No Recession for Dollar General Stores: Sales Are Up 11.2%, 450 New Stores Set to Open In 2009

BUSINESS WIRE--Dollar General Corporation today reported total sales of $2.85 billion for its fiscal fourth quarter ended January 30, 2009, an 11.2% increase from 2007 fourth quarter sales of $2.56 billion. Same-store sales for the quarter increased 9.4%. Sales in the quarter continued to benefit from strategic operating initiatives implemented during the year to increase both customer traffic and average ticket, while facing a difficult economic environment for the consumer. Sales of seasonal merchandise and other discretionary items were impacted by the weak economy as well as a shorter holiday selling season.

During the fiscal year, the Company opened 207 new stores, relocated or remodeled 404 stores and closed 39 stores, ending the year with 8,362 neighborhood stores. The Company intends to accelerate its new store openings with plans to open approximately 450 new stores and to remodel or relocate approximately 400 stores in 2009.