Dollar Tree Reports First Quarter Comparable-Store Sales Increase of 9.2%
CHESAPEAKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR), the nation's largest discount variety store chain selling everything for $1 or less, reported consolidated net sales of $1.20 billion for the quarter ended May 2, 2009 ("first quarter"), a 14.2% increase compared to $1.05 billion reported for the quarter ended May 3, 2008. Comparable-store sales for the first quarter increased 9.2%. Sales exceeded the high end of the Company's first quarter guidance range by approximately $40 million.
"Sales were above plan throughout the quarter," President and CEO Bob Sasser said. "Our seasonal performance was very strong from Valentine's Day through Easter, with excellent sell-through. Our traffic continues to grow, as more and more customers rely on Dollar Tree's extreme value for everyday needs and special occasions. Leading categories in the first quarter included health and beauty care basics, household cleaning supplies, party goods and food."
The Company will provide more detailed information about its first quarter 2009 operating results and provide guidance for the second quarter and the balance of fiscal 2009 during its upcoming earnings conference call scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2009, 9:00 a.m. EDT. The telephone number for the call is 866-575-6537. A recorded version of the call will be available until midnight Wednesday, June 3, and may be accessed by dialing 888-203-1112 and the access code is 6346876. International callers may dial 719-457-0820 and the access code is 6346876. A webcast of the call will be accessible through Dollar Tree's website, www.dollartreeinfo.com/investors/news/events.
Dollar Tree, a Fortune 500 Company, operated 3,667 stores in 48 states as of May 2, 2009, compared to a total of 3,474 stores in 48 states a year ago. During the fiscal first quarter of 2009, the Company opened 79 stores, closed 3 stores and expanded or relocated 25 stores. The Company's retail selling square footage totaled approximately 31.0 million at May 2, 2009, a 6.4% increase compared to a year ago. The Company also operates a coast-to-coast logistics network of nine distribution centers. To learn more about the Company, visit www.Dollartree.com.
A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Our press release may contain "forward-looking statements" as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements address future events, developments or results and typically use words such as believe, anticipate, expect, intend, plan, forecast, outlook, or estimate. For a discussion of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our future events, developments or results, you should carefully review the "Risk Factors," "Business," and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 26, 2009. We are not obligated to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report and you should not expect us to do so.
Source: Dollar Tree, Inc.
Released May 7, 2009