking statements to make decisions, the REIT
cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as
forward‐looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties
and should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results,
and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not the
times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. A
number of factors could cause actual results to differ, possibly
materially, from the results discussed in the forward‐looking
statements. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is
contained in the filings of the REIT with securities regulators,
including the REIT’s Annual Information Form dated February 16, 2018.
For Further Information
Investor Relations
+1 416 644 4264
ir@slateam.com