Dollar General Corporation reported record sales, operating profit and net income for its fiscal 2013 second quarter (13 weeks) ended August 2, 2013.
Highlights:
- Second Quarter Same-Store Sales Increased 5.1%; Total Sales Increased 11.3%
- Second Quarter EPS of $0.75; Adjusted EPS of $0.77
- Company Confirms 2013 Earnings Guidance
Second Quarter Highlights
The Company's net income increased by 15 percent to $245 million in the 2013 second quarter, compared to net income of $214 million in the 2012 second quarter, and earnings per diluted share ("EPS") of $0.75 in the 2013 second quarter increased 17 percent over EPS of $0.64 in the 2012 quarter. Reported and adjusted net income in the 2012 second quarter included a benefit of $14.5 million, or approximately $0.04 per diluted share, relating to an adjustment of accruals resulting from the favorable resolution of income tax audits.
Net sales increased 11.3 percent to $4.39 billion in the 2013 second quarter compared to $3.95 billion in the 2012 second quarter. Same-store sales increased 5.1 percent, with increases in both customer traffic and average transaction value.
Consumables sales continued to increase at a higher rate than non-consumables in the 2013 quarter, with the most significant growth related to the Company's newly introduced tobacco products and strong sales of perishables and candy and snacks. Same-store sales growth was solid in seasonal and apparel, and the trend in home products improved from the 2013 first quarter results.
Gross profit increased by 9 percent and, as a percentage of sales, decreased by 65 basis points to 31.3 percent in the 2013 second quarter. The majority of the gross profit rate decrease in the second quarter of 2013 as compared to the second quarter of 2012 was due to an increase in the mix of consumables and increased sales of lower margin consumables, including the Company's newly introduced tobacco products and expanded perishables offerings, all of which contributed to lower initial inventory markups.
In addition, the Company's inventory shrinkage rate increased. These factors were partially offset by transportation efficiencies and lower markdowns, primarily due to the timing of apparel markdowns. The Company recorded a LIFO benefit of $2.4 million in the 2013 quarter compared to a LIFO benefit of $0.5 million in the 2012 quarter.
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were 21.9 percent of sales in the 2013 quarter compared to 22.2 percent in the 2012 quarter, an improvement of 23 basis points. Excluding a legal settlement of $8.5 million in the 2013 second quarter, SG&A was 21.8 percent of sales, an improvement of 41 basis points from SG&A, excluding secondary offering-related expenses, in the 2012 second quarter.
Retail labor expense and utilities costs increased at a rate lower than the increase in sales. In addition, decreases in incentive compensation, workers' compensation and general liability expenses contributed to the overall improvement in SG&A as a percentage of sales. Costs that increased at a higher rate than the increase in sales include repairs and maintenance, fees associated with the increased use of debit cards, and depreciation and amortization.
