Dollar General 4Q comps growth, plans more store openings

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. Dollar General reported total sales of $2.85 billion for its fiscal fourth quarter ended Jan. 30, an 11.2% increase from 2007 fourth quarter sales of $2.56 billion. Same-store sales for the quarter increased 9.4%.

Sales in the quarter continued to benefit from strategic operating initiatives implemented during the year to increase both customer traffic and average ticket, while facing a difficult economic environment for the consumer. Sales of seasonal merchandise and other discretionary items were impacted by the weak economy as well as a shorter holiday selling season.

Dollar General announced that it plans to open approximately 450 new stores and to remodel or relocate approximately 400 stores in 2009.