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Dollar General Corporation Reports First Quarter 2024 Results

May 30, 2024 6:55 AM

Provides Financial Guidance for 2024 Second Quarter; Reiterates 2024 Full Year Financial Guidance

Updates Real Estate Plans for 2024 Full Year

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) today reported financial results for its fiscal year 2024 first quarter (13 weeks) ended May 3, 2024.

“We are pleased with our start to 2024, including top and bottom-line results that exceeded our expectations in the first quarter,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s chief executive officer. “These results were driven by strong customer traffic growth and market share gains during the quarter, which we believe is a testament to the relevance of our unique combination of value and convenience, as well as to improved execution across our organization.”

“I want to thank our entire team for their dedication to fulfilling our mission of Serving Others every day. Because of their efforts, we continue to make progress executing on our Back to Basics strategy, which we believe is resonating positively with our customers in the store. Looking ahead, we continue to focus on actions designed to enhance the way we support our teams and serve our customers, while creating sustainable long-term value for our shareholders.”

First Quarter Fiscal 2024 Highlights

Net sales increased 6.1% to $9.9 billion in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $9.3 billion in the first quarter of 2023. The net sales increase was primarily driven by positive sales contributions from new stores and growth in same-store sales, partially offset by the impact of store closures. Same-store sales increased 2.4% compared to the first quarter of 2023 driven by an increase in customer traffic, partially offset by a decrease in average transaction amount. Same-store sales in the first quarter of 2024 included growth in the consumables category, partially offset by declines in each of the home products, seasonal, and apparel categories.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 30.2% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to 31.6% in the first quarter of 2023, a decrease of 145 basis points. This gross profit rate decrease was primarily attributable to increased shrink and inventory markdowns, a greater proportion of sales coming from the consumables category, and lower inventory markups. These factors were partially offset by a lower LIFO provision.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) as a percentage of net sales were 24.7% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to 23.7% in the first quarter of 2023, an increase of 97 basis points. The primary expenses that were a higher percentage of net sales in the first quarter of 2024 were retail labor, depreciation and amortization, incentive compensation, and repairs and maintenance.

Operating profit for the first quarter of 2024 decreased 26.3% to $546.1 million compared to $740.9 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Net interest expense for the first quarter of 2024 decreased 12.8% to $72.4 million compared to $83.0 million in the first quarter of 2023.

The effective income tax rate in the first quarter of 2024 was 23.3% compared to 21.8% in the first quarter of 2023. This higher effective income tax rate was primarily due to the effect of certain rate-impacting items on lower earnings before taxes and expense recognition attributable to stock-based compensation.

The Company reported net income of $363.3 million for the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 29.4% compared to $514.4 million in the first quarter of 2023. Diluted EPS decreased 29.5% to $1.65 for the first quarter of 2024 compared to diluted EPS of $2.34 in the first quarter of 2023.

Merchandise Inventories

As of May 3, 2024, total merchandise inventories, at cost, were $6.9 billion compared to $7.3 billion as of May 5, 2023, a decrease of 9.5% on a per-store basis.

Capital Expenditures

Total additions to property and equipment in the first quarter of 2024 were $342 million, including approximately: $132 million for improvements, upgrades, remodels and relocations of existing stores; $117 million related to store facilities, primarily for leasehold improvements, fixtures and equipment in new stores; $78 million for distribution and transportation-related projects; and $13 million for information systems upgrades and technology-related projects. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company opened 197 new stores, remodeled 463 stores, and relocated 21 stores.

Share Repurchases

In the first quarter of 2024, as planned, the Company did not repurchase any shares under its share repurchase program. The total remaining authorization for future repurchases was $1.4 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2024.

Under the authorization, repurchases may be made from time to time in open market transactions, including pursuant to trading plans adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing, manner and number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including price, market conditions, compliance with the covenants and restrictions under the Company’s debt agreements, cash requirements, excess debt capacity, results of operations, financial condition and other factors. The authorization has no expiration date. See also “Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Guidance and Store Growth Outlook.”

Dividend

On May 28, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.59 per share on the Company’s common stock, payable on or before July 23, 2024 to shareholders of record on July 9, 2024. While the Board of Directors currently intends to continue regular cash dividends, the declaration and amount of future dividends are subject to the sole discretion of the Board and will depend upon, among other things, the Company’s results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions, excess debt capacity, and other factors the Board may deem relevant in its sole discretion.

Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Guidance and Store Growth Outlook

For the 52-week fiscal year ending January 31, 2025 (“fiscal year 2024”), the Company continues to expect the following:

The Company’s financial guidance continues to assume no share repurchases in fiscal year 2024.

In order to better optimize the planned capital expenditures for fiscal year 2024 and to expand the investment in mature stores, the Company is increasing the number of store remodels and reducing the number of expected new store openings, resulting in an overall net increase in the number of total expected real estate projects for the year.

The Company now expects to execute 2,435 real estate projects, including 730 new store openings, 1,620 remodels, and 85 store relocations, which compares to its previous expectation of 2,385 real estate projects in fiscal 2024, including 800 new store openings, 1,500 remodels, and 85 store relocations.

“While it is still early in our fiscal year, we are encouraged by our first quarter financial results,” said Kelly Dilts, Dollar General’s chief financial officer. “Although we are experiencing shrink and sales mix headwinds that are greater than we had initially anticipated coming into the year, we are working to mitigate the impact of these challenges and are reiterating our full-year financial guidance as we remain focused on our goal of delivering consistent, strong financial performance.”

Fiscal Year 2024 Second Quarter Financial Guidance

For the 13-week quarter ending August 2, 2024, the Company currently expects same-store sales growth in the low 2% range, and Diluted EPS in the range of $1.70 to $1.85.

Conference Call Information

The Company will hold a conference call on May 30, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. CT/10:00 a.m. ET, hosted by Todd Vasos, chief executive officer, and Kelly Dilts, chief financial officer. To participate via telephone, please call (877) 407-0890 at least 10 minutes before the conference call is scheduled to begin. The conference ID is 13746305. There will also be a live webcast of the call available at https://investor.dollargeneral.com under “News & Events, Events & Presentations.” A replay of the conference call will be available through June 27, 2024, and will be accessible via webcast replay or by calling (877) 660-6853. The conference ID for the telephonic replay is 13746305.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Forward-looking statements include those regarding the Company’s outlook, strategy, initiatives, plans, intentions or beliefs, including, but not limited to, statements made within the quotations of Mr. Vasos and Ms. Dilts, and in the sections entitled “Share Repurchases,” “Dividend,” “Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Guidance and Store Growth Outlook,” and “Fiscal Year 2024 Second Quarter Financial Guidance.” A reader can identify forward-looking statements because they are not limited to historical fact or they use words such as “outlook,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “can,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “project,” “expect,” “estimate,” “target,” “forecast,” “accelerate,” “predict,” “position,” “assume,” “opportunities,” “prospects,” “investments,” “intend,” “continue,” “future,” “beyond,” “ongoing,” “potential,” “long-term,” “longer term,” “near-term,” “guidance,” “goal,” “outcome,” “uncertainty,” “look to,” “move into,” “moving forward,” “looking ahead,” “years ahead,” “subject to,” “committed,” “confident,” “focus on,” or “likely to,” and similar expressions that concern the Company’s outlook, strategies, plans, initiatives, intentions or beliefs about future occurrences or results. These matters involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may change at any time and may cause actual results to differ materially from those which the Company expected. Many of these statements are derived from the Company’s operating budgets and forecasts as of the date of this release, which are based on many detailed assumptions and estimates that the Company believes are reasonable. However, it is very difficult to predict the effect of known factors on future results, and the Company cannot anticipate all factors that could affect future results that may be important to an investor. All forward-looking information should be evaluated in the context of these risks, uncertainties and other factors. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by these and other cautionary statements that the Company makes from time to time in its SEC filings and public communications. The Company cannot assure the reader that it will realize the results or developments the Company anticipates or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect the Company or its operations in the way the Company expects. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation, and specifically disclaims any duty, to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included herein or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by, or on behalf of, the Company.

Investors should also be aware that while the Company does, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts and others, it is against the Company’s policy to disclose to them any material, nonpublic information or other confidential commercial information. Accordingly, shareholders should not assume that the Company agrees with any statement or report issued by any securities analyst regardless of the content of the statement or report. Furthermore, the Company has a policy against confirming projections, forecasts or opinions issued by others. Thus, to the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not the Company’s responsibility.

About Dollar General Corporation

Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) is proud to serve as America’s neighborhood general store. Founded in 1939, Dollar General lives its mission of Serving Others every day by providing access to affordable products and services for its customers, career opportunities for its employees, and literacy and education support for its hometown communities. As of May 3, 2024, the Company’s 20,149 Dollar General, DG Market, DGX and pOpshelf stores across the United States and Mi Súper Dollar General stores in Mexico provide everyday essentials including food, health and wellness products, cleaning and laundry supplies, self-care and beauty items, and seasonal décor from our high-quality private brands alongside many of the world’s most trusted brands such as Coca Cola, PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, General Mills, Hershey, J.M. Smucker, Kraft, Mars, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble and Unilever.

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
May 3, May 5, February 2,

2024

2023

2024

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents

$

720,700

$

313,064

$

537,283

Merchandise inventories

6,934,389

7,335,845

6,994,266

Income taxes receivable

34,946

50,863

112,262

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

406,936

355,688

366,913

Total current assets

8,096,971

8,055,460

8,010,724

Net property and equipment

6,172,496

5,420,134

6,087,722

Operating lease assets

11,138,733

10,726,523

11,098,228

Goodwill

4,338,589

4,338,589

4,338,589

Other intangible assets, net

1,199,700

1,199,700

1,199,700

Other assets, net

63,010

63,527

60,628

Total assets

$

31,009,499

$

29,803,933

$

30,795,591

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term obligations

$

769,139

$

-

$

768,645

Short-term borrowings

-

250,000

-

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

1,406,970

1,311,753

1,387,083

Accounts payable

3,472,487

3,679,170

3,587,374

Accrued expenses and other

976,076

848,757

971,890

Income taxes payable

17,190

10,999

10,709

Total current liabilities

6,641,862

6,100,679

6,725,701

Long-term obligations

6,222,387

7,028,767

6,231,539

Long-term operating lease liabilities

9,723,314

9,399,833

9,703,499

Deferred income taxes

1,157,660

1,111,434

1,133,784

Other liabilities

264,097

227,969

251,949

Total liabilities

24,009,320

23,868,682

24,046,472

Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock

-

-

-

Common stock

192,407

191,921

192,206

Additional paid-in capital

3,774,363

3,701,564

3,757,005

Retained earnings

3,032,996

2,041,118

2,799,415

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

413

648

493

Total shareholders' equity

7,000,179

5,935,251

6,749,119

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

31,009,499

$

29,803,933

$

30,795,591

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
For the Quarter Ended
May 3, % of Net May 5, % of Net

2024

Sales

2023

Sales
Net sales

$

9,914,021

100.00

%

$

9,342,832

100.00

%

Cost of goods sold

6,921,872

69.82

6,387,358

68.37

Gross profit

2,992,149

30.18

2,955,474

31.63

Selling, general and administrative expenses

2,446,045

24.67

2,214,616

23.70

Operating profit

546,104

5.51

740,858

7.93

Interest expense, net

72,433

0.73

83,038

0.89

Income before income taxes

473,671

4.78

657,820

7.04

Income tax expense

110,354

1.11

143,440

1.54

Net income

$

363,317

3.66

%

$

514,380

5.51

%

Earnings per share:
Basic

$

1.65

$

2.35

Diluted

$

1.65

$

2.34

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic

219,748

219,193

Diluted

220,052

220,107

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
For the Year Ended
(13 Weeks) (13 Weeks)
May 3, May 5,

2024

2023

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income

$

363,317

$

514,380

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization

232,286

201,907

Deferred income taxes

23,876

50,442

Noncash share-based compensation

21,846

25,083

Other noncash (gains) and losses

15,052

28,630

Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Merchandise inventories

49,562

(601,138

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(42,650

)

(56,866

)

Accounts payable

(95,686

)

116,363

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

14,814

(176,804

)

Income taxes

83,797

86,992

Other

(2,408

)

2,126

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

663,806

191,115

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment

(341,975

)

(363,141

)

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

814

1,539

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

(341,161

)

(361,602

)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term obligations

(5,205

)

(4,505

)

Net increase (decrease) in commercial paper outstanding

-

3,068

Borrowings under revolving credit facilities

-

500,000

Repayments of borrowings under revolving credit facilities

-

(250,000

)

Payments of cash dividends

(129,736

)

(129,401

)

Other equity and related transactions

(4,287

)

(17,187

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(139,228

)

101,975

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

183,417

(68,512

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

537,283

381,576

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

720,700

$

313,064

Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for:
Interest

$

117,837

$

145,419

Income taxes

$

3,036

$

5,992

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Right of use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities

$

404,716

$

386,055

Purchases of property and equipment awaiting processing for payment,
included in Accounts payable

$

128,936

$

160,510

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Selected Additional Information
(Unaudited)
Sales by Category (in thousands)
For the Quarter Ended
May 3, May 5,

2024

2023

% Change
Consumables

$

8,210,850

$

7,582,882

8.3

%

Seasonal

963,514

962,681

0.1

%

Home products

478,791

531,189

-9.9

%

Apparel

260,866

266,080

-2.0

%

Net sales

$

9,914,021

$

9,342,832

6.1

%

Store Activity
For the Quarter Ended
May 3, May 5,

2024

2023

Beginning store count

19,986

19,104

New store openings

197

212

Store closings

(34

)

(22

)

Net new stores

163

190

Ending store count

20,149

19,294

Total selling square footage (000's)

152,609

144,696

Growth rate (square footage)

5.5

%

6.0

%

Investor Contact:

[email protected]

Media Contact:

[email protected]

Source: Dollar General Corporation

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