UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q

(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended April 19, 2008
OR
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 number 001-16797


 
 
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 

 
 
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
54-2049910
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
5008 Airport Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24012
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
 
(540) 362-4911
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report).

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. Yes x No o
 
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 definition of “large accelerated filer,” "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 
Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer p  
Non-accelerated filer    p (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company p
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes p No x

As of May 23 , 2008, the registrant had outstanding 95,284,683 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the only class of common stock of the registrant outstanding).
 

 
 
 

 
 
       
       
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
       
  Item 1.   Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries (unaudited):    
       
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 19, 2008 and December 29, 2007  
 1
       
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007   
 2
       
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007  
 3
       
    Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements  
 5
       
  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
17
       
  Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
28
       
  Item 4.  Controls and Procedures  
28
       
PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION  
       
  Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
28
       
  Item 6. Exhibits  
29
       
SIGNATURE      
S-1
 
 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
April 19, 2008 and December 29, 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
Assets
 
April 19,
2008
   
December 29,
2007
 
             
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 19,128     $ 14,654  
Receivables, net
    84,083       84,983  
Inventories, net
    1,618,320       1,529,469  
Other current assets
    27,570       53,719  
          Total current assets
    1,749,101       1,682,825  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of
               
$781,992 and $753,024
    1,047,667       1,047,944  
Assets held for sale
    3,672       3,274  
Goodwill
    33,718       33,718  
Intangible assets, net
    28,259       26,844  
Other assets, net
    10,710       10,961  
    $ 2,873,127     $ 2,805,566  
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Bank overdrafts
  $ 1,873     $ 30,000  
Current portion of long-term debt
    671       610  
Financed vendor accounts payable
    146,924       153,549  
Accounts payable
    801,214       688,970  
Accrued expenses
    311,561       301,414  
Other current liabilities
    53,689       51,385  
          Total current liabilities
    1,315,932       1,225,928  
Long-term debt
    553,836       505,062  
Other long-term liabilities
    52,696       50,781  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock, nonvoting, $0.0001 par value,
               
   10,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock, voting, $0.0001 par value, 200,000
               
   shares authorized; 101,456 shares issued and 94,881 outstanding
               
   in 2008 and 101,072 shares issued and 99,060 outstanding in 2007
    10       10  
Additional paid-in capital
    283,574       274,659  
Treasury stock, at cost, 6,575 and 2,012 shares
    (229,993 )     (74,644 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (3,783 )     (701 )
Retained earnings
    900,855       824,471  
          Total stockholders' equity
    950,663       1,023,795  
    $ 2,873,127     $ 2,805,566  
 
The accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
 
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended
April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

   
Sixteen Week Periods Ended
 
   
April 19,
2008
   
April 21,
2007
 
             
Net sales
  $ 1,526,132     $ 1,468,120  
Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs
    782,681       758,717  
         Gross profit
    743,451       709,403  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    599,173       574,710  
         Operating income
    144,278       134,693  
Other, net:
               
     Interest expense
    (12,325 )     (11,274 )
     Other income, net
    28       342  
         Total other, net
    (12,297 )     (10,932 )
Income before provision for income taxes
    131,981       123,761  
Provision for income taxes
    49,895       47,660  
Net income
  $ 82,086     $ 76,101  
                 
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.86     $ 0.72  
                 
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.86     $ 0.71  
                 
Average common shares outstanding
    94,987       105,694  
Dilutive effect of share-based compensation
    696       951  
Average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution
    95,683       106,645  
 
The accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.


Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended
April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
   
Sixteen Week Periods Ended
 
   
April 19,
2008
   
April 21,
2007
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 82,086     $ 76,101  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
               
operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    44,620       45,426  
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs
    111       69  
Share-based compensation
    5,715       5,398  
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment, net
    (1,246 )     3,370  
Benefit for deferred income taxes
    (2,182 )     (6,087 )
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation
    (327 )     (3,607 )
Net decrease (increase) in:
               
Receivables, net
    900       4,041  
Inventories, net
    (88,851 )     (92,712 )
Other assets
    26,233       13,316  
Net increase in:
               
Accounts payable
    112,244       117,034  
Accrued expenses
    28,162       21,491  
Other liabilities
    6,136       3,035  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    213,601       186,875  
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of property and equipment
    (58,863 )     (75,940 )
Insurance proceeds related to damaged property
    -       3,251  
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
    4,117       239  
Other
    (1,750 )     -  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (56,496 )     (72,450 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Decrease in bank overdrafts
    (28,127 )     (28,499 )
Decrease in financed vendor accounts payable
    (6,625 )     (9,297 )
Dividends paid
    (11,659 )     (12,682 )
Borrowings under credit facilities
    239,700       136,800  
Payments on credit facilities
    (190,700 )     (209,800 )
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, primarily exercise
               
   of stock options
    2,926       11,262  
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation
    327       3,607  
Repurchase of common stock
    (158,308 )     -  
Other
    (165 )     39  
Net cash used in financing activities
    (152,631 )     (108,570 )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    4,474       5,855  
Cash and cash equivalents , beginning of period
    14,654       11,128  
Cash and cash equivalents , end of period
  $ 19,128     $ 16,983  
 
The accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.


Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - (Continued)
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended
April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
   
Sixteen Week Periods Ended
 
   
April 19,
2008
   
April 21,
2007
 
             
Supplemental cash flow information:
           
Interest paid
  $ 12,807     $ 12,861  
Income tax payments, net
    30,499       40,665  
Non-cash transactions:
               
Accrued purchases of property and equipment
    19,272       17,948  
Changes in other comprehensive loss
    3,082       626  
Adoption of FIN No. 48, net of tax
    -       2,275  
 
The accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
 

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
1.
Basis of Presentation:
 
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, or the Company. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The condensed consolidated balance sheets as of April 19, 2008 and December 29, 2007, the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the sixteen week periods ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the sixteen week periods ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007, have been prepared by the Company. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Company, the results of its operations and cash flows have been made.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007.

The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full fiscal year.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Vendor Incentives

The Company receives incentives in the form of reductions to amounts owed to and/or payments from vendors related to cooperative advertising allowances, volume rebates and other promotional considerations. The Company accounts for vendor incentives in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, No. 02-16, “Accounting by a Customer (Including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor.” Many of the incentives are under long-term agreements (terms in excess of one year), while others are negotiated on an annual basis. Cooperative advertising allowances and volume rebates are earned based on inventory purchases and initially recorded as a reduction to inventory. The deferred amounts are included as a reduction to cost of sales as the inventory is sold since these payments do not represent reimbursements for specific, incremental and identifiable costs. Total deferred vendor incentives in inventory was $39,208 and $39,118 at April 19, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively.

The Company recognizes other promotional incentives earned under long-term agreements as a reduction to cost of sales. These incentives are recognized based on the cumulative net purchases as a percentage of total estimated net purchases over the life of the agreement. The Company's margins could be impacted positively or negatively if actual purchases or results from any one year differ from its estimates; however, the impact over the life of the agreement would be the same. Short-term incentives (terms less than one year) are recognized as a reduction to cost of sales over the course of the agreements.
 

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
Amounts received or receivable from vendors that are not yet earned are reflected as deferred revenue in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.  Management's estimate of the portion of deferred revenue that will be realized within one year of the balance sheet date has been included in other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Earned amounts that are receivable from vendors are included in Receivables, net except for that portion expected to be received after one year, which is included in Other assets, net on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Preopening Expenses

Preopening expenses, which consist primarily of payroll and occupancy costs, are expensed as incurred.

Warranty Costs

The Company's vendors are primarily responsible for warranty claims. Warranty costs relating to merchandise (primarily batteries) sold under warranty, which are not covered by vendors' warranties, are estimated based on the Company's historical experience and are recorded in the period the product is sold. The following table presents changes in the Company’s warranty reserves.

 
   
April 19, 
2008
   
December 29,
2007
 
   
(16 weeks ended)
   
(52 weeks ended)
 
             
Warranty reserve, beginning of period
  $ 17,757     $ 13,069  
Reserves established
    14,089       24,722  
Reserves utilized and other adjustments, net
    (8,171 )     (20,034 )
                 
Warranty reserve, end of period
  $ 23,675     $ 17,757  
 
 
Sales Returns and Allowances

The Company’s accounting policy for sales returns and allowances consists of establishing reserves for estimated returns at the time of sale. The Company anticipates returns based on current sales levels and the Company’s historical return experience on a specific product basis. The Company’s reserve for sales returns and allowances was not significant at April 19, 2008 and December 29, 2007.
 
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

Basic earnings per share of common stock has been computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, less stock held in treasury and shares of non-vested restricted stock, during the period.  Diluted earnings per share of common stock reflects the increase in the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding, outstanding deferred stock units and the impact of outstanding stock options, stock appreciation rights and shares of unvested restricted stock (collectively “share-based awards”), calculated on the treasury stock method as modified by the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment.”
 
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

Hedge Activities
 
The Company utilizes interest rate swaps to limit its cash flow risk on its variable rate debt. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” the fair value of the Company’s outstanding hedges is recorded as an asset or liability in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets at April 19, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively. The Company uses the 90-day, adjusted LIBOR interest rate and has the intent and ability to continue to use this rate on its hedged borrowings. Accordingly, the Company does not recognize any ineffectiveness on the swaps as allowed under Derivative Implementation Group Issue No. G7, “Cash Flow Hedges: Measuring the Ineffectiveness of a Cash Flow Hedge under Paragraph 30(b) When the Shortcut Method Is Not Applied” and has recorded all adjustments to the fair value of the hedge instruments in accumulated other comprehensive income through the maturity date of the applicable hedge arrangements.

The fair value at April 19, 2008 and December 29, 2007 was an unrecognized loss of $12,523 and $7,645, respectively. Any amounts received or paid under these hedges will be recorded in the statement of operations as earned or incurred.

Based on the estimated current and future fair values of the hedge arrangements at April 19, 2008, the Company estimates amounts currently included in accumulated other comprehensive income that will be reclassified to earnings in the next 12 months will consist of a loss of $4,165 associated with the interest rate swaps.

Financed Vendor Accounts Payable

The Company is party to a short-term financing program with a bank allowing it to extend its payment terms on certain merchandise purchases. The substance of the program is for the Company to borrow money from the bank to finance purchases from vendors. The Company records any discount given by the vendor to the value of its inventory and accretes this discount to the resulting short-term payable to the bank through interest expense over the extended term. At April 19, 2008 and December 29, 2007, $146,924 and $153,549, respectively, was payable to the bank by the Company under this program and is included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as Financed vendor accounts payable.

 
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
Cost of Sales and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

The following table illustrates the primary costs classified in each major expense category:
 
Cost of Sales  
 
SG&A  
               
Total cost of merchandise sold including:
 
Payroll and benefit costs for retail and corporate
 
Freight expenses associated with moving
   
team members;
   
merchandise inventories from our vendors to
 
Occupancy costs of retail and corporate facilities;
   
our distribution center,
 
Depreciation related to retail and corporate assets;
 
Vendor incentives, and
 
Advertising;
 
Cash discounts on payments to vendors;
 
Costs associated with our commercial delivery
Inventory shrinkage;
   
program, including payroll and benefit costs,
Defective and warranty costs;
   
and transportation expenses associated with moving
Costs associated with operating our distribution
   
merchandise inventories from our retail stores to
 
network, including payroll and benefit costs,
   
our customer locations;
 
occupancy costs and depreciation; and
 
Freight expenses associated with moving
Freight expenses associated with moving
   
merchandise inventories from our Local Area
 
merchandise inventories from our distribution
 
Warehouses, or LAWs, and Parts Delivered Quickly
  center to our retail stores.         
warehouses, or PDQs, to our retail stores after the
           
customer has special-ordered the merchandise;
         
Self-insurance costs;
         
Professional services; and
         
Other administrative costs, such as credit card
           
service fees, supplies, travel and lodging.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” an amendment of SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 161 is intended to improve financial standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity's financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about: how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity's financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting SFAS No. 161.

Effective December 30, 2007, the Company adopted FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FIN 39-1, “Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39,” or FSP 39-1. FSP 39-1 amends FASB Interpretation No. 39, Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts (“FIN 39”), to permit a reporting entity to offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting arrangement that have been offset in accordance with FIN 39. FSP 39-1 also amends FIN 39 for certain terminology modifications. Upon adoption of FSP 39-1, the Company did not change its accounting policy of not offsetting fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments under master netting arrangements. The adoption of FSP 39-1 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
 
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company adopted SFAS No. 159 on December 30, 2007 and elected not to apply fair value on its existing financial assets and liabilities. Therefore, this adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

  On December 30, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” on its financial assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 clarifies the definition of fair value, establishes a framework for defining fair value as it relates to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, and expands the disclosures of fair value measurements. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have any impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company did not apply the provisions of SFAS No. 157 for its nonfinancial assets and liabilities except for those recognized or disclosed on a recurring basis (at least annually) as allowed by the issuance of FSP 157-2. The Company will fully adopt the provisions of SFAS 157 effective during its first quarter of fiscal 2009.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).” SFAS No. 158 requires recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status of defined benefit postretirement plans as an asset or liability in the statement of financial position and to recognize changes in that funded status in comprehensive income in the year in which the changes occur. SFAS No. 158 also requires measurement of the funded status of a plan as of the date of the statement of financial position. The Company adopted the recognition provisions of SFAS No. 158 on December 30, 2006. The Company adopted the measurement date provisions of SFAS No. 158 on December 30, 2007. The Company has elected to apply the alternate transition method under which a 14-month measurement will cover the period from November 1, 2007 through January 3, 2009. The change in the measurement date will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 
2.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets:
 
The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of acquired intangible assets as of April 19, 2008 and December 29, 2007 include:
 
   
Acquired intangible assets
       
   
Subject to Amortization
   
Not Subject
to Amortization
       
   
Customer
Relationships
   
Other
   
Trademark and
Tradenames
   
Intangible
Assets, net
 
Gross carrying amount
  $ 9,600     $ 885     $ 18,800     $ 29,285  
                                 
Net book value at December 29, 2007
  $ 7,464     $ 580     $ 18,800     $ 26,844  
Addition
    -       -       1,750       1,750  
2008 amortization
    (295 )     (40 )     -       (335 )
Net book value at April 19, 2008
  $ 7,169     $ 540     $ 20,550     $ 28,259  
 
During the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008, the Company acquired from a Kentucky entity for $1,750 the limited territorial rights the Kentucky entity had in the “Advance Auto Parts” trademark, ownership of certain websites and access to the Louisville, KY market. This improves the Company’s trademark rights, increases traffic to the Company’s website and opens a new metropolitan market for the Company.
 
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
The table below shows the expected amortization expense for the next five years for acquired intangible assets recorded as of April 19, 2008:
 
2008
   $ 752    
2009
    1,087    
2010
    1,059    
2011
    967    
2012
    967    
 
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008 are as follows:
 

   
AAP Segment
   
AI Segment
   
Total
 
                   
Balance at December 29, 2007
  $ 16,093     $ 17,625     $ 33,718  
Fiscal 2008 activity
    -       -       -  
Balance at April 19, 2008
  $ 16,093     $ 17,625     $ 33,718  
 
3.
Receivables, net:
 
Receivables consist of the following:

   
April 19, 
2008
 
 
December 29,
2007
 
             
Trade
$
19,099
  $
         14,782
 
Vendor
 
         66,832
   
            71,403
 
Other
 
           2,710
   
              2,785
 
Total receivables
 
         88,641
   
            88,970
 
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
         (4,558
 
            (3,987
Receivables, net
$
84,083
  $
        84,983
 

4.
Inventories, net:

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method for approximately 93% of inventories at both April 19, 2008 and December 29, 2007. Under the LIFO method, the Company’s cost of sales reflects the costs of the most currently purchased inventories, while the inventory carrying balance represents the costs relating to prices paid in prior years. The Company’s costs to acquire inventory have been generally decreasing in recent years as a result of the Company’s significant growth. Accordingly, the cost to replace inventory is less than the LIFO balances carried for similar products. As a result of the LIFO method and the ability to obtain lower product costs, the Company recorded reductions to cost of sales of $7,409 and $10,319 for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007, respectively.

An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each fiscal year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time.  Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations must be based on management’s estimates of expected fiscal year-end inventory levels and costs.

The remaining inventories are comprised of product cores, which consist of the non-consumable portion of certain parts and batteries and are valued under the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. Core values are included as part of the Company’s merchandise costs and are either passed on to the customer or returned to the vendor.
 
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
Additionally, these products are not subject to the frequent cost changes like the Company’s other merchandise inventory, thus there is no material difference from applying either the LIFO or FIFO valuation methods.

The Company capitalizes certain purchasing and warehousing costs into inventory. Purchasing and warehousing costs included in inventory, at FIFO, at April 19, 2008 and December 29, 2007, were $104,855 and $107,068, respectively. Inventories consist of the following:
 
   
April 19,
2008
   
December 29,
2007
 
Inventories at FIFO, net
  $ 1,517,139     $ 1,435,697  
Adjustments to state inventories at LIFO
    101,181       93,772  
Inventories at LIFO, net
  $ 1,618,320     $ 1,529,469  
 
Replacement cost approximated FIFO cost at April 19, 2008, and December 29, 2007.

Inventory quantities are tracked through a perpetual inventory system. The Company uses a cycle counting program in all distribution centers, PDQs, LAWs and retail stores to ensure the accuracy of the perpetual inventory quantities of both merchandise and core inventory.

The Company establishes reserves for estimated shrink based on historical accuracy and effectiveness of the cycle counting program. The Company also establishes reserves for potentially excess and obsolete inventories based on current inventory levels and the historical analysis of product sales and current market conditions. The Company provides reserves when less than full credit is expected from a vendor or when liquidating product will result in retail prices below recorded costs. The Company’s reserves against inventory for these matters were $36,174 and $35,565 at April 19, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively.
 
5.
Long-term Debt:
 
Long-term debt consists of the following:
 
   
April 19,
2008
   
December 29,
2007
 
Senior Debt:
           
Revolving facility at variable interest rates
           
(3.50% and 5.93% at April 19, 2008 and December 29,
           
2007, respectively) due October 2011
  $ 350,000     $ 451,000  
Term loan at variable interest rates
               
(3.92% and 6.19% at April 19, 2008 and December 29,
               
2007, respectively) due October 2011
    200,000       50,000  
Other
    4,507       4,672  
      554,507       505,672  
Less: Current portion of long-term debt
    (671 )     (610 )
Long-term debt, excluding current portion
  $ 553,836     $ 505,062  
 
On December 4, 2007, the Company entered into a new $200,000 unsecured four-year term loan with the Company’s subsidiary, Advance Stores Company, Incorporated, or Stores, serving as borrower. Proceeds from this term loan were used to repurchase shares of the Company's common stock under its stock repurchase program. As of
 
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
December 29, 2007, the Company had borrowed $50,000 under the term loan. As of April 19, 2008, the Company had borrowed the remaining availability under the term loan.

In addition to the term loan, the Company has a $750,000 unsecured five-year revolving credit facility with Stores serving as the borrower. The revolving credit facility also provides for the issuance of letters of credit with a sub limit of $300,000 and swingline loans in an amount not to exceed $50,000. The Company may request, subject to agreement by one or more lenders, that the total revolving commitment be increased by an amount not exceeding $250,000 during the term of the credit agreement. Voluntary prepayments and voluntary reductions of the revolving balance are permitted in whole or in part, at the Company’s option, in minimum principal amounts as specified in the revolving credit facility.

As of April 19, 2008, the Company had outstanding $350,000 under its revolving credit facility, $200,000 under its term loan, $4,507 under an economic development note and $74,742 in letters of credit outstanding, which reduced availability under the revolving credit facility to $325,258. In addition to the letters of credit, the Company maintains approximately $2,861 in surety bonds issued by its insurance provider primarily to utility providers and the departments of revenue for certain states. These letters of credit and surety bonds generally have a term of one year or less.
 
The interest rate on the term loan will be based, at the Company’s option, on an adjusted LIBOR rate, plus a margin, or an alternate base rate, plus a margin. The current margin is 1.00% and 0.0% per annum for the adjusted LIBOR and alternate base rate borrowings, respectively. The Company has elected to use the 90-day adjusted LIBOR rate and has the ability and intent to continue to use this rate on its hedged borrowings. A commitment fee will be charged on the unused portion of the term loan, payable in arrears. The current commitment fee rate is 0.200% per annum. Under the terms of the term loan, the interest rate spread and commitment fee will be based on the Company’s credit rating. The term loan terminates on October 5, 2011.

The interest rates on borrowings under the revolving credit facility will be based, at the Company’s option, on an adjusted LIBOR rate, plus a margin, or an alternate base rate, plus a margin. The current margin is 0.75% and 0.0% per annum for the adjusted LIBOR and alternate base rate borrowings, respectively. The Company has elected to use the 90-day adjusted LIBOR rate and has the ability and intent to continue to use this rate on its hedged borrowings. A commitment fee will be charged on the unused portion of the revolver, payable in arrears. The current commitment fee rate is 0.150% per annum. Under the terms of the revolving credit facility, the interest rate spread and commitment fee will be based on the Company’s credit rating. The revolving facility terminates on October 5, 2011.

The term loan and revolving credit facility are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Advance Auto Parts, Inc. The Company’s debt agreements collectively contain covenants restricting the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, (1) create, incur or assume additional debt (including hedging arrangements), (2) incur liens or engage in sale-leaseback transactions, (3) make loans and investments, (4) guarantee obligations, (5) engage in certain mergers, acquisitions and asset sales, (6) change the nature of the Company’s business and the business conducted by its subsidiaries and (7) change the holding company status of the Company. The Company is required to comply with financial covenants with respect to a maximum leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated coverage ratio. The revolving credit facility also provides for customary events of default, including non-payment defaults, covenant defaults and cross-defaults to the Company’s other material indebtedness. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at April 19, 2008.
 
 
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
6.
Stock Repurchase Program:

During the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008, the Company repurchased 4,563 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $155,350, or an average price of $34.04 per share. Additionally, the Company settled $2,959 on shares repurchased prior to the end of fiscal 2007. These shares were repurchased in accordance with the Company’s $500,000 stock repurchase program authorized by its Board of Directors in 2007. The program allows the Company to repurchase its common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. At April 19, 2008, the Company had $105,354 remaining under the current stock repurchase program.
 
Subsequent to April 19, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new $250,000 stock repurchase program. The new program cancelled and replaced the remaining portion of its previous $5 00,000 stock repurchase program.
 
7.
Postretirement Plan:
 
The Company provides certain health and life insurance benefits for eligible retired team members through a postretirement plan, or the Plan. These benefits are subject to deductibles, co-payment provisions and other limitations. The Plan has no assets and is funded on a cash basis as benefits are paid. The Company’s postretirement liability is calculated annually by a third-party actuary. The discount rate utilized at December 29, 2007 was 6.0%, and remained unchanged through the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008. The Company expects fiscal 2008 plan contributions to completely offset benefits paid, consistent with fiscal 2007.

The components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008, and April 21, 2007 respectively, are as follows:
 
   
Sixteen Weeks Ended 
 
   
April 19,
2008
 
 
April 21,
2007
 
                 
Interest cost
  $
153
    $
            169
 
Amortization of negative prior service cost
 
 
             (179
   
             (179
Amortization of unrecognized net gain
 
 
                 (4
)    
                  -
 
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost
 
$
(30
  $
            (10
 
8.
Share-Based Compensation Plans:
 
During the first quarter 2008, the Company made a series of share-based award grants to employees, including recently hired executives and its annual grant to employees eligible to receive share-based awards under the Company’s long-term incentive plan.  Accordingly, the Company granted 1,363 stock appreciation rights, or SARS, to be settled in the Company’s common stock at a weighted average conversion price of $34.37.  Based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model, the weighted average fair value for the SARS awarded was $9.08 per share. Additionally, the Company granted 283 shares of restricted stock, or unvested shares, which had a weighted average fair value grant price of $35.13 per share.  This value was determined based on the ending market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant.
 
The SARS vest over a three-year period in equal installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date, with the exception of certain SARS awards granted to newly hired executives.  Those grants provide for 25% of the SARS award granted to vest immediately with exercise restrictions during the first year, and the remainder of the award to vest in equal installments over the three-year period consistent with all other SARS granted. The unvested shares are restricted until they vest and cannot be sold until the restriction has lapsed. During this period, holders of
 
 
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
the unvested shares are entitled to dividend and voting rights. Beginning in 2008, all new unvested share awards granted vest over a three-year period in equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. Prior grants vested at the end of the three-year period following the grant date.
 
As of April 19, 2008, there was $27,928 of unrecognized compensation expense related to all share based awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 2.5 years.  Unrecognized compensation expense includes adjustments made for award forfeitures from departing executives and other employees.  The Company recognized $5,715 and $5,398 of share based compensation expense for the first quarters ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007, respectively.
 
9.
Fair Value Measurements:

Our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value are grouped in three levels. The levels prioritize the inputs used to measure the fair value of the assets or liabilities.  These levels are:

·  
Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
·  
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for assets and liabilities, either directly or indirectly. These inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in market that are less active.
·  
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for assets or liabilities reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

The following financial liabilities were measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008:
 
         
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
   
April 19, 2008
   
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for
Identical Assets
   
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
Interest rate swaps
$
          12,523
  $
                        -
  $
                 12,523
  $
                  -
 
 
The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps is mainly based on observable interest rate yield curves for similar instruments.

As of April 19, 2008 and December 29, 2007, the Company also reported additional financial assets and liabilities at their respective carrying amounts which included cash and cash equivalents, receivables, bank overdrafts, accounts payable, financed vendor accounts payable and current portion of long-term debt. The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments. As of April 19, 2008 and December 29, 2007, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt with a carrying value of $553,836 and 505,062, respectively, was approximately $535,000 and $502,000, respectively, and was based on similar issues available to the Company as of that date.
 
10.
Comprehensive Income:
 
The Company includes in comprehensive income the changes in fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps and changes in net unrecognized other postretirement benefit costs.
 
 
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
Comprehensive income for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007 is as follows:
 
   
Sixteen Weeks Ended
 
   
April 19, 
2008
   
April 21, 
2007
 
             
Net income
  $ 82,086     $ 76,101  
Unrealized loss on hedge
               
arrangements, net of tax
    (2,971 )     (516 )
Changes in net unrecognized other
               
postretirment benefit costs, net of tax
    (111 )     (110 )
Comprehensive income
  $ 79,004     $ 75,475  
 
11.
Segment and Related Information:
 
The Company has the following two reportable segments: Advance Auto Parts, or AAP, and Autopart International, or AI. The AAP segment is comprised of store operations within the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands which operate under the trade names “Advance Auto Parts,” “Advance Discount Auto Parts” and “Western Auto.” These stores offer a broad selection of brand name and proprietary automotive replacement parts, accessories and maintenance items for domestic and imported cars and light trucks, with no significant concentration in any specific product area.

The AI segment consists solely of the operations of Autopart International, which operates as an independent, wholly-owned subsidiary. AI’s business serves the commercial market in addition to warehouse distributors and jobbers located throughout the Northeastern region of the United States.

The Company evaluates each of its segment’s financial performance based on net sales and operating profit for purposes of making decisions and allocating resources. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1.

The following table summarizes financial information for each of the Company's business segments for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007, respectively.
 
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Sixteen Week Periods Ended April 19, 2008 and April 21, 2007
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net Sales
           
AAP
  $ 1,481,053     $ 1,432,113  
AI
    45,079       36,007  
Total Net Sales
  $ 1,526,132     $ 1,468,120  
                 
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for
               
 income taxes
               
AAP
  $ 132,246     $ 125,432  
AI
    (265 )     (1,671 )
Total income (loss) before provision (benefit) for
               
 income taxes
  $ 131,981     $ 123,761  
                 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
               
AAP
  $ 50,007     $ 48,611  
AI
    (112 )     (951 )
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes
  $ 49,895     $ 47,660  
                 
Segment assets
               
AAP
  $ 2,717,154     $ 2,646,860  
AI
    155,973       134,454  
Total segment assets
  $ 2,873,127     $ 2,781,314  
 
 
 
ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of our consolidated historical results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. Our first quarter consists of 16 weeks and our other three quarters consist of 12 weeks each.

Certain statements in this report are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are usually identified by the use of words such as "will," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "forecasts," "plans," "intends," "should" or similar expressions. We intend those forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are included in this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions.

These forward-looking statements reflect current views about our plans, strategies and prospects, which are based on the information currently available and on current assumptions.

Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations as reflected in or suggested by those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Listed below and discussed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007 are some important risks, uncertainties and contingencies which could cause our actual results, performances or achievements to be materially different from the forward-looking statements made in this report. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include, but are not limited to, the following:

·   the implementation of our business strategies and goals;
·   our ability to expand our business;
·   competitive pricing and other competitive pressures;
·   a decrease in demand for our products;
·   the occurrence of natural disasters and/or extended periods of unfavorable weather;
·   our ability to obtain affordable insurance against the financial impacts of natural disasters;
·   the availability of suitable real estate locations;
·   our overall credit rating which impacts our debt interest rate and ability to obtain additional debt;
·   deterioration in general economic conditions;
·   our ability to attract and retain qualified team members;
·   our relationship with our vendors;
·   our involvement as a defendant in litigation or incurrence of judgments, fines or legal costs;
·   adherence to the restrictions and covenants imposed under our revolving and term loan facilities; and
·   acts of terrorism.

We assume no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In evaluating forward-looking statements, you should consider these risks and uncertainties, together with the other risks described from time to time in our other reports and documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and you should not place undue reliance on those statements.

Management Overview

During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, we recorded earnings per diluted share of $0.86 compared to $0.71 for the same quarter of fiscal 2007. This 21% increase was primarily driven by a 7% increase in operating income and approximately 13 million shares repurchased over the past four fiscal quarters. Despite a continued challenging economic environment, we generated sales growth of 4% through a combination of new stores opened over the last year and a 0.6% comparable store sales increase. This comparable sales increase was driven by a 10.6% comparable sales increase in our commercial business which was partially offset by a 3.0% decline in the DIY, or do-it-yourself, business. The return of a double-digit commercial comparable sales increase reflects our increased focus on this
 
 
business.  We also continue to generate significant operating cash flow to allow us to invest in strategic initiatives and return capital to shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases.

Although we experienced favorable financial results for the first quarter, we remain cautiously optimistic about results for the remainder of 2008 given the current economic instability as a result of the continued increase in fuel prices. Furthermore, we are still in the early stages of implementing certain strategies as discussed below and are committed to making the necessary investments for the long-term success of the Company.

Turnaround Strategy

As previously disclosed, certain initiatives were introduced during 2007 as the Company embarked on a concentrated effort to drive changes in its business in response to diminished sales and earnings growth throughout 2006 and 2007. Our new CEO and President, who was appointed in January 2008, had been involved with management on the completion of certain strategic studies during 2007 as a member of our Board of Directors.  In addition to the CEO, other new management leaders were added in 2008 to work with existing leaders on executing the turnaround plan. The turnaround plan is focused on the following four key turnaround strategies:
 
Ø   Commercial Acceleration
 
Ø     DIY Transformation
 
Ø     Availability Excellence
 
Ø     Superior Experience
 
Each of these strategies is aligned with the areas of responsibility of an executive officer or combination of executive officers.
 
Commercial Acceleration – We have reorganized the Company to have a fully dedicated commercial team with representation from all functional areas. This team will oversee the initiatives specifically designed for growth in our commercial business (previously referred to as DIFM business) in light of the favorable market dynamics. Certain initiatives had already begun in 2007, including enhanced parts availability, improved store staffing and redesign of incentive structures. We believe our parts availability initiative has already begun to yield results as evidenced by the positive commercial sales results experienced during the first quarter. We have also recently announced the addition of key product brands which are highly respected by our commercial customers. Additional strategies are in the process of being developed in 2008, including a heightened focus on parts knowledge by our store team members, enhanced customer relationships and the development of metrics and overall reporting.
 
DIY Transformation – DIY Transformation complements the Commercial Acceleration and consists of reinvigorating the DIY business from the complete assessment of the sales floor to better understand the customer. The DIY industry has become an increasingly difficult environment in which to operate because it is growing at approximately 1% per year with a small number of retailers making up the majority of the market. This is evident by the decreasing store traffic and the resulting decline in comparative sales trends over the past several years.

Certain initiatives will benefit both the commercial and DIY strategies. For example, the parts availability initiative, including the introduction of new product brands, and increased parts knowledge are also expected to benefit the DIY business based on feedback received back from customer surveys. Other initiatives will be focused solely on the DIY business, some of which began in 2007. We terminated the Advance TV network and have reallocated resources to more effective advertising, including a more focused effort on marketing to Hispanic customers and the introduction of a new brand in February 2008, “Keep the wheels turning.” Lastly, we will remain focused on our store team members and customers by developing engagement and satisfaction metrics to ensure we have proper alignment between our team members and the customer service they are expected to provide.

Availability Excellence – Availability excellence represents our commitment to enhance the availability of parts in our stores to better serve our commercial and DIY customers. This strategy incorporates our supply chain and logistics network capabilities, space management and increased leverage of our e-commerce platform. Certain of
 
 
 
these changes began in 2007 as we started adding incremental parts availability partially funded by the removal of slower moving inventory on the sales floor. We will utilize additional key metrics for measuring our inventory productivity, including sales per square foot and gross margin return on inventory (GMROI).

Superior Experience – Superior experience is centered around our store operations and customer service. The leaders of this area will be re-engineering the store experience and overall operation of the store as well as better understanding what the customer ultimately wants. Key initiatives within this strategy include:

§  
Development and rollout of customer satisfaction and team member engagement surveys;
§  
Examination of all standard operating procedures;
§  
Improved team member recruitment, training and retention; and
§  
Enhancement of our labor management system.

Stock Repurchase Program

During the first quarter 2008, we repurchased 4.6 million shares of common stock for $155 million under our $500 million stock repurchase program. Subsequent to the end of the first quarter, our Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program of up to $250 million of our common stock plus related expenses. The program, which became effective May 15, 2008, replaced the remaining $105 million portion of the previous $500 million stock repurchase program. For further discussion of this program see the Liquidity section of this management’s discussion and analysis.

Consolidated Operating Results and Key Metrics

The following table highlights certain consolidated operating results and key metrics for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008, and April 21, 2007. We will use these key metrics to measure the financial progress of our turnaround strategies.
 
     
Q1 2008
     
Q4 2007
   
Q3 2007
   
Q2 2007
   
Q1 2007
   
FY 2007
 
FY 2006
 
Operating Results:
                                               
Total net sales (in 000s)
    $ 1,526,132     $ 1,048,382   $ 1,158,043   $ 1,169,859     $ 1,468,120     $ 4,844,404   $ 4,616,503  
Total commercial net sales (in 000s)
    $ 438,672     $ 288,104   $ 314,052   $ 305,153     $ 383,293     $ 1,290,602   $ 1,155,953  
Comparable store net sales growth (1)
      0.6%       (0.3%)     1.0%     1.2%       0.7%       0.7%     1.6%  
   DIY comparable store net sales growth (1)
      (3.0%)       (3.2%)     (1.2%)     (0.2%)       (0.5%)       (1.1%)     (0.8%)  
   Commercial comparable store net sales growth (1)
      10.6%       8.1%     7.5%     5.4%       4.2%       6.2%     10.7%  
Gross profit
      48.7%       47.1%     47.9%     48.1%       48.3%       47.9%     47.7%  
Selling, general & administrative expenses (SG&A)
      39.3%       41.0%     39.3%     38.0%       39.1%       39.3%     39.0%  
Operating margin
      9.5%       6.1%     8.7%     10.1%       9.2%       8.6%     8.7%  
                                                     
Key Statistics and Metrics:
                                                   
Number of stores, end of period
      3,291       3,261     3,228     3,187       3,150       3,261     3,082  
Total store square footage, end of period (in 000s)
      24,212       23,982     23,771     23,480       23,204       23,982     22,753  
Total team members, end of period
      45,174       44,141     45,476     45,505       44,969       44,141     44,421  
Average net sales per store ( in 000s) (2)
    $ 1,522     $ 1,527   $ 1,538   $ 1,544     $ 1,544     $ 1,527   $ 1,551  
Average net sales per square foot (2)(3)
    $ 207     $ 207   $ 209   $ 209     $ 209     $ 207   $ 210  
Operating income per team member (in 000s) (2)(4)
    $ 9.5     $ 9.4   $ 9.2   $ 9.4     $ 9.3     $ 9.4   $ 9.3  
SG&A expenses per store (in 000s) (2)
    $ 599     $ 601   $ 604   $ 605     $ 603     $ 601   $ 604  
Gross margin return on inventory (2)(5)
    $ 3.52     $ 3.39   $ 3.47   $ 3.55     $ 3.54     $ 3.39   $ 3.38  
 
Note:  These metrics should be reviewed along with the footnotes to the table setting forth our selected store data in Item 6. "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007, which was filed with the SEC on February 27, 2008, except for additional footnotes below. The footnotes contain descriptions regarding the calculation of these metrics. 
 
 
 
(1)  
Beginning in fiscal 2008, the Company includes in its comparable store sales the net sales from Offshore and AI stores. The comparable periods have been adjusted accordingly.
(2)  
These financial metrics presented for each quarter are calculated on an annual basis and accordingly reflect the last four fiscal quarters completed.
(3)  
Average net sales per square foot is calculated as net sales divided by an average of beginning and ending store square footage. The ending square footage for each of the comparable periods in 2006 is as follows: Q1 – 21,625,000; Q2 – 21,940,000; Q3 – 22,284,000; and Q4 – 22,753,000.
(4)  
Operating income per team member is calculated as operating income divided by an average of beginning and ending number of team members. The ending number of team members for each of the comparable periods in 2006 is as follows: Q1 – 43,524; Q2 – 44,115; Q3 – 44,910; and Q4 – 44,421.
(5)  
G ross margin return on inventory is calculated as gross margin divided by an average of beginning and ending inventory, net of accounts payable and financed vendor accounts payable.

Operating Segments

We conduct our operations in two reportable segments: Advance Auto Parts, or AAP, and Autopart International, or AI.  The AAP segment is comprised of our store operations within the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, which operate under the trade names “Advance Auto Parts,” “Advance Discount Auto Parts” and “Western Auto.” The AI segment consists solely of the operations of Autopart International, which operates as an independent, wholly-owned subsidiary.

AAP Segment

At April 19, 2008, we operated 3,179 stores within the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. We operated 3,149 stores throughout 40 states in the Northeastern, Southeastern and Midwestern regions of the United States. These stores operated under the “Advance Auto Parts” trade name except for certain stores in the state of Florida, which operated under the “Advance Discount Auto Parts” trade name. These stores offer a broad selection of brand name and proprietary automotive replacement parts, accessories and maintenance items for domestic and imported cars and light trucks. In addition, we operated 30 stores under the “Western Auto” and “Advance Auto Parts” trade names, located in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, or Offshore.
 
The following table sets forth information about our stores during the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008, including the number of new, closed and relocated stores and stores with commercial programs that deliver products to our commercial customers’ place of business. We lease approximately 81% of our stores.
   
Sixteen Weeks Ended April 19, 2008
 
Number of stores at beginning of period
    3,153  
New stores
    30  
Closed stores
    (4 )
Number of stores, end of period
    3,179  
Relocated stores
    3  
Stores with commercial programs
    2,614  
 
AI Segment

At April 19, 2008, we operated 112 stores throughout New England and New York. These stores operated under the “Autopart International” trade name. These stores offer a broad selection of brand name and proprietary automotive replacement parts, accessories and maintenance items for domestic and imported cars and light trucks,
 
 
with a greater focus on imported parts. AI primarily serves the commercial market from its retail locations and additionally through a wholesale distribution network.
 
The following table sets forth information about our stores, including the number of new and closed stores, during the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008.
 
   
Sixteen Weeks Ended April 19, 2008
 
Number of stores at beginning of period
    108  
New stores
    4  
Closed stores
    -  
Number of stores, end of period
    112  
Stores with commercial programs
    112  
 
As previously disclosed in our Form 10-K, we anticipate that we will add a total of approximately 115 new AAP and AI stores during 2008 primarily through new store openings.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based on these financial statements. The preparation of these financial statements requires the application of accounting policies in addition to certain estimates and judgments by our management. Our estimates and judgments are based on currently available information, historical results and other assumptions we believe are reasonable. Actual results could differ from these estimates. During the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008, we consistently applied the critical accounting policies discussed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007. For a complete discussion regarding these critical accounting policies, refer to this annual report on Form 10-K.

Components of Statement of Operations

Net Sales

Net sales consist primarily of comparable store sales and new store net sales. We calculate comparable store sales based on the change in net sales starting once a store has been open for 13 complete accounting periods. We include relocations in comparable store sales from the original date of opening. Beginning in 2008, we also include in comparable store sales the net sales from the Offshore and AI stores. The comparable periods have been adjusted accordingly.

Cost of Sales

Our cost of sales consists of merchandise costs, net of incentives under vendor programs, inventory shrinkage, defective and warranty costs, and warehouse and distribution expenses. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales may be affected by variations in our product mix, price changes in response to competitive factors and fluctuations in merchandise costs, vendor programs, inventory shrinkage, defective and warranty costs and warehouse and distribution costs. We seek to avoid fluctuation in merchandise costs and instability of supply by entering into long-term purchase agreements, without minimum purchase volume requirements, with vendors when we believe it is advantageous. Our gross profit may not be comparable to those of our competitors due to differences in industry practice regarding the classification of certain costs. See Note 1 in our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of these costs.
 
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of store payroll, store occupancy (including rent and depreciation), advertising expenses, other store expenses and general and administrative expenses, including salaries and related benefits of store support center team members, share-based compensation expense, store support center administrative office expenses, data processing, professional expenses and other related expenses.


Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain of our operating data expressed as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated.
 
   
Sixteen Week Periods Ended
 
   
(unaudited)
 
   
April 19,
   
April 21,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of sales, including purchasing and
               
warehousing costs
    51.3       51.7  
Gross profit
    48.7       48.3  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    39.3       39.1  
Operating income
    9.5       9.2  
Interest expense
    (0.8 )     (0.8 )
Other income, net
    0.0       0.0  
Provision for income taxes
    3.3       3.2  
Net income
    5.4 %     5.2 %
 
Sixteen Weeks Ended April 19, 2008 Compared to Sixteen Weeks Ended April 21, 2007

Net sales for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008 were $1,526.1 million, an increase of $58.0 million, or 4.0%, as compared to net sales for the sixteen weeks ended April 21, 2007. The net sales increase was due to an increase in comparable store sales of 0.6% and contributions from the 141 net new AAP and AI stores opened within the last year. AAP produced sales of $1,481.1 million, an increase of $48.9 million, or 3.4%. AAP’s sales increase was primarily driven by a 0.3% comparable store sales increase and sales from the 124 net new stores opened within the last year. The AAP comparable store sales increase was driven by (i) an increase in average ticket sales and customer traffic in our commercial business and (ii) an increase in average ticket sales by our DIY customers offset by a decrease in DIY customer count. AI produced sales of $45.1 million, an increase of $9.1 million, or 25.2%. AI’s sales increase was primarily driven by a 14.2% comparable store sales increase and sales from 17 stores opened within the last year.

Gross profit for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008 was $743.5 million, or 48.7% of net sales, as compared to $709.4 million, or 48.3% of net sales, for the sixteen weeks ended April 21, 2007, an increase of 39 basis points. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales is driven by lower supply chain and logistics costs combined with more effective pricing.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $599.2 million, or 39.3% of net sales, for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008, from $574.7 million, or 39.1% of net sales, for the sixteen weeks ended April 21, 2007, an increase of 11 basis points. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales was driven by the increase in certain fixed expenses due to modest comparable store sales and increased incentive compensation reflective of the positive financial results for the quarter. These increases were partially offset by savings achieved from the cost reduction initiatives that occurred in fiscal 2007.

 
Operating income for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008 was $144.3 million, or 9.5% of net sales, as compared to $134.7 million, or 9.2% of net sales, for the sixteen weeks ended April 21, 2007, an increase of 7.1%. This increase in operating income, as a percentage of net sales, was reflective of an increase in gross profit partially offset by slightly higher selling, general and administrative expenses as previously discussed. AAP produced operating income of $144.6 million, or 9.8% of net sales, for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008 as compared to $136.4 million, or 9.5% of net sales, for the sixteen weeks ended April 21, 2007. AI generated an operating loss of $0.3 million for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008 as compared to an operating loss of $1.7 million for the same period last year. Operating income increased primarily due to AI’s positive sales results during the quarter and resulting leverage of payroll.

Interest expense for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008 was $12.3 million, or 0.8% of net sales, as compared to $11.3 million, or 0.8% of net sales, for the sixteen weeks ended April 21, 2007. The increase in interest expense is a result of higher average outstanding borrowings offset by lower average borrowing rates during the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008 compared to the same period ended April 21, 2007.

Income tax expense for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008 was $49.9 million, as compared to $47.7 million for the sixteen weeks ended April 21, 2007. Our effective income tax rate was 37.8% for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008 compared to 38.5% for the same period ended April 21, 2007.

We generated net income of $82.1 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008, as compared to $76.1 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, for the sixteen weeks ended April 21, 2007. As a percentage of net sales, net income for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008 was 5.4%, as compared to 5.2% for the sixteen weeks ended April 21, 2007.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our primary cash requirements include the purchase of inventory, capital expenditures, payment of quarterly cash dividends and contractual obligations. In addition, we have used available funds to repurchase shares of common stock under our stock repurchase program and to repay borrowings under our credit facility. We have funded these requirements primarily through cash generated from operations supplemented by borrowings under our credit facilities as needed. We believe funds generated from our expected results of operations, available cash and cash equivalents and available borrowings under our term loan and revolving credit facilities will be sufficient to fund our primary obligations for the next year.

At April 19, 2008, our cash and cash equivalents balance was $19.1 million, an increase of $4.5 million compared to December 29, 2007. This increase resulted from an increase in cash flow from operations and decreased investment in property and equipment, partially offset by the return of capital to our shareholders through the payment of dividends and repurchase of common stock during the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008. At April 19, 2008, our outstanding indebtedness was $48.8 million higher when compared to December 29, 2007 and consisted of borrowings of $350.0 million under our revolving credit facility, $200.0 million under our term loan, and $4.5 million outstanding on an economic development note. Additionally, we had $74.7 million in letters of credit outstanding, which reduced our total availability under the revolving credit facility to $325.3 million.

During the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008, we paid $11.7 million in quarterly cash dividends. Subsequent to April 19, 2008, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share to be paid on July 3, 2008 to all common stockholders of record as of June 20, 2008.

Capital Expenditures

Our primary capital requirements have been the funding of our continued store expansion program, including new store openings and store acquisitions, store relocations and remodels, maintenance of existing stores, the construction and upgrading of distribution centers, the development of proprietary information systems and purchased information systems and our acquisitions. Our capital expenditures were $58.9 million for the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008. During the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008, we opened 30 AAP and four AI stores and relocated three AAP stores.
 
 
Our future capital requirements will depend in large part on the number of and timing for new stores we open or acquire within a given year and the number of stores we remodel. As previously disclosed in our Form 10-K, we anticipate adding 100 new AAP and 15 AI stores, relocating 10 to 20 AAP stores and spending $170 million to $190.0 million on capital expenditures in fiscal 2008. We do not plan to remodel any stores in fiscal 2008. We also plan to make continued investments in the maintenance of our existing stores and logistics network as well as investing in new information systems to support our turnaround strategies, including our parts availability initiative.
 
Vendor Financing Program

Historically, we have negotiated extended payment terms from suppliers that help finance inventory growth, and we believe that we will be able to continue financing much of our inventory growth through such extended payment terms. We have a short-term financing program with a bank for certain merchandise purchases. In substance, the program allows us to borrow money from the bank to finance purchases from our vendors. This program allows us to reduce further our working capital invested in current inventory levels and finance future inventory growth. Our revolving credit facility does not restrict availability under this program. At April 19, 2008, $146.9 million was payable to the bank by us under this program.

Stock Repurchase Program

During the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008, we repurchased 4.6 million shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $155.3 million, or an average price of $34.04 per share. Additionally, we settled $3.0 million on shares repurchased prior to the end of fiscal 2007. These shares were repurchased in accordance with our $500 million stock repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors in 2007. The program allows us to repurchase our common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Subsequent to April 19, 2008, our Board of Directors authorized a new $250 million stock repurchase program. The new program cancelled and replaced the remaining $105 million portion of our previous $500 million stock repurchase program.

Analysis of Cash Flows

An analysis of our cash flows for the sixteen-week period ended April 19, 2008 as compared to the sixteen- week period ended April 21, 2007 is included below.

   
Sixteen Week Periods Ended
 
   
April 19, 2008
   
April 21, 2007
 
   
(in millions)
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities
  $ 213.6     $ 186.9  
Cash flows from investing activities
    (56.5 )     (72.4 )
Cash flows from financing activities
    (152.6 )     (108.6 )
Net increase in cash and
               
   cash equivalents
  $ 4.5     $ 5.9  

Operating Activities

For the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008, net cash provided by operating activities increased $26.7 million to $213.6 million, as compared to the sixteen weeks ended April 21, 2007. This increase in operating cash was driven primarily by:
 
·  
an increase in net income of $6.0 million during the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008 as compared to the comparable period in 2007; and
 
 
 
·  
a $12.9 million decrease in prepaid and other assets, primarily the timing in payment of certain prepaid operating expenses.

Investing Activities

For the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008, net cash used in investing activities decreased by $16.0 million to $56.5 million, as compared to the sixteen weeks ended April 21, 2007. Significant components of this decrease consisted of:

·  
a decrease in capital expenditures of $17.1 million resulting primarily from a reduction in store development as well as the timing associated with the construction of a new distribution center;
·  
an increase in proceeds on the sale of property and equipment and assets held for sale of $3.9 million; and
·  
a decrease of $3.3 million of insurance proceeds received during the prior year.

Financing Activities

For the sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2008, net cash used in financing activities increased by $44.1 million to $152.6 million, as compared to the sixteen weeks ended April 21, 2007.

Cash flows from financing activities increased as result of:

·  
an increase in net borrowings under our term loan and credit facilities of $122.0 million used primarily to fund stock repurchases.

Cash flows from financing activities decreased as result of:
 
·  
an additional $158.3 million of common stock repurchases under our stock repurchase program; and
·  
a decrease of $8.3 million from the issuance of common stock, primarily resulting from the decrease in exercise of stock options.

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements

As of April 19, 2008, we had no off-balance-sheet arrangements as defined in Regulation S-K Item 303 of the SEC regulations. We include other off-balance-sheet arrangements in our contractual obligation table including operating lease payments, interest payments on our credit facility and letters of credit outstanding.

Contractual Obligations

As of April 19, 2008, our outstanding contractual obligations remained consistent with those as of December 29, 2007. For information regarding our contractual obligations see “Contractual Obligations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007.

Long Term Debt

On December 4, 2007, we entered into a new $200 million unsecured four-year term loan with our subsidiary, Advance Stores Company, Incorporated, or Stores, serving as borrower. Proceeds from this term loan were used to repurchase shares of common stock under our stock repurchase program.  As of December 29, 2007, we had borrowed $50.0 million under the term loan. As of April 19, 2008, we had borrowed the remaining availability under the term loan.
 
In addition to the term loan, we have a $750 million unsecured five-year revolving credit facility with Stores serving as the borrower. Additionally, the facility provides for the issuance of letters of credit with a sub limit of

 
$300 million and swingline loans in an amount not to exceed $50 million. We may also request, subject to agreement by one or more lenders, that the total revolving commitment be increased by an amount not exceeding $250 million during the term of the credit agreement. Voluntary prepayments and voluntary reductions of the revolving balance are permitted in whole or in part, at our option, in minimum principal amounts as specified in the revolving credit facility.

As of April 19, 2008, we had outstanding $350.0 million under our revolving credit facility, $200.0 million under our term loan, $4.5 million under an economic development note and $74.7 million in letters of credit outstanding, which reduced availability under the revolving credit facility to $325.3 million. At April 19, 2008, we also have interest rate swaps in place that effectively fix our interest rate exposure on approximately 50% of our bank debt.
 
The interest rate on the term loan will be based, at our option, on an adjusted LIBOR rate, plus a margin, or an alternate base rate, plus a margin. The current margin is 1.00% and 0.0% per annum for the adjusted LIBOR and alternate base rate borrowings, respectively. We have elected to use the 90-day adjusted LIBOR rate and have the ability and intent to continue to use this rate on our hedged borrowings. A commitment fee will be charged on the unused portion of the term loan, payable in arrears. The current commitment fee rate is 0.200% per annum. Under the terms of the term loan, the interest rate spread and commitment fee will be based on our credit rating. The term loan terminates on October 5, 2011.

The interest rates on borrowings under the revolving credit facility will be based, at our option, on an adjusted LIBOR rate, plus a margin, or an alternate base rate, plus a margin. The current margin is 0.75% and 0.0% per annum for the adjusted LIBOR and alternate base rate borrowings, respectively. We have elected to use the 90-day adjusted LIBOR rate and have the ability and intent to continue to use this rate on its hedged borrowings. A commitment fee will be charged on the unused portion of the revolver, payable in arrears. The current commitment fee rate is 0.150% per annum. Under the terms of the revolving credit facility, the interest rate spread and commitment fee will be based on our credit rating. The revolving facility terminates on October 5, 2011.

The term loan and revolving credit facility are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Advance Auto Parts, Inc. The debt agreements collectively contain covenants restricting the ability of us and our subsidiaries to, among other things, (1) create, incur or assume additional debt (including hedging arrangements), (2) incur liens or engage in sale-leaseback transactions, (3) make loans and investments, (4) guarantee obligations, (5) engage in certain mergers, acquisitions and asset sales, (6) change the nature of our business and the business conducted by our subsidiaries and (7) change our holding company status. We are required to comply with financial covenants with respect to a maximum leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated coverage ratio. The revolving credit facility also provides for customary events of default, including non-payment defaults, covenant defaults and cross-defaults to our other material indebtedness. We were in compliance with these covenants at April 19, 2008.

Credit Ratings

At April 19, 2008, we had a credit rating from Standard & Poor’s of BB+ and a credit rating of Ba1 from Moody’s Investor Service. The current pricing grid used to determine our borrowing rates under our revolving credit facility is based on such credit ratings. If these credit ratings decline, our interest expense may increase. Conversely, if these credit ratings improve, our interest expense may decrease.

Seasonality

Our business is somewhat seasonal in nature, with the highest sales occurring in the spring and summer months. In addition, our business can be affected by weather conditions. While unusually heavy precipitation tends to soften sales as elective maintenance is deferred during such periods, extremely hot or cold weather tends to enhance sales by causing automotive parts to fail at an accelerated rate.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” an amendment of SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 161 is intended to improve financial standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity's financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about: how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity's financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting SFAS No. 161.

Effective December 30, 2007, we adopted FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FIN 39-1, “Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39,” or FSP 39-1. FSP 39-1 amends FASB Interpretation No. 39, Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts (“FIN 39”), to permit a reporting entity to offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting arrangement that have been offset in accordance with FIN 39. FSP 39-1 also amends FIN 39 for certain terminology modifications. Upon adoption of FSP 39-1, we did not change our accounting policy of not offsetting fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments under master netting arrangements. The adoption of FSP 39-1 did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We adopted SFAS No. 159 on December 30, 2007 and elected not to apply fair value on our existing financial assets and liabilities. Therefore, this adoption did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

On December 30, 2007, we adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” on our financial assts and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 clarifies the definition of fair value, establishes a framework for defining fair value as it relates to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, and expands the disclosures of fair value measurements. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have any impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. We did not apply the provisions of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities except for those recognized or disclosed on a recurring basis (at least annually) as allowed by the issuance of FSP 157-2. We will fully adopt the provisions of SFAS 157 effective during our first quarter of fiscal 2009.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).” SFAS No. 158 requires recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status of defined benefit postretirement plans as an asset or liability in the statement of financial position and to recognize changes in that funded status in comprehensive income in the year in which the changes occur. SFAS No. 158 also requires measurement of the funded status of a plan as of the date of the statement of financial position. We adopted the recognition provisions of SFAS No. 158 on December 30, 2006. We adopted the measurement date provisions of SFAS No. 158 on December 30, 2007. We have elected to apply the alternate transition method under which a 14-month measurement will cover the period from November 1, 2007 through January 3, 2009. The change in the measurement date will not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 
 
ITEM 3.          QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

For information regarding market risk see “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007. At April 19, 2008, there had not been a material change to the information regarding market risk disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007.
 
 
Disclosure controls and procedures are our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management evaluated, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended April 19, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table sets forth the information with respect to repurchases of our common stock for the quarter ended April 19, 2008 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share (1)
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (2)
 
Maximum Dollar Value that May Yet
Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
(2)(3)
 
                   
December 30, 2007, to January 26, 2008
  4,563   $ 34.01     4,563   $ 105,354  
January 27, 2008, to February 23, 2008
  -     -     -     105,354  
February 24, 2008, to March 22, 2008
  -     -     -     105,354  
March 23, 2008, to April 19, 2008
  -     -     -     105,354  
                         
Total
  4,563   $ 34.01     4,563   $ 105,354  
 
(1)   
Average price paid per share excludes related expenses paid on previous repurchases.
(2)   
All of the above repurchases were made on the open market at prevailing market rates plus related expenses under our stock repurchase program, which authorized the repurchase of up to $500 million in common stock. Our stock repurchase program was authorized by our Board of Directors and publicly announced on August 8, 2007.
(3)   
The maximum dollar value yet to be purchased under our stock repurchase program excludes related expenses paid on previous purchases or anticipated expenses on future purchases.
 
 
 
 
 EXHIBITS
 
 
3.1
(1)
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. ("Advance Auto")(as amended on May 19, 2004).
 
 
   
 
3.2
(2)
Bylaws of Advance Auto (as amended on February 13, 2008).
       
  10.19    2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (amended as of April 17, 2008). 
       
 
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
(1)    Filed on May 20, 2004 as an exhibit to Current Report on Form 8-K of Advance Auto.
 
(2)    Filed on February 19, 2008 as an exhibit to Current Report on Form 8-K of Advance Auto.
 
 
SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements 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.
 
     
  ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
May 29, 2008  By:  
/s/ Michael A. Norona
 

Michael A. Norona
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit Description
     
3.1
(1)
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Advance Auto (as amended on May 19, 2004).
     
3.2
(2)
Bylaws of Advance Auto (as amended on February 13, 2008).
     
10.19
  2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (amended as of April 17, 2008). 
     
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
(1) Filed on May 20, 2004 as an exhibit to Current Report on Form 8-K of Advance Auto.
(2) Filed on February 19, 2008 as an exhibit to Current Report on Form 8-K of Advance Auto.
     
 
 

Exhibit 10.19
 
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC.
2004 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
 
(Amended and Restated as of April 17, 2008)
 
SECTION 1.  PURPOSE.   The purposes of the 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) are to encourage selected Employees and Directors of Advance Auto Parts, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Advance Auto” or the “Company”), and its Affiliates to acquire a proprietary and vested interest in the growth, development and financial success of the Company, to generate an increased incentive to contribute to the Company’s future success and prosperity, thus enhancing the value of the Company for the benefit of stockholders, and to enhance the ability of the Company and its Affiliates to attract and retain individuals of exceptional managerial talent upon whom, in large measure, the sustained progress, growth and profitability of the Company depends.
 
The Company has previously adopted the Advance Auto Parts, Inc. 2001 Executive Stock Option Plan and the Advance Auto Parts, Inc. 2001 Senior Executive Stock Option Plan (collectively, the “Predecessor Plans”), which were established to provide similar equity-based compensation incentives through the grant of stock options. Effective upon the adoption of the Plan by stockholders of the Company, the Predecessor Plans will be merged into this Plan, thereby making available for the grant of awards under this Plan any authorized but unused Shares (as herein defined) not already used for such purpose under the Predecessor Plans. All outstanding option grants under the Predecessor Plans shall continue in full force and effect, subject to their original terms, after the Predecessor Plans are merged into the Plan under the terms and conditions noted above.
 
SECTION 2.   DEFINITIONS .  As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings as set forth below:
 
(a)                 “Affiliate” shall mean (i) any Person that directly, or through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company or (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, as determined by the Committee.
 
(b)                 “Award” shall mean any Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Award, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Deferred Stock Unit, Dividend Equivalent, Other Stock Unit Award or any other right, interest or option relating to Shares or other property granted pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.
 
(c)                 “Award Agreement” shall mean any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any Award granted by the Committee hereunder, which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by both the Company and the Participant.
 
(d)                 “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
(e)                 “Change in Control” shall mean the happening of any of the following events:
 
(i)           an acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (an “Entity”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 25% or more of either (A) the then outstanding Shares (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); excluding, however, the following:  (1) any acquisition directly from the Company, other than an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege unless the security being so converted was itself acquired directly from the Company, (2) any acquisition by the Company, (3) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, or (4) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of Section 2(e)(iii);
 
(ii)           a change in the composition of the Board on the Plan’s effective date such that the individuals who, as of the effective date, constitute the Board (such Board shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that for purposes of this definition, any individual who becomes a member of the Board subsequent to the effective date, whose election, or nomination for election, by the
 
 
 

 
 
Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of those individuals who are members of the Board and who were also members of the Incumbent Board (or deemed to be such pursuant to this proviso) shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board; and provided further, however, that any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of or in connection with either an actual or threatened solicitation with respect to the election of directors (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12(c) of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of an Entity other than the Board shall not be so considered as a member of the Incumbent Board;
 
(iii)           the consummation of a merger, reorganization or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (each, a “Corporate Transaction”), excluding however, any Corporate Transaction pursuant to which (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who are the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock, and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction (including, without limitation, a corporation or other Person that as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries (a “Parent Company”)) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Entity (other than the Company, any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company, such corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction or, if reference was made to equity ownership of any Parent Company for purposes of determining whether clause (A) above is satisfied in connection with the applicable Corporate Transaction, such Parent Company) will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction or the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors unless such ownership resulted solely from ownership of securities of the Company prior to the Corporate Transaction, and (C) individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board will immediately after the consummation of the Corporate Transaction constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction (or, if reference was made to equity ownership of any Parent Company for purposes of determining whether clause (A) above is satisfied in connection with the applicable Corporate Transaction, of the Parent Company); or
 
(iv)           the approval by the stockholders of the Company of the complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
 
(f)                 “Change in Control Price” means, with respect to a Share, the higher of (A) the highest reported sales price, regular way, of such Share in any transaction reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape or other national exchange on which such Shares are listed or on the NASDAQ National Market during the 60-day period prior to and including the date of a Change in Control or (B) if the Change in Control is the result of a tender or exchange offer or a Corporate Transaction, the highest price per such Share paid in such tender or exchange offer or Corporate Transaction.  To the extent the consideration paid in any such transaction described above consists all or in part of securities or other noncash consideration, the value of such securities or other non-cash consideration shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board.
 
(g)                 “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.
 
(h)                 “Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, or any successor to such committee, composed of no fewer than two directors, each of whom is a non-employee Director within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act and an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, or any successor provision thereto.
 
(i)                 “Company” shall mean Advance Auto Parts, Inc. a Delaware corporation.
 
(j)                 “Covered Employee” shall mean a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of the Code, or any successor provision thereto.
 
(k)                 “Deferred Stock Unit” or “DSU” shall mean a bookkeeping entry that represents the right to receive one Share at a future date.  DSUs may be granted outright by the Committee or may be granted in exchange for cash compensation deferred by a Participant. To the extent the Company pays a dividend, DSUs will include the right to receive Dividend Equivalents,
 
 
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which are credited in the form of additional DSUs.
 
(l)                 “Director” shall mean a member of the Board who is not an Employee.
 
(m)                 “Dividend Equivalent” shall mean an amount equal to the cash paid by the Company upon one Share, either as a freestanding Award, or in connection with the grant of Restricted Units, Performance Shares, Options, and/or SARs or Other Stock Unit Awards.
 
(n)                 “Employee” shall mean any employee of the Company or any Affiliate.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, for purposes of the Plan, an Employee shall be considered to have terminated employment or services and to have ceased to be an Employee if his or her employer ceases to be an Affiliate, even if he or she continues to be employed by such employer.
 
(o)                 “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
(p)                 “Fair Market Value” shall mean, with respect to any property other than Shares, the market value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of Shares as of any date shall be closing price for the Shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange (or on any national securities exchange on which the Shares are then listed) for that date or, if no such prices are reported for that date, the closing price on the next preceding date for which such prices were reported.
 
(q)                 “Option” shall mean any right granted to a Participant under the Plan allowing such Participant to purchase Shares at such price or prices and during such period or periods as the Committee shall determine.
 
(r)                 “Other Stock Unit Award” shall mean any right granted to a Participant by the Committee pursuant to Section 6(f).
 
(s)                 “Participant” shall mean an Employee or Director who is selected by the Committee to receive an Award under the Plan.  Participant shall also mean a consultant selected by the Committee who provides services to the Company or any Affiliate, so long as such person (i) renders bona fide services that are not in connection with the offer and sale of the Company’s securities in a capital-raising transaction and (ii) does not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.
 
(t)                 “Performance Award” shall mean any Award of Performance Shares or Performance Units granted pursuant to Section 6(d).
 
(u)                 “Performance Period” shall mean that period established by the Committee at the time any Performance Award is granted or at any time thereafter during which any performance goals specified by the Committee with respect to such Award are to be measured.
 
(v)                 “Performance Share” shall mean any grant pursuant to Section 6(d) of a unit valued by reference to a designated number of Shares, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, upon achievement of such performance goals during the Performance Period as the Committee shall establish at the time of such grant or thereafter.
 
(w)                 “Performance Unit” shall mean any grant pursuant to Section 6(d) of a unit valued by reference to a designated amount of property other than Shares, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, upon achievement of such performance goals during the Performance Period as the Committee shall establish at the time of such grant or thereafter.
 
(x)                 “Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or political subdivision thereof.
 
(y)                 “Restricted Stock” shall mean any Share issued with the restriction that the holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or
 
 
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assign such Share and with such other restrictions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose (including, without limitation, any restriction on the right to vote such Share, and the right to receive any cash dividends), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate.
 
(z)                 “Restricted Stock Award” shall mean an award of Restricted Stock under Section 6(c).
 
(aa)                 “Restricted Stock Unit” is a bookkeeping entry that represents the right to receive one share of Common Stock at a future date, and which is subject to the restriction that the holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or assign such unit and other restrictions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose (including, without limitation, any restriction on the right to receive any Dividend Equivalents, if dividends are paid by the Company), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate.
 
(bb)                 “Shares” shall mean the shares of common stock of the Company, par value $.0001 per share.
 
(cc)                 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” shall mean any right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 6(b) to receive, upon exercise by the Participant, the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise or at any time during a specified period before the date of exercise over (ii) the grant price of the right on the date of grant, or if granted in connection with an outstanding Option on the date of grant of the related Option, as specified by the Committee in its sole discretion, which, except in the case of Substitute Awards or in connection with an adjustment provided in Section 4(c), shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of one Share on such date of grant of the right or the related Option, as the case may be.  Any payment by the Company in respect of such right may be made in cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
 
(dd)                 “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if, at the time of the granting of the Award, each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.
 
(ee)                 “Substitute Awards” shall mean Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, by a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines.
 
SECTION 3.  ADMINISTRATION.   The Committee shall have full power, discretion, and authority, subject to such orders or resolutions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as may from time to time be adopted by the Board, to
 
(a)                 select the Participants to whom Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder;
 
(b)                 determine the type or types of Award to be granted to each Participant hereunder;
 
(c)                 determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
 
(d)                 determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder;
 
(e)                 determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in cash, Shares or other property or canceled or suspended;
 
(f)                 determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award made under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant;
 
(g)                 interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement entered into under the Plan;
 
(h)                 establish such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper
 
 
 
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administration of the Plan; and
 
(i)                 make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for administration of the Plan.
 
Actions of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all Persons, including the Company, any Participant, any stockholder and any Employee of the Company or any Affiliate.  A majority of the members of the Committee may act on behalf of the Committee and may fix the time and place of its meetings.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary in the Plan, any action or determination by the Committee specifically affecting or relating to an Award to a Director shall be approved and ratified by the Board.  In addition, no member of the Board or any of its Committees, as the case may be, shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award granted under it.
 
SECTION 4.  SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
 
(a)                 Effective as of May 19, 2004, and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c), a total of 4,500,000   Shares shall be authorized for grant or issuance under the Plan plus any remaining Shares available for awards under the Predecessor Plans as of the effective date of the merger of the Predecessor Plans with this Plan.  Effective as of May 16, 2007, and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c), an additional 5,000,000 Shares shall be authorized for grant or issuance under the Plan.  Any Shares issued in connection with Awards other than Options and SARs shall be counted against this limit as 1.7   Shares for every one Share issued.
 
(i)           If any Shares subject to an Award or to an award under the Company’s Predecessor Plans are forfeited or if any Award or award under the Predecessor Plans based on Shares is settled for cash, or expires or otherwise is terminated without issuance of such Shares, the Shares subject to such Award shall, to the extent of such cash settlement, forfeiture or termination, again be available for Awards under the Plan.
 
(ii)           In the event that any Option or other Award granted hereunder is exercised through the tendering of Shares (either actually or by attestation), by cashless exercise through the Company, or in the event that withholding tax liabilities arising from such Option or other Award are satisfied by the tendering of Shares or by the withholding of Shares by the Company, only the number of Shares issued net of the Shares tendered or withheld shall be counted for purposes of determining the maximum number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan.
 
(iii)           In the event that any option or award granted under the Predecessor Plans is exercised through the tendering of Shares (either actually or by attestation), or in the event that withholding tax liabilities arising from such options or awards are satisfied by the tendering of Shares or the withholding of Shares by the Company, the Shares so tendered or withheld shall again be available for Awards under the Plan.
 
(iv)           Shares reacquired by the Company on the open market using the cash proceeds received by the Company from the exercise of Options granted under the Plan or options granted under the Predecessor Plans that are exercised after the effective date of the Plan shall be available for Awards under the Plan.
 
(v)           Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan or authorized for grant to a Participant in any calendar year.
 
(vi)           Deferred Stock Units granted as a result of a voluntary election by a Participant to defer cash or other compensation otherwise payable to the Participant shall not reduce the Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan or authorized for grant to a Participant in any calendar year.
 
(vii)           In the event that a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan; provided that Awards using such available shares
 
 
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shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not Employees or Directors of the Company or an Affiliate prior to such acquisition or combination.
 
(b)                 Any Shares issued hereunder may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares purchased in the open market or otherwise.
 
(c)                 In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off or similar transaction or other change in corporate structure affecting the Shares, such adjustments and other substitutions shall be made to the Plan and to Awards as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems equitable or appropriate, including, without limitation, such adjustments in the aggregate number, class and kind of securities that may be delivered under the Plan, in the aggregate or to any one Participant, in the number, class, kind and option or exercise price of securities subject to outstanding Options, SARs or other Awards granted under the Plan, and in the number, class and kind of securities subject to Awards granted under the Plan (including, if the Committee deems appropriate, the substitution of similar options to purchase the shares of, or other awards denominated in the shares of, another company) as the Committee may determine to be appropriate in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number.
 
SECTION 5.  ELIGIBILITY.   Any Employee, Director or consultant who provides services to the Company or any Affiliate shall be eligible to be selected as a Participant.
 
SECTION 6.  AWARDS.   The Committee shall determine the type of Awards to be granted or issued under the Plan and shall approve the terms and conditions governing such Awards through the issuance of an Award Agreement.  Awards may be granted singly, in combination, or in tandem so that the settlement or payment of one automatically reduces or cancels the other.
 
(a)                 STOCK OPTIONS.  Options may be granted hereunder to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan.  Any Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve.  Any such Option shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and to such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:
 
(i)           OPTION PRICE.  The purchase price per Share purchasable under an Option shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of the Share on the date of the grant, except in the case of Substitute Awards or in connection with an adjustment provided for in Section 4(c).
 
(ii)           OPTION PERIOD.  The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided that no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date the Option is granted.
 
(iii)           EXERCISABILITY.  Options shall be exercisable at such time or times as determined by the Committee at or subsequent to grant.  Except under certain circumstances in connection with a Participant’s termination or in the event of a Change in Control, Options will not be exercisable before the expiration of one year from the date the Option is granted.
 
(iv)           METHOD OF EXERCISE.  Subject to the other provisions of the Plan, any Option that is exercisable in accordance with the preceding paragraph may be exercised by the Participant in whole or in part at such time or times, and the Participant may make payment of the option price in such form or forms, including, without limitation, payment by delivery of cash, delivery of Shares (either actually or by attestation) already owned by the Participant for at least six months (or any shorter period sufficient to avoid a charge to the Company’s earnings for financial reporting purposes), via cashless exercise, through a broker, or delivery of other consideration (including, where permitted by law and the Committee, Awards) having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the total option price, or by any combination of cash, such Shares and other consideration as the Committee may specify in the applicable Award Agreement.
 
(v)           FORM OF SETTLEMENT.  In its sole discretion, the Committee may provide, at the time of grant, that the Shares to be issued upon an Option’s exercise shall be in the form of Restricted Stock or other similar securities, or may reserve the right so to provide after the time of grant.
 
 
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(vi)           PROHIBITION ON REPRICING.  The Company may not reprice Option grants, including the cancellation of an existing grant followed by a regrant, without the express approval of stockholders.
 
(b)                 STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.  Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”) may be granted hereunder to Participants either alone (“freestanding”) or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan (“tandem”) and may, but need not, relate to a specific Option granted under Section 6(a).  The provisions of SARs need not be the same with respect to each recipient.  Any tandem SAR related to an Option may be granted at the same time such Option is granted or at any time thereafter before exercise or expiration of such Option.  In the case of any tandem SAR related to any Option, the SAR or applicable portion thereof shall terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the related Option, except that a SAR granted with respect to less than the full number of Shares covered by a related Option shall not be reduced until the exercise or termination of the related Option exceeds the number of Shares not covered by the SAR.  Any Option related to any tandem SAR shall no longer be exercisable to the extent the related SAR has been exercised.  The Committee may impose such conditions or restrictions on the exercise of any SAR, as it shall deem appropriate; provided that a freestanding SAR shall not have a term of greater than ten years or an exercise price less than 100% of Fair Market Value of the Share on the date of grant.  The Company may not reprice SAR grants, including the cancellation of an existing grant followed by a regrant, without the express approval of stockholders of the Company.
 
(c)                 RESTRICTED STOCK.
 
(i)           ISSUANCE.  A Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to restrictions imposed by the Committee during a period of time specified by the Committee (the “Restriction Period”).  Restricted Stock Awards may be issued hereunder to Participants, for no cash consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan.  Restricted Stock Awards may be real shares (Restricted Stock) or phantom shares (Restricted Stock Units). The provisions of Restricted Stock Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.   Except for certain limited situations, Restricted Stock Awards granted to Employees subject solely to continued employment conditions shall have a vesting period of not less than three years.
 
(ii)           REGISTRATION.  Any Restricted Stock issued hereunder may be evidenced in such manner, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall deem appropriate, including, without limitation, book entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates.  In the event any stock certificates are issued in respect of Shares of Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan, such certificates shall be registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Award.
 
(iii)           FORFEITURE.  Except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant or thereafter, upon termination of employment or services for any reason during the Restriction Period, all Shares of Restricted Stock still subject to restriction shall be forfeited by the Participant and reacquired by the Company.  Unrestricted Shares, evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall deem appropriate, shall be issued to the grantee promptly after expiration of the Restriction Period, as determined or modified by the Committee.
 
(d)                 PERFORMANCE AWARDS.  Performance Awards may be issued hereunder to Participants, for no cash consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan.  The performance criteria to be achieved during any Performance Period and the length of the Performance Period shall be determined by the Committee upon the grant of each Performance Award, provided, however, that a Performance Period shall not be shorter than 12 months or longer than five years.  Except as provided in Section 7, Performance Awards will be distributed only after the end of the relevant Performance Period.  Performance Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee at the time of payment.  The performance levels to be achieved for each Performance Period and the amount of the Award to be distributed shall be conclusively determined by the Committee.  Performance Awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments following the close of the Performance Period or, in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, on a deferred basis.
 
(e)                 DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS.  Dividend Equivalents may be granted hereunder to Participants either alone (“freestanding”) or in connection with other Awards granted under the Plan.  The provisions of Dividend Equivalents need not be the same with respect to each recipient.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan and any Award Agreement, the recipient of an Award (including, without limitation any deferred Award) may, if so determined by the Committee, be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, cash dividends, or Dividend Equivalents with respect to the number of Shares
 
 
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covered by the Award, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and the Committee may provide that such amounts (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested.
 
(f)                 OTHER STOCK UNIT AWARDS.
 
(i)           STOCK AND ADMINISTRATION.  Other Awards of Shares and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, Shares or other property (“Other Stock Unit Awards”) may be granted hereunder to Participants, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan, and such other Stock Unit Awards shall also be available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan.  Other Stock Unit Awards may be paid in Shares, cash or any other form of property, as the Committee shall determine.  The provisions of Other Stock Unit Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient. Except for certain limited situations, Other Stock Unit Awards granted to Employees subject solely to continued employment conditions shall have a vesting period of not less than three years.
 
(ii)           TERMS AND CONDITIONS.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, Awards and Shares subject to Awards made under this Section 6(f) may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered prior to the date on which the Shares are issued, or, if later, the date on which any applicable restriction, performance or deferral period lapses.  Shares (including securities convertible into Shares) subject to Awards granted under this Section 6(f) may be issued for no cash consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law.  Shares (including securities convertible into Shares) purchased pursuant to a purchase right awarded under this Section 6(f) shall be purchased for such consideration as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion, which, except in the case of Substitute Awards, shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of such Shares or other securities as of the date such purchase right is awarded.
 
SECTION 7.  CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS.
 
(a)                 IMPACT OF EVENT.  Subject to Section 7(a)(v) and notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, unless the Committee shall determine otherwise at the time of grant with respect to a particular Award, in the event of a Change in Control:
 
(i)           any Options and SARs outstanding as of the date such Change in Control is determined to have occurred, and which are not then exercisable and vested, shall become fully exercisable and vested to the full extent of the original grant;
 
(ii)           the restrictions and deferral limitations applicable to any Restricted Stock shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock shall become free of all restrictions and limitations and become fully vested and transferable to the full extent of the original grant;
 
(iii)           all Performance Awards shall be immediately accelerated and considered to be earned and payable pro rata based on: (a) the portion of the Performance Period that has been completed as of the date such Change in Control is determined to have occurred and (b) the actual performance as of such date, or if actual performance is not calculable, target performance; in addition, any deferral or other restriction shall lapse and such Performance Awards shall be immediately settled or distributed; and
 
(iv)           the restrictions and deferral limitations and other conditions applicable to any Other Stock Unit Awards or any other Awards shall lapse, and such Other Stock Unit Awards or such other Awards shall become free of all restrictions, limitations or conditions and become fully vested and transferable to the full extent of the original grant.
 
 (b)                 CHANGE IN CONTROL CASH-OUT.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control the Committee may, in its discretion, provide that each Option or SAR shall, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, be cancelled in exchange for a payment in an amount equal to the amount by which the Change in Control Price per Share exceeds the purchase price per Share under the Option or SAR (the “spread”) multiplied by the number of Shares granted under the Option or SAR.
 
 
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SECTION 8. CODE SECTION 162(m) PROVISIONS.
 
(a)                 Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, if the Committee determines at the time Restricted Stock, a Performance Award, Dividend Equivalents or an Other Stock Unit Award is granted to a Participant who is then an officer   that such Participant is, or is likely to be as of the end of the tax year in which the Company would claim a tax deduction in connection with such Award, a Covered Employee, then the Committee may provide that this Section 8 is applicable to such Award.
 
(b)                 If Restricted Stock, a Performance Award, a Dividend Equivalent or an Other Stock Unit Award is subject to this Section 8, then the lapsing of restrictions thereon and the distribution of cash, Shares or other property pursuant thereto, as applicable, shall be subject to the achievement of one or more objective performance goals established by the Committee.  Such performance goals shall be set by the Committee within the time period prescribed by, and shall otherwise comply with the requirements of, Section 162(m) of the Code, or any successor provision thereto, and regulations thereunder.
 
(i)           Performance goals shall be based on the attainment of specified of one or any combination of the following: operating income, net cash provided by operating activities, earnings per share from continuing operations, revenues, operating margins, return on operating assets, return on equity, economic value added, stock price appreciation, total stockholder return, cost control, strategic initiatives, market share, net income, or return on invested capital of the Company or the Affiliate or division of the Company for or within which the Participant is primarily employed.
 
(ii)           Such performance goals also may be based on the achievement of specified levels of Company performance (or performance of an applicable Affiliate or division of the Company) under one or more of the measures described above relative to the performance of other corporations.  Such performance goals shall be set by the Committee within the time period prescribed by, and shall otherwise comply with the requirements of, Section 162(m) of the Code, or any successor provision thereto, and the regulations thereunder.
 
(iii)           the measurement of the Company’s performance against its goals shall exclude the impact of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items, and any other unusual or non-recurring items, and the cumulative effects of accounting changes, each as defined by generally accepted accounting principles and as identified in the Company’s financial statements, notes to the financial statements or management’s discussion and analysis
 
(c)                 Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan other than Section 7, with respect to any Restricted Stock, Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent or Other Stock Unit Award that is subject to this Section 8, the Committee may adjust downwards, but not upwards, the amount payable pursuant to such Award, and the Committee may not waive the achievement of the applicable performance goals except in the case of the death or disability of the Participant.
 
(d)                 The Committee shall have the power to impose such other restrictions on Awards subject to this Section 8 as it may deem necessary or appropriate to ensure that such Awards satisfy all requirements for “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, or any successor provision thereto.
 
(e)                 Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan other than Section 4(c), no Participant may be granted Options or “freestanding” SARs during any three-year period with respect to more than 1,000,000 Shares or Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, Dividend Equivalents and/or Other Stock Unit Awards subject to this Section 8 that are denominated in Shares in any three-year period with respect to more than 500,000 Shares, and the maximum dollar value payable with respect to Performance Units and/or Other Stock Unit Awards that are valued with reference to property other than Shares and granted to any Participant for any three-year period is $4,000,000, with proportionate adjustments for shorter or longer performance periods, not to exceed 5 years . “Tandem” SARs granted in connection with other Awards pursuant to Section 6(b) and Deferred Stock Units granted as a result of a Participant’s voluntary election to defer cash or other compensation otherwise payable to the Participant shall not count against such limits.
 
SECTION 9.  AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION.   The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided, however, that stockholder approval is required if such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination would be required under the rules or listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange, any other securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. on which the Company’s securities are listed, or such approval is required to qualify for or comply with any tax or other regulatory
 
 
9

 
 
requirement for which or with which the Board deems it necessary or desirable to qualify or comply.  In addition, no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without the consent of the affected Participant, if such action would impair the rights of such Participant under any outstanding Award.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Committee may amend the Plan in such manner as may be necessary so as to have the Plan conform to local rules and regulations in any jurisdiction outside the United States.
 
The Committee may amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but no such amendment shall (a) impair the rights of any Participant without his or her consent or (b) except for adjustments made pursuant to Section 4(c) or in connection with Substitute Awards, reduce the exercise price of outstanding Options or SARs or cancel or amend outstanding Options or SARs for the purpose of repricing, replacing or regranting such Options or SARs with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Options or SARs without stockholder approval.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments made pursuant to Section 4(c) shall not be subject to these restrictions.
 
SECTION 10.  GENERAL PROVISIONS.
 
(a)                 No Award, and no Shares subject to Awards described in Section 6(f) that have not been issued or as to which any applicable restriction, performance or deferral period has not lapsed, may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, that, if so determined by the Committee, a Participant may, in the manner established by the Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant with respect to any Award upon the death of the Participant.  Each Award shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s guardian or legal representative.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit a Participant to assign or transfer an Award; provided, however, that an Award so assigned or transferred shall be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Plan and the instrument evidencing the Award.
 
(b)                 No Employee or Participant shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Employees or Participants under the Plan.
 
(c)                 If required by the Committee, the prospective recipient of any Award under the Plan shall not, with respect to such Award, be deemed to have become a Participant, or to have any rights with respect to such Award, until and unless such recipient shall have executed an agreement or other instrument evidencing the Award and delivered a copy thereof to the Company, and otherwise complied with the then applicable terms and conditions.
 
(d)                 Nothing in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan shall be deemed to constitute an employment or service contract or confer or be deemed to confer on any Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Affiliate or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate a Participant’s employment or service or other relationship at any time, with or without cause.
 
(e)                 Except as provided in Section 8, the Committee shall be authorized to make adjustments in performance award criteria or in the terms and conditions of other Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or its financial statements or changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles.  The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to carry it into effect.  In the event that the Company shall assume outstanding employee benefit awards or the right or obligation to make future such awards in connection with the acquisition of or combination with another corporation or business entity, the Committee may, in its discretion, make such adjustments in the terms of Awards under the Plan as it shall deem appropriate.
 
(f)                 The Committee shall have full power and authority to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances any Award shall be canceled or suspended
 
(g)                 All certificates for Shares delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award shall be subject to such stock-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed, and any applicable federal or state securities law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
 
 
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(h)                 No Award granted hereunder shall be construed as an offer to sell securities of the Company, and no such offer shall be outstanding, unless and until the Committee in its sole discretion has determined that any such offer, if made, would comply with all applicable requirements of the U.S. federal securities laws and any other laws to which such offer, if made, would be subject.
 
(i)                 The Committee shall be authorized to establish procedures pursuant to which the payment of any Award may be deferred.  In addition, Subject to the provisions of the Plan and any Award Agreement, the recipient of an Award (including, without limitation any deferred Award) may, if so determined by the Committee, be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, cash dividends, or Dividend Equivalents with respect to the number of Shares covered by the Award, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and the Committee may provide that such amounts (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested.
 
(j)                 Except as otherwise required in any applicable Award Agreement or by the terms of the Plan, recipients of Awards under the Plan shall not be required to make any payment or provide consideration other than the rendering of services.
 
(k)                 The Committee may delegate to a committee of one or more directors of the Company or, to the extent permitted by Delaware law, to one or more officers or a committee of officers the right to grant Awards to Employees who are not officers or directors of the Company and to cancel or suspend Awards to Employees who are not officers or Directors of the Company.
 
(l)                 The Company shall be authorized to withhold from any Award granted or payment due under the Plan the amount of withholding taxes due in respect of an Award or payment hereunder and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes.  The Committee shall be authorized to establish procedures for election by Participants to satisfy such obligation for the payment of such taxes by delivery of or transfer of Shares to the Company (up to the employee’s minimum required tax withholding rate to the extent the Participant has owned the surrendered shares for less than six months if such a limitation is necessary to avoid a charge to the Company for financial reporting purposes), or by directing the Company to retain Shares (up to the employee’s minimum required tax withholding rate) otherwise deliverable in connection with the Award.
 
(m)                 Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
 
(n)                 The validity, construction and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and applicable federal law.
 
(o)                 If any provision of the Plan is or becomes or is deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan, it shall be stricken and the remainder of the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.
 
(p)                 Awards may be granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States, or both, on such terms and conditions different from those applicable to Awards to Employees employed in the United States as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or desirable in order to recognize differences in local law or tax policy.  The Committee also may impose conditions on the exercise or vesting of Awards in order to minimize the Company’s obligation with respect to tax equalization for Employees on assignments outside their home country.
 
SECTION 11.  EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN. The Plan shall be effective as of May 19,   2004.
 
SECTION 12.  TERM OF PLAN.   The Plan shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the effective date, unless sooner terminated by the Board pursuant to Section 9.
 
SECTION 13.  INDEMNIFICATION.   In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members of the Board of Directors, the members of the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted
 
 
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by law against the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Option granted thereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such Committee member is not entitled to indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that within sixty (60) days after institution of any such action, suit or proceeding such Committee member shall in writing offer the Company the opportunity, at the Company’s expense to handle and defend the same, and such Committee member shall cooperate with and assist the Company in the defense of any such action, suit or proceeding.  The Company shall not be obligated to indemnify any Committee member with regard to any settlement of any action, suit or proceeding of which the Company did not consent to in writing prior to such settlement.
 
SECTION 14.  GOVERNING LAW. The Plan, any Award Agreement, any Award granted and any action taken hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

SECTION 15.                                            CODE SECTION 409A PROVISIONS.

(a)                 Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, effective as of January 1, 2007, this Section 15 shall be applicable to each Award that constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, as more fully addressed in Section 15(b) below.

(b)                 An Award shall constitute deferred compensation, and thus shall be subject to this Section 15, if the Award provides a Participant in one year with a legally binding right to income or other taxable benefit that shall be paid in a future year, unless:
 
(i)           Payment under the Award will be made no later than 2½ months after the end of the first year during which the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (if applicable); or
 
 
(ii)           The Award is one described in Section 15(c) below.
 

An Award made under the Plan that is subject to the provisions of this Section 15 shall hereafter be referred to as a “Section 409A Award.”

(c)                 The Awards described below are not deemed to be deferred compensation, and thus are not subject to this Section 15.
 
(i)           An Option with respect to the purchase of Shares, provided that the exercise price is never less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares at the date of the grant, and the number of Shares subject to the Option is fixed on the original date of the grant;
 
 
(ii)           Restricted Stock and any other restricted property; and
 
 
(iii)           A Stock Appreciation Right (“SAR”), provided that
 
 
(A)                 The amount payable under the SAR is not greater than the difference between the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of the grant and the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise; and
 
 
(B)                 The exercise price of the SAR may never be less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the right is granted.
 

For purposes of this subsection (c), the Fair Market Value of Shares shall be determined without regard to any lapse restrictions within the meaning of IRS Regulation §1.83-3(i).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Award described above shall constitute deferred compensation for purposes of this Section 15 if it is granted as a Substitute Award in substitution or exchange for an Award that constitutes deferred compensation.

(d)                 A Section 409A Award must provide that payment to a Participant may be made only upon an event described below:
 
(i)           The Participant’s separation from service with the Company (subject to the restriction on distributions to key employees prescribed in Section 15(f) below);
 
 
 
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(ii)           The Participant becoming disabled;
 
 
(iii)           The death of the Participant;
 
 
(iv)           A specified time (or pursuant to a fixed schedule) established at the time of the Award; or
 
 
(v)           Such other permitted event prescribed under Code Section 409A or the regulations issued thereunder.

(e)                 A Section 409A Award must provide for a date of payment or payments that is objectively determinable at the time the permitted payment event occurs.  Payment can also be made in accordance with a fixed schedule that is objectively determined based on the date of the allowed payment event if the schedule is fixed at the time the permissible payment event is specified.  The Award can provide for payment upon the later of (or the latest of) two or more permissible payment events so long as each separate payment event is a permitted payment event.  Alternatively, payment may be made upon the earlier of (or the earliest of) two or more permissible payment events if each payment event is a permitted payment event.

(f)                 Notwithstanding Sections 15(d) and (e) above, a Section 409A Award must provide that payment to be made to a “key employee” (as determined under Code Section 416(i) without considering Section 416(i)(5)) by reason of the key employee’s separation from service cannot be made prior to the date which is six months after the date of the key employee’s separation from service.  If payments are to be made in installments, then the installments will be deemed to be a single payment so that only the commencement of the installments, rather than each scheduled payment, shall be subject to the six-month deferred payment rule.

(g)                 The time or schedule of any payment to be made under a Section 409A Award may not be accelerated, except as expressly permitted under Code Section 409A.  For this purpose, an acceleration of the time or the schedule of payments shall not be deemed to have occurred if the Company or Committee waives or accelerates the satisfaction of a condition constituting a substantial risk of forfeiture applicable to the Award, but only if the requirements of this Section 15 are otherwise satisfied with respect to that Award.  The time or schedule of payments may also be accelerated, if the Award so permits, as necessary for the Participant to pay the FICA taxes imposed under Code Sections 3101, 3121(a) and 3121(v)(2) on the Award, or so that the income tax withholding can be paid on the Award (if constituting wages included in the Participant’s income) as imposed by Code Section 3401.

(h)                 If a Section 409A Award allows a Participant, or the Company or Committee, to elect to change the form or time of a distribution under the Award, then the Award must provide that the subsequent election may not take effect until at least twelve months after the date on which the election is made.  If an election is related to a payment for separation from service or at a specified time or schedule, the Award must require that the payment with respect to which the subsequent election is made shall be deferred for a period of not less than five years from the date of payment.
 
 
 
 
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Exhibit 31.1
 
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Darren R. Jackson, certify that:

1.  
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Advance Auto Parts, Inc.;
2.  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.  
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-1 5(e) and 15d-1 5(e) ) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)  
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures , or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision,   to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)  
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)  
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures , as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)  
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.  
The registrant ' s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting , to the registrant ' s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)  
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant ' s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)  
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant ' s internal control over financial reporting .


Date: May 29 , 2008            



/s/ Darren R. Jackson                                                   
Darren R. Jackson
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Exhibit 31.2
 
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Michael A. Norona, certify that:

1.  
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Advance Auto Parts, Inc.;
2.  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.  
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-1 5(e) and 15d-1 5(e) ) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)  
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures , or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision,   to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)  
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)  
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures , as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)  
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.  
The registrant ' s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting , to the registrant ' s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)  
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant ' s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)  
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant ' s internal control over financial reporting .


Date: May 29 , 2008            



/s/ Michael A. Norona                                                   
Michael A. Norona
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Exhibit 32.1
 
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Darren R. Jackson, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. for the quarterly period ended April 19, 2008 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. The foregoing certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the accompanying report on Form 10-Q. A signed original of this statement has been provided to Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and will be retained by Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 
Date: May 29, 2008         By: /s/ Darren R. Jackson 

       Name:  Darren R. Jackson
        Title:    President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 
I, Michael A. Norona, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. for the quarterly period ended April 19, 2008 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. The foregoing certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the accompanying report on Form 10-Q. A signed original of this statement has been provided to Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and will be retained by Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 
Date: May 29, 2008         By: /s/ Michael A. Norona 

       Name:  Michael A. Norona
        Title:    Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary