Form 10-Q

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

(Mark One)

 

 

Commission File Number    1-6807

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code     704-847-6961

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ý No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12-b of the Exchange Act). Yes ý No o

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

 

 

FAMILY DOLLAR STORES, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX

 

Part I - Financial Information
Item 1 -	Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements:
	Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets - March 1, 2003 and August 31, 2002
	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income - Quarter Ended March 1, 2003 and March 2, 2002
	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income - First Half Ended March 1, 2003 and March 2, 2002
	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows - First Half Ended March 1, 2003 and March 2, 2002
	Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
Item 2 -	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 4 -	Controls and Procedures
Part II -	Other Information and Signatures
Item 1 -	Legal Proceedings
Item 4 -	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Item 6 -	Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
Signatures
Certifications

 

 

FAMILY DOLLAR STORES, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands, except share amounts)		March 1, 2003			August 31, 2002
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 2)		$	266,844		$	220,265
Merchandise inventories		728,016			766,631
Deferred income taxes		57,234			49,941
Income tax refund receivable		—			6,469
Prepayments and other current assets		15,837			12,553
Total current assets		1,067,931			1,055,859
Property and equipment, net		721,929			685,617
Other assets		14,204			13,143
		$	1,804,064		$	1,754,619
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	491,958		$	530,780
Income taxes payable		20,145			—
Total current liabilities		512,103			530,780
Deferred income taxes		71,502			68,891
Shareholders’ equity (Notes 5 and 6):
Preferred stock, $1 par; authorized and unissued 500,000 shares
Common stock, $.10 par; authorized 600,000,000 shares; issued 186,394,448 shares at March 1, 2003, and 185,830,901 shares at August 31, 2002		18,639			18,583
Capital in excess of par		75,288			63,294
Retained earnings		1,224,120			1,118,015
		1,318,047			1,199,892
Less common stock held in treasury, at cost (14,281,283 shares at March 1, 2003 and 12,501,666 at August 31, 2002)(Note 6)		97,588			44,944
Total shareholders’ equity		1,220,459			1,154,948
		$	1,804,064		$	1,754,619

 

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements

 

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FAMILY DOLLAR STORES, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

		Quarter Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)		March 1, 2003			March 2, 2002
Net sales		$	1,256,183		$	1,105,165
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales		838,662			740,420
Selling, general and administrative expenses		303,010			264,323
		1,141,672			1,004,743
Income before provision for taxes on income		114,511			100,422
Provision for taxes on income		41,796			36,654
Net income		$	72,715		$	63,768
Net income per common share - Basic (Note 6)		$	0.42		$	0.37
Average shares - Basic (Note 6)		172,151			172,598
Net income per common share - Diluted (Note 6)		$	0.42		$	0.37
Average shares - Diluted (Note 6)		173,037			173,934
Dividends per common share		$	0.075		$	0.065

 

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

3

 

FAMILY DOLLAR STORES, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

		First Half Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)		March 1, 2003			March 2, 2002
Net sales		$	2,364,820		$	2,082,298
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales		1,566,467			1,383,140
Selling, general and administrative expenses		593,325			519,670
		2,159,792			1,902,810
Income before provision for taxes on income		205,028			179,488
Provision for taxes on income		74,835			65,513
Net income		$	130,193		$	113,975
Net income per common share - Basic (Note 6)		$	0.75		$	0.66
Average shares - Basic (Note 6)		172,614			172,425
Net income per common share - Diluted (Note 6)		$	0.75		$	0.66
Average shares - Diluted (Note 6)		173,489			173,766
Dividends per common share		$	0.14		$	0.125

 

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

4

 

FAMILY DOLLAR STORES, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

		First Half Ended
(In thousands)		March 1, 2003			March 2, 2002
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	130,193		$	113,975
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		43,132			37,176
Deferred income taxes		(4,682		)	(352		)
Loss on disposition of property and equipment		1,773			1,565
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Merchandise inventories		38,615			64,880
Income tax refund receivable		6,469			4,936
Prepayments and other current assets		(3,284		)	2,085
Other assets		(1,061		)	756
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(40,464		)	6,545
Income taxes payable		20,145			20,793
		190,836			252,359
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(81,423		)	(88,466		)
Proceeds from dispositions of property and equipment		206			1,253
		(81,217		)	(87,213		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net purchases of stock for treasury		(52,644		)	5
Exercise of employee stock options		12,050			13,610
Payment of dividends		(22,446		)	(20,666		)
		(63,040		)	(7,051		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		46,579			158,095
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		220,265			21,753
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	266,844		$	179,848
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest		$	—		$	158
Income taxes		49,785			34,143

 

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

5

 

FAMILY DOLLAR STORES, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.                           In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position as of March 1, 2003, and the results of operations for the quarter and first half ended March 1, 2003 and March 2, 2002, and the cash flows for the first half ended March 1, 2003, and March 2, 2002.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-k for the year ended August 31, 2002.

 

The results of operations for the first half ended March 1, 2003, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

The Company manages its business on the basis of one reportable segment.

 

2.                           The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be “cash equivalents.” The carrying amount of the Company’s cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short maturities of these investments.  The Company maintains cash deposits with major banks which from time to time may exceed federally insured limits.  The Company periodically assesses the financial condition of the institutions and believes that the risk of any loss is minimal.

 

3.                           The preparation of the Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions.  These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

4.                            The Company has unsecured revolving credit facilities with banks for short-term borrowings of up to $200 million.  One hundred million dollars of the facilities expires on May 29, 2003, and the remaining $100 million expires on May 31, 2004.  The Company expects that the facilities expiring on May 29, 2003, will be extended.  Borrowings under these facilities are at a variable interest rate based on short-term market interest rates.  The Company may convert up to $100 million of the facilities expiring on May 31, 2004, into either a five or seven year term loan, at the bank’s variable prime rate.

 

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5.                                       The Company’s non-qualified stock option plan provides for the granting of options to key employees to purchase shares of common stock at prices not less than the fair market value on the date of grant.  Options expire five years from the date of grant and are exercisable to the extent of 40% after the second anniversary of the grant and an additional 30% at each of the following two anniversary dates on a cumulative basis.

 

The following is a summary of transactions under the plan during the first half ended March 1, 2003 and March 2, 2002 (In thousands, except per share amounts).

 

		First Half Ended
		March 1, 2003				March 2, 2002
		Number of shares under option		Option price per share		Number of shares under option		Option price per share
Outstanding-beginning		4,411		$11.38 - $35.50		4,386		$5.58 - $30.25
Granted		1,620		$24.75 - $31.75		1,364		$24.25 - $32.50
Exercised		(564	)	$11.38 - $23.75		(807	)	$5.58 - $24.75
Cancelled		(51	)			(91	)
Outstanding-ending		5,416		$12.75 - $35.50		4,852		$7.75 - $32.50
Exercisable options		1,364		$12.75 - $25.50		1,459		$7.75 - $24.75

 

6.                                       Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period.  Diluted net income per common share gives effect to all securities representing potential common shares that were dilutive and outstanding during the period. In the calculation of diluted net income per common share, the denominator includes the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the Company’s outstanding stock options had been exercised.

 

On October 9, 2002, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to 5 million shares of its outstanding common stock from time to time as market conditions warrant.  As of March 1, 2003, the Company had purchased in the open market, 1,782,200 shares at a cost of $52.7 million.

 

7

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share (In thousands, except per share amounts):

 

		Quarter Ended
		March 1, 2003			March 2, 2002
Basic Net Income Per Share:
Net Income		$	72,715		$	63,768
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding		172,151			172,598
Net Income Per Common Share - Basic		$	0.42		$	0.37
Diluted Net Income Per Share:
Net Income		$	72,715		$	63,768
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding		172,151			172,598
Effect of Dilutive Securities - Stock Options		886			1,336
Average Shares - Diluted		173,037			173,934
Net Income Per Common Share - Diluted		$	0.42		$	0.37

 

		First Half Ended
		March 1, 2003			March 2, 2002
Basic Net Income Per Share:
Net Income		$	130,193		$	113,975
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding		172,614			172,425
Net Income Per Common Share - Basic		$	0.75		$	0.66
Diluted Net Income Per Share:
Net Income		$	130,193		$	113,975
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding		172,614			172,425
Effect of Dilutive Securities - Stock Options		875			1,341
Average Shares - Diluted		173,489			173,766
Net Income Per Common Share - Diluted		$	0.75		$	0.66

 

8

 

7.                           On January 30, 2001, Janice Morgan and Barbara Richardson, two individuals who have held the position of Store Manager for subsidiaries of the Company, filed a Complaint against the Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.  The Complaint was then amended to add as plaintiffs five more individuals who had held the position of Store Manager for subsidiaries of the Company.  Thereafter, notice of the pendency of the lawsuit was sent to approximately 13,000 current and former Store Managers holding the position on or after July 1, 1999.  Based on currently available information, approximately 2,500 of those have filed consent forms and joined the lawsuit as plaintiffs, including approximately 2,075 former Store Managers and approximately 425 current Store Managers.  The opt-in period ended on February 25, 2003, and the case is proceeding as a collective action under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”).  The Complaint alleges that the Company violated the FLSA by classifying the plaintiffs and other similarly situated current and former Store Managers as “exempt” employees who are not entitled to overtime compensation.  Plaintiffs seek to recover unpaid overtime compensation, prejudgment interest, liquidated damages, an award of attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses, and such other relief as the Court may deem proper.  The lawsuit is currently in the discovery phase.  The Company is vigorously defending this action.  The outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain; moreover, as a collective action the determination with respect to each individual plaintiff depends in part on the facts and circumstances which relate solely to that plaintiff.  As a general matter, the Company believes that the Store Managers are “exempt” employees under the FLSA and have been properly compensated and that the Company has meritorious defenses that should enable it to ultimately prevail.

 

9

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting the consolidated results of operations and financial condition of the Company for periods ended March 1, 2003 and March 2, 2002.  This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in this quarterly report.  For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2002.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At March 1, 2003, the Company had working capital of $555.8 million with cash and cash equivalents of approximately $266.8 million and no outstanding borrowings.  Changes in working capital and cash and cash equivalents during the first half of fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2002 were primarily the result of earnings, capital expenditures and, in fiscal 2003, repurchases of the Company’s Common Stock.  With the current economic uncertainties, the Company planned its sales of seasonal goods conservatively; however, as an additional precautionary measure due to geopolitical concerns, the Company accelerated the receipt of spring merchandise.  In fiscal 2002, the Company flowed spring seasonal and apparel merchandise later to better match receipts and sales which contributed to increased operating cash flow during the first half of fiscal 2002.  At the end of the first half of fiscal 2003 per store inventories were at approximately the same level as at the end of the first half of fiscal 2002 albeit that a higher portion of seasonal merchandise in fiscal 2003 was spring merchandise.  Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the first half of fiscal 2003 were also impacted by increased accounts payable leverage (accounts payable as a percentage of merchandise inventory) resulting from improved inventory turnover and higher levels of in-transit merchandise compared to the end of the first half of fiscal 2002.

 

Capital expenditures for the first half ended March 1, 2003, were approximately $81.4 million, and are currently expected to be approximately $200 to $225 million for fiscal 2003.  The majority of planned capital expenditures for fiscal 2003 is related to the Company’s new store expansion; existing store expansion, relocation and renovation; and to the completion of construction of the seventh full-service distribution center.  The new store expansion and seventh distribution center will require additional investment in merchandise inventories. In fiscal 2003, the Company’s original plan was to open approximately 575 stores and close approximately 50 stores for a net addition of approximately 525 stores, compared with the opening of 525 stores and closing of 50 stores for a net addition of 475 stores in fiscal 2002.  The Company has revised its store expansion plans for the fiscal year ending August 30, 2003.  The current plan is to open 475 to 500 stores and close approximately 65 stores.  In the last two years, the Company’s traditional opportunistic approach to locating potential new sites has become more strategic with the objective of improving new store performance.  The Company is realizing this objective with the sales performance of new stores (stores open less than 13 months) equal to more than 90% of the chain average in the first half of fiscal 2003.  With this approach and better site selection processes, approximately 60% of new stores are targeted to open in urban markets in fiscal 2003.  In fiscal 2002, approximately 40% of new stores opened in urban markets.  The time it is taking to open new stores in urban markets, including time for the permitting process and the

 

10

 

completion of leasehold improvements and new construction, is substantially longer than the time for opening stores in non-urban markets.  With the large number of approved locations currently being processed, by this summer the Company expects to be opening stores at a run rate that will again support its targeted 10% to 12 % net new store growth.  The Company also currently plans to expand or relocate approximately 100 stores and renovate approximately 50 stores in fiscal 2003, compared with the expansion or relocation of 121 stores and renovation of 42 stores in fiscal 2002.  In the first half of fiscal 2003, the Company opened 179 stores, closed 42 stores, expanded or relocated 49 stores and renovated 26 stores.  The Company occupies most of its stores under operating leases.  Store opening, closing, expansion, relocation, and renovation plans, as well as overall capital expenditure plans, are continuously reviewed and are subject to change.  The Company has unsecured revolving credit facilities with banks for short-term borrowings of up to $200 million.  One hundred million dollars of the facilities expires on May 29, 2003, and the remaining $100 million expires on May 31, 2004.  The Company expects that the facilities expiring on May 29, 2003, will be extended.  The Company has no borrowings against these facilities at March 1, 2003.  Cash flow from current operations is expected to be sufficient to meet planned liquidity and capital resource needs, including store expansion and other capital spending programs and any repurchase of the Company’s Common Stock.  In addition, the Company has available revolving credit facilities as discussed above.

 

On October 9, 2002, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to 5 million shares of its outstanding Common Stock from time to time as market conditions warrant.  As of March 1, 2003, the Company had purchased in the open market, 1,782,200 shares at a cost of $52.7 million.

 

The following table shows the Company’s obligations and commitments as of March 1, 2003 to make future payments under contractual obligations (in thousands):

 

		Payments Due During One Year Fiscal Period Ending
Contractual Obligations		Total			February 2004			February 2005			February 2006			February 2007			February 2008			Thereafter
Merchandise letters of credit		$	42,411		$	42,411		$			$			$			$			$
Operating leases		725,945			181,960			156,020			126,842			94,254			59,330			107,539
Construction obligations		34,210			34,210
Total Contractual Cash Obligations		$	802,566		$	258,581		$	156,020		$	126,842		$	94,254		$	59,330		$	107,539

 

The following table shows the Company’s other commercial commitments as of March 1, 2003 (in thousands):

 

Other Commercial Commitments		Total Amounts Committed
Standby letters of credit		$	32,175
Surety bonds		5,969
Total Commercial Commitments		$	38,144

 

A substantial portion of the outstanding amount of standby letters of credit and surety bonds (which are primarily renewed on an annual basis) are used as surety for future premium and deductible payments to the Company’s workers compensation and general liability insurance carrier.  The Company accrues for these future payment liabilities as described in the “Critical Accounting Policies” section of this discussion.

 

11

 

Results of Operations

Net sales

 

Net sales increased 13.7% in the quarter ended March 1, 2003, as compared with the quarter ended March 2, 2002, and increased 13.6% in the first half ended March 1, 2003, as compared with the first half ended March 2, 2002.  The sales increases were attributable to increased sales in existing stores and sales from new stores opened as part of the Company’s store expansion program.  Sales were adversely impacted as a result of the elimination of an advertising circular that was distributed last fiscal year at the end of November and the beginning of December.  With the elimination of this circular, the Company now distributes only one circular per year.  The Company planned sales of apparel merchandise conservatively for fiscal 2003, and as a result had less end of season clearance sales.  More severe winter weather during December 2002 and February 2003, also  negatively impacted sales during the second quarter of fiscal 2003.

 

Sales in existing stores increased 2.9% in the quarter ended March 1, 2003, above the comparable period in fiscal 2002, with sales of hardlines merchandise increasing approximately 3.5%, and sales of softlines merchandise increasing approximately 0.8%.  In the second quarter of fiscal 2003, the customer count, as measured by the number of register transactions in existing stores increased 0.2% and the average transaction increased approximately 2.6% to $9.42.  Sales in existing stores increased 3.0% in the first half ended March 1, 2003, above the comparable period in fiscal 2002, with sales of hardlines merchandise increasing approximately 3.4% and sales of softlines merchandise increasing approximately 1.8%.  The customer count increased approximately 0.2% and the average transaction increased approximately 2.6% to $9.07.  Hardlines as a percentage of total sales increased to approximately 77.1% in the second quarter of fiscal 2003 compared to approximately 76.6% in the second quarter of fiscal 2002, and increased to approximately 77.1% in the first half of fiscal 2003 compared to approximately 76.8% in the first half of fiscal 2002. Softlines as a percentage of sales decreased to 22.9% in the second quarter of fiscal 2003 (with hanging apparel and shoes representing 11.3%, basic apparel 4.8% and domestics 6.8%) compared to 23.4% in the second quarter of fiscal 2002 (with hanging apparel and shoes representing 11.1%, basic apparel 5.2% and domestics 7.1%).  Softlines as a percentage of sales decreased to 22.9% in the first half of fiscal 2003 (with hanging apparel and shoes representing 11.6%, basic apparel 4.6% and domestics 6.7%) compared to 23.2% in the first half of fiscal 2002 (with hanging apparel and shoes representing 11.4%, basic apparel 4.8% and domestics 7.0%).  By the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2003, all stores had anniversaried last year’s program in which the Company eliminated approximately one-half of the shoe inventories.  Therefore, the sales of hardlines and softlines is now on a more comparative basis year over year.  The Company’s current plan is for sales in existing stores in the second half of fiscal 2003 to increase in the 3% to 5% range.

 

Hardlines merchandise includes primarily household chemical and paper products, health and beauty aids, candy, snack and other food, electronics, housewares and giftware, toys, school supplies, hardware and automotive supplies.  Softlines merchandise includes men’s, women’s, boy’s, girl’s and infant’s clothing and accessories, shoes, and domestic items such as blankets, sheets and towels.

 

The average number of stores open during the first half of fiscal 2003 was 10.7% more than during the first half of fiscal 2002.  The Company had 4,753 stores in operation at March 1, 2003, as compared with 4,299 stores in operation at March 2, 2002, representing an increase of approximately 10.6%.

 

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Cost of Sales

 

Cost of sales increased 13.3% in the quarter ended March 1, 2003, as compared with the quarter ended March 2, 2002, and increased 13.3% in the first half ended March 1, 2003, as compared to the first half ended March 2, 2002.  These increases primarily reflected the additional sales volume between years.  Cost of sales, as a percentage of net sales, was 66.8% in the quarter ended March 1, 2003, compared with 67.0% in the quarter ended March 2, 2002, and was 66.2% in the first half ended March 1, 2003 compared with 66.4% in the first half ended March 2, 2002. The decrease in the cost of sales percentages for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2003 were due primarily to the favorable impact of supply chain initiatives which yielded savings in shrinkage and freight. Such savings more than offset a flat initial markup and increased markdowns required to liquidate certain seasonal items.  The greater than planned markdowns of seasonal items were partially offset by reduced markdowns for apparel due to more effective inventory management and continued sales improvement.  The Company’s plan is for the cost of sales percentage to decrease slightly for the second half of fiscal 2003 due to the expected continued favorable impact of merchandising and supply chain initiatives.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenes

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 14.6% in the quarter ended March 1, 2003, as compared with the quarter ended March 2, 2002, and increased 14.2% in the first half ended March 1, 2003, as compared with the first half ended March 2, 2002.  The increases in these expenses were due primarily to additional costs arising from the continued growth in the number of stores in operation.  Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales, were 24.1% in the quarter ended March 1, 2003, as compared with 23.9% in the quarter ended March 2, 2002, and were 25.1% in the first half ended March 1, 2003, as compared with 25.0% in the first half ended March 2, 2002.  The increase in the percentages for the quarter and first half ended March 1, 2003 were due primarily to rising energy and insurance costs, primarily health care and workers compensation costs, partially offset by the elimination of an advertising circular that was distributed last fiscal year at the end of November and the beginning of December.  With the Company continuing to invest heavily in its business, the increases in existing store sales were not sufficient to produce incremental leverage on expenses.  For the second half of fiscal year 2003, the Company’s plan is for selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales to be at approximately the same level as for the second half of fiscal year 2002.

 

Provision for taxes on income

 

The effective tax rate was 36.5% for the quarters and first halves ended March 1, 2003 and March 2, 2002.  For fiscal year 2003, the Company’s plan is for the effective tax rate to remain at approximately the same level as the rate in fiscal 2002.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Management believes the following accounting principles are critical because they involve significant judgments, assumptions, and estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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Merchandise Inventories:

 

Inventories are valued using the retail method, based on retail prices less markon percentages, which approximates the lower of first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost or market.  The Company records adjustments to inventory through cost of goods sold when permanent retail price reductions, or markdowns, are reflected in its stores.  In addition, management makes estimates and judgments regarding, among other things, initial markups, markdowns, future demand for specific product categories and market conditions, all of which can significantly impact inventory valuation.  If actual demand or market conditions are different than those projected by management, additional markdowns may be necessary.  This risk is generally higher for seasonal merchandise than for non-seasonal goods.  The Company also provides for estimated inventory losses for damaged, lost or stolen inventory for the period from the physical inventory to the financial statement date.  These estimates are based on historical experience and other factors.

 

Property and equipment:

 

Property and equipment is stated at cost.  Depreciation for financial reporting purposes is being provided principally by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets.  The valuation and classification of these assets and the assignment of useful depreciable lives involves significant judgments and the use of estimates.  The Company generally assigns no salvage value to property and equipment.  Property and equipment is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Historically, impairment losses on fixed assets have not been material to the Company’s financial position and results of operations.  Because the Company leases substantially all of its stores under operating leases, the risk of impairment of fixed assets relates principally to the leasehold improvements and other store-level assets in the event of closure.

 

Insurance Liabilities:

 

The Company is primarily self-insured for health care, property loss, workers’ compensation and general liability costs.  These costs are significant primarily due to the large number of the Company’s retail locations and employees.  The Company’s self-insurance liabilities are based on the total estimated costs of claims filed and estimates of claims incurred but not reported, less amounts paid against such claims, and are not discounted.  Management reviews current and historical claims data in developing its estimates.  The Company also uses information provided by outside actuaries with respect to workers’ compensation and general liability claims.  If the underlying facts and circumstances of the claims change or the historical trend is not indicative of future trends, then the Company may be required to record additional expense or a reduction to expense which could be material to the reported financial condition and results of operation.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements contained herein and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q 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 such as future capital

 

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expenditures, store openings, closings, renovations, expansions and relocations, additional distribution facilities, sales, cost of sales, expenses, the outcome of legal proceedings and other aspects of the Company’s business and operations.  A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, made by or on behalf of the Company.  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 Form 10-Q. 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.

 

Item 4.                                     Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) have concluded, based on their evaluation as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report, that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of such evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.                                     Legal Proceedings

 

On January 30, 2001, Janice Morgan and Barbara Richardson, two individuals who have held the position of Store Manager for subsidiaries of the Company, filed a Complaint against the Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

 

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The Complaint was then amended to add as plaintiffs five more individuals who had held the position of Store Manager for subsidiaries of the Company.  Thereafter, notice of the pendency of the lawsuit was sent to approximately 13,000 current and former Store Managers holding the position on or after July 1, 1999.  Based on currently available information, approximately 2,500 of those have filed consent forms and joined the lawsuit as plaintiffs, including approximately 2,075 former Store Managers and approximately 425 current Store Managers.  The opt-in period ended on February 25, 2003, and the case is proceeding as a collective action under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”).  The Complaint alleges that the Company violated the FLSA by classifying the plaintiffs and other similarly situated current and former Store Managers as “exempt” employees who are not entitled to overtime compensation.  Plaintiffs seek to recover unpaid overtime compensation, prejudgment interest, liquidated damages, an award of attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses, and such other relief as the Court may deem proper.  The lawsuit is currently in the discovery phase.  The Company is vigorously defending this action.  The outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain; moreover, as a collective action the determination with respect to each individual plaintiff depends in part on the facts and circumstances which relate solely to that plaintiff.  As a general matter, the Company believes that the Store Managers are “exempt” employees under the FLSA and have been properly compensated and that the Company has meritorious defenses that should enable it to ultimately prevail.

 

Item 4.                                   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company held January 16, 2003, stockholders voted to:

 

(a)                                  Elect to the Board of Directors of the Company the six nominees named in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting as follows:

 

Nominee		Shares Voting For		Shares Withholding Authority to Vote
Howard R. Levine		152,836,025		3,340,170
George R. Mahoney, Jr.		153,806,972		2,369,223
Mark R. Bernstein		151,938,611		4,237,584
Sharon Allred Decker		150,233,750		5,942,445
Glenn A. Eisenberg		148,642,186		7,534,009
James G. Martin		150,230,490		5,945,705

 

(b)                                 Approve the proposal to amend the Company’s 1989 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan to increase by 6,000,000 the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance thereunder, with 151,020,779 shares voted for, 3,877,339 shares against and 1,278,077 shares abstaining.

 

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(c)                                  Ratify the action of the Board of Directors in selecting PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ending August 30, 2003, with 146,903,977 shares voted for, 8,233,132 shares against and 1,039,086 shares abstaining.

 

Item 6.               Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

 

(a)                                  Exhibits filed herewith:

 

*10 Family Dollar Compensation Deferral Plan

 

11 Statements Re:  Computations of Per Share Earnings

 

*Exhibit represents a compensatory plan

 

(b)                                 Reports on Form 8-K:

 

1.                  Form 8-K dated January 16, 2003, with (i) news release dated January 16, 2003, reporting senior management changes and other actions at the Company’s Annual Meetings of Stockholders and the Board of Directors, and (ii) Amendments to Employment Agreements of Howard R. Levine and R. David Alexander, Jr., and Family Dollar 2000 Outside Directors Plan as amended as of January 16, 2003, as Exhibits.

 

2.                  Form 8-K dated March 19, 2003 with news release dated March 19, 2003, reporting sales and earnings for the second quarter ended March 1, 2003, and other matters relating to the Company’s operations and financial condition.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

			FAMILY DOLLAR STORES, INC.
			(Registrant)
Date:	April 10, 2003			/s/ R. James Kelly
				R. JAMES KELLY
				Vice Chairman
Date:	April 10, 2003			/s/ C. Martin Sowers
				C. MARTIN SOWERS
				Senior Vice President - Finance

 

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CERTIFICATION

 

I, Howard R. Levine, certify that:

 

1.                            I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (the “registrant”);

 

2.                            Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

 

3.                            Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

 

4.                            The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

 

a)                           designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

 

b)                          evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

c)                           presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5.                            The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)                           all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

b)                          any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

6.                            The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

 

Date:  April 10, 2003

 

 

/s/ Howard R. Levine
Howard R. Levine
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

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CERTIFICATION

 

I, R. James Kelly, certify that:

 

1.         I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (the “registrant”);

 

2.                            Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

 

3.                            Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

 

4.                            The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

 

a)                           designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

 

b)                          evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

c)                           presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5.                            The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a)                           all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

b)                          any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

6.                            The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date:  April 10, 2003

 

 

/s/ R. James Kelly
R. James Kelly
Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer

 

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