Family Dollar Stores, Inc. reported that for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 ended March 2, 2013, net sales increased 17.7% to $2.89 billion and net income per diluted share for the quarter increased 5.2% to $1.21.
Fiscal 2013 Second Quarter Results
Net sales for the second quarter ended March 2, 2013, increased 17.7% to $2.89 billion from $2.46 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 ended February 25, 2012. Consistent with the National Retail Federation Calendar, the second quarter of fiscal 2013 included 14 weeks as compared to 13 weeks in the second quarter of fiscal 2012.
The Company estimates this extra week contributed approximately $189 million in sales and $0.07 of earnings per diluted share. Sales were strongest in the Consumables category, which increased 26.6% during the quarter, driven primarily by strong growth in tobacco, food, and health and beauty aids. During the quarter, the Company opened 126 new stores, closed 17 stores, and renovated, relocated or expanded 159 stores.
Comparable store sales for the 14-week period ended March 2, 2013, increased 2.9% when compared with sales for the similar 14-week period last year. Comparable store sales for the quarter increased as a result of higher customer traffic and an increase in the average customer transaction value.
Gross profit for the quarter increased 12.8% to $967.1 million, or 33.4% of net sales, compared to $857.4 million, or 34.9% of net sales, in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. As a percentage of sales, the impact of stronger sales of lower-margin consumables and increased inventory shrinkage was partially offset by lower freight expense and higher purchase markups.
Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales, were 25.9% in the quarter compared to 26.1% in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. Most expenses were leveraged during the quarter. Additionally, as a percentage of net sales, lower incentive compensation expense was offset by higher marketing expense.
The effective income tax rate in the quarter was 35.6% as compared to 36.5% in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. The decrease in the effective tax rate was due primarily to the legislative reinstatement of certain federal tax credits and foreign tax benefits associated with the Company's global sourcing efforts.
Net income for the quarter was $140.1 million compared to net income of $136.4 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2012.
The Company's merchandise inventories at March 2, 2013, were $1.53 billion compared with $1.22 billion at February 25, 2012. Average inventory per store at the end of the quarter was 17.1% higher than the average inventory per store at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2012. The increase in inventories was the result of investments to expand the Company's Consumable categories, primarily health and beauty aids, tobacco and food.
In the first half of fiscal 2013, capital expenditures were $409.7 million compared with $236.3 million in the first half of fiscal 2012. The growth in capital expenditures was primarily due to increased investments in new stores. During the second quarter, the Company completed a sale-leaseback transaction for 126 stores with net proceeds, after transaction expenses, of $162.4 million.
During the first half of fiscal 2013, the Company repurchased approximately 1.2 million shares of its common stock for a total cost of $75.0 million. As of March 2, 2013, the Company had the authorization to purchase up to an additional $370.8 million of its common stock.
