CHESAPEAKE, Va. - February 24, 2010 - Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR), the nation's leading operator of discount variety stores selling everything for $1 or less, reported earnings per diluted share of $1.52, for the quarter ended January 30, 2010 ("fourth quarter"), an increase of 32.2% compared to the $1.15 earnings per diluted share reported for the quarter ended January 31, 2009. Consolidated net sales for the fourth quarter were $1.56 billion, a 12.4% increase compared to $1.39 billion reported for the quarter ended January 31, 2009. Comparable-store sales increased 6.6% for the quarter.
"We are very pleased with our 4th quarter and full year 2009 financial performance," said President and CEO Bob Sasser. "Dollar Tree achieved record sales and earnings and I am especially proud of the significant improvements in our operating margin and inventory productivity. Customers like our convenient locations, friendly shopping environment and exciting merchandise value. In 2010, we expect continued positive results from our focus on merchandise productivity, keen management of supply chain and back office expenses and investment in initiatives and merchandise to thrill the customer. Dollar Tree is well positioned for continued growth."
Operating margin increased 210 basis points for the quarter to 14.0%. The improvement was driven by a 150 basis point increase in gross margin and a 60 basis point reduction in Selling, General and Administrative expenses.
During the fourth quarter 2009, the Company repurchased 0.8 million shares of its common stock for $38.5 million. Year-to-date, the Company has repurchased 4.3 million shares for $193.1 million. At the end of the fourth quarter, $260.6 million remain under the $500 million share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors.
For the year, sales totaled $5.23 billion, a 12.6% increase year-over-year, on a comparable store sales increase of 7.2%. Operating margin increased to 9.8% in 2009, from 7.9% one year ago. Diluted earnings per share were $3.56, an increase of 40.7% from diluted earnings per share of $2.53 in 2008.
The Company continues to grow. During the fourth quarter, Dollar Tree opened 7 stores, closed 4 stores, and expanded 1 store. For the year, the Company opened 240 new stores, closed 25 stores and expanded or relocated 75 stores. Retail selling square footage at fiscal year end was 32.3 million, a 6.6% increase compared to a year ago.
The Company uses the retail inventory method to assign cost to store inventories. Since inception, the Company has employed one inventory pool for this calculation. Effective January 31, 2010, the first day of fiscal 2010, the Company will use approximately 30 inventory pools in its retail inventory calculation. This change was made possible by the Company's investments in information systems. It will facilitate improved decision-making and further enhance our assortment planning process.
As a result of this change, in the first quarter 2010 the Company expects to record a non-recurring, non-cash charge to gross profit and a corresponding reduction in inventory, at cost, that is currently estimated at approximately $28 million, or $0.20 per diluted share. This impact accumulated over the 23-year history of the Company, and is included in our guidance. There will be no effect on prior periods related to this change in inventory accounting.
The Company estimates sales for the first quarter of 2010 to be in the range of $1.29 - $1.33 billion, based on positive low -to- mid single digit comparable store sales, and 6.3% square footage growth. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $0.57 to $0.65, including the aforementioned non-cash charge relating to the inventory accounting change. Absent this charge, earnings per diluted share for the first quarter 2010 would be expected to range from $0.77 to $0.85. The Company reported earnings per diluted share of $0.66 for the first quarter 2009.
For the full year, the Company estimates sales will range from $5.59 - $5.76 billion. This estimate is based on a range of low -to -mid single digit positive comparable-store sales, and square footage growth of approximately 6.3% for the year. Fiscal year 2010 diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $3.76 to $4.03, including the non-cash charge relating to the inventory accounting change in the first quarter. Excluding the charge, earnings per diluted share for the full year 2010 would be expected to range from $3.96 to $4.23. These estimates assume no impact from potential additional share repurchase activity in 2010.
On Wednesday, February 24, 2010, the Company will host a conference call to discuss its earnings results at 9:00 a.m. EST. The telephone number for the call is 888-819-8015. A recorded version of the call will be available until midnight Wednesday, March 3, and may be accessed by dialing 888-203-1112, and the pass code is 1696485. International callers may dial 719-457-0820 and the pass code is 1696485. A webcast of the call will be accessible through Dollar Tree's website, www.dollartreeinfo.com/investors/news/events.
Beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company will announce financial results on the third Thursday following quarter end. Along with this change, quarterly net sales and comparable-store sales will be reported as part of the Company's quarterly financial results. The Company will no longer report quarterly net sales and comparable store sales in a separate press release.
Dollar Tree, a Fortune 500 Company, operated 3,806 stores in 48 states as of January 30, 2010, with total retail selling square footage of 32.3 million. To learn more about the Company, visit www.Dollartree.com.
A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains "forward looking statements" as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements address future events, developments or results and typically use words such as believe, will, anticipate, expect, intend, plan, forecast, or estimate. For example, our forward looking statements include statements regarding total and comparable-store sales and earnings for future periods, our plans for square footage growth and our estimated non-cash charge to inventory. Among the factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements are: general economic conditions, activities of competitors, inflation and fuel and labor costs, weather, changes in law or regulations, and foreign currency fluctuation. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in the company's annual report and other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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 26, 2009 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed November 24, 2009. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the future events, developments or results described by our forward looking statements in this document could turn out to be materially and adversely different from those we discuss or imply. Dollar Tree cautions that the foregoing list of important factors may not be complete, and 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.