EXHIBIT 99.1

AutoZone 2nd Quarter Same Store Sales Increase 5.9%; EPS Increases 24.4% to $4.15

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 28, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) today reported net sales of $1.8 billion for its second quarter (12 weeks) ended February 11, 2012, an increase of 8.6% from the second quarter of fiscal 2011 (12 weeks). Domestic same store sales, or sales for stores open at least one year, increased 5.9% for the quarter.

Net income for the quarter increased $18.9 million, or 12.7%, over the same period last year to $166.9 million, while diluted earnings increased 24.4% to $4.15 per share from $3.34 per share in the year-ago quarter.

For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 51.3% (versus 50.9% for last year's quarter). The improvement in gross margin was primarily attributable to lower shrink expense (35 bps). Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 34.7% (versus 34.6% last year). The primary contributor to the increase in operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, was higher self insurance costs (59 bps), partially offset by leverage of other operating expenses due to higher sales volumes.

Under its share repurchase program, AutoZone repurchased 501 thousand shares of its common stock for $173 million during the second quarter, at an average price of $345 per share. At quarter end, the Company had $486 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization.

The Company's inventory increased 6.6% over the same period last year, driven by an increase in store count and continued strategic investments in hard parts assortment. However, inventory per store was $530 thousand versus $517 thousand last year, an increase of 2.3%.

"We are pleased to announce another quarter of strong performance. This marks the thirteenth consecutive quarter of 20% plus growth in earnings per share and our twenty second consecutive quarter of double digit growth. We remain committed to executing our 2012 operating theme of "1TEAM; Driving our Future." We continued our focus on improving parts coverage; hiring, retaining, and training the best automotive parts professionals; and growing our Commercial business. The commitment of our more than 65,000 AutoZoners to providing trustworthy advice is what sets our company apart, and it is their dedication to meeting and exceeding our customers' needs that leads to our success. Additionally, our return on invested capital on a trailing four-quarter basis reached another new all-time high at 32.2%. We remain committed to our disciplined approach of growing operating earnings while efficiently utilizing our capital," said Bill Rhodes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. 

During the quarter ended February 11, 2012, AutoZone opened 29 new stores in the U.S. and opened 6 new stores in Mexico. As of February 11, 2012, the Company had 4,580 stores in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in the U.S. and 287 stores in Mexico for a total store count of 4,867.

AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. Each store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Many stores also have a commercial sales program that provides commercial credit and prompt delivery of parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, service stations, and public sector accounts. AutoZone also sells the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software through www.alldata.com and www.alldatadiy.com. Additionally, we sell automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products through www.autozone.com, and our commercial customers can make purchases through www.autozonepro.com. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation.

AutoZone will host a conference call this morning, Tuesday, February 28, 2012, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (EST) to discuss its second quarter results. Investors may listen to the conference call live and review supporting slides on the AutoZone corporate website, www.autozoneinc.com by clicking "Investor Relations," "Conference Calls." The call will also be available by dialing (210) 839-8923. A replay of the call and slides will be available on AutoZone's website. In addition, a replay of the call will be available by dialing (203) 369-1211 through Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. (EST).

This release includes certain financial information not derived in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). These non-GAAP measures include return on invested capital, adjusted debt, adjusted debt to EBITDAR, and cash flow before share repurchases. The Company believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP measures provides information that is useful to investors as it indicates more clearly the Company's comparative year-to-year operating results, but this information should not be considered a substitute for any measures derived in accordance with GAAP. Management targets the Company's capital structure in order to maintain its investment grade credit ratings and manages cash flows available for share repurchase by monitoring cash flows before share repurchases, as shown on the attached tables. The Company believes this is important information for the management of its debt levels and share repurchases. We have included a reconciliation of this additional information to the most comparable GAAP measures in the accompanying reconciliation tables.

Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements typically use words such as "believe," "anticipate," "should," "intend," "plan," "will," "expect," "estimate," "project," "positioned," "strategy" and similar expressions. These are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors that we believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including without limitation: credit market conditions; the impact of recessionary conditions; competition; product demand; the ability to hire and retain qualified employees; consumer debt levels; inflation; weather; raw material costs of our suppliers; energy prices; war and the prospect of war, including terrorist activity; construction delays; access to available and feasible financing; and changes in laws or regulations. Certain of these risks are discussed in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section contained in Item 1A under Part 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 27, 2011, and these Risk Factors should be read carefully. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results; developments and business decisions may differ from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements, and events described above and in the "Risk Factors" could materially and adversely affect our business. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Actual results may materially differ from anticipated results.

 

CONTACT: Financial:
         Brian Campbell
         (901) 495-7005
         brian.campbell@autozone.com

         Media:
         Ray Pohlman
         (866) 966-3017
         ray.pohlman@autozone.com