Dollar General Q1'FY14 net sales rise 6.8% to $4.52bn

03 Jun '14

3 min read

Dollar General Corporation reported financial results for its 2014 first quarter (13 weeks) ended May 2, 2014.

Highlights:

-Net Sales Increased 6.8%; Same-Store Sales Increased 1.5%

-Diluted Earnings Per Share of $0.72

-Distributed $800 Million through 14.1 Million Shares Repurchased in the Quarter

-Sales Trends Gaining Momentum

-Company Confirms Full Year Sales and EPS Guidance

Financial Highlights

Net sales increased 6.8 percent to $4.52 billion in the 2014 first quarter compared to $4.23 billion in the 2013 first quarter. Same-store sales increased 1.5 percent resulting from increases in both customer traffic and average transaction amount. Sales increases in consumables significantly outpaced the Company's non-consumable categories, led by increased sales of tobacco products, perishables and candy and snacks. Sales were impacted by unfavorable weather conditions during much of the quarter, a competitive retail environment and continued financial pressures on the Company's core customers.

Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 30.0 percent in the 2014 first quarter, a decrease of 57 basis points from the 2013 first quarter. The majority of the gross profit rate decrease was due to consumables comprising a larger portion of net sales, primarily as a result of increased sales of lower margin consumables, including tobacco and perishable products. In addition, markdowns were higher in the 2014 first quarter, primarily related to increased promotional activity, partially offset by higher initial markups on inventory purchases.

Selling, general and administrative expense ("SG&A") as a percentage of sales was 21.6 percent in the 2014 first quarter compared to 21.3 percent in the 2013 first quarter, an increase of 37 basis points. The moderate same-store sales growth in the quarter was a primary factor in the deleverage of SG&A. Rent and utilities expenses were significant contributors to the overall increase in SG&A as a percentage of sales. These costs were partially offset by workers' compensation and general liability expenses which declined in the 2014 period compared to the 2013 period.

The Company's net income was $222 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, in the 2014 first quarter, compared to net income of $220 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, and adjusted net income of $232 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, in the 2013 first quarter. Adjusted net income for the 2013 period is defined below.

Adjusted net income is defined as net income excluding specifically identified expenses. Adjustments in the 2013 first quarter included a loss of $18.9 million associated with restructuring the Company's credit facility, expenses totaling $1.0 million relating to secondary offerings and the related income tax effects of these adjustments.

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