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

• Same-Store Sales: Dollar Tree +3.4%; Family Dollar +6.6%; Enterprise +4.8%
• Comparable Transaction Count: Dollar Tree +5.5%; Family Dollar +4.3%
• GAAP Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS) $1.35
• Adjusted EPS of $1.47 Excludes $30 Million (or $0.12 per share) Legal Reserve
• Tightens Fiscal 2023 Sales Outlook Range to $30.0 Billion to $30.5 Billion
• Revises Fiscal 2023 EPS Outlook: $5.73 to $6.13 on Macro-Driven Higher-Than-Anticipated Shrink and Unfavorable Mix Shift Towards Consumables, Including $0.12 per Share Legal Reserve
• Strong Free Cash Flow Generation of $402 million (an increase of 41% from last year)

Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR) today reported financial results for its first quarter ended April 29, 2023.

“Our initiatives to drive customer traffic and increase store productivity are having the desired impact. The Dollar Tree segment delivered a 3.4% comp, successfully cycling the 11.2% comp from the prior year’s quarter. Family Dollar continued its sales momentum with a 6.6% same-store sales increase. Importantly, both segments experienced a mid-single digit percent step-up in comp traffic. We are clearly gaining market share across the entire enterprise,” stated Rick Dreiling, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

“While we are seeing early results from our initiatives, we are not immune to the external pressures affecting all of retail, notably, the margin impact of elevated shrink and the product mix shift to consumables.”

“While we are maintaining our full-year 2023 sales outlook, we are adjusting our EPS outlook as we expect the elevated shrink and unfavorable sales mix to persist through the balance of the year. We still expect earnings to be more back-end loaded this year as the benefits of lower ocean freight rates flow through. We are eager to share more details on the current operating environment and our longer-term strategic growth plans at our upcoming investor conference on June 21^st.”

Other Business Highlights

First Quarter Fiscal 2023

• Opened 107 new stores, relocated 33 stores, and closed 29 stores.
• Expanded multi-price Plus offering to an additional 408 Dollar Tree stores.
• Completed 252 Family Dollar store renovation projects.

First Quarter 2023 Key Operating Results

(Compared to same period fiscal 2022)

First Quarter Results

Unless noted, all comparisons are to the prior year’s first quarter, ended April 30, 2022.

Consolidated net sales increased 6.1% to $7.32 billion. Enterprise same-store sales increased 4.8%. Dollar Tree same-store sales increased 3.4%, driven by a 5.5% increase in traffic, partially offset by a 2.1% decline in average ticket. Family Dollar’s 6.6% same-store sales increase was comprised of a 4.3% increase in traffic along with a 2.2% increase in average ticket.

Gross profit decreased 4.7% to $2.23 billion and gross margin declined 340 basis points to 30.5%. The prior year’s quarter included an outsized margin benefit from the initial transition to the $1.25 price point at Dollar Tree. The gross margin decline was driven by lower initial mark-on, an unfavorable sales mix and shrink, partially offset by lower freight costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were 24.8% of total revenue, compared to 23.3%. The current year’s quarter included a $30.0 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, charge to the Company’s legal reserve for previously detailed matters in a Family Dollar distribution facility in Arkansas. Excluding this charge, SG&A expenses were 24.4% of total revenue. The increase was primarily due to higher costs for store and field payroll, higher expenditures related to repairs and maintenance to improve store standards, and professional fees, partially offset by comparable store net sales leverage.

Operating income was $419.7 million and operating margin was 5.7%. Adjusted operating income was $449.7 million and adjusted operating margin was 6.1%.

The Company’s effective tax rate was 24.1%, compared to 23.1% last year.

Net income was $299.0 million and diluted EPS was $1.35. Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.47.

The Company repurchased 1,025,000 shares for $151.1 million.

Updated Fiscal 2023 Outlook

“We are rapidly executing on a multi-faceted plan to fundamentally transform and improve the operating performance of Dollar Tree and Family Dollar for the long-term. I am encouraged by our early progress and traction on initiatives to improve our shoppers’ experience and drive store productivity. We are very confident in our plan and feel we are in control of our Company’s destiny,” Dreiling added.

“We believe both Dollar Tree and Family Dollar have a clear path to accelerated sales growth and margin expansion over the next three to five years. Our distinctive and proven initiatives are being led by a world-class retail management team and are being executed by more than 200,000 associates that are eager to succeed. At our investor conference in June, you will hear more details about our Company’s exciting growth plans and the transformational changes we are making.”

Fiscal 2023 Outlook

Consolidated net sales for full-year fiscal 2023 are now expected to range from $30.0 billion to $30.5 billion. The Company expects to deliver a low- to mid-single-digit comparable store sales increase for the year, comprised of a low- to mid-single-digit increase in the Dollar Tree segment and a mid-single-digit increase in the Family Dollar segment. Selling square footage is expected to grow by 3.0% to 3.5% for the year, with new store growth back-end weighted. Diluted EPS is expected to range from $5.73 to $6.13, including an expected benefit of $0.29 contribution from the 53^rd week and the $0.12 charge for the legal reserve.

Second Quarter 2023 Outlook

The Company expects consolidated net sales for the second quarter will range from $7.0 billion to $7.2 billion, based on a mid-single-digit increase in same-store sales for the enterprise, and for the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar segments. Diluted EPS for the quarter is estimated to be in the range of $0.79 to $0.89.

While share repurchases are not included in the outlook, the Company had $1.70 billion remaining under its share repurchase authorization as of April 29, 2023.

Conference Call Information

On Thursday, May 25, 2023, the Company will host a conference call to discuss its earnings results at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The telephone number for the call is 866-580-3963. A recorded version of the call will be available until midnight Wednesday, May 31, 2023, and may be accessed by dialing 866-583-1035. The access code is 1435784. A webcast of the call is accessible through Dollar Tree's website and will remain online through Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

Supplemental financial information for the first quarter is available on the Investor Relations portion of the Company’s website, at Corporate.DollarTree.com/Investors.

Dollar Tree, a Fortune 200 Company, operated 16,419 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of April 29, 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 exclude the impact of a $30 million accrual related to previously disclosed legal proceedings associated with our West Memphis, Arkansas distribution center.

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 second 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 and new store growth; our plans and expectations regarding our business, including the impact of various initiatives and investments 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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