Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) today reported financial results for its fiscal 2009 fourth quarter (13 weeks) and full year (52 weeks) ended January 29, 2010. Fourth quarter 2009 net income was $87.2 million, or diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.26, compared to net income of $81.9 million, or diluted EPS of $0.26, in the fourth quarter (13 weeks) of fiscal 2008. The Company incurred charges totaling $123.5 million ($85.7 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, net of income taxes) during the fourth quarter 2009 relating to the termination of a sponsor advisory agreement with Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co. (“KKR”) and Goldman, Sachs & Co., the acceleration of certain equity-based compensation and the early retirement of long-term obligations. Excluding these charges, adjusted net income for the fourth quarter 2009 increased 121 percent to $172.9 million, or adjusted diluted EPS of $0.51, over adjusted net income in the 2008 fourth quarter of $78.1 million, or adjusted diluted EPS of $0.25, which adjusted 2008 amounts exclude the impact of a $2.5 million credit ($1.5 million credit, net of income taxes) related to the settlement of a shareholder lawsuit and a $3.8 million gain ($2.3 million gain, net of income taxes) related to the early retirement of long-term obligations.

“Dollar General had another outstanding year in 2009. We are continuing to execute on our operating priorities with precision and discipline,” said Rick Dreiling, chairman and chief executive officer. “We delivered strong same-store sales growth of 9.5 percent for the year on top of 9.0 percent same-store sales growth in 2008. We completed our second decade of consecutive annual same-store sales growth by providing our customers with value and convenience as we continue to improve our merchandise assortment and upgrade our in-store experience.”

“We accomplished these objectives while investing for future growth, a balance that positions us well for the long-term,” said Mr. Dreiling. “We are confident that we have the right strategy in place to continue building on our track record of profitable growth as we enter 2010.”

Fourth Quarter 2009 Financial Results

Sales increased 11.9 percent to $3.19 billion in the 2009 fourth quarter compared to $2.85 billion in the 2008 fourth quarter. Same-store sales increased 7.4 percent in the 2009 quarter and 9.4 percent in the 2008 quarter, with customer traffic and average transaction amount contributing to the same-store sales increases in both periods. Sales were strongest in the consumables and seasonal categories.

The fourth quarter 2009 gross profit rate increased by 275 basis points to 32.2 percent of sales from 29.4 percent of sales in the 2008 period. The impact of LIFO increased gross profit in the 2009 fourth quarter by $2.0 million and reduced gross profit in the 2008 fourth quarter by $12.1 million. In addition, gross profit in the 2008 quarter was impacted by the write-off of $8.6 million of inventory as the result of a change in the interpretation of the phthalates provision of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2009. Excluding the impact of LIFO and the phthalates write-off, the fourth quarter gross profit rate increased by 196 basis points primarily due to higher net markups resulting from the Company’s focused category management efforts and increased volumes which have contributed to the ability to reduce purchase costs from vendors. In addition, inventory shrinkage, as a percentage of sales, declined.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) in the 2009 fourth quarter were $746.5 million, or 23.4 percent of sales, including charges of $58.8 million to terminate the sponsor advisory agreement and $9.4 million resulting from the acceleration of certain equity-based compensation. Excluding these charges, SG&A, as a percentage of sales, decreased by 40 basis points compared to the 2008 fourth quarter, primarily due to higher net sales. In addition, the Company’s energy management program, cardboard recycling efforts and continuing workers’ compensation expense reduction initiatives contributed to improved expense leverage in the fourth quarter.

Fourth quarter 2009 operating profit increased by 25.2 percent to $278.9 million, or 8.8 percent of sales, compared to $222.8 million, or 7.8 percent of sales, in the 2008 fourth quarter. Excluding charges in the 2009 period related to the sponsor advisory agreement termination and the acceleration of certain equity-based compensation, and a credit in the 2008 period resulting from the shareholder litigation settlement, fourth quarter 2009 operating profit grew 58 percent to $347.1 million, or 10.9 percent of sales. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization), as defined in the Company’s credit agreements and calculated in the attached schedule, increased 47.9 percent to $409.6 million in the 2009 fourth quarter from $276.9 million in the 2008 fourth quarter.

Interest expense decreased 15.3 percent to $79.0 million in the 2009 fourth quarter from $93.2 million in the 2008 fourth quarter, due to lower average outstanding borrowings as discussed below under “Long-term Obligations.”

Full Year 2009 Financial Results

The Company reported net income of $339.4 million, or diluted EPS of $1.04, for fiscal year 2009 compared to net income of $108.2 million, or diluted EPS of $0.34, in 2008. Excluding the charges incurred in the fourth quarter as discussed above, totaling $123.5 million ($85.7 million, net of income taxes, or $0.26 per diluted share), 2009 adjusted net income increased 200 percent to $425.1 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, over 2008 adjusted net income of $141.8 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, which 2008 amount excludes the impact of the shareholder litigation settlement and related costs of $32.0 million ($35.9 million, net of income taxes) and the gain on early retirement of long-term obligations of $3.8 million ($2.3 million gain, net of income taxes).

Full year 2009 net sales were $11.80 billion, an increase of $1.34 billion, or 12.8 percent, compared to net sales of $10.46 billion in 2008. Same-store sales increased 9.5 percent in 2009 and 9.0 percent in 2008 with customer traffic and average transaction amount contributing to the sales increases in both years. The Company’s focused merchandising efforts resulted in a 15.3 percent increase in consumables sales, followed by a 12.5 percent increase in seasonal sales.

The Company’s gross profit rate increased 201 basis points to 31.3 percent of sales in 2009 from 29.3 percent of sales in 2008. In 2008, gross profit was reduced by a LIFO charge (expense) of $43.9 million. In 2009, gross profit was increased by a LIFO credit of $2.5 million reflecting a flattening of merchandise cost increases for comparable items for the fiscal year. Excluding the impact of LIFO and the 2008 fourth quarter phthalates adjustment, the gross profit rate increased 149 basis points. Higher sales volumes have contributed to the Company’s ability to reduce average purchase costs from vendors. In addition, the impact of more comprehensive category management processes, including the expansion of private brands, which generally have higher gross profit rates, and improved pricing and markdown management have successfully resulted in increased net markups, partially offset by increased markdowns. Lower average fuel costs and improved distribution efficiencies, coupled with the impact of higher sales volumes, contributed to improved leverage of distribution costs. In addition, inventory shrinkage decreased as a percentage of sales.

Full year SG&A in 2009 was $2.74 billion, or 23.2 percent of sales, compared to full year 2008 SG&A of $2.45 billion, or 23.4 percent of sales. Excluding the charges of $58.8 million to terminate the sponsor advisory agreement and $9.4 million resulting from the acceleration of equity-based compensation, SG&A in 2009, as a percentage of sales, decreased by 79 basis points compared to 2008, primarily due to higher net sales, with the most significant impact on store occupancy costs, including rent and utilities. Utilities costs, as a percentage of sales, were further reduced by savings from preventive maintenance and greater usage of energy management systems. Workers’ compensation expense was further reduced through safety initiatives implemented over the last several years, and legal expenses were lower in 2009 than in 2008, which included expenses related to the shareholder litigation settlement.

Full year operating profit increased by 64.2 percent to $953.3 million, or 8.1 percent of sales, in 2009 compared to $580.5 million, or 5.6 percent of sales, in 2008. Adjusted to exclude the charges related to the sponsor advisory agreement termination and the acceleration of equity-based compensation discussed earlier, 2009 operating profit was $1.02 billion, or 8.7 percent of sales, a 280 basis point improvement over adjusted operating profit in 2008 of $612.5 million, or 5.9 percent of sales, which 2008 amount excludes $32 million of shareholder litigation settlement charges. Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the Company’s credit agreements and calculated in the attached schedule, increased by $373.3 million, or 40.8 percent, to $1.29 billion in 2009 from $913.9 million in 2008.

Interest expense in 2009 was $345.7 million, a decrease of $46.2 million, or 11.8 percent, from 2008, primarily due to lower average outstanding borrowings, resulting from the early repurchase of various outstanding long-term obligations, as discussed below, and lower interest rates on the Company’s variable rate debt, primarily on the senior secured term loan.

The effective income tax rate for 2009 was 38.5 percent compared to a rate of 44.4 percent for 2008. The 2009 income tax rate is greater than the expected U.S. statutory tax rate of 35% due primarily to the inclusion of state income taxes in the total effective tax rate. The 2009 effective tax rate is less than the 2008 rate due principally to the unfavorable impact that the non-deductible, merger-related shareholder litigation settlement had on the 2008 rate. This reduction in the effective tax rate was partially offset by a decrease in the tax rate benefit related to federal jobs credits. While the total amount of jobs credits earned in 2009 was similar to the amount earned in 2008, the impact of this benefit on the effective tax rate was reduced due to the 2009 increase in income before income taxes.

Merchandise Inventories and Accounts Payable

As of January 29, 2010, total merchandise inventories, at cost, were $1.52 billion compared to $1.41 billion as of January 30, 2009, an increase of 7.4 percent, or 1.7 percent on a per-store basis. Increases in the consumables and seasonal inventories are partially offset by decreases in apparel and home products inventories. Annual inventory turns improved to 5.3 times in 2009 compared to 5.2 times in 2008. As a percentage of inventories, accounts payable, excluding the portion in each year related to capital expenditures, increased to 52.7 percent in 2009 from 47.4 percent in 2008.

Long-Term Obligations

As of January 29, 2010, outstanding long-term obligations, including the current portion, were $3.40 billion, a decrease of $733.7 million from the end of fiscal 2008. During the 2009 fourth quarter, the Company used proceeds from its initial public offering to redeem $195.7 million aggregate principal amount of its 10.625 percent senior notes due 2015 and $205.2 million aggregate principal amount of its 11.875 percent/12.625 percent senior subordinated notes due 2017. In addition, during 2009, the Company made two scheduled payments, totaling $11.5 million, on its senior term loan facility, and in January 2010, the Company used excess cash to prepay an additional $325 million principal amount of the facility. Other (income) expense for the 2009 fourth quarter and full year reflects charges of $50.6 million relating to repurchases of the notes and $4.7 million to write off deferred costs relating to the term loan prepayment.

During the 2008 fourth quarter, the Company repurchased $44.1 million of its outstanding senior subordinated notes, recording a gain on the purchase of $3.8 million.

Capital Expenditures

Total additions to property and equipment in 2009 were $274 million, including amounts in accounts payable. Additions included $75 million relating to new store openings, $129 million for improvements, upgrades, remodels and relocations of existing stores, $29 million for distribution and transportation improvements, and $41 million for various administrative capital costs, information systems upgrades and technology-related projects. For the year, the Company opened 500 new stores, relocated 159 stores and remodeled 291 stores. The Company closed 34 stores, ending the year with 8,828 stores.

2010 Financial Outlook

The Company remains committed to continuing its focus on productive sales growth, increasing gross margins, leveraging process improvements and information technology to reduce costs and strengthening and expanding Dollar General's culture of serving others.

For 2010, the Company expects total sales to increase eight to ten percent, including an increase in same-store sales of four to six percent. Operating profit is expected to increase 15 to 20 percent over full year 2009 adjusted operating profit, driven by sales, gross profit rate improvements related to increased penetration of the Company’s private brands, development of additional direct sourcing opportunities, additional shrink improvement and distribution and transportation efficiencies, and further transformation of the Company’s seasonal, home and apparel categories, in addition to improved expense management. Diluted earnings per share for the year is expected to be approximately $1.55 to $1.63, based on weighted average diluted shares of 345 million, and a full year 2010 tax rate in the range of 38 to 39 percent.

The Company plans to open approximately 600 new stores and to remodel or relocate a total of approximately 500 stores in 2010. Capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of $325 million to $350 million, with approximately 50 percent relating to new stores, remodels and relocations, 25 percent for maintenance capital and 25 percent for special projects, including the expansion of the 78-inch store profile and point-of-sale upgrades.

Conference Call Information and Supporting Slides

The Company will hold a conference call on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. CDT/10:00 a.m. EDT, hosted by Rick Dreiling, chairman and 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.” Supporting slides will be available online along with the live web cast of the call at www.dollargeneral.com under “Investor Information, Conference Calls and Investor Events.” A replay of the conference call will be available through Wednesday, April 14, 2010, and will be accessible online or by calling (334) 323-7226. The pass code for the replay is 17426220. The supporting slides will be available through April 14, 2010.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information, such as the information in the section entitled “2010 Financial Outlook.” The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “schedule,” “on track,” “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. Factors that may result in actual results differing materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to:

• failure to successfully execute the Company’s growth strategy, including delays in store growth, difficulties executing sales and operating profit margin initiatives and inventory shrinkage reduction;
• the failure of the Company’s new store base to achieve sales and operating levels consistent with the Company’s expectations;
• risks and challenges in connection with sourcing merchandise from domestic and foreign vendors;
• the Company’s level of success in gaining and maintaining broad market acceptance of its private brands;
• unfavorable publicity or consumer perception of the Company’s products;
• the Company’s debt levels and restrictions in its debt agreements;
• economic conditions, including their effect on the financial and capital markets, the Company’s suppliers and business partners, employment levels, consumer demand, spending patterns, inflation and the cost of goods;
• levels of inventory shrinkage;
• seasonality of the Company’s business;
• increases in costs of fuel or other energy, transportation or utilities costs and in the costs of labor, employment and health care;
• the impact of governmental laws and regulations and the outcomes of legal proceedings;
• disruptions in the Company’s supply chain;
• damage or interruption to the Company’s information systems;
• changes in the competitive environment in the Company’s industry and the markets where the Company operates;
• natural disasters, unusually adverse weather conditions, pandemic outbreaks, boycotts and geo-political events;
• the incurrence of material uninsured losses or excessive insurance costs;
• the Company’s failure to protect its brand name;
• the Company’s loss of key personnel or the Company’s inability to hire additional qualified personnel;
• the Company’s failure to maintain effective internal controls;
• the factors disclosed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-161464) and in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K; and
• such other factors as may be discussed or identified 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 and the accompanying tables has not been derived in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to measures calculated in accordance with GAAP are provided in the accompanying schedules. Non-GAAP information should not be considered a substitute for any information derived or calculated in accordance with GAAP.

The Company believes that providing comparisons to operating profit, net income, diluted earnings per share and SG&A, adjusted for the items shown in the accompanying reconciliations, provides useful information to the reader in assessing the Company’s operating performance. The Company believes that the presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate to provide additional information about the calculation of the senior secured incurrence test, a material financial ratio in the Company’s credit agreements. Adjusted EBITDA is a material component of that ratio.

The non-GAAP measures discussed above are not measures of financial performance or condition, liquidity or profitability in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered as alternatives to net income, operating income, cash flows from operations or any other performance measures 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, debt service requirements and replacement of fixed assets. These non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of the Company’s financial results as reported under GAAP.

About Dollar General Corporation

Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for more than 70 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!(R) by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at low everyday prices in convenient neighborhood locations. With more than 8,800 stores in 35 states, Dollar General has more retail locations than any retailer in America. In addition to high quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America's most-trusted manufacturers such as Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, Unilever, Kellogg's, General Mills, Nabisco, Hanes, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. Learn more about Dollar General at www.dollargeneral.com.