About Dollar General Corporation 

Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) is proud to serve as America’s neighborhood general store. Founded in 1939, Dollar General lives its mission of Serving Others every day by providing access to affordable products and services for its customers, career opportunities for its employees, and literacy and education support for its hometown communities. As of August 4, 2023, the company’s 19,488 Dollar General, DG Market, DGX and pOpshelf stores across the United States and Mi Súper Dollar General stores in Mexico provide everyday essentials including food, health and wellness products, cleaning and laundry supplies, self-care and beauty items, and seasonal décor from our high-quality private brands alongside many of the world’s most trusted brands such as Coca Cola, PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, General Mills, Hershey, J.M. Smucker, Kraft, Mars, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble and Unilever.  Learn more at DollarGeneral.com.
 


Dollar General Corporation Reports First Quarter 2008 Financial Results

June 16, 2008

Same Store Sales Increased 5.4%

Gross Margin Expanded 102 Basis Points to 28.8%

SG&A as Percentage of Sales Decreased 115 Basis Points Versus Year
Ago Period

Achieved Net Income of $5.9 Million

Adjusted EBITDA Increased 28% Versus Year Ago Period

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn., Jun 16, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Dollar General Corporation today announced financial results for the 13-week first quarter ended May 2, 2008.

Sales for the quarter were $2.40 billion compared to $2.28 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2007. Same store sales increased 5.4 percent on top of a 2.4 percent same store sales increase in the first quarter of 2007.

First quarter gross profit increased by $60.0 million and, as a percentage of sales, increased 102 basis points to 28.8 percent from 27.8 percent in the same period of the prior year. As a percentage of sales, the gross profit rate increased in the 2008 period compared with the 2007 period due to a number of factors, including lower markdowns and decreases in shrink and damages. The impact of significantly higher fuel costs were partially offset by logistics efficiencies and other cost savings in the supply chain.

As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expense ("SG&A") decreased 115 basis points to 24.2 percent in the 2008 quarter from 25.4 percent in the 2007 quarter. SG&A as a percentage of sales, after excluding certain expenses from each period, improved 44 basis points in the first quarter of 2008 from the prior year. Such excluded expenses in 2008 totaled $20.3 million, comprised of amortization of leasehold intangibles capitalized in connection with purchase accounting ($10.3 million), severance and related costs ($6.8 million) and other expenses relating to the Company's new ownership, including monitoring, consulting and legal fees ($3.2 million). Such excluded expenses in 2007 totaled $35.6 million related to strategic inventory clearance activities and real estate initiatives, including lease contract termination costs, incremental store labor and other expenses associated with the closing of 153 stores in the 2007 quarter ($29.3 million) and legal and consulting expenses associated with the proposed Merger ($5.6 million).

Interest income for the quarter, which consists primarily of interest on short-term investments, decreased by approximately $1.6 million from the prior year, and interest expense increased by $94.7 million, resulting from interest on long-term obligations incurred to finance the Merger.

The effective income tax rate for the 2008 first quarter was 44.5% or 11.9% higher than the rate of 32.6% for the 2007 quarter. The rate increase is due principally to the reduction in income tax reserves during the 2007 period related to income tax audits that did not recur in the 2008 period and to the unfavorable impact on the effective tax rate of a relatively fixed expense (principally income tax related interest expense) being divided by a decreased level of income before tax to determine the effective tax rate.

For the quarter, the Company reported net income of $5.9 million compared to net income of $34.9 million in the first quarter of 2007. EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) in 2008 increased by $62.9 million to $168.8 million. Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the Company's credit agreements and calculated in the attached schedule, increased $39.8 million, or 28 percent, in 2008 over the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

"We are pleased with Dollar General's operating and financial performance during the first quarter," said Rick Dreiling, Chief Executive Officer. "During the quarter, we achieved solid same store sales growth, gross margin expansion and SG&A leverage, resulting in significant improvement in operating profit and EBITDA. We believe we are benefiting from current economic conditions which are encouraging customers to seek shopping alternatives that offer quality products at everyday low prices. We also believe our recently announced operating priorities are beginning to take hold and have accelerated the Company's progress and business improvements."

Merchandise Inventories

As of May 2, 2008, total merchandise inventories, at cost, were $1.32 billion compared to $1.44 billion as of May 4, 2007, a decrease of $127 million, or approximately 9 percent in total and 10 percent on an average per-store basis. The decrease in inventories was primarily driven by the Company's elimination of packaway inventories and improved inventory management practices.

Long-Term Obligations

As of May 2, 2008, outstanding long-term obligations, including the current portion, were $4.18 billion, including $2.30 billion outstanding under a senior secured term loan facility. There were no borrowings under the Company's asset-based revolving credit facility. As of June 16, 2008, the Company has no outstanding borrowings under its asset-based revolving credit facility, with excess availability of $857 million. The ratio of long-term obligations to Adjusted EBITDA as of May 2, 2008, as calculated on the attached schedule, decreased to 5.8 times from 7.1 times since the closing of the Merger transaction in July 2007.

Cash Flow

For the first quarter, the Company generated $151.6 million of cash from operating activities versus $29.3 million in fiscal 2007, resulting from the impact of the Company's strong operating results and working capital changes. During the quarter, the Company repaid $102.5 million of borrowings under its revolving credit facility and made total interest payments on borrowings of $45.6 million. In addition, the Company made income tax payments in the quarter, including interest, of $2.2 million.

Basis of Accounting

The Company was acquired on July 6, 2007 through a merger accounted for as a reverse acquisition ("Merger"). Although the Company continued as the same legal entity after the Merger, the accompanying financial statements are presented for the "Predecessor" and "Successor" as a result of the Company applying purchase accounting and a new basis of accounting beginning on July 7, 2007, which affects the comparability of amounts before and after the Merger.

Company Outlook

Based on current visibility and business trends, including a same store sales increase of 9.3 percent in May, the Company remains committed to productive sales growth, expense management, and gross margin expansion in 2008. The Company plans to open approximately 200 new Dollar General stores and to relocate or remodel approximately 400 stores during the year. Dollar General also continues to expect capital expenditures of approximately $200 million to $220 million, primarily related to the opening of new stores as well as the remodel and relocation of existing stores and other special initiatives.

"We are cautiously optimistic about the prospects for Dollar General in 2008," said Mr. Dreiling. "We recognize that the challenging economic environment is having an impact on retailing in general and consumer spending patterns. While we are monitoring market trends closely, we are intently focused on what is within our control. We are providing customers value-priced quality products, improved customer service and convenient locations, and we believe our proven business model leaves Dollar General well-positioned to capitalize on any opportunities that arise."

Conference Call Information

The Company will hold a conference call on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. CDT/10:00 a.m. EDT, hosted by Rick Dreiling, Chief Executive Officer, and David Tehle, Chief Financial Officer. If you wish to participate, please call (866) 710-0179 at least 10 minutes before the conference call is scheduled to begin. The pass code for the conference call is "Dollar General." The call will also be broadcast live online at www.dollargeneral.com under "Investor Information, Conference Calls and Investor Events." A replay of the conference call will be available through Tuesday, July 1, 2008 and will be accessible online or by calling (334) 323-7226. The pass code for the replay is 75709798.

About Dollar General Corporation

Dollar General is the largest discount retailer in the United States by number of stores with more than 8,200 neighborhood stores located in 35 states. Dollar General helps shoppers Save Time. Save Money. Every Day.(R) by offering national branded items that are frequently used and replenished such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood stores. Dollar General is among the largest retailers of top-quality products made by America's most trusted manufacturers such as Procter & Gamble, Kimberly Clark, Unilever, Kellogg's, General Mills, Nabisco, and Fruit of the Loom. The Company store support center is located in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Dollar General's Web site can be reached at www.dollargeneral.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information, such as the information in the section entitled "Company Outlook." The words "believe," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "schedule," "expect," "estimate," "objective," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "committed," "will likely result," or "will continue" and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. These matters involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual performance of the Company to differ materially from that expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking information should be evaluated in the context of these risks, uncertainties and other factors. The Company believes the assumptions underlying these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate and, therefore, actual results may differ materially from those projected by, or implied in, the forward-looking statements. Factors that may result in actual results differing from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, those set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2008, and other factors set forth in this press release.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which they were made. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included herein or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by, or on behalf of, the Company.

Non-GAAP Disclosure

Certain information provided in this press release or to be discussed during the June 17th conference call has not been derived in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. Reconciliations to net income of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA used in this press release are provided in the accompanying table.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance or condition, liquidity or profitability, and should not be considered as an alternative to (1) net income, operating income or any other performance measures determined in accordance with GAAP or (2) operating cash flows determined in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not intended to be measures of free cash flow for management's discretionary use, as they do not consider certain cash requirements such as interest payments, tax payments and debt service requirements and replacement of fixed assets. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP. Because not all companies use identical calculations, these presentations may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. The Company believes that the presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate to provide additional information about the calculation of a material financial ratio in the Company's credit facilities. Adjusted EBITDA is a material component of that ratio. Management from time to time uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as well as other measures, as additional financial metrics to supplement net income and cash flow in its evaluation of the Company's financial results. For more discussion regarding the financial ratio in the Company's credit facilities, the reasons management believes these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors, and the limitations of these non-GAAP measures, please see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2008.



             DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     Consolidated Balance Sheets
                            (In thousands)
                             (Unaudited)


                                        Successor          Predecessor
                                 ------------------------  -----------
                                   May 2,     February 1,    May 4,
                                    2008         2008         2007
                                 -----------  -----------  -----------
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents      $  115,904   $  100,209   $  204,417
  Short-term investments             48,571       19,611       27,371
  Merchandise inventories         1,317,097    1,288,661    1,444,313
  Income taxes receivable            33,813       32,501       14,624
  Deferred income taxes              15,247       17,297       37,860
  Prepaid expenses and other
   current assets                    64,508       59,465       57,572
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
  Total current assets            1,595,140    1,517,744    1,786,157
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------

Property and equipment, at cost   1,412,673    1,389,563    2,445,133
Less: accumulated depreciation
 and amortization                   162,103      115,318    1,232,935
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Net property and equipment        1,250,570    1,274,245    1,212,198
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Goodwill                          4,344,930    4,344,930        2,337
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Intangible assets, net            1,359,090    1,370,557           86
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Deferred income taxes                     -            -       12,418
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Other assets, net                   113,269      148,955       61,113
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Total assets                     $8,662,999   $8,656,431   $3,074,309
===============================  ===========  ===========  ===========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
 EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current portion of long-term
   obligations                   $    2,830   $    3,246   $    7,186
  Accounts payable                  592,071      551,040      484,949
  Accrued expenses and other        356,915      300,956      258,090
  Income taxes payable                2,924        2,999           48
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
  Total current liabilities         954,740      858,241      750,273
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Long-term obligations             4,176,121    4,278,756      260,373
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Deferred income taxes               490,035      486,725            -
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Other non-current liabilities       302,384      319,714      266,886
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
  Total liabilities               5,923,280    5,943,436    1,277,532
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------

Redeemable common stock               9,112        9,122            -
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------

Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock                         -            -            -
  Common stock                      277,740      277,741      157,298
  Additional paid-in capital      2,482,409    2,480,062      525,830
  Retained earnings
   (accumulated deficit)              1,097       (4,818)   1,114,170
  Accumulated other
   comprehensive loss               (30,639)     (49,112)        (941)
  Other shareholders' equity              -            -          420
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
  Total shareholders' equity      2,730,607    2,703,873    1,796,777
-------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Total liabilities and
 shareholders' equity            $8,662,999   $8,656,431   $3,074,309
===============================  ===========  ===========  ===========



             DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Consolidated Statements of Income
                            (In thousands)
                             (Unaudited)


                                Successor             Predecessor
                          ---------------------  ---------------------
                                For the Quarter (13 Weeks) Ended
                          --------------------------------------------
                            May 2,     % of Net    May 4,     % of Net
                             2008       Sales       2007       Sales
                          -----------  --------  -----------  --------
Net sales                 $2,403,498    100.00%  $2,275,267    100.00%
Cost of goods sold         1,710,421     71.16    1,642,207     72.18
------------------------  -----------  --------  -----------  --------
Gross profit                 693,077     28.84      633,060     27.82
Selling, general and
 administrative              582,504     24.24      577,692     25.39
------------------------  -----------  --------  -----------  --------
Operating profit             110,573      4.60       55,368      2.43
Interest income                 (957)    (0.04)      (2,573)    (0.11)
Interest expense             100,871      4.20        6,167      0.27
------------------------  -----------  --------  -----------  --------
Income before income
 taxes                        10,659      0.44       51,774      2.28
Income taxes                   4,743      0.20       16,899      0.74
------------------------  -----------  --------  -----------  --------
Net income                $    5,916      0.25%  $   34,875      1.53%
========================  ===========  ========  ===========  ========



             DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                            (In thousands)
                             (Unaudited)


                                         Successor       Predecessor
                                      ---------------  ---------------
                                      For the Quarter (13 Weeks) Ended
                                      --------------------------------
                                          May 2,           May 4,
                                           2008             2007
                                      ---------------  ---------------
Cash flows from operating
 activities:
  Net income                          $        5,916   $       34,875
  Adjustments to reconcile net
   income to net cash provided by
   operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization             61,406           50,451
    Deferred income taxes                     (5,600)          (4,948)
    Noncash share-based compensation           2,346            3,469
    Tax benefit from stock option
     exercises                                     -           (3,529)
    Change in operating assets and
     liabilities:
      Merchandise inventories                (28,436)         (11,977)
      Prepaid expenses and other
       current assets                         (3,545)            (552)
      Accounts payable                        52,860          (62,870)
      Accrued expenses and other              67,897           25,647
      Income taxes                            (1,387)          (1,736)
      Other                                      104              456
------------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------
Net cash provided by operating
 activities                                  151,561           29,286
------------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------

Cash flows from investing
 activities:
  Purchases of property and
   equipment                                 (35,373)         (34,101)
  Purchases of short-term
   investments                                (9,903)               -
  Sales of short-term investments             12,976            6,000
  Purchases of long-term investments               -           (5,670)
  Proceeds from sale of property and
   equipment                                      94              169
------------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------
Net cash used in investing
 activities                                  (32,206)         (33,602)
------------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------

Cash flows from financing
 activities:
  Borrowings under revolving credit
   facility                                        -                -
  Repayments of borrowings under
   revolving credit facility                (102,500)               -
  Repayments of long-term
   obligations                                (1,045)          (2,653)
  Payment of cash dividends                        -          (15,712)
  Proceeds from exercise of stock
   options                                         -           34,281
  Repurchases of common stock                    (10)               -
  Tax benefit from stock option
   exercises                                       -            3,529
  Other financing activities                    (105)               -
------------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------
Net cash provided by (used in)
 financing activities                       (103,660)          19,445
------------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------

Net increase in cash and cash
 equivalents                                  15,695           15,129
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
 of period                                   100,209          189,288
------------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of
 period                               $      115,904   $      204,417
====================================  ===============  ===============

Supplemental schedule of noncash
 investing and financing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment
 awaiting processing for payment,
 included in Accounts payable         $        8,620   $       10,639
Purchases of property and equipment
 under capital lease obligations      $            -   $          163



             DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Selected Additional Information
                             (Unaudited)


                   Sales by Category (in thousands)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Successor        Predecessor
                       -------------  -------------------
                        For the Quarter (13 Weeks) Ended
                       ----------------------------------

                        May 2, 2008       May 4, 2007       % Change
                       -------------  -------------------  -----------
Highly consumable      $1,680,895     $     1,523,793            10.3%
Seasonal                  322,126             336,449            (4.3)
Home products             204,493             215,046            (4.9)
Basic clothing            195,984             199,979            (2.0)
                       -------------  -------------------  -----------
  Total sales          $2,403,498     $     2,275,267             5.6%
                       =============  ===================  ===========


                           Same Store Sales
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                           2008              2007
                       -------------  -------------------
February (4 weeks)              4.6%                4.9%
March (5 weeks)                 2.3%                5.5%
April (4 weeks)                10.4%               (2.4)%
                       -------------  -------------------
Quarter (13 weeks)              5.4%                2.4%
                       =============  ===================


                          New Store Activity
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                      For the Quarter (13 Weeks) Ended
                                      --------------------------------
                                          May 2, 2008      May 4, 2007
                                      -------------------  -----------

Beginning store count                           8,194         8,229
New store openings                                 73           124
Store closings (1)                                 (2)         (171)
                                      -------------------  -----------
Net new (closed)
 stores                                            71           (47)
                                      -------------------  -----------
Ending store count                              8,265         8,182
                                      ===================  ===========
Total selling square
 footage (000's)                               57,919        57,090
                                      ===================  ===========


(1) 2007 store closings include 153 stores closed in connection with
 the Company's strategic decision in 2006 to close approximately 400
 stores in addition to those closed in the ordinary course of
 business.



             DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures


      RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA


                                                     52
                     13 Weeks  13 Weeks  52 Weeks   Weeks   52 Weeks
                       Ended     Ended     Ended    Ended     Ended
                      May 2,    May 4,    May 2,   May 4,  February 1,
(In millions)          2008      2007      2008    2007(a)   2008(b)
                     --------- --------- --------- ------- -----------

Net income (loss)    $    5.9  $   34.9  $  (41.8) $123.9  $    (12.8)
Add (subtract):
  Interest income        (1.0)     (2.6)     (7.2)   (7.1)       (8.8)
  Interest expense      100.9       6.2     357.9    33.8       263.2
  Depreciation and
   amortization          58.3      50.5     234.2   202.3       226.4
  Income taxes            4.7      16.9      (2.0)   69.7        10.2
                     --------- --------- --------- ------- -----------
EBITDA                  168.8     105.9     541.1   422.6       478.2
                     --------- --------- --------- ------- -----------

Adjustments:
  Transaction and
   related costs            -       5.6      97.0     5.6       102.6
  Loss on debt
   retirement               -         -       1.2       -         1.2
  Loss on interest
   rate swaps             0.3         -       2.7     2.1         2.4
  Contingent loss on
   distribution
   center leases            -         -      12.0       -        12.0
  Impact of
   markdowns related
   to inventory
   clearance
   activities,
   including LCM
   adjustments, net
   of purchasing
   accounting
   adjustments            1.3      (3.9)     10.9   153.9         5.7
  SG&A related to
   store closing and
   inventory
   clearance
   activities               -      29.3      24.7    62.4        54.0
  Operating losses
   (cash) of stores
   to be closed             -       5.3       5.2    17.2        10.5
  Hurricane Katrina
   insurance
   proceeds, net            -         -         -    (7.0)          -
  Monitoring and
   consulting fees
   to affiliates          2.2         -       7.0       -         4.8
  Stock option and
   restricted stock
   unit expense           2.3         -       8.8       -         6.5
  Indirect merger-
   related costs          7.8         -      12.4       -         4.6
  Other                     -       0.7       0.3     1.7         1.0
                     --------- --------- --------- ------- -----------
Total Adjustments        13.9      37.0     182.2   235.9       205.3
                     --------- --------- --------- ------- -----------

Adjusted EBITDA      $  182.7  $  142.9  $  723.3  $658.5  $    683.5
                     ========= ========= ========= ======= ===========


(a) 52 week data used in calculation of ratio of total debt to
 Adjusted EBITDA below.
(b) 52 week data represents the mathematical combination of the
 Predecessor through July 6, 2007 and Successor from July 7, 2007
 through February 1, 2008.

  CALCULATION OF RATIO OF LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
                           (Leverage Ratio)

                                         At Merger
                               February    Date
                      May 2,       1,     July 6,
(in millions)          2008      2008      2007
                     --------- --------- ---------

Senior secured term
 loan facility       $2,300.0  $2,300.0  $2,300.0
Senior secured
 asset-based
 revolving credit
 facility                   -     102.5     432.3
10 5/8% Senior Notes
 due July 15, 2015,
 net of discount      1,153.4   1,152.9   1,151.8
11 7/8%/12 5/8%
 Senior Subordinated
 Notes due July 15,
 2017                   700.0     700.0     725.0
8 5/8% Notes due
 June 15, 2010            1.8       1.8       1.8
Financing and
 capital lease
 obligations              9.2      10.3      52.2
Tax increment
 financing due
 February 1, 2035        14.5      14.5      14.5
                     --------- --------- ---------
                     $4,179.0  $4,282.0  $4,677.6
                     --------- --------- ---------

LTM Adjusted EBITDA
 (latest reported
 period)             $  723.3  $  683.5  $  658.5
                     --------- --------- ---------

Total Debt /
 Adjusted EBITDA          5.8x      6.3x      7.1x
                     ========= ========= =========

SOURCE: Dollar General Corporation

Dollar General Corporation
Investor Contact:
Emma Jo Kauffman, 615-855-5525
or
Media Contact:
Tawn Earnest, 615-855-5209

Copyright Business Wire 2008

News Provided by COMTEX


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