Exhibit 99.1
Dollar General Reports Second Quarter 2006 Earnings;
Comments on Inventory, Strategic Planning and Fiscal 2006 Guidance
GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 2006--Dollar
General Corporation (NYSE: DG) today reported net income for its
second fiscal quarter ended August 4, 2006 of $45.5 million, or $0.15
per share, compared to net income of $75.6 million, or $0.23 per
share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2005.
Net sales for the fiscal 2006 second quarter were $2.25 billion, a
9.0 percent increase over net sales of $2.07 billion for the fiscal
2005 second quarter. The increase in sales is the result of 466 net
new stores and a same-store sales increase of 3.2 percent. Recent
additions to the Company's product offerings in several merchandise
departments as well as increased promotional activities, including the
use of advertising circulars, supported the sales increases which were
largely attributable to increased sales of highly consumables and, to
a lesser extent, increased sales of seasonal merchandise, including
hardware.
As a percentage of sales, gross profit for the fiscal 2006 second
quarter declined to 27.2 percent from 28.6 percent for the fiscal 2005
second quarter. The decrease in the gross profit rate is due to a
number of factors, including lower sales (as a percentage of total
sales) in the Company's home products and basic clothing categories,
which generally have higher average markups; increased markdown
activity primarily resulting from enhanced promotional activities;
lower average markups on inventory balances at the beginning of the
2006 second quarter as compared with the 2005 second quarter; an
increase in the inventory shrink rate; a decrease in the markups on
purchases during the period, primarily attributable to increased sales
of highly consumable products, including nationally branded products,
which generally have lower average markups; and higher transportation
expenses driven by higher fuel rates.
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were 23.6
percent of sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2006 versus 22.8
percent of sales in the fiscal 2005 second quarter. Expenses (as a
percent of sales) contributing to the increase in SG&A were
advertising, utilities, store occupancy costs, and administrative
salaries resulting from additions to the Company's leadership and the
reorganization of the merchandising and real estate teams as well as
the expensing of stock options. These increases were partially offset
by a decrease in the accrual for incentive bonuses. As a reminder,
SG&A in the fiscal 2005 second quarter included a $2.6 million
reduction to employee benefits expense resulting from an actuarial
adjustment for health claims.
Interest expense, net of interest income, for the fiscal 2006
second quarter increased $2.2 million over the prior year quarter, due
to higher net borrowings, primarily resulting from increased inventory
balances.
The Company's effective income tax rate for the second quarter of
2006 was 37.9 percent compared to 34.8 percent in the comparable prior
year period. The increase in the effective tax rate for the quarter
was due to the expiration of certain federal tax credits related to
jobs for newly hired employees, a 2006 tax law change that reduced
previously recorded deferred tax assets related to operations in
Texas, reduced state tax credits related principally to the Company's
new distribution centers and the non-recurrence in 2006 of benefits
realized in 2005 related to an internal corporate restructuring.
For the 26-week year-to-date period, net income was $93.1 million,
or $0.30 per share, compared to $140.5 million, or $0.43 per share, in
the comparable fiscal 2005 period. Year-to-date net sales increased
8.9 percent, including a same-store sales increase of 2.4 percent.
The Company's gross profit rate to sales decreased to 27.2 percent
in the 2006 year-to-date period from 28.6 percent in the 2005
year-to-date period. This decrease in the gross profit rate is due to
a number of factors, including lower markups on purchases in the
period, primarily attributable to increased sales of highly consumable
products, which generally have lower average markups; increased
markdown activity primarily resulting from enhanced promotional
activities; lower sales (as a percentage of total sales) in the
Company's home products and basic clothing categories, which generally
have higher average markups; higher transportation expenses driven by
higher fuel rates; and an increase in the inventory shrink rate to
3.30 percent in 2006 compared to 3.12 percent in 2005. These factors
were partially offset by higher average markups on beginning inventory
in the fiscal 2006 period.
SG&A expenses for the year-to-date period increased as a
percentage of sales to 23.5 percent in 2006 from 22.9 percent in 2005.
The significant factors contributing to the year-to-date increase in
SG&A were advertising, store occupancy costs and administrative
salaries. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in the
accrual for incentive bonuses.
The Company's effective income tax rate for the fiscal 2006
26-week period was 37.8 percent compared to 36.0 percent in the 2005
period. The increase in the year-to-date effective tax rate was due to
the expiration of certain federal tax credits related to jobs for
newly hired employees, a 2006 tax law change that reduced previously
recorded deferred tax assets related to operations in Texas, reduced
state tax credits related principally to the Company's new
distribution centers and the non-recurrence in 2006 of benefits
realized in 2005 related to an internal corporate restructuring. The
Company anticipates an annualized effective income tax rate, excluding
non-recurring items, of approximately 37.2 percent if the federal jobs
credit programs are not re-enacted retroactively and approximately
36.7 percent if re-enactment is approved on a retroactive basis.
Inventory
The Company's inventory balance grew beyond planned levels in the
quarter as a result of several factors. First, the Company's new
advertising campaigns prompted additional purchases of inventory to
ensure adequate quantities in the stores. Although the Company
believes the advertising circulars aided sales, the sell-through of
the promotional inventory was below expectations. The majority of this
excess is highly consumable inventory and is expected to be sold in
the normal course of business. Second, major planogram changes that
occurred in the quarter added additional national brands to the
merchandise offering. Although the Company believes this new inventory
generally helps to broaden the appeal of its stores, it plans to
eliminate certain of the lower performing new items and to refine
product assortments in the second half of the year. Finally, seasonal
inventory purchases, including automotive, grills and accessories, and
back-to-school merchandise, increased in the quarter. However,
back-to-school sales in July were below the Company's expectations.
The Company is implementing plans to reduce current inventory levels
and to better align inventory growth with sales increases by the end
of the fiscal year.
Store Openings
As of August 4, 2006, the Company operated 8,178 neighborhood
stores, including 50 Dollar General Market(R) stores. For the 26-week
period ended August 4, 2006, the Company opened 294 new stores,
including six new Dollar General Market stores, relocated 37 stores
and closed 45 stores. The Company expects to open at least 800 new
traditional stores and up to 25 Dollar General Market stores in fiscal
2006. However, partly as a result of enhancements to our site
selection and lease negotiation policies and procedures over the last
year, the pace of new store openings is behind last year's pace and
behind our fiscal 2006 plan. We expect new store weeks to continue to
be below the Company's plan for the remainder of fiscal 2006. The
Company is pleased with the initial results of changes made to the new
store opening process, which have resulted in higher average sales per
new store.
Recent Strategic Planning Meeting
At its recent annual strategic planning session, the Company's
management and Board of Directors discussed, among other things,
alternatives that may be available to the Company to improve its
operations. Specifically, additional significant steps that may be
taken to accelerate the Company's new merchandising and real estate
strategies were considered.
With regard to merchandising, the group discussed the Company's
historic inventory management and "pack-away" strategies, changes in
recent years to those practices and the potential impact on future
profitability of an acceleration of the Company's transition away from
some of those practices. Under its traditional inventory disposition
strategy, the Company would have carried any remaining prior season
inventory forward and would have attempted to adjust future inventory
purchases to account for the carryover product. Beginning in the
fourth quarter of 2003, principally at the conclusion of the holiday
selling season, the Company began taking end-of-season markdowns
materially in excess of markdowns that had been taken historically to
accelerate the disposition of certain holiday-related items, as well
as certain other seasonal, home and basic clothing items that had not
sold as expected. Although these increased end-of-season markdowns
resulted in less pack-away inventory, there is still a pack-away
component of the Company's merchandising practices and a significant
amount of merchandise from prior seasons remains in many stores. As
part of the Company's effort to increase newer product offerings in
the stores, management is currently evaluating the potential impact on
fiscal 2006 and future periods if the Company were to seek to
aggressively sell through existing prior seasons' inventory and
institute programs to minimize the carryover, or pack-away, practice
in future periods.
In addition, over the last year the Company has made significant
improvements to the policies, procedures and controls relating to its
real estate practices. The functions of site selection, lease
renewals, relocations, remodels and store closings have been fully
integrated and additional criteria for decision-making in those areas
have been defined and implemented. Management continues to analyze
real estate performance and to look for ways to further refine and
improve its practices. At the strategic planning meeting, a decision
was made to take a fresh look at existing store locations in light of
the Company's new practices and to consider whether further
refinements should be made to the criteria for identifying stores as
possible candidates for relocations, remodels and closings. If these
criteria are refined, the number of store closings, relocations or
remodels may increase materially from historical levels.
The Company expects to be in a position to update the investment
community on the status of these alternatives before the end of the
current fiscal year.
Comments on Fiscal 2006 Outlook
In light of the possible impact of the operational alternatives
discussed above as well as uncertainties with regard to the impact of
the Company's merchandising initiatives and promotional activities in
the second half of the year, the Company will not, at this time,
provide earnings guidance for the fiscal third quarter and withdraws
its previous annual earnings guidance. While management continues to
anticipate improved same-store sales results over prior year levels,
we also expect consumer discretionary spending to continue to be
negatively affected by high fuel prices and by higher interest rates
as well. In addition, the likely continued aggressive marketing and
discounted pricing by competitors in the back-to-school and holiday
periods increase the uncertainties regarding the Company's sales and
gross margin in the second half of the year. As a reminder, the
Company's 2005 fiscal year included a 53rd week, which accounted for
sales of $162.9 million in the fourth quarter.
The Company currently expects capital expenditures for the 2006
fiscal year to be in the range of $300 million to $350 million.
Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains forward-looking information, such as
the information in the section entitled "Comments on Fiscal 2006
Outlook," as well as the expected number and timing of fiscal 2006 new
store openings, certain comments included in the section entitled
"Recent Strategic Planning Meeting," specifically those referring to
the possible future impact of any changes in current merchandising and
real estate practices, certain comments included in the section
entitled "Inventory," specifically those referring to the expected
sale of inventory and the Company's plans with respect to product
assortment and inventory levels, and comments regarding the Company's
anticipated effective income tax rate. The words "believe,"
"anticipate," "project," "plan," "schedule," "expect," "estimate,"
"objective," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "will likely result," or
"will continue" and similar expressions generally identify
forward-looking statements. These matters involve risks, uncertainties
and other factors that may cause the actual performance of the Company
to differ materially from that expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. All forward-looking information should be
evaluated in the context of these risks, uncertainties and other
factors. The Company believes the assumptions underlying these
forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, any of the
assumptions could be inaccurate and, therefore, actual results may
differ materially from those projected by, or implied in, the
forward-looking statements. Factors that may result in actual results
differing from such forward-looking information include, but are not
limited to:
-- changes in merchandise mix;
-- a deterioration in general economic conditions that may impact
consumer spending, cause consumers to consolidate their
shopping trips or impact the Company's costs of doing
business, such as employment levels, personal debt levels,
business conditions, high fuel and energy costs, inflation,
tax rates and interest rates;
-- the Company's ability to anticipate shifting consumer buying
patterns and implement appropriate inventory strategies;
-- the inability to execute strategic and operating initiatives
or to achieve an acceptable rate of return on those
investments;
-- seasonality of the Company's business such as a sales
shortfall during the fourth quarter;
-- unanticipated markdowns due to inventory imbalances or other
reasons;
-- competition in the retail industry;
-- customer response to the Company's merchandising, advertising
and promotional efforts that is not in line with the Company's
expectations;
-- unusually adverse weather conditions, natural disasters,
pandemic outbreaks, boycotts or similar disruptions;
-- existing or future U.S. military efforts or a significant act
of terrorism on U.S. soil or elsewhere;
-- the Company's ability to obtain attractive pricing and other
terms from its vendors;
-- prolonged or repeated price increases of certain raw materials
that could affect vendors' product costs and the Company's
profitability;
-- the Company's inability to pass on incremental pricing changes
to its customers;
-- labor shortages in the transportation industry;
-- transportation and distribution delays or interruptions both
domestically and internationally;
-- excessive costs and delays associated with building, opening
or achieving functionality of distribution centers;
-- the loss of key members of the Company's senior management
team or certain other key employees, or an inability to
attract, retain and motivate qualified employees to keep pace
with the Company's expansion schedule;
-- the inability to effectively and efficiently operate its
stores, including the inability to control losses resulting
from inventory and cash shrinkage;
-- the Company's ability to open new stores on schedule and to
expand into additional market areas;
-- store closings materially in excess of historical levels;
-- costs and potential problems and interruptions associated with
implementation of new or upgraded information systems and
technology or with the maintenance or adequate support of
existing systems, or the Company's inability to meet its
informational technology staffing needs;
-- unanticipated changes in the federal or state minimum wage or
living wage requirements or changes in other wage or workplace
regulations, as well as the Company's ability to timely comply
with those regulations;
-- changes in federal, state or local regulations governing the
sale of the Company's products, particularly
"over-the-counter" medications or health products, as well as
the Company's ability to timely comply with those regulations
or to adequately execute a required recall;
-- higher than expected increases in health, workers'
compensation, general liability, property or other insurance
costs or unexpected escalations in the Company's loss rates or
higher than anticipated loss experience;
-- results of legal proceedings and claims;
-- the inability to obtain indemnification from foreign vendors;
-- changes in interest rates;
-- borrowings under the Company's amended credit facility that
exceed the Company's expectations; and
-- the other risk factors described in the Company's Form 10-K,
most recent Form 10-Q and subsequent periodic filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), as well as
elsewhere in this press release.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements made in this press release, since the
statements speak only as of the date of this release. The Company has
no obligation, and does not intend, to publicly update or revise any
of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
occurring after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence
of unanticipated events. Readers are advised, however, to consult any
further disclosures the Company may make on related subjects in its
documents filed with or furnished to the SEC or in its other public
disclosures.
Earnings Conference Call Information
The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, August 31,
2006, at 9:00 a.m. CDT/10:00 a.m. EDT to discuss the quarter's
financial results. If you wish to participate, please call (334)
260-2280 at least 10 minutes before the conference call is scheduled
to begin. The pass code for the conference call is "Dollar General".
The call will also be broadcast live online at www.dollargeneral.com
by clicking on the homepage "Spotlight Item." A replay of the
conference call will be available through Thursday, September 14,
online or by calling (334) 323-7226. The pass code for the replay is
58805575.
About Dollar General
Dollar General is a Fortune 500(R) discount retailer with 8,190
neighborhood stores as of August 25, 2006. Dollar General(R) stores
offer convenience and value to customers by offering consumable basic
items that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks,
health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies, as well as a selection
of basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low
prices. The Company store support center is located in Goodlettsville,
Tennessee. Dollar General's Web site can be reached at
www.dollargeneral.com.
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
For the Quarter (13 Weeks) Ended
-------------------------------------------
August 4, % of Net July 29, % of Net
2006 Sales 2005 Sales
--------------------- ---------------------
Net sales $ 2,251,053 100.00% $ 2,066,016 100.00%
Cost of goods sold 1,639,519 72.83 1,474,486 71.37
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit 611,534 27.17 591,530 28.63
Selling, general and
administrative 530,957 23.59 470,460 22.77
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit 80,577 3.58 121,070 5.86
Interest income (1,457) (0.06) (2,156) (0.10)
Interest expense 8,873 0.39 7,344 0.36
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 73,161 3.25 115,882 5.61
Income taxes 27,693 1.23 40,324 1.95
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 45,468 2.02% $ 75,558 3.66%
======================================================================
======================================= ============
Basic earnings per share $ 0.15 $ 0.23
======================================= ============
Weighted average basic
shares 311,947 323,836
======================================= ============
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.15 $ 0.23
======================================= ============
Weighted average diluted
shares 312,594 326,340
======================================= ============
Dividends per share $ 0.050 $ 0.045
======================================= ============
For the 26 Weeks Ended
-------------------------------------------
August 4, % of Net July 29, % of Net
2006 Sales 2005 Sales
--------------------- ---------------------
Net sales $ 4,402,440 100.00% $ 4,043,845 100.00%
Cost of goods sold 3,206,632 72.84 2,888,966 71.44
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit 1,195,808 27.16 1,154,879 28.56
Selling, general and
administrative 1,033,946 23.49 926,888 22.92
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit 161,862 3.68 227,991 5.64
Interest income (3,907) (0.09) (4,772) (0.12)
Interest expense 16,120 0.37 13,312 0.33
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes 149,649 3.40 219,451 5.43
Income taxes 56,511 1.28 78,993 1.95
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 93,138 2.12% $ 140,458 3.47%
======================================================================
======================================= ============
Basic earnings per share $ 0.30 $ 0.43
======================================= ============
Weighted average basic
shares (000s) 312,972 326,022
======================================= ============
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.30 $ 0.43
======================================= ============
Weighted average diluted
shares (000s) 313,913 328,779
======================================= ============
Dividends per share $ 0.100 $ 0.085
======================================= ============
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
August 4, July 29, February 3,
2006 2005 2006
-------------- ---------- --------------
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 86,352 $ 145,950 $ 200,609
Short-term investments 21,530 - 8,850
Merchandise inventories 1,735,031 1,460,700 1,474,414
Income taxes receivable 38,753 - -
Deferred income taxes 1,002 33,708 11,912
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets 71,212 58,305 67,140
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 1,953,880 1,698,663 1,762,925
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Property and equipment, at
cost 2,360,668 2,063,696 2,221,540
Less: accumulated
depreciation and amortization 1,119,449 941,999 1,029,368
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net property and equipment 1,241,219 1,121,697 1,192,172
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Other assets, net 50,098 20,006 37,090
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $ 3,245,197 $ 2,840,366 $ 2,992,187
======================================================================
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term
obligations $ 9,167 $ 9,561 $ 8,785
Accounts payable 538,046 462,697 508,386
Accrued expenses and other 387,869 347,606 372,920
Income taxes payable 9,570 49,504 43,706
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 944,652 869,368 933,797
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term obligations 516,537 255,445 269,962
Deferred income taxes 62,531 67,736 67,633
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock - - -
Common stock 156,000 160,630 157,840
Additional paid-in capital 475,462 447,617 462,383
Retained earnings 1,090,298 1,046,650 1,106,165
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss (696) (883) (794)
Other shareholders' equity 413 (6,197) (4,799)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity 1,721,477 1,647,817 1,720,795
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $ 3,245,197 $ 2,840,366 $ 2,992,187
======================================================================
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
For the 26 Weeks Ended
-----------------------
August 4, July 29,
2006 2005
----------- -----------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 93,138 $ 140,458
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by (used in) operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization 97,480 90,316
Deferred income taxes 5,808 (13,449)
Tax benefit from stock option exercises (1,881) 3,810
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Merchandise inventories (260,617) (84,163)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (4,072) (4,603)
Accounts payable 39,950 62,213
Accrued expenses and other 14,862 14,391
Income taxes (71,053) (20,165)
Other 247 10,208
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities (86,138) 199,016
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (156,310) (139,594)
Purchases of short-term investments (10,476) (30,250)
Sales of short-term investments 8,400 73,175
Purchases of long-term investments (20,598) -
Insurance proceeds related to property and
equipment 1,807 -
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 675 822
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities (176,502) (95,847)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities 952,750 -
Repayments of borrowings under revolving
credit facilities (699,750) -
Repayments of long-term obligations (8,884) (8,183)
Payment of cash dividends (31,283) (27,596)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 13,583 18,441
Repurchases of common stock (79,947) (172,755)
Tax benefit from stock option exercises 1,881 -
Other financing activities 33 44
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities 148,383 (190,049)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (114,257) (86,880)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 200,609 232,830
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 86,352 $ 145,950
======================================================================
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing
and financing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment awaiting
processing for payment, included in Accounts
payable $ 14,460 $ 4,078
Purchases of property and equipment under
capital lease obligations $ 2,819 $ 1,845
Reduction of financing obligations $ 46,608 $ -
Reduction of promissory notes receivable $ 46,608 $ -
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Selected Additional Information
(Unaudited)
Sales by Category (in thousands)
--------------------------------
13 Weeks Ended
------------------------------------------
August 4, July 29, %
2006 2005 Increase
------------- -------------- -------------
Highly consumable $ 1,503,305 $ 1,351,796 11.2%
Seasonal 354,314 317,544 11.6
Home products 214,170 215,132 (0.4)
Basic clothing 179,264 181,544 (1.3)
------------ ------------ -------------
Total sales $ 2,251,053 $ 2,066,016 9.0%
============ ============ =============
26 Weeks Ended
------------------------------------------
August 4, July 29, %
2006 2005 Increase
------------- -------------- -------------
Highly consumable $ 2,959,289 $ 2,673,102 10.7%
Seasonal 663,897 592,839 12.0
Home products 425,835 426,884 (0.2)
Basic clothing 353,419 351,020 0.7
------------ ------------ -------------
Total sales $ 4,402,440 $ 4,043,845 8.9%
============ ============ =============
New Store Activity
------------------
26 Weeks Ended
----------------------------
August 4, 2006 July 29, 2005
-------------- -------------
Beginning store count 7,929 7,320
New store openings 294 438
Store closings 45 46
Net new stores 249 392
Ending store count 8,178 7,712
Total selling square footage (000's) 56,681 53,004
CONTACT: Dollar General Corporation
Investor Contact:
Emma Jo Kauffman, 615-855-5525
or
Media Contact:
Tawn Earnest, 615-855-5209