Family Dollar set to see tough first half

Family Dollar expects the first half of the 2008 fiscal year to be difficult, but chairman and ceo Howard Levine is forecasting a stronger showing for the second half.

Last week, sales fell 0.1% for January and the company expects February same-store sales to be flat.

“Our customers are severely strapped for cash, especially at the end of the month,” Levine stated.

Family Dollar will bolster its consumable products, adding more food items and looking closely at cost, Levine added. "We believe there are additional opportunities to lower our cost of doing business," he added.

Levine also said that the economic stimulus plan on President Bush's agenda would help provide shoppers with some extra cash, which would be “a big benefit.”