Family Dollar FY net income up 24.7%

MATTHEWS, N.C. Family Dollar Stores reported that net income per diluted share for the year ended Aug. 29 increased 24.7% to $2.07 compared with $1.66 for the year ended Aug. 30, 2008. Net income for the year increased 25% to $291.3 million compared with net income of $233.1 million for fiscal 2008.

“Despite the challenges resulting from a rapidly changing economic environment, our team has delivered a strong performance this year, driving improvements across most key metrics, including increased customer traffic, operating margin expansion, earnings-per-share growth, greater inventory productivity and higher employee retention,” said Howard Levine, chairman and CEO.

Commenting on the company’s outlook for fiscal 2010, Levine said, “While predicting near-term economic conditions remains difficult, we believe that the current consumer focus on saving money will remain strong in 2010. Our strategy of providing value and convenience positions us well to deliver sustainable growth for our shareholders as the economy stabilizes and improves.”

For fiscal 2010, the company expects net sales will increase 5% to 7% as compared with fiscal 2009. The company expects comparable-store sales will increase 3% to 5% and expects to open approximately 200 new stores.