Dollar General Store Sales Jump in 4Q

Goodlettsville, Tenn. Dollar General reported Tuesday that total sales for the fourth quarter, ended Jan. 30, hit $2.85 billion, an 11.2% increase from $2.56 billion in 2007. The chain’s same-store sales also jumped 9.4% during the quarter.

For the fiscal year, the chain reported total sales of $10.46 billion, a 10.1% increase compared to $9.50 billion for fiscal 2007. Same-store sales for the year increased 9.0%.

The company credits the increases to strategic operating initiatives implemented during the year that increased both customer traffic and average ticket size. Seasonal merchandise and other discretionary item sales were also impacted by the weak economy and a shorter holiday selling season, the company said.

These successes are pushing the chain to accelerate new store openings in 2009. Dollar General plans to open approximately 450 new stores, and will remodel or relocate approximately 400 stores.