Dollar Tree, Inc. Reports Results for the Second Quarter Fiscal 2024

Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR) today reported financial results for its second quarter ended August 3, 2024.

“We are encouraged by the continuous progress we are making in the transformation underway at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, despite immense pressures from a challenging macro environment,” said Rick Dreiling, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Customers are responding favorably to initiatives like our expanded multi-price offering and we are already seeing a meaningful sales lift at the 1,600 Dollar Tree stores that have been converted to our newest in-line multi-price format. With thousands of stores left to convert, we believe we are still in the very early innings of this rollout, with many years of runway left ahead of us.”

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Davis added, “Our adjusted EPS of $0.67 was $0.38 below the midpoint of our previous outlook range. While the vast majority of this variance was attributable to an adjustment of our general liability accrual, a portion was attributable to a comp shortfall which reflected the increasing effect of macro pressures on the purchasing behavior of Dollar Tree’s middle- and higher-income customers.”

Additional Business Highlights

• Opened 127 new Dollar Tree and 28 new Family Dollar stores
• Approximately 1,600 Dollar Tree stores have been converted to in-line multi-price format
• Generated $307 million of net cash provided by operating activities
• Repurchased 0.75 million shares for $90.8 million

Second Quarter Results

Unless otherwise noted, all comparisons are to the prior year’s second quarter, ended July 29, 2023.

Consolidated net sales increased 0.7% to $7.37 billion. Enterprise same-store net sales increased 0.7%, driven by a 1.1% increase in traffic, offset by a 0.5% decrease in average ticket. Dollar Tree same-store net sales increased 1.3%, driven by a 1.4% increase in traffic, offset by a 0.1% decrease in average ticket. Family Dollar’s same-store net sales decreased 0.1%, driven by a 0.7% increase in traffic, offset by a 0.8% decrease in average ticket. Same-store net sales results for the Family Dollar segment do not include any stores that were closed during the second quarter as part of our previously announced portfolio optimization.

Gross profit increased 3.7% to $2.21 billion and gross margin expanded 80 basis points to 30.0%. Gross margin expansion was driven primarily by lower freight costs, partially offset by increased sales of higher cost consumable merchandise, higher occupancy costs in the Dollar Tree segment resulting from the loss of leverage from the low single-digit comparable store net sales increase, and higher distribution costs in the Family Dollar segment.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were 27.3% of total revenue, compared to 25.3%. The increase was driven primarily by unfavorable development of general liability claims, higher depreciation expense from store investments, temporary labor in the Dollar Tree segment to support our multi-price rollout, higher utilities costs, and loss of leverage from the low single-digit comparable store net sales increase. The increases were partially offset by lower incentive compensation costs.

On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes costs associated with store closings, costs associated with the strategic review, and severance, selling, general and administrative expenses were 27.1% of total revenue, compared to 25.3%.

Our general liability claims related to customer accidents and other incidents at our stores continue to develop unfavorably due to the rising cost to reimburse, settle, or litigate the claims. As a result, our actuarially determined liabilities were increased during the second quarter, contributing to incremental general liability claim expenses that adversely impacted our adjusted net income – relative to our earnings outlook provided on June 5, 2024 – by approximately $0.30 per share.

Operating income decreased 29.4% to $203.1 million and operating margin declined 110 basis points to 2.8%. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted operating income decreased 24.2% to $218.1 million and adjusted operating margin declined 90 basis points to 3.0%.

The Company’s effective tax rate was unchanged at 24.0%. On a non-GAAP basis, the adjusted effective tax rate was 24.2% compared to 24.0%.

Net income was $132.4 million and diluted earnings per share was $0.62. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net income was $143.4 million and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.67.

The company repurchased 0.75 million shares for $90.8 million, including applicable excise tax.

Year-to-Date Results

Unless otherwise noted, all comparisons are between the 26 weeks ended August 3, 2024, and the 26 weeks ended July 29, 2023.

Consolidated net sales increased 2.5% to $15.00 billion. Enterprise same-store sales increased 0.8%. Dollar Tree same-store sales increased 1.5%, driven by a 2.1% increase in traffic, partially offset by a 0.6% decline in average ticket. Family Dollar’s same-store sales were flat and were comprised of a 0.8% increase in traffic along with a 0.8% decline in average ticket.

Gross profit increased 4.5% to $4.56 billion and gross margin expanded 60 basis points to 30.4%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were 26.3% of total revenue, compared to 25.0%. On a non-GAAP basis, selling, general and administrative expenses were 26.1% of total revenue, compared to 24.8%.

Operating income decreased 11.8% to $623.7 million and operating income margin decreased 60 basis points to 4.2%. On a non-GAAP basis, operating income decreased 11.4% to $653.7 million and operating income margin decreased 60 basis points to 4.4%.

The Company’s effective tax rate was 24.2% compared to 24.0%. On a non-GAAP basis, the effective tax rate was 24.2% compared to 23.6%.

Net income was $432.5 million and diluted EPS was $2.00. On a non-GAAP basis, net income was $454.9 million and diluted EPS was $2.10.

The Company repurchased 3.28 million shares for $403.6 million, including applicable excise tax.

Strategic Alternatives Review Update

During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, we announced that we had initiated a formal review of strategic alternatives for the Family Dollar business segment, which could include among others, a potential sale, spin-off, or other disposition of the business. There is not a set deadline or definitive timetable for the completion of the strategic alternatives review process, and there can be no assurance that this process will result in any transaction or particular outcome.

Tornado Damage Update

On April 28, 2024, a tornado destroyed our Dollar Tree distribution center in Marietta, Oklahoma. Based on the significant damage sustained by the facility, the inventory contained in the facility and the facility itself are not salvageable. We incurred losses totaling $117.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, consisting of $70.0 million related to damaged inventory and $47.0 million related to property and equipment. These losses were fully offset by insurance receivables. As of August 3, 2024, we have received insurance proceeds totaling $70.8 million, including $45.0 million related to damaged inventory and $25.8 million related to damaged property and equipment. We expect that the remaining inventory losses and property and equipment losses will be fully offset by insurance recoveries under our distribution center insurance policies.

Portfolio Optimization Review

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, we announced that we had initiated a comprehensive store portfolio optimization review which involved identifying stores for closure, relocation or re-bannering based on an evaluation of current market conditions and individual store performance, among other factors. As a result of the portfolio optimization review, we identified approximately 970 underperforming Family Dollar stores, including approximately 600 stores to be closed in the first half of fiscal 2024, and approximately 370 stores to be closed at the end of each store's current lease term. As of August 3, 2024, we have closed approximately 655 stores identified under the portfolio optimization review and expect to close an additional 45 during the remainder of fiscal 2024.

Fiscal 2024 Outlook

“We are updating our full-year outlook to reflect second quarter results, including the general liability charge, a more conservative sales outlook at Dollar Tree for the balance of the year, and incremental start-up costs associated with the conversion of our recently acquired portfolio of 99 Cents Only Stores leases,” Davis added.

The Company is adjusting its full-year fiscal 2024 consolidated net sales outlook range to $30.6 billion to $30.9 billion. The Company expects to deliver comparable store net sales growth in the low-single-digits for the enterprise and both the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar segments.

Adjusted diluted EPS is expected to range from $5.20 to $5.60.

The revised full-year fiscal 2024 EPS outlook reflects the Company’s second quarter 2024 results, the revised sales outlook, approximately $0.12 of incremental upfront costs associated with the acquisition and re-opening of the acquired 99 Cents Only Stores leases, and approximately $0.12 related to incremental depreciation and amortization expense resulting from higher project costs and cadence.

Third Quarter 2024 Outlook

The Company expects consolidated net sales for the third quarter will range from $7.4 billion to $7.6 billion, based on comparable store net sales growth in the low-single-digits for the enterprise and both the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar segments.

Adjusted diluted EPS for the third quarter 2024 is estimated to be in the range of $1.05 to $1.15.

The third quarter EPS outlook reflects the revised sales outlook, approximately $0.07 of incremental upfront costs associated with the acquisition and re-opening of the acquired 99 Cents Only Stores leases, and approximately $0.06 related to incremental depreciation and amortization expense resulting from higher project costs and cadence.

While share repurchases are not included in the outlook, the Company has approximately $952 million remaining under its $2.5 billion share repurchase authorization as of August 3, 2024.

Conference Call Information

On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the Company will host a conference call to discuss its earnings results at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The telephone number for the call is (877) 407-3943 or (201) 689-8855. A recorded version of the call will be available for seven days after the call and may be accessed by dialing (877) 660-6853 or (201) 612-7415. The access code is 13748388. A webcast of the call is also accessible through the Investor Relations portion of the Company’s website.

Supplemental financial information for the second quarter is available on the Investor Relations portion of the Company’s website, at https://corporate.dollartree.com/investors.

Dollar Tree, a Fortune 200 Company, operated more than 16,300 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of August 3, 2024. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree Canada. To learn more about the Company, visit www.DollarTree.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). From time-to-time, the Company supplements the reporting of its financial information determined under GAAP with certain non-GAAP financial information. The non-GAAP financial measures we have disclosed include adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses; adjusted selling, general and administrative expense rate; adjusted operating income (loss); adjusted operating income (loss) margin; adjusted net income; adjusted diluted earnings per share; adjusted effective tax rate; and free cash flow.

Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding amounts prepared in accordance with GAAP appears in the tables under the heading “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below. These tables provide additional information regarding the adjusted measures.

A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Our press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they address future events, developments or results and do not relate strictly to historical facts. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as: “believe”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “view”, “target” or “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “predict”, “possible”, “potential”, “continue”, “strategy”, and similar expressions. For example, our forward-looking statements include statements relating to our business and financial outlook for fiscal 2024, including without limitation our expectations regarding net sales, comparable store sales and adjusted diluted earnings per share for the third fiscal quarter and full fiscal year 2024, and various factors that are expected to impact our quarterly and annual results of operations for fiscal 2024; our plans and expectations regarding our business, including the impact of various initiatives, investments, and reviews on the company’s performance and prospects for long-term growth; our plans to close, relocate or re-banner stores as a result of our store portfolio optimization review; the impacts of tornado damage to our Dollar Tree distribution center in Marietta, Oklahoma, including expectations regarding inventory and property damage, related losses, the availability of insurance coverage and expected insurance recoveries, changes within our supply chain network and our customer shopping experience; and our other plans, objectives, expectations (financial and otherwise) and intentions, including our review of strategic alternatives at our Family Dollar segment. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. 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 20, 2024, our Form 10-Q for the most recently ended fiscal quarter and other filings we make from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.

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