Dollar Tree, Inc. Reports Results for the Third Quarter Fiscal 2023

• Same-Store Net Sales: Dollar Tree +5.4%; Family Dollar +2.0%; Enterprise +3.9%
• Comparable Transaction Count: Dollar Tree +7.0%; Family Dollar +1.4%
• Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS) $0.97, Including $0.05 of Costs Related to a Voluntary Retail-Level Product Recall in the Family Dollar Segment
• Fiscal 2023 Net Sales Outlook Range to $30.5 Billion to $30.7 Billion
• Fiscal 2023 Diluted EPS Outlook Range to $5.81 to $6.01, Including $0.12 per Share Legal Reserve from Q1 2023

Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR) today reported financial results for its third quarter ended October 28, 2023.

“Our third-quarter results were within our expectations thanks to continued execution across all aspects of our business transformation,” said Rick Dreiling, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “In a challenging environment, our performance was among the best in retail as we continue to grow traffic, unit, and sales per square foot.”

“We are pleased with our top-line performance in the third quarter. Overall, we generated five percent more gross profit dollars than last year as consumers continue to respond positively to our growth initiatives,” stated Jeff Davis, Chief Financial Officer.

Additional Business Highlights

• Opened 197 new stores
• Expanded multi-price Plus offering to 870 additional Dollar Tree stores
• Added $3, $4, and $5 frozen and refrigerated items to 920 additional Dollar Tree stores
• Net cash provided by operating activities increased $292.3 million compared to Q3 2022
• Increased free cash flow by $142.1 million compared to Q3 2022

Third Quarter Results

Unless otherwise noted, all comparisons are between the 13 weeks ended October 28, 2023, and the 13 weeks ended October 29, 2022.

Consolidated net sales increased 5.4% to $7.31 billion. Enterprise same-store net sales increased 3.9%, driven by a 4.7% increase in traffic, partially offset by a 0.8% decline in average ticket. Dollar Tree same-store net sales increased 5.4%, driven by a 7.0% increase in traffic, partially offset by a 1.5% decline in average ticket. Family Dollar’s 2.0% same-store net sales increase was comprised of a 1.4% increase in traffic and a 0.7% increase in average ticket.

Gross profit increased 4.9% to $2.17 billion and gross margin declined 20 basis points to 29.7%. The gross margin decline was driven by unfavorable sales mix, elevated shrink, product cost inflation, the product recall, and wage investments in distribution center payroll, partially offset by lower freight.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were 25.7% of total revenue, compared to 24.4%. The increase was primarily due to labor investments in store and field payroll, higher information technology system costs, investments in repairs and maintenance, higher utility costs, and depreciation and amortization, partially offset by sales leverage.

Operating income was $301.7 million and operating margin was 4.1%.

The Company’s effective tax rate was 21.8%, compared to 23.4%.

Net income was $212.0 million and diluted EPS was $0.97.

The Company repurchased 2,176,886 shares for $252.3 million, including applicable excise tax.

Year-to-Date Results

Unless otherwise noted, all comparisons are between the 39 weeks ended October 28, 2023, and the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2022.

Consolidated net sales increased 6.5% to $21.9 billion. Enterprise same-store net sales increased 5.2%. Dollar Tree same-store net sales increased 5.6%, driven by a 7.5% increase in traffic, partially offset by a 1.8% decline in average ticket. Family Dollar’s 4.8% same-store net sales increase was comprised of a 3.0% increase in traffic along with a 1.7% increase in average ticket.

Gross profit was flat at $6.5 billion and gross margin declined 190 basis points to 29.8%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were 25.2% of total revenue, compared to 23.9%.

Operating income was $1.0 billion and operating income margin was 4.6%.

The Company’s effective tax rate was 23.4% compared to 23.5%.

Net income was $711.4 million and diluted EPS was $3.23.

The Company repurchased 3,905,599 shares for $504.3 million, including applicable excise tax.

Portfolio Optimization Review

The company has initiated a comprehensive review of its Family Dollar portfolio to address stores that are not aligned with its transformative vision for the company.

Updated Fiscal 2023 Outlook

“Our full-year 2023 diluted EPS outlook incorporates our third quarter results and fourth quarter expectations that are consistent with those contained in our previous earnings update. Our current outlook takes into consideration several factors including continuing strength at the Dollar Tree banner, incremental freight savings, softer demand from low-income households, and a continuation of the shrink and sales mix headwinds we have seen throughout the year. It excludes any potential impact from the Family Dollar portfolio review,” Davis added.

Fiscal 2023 Outlook

Consolidated net sales for full-year fiscal 2023 are now expected to range from $30.5 billion to $30.7 billion. The Company expects to deliver a mid-single-digit comparable store net sales increase for the year, comprised of a mid-single-digit increase in the Dollar Tree segment and a low-single-digit increase in the Family Dollar segment. Selling square footage is expected to grow by 3.0% to 3.5% for the year. Diluted EPS is expected to range from $5.81 to $6.01, including the $0.12 charge for the legal reserve taken in the first quarter and the impact of the 53^rd week in fiscal 2023.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Outlook

The Company expects consolidated net sales for the fourth quarter will range from $8.6 billion to $8.8 billion, based on a low-single-digit increase in same-store sales for the enterprise, a mid-single-digit increase for the Dollar Tree segment, and a decrease of 1.0% to an increase of 1.0% for the Family Dollar segment. Diluted EPS for the quarter is estimated to be in the range of $2.58 to $2.78.

While share repurchases are not included in the outlook, the Company had $1.35 billion remaining under its share repurchase authorization as of October 28, 2023.

Conference Call Information

On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, the Company will host a conference call to discuss its earnings results at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The telephone number for the call is 877-407-3943. A recorded version of the call will be available for seven days after the call and may be accessed by dialing 877-660-6853. The access code is 13742521. A webcast of the call is also accessible through Dollar Tree's website.

Supplemental financial information for the third quarter is available on the Investor Relations portion of the Company’s website, at https://corporate.dollartree.com/investors.

Dollar Tree, a Fortune 200 Company, operated 16,622 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of October 28, 2023. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree Canada. To learn more about the Company, visit www.DollarTree.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). From time-to-time, the Company supplements the reporting of its financial information determined under GAAP with certain non-GAAP financial information. The non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release are adjusted operating income, adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS), adjusted net income, and adjusted operating income (Family Dollar segment), each of which excludes the impact of a $30 million accrual related to previously disclosed legal proceedings associated with our West Memphis, Arkansas distribution center, and free cash flow.

A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding amounts prepared in accordance with GAAP appears in the table “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below. The table provides additional information regarding the adjusted measures.

A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Our press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they address future events, developments or results and do not relate strictly to historical facts. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as: “believe”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “view”, “target” or “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “predict”, “possible”, “potential”, “continue”, “strategy”, and similar expressions. For example, our forward-looking statements include statements relating to our business and financial outlook for fiscal 2023, including without limitation our expectations regarding net sales, comparable store sales and diluted earnings per share for the fourth fiscal quarter and full fiscal year 2023, and various factors that are expected to impact our quarterly and annual results of operations for fiscal 2023; our selling square footage for fiscal 2023; our plans and expectations regarding our business, including the impact of various initiatives, investments, and reviews on the company’s performance and prospects for long-term growth; and our other plans, objectives, expectations (financial and otherwise) and intentions. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our future events, developments or results, you should carefully review the "Risk Factors," "Business" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 10, 2023, our Form 10-Q for the most recently ended fiscal quarter and other filings we make from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, we can provide no assurances that we will not be required to accrue additional amounts in future periods with respect to legal proceedings related to our West Memphis, Arkansas distribution center. We are not obligated to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report and you should not expect us to do so.

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