Dollar General pumps profit in Q2

GOODLETTSVILLE, TN — Building sales and margins, and at the same time slashing debt and interest costs, neighborhood retailer Dollar General Stores drove second-quarter profits up 41.5 percent, to $59.9 million from $42.4 million last year.

Sales at the rapidly expanding chain climbed by 13.6 percent, to $1.7 billion from $1.5 billion last year, fueled by the opening of 588 new stores. Even without the assist from the rapid rollout of new units, same-store sales grew by 4.7 percent.

In a big lift to the bottom line, Dollar General boosted margins by 190 basis points, or 1.9 percentage points, helped by a lower shrinkage rates and a decrease in damaged product markdowns. Lifted by stronger sales and wider margins, gross margin dollars improved by 22.0 percent, to $472.8 million from $387.4 million.

But offsetting stronger margins, costs climbed higher by 0.9 basis points, or nine-tenths of a percentage point, mostly due to increases in workers' compensation and general liability costs; payments made to two former officers; increases in store occupancy and utilities costs; and increased bonuses paid out due to the company's strong performance during the first half of the year.

The retailer slashed both long-term debt and interest expense. Interest expense was reduced by 30.3 million to $7.9 million from $11.3 million, generating a cash savings of $3.4 million. Long-term debt was slashed almost in half, by 46.2 percent, to $272.4 million from $506.7 million.

The retailer said it expects sales for all of this year to rise by 13 to 15 percent, while same-store sales increase by four to six percent. Excluding restatement-related items, profits are expected to grow by 11 to 15 percent. The retailer said it will open about 650 new stores this year, close 50 to 70, and relocate or remodel 60 to 80.