Seasonal categories aid Family Dollar sales

MATTHEWS, N.C. Family Dollar Stores reported that net sales for the four weeks ended Sept. 1 increased 3.4% to approximately $494.4 million from $478.3 million for the comparable four-week period ended Sept. 2, 2006. According to the company, the sales increase was aided by strong performance in the food and seasonal categories, primarily toys and lawn and garden, while sales of apparel were softer. Comparable-store sales for the four-week period increased 1% when compared with sales for the similar four-week period last year.

Sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 ended Sept. 1, were approximately $1.63 billion, or 3.4% above sales of approximately $1.58 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 ended August 26, 2006. For the year ended Sept. 1, sales were approximately $6.8 billion, or 6.9% above sales of approximately $6.4 billion for the year ended Aug. 26, 2006.

The company reported that it anticipates earnings per diluted share for the fourth quarter to be in the range of 24 cents to 27 cents compared with 21 cents per diluted share for the fourth quarter last year. For the full year, the company currently expects net income per diluted share to be between $1.60 and $1.63 compared with $1.26 per diluted share for the prior fiscal year.

The company expects that comparable-store sales for the September period ending Oct. 6, will increase 1% to 3%.