Goodlettsville, Tenn. – Dollar Tree Inc. beat Wall Street predictions for profits and sales in a generally strong third quarter of fiscal 2014. Net income rose 6% to $133 million from $125.4 million.
Consolidated net sales increased 11% to $2.1 billion from $1.88 billion and consolidated same-store sales increased 5.9%.
Dollar Tree estimates consolidated net sales for the fourth quarter of 2014 to be in the range of $2.39 billion to $2.46 billion, based on a range of low-single digit positive same-store sales. These results are some good news for Dollar Tree, which has had a shareholder vote on its proposed $8.5 billion purchase of Family Dollar delayed from Dec. 11 and Dec. 23 and is in discussions with the FTC about how many stores it may have to divest if the deal is approved.
Consolidated net sales for full-year 2014 are now expected to range between $8.52 billion and $8.58 billion compared to the company’s previously expected range of $8.44 billion to $8.55 billion.
“I am extremely pleased with our third quarter performance,” said Bob Sasser, CEO. “Excluding acquisition costs, we delivered a company-record third quarter operating margin of 11.2%. Our 5.9% same-store sales growth was our strongest comp since 2011, and represented our 27th consecutive quarter of positive same-store sales. These results validate our value enhancement initiatives targeted to attract new, and retain current, customers. Our store teams are well-prepared and our shelves are well-stocked with incredible values for the upcoming holiday season.”
In addition, beginning Sunday, Nov. 23, Dollar General will offer eight days of exclusive holiday savings in more than 11,500 retail locations and online. Dollar General will offer e-commerce shoppers free shipping with any pre-tax purchase of $40 or more. Customers who sign up to receive Dollar General emails can also receive additional discounts on shipping rates.
Dollar General stores will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Black Friday. Normal hours of operation resume on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. Dollar General stores are closed on December 25, but orders may still be made online