MATTHEWS, N.C., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Family Dollar Stores,
Inc. (NYSE: FDO), a discount store chain operating 5,068 stores in 43 states,
reported sales for the four-week period ended November 1, 2003, of
approximately $378.4 million, or 11.3% above sales of $340.0 million for the
similar period in the prior fiscal year. Sales in existing stores for the
four-week period ended November 1, 2003, increased approximately 1.6% above
existing store sales for the similar period in the prior fiscal year,
including an increase of approximately 3.0% in sales of hardlines and a
decrease of approximately 3.2% in sales of softlines.
The Company had a difficult sales comparison this October as last October
sales in existing stores increased 6.1%, including an increase of 8.9% in the
sales of softlines. Warmer weather this October compared to last October
adversely impacted sales of apparel.
For the nine-week period ended November 1, 2003, sales were approximately
$842.1 million, or 13.4% above sales of $742.7 million for the similar period
in the prior fiscal year. Sales in existing stores for the nine-week period
ended November 1, 2003, increased approximately 3.6% above existing store
sales for the similar period in the prior fiscal year, including increases of
approximately 4.0% in sales of hardlines and 2.3% in sales of softlines.
The Company's current plan is for sales in existing stores in the four-
week November reporting period to increase in the 4% to 6% 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 delays or
interruptions, dependence on imports, changes in currency exchange rates,
tariffs, quotas, and freight rates, availability of real estate, costs and
delays associated with building, opening and operating new distribution
facilities and stores, costs and potential problems associated with the
implementation of new systems and technology, including supply chain systems
and electronic commerce, changes in energy prices and the impact on consumer
spending and the Company's costs, legal proceedings and claims, changes in
health care and other insurance costs, and the effects of legislation 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.
SOURCE Family Dollar Stores, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.familydollar.com
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http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19981001/CHTH003
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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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