MATTHEWS, N.C., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Family Dollar Stores,
Inc. (NYSE: FDO), a discount store chain operating 5,567 stores in 44 states,
reported sales for the four week period ended January 29, 2005, of
approximately $385.8 million, or 13.5% above sales of $339.8 million for the
similar period in the prior fiscal year. Sales in existing stores for the
four week period ended January 29, 2005, increased approximately 5.2% above
existing store sales for the similar period in the prior fiscal year,
including increases of approximately 6.1% in sales of hardlines and
approximately 2.1% in sales of softlines. Sales of softlines were favorably
impacted by the shift of the start of winter merchandise clearance sales from
the early part of February last year to the latter part of January this year.
For the nine week period ended January 29, 2005, sales were approximately
$1.129 billion, or 13.1% above sales of $998.5 million for the similar period
in the prior fiscal year. Sales in existing stores for the nine week period
ended January 29, 2005, increased approximately 4.4% above existing store
sales for the similar period in the prior fiscal year, including an increase
of approximately 6.0% in sales of hardlines and a decrease of approximately
1.8% in sales of softlines.
For the twenty-two week period ended January 29, 2005, sales were
approximately $2.509 billion, or 11.9% above sales of $2.243 billion for the
similar period in the prior fiscal year. Sales in existing stores for the
twenty-two week period ended January 29, 2005, increased approximately 3.3%
above existing store sales for the similar period in the prior fiscal year,
including an increase of approximately 5.1% in sales of hardlines and a
decrease of approximately 3.2% in sales of softlines.
As of January 29, 2005, there were 5,563 stores in operation, including 32
stores that were opened during the four week period ended on that date.
The Company's plan is for sales in existing stores in the four week period
ending February 26, 2005, to increase in the 3% to 5% range.
Certain statements contained in this press release which are not
historical facts are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe
harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements address the Company's plans and activities or
events which the Company expects will or may occur in the future. A number of
important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed in any forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are
not limited to, competitive factors and pricing pressures, general economic
conditions, the impact of acts of war or terrorism, changes in consumer demand
and product mix, unusual weather that may temporarily impact sales, inflation,
merchandise supply constraints, general transportation or distribution delays
or interruptions, dependence on imports, changes in currency exchange rates,
trade restrictions, tariffs, quotas, and freight rates, availability of real
estate, costs and delays associated with building, opening and operating new
distribution facilities and stores, costs, potential problems and achievement
of results associated with the implementation of new programs, systems and
technology, including supply chain systems, store technology, cooler
installations and urban initiative programs, changes in food and energy prices
and their impact on consumer spending and the Company's costs, legal
proceedings and claims, changes in shrinkage, changes in health care and other
insurance costs, and the effects of legislation and regulations on wage levels
and entitlement programs. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements
made are qualified by these and other factors, risks and uncertainties.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company does
not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even
if experience or future changes make it clear that projected results expressed
or implied in such statements will not be realized.
http://www.familydollar.com
SOURCE Family Dollar Stores, Inc.
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http://www.familydollar.com
Company News On-Call:
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CONTACT:
George R. Mahoney, Jr., Executive Vice
President of Family Dollar Stores, Inc., +1-704-814-3252
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