Dollar General Q1 FY'13 sales up 8.5%

"For the quarter, we achieved same-store sales growth of 2.6 percent reflecting strong growth in our consumables categories offset by softer sales in seasonal and weather-sensitive categories," said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General's chairman and chief executive officer. "Solid SG&A leverage helped to offset gross margin declines in the first quarter. We believe the continued strength in consumables is a sign of the underlying health of our business."

"We have updated our outlook for the year to reflect moderating sales growth and a lower expected gross profit rate than we previously anticipated," Mr. Dreiling continued. "We are well positioned for our same-store sales growth to accelerate to four to five percent for the year as our key initiatives, such as the rollout of tobacco and Phase 5 planogram changes, continue to gain traction through the year.

"Sales of non-consumables are expected to remain challenging, and we anticipate a continued shift to lower margin items within consumables and higher inventory shrink. We believe that our customers' dependence on our everyday low pricing and convenient locations has never been greater."

The Company's net income was $220 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, in the 2013 first quarter, compared to net income of $213 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, in the 2012 first quarter. Adjusted net income, as defined below, increased 8 percent to $232 million in the 2013 first quarter, compared to $215 million in the 2012 first quarter. Adjusted diluted EPS increased 13 percent to $0.71 in the 2013 first quarter from $0.63 in the 2012 first quarter.

Adjusted net income is defined as net income excluding specifically identified expenses. Adjustments include the expenses relating to secondary offerings of the Company's stock in both the 2013 and 2012 periods and losses associated with restructuring the Company's credit facility in 2013 and an amendment of the Company's revolving credit facility in 2012. The income tax effect of adjustments is also excluded from both periods. A reconciliation of adjusted net income to net income is presented in the accompanying schedules.