Updates Financial Guidance for Fiscal Year
2023
Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) today reported financial
results for its fiscal 2023 first quarter (13 weeks) ended May 5,
2023.
- Net Sales Increased 6.8%
- Same-Store Sales Increased 1.6%
- Operating Profit Decreased 0.7% to $740.9 Million
- Diluted Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) Decreased 2.9% to $2.34
- Cash Flows From Operations of $191 Million
- Company Updates pOpshelf Real Estate Plans for Fiscal Year
2023
- Board of Directors Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.59
per share
“While the macroeconomic environment has been more challenging
than expected, particularly for our core customer, we are confident
in Dollar General’s ability to deliver strong growth in the years
ahead, despite the near-term pressure which impacted our first
quarter sales results and is anticipated to impact our full-year
sales and EPS,” said Jeff Owen, Dollar General’s chief executive
officer.
“We are controlling what we can control and have made
significant progress improving our execution on multiple fronts,
including on our supply chain recovery efforts and enhancements to
the customer experience with our previously announced investment in
incremental labor hours. In addition, we executed more than 800
real estate projects, including new store openings in our larger
footprint Dollar General formats, which continue to outperform our
expectations, and drive higher sales productivity compared to our
traditional stores.”
“Looking ahead, we feel good about our position, and are taking
action to better serve our core customer, which is our most
important calling at Dollar General. Overall, we remain well
positioned to serve all of our customers with our unique
combination of value and convenience, while also creating long-term
shareholder value.”
First Quarter 2023
Highlights Net sales increased 6.8% to $9.3 billion in
the first quarter of 2023 compared to $8.8 billion in the first
quarter of 2022. 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 1.6% compared to the first quarter of
2022, driven by an increase in average transaction amount,
partially offset by a decrease in customer traffic. Same-store
sales in the first quarter of 2023 included growth in the
consumables category, partially offset by declines in each of the
seasonal, home, and apparel categories.
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 31.6% in the first
quarter of 2023 compared to 31.3% in the first quarter of 2022, an
increase of 34 basis points. This gross profit rate increase was
primarily attributable to higher inventory markups, decreased
transportation costs, and a decreased LIFO provision; partially
offset by increased shrink, markdowns, and inventory damages, as
well as a greater proportion of sales coming from the consumables
category, which generally has a lower gross profit rate than other
product categories.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) as a
percentage of net sales were 23.7% in the first quarter of 2023
compared to 22.8% in the first quarter of 2022, an increase of 94
basis points. The primary expenses that were a greater percentage
of net sales in the current year period were retail labor, repairs
and maintenance, and depreciation and amortization; partially
offset by a decrease in incentive compensation.
Operating profit for the first quarter of 2023 decreased 0.7% to
$740.9 million compared to $746.2 million in the first quarter of
2022.
Interest expense for the first quarter of 2023 increased 109.3%
to $83.0 million compared to $39.7 million in the first quarter of
2022, primarily driven by higher average borrowings and higher
interest rates.
The effective income tax rate in both the first quarter of 2023
and the first quarter of 2022 was 21.8%. This effective income tax
rate was flat due to offsetting changes driven by a lower state
effective tax rate, and less benefit from stock-based compensation
in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of
2022.
The Company reported net income of $514.4 million for the first
quarter of 2023, a decrease of 6.9% compared to $552.7 million in
the first quarter of 2022. Diluted EPS decreased 2.9% to $2.34 for
the first quarter of 2023 compared to diluted EPS of $2.41 in the
first quarter of 2022.
Merchandise Inventories As
of May 5, 2023, total merchandise inventories, at cost, were $7.3
billion compared to $6.1 billion as of April 29, 2022, an increase
of 14.7% on a per-store basis. This increase primarily reflects the
impact of product cost inflation.
Capital Expenditures Total
additions to property and equipment in the first quarter of 2023
were $363 million, including approximately: $153 million for
improvements, upgrades, remodels and relocations of existing
stores; $101 million for distribution and transportation-related
projects; $90 million related to store facilities, primarily for
leasehold improvements, fixtures and equipment in new stores; and
$8 million for information systems upgrades and technology-related
projects. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company opened 212
new stores, remodeled 582 stores, and relocated 22 stores.
Share Repurchases In the
first quarter of 2023, 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 2023.
Under the program, 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. Information regarding the
Company’s updated share repurchase expectations for 2023 can be
found under “Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Guidance and Store Growth
Outlook.”
Dividend On May 30, 2023,
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 25, 2023 to shareholders of record on July 11, 2023.
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 2023 Financial Guidance and
Store Growth Outlook The macroeconomic environment is
more challenging than the Company had previously anticipated, which
the Company believes is having a significant impact on customers’
spending levels and behaviors.
The Company remains confident in the business and its long-term
growth prospects, but is revising its outlook for fiscal year 2023,
provided on March 16, 2023, to reflect these more challenging
macroeconomic headwinds, and now expects:
- Net sales growth in the range of approximately 3.5% to 5.0%,
compared to its previous expectation of 5.5% to 6%; both of which
include an anticipated negative impact of approximately two
percentage points due to lapping the fiscal 2022 53rd week
- Same-store sales growth in the range of approximately 1.0% to
2.0%, compared to its previous expectation of 3.0% to 3.5%
- Diluted EPS in the range of an approximate 8% decline to flat,
compared to its previous expectation of growth of approximately 4%
to 6%, both of which include an anticipated negative impact of
approximately four percentage points due to lapping the fiscal 2022
53rd week
- The updated Diluted EPS guidance includes an anticipated
negative impact of approximately four percentage points due to
higher interest expense in fiscal 2023, compared to the anticipated
negative impact of approximately three percentage points included
in the prior EPS guidance.
- This Diluted EPS guidance assumes an effective tax rate of
approximately 22.5%, compared to the previous assumption in the
range of approximately 22.5% to 23.0%
- Capital expenditures, including those related to investments in
the Company’s strategic initiatives, in the range of $1.6 billion
to $1.7 billion, compared to its previous expectation of $1.8
billion to $1.9 billion.
The Company’s guidance assumes no share repurchases in 2023, as
compared to its previous expectation of share repurchases of
approximately $500 million.
The Company is reducing the number of expected new store
openings in the pOpshelf format in 2023. As a result, the Company
now expects to execute 3,110 real estate projects in the United
States, including 990 new store openings, 2,000 remodels, and 120
store relocations. This is compared to the previous expectation of
3,170 real estate projects in fiscal 2023, including 1,050 new
store openings, 2,000 remodels, and 120 store relocations.
Conference Call Information
The Company will hold a conference call on June 1, 2023 at 9:00
a.m. CT/10:00 a.m. ET, hosted by Jeff Owen, chief executive
officer, John Garratt, president, 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 13738243. 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 29, 2023, and
will be accessible via webcast replay or by calling (877) 660-6853.
The conference ID for the telephonic replay is 13738243.
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 and intentions including, but not limited to,
statements made within the quotation of Mr. Owen, and in the
sections entitled “Share Repurchases,” “Dividend,” and “Fiscal Year
2023 Financial Guidance and Store Growth Outlook.” 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,” “predict,”
“position,” “assume,” “opportunities,” “intend,” “continue,”
“future,” “beyond,” “ongoing,” “potential,” “long-term,”
“near-term,” “guidance,” “goal,” “outcome,” “uncertainty,” “look
to,” “move ahead,” “looking ahead,” “years ahead,” “subject to,”
“committed,” “confident,” “focus on,” or “likely to,” and similar
expressions that concern the Company’s 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 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:
- economic factors, including but not limited to employment
levels; inflation (and the company’s ability to adjust prices
sufficiently to offset the effect of inflation); pandemics (such as
the COVID-19 pandemic); higher fuel, energy, healthcare and housing
costs; higher interest rates, consumer debt levels, and tax rates;
lack of available credit; tax law changes that negatively affect
credits and refunds; decreases in, or elimination of, government
stimulus programs or subsidies such as unemployment and
food/nutrition assistance programs; commodity rates;
transportation, lease and insurance costs; wage rates (including
the heightened possibility of increased federal, state and/or local
minimum wage rates); foreign exchange rate fluctuations; measures
or events that create barriers to or increase the costs of
international trade (including increased import duties or tariffs);
impacts of failure of the U.S. government to raise the U.S. debt
ceiling; and changes in laws and regulations and their effect on,
as applicable, customer spending and disposable income, the
company’s ability to execute its strategies and initiatives, the
company’s cost of goods sold, the company’s SG&A expenses
(including real estate costs), and the company’s sales and
profitability;
- failure to achieve or sustain the company’s strategies,
initiatives and investments, including those relating to
merchandising (including non-consumable initiatives), real estate
and new store development, international expansion, store formats
and concepts, digital, marketing, health services, shrink, damages,
sourcing, private brand, inventory management, supply chain,
private fleet, store operations, expense reduction, technology,
pOpshelf, Fast Track, and DG Media Network;
- competitive pressures and changes in the competitive
environment and the geographic and product markets where the
company operates, including, but not limited to, pricing,
promotional activity, expanded availability of mobile, web-based
and other digital technologies, and alliances or other business
combinations;
- failure to timely and cost-effectively execute the company’s
real estate projects or to anticipate or successfully address the
challenges imposed by the company’s expansion, including into new
countries or domestic markets, states, or urban or suburban
areas;
- levels of inventory shrinkage and damages;
- failure to successfully manage inventory balances, issues
related to supply chain disruptions, seasonal buying pattern
disruptions, and distribution network capacity;
- failure to maintain the security of the company’s business,
customer, employee or vendor information or to comply with privacy
laws, or the company or one of its vendors falling victim to a
cyberattack (which risk is heightened as a result of political
uncertainty involving China and the current conflict between Russia
and Ukraine) that prevents the company from operating all or a
portion of its business;
- damage or interruption to the company’s information systems as
a result of external factors, staffing shortages or challenges in
maintaining or updating the company’s existing technology or
developing or implementing new technology;
- a significant disruption to the company’s distribution network,
the capacity of the company’s distribution centers or the timely
receipt of inventory, or delays in constructing, opening or
staffing new distribution centers (including temperature-controlled
distribution centers);
- risks and challenges associated with sourcing merchandise from
suppliers, including, but not limited to, those related to
international trade (for example, political uncertainty involving
China and disruptive political events such as the current conflict
between Russia and Ukraine);
- natural disasters, unusual weather conditions (whether or not
caused by climate change), pandemic outbreaks or other health
crises (for example, the COVID-19 pandemic), political or civil
unrest, acts of war, violence or terrorism, and disruptive global
political events (for example, political uncertainty involving
China and the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine);
- product liability, product recall or other product safety or
labeling claims;
- incurrence of material uninsured losses, excessive insurance
costs or accident costs;
- failure to attract, develop and retain qualified employees
while controlling labor costs (including the heightened possibility
of increased federal, state and/or local minimum wage rates/salary
levels) and other labor issues, including employee safety issues
and employee expectations and productivity;
- loss of key personnel or inability to hire additional qualified
personnel or inability to enforce non-compete agreements that we
have in place with management personnel;
- risks associated with the Company’s private brands, including,
but not limited to, the company’s level of success in improving
their gross profit rate at expected levels;
- seasonality of the company’s business;
- failure to protect the company’s reputation;
- the impact of changes in or noncompliance with governmental
regulations and requirements, including, but not limited to, those
dealing with the sale of products, including without limitation,
product and food safety, marketing, labeling or pricing;
information security and privacy; labor and employment; employee
wages and benefits (including the heightened possibility of
increased federal, state and/or local minimum wage rates/salary
levels); health and safety; imports and customs; bribery; climate
change; and environmental compliance, as well as tax laws
(including those related to the federal, state or foreign corporate
tax rate), the interpretation of existing tax laws, or the
company’s failure to sustain its reporting positions negatively
affecting the company’s tax rate, and developments in or outcomes
of private actions, class actions, derivative actions,
multi-district litigation, arbitrations, administrative
proceedings, regulatory actions or other litigation or of inquiries
from federal, state and local agencies, regulatory authorities,
attorneys general, committees, subcommittees and members of the
U.S. Congress, and other local, state, federal and international
governmental authorities;
- new accounting guidance or changes in the interpretation or
application of existing guidance;
- deterioration in market conditions, including market
disruptions, adverse conditions in the financial markets including
financial institution failures, limited liquidity and interest rate
increases, changes in the company’s credit profile, compliance with
covenants and restrictions under the company’s debt agreements, and
the amount of the company’s available excess capital;
- the factors disclosed under “Risk Factors” in the company’s
most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q; and
- such other factors as may be discussed or identified in this
press release.
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 5, 2023,
the company’s 19,294 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)
(Unaudited)
May 5,
April 29,
February 3,
2023
2022
2023
ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents
$
313,064
$
335,613
$
381,576
Merchandise inventories
7,335,845
6,087,399
6,760,733
Income taxes receivable
50,863
33,576
135,775
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
355,688
280,282
302,925
Total current assets
8,055,460
6,736,870
7,581,009
Net property and equipment
5,420,134
4,451,028
5,236,309
Operating lease assets
10,726,523
10,183,152
10,670,014
Goodwill
4,338,589
4,338,589
4,338,589
Other intangible assets, net
1,199,700
1,199,720
1,199,700
Other assets, net
63,527
46,949
57,746
Total assets
$
29,803,933
$
26,956,308
$
29,083,367
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term obligations
$
-
$
900,635
$
-
Short-term borrowings
250,000
-
-
Current portion of operating lease liabilities
1,311,753
1,205,043
1,288,939
Accounts payable
3,679,170
3,906,852
3,552,991
Accrued expenses and other
848,757
930,260
1,036,919
Income taxes payable
10,999
9,051
8,919
Total current liabilities
6,100,679
6,951,841
5,887,768
Long-term obligations
7,028,767
3,947,462
7,009,399
Long-term operating lease liabilities
9,399,833
8,959,174
9,362,761
Deferred income taxes
1,111,434
907,020
1,060,906
Other liabilities
227,969
229,187
220,761
Total liabilities
23,868,682
20,994,684
23,541,595
Commitments and contingencies Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock
-
-
-
Common stock
191,921
198,623
191,718
Additional paid-in capital
3,701,564
3,606,414
3,693,871
Retained earnings
2,041,118
2,157,589
1,656,140
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
648
(1,002
)
43
Total shareholders' equity
5,935,251
5,961,624
5,541,772
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
29,803,933
$
26,956,308
$
29,083,367
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per
share amounts)
(Unaudited)
For the Quarter Ended
May 5,
% of Net
April 29,
% of Net
2023
Sales
2022
Sales
Net sales
$
9,342,832
100.00
%
$
8,751,352
100.00
%
Cost of goods sold
6,387,358
68.37
6,012,989
68.71
Gross profit
2,955,474
31.63
2,738,363
31.29
Selling, general and administrative expenses
2,214,616
23.70
1,992,206
22.76
Operating profit
740,858
7.93
746,157
8.53
Interest expense
83,038
0.89
39,676
0.45
Income before income taxes
657,820
7.04
706,481
8.07
Income tax expense
143,440
1.54
153,824
1.76
Net income
$
514,380
5.51
%
$
552,657
6.32
%
Earnings per share: Basic
$
2.35
$
2.42
Diluted
$
2.34
$
2.41
Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic
219,193
228,477
Diluted
220,107
229,609
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
For the 13 Weeks Ended
May 5,
April 29,
2023
2022
Cash flows from operating activities: Net income
$
514,380
$
552,657
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating
activities: Depreciation and amortization
201,907
172,563
Deferred income taxes
50,442
81,679
Noncash share-based compensation
25,083
26,945
Other noncash (gains) and losses
28,630
68,585
Change in operating assets and liabilities: Merchandise inventories
(601,138
)
(538,921
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(56,866
)
(34,482
)
Accounts payable
116,363
172,110
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
(176,804
)
(116,384
)
Income taxes
86,992
64,814
Other
2,126
(50
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
191,115
449,516
Cash flows from investing
activities: Purchases of property and equipment
(363,141
)
(281,580
)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
1,539
736
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(361,602
)
(280,844
)
Cash flows from financing activities: Repayments of
long-term obligations
(4,505
)
(3,034
)
Net increase (decrease) in commercial paper outstanding
3,068
705,300
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities
500,000
-
Repayments of borrowings under revolving credit facilities
(250,000
)
-
Repurchases of common stock
-
(746,773
)
Payments of cash dividends
(129,401
)
(125,262
)
Other equity and related transactions
(17,187
)
(8,119
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
101,975
(177,888
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(68,512
)
(9,216
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
381,576
344,829
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
313,064
$
335,613
Supplemental cash flow information: Cash paid
for: Interest
$
145,419
$
52,349
Income taxes
$
5,992
$
7,226
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing
activities: Right of use assets obtained in exchange for new
operating lease liabilities
$
386,055
$
396,628
Purchases of property and equipment awaiting processing for
payment, included in Accounts payable
$
160,510
$
141,202
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES
Selected Additional
Information
(Unaudited)
Sales by Category (in
thousands)
For the Quarter Ended
May 5,
April 29,
2023
2022
% Change
Consumables
$
7,582,882
$
6,960,501
8.9
%
Seasonal
962,681
961,378
0.1
%
Home products
531,189
539,822
-1.6
%
Apparel
266,080
289,651
-8.1
%
Net sales
$
9,342,832
$
8,751,352
6.8
%
Store Activity
For the Quarter Ended
May 5,
April 29,
2023
2022
Beginning store count
19,104
18,130
New store openings
212
239
Store closings
(22
)
(13
)
Net new stores
190
226
Ending store count
19,294
18,356
Total selling square footage (000's)
144,696
136,466
Growth rate (square footage)
6.0
%
5.8
%
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005242/en/
Investor Contact: Kevin Walker, (615) 855-4954
Media Contacts: Jennifer Moreau, (877) 944-3477 Crystal Luce,
(615) 855-5210
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