UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended April 29, 2011

 

Commission File Number: 001-11421

 

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

TENNESSEE
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

61-0502302
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

100 MISSION RIDGE
GOODLETTSVILLE, TN  37072
(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (615) 855-4000

 

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 x   No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes x   No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o   No x

 

The registrant had 341,535,481 shares of common stock outstanding on May 23, 2011.

 

 

 



 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

 

 

 

April 29,
2011

 

January 28,
2011

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(see Note 1)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

602,463

 

$

497,446

 

Merchandise inventories

 

1,767,121

 

1,765,433

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

137,313

 

104,946

 

Total current assets

 

2,506,897

 

2,367,825

 

Net property and equipment

 

1,562,596

 

1,524,575

 

Goodwill

 

4,338,589

 

4,338,589

 

Intangible assets, net

 

1,251,289

 

1,256,922

 

Other assets, net

 

55,493

 

58,311

 

Total assets

 

$

9,714,864

 

$

9,546,222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term obligations

 

$

1,039

 

$

1,157

 

Accounts payable

 

933,710

 

953,641

 

Accrued expenses and other

 

380,422

 

347,741

 

Income taxes payable

 

32,217

 

25,980

 

Deferred income taxes

 

39,842

 

36,854

 

Total current liabilities

 

1,387,230

 

1,365,373

 

Long-term obligations

 

3,262,597

 

3,287,070

 

Deferred income taxes

 

606,071

 

598,565

 

Other liabilities

 

230,043

 

231,582

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable common stock

 

9,267

 

9,153

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock

 

 

 

Common stock

 

298,844

 

298,819

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

2,948,506

 

2,945,024

 

Retained earnings

 

987,901

 

830,932

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(15,595

)

(20,296

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

4,219,656

 

4,054,479

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

9,714,864

 

$

9,546,222

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

1



 

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

For the 13 weeks ended

 

 

 

April 29,
2011

 

April 30,
2010

 

Net sales

 

$

3,451,697

 

$

3,111,314

 

Cost of goods sold

 

2,364,300

 

2,111,558

 

Gross profit

 

1,087,397

 

999,756

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

765,779

 

709,033

 

Operating profit

 

321,618

 

290,723

 

Interest income

 

(19

)

(6

)

Interest expense

 

65,591

 

72,018

 

Other (income) expense

 

2,272

 

145

 

Income before income taxes

 

253,774

 

218,566

 

Income tax expense

 

96,805

 

82,570

 

Net income

 

$

156,969

 

$

135,996

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.46

 

$

0.40

 

Diluted

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

341,522

 

340,819

 

Diluted

 

345,393

 

344,397

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2



 

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

For the 13 weeks ended

 

 

 

April 29,
2011

 

April 30,
2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

156,969

 

$

135,996

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

67,486

 

63,252

 

Deferred income taxes

 

7,393

 

10,029

 

Tax benefit of stock options

 

(434

)

(4,806

)

Loss on debt retirement

 

2,167

 

 

Non-cash share-based compensation

 

3,519

 

4,979

 

Other non-cash gains and losses

 

4,574

 

1,633

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Merchandise inventories

 

(5,275

)

(85,176

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(32,369

)

(13,503

)

Accounts payable

 

(25,922

)

(36,954

)

Accrued expenses and other

 

38,810

 

(26,722

)

Income taxes

 

6,671

 

42,510

 

Other

 

(17

)

(26

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

223,572

 

91,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(91,958

)

(90,998

)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

 

367

 

258

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(91,591

)

(90,740

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock

 

165

 

285

 

Repayments of long-term obligations

 

(27,151

)

(463

)

Repurchases of common stock and settlement of equity awards, net of employee taxes paid

 

(412

)

(4,467

)

Tax benefit of stock options

 

434

 

4,806

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(26,964

)

161

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

105,017

 

633

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

497,446

 

222,076

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

602,463

 

$

222,709

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment awaiting processing for payment, included in Accounts payable

 

$

35,649

 

$

25,669

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1.            Basis of presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Dollar General Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Such financial statements consequently do not include all of the footnotes and other disclosures normally required by U.S. GAAP or those normally made in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 28, 2011, which has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date. Accordingly, the reader of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2011 for additional information.

 

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Friday closest to January 31. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to years contained herein pertain to the Company’s fiscal year. The Company’s 2011 fiscal year will be a 53-week accounting period that will end on February 3, 2012 and the 2010 fiscal year was a 52-week accounting period that ended on January 28, 2011.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Company’s customary accounting practices. In management’s opinion, all adjustments (which are of a normal recurring nature) necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position as of April 29, 2011 and results of operations for the 13-week quarterly accounting periods ended April 29, 2011 and April 30, 2010 have been made.

 

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The Company uses the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of valuing inventory. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method is made at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory levels, sales for the year and the expected rate of inflation/deflation for the year. The interim LIFO calculations are subject to adjustment in the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation. The Company recorded LIFO charges of $3.6 million and zero in the 13-week periods ended April 29, 2011 and April 30, 2010, respectively. In addition, ongoing estimates of inventory shrinkage and initial markups and markdowns are included in the interim cost of goods sold calculation. Because the Company’s

 

4



 

business is moderately seasonal, the results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

 

Certain financial statement amounts relating to prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

2.           Comprehensive income

 

Comprehensive income consists of the following:

 

 

 

13 Weeks Ended

 

(in thousands)

 

April 29,
2011

 

April 30,
2010

 

Net income

 

$

156,969

 

$

135,996

 

Unrealized net gain on hedged transactions, net of income tax expense of $3,016 and $3,400 respectively (see Note 7)

 

4,700

 

4,396

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

161,669

 

$

140,392

 

 

3.           Earnings per share

 

Earnings per share is computed as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

 

13 Weeks Ended April 29, 2011

 

13 Weeks Ended April 30, 2010

 

 

 

Net
Income

 

Shares

 

Per Share
Amount

 

Net
Income

 

Shares

 

Per Share
Amount

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

156,969

 

341,522

 

$

0.46

 

$

135,996

 

340,819

 

$

0.40

 

Effect of dilutive share-based awards

 

 

 

3,871

 

 

 

 

 

3,578

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

156,969

 

345,393

 

$

0.45

 

$

135,996

 

344,397

 

$

0.39

 

 

Basic earnings per share was computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share was determined based on the dilutive effect of stock options using the treasury stock method.

 

Options to purchase shares of common stock that were outstanding at the end of the respective periods, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of exercising such options would be antidilutive, were 0.4 million and 0.3 million in the 2011 and 2010 periods, respectively.

 

4.           Income taxes

 

Under the accounting standards for income taxes, the asset and liability method is used for computing the future income tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements or income tax returns.

 

Income tax reserves are determined using the methodology established by accounting standards for income taxes which require companies to assess each income tax position taken using a two step approach. A determination is first made as to whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, based upon the technical merits, upon examination by the

 

5



 

taxing authorities. If the tax position is expected to meet the more likely than not criteria, the benefit recorded for the tax position equals the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement of the respective tax position.

 

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) is examining the Company’s federal income tax returns for fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008.  The 2005 and earlier years are not open for examination.  The 2009 and 2010 fiscal years, while not currently under examination, are subject to examination at the discretion of the IRS.  The Company has various state income tax examinations that are currently in progress.  The estimated liability related to these state income tax examinations is included in the Company’s reserve for uncertain tax positions.  Generally, the Company’s tax years ended in 2007 and forward remain open for examination by the various state taxing authorities.

 

As of April 29, 2011, accruals for uncertain tax benefits, interest expense related to income taxes and potential income tax penalties were $26.4 million, $2.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively, for a total of $29.0 million. Of this amount, $0.2 million and $27.5 million are reflected in current liabilities as Accrued expenses and other and in noncurrent Other liabilities, respectively, in the condensed consolidated balance sheet with the remaining $1.3 million reducing deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carry forwards.

 

The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the reserve for uncertain tax positions may be reduced by approximately $1.4 million in the coming twelve months principally as a result of the settlement of currently ongoing state income tax examinations. The reasonably possible change of $1.4 million is included in current liabilities in Accrued expenses and other in the amount of $0.2 million and in noncurrent Other liabilities in the amount of $1.2 million in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of April 29, 2011. Also, as of April 29, 2011, approximately $26.5 million of the reserve for uncertain tax positions would impact the Company’s effective income tax rate if the Company were to recognize the tax benefit for these positions.

 

The effective income tax rate for the 13-week period ended April 29, 2011 was 38.1% compared to a rate of 37.8% for the 13-week period ended April 30, 2010 which represents a net increase of 0.3%.

 

5.           Current and long-term obligations

 

On April 29, 2011, the Company repurchased in the open market $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.625% senior notes due 2015 at a price of 107.0% plus accrued and unpaid interest. The pretax loss on this transaction of $2.2 million is reflected in Other (income) expense in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of income for the 13-week period ended April 29, 2011.

 

6.           Assets and liabilities measured at fair value

 

Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market

 

6



 

participant assumptions in fair value measurements, fair value accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).

 

The Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivative financial instruments using the income approach fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. However, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. As of April 29, 2011, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety, as discussed in detail in Note 7, are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company’s long-term obligations classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy are valued at cost. The Company does not have any fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of April 29, 2011.

 

(in thousands)

 

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets and
Liabilities
(Level 1)

 

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 

Balance at
April 29,
2011

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trading securities (a)

 

$

7,643

 

$

 

$

 

$

7,643

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term obligations (b)

 

3,369,251

 

20,458

 

 

3,389,709

 

Derivative financial instruments (c)

 

 

27,455

 

 

27,455

 

Deferred compensation (d)

 

19,118

 

 

 

19,118

 

 


(a)         Reflected at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as Prepaid expenses and other current assets of $1,369 and Other assets, net of $6,274.

(b)        Reflected at book value in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as Current portion of long-term obligations of $1,039 and Long-term obligations of $3,262,597.

(c)         Reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as non-current Other liabilities.

(d)        Reflected at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as Accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $1,369 and non-current Other liabilities of $17,749.

 

7.            Derivatives and hedging activities

 

The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a

 

7



 

hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Derivatives may also be designated as hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge a certain portion of its risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply the hedge accounting standards.

 

Risk management objective of using derivatives

 

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company’s borrowings.

 

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from uncertainties of future market values caused by the fluctuation in the prices of commodities. From time to time the Company may enter into derivative financial instruments to protect against future price changes related to these commodity prices.

 

Cash flow hedges of interest rate risk

 

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.

 

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (also referred to as “OCI”) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During the 13-week periods ended April 29, 2011 and April 30, 2010, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing variable-rate debt. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings.

 

8



 

As of April 29, 2011, the Company had three interest rate swaps with a combined notional value of $960.0 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. Amounts reported in Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. The Company terminated an interest rate swap in October 2008 due to the bankruptcy declaration of the counterparty bank. The Company continues to report the net gain or loss related to the discontinued cash flow hedge in OCI, and such net gain or loss is expected to be reclassified into earnings during the original contractual terms of the swap agreement as the hedged interest payments are expected to occur as forecasted. During the next 52-week period, the Company estimates that an additional $22.6 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense for all of its interest rate swaps.

 

Non-designated hedges of commodity risk

 

Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company’s exposure to commodity price risk but do not meet strict hedge accounting requirements. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in earnings. As of April 29, 2011, and April 30, 2010, the Company had no such non-designated hedges.

 

The tables below present the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of April 29, 2011 and January 28, 2011:

 

(in thousands)

 

April 29,
2011

 

January 28,
2011

 

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps classified as Other liabilities

 

$

27,455

 

$

34,923

 

 

The table below presents the pre-tax effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the condensed consolidated statement of income (including OCI, see Note 2) for the 13-week periods ended April 29, 2011 and April 30, 2010:

 

 

 

13 Weeks Ended

 

(in thousands)

 

April 29,
2011

 

April 30,
2010

 

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

 

 

 

 

 

Loss related to effective portion of derivative recognized in OCI

 

$

1,603

 

$

4,543

 

Loss related to effective portion of derivative reclassified from Accumulated OCI to Interest expense

 

$

9,319

 

$

12,340

 

Loss related to ineffective portion of derivative recognized in Other (income) expense

 

$

106

 

$

145

 

 

Credit-risk-related contingent features

 

The Company has agreements with all of its interest rate swap counterparties that contain a provision providing that the Company could be declared in default on its derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to the Company’s default on such indebtedness.

 

9



 

As of April 29, 2011, the fair value of interest rate swaps in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk related to these agreements, was $28.2 million. If the Company had breached any of these provisions at April 29, 2011, it could have been required to post full collateral or settle its obligations under the agreements at an estimated termination value equal to the fair value of $28.2 million. As of April 29, 2011, the Company had not breached any of these provisions or posted any collateral related to these agreements.

 

8.           Commitments and contingencies

 

Legal proceedings

 

On August 7, 2006, a lawsuit entitled Cynthia Richter, et al. v. Dolgencorp, Inc., et al. was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (Case No. 7:06-cv-01537-LSC) (“Richter”) in which the plaintiff alleges that she and other current and former Dollar General store managers were improperly classified as exempt executive employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) and seeks to recover overtime pay, liquidated damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs. On August 15, 2006, the Richter plaintiff filed a motion in which she asked the court to certify a nationwide class of current and former store managers. The Company opposed the plaintiff’s motion. On March 23, 2007, the court conditionally certified a nationwide class. On December 2, 2009, notice was mailed to over 28,000 current or former Dollar General store managers, and approximately 3,860 individuals opted into the lawsuit. In September 2010, the court entered a scheduling order that governs, among other things, deadlines for fact discovery (September 30, 2011) and the Company’s anticipated decertification motion (August 15, 2011). The court’s scheduling order establishes a trial date of February 12, 2012.

 

The Company believes that its store managers are and have been properly classified as exempt employees under the FLSA and that the Richter action is not appropriate for collective action treatment. The Company has obtained summary judgment in some, although not all, of its pending individual or single-plaintiff store manager exemption cases in which it has filed such a motion.

 

The Company intends to vigorously defend the Richter matter. However, at this time, it is not possible to predict whether Richter ultimately will be permitted to proceed collectively, and no assurances can be given that the Company will be successful in its defense of the action on the merits or otherwise. Similarly, at this time the Company cannot estimate either the size of any potential class or the value of the claims asserted in Richter . For these reasons, the Company is unable to estimate any potential loss or range of loss in the matter; however, if the Company is not successful in its defense efforts, the resolution of Richter could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements as a whole.

 

On May 18, 2006, the Company was served with a lawsuit entitled Tammy Brickey, Becky Norman, Rose Rochow, Sandra Cogswell and Melinda Sappington v. Dolgencorp, Inc. and Dollar General Corporation (Western District of New York, Case No. 6:06-cv-06084-DGL, originally filed on February 9, 2006 and amended on May 12, 2006 (“Brickey”)). The Brickey plaintiffs seek to proceed collectively under the FLSA and as a class under New York, Ohio,

 

10



 

Maryland and North Carolina wage and hour statutes on behalf of, among others, assistant store managers who claim to be owed wages (including overtime wages) under those statutes. On February 22, 2011, the court denied the plaintiffs’ class certification motion in its entirety and ordered that the matter proceed only as to the named plaintiffs.  On March 22, 2011, the plaintiffs moved the court for reconsideration of its Order denying their class certification motion.  On March 30, 2011, the plaintiffs’ reconsideration motion was denied.  To date, the plaintiffs have not appealed. If the case proceeds only as to the named plaintiffs, the Company does not expect the outcome to be material to its financial statements as a whole.

 

On March 7, 2006, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama ( Janet Calvert v. Dolgencorp, Inc. , Case No. 2:06-cv-00465-VEH (“Calvert”)), in which the plaintiff, a former store manager, alleged that she was paid less than male store managers because of her sex, in violation of the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (“Title VII”) (now captioned, Wanda Womack, et al. v. Dolgencorp, Inc., Case No. 2:06-cv-00465-VEH). The complaint subsequently was amended to include additional plaintiffs, who also allege to have been paid less than males because of their sex, and to add allegations that the Company’s compensation practices disparately impact females. Under the amended complaint, plaintiffs seek to proceed collectively under the Equal Pay Act and as a class under Title VII, and request back wages, injunctive and declaratory relief, liquidated damages, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees and costs.

 

On July 9, 2007, the plaintiffs filed a motion in which they asked the court to approve the issuance of notice to a class of current and former female store managers under the Equal Pay Act. The Company opposed plaintiffs’ motion. On November 30, 2007, the court conditionally certified a nationwide class of females under the Equal Pay Act who worked for Dollar General as store managers between November 30, 2004 and November 30, 2007. The notice was issued on January 11, 2008, and persons to whom the notice was sent were required to opt into the suit by March 11, 2008. Approximately 2,100 individuals have opted into the lawsuit.

 

On April 19, 2010, the plaintiffs moved for class certification relating to their Title VII claims. The Company filed its response to the certification motion in June 2010. Briefing has closed, and the parties are awaiting a ruling. The Company’s motion to decertify the Equal Pay Act class was denied as premature. If the case proceeds, the Company expects to file a similar motion in due course.

 

The parties agreed to mediate this action, and the court has stayed the action pending the results of the mediation.  The mediation occurred in March and April, 2011, and the Company has reached an agreement in principle to settle the matter on behalf of the entire putative class. The proposed settlement, which still must be submitted to and approved by the court, provides for both monetary and equitable relief. Under the proposed terms, the Company will pay $15.5 million into a fund for the class members that will be apportioned and paid out to individual members (less any additional attorneys’ fees or litigation costs approved by the court), upon submission of a valid claim. It will pay an additional $3.25 million for plaintiffs’ legal fees and costs.  Of the total $18.75 million anticipated payment, the Company expects to receive reimbursement from its Employment Practices Liability Insurance (“EPLI”) carrier of approximately $15.9 million, which represents the balance remaining of the $20 million EPLI policy covering the claims.  In addition, the Company has agreed to make certain adjustments to

 

11



 

its pay setting policies and procedures for new store managers.  If approved, the Company expects to implement the new pay policies and practices no later than April 2012.  The Company expects the proposed settlement to be filed with the court in June of 2011 and anticipates the court’s ruling sometime during the summer of 2011. Because it deems settlement probable and estimable, the Company has appropriately accrued for the net settlement as well as for certain additional anticipated fees related thereto during the 13-week period ended April 29, 2011, and concurrently recorded a receivable of approximately $15.9 million from its EPLI carrier.

 

At this time, although probable it is not certain that the court will approve the settlement. If it does not, and the case proceeds, it is not possible at this time to predict whether the court ultimately will permit the action to proceed collectively under the Equal Pay Act or as a class under Title VII. Although the Company intends to vigorously defend the action, no assurances can be given that it would be successful in the defense on the merits or otherwise. At this stage in the proceedings, the Company cannot estimate either the size of any potential class or the value of the claims raised in this action if it proceeds. For these reasons, the Company is unable to estimate any potential loss or range of loss in such a scenario; however, if the Company is not successful in defending this action, its resolution could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements as a whole.

 

On June 16, 2010, a lawsuit entitled Shaleka Gross, et al v. Dollar General Corporation was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi (Civil Action No. 3:10CV340WHB-LR) in which three former non-exempt store employees, on behalf of themselves and certain other non-exempt Dollar General store employees, alleged that they were not paid for all hours worked in violation of the FLSA. Specifically, plaintiffs alleged that they were not properly paid for certain breaks and sought back wages (including overtime wages), liquidated damages and attorneys’ fees and costs.

 

Before the Company was served with the Gross complaint, the plaintiffs dismissed the action and re-filed it in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, now captioned as Cynthia Walker, et al. v. Dollar General Corporation, et al. (Civil Action No. 4:10-CV119-P-S). The Walker complaint was filed on September 16, 2010, and although it adds approximately eight additional plaintiffs, it adds no substantive allegations beyond those alleged in the Gross complaint. The Company filed a motion to transfer the case back to the Southern District of Mississippi and a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction over two corporate defendants and for failure to state a claim as to Dollar General Corporation. The motion to transfer remains pending, but the plaintiffs agreed to dismiss their claims against Dollar General Corporation and Dolgencorp of Texas, Inc., another corporate defendant. Although the court stayed the matter pending resolution of the Company’s motion to dismiss, that stay has not been lifted.  To date, no other individuals have opted into the Walker matter, and the plaintiffs have not asked the court to certify any class.

 

At this time, it is not possible to predict whether the courts will permit the Walker action to proceed collectively. The Company does not believe that Walker is appropriate for collective treatment and believes that its wage and hour policies and practices comply with both federal and state law. Although the Company plans to vigorously defend Walker, no assurances can be given that the Company will be successful in the defense on the merits or otherwise. Similarly, at this time the Company cannot estimate either the size of any potential class or the value of the claims

 

12



 

raised. For these reasons, the Company is unable to estimate any potential loss or range of loss; however if the Company is not successful in its defense efforts, the resolution of this action could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements as a whole.

 

On August 26, 2010, a lawsuit containing allegations substantially similar to those raised in the Walker matter was filed by a single plaintiff in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky (Brenda McCown v. Dollar General Corporation , Case No. 210-297 (WOB)). On May 11, 2011, the Company agreed to resolve the matter for an amount that is not material to its financial statements as a whole.

 

In October 2008, the Company terminated an interest rate swap as a result of the counterparty’s declaration of bankruptcy. This declaration of bankruptcy constituted a default under the contract governing the swap, giving the Company the right to terminate. The Company subsequently settled the swap in November 2008 for approximately $7.6 million, including interest accrued to the date of termination. On May 14, 2010, the Company received a demand from the counterparty for an additional payment of approximately $19 million plus interest, claiming that the valuation used to calculate the $7.6 million was commercially unreasonable, and seeking to invoke the alternative dispute resolution procedures established by the bankruptcy court. The Company participated in the alternative dispute resolution procedures as it believed a reasonable settlement would be in the best interest of the Company to avoid the substantial risk and costs of litigation. In April of 2011, the Company reached a settlement with the counterparty under which the Company paid an additional $9.85 million in exchange for a full release. The Company appropriately accrued the settlement amount along with additional expected fees and costs related thereto in the 13-week period ended April 29, 2011. The settlement was finalized and the payment was made in May 2011.

 

From time to time, the Company is a party to various other legal actions involving claims incidental to the conduct of its business, including actions by employees, consumers, suppliers, government agencies, or others through private actions, class actions, administrative proceedings, regulatory actions or other litigation, including without limitation under federal and state employment laws and wage and hour laws. The Company believes, based upon information currently available, that such other litigation and claims, both individually and in the aggregate, will be resolved without a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements as a whole. However, litigation involves an element of uncertainty. Future developments could cause these actions or claims to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, or financial position. In addition, certain of these lawsuits, if decided adversely to the Company or settled by the Company, may result in liability material to the Company’s financial position or may negatively affect operating results if changes to the Company’s business operation are required.

 

13



 

9.           Segment reporting

 

The Company manages its business on the basis of one reportable segment. As of April 29, 2011, all of the Company’s operations were located within the United States, with the exception of a Hong Kong subsidiary and a liaison office in India, the collective assets and revenues of which are not material. Net sales grouped by classes of similar products are presented below.

 

 

 

13 Weeks Ended

 

(in thousands)

 

April 29,
2011

 

April 30,
2010

 

Classes of similar products:

 

 

 

 

 

Consumables

 

$

2,529,070

 

$

2,231,500

 

Seasonal

 

457,057

 

430,051

 

Home products

 

234,208

 

224,867

 

Apparel

 

231,362

 

224,896

 

Net sales

 

$

3,451,697

 

$

3,111,314

 

 

10.         Related party transactions

 

Affiliates of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (“KKR”) and Goldman, Sachs & Co. indirectly own a substantial portion of the Company’s common stock. A Member and a Director of KKR and a Managing Director of Goldman, Sachs & Co. serve on the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

Affiliates of KKR and Goldman, Sachs & Co. (among other entities) may be lenders under the Company’s senior secured term loan facility (“Term Loan Facility”) with an original July 2007 principal amount of $2.3 billion and a principal balance as of April 29, 2011 of approximately $1.96 billion. The Company paid approximately $21.9 million and $14.8 million of interest on the Term Loan Facility during the 13-week periods ended April 29, 2011 and April 30, 2010, respectively.

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co. is a counterparty to an amortizing interest rate swap with a $280.0 million notional amount as of April 29, 2011, entered into in connection with the Term Loan Facility. The Company paid Goldman, Sachs & Co. approximately $7.3 million and $4.7 million in the periods ended April 29, 2011 and April 30, 2010, respectively, pursuant to this swap.

 

The Company periodically reimburses KKR for incidental expenses incurred on behalf of the Company, including reimbursements of $0 and $0.1 million for the periods ended April 29, 2011 and April 30, 2010, respectively.

 

Affiliates of KKR and Goldman, Sachs & Co. served as underwriters in connection with the secondary offering of the Company’s common stock held by certain existing shareholders that was completed in April 2010. The Company did not sell shares of common stock, receive proceeds from such shareholders’ sale of shares of common stock or pay any underwriting fees in connection with the secondary offering, but paid resulting aggregate expenses of approximately $0.7 million. Certain members of the Company’s management exercised registration rights in connection with such offering.

 

14



 

11.         Guarantor subsidiaries

 

Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”) have fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis the Company’s obligations under certain outstanding debt obligations. Each of the Guarantors is a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The following consolidating schedules present condensed financial information on a combined basis, in thousands.

 

15



 

 

 

April 29, 2011

 

 

 

DOLLAR
GENERAL
CORPORATION

 

GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES

 

OTHER
SUBSIDIARIES

 

ELIMINATIONS

 

CONSOLIDATED
TOTAL

 

BALANCE SHEET:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

128,334

 

$

445,583

 

$

28,546

 

$

 

$

602,463

 

Merchandise inventories

 

 

1,767,121

 

 

 

1,767,121

 

Deferred income taxes

 

7,021

 

 

10,639

 

(17,660

)

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

848,325

 

3,931,907

 

9,485

 

(4,652,404

)

137,313

 

Total current assets

 

983,680

 

6,144,611

 

48,670

 

(4,670,064

)

2,506,897

 

Net property and equipment

 

109,075

 

1,453,250

 

271

 

 

1,562,596

 

Goodwill

 

4,338,589

 

 

 

 

4,338,589

 

Intangible assets, net

 

1,199,200

 

52,089

 

 

 

1,251,289

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

48,112

 

(48,112

)

 

Other assets, net

 

5,625,021

 

12,530

 

298,696

 

(5,880,754

)

55,493

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

12,255,565

 

$

7,662,480

 

$

395,749

 

$

(10,598,930

)

$

9,714,864

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term obligations

 

$

 

$

1,039

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,039

 

Accounts payable

 

3,921,932

 

1,600,130

 

50,208

 

(4,638,560

)

933,710

 

Accrued expenses and other

 

101,874

 

230,550

 

61,841

 

(13,843

)

380,422

 

Income taxes payable

 

10,919

 

776

 

20,522

 

 

32,217

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

57,502

 

 

(17,660

)

39,842

 

Total current liabilities

 

4,034,725

 

1,889,997

 

132,571

 

(4,670,063

)

1,387,230

 

Long-term obligations

 

3,505,049

 

3,097,221

 

 

(3,339,673

)

3,262,597

 

Deferred income taxes

 

422,838

 

231,345

 

 

(48,112

)

606,071

 

Other liabilities

 

64,030

 

28,405

 

137,608

 

 

230,043

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable common stock

 

9,267

 

 

 

 

9,267

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

298,844

 

23,855

 

100

 

(23,955

)

298,844

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

2,948,506

 

431,253

 

19,900

 

(451,153

)

2,948,506

 

Retained earnings

 

987,901

 

1,960,404

 

105,570

 

(2,065,974

)

987,901

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(15,595

)

 

 

 

(15,595

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

4,219,656

 

2,415,512

 

125,570

 

(2,541,082

)

4,219,656

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

12,255,565

 

$

7,662,480

 

$

395,749

 

$

(10,598,930

)

$

9,714,864

 

 

16



 

 

 

January 28, 2011

 

 

 

DOLLAR
GENERAL
CORPORATION

 

GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES

 

OTHER
SUBSIDIARIES

 

ELIMINATIONS

 

CONSOLIDATED
TOTAL

 

BALANCE SHEET:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

111,545

 

$

364,404

 

$

21,497

 

$

 

$

497,446

 

Merchandise inventories

 

 

1,765,433

 

 

 

1,765,433

 

Income taxes receivable

 

13,529

 

 

 

(13,529

)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

8,877

 

 

6,825

 

(15,702

)

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

741,352

 

3,698,117

 

4,454

 

(4,338,977

)

104,946

 

Total current assets

 

875,303

 

5,827,954

 

32,776

 

(4,368,208

)

2,367,825

 

Net property and equipment

 

105,155

 

1,419,133

 

287

 

 

1,524,575

 

Goodwill

 

4,338,589

 

 

 

 

4,338,589

 

Intangible assets, net

 

1,199,200

 

57,722

 

 

 

1,256,922

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

47,690

 

(47,690

)

 

Other assets, net

 

5,337,522

 

12,675

 

304,285

 

(5,596,171

)

58,311

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

11,855,769

 

$

7,317,484

 

$

385,038

 

$

(10,012,069

)

$

9,546,222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term obligations

 

$

 

$

1,157

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,157

 

Accounts payable

 

3,691,564

 

1,541,593

 

50,824

 

(4,330,340

)

953,641

 

Accrued expenses and other

 

68,398

 

226,225

 

61,755

 

(8,637

)

347,741

 

Income taxes payable

 

11,922

 

13,246

 

14,341

 

(13,529

)

25,980

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

52,556

 

 

(15,702

)

36,854

 

Total current liabilities

 

3,771,884

 

1,834,777

 

126,920

 

(4,368,208

)

1,365,373

 

Long-term obligations

 

3,534,447

 

3,000,877

 

 

(3,248,254

)

3,287,070

 

Deferred income taxes

 

417,874

 

228,381

 

 

(47,690

)

598,565

 

Other liabilities

 

67,932

 

27,250

 

136,400

 

 

231,582

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable common stock

 

9,153

 

 

 

 

9,153

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

298,819

 

23,855

 

100

 

(23,955

)

298,819

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

2,945,024

 

431,253

 

19,900

 

(451,153

)

2,945,024

 

Retained earnings

 

830,932

 

1,771,091

 

101,718

 

(1,872,809

)

830,932

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(20,296

)

 

 

 

(20,296

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

4,054,479

 

2,226,199

 

121,718

 

(2,347,917

)

4,054,479

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

11,855,769

 

$

7,317,484

 

$

385,038

 

$

(10,012,069

)

$

9,546,222

 

 

17



 

 

 

For the 13-weeks ended April 29, 2011

 

 

 

DOLLAR
GENERAL
CORPORATION

 

GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES

 

OTHER
SUBSIDIARIES

 

ELIMINATIONS

 

CONSOLIDATED
TOTAL

 

STATEMENTS OF INCOME:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

87,517

 

$

3,451,697

 

$

18,814

 

$

(106,331

)

$

3,451,697

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

2,364,300

 

 

 

2,364,300

 

Gross profit

 

87,517

 

1,087,397

 

18,814

 

(106,331

)

1,087,397

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

79,561

 

774,568

 

17,981

 

(106,331

)

765,779

 

Operating profit

 

7,956

 

312,829

 

833

 

 

321,618

 

Interest income

 

(12,422

)

(3,981

)

(5,228

)

21,612

 

(19

)

Interest expense

 

74,746

 

12,451

 

6

 

(21,612

)

65,591

 

Other (income) expense

 

2,272

 

 

 

 

2,272

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(56,640

)

304,359

 

6,055

 

 

253,774

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(20,444

)

115,046

 

2,203

 

 

96,805

 

Equity in subsidiaries’ earnings, net of taxes

 

193,165

 

 

 

(193,165

)

 

Net income

 

$

156,969

 

$

189,313

 

$

3,852

 

$

(193,165

)

$

156,969

 

 

 

 

For the 13-weeks ended April 30, 2010

 

 

 

DOLLAR
GENERAL
CORPORATION

 

GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES

 

OTHER
SUBSIDIARIES

 

ELIMINATIONS

 

CONSOLIDATED
TOTAL

 

STATEMENTS OF INCOME:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

87,464

 

$

3,111,314

 

$

19,648

 

$

(107,112

)

$

3,111,314

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

2,111,558

 

 

 

2,111,558

 

Gross profit

 

87,464

 

999,756

 

19,648

 

(107,112

)

999,756

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

79,619

 

721,863

 

14,663

 

(107,112

)

709,033

 

Operating profit

 

7,845

 

277,893

 

4,985

 

 

290,723

 

Interest income

 

(11,017

)

(2,710

)

(4,953

)

18,674

 

(6

)

Interest expense

 

79,457

 

11,230

 

5

 

(18,674

)

72,018

 

Other (income) expense

 

145

 

 

 

 

145

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(60,740

)

269,373

 

9,933

 

 

218,566

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(22,803

)

101,910

 

3,463

 

 

82,570

 

Equity in subsidiaries’ earnings, net of taxes

 

173,933

 

 

 

(173,933

)

 

Net income

 

$

135,996

 

$

167,463

 

$

6,470

 

$

(173,933

)

$

135,996

 

 

18



 

 

 

For the 13 weeks ended April 29, 2011

 

 

 

DOLLAR
GENERAL
CORPORATION

 

GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES

 

OTHER
SUBSIDIARIES

 

ELIMINATIONS

 

CONSOLIDATED
TOTAL

 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

156,969

 

$

189,313

 

$

3,852

 

$

(193,165

)

$

156,969

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

8,162

 

59,289

 

35

 

 

67,486

 

Deferred income taxes

 

3,719

 

7,910

 

(4,236

)

 

7,393

 

Tax benefit of stock options

 

(434

)

 

 

 

(434

)

Loss on debt retirement

 

2,167

 

 

 

 

2,167

 

Non-cash share-based compensation

 

3,519

 

 

 

 

3,519

 

Other non-cash gains and losses

 

251

 

4,323

 

 

 

4,574

 

Equity in subsidiaries’ earnings, net

 

(193,165

)

 

 

193,165

 

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merchandise inventories

 

 

(5,275

)

 

 

(5,275

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(16,331

)

(16,741

)

703

 

 

(32,369

)

Accounts payable

 

14,019

 

(39,326

)

(615

)

 

(25,922

)

Accrued expenses and other

 

31,836

 

5,680

 

1,294

 

 

38,810

 

Income taxes

 

12,960

 

(12,470

)

6,181

 

 

6,671

 

Other

 

(328

)

308

 

3

 

 

(17

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

23,344

 

193,011

 

7,217

 

 

223,572

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(9,973

)

(81,966

)

(19

)

 

(91,958

)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

 

 

367

 

 

 

367

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(9,973

)

(81,599

)

(19

)

 

(91,591

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock

 

165

 

 

 

 

165

 

Repayments of long-term obligations

 

(26,750

)

(401

)

 

 

(27,151

)

Repurchases of common stock and settlement of equity awards, net of employee taxes paid

 

(412

)

 

 

 

(412

)

Tax benefit of stock options

 

434

 

 

 

 

434

 

Changes in intercompany note balances, net

 

29,981

 

(29,832

)

(149

)

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

3,418

 

(30,233

)

(149

)

 

(26,964

)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

16,789

 

81,179

 

7,049

 

 

105,017

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

111,545

 

364,404

 

21,497

 

 

497,446

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

128,334

 

$

445,583

 

$

28,546

 

$

 

$

602,463

 

 

19


 


 

 

 

For the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2010

 

 

 

DOLLAR
GENERAL
CORPORATION

 

GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES

 

OTHER
SUBSIDIARIES

 

ELIMINATIONS

 

CONSOLIDATED
TOTAL

 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

135,996

 

$

167,463

 

$

6,470

 

$

(173,933

)

$

135,996

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

8,518

 

54,724

 

10

 

 

63,252

 

Deferred income taxes

 

9,157

 

3,812

 

(2,940

)

 

10,029

 

Tax benefit of stock options

 

(4,806

)

 

 

 

(4,806

)

Non-cash share-based compensation

 

4,979

 

 

 

 

4,979

 

Other non-cash gains and losses

 

346

 

1,287

 

 

 

1,633

 

Equity in subsidiaries’ earnings, net

 

(173,933

)

 

 

173,933

 

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merchandise inventories

 

 

(85,176

)

 

 

(85,176

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(1,202

)

(12,382

)

81

 

 

(13,503

)

Accounts payable

 

(16,314

)

(20,634

)

(6

)

 

(36,954

)

Accrued expenses and other

 

5,806

 

(29,844

)

(2,684

)

 

(26,722

)

Income taxes

 

34,982

 

1,879

 

5,649

 

 

42,510

 

Other

 

1

 

(28

)

1

 

 

(26

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

3,530

 

81,101

 

6,581

 

 

91,212

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(6,086

)

(84,899

)

(13

)

 

(90,998

)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

 

 

258

 

 

 

258

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(6,086

)

(84,641

)

(13

)

 

(90,740

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock

 

285

 

 

 

 

285

 

Repayments of long-term obligations

 

 

(463

)

 

 

(463

)

Repurchases of common stock and settlement of equity awards, net of employee taxes paid

 

(4,467

)

 

 

 

(4,467

)

Tax benefit of stock options

 

4,806

 

 

 

 

4,806

 

Changes in intercompany note balances, net

 

(2,090

)

4,821

 

(2,731

)

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(1,466

)

4,358

 

(2,731

)

 

161

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(4,022

)

818

 

3,837

 

 

633

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

97,620

 

103,001

 

21,455

 

 

222,076

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

93,598

 

$

103,819

 

$

25,292

 

$

 

$

222,709

 

 

20



 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Dollar General Corporation:

 

We have reviewed the condensed consolidated balance sheet of Dollar General Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of April 29, 2011, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the thirteen-week periods ended April 29, 2011 and April 30, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

 

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

 

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Dollar General Corporation as of January 28, 2011 and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended (not presented herein) and in our report dated March 22, 2011, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 28, 2011, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

 

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

 

June 1, 2011

 

Nashville, Tennessee

 

 

21



 

ITEM 2.

 

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

 

General

 

This discussion and analysis is based on, should be read with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes, as well as our consolidated financial statements and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 28, 2011. It also should be read in conjunction with the disclosure under “Cautionary Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this report.

 

Executive Overview

 

We are the largest discount retailer in the United States by number of stores, with 9,496 stores located in 35 states as of April 29, 2011, primarily in the southern, southwestern, midwestern and eastern United States. We offer a broad selection of merchandise, including consumable products such as food, paper and cleaning products, health and beauty products and pet supplies, and non-consumable products such as seasonal merchandise, home decor and domestics, and apparel. Our merchandise includes high quality national brands from leading manufacturers, as well as comparable quality private brand selections with prices at substantial discounts to national brands. We offer our customers these national brand and private brand products at everyday low prices (typically $10 or less) in our convenient small-box (small store) locations.

 

The customers we serve are value-conscious, and Dollar General has always been intensely focused on helping our customers make the most of their spending dollars. We believe our convenient store format and broad selection of high quality products at compelling values have driven our substantial growth and financial success over the years. Like other companies, over the past three years we have been operating in an environment with heightened economic challenges and uncertainties. Consumers are facing very high rates of unemployment, fluctuating food, gasoline and energy costs, rising medical costs, and a continued weakness in housing and credit markets, and the timetable for economic recovery remains uncertain. Similarly, we continue to face significant uncertainty with respect to commodity and diesel fuel prices. Nonetheless, as a result of our long-term mission of serving the value-conscious customer, coupled with a vigorous focus on improving our operating and financial performance, we remain optimistic with regard to executing our operating priorities in 2011.

 

At the beginning of 2008, we defined the following four operating priorities on which we remain keenly focused:

 

·                                           drive productive sales growth,

 

·                                           increase our gross profit rate,

 

·                                           leverage process improvements and information technology to reduce costs, and

 

22



 

·                                           strengthen and expand our culture of serving others.

 

Our first priority is driving productive sales growth by increasing shopper frequency and transaction amount and maximizing sales per square foot. We have enhanced our category management processes, allowing us to continue expanding our product offerings while also improving profitability, by adding more productive items and eliminating unproductive items. We are utilizing the space in our stores more productively by implementing more consistent space planning; and in the 2011 first quarter, we completed the final phase of our three year initiative to raise the shelf height in our stores, increasing the linear feet available to expand our merchandise offerings. In addition, we are making significant progress in defining and improving our store standards with a goal of maintaining a consistent look and feel across all stores. We evaluate our store hours on an ongoing basis and opportunistically adjust our hours for our customers’ convenience. We are targeting both new and existing customers with our improved advertising circulars as well as through our website and social media. Finally, we believe we have significant potential to grow sales through new store growth in both existing and new markets. We plan to open approximately 625 new stores in fiscal 2011, including 139 stores opened in the first quarter, and to enter three additional states: Connecticut, New Hampshire and Nevada. We are currently in the process of developing our strategy and locating store sites for our planned entrance into California in 2012. Our criteria for opening new stores are based on numerous factors including, among other things, availability of appropriate sites, expected sales, lease terms, population demographics, competition, and the employment environment.

 

Our second priority is to increase gross profit through category management, distribution efficiencies, shrink reduction, an improved pricing model, and expansion of private brand offerings and increased foreign sourcing. Over the period from 2008 through 2010, our gross profit rate improved significantly, and we believe we have additional opportunities to improve, although at a more moderate pace. Our merchandising team has been successful in efforts to upgrade our merchandise selection to better serve our customers while managing our everyday low price strategy. We constantly review our pricing and markdown strategies and work diligently to minimize product cost increases and to remain competitive. We believe we have the potential to directly source a larger portion of our products at significant savings to current costs. We are focused on sales of private brands, which generally have higher gross profit rates than national brands, while we continue to offer a wide variety of national brands to ensure an optimal mix of product offerings. Our operations group continues to be highly focused on inventory shrink reduction initiatives, while our supply chain team continues its efforts to increase efficiencies, with the goal of leveraging transportation and distribution expenses.

 

Our third priority is leveraging process improvements and information technology to reduce costs. We are committed as an organization to extract costs that do not affect the customer experience. Examples of our cost reduction initiatives include the implementation of workforce management standards, a keen focus on safety to minimize workers’ compensation expense, health awareness initiatives to control healthcare costs, the installation of energy management systems in our stores as well as increased preventive maintenance, and the reduction of waste management costs through recycling of cardboard. In addition, our real estate team has had success in negotiating lease renewals which we anticipate will benefit us going forward.

 

23



 

Our fourth priority is to strengthen and expand Dollar General’s culture of serving others. For customers this means helping them “Save time. Save money. Every day!” by providing clean, well-stocked stores with quality products at low prices.  For employees, this means creating an environment that attracts and retains key employees throughout the organization. For the public, this means giving back to our store communities. For shareholders, this means meeting their expectations of an efficiently and profitably run organization that operates with compassion and integrity.

 

Focus on these priorities has resulted in improved performance in the first quarter of 2011 over the comparable 2010 period in many of our key financial metrics. Basis points amounts referred to below are equal to 0.01% as a percentage of sales.

 

·                   Total sales increased 10.9% to $3.45 billion. Sales in same-stores increased 5.4% driven by increases in customer traffic and average transaction amount. Average sales per square foot for all stores over the 52-week period ended April 29, 2011 were approximately $203, up from $197 for the comparable prior 52-week period.

 

·                   Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 31.5% compared to 32.1% in the 2010 period. In the quarter, we took higher markdowns and refrained from making significant price increases in order to build customer loyalty and drive sales in a challenging macroeconomic environment. The gross profit rate was also impacted by a change in sales mix resulting from sales of consumables, which generally have a lower gross profit rate, increasing at a higher rate than non-consumables. In addition, increased fuel prices contributed to higher transportation costs, and we recorded a LIFO charge in the 2011 quarter only.  Inventory shrink reduction and distribution efficiencies had a favorable impact on gross profit in the quarter.

 

·                   Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, as a percentage of sales, was 22.2% compared to 22.8% in the 2010 quarter, a decrease of 60 basis points. The improvement was primarily driven by retail labor, and to a lesser degree advertising and repairs and maintenance. The 2011 quarter included accruals for the expected settlement of two legal matters while the 2010 quarter included certain expenses resulting from a secondary offering of our common stock, and the difference between these items accounted for 10 of the 60 basis points reduction.

 

·                   Interest expense decreased by $6.4 million to $65.6 million in the 2011 first quarter. In the quarter, we repurchased an additional $25 million of our 10.625% senior notes due 2015, resulting in a pretax loss of $2.2 million. Total long-term obligations as of April 29, 2011 were $3.26 billion.

 

·                   Net income was $157.0 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, compared to net income of $136.0 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, in the 2010 quarter.

 

·                   Cash generated from operating activities was $223.6 million. At April 29, 2011, we had a cash balance of $602.5 million.

 

24



 

·                   Inventory turnover was 5.2 times on a rolling four-quarter basis. Inventories increased 4% on a per store basis over the 2010 first quarter. Improving our in-stock levels, while improving our inventory turns, remains a high priority.

 

·                   During the 2011 first quarter, we opened 139 new stores, remodeled or relocated 184 stores, and closed 15 stores, resulting in a store count of 9,496 as of April 29, 2011.

 

During the quarter, we were very cautious with regard to raising prices to the consumer. In this period of extended macroeconomic uncertainties, we believe that adhering to our strategy of everyday low prices has helped us to build loyalty with our customers as evidenced by our strong same-store sales. We expect to continue to experience uncertainty with regard to product costs, and we expect transportation costs to remain high or to increase for the remainder of the year due to diesel fuel rates. We also do not expect that the percentage of non-consumables sales in our total sales mix will grow significantly this year as we do not believe that our customers will be able to increase their discretionary spending due to the economic uncertainty they continue to face.

 

As discussed in more detail below, in recent years we have generated significant cash flows from operating activities. We have used a portion of these cash flows to pay down debt and to invest in new store growth through our traditional leased stores. We currently estimate that in 2011, the average cost per traditional leased store including improvements, equipment and fixtures will be as follows: $185,000 for new stores, $175,000 for relocated stores, and $90,000 for remodeled stores. These costs include strategic merchandising sales initiatives related to an increased number of in-store coolers, additional fixtures and equipment, and higher leasehold improvement costs for stores in metropolitan areas. Initial inventory, net of payables, increases the investment in new leased stores by approximately $75,000. In addition, during 2010 we made a strategic decision to purchase certain of our leased stores. This program has continued into 2011. We believe that the current environment in the real estate markets provides an opportunity to make these investments at levels which are expected to result in favorable returns and positively impact our operating results.

 

The above discussion is a summary only. Readers should refer to the detailed discussion of our operating results below for the full analysis of our financial performance in the current year period as compared with the prior year period.

 

Results of Operations

 

Accounting Periods . We follow the concept of a 52-53 week fiscal year that ends on the Friday nearest to January 31. The following text contains references to years 2011 and 2010, which represent the 53-week fiscal year ending February 3, 2012, and the 52-week fiscal year ended January 28, 2011. References to the first quarter accounting periods for 2011 and 2010 contained herein refer to the 13-week accounting periods ended April 29, 2011 and April 30, 2010, respectively.

 

Seasonality. The nature of our business is seasonal to a certain extent. Primarily because of sales of holiday-related merchandise, our sales and gross profit rate in the fourth quarter have historically been higher than those achieved in each of the first three quarters of the fiscal year.

 

25



 

Expenses and, to a greater extent, operating income, vary by quarter. Results of a period shorter than a full year may not be indicative of results expected for the entire year. Furthermore, the seasonal nature of our business may affect comparisons between periods.

 

The following table contains results of operations data for the first 13 weeks of each of 2011 and 2010, and the dollar and percentage variances among those periods:

 

 

 

13 Weeks Ended

 

2011 vs. 2010

 

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

April 29,
2011

 

April 30,
2010

 

Amount
change

 

%
change

 

Net sales by category:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumables

 

$

2,529.1

 

$

2,231.5

 

$

297.6

 

13.3

%

% of net sales

 

73.27

%

71.72

%

 

 

 

 

Seasonal

 

457.1

 

430.1

 

27.0

 

6.3

 

% of net sales

 

13.24

%

13.82

%

 

 

 

 

Home products

 

234.2

 

224.9

 

9.3

 

4.2

 

% of net sales

 

6.79

%

7.23

%

 

 

 

 

Apparel

 

231.4

 

224.9

 

6.5

 

2.9

 

% of net sales

 

6.70

%

7.23

%

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

3,451.7

 

3,111.3

 

340.4

 

10.9

 

Cost of goods sold

 

2,364.3

 

2,111.6

 

252.7

 

12.0

 

% of net sales

 

68.50

%

67.87

%

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

1,087.4

 

999.8

 

87.6

 

8.8

 

% of net sales

 

31.50

%

32.13

%

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

765.8

 

709.0

 

56.7

 

8.0

 

% of net sales

 

22.19

%

22.79

%

 

 

 

 

Operating profit

 

321.6

 

290.7

 

30.9

 

10.6

 

% of net sales

 

9.32

%

9.34

%

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

(0.0

)

(0.0

)

(0.0

)

216.7

 

% of net sales

 

(0.00

)%

(0.00

)%

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

65.6

 

72.0

 

(6.4

)

(8.9

)

% of net sales

 

1.90

%

2.31

%

 

 

 

 

Other (income) expense

 

2.3

 

0.1

 

2.1

 

 

% of net sales

 

0.07

%

0.00

%

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

253.8

 

218.6

 

35.2

 

16.1

 

% of net sales

 

7.35

%

7.02

%

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

96.8

 

82.6

 

14.2

 

17.2

 

% of net sales

 

2.80

%

2.65

%

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

157.0

 

$

136.0

 

$

21.0

 

15.4

%

% of net sales

 

4.55

%

4.37

%

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.06

 

15.4

%

 

13 WEEKS ENDED APRIL 29, 2011 AND APRIL 30, 2010

 

Net Sales . The net sales increase in the 2011 first quarter reflects a same-store sales increase of 5.4% compared to the 2010 quarter. Same-stores include stores that have been open for 13 months and remain open at the end of the reporting period. For the 2011 quarter, there were 8,815 same-stores which accounted for sales of $3.24 billion. Increases in customer traffic and average transaction amount contributed to the increase in same-store sales. The remainder of the sales increase was attributable to new stores, partially offset by sales from closed stores.

 

We believe that the increase in sales reflects the impact of various operating and merchandising initiatives discussed in the Executive Overview, including the impact of improved

 

26



 

store standards, the expansion of our merchandise offerings, improved utilization of store square footage and enhanced marketing efforts.

 

Gross Profit. The gross profit rate as a percentage of sales was 31.5% in the 2011 first quarter compared to 32.1% in the 2010 first quarter. The decrease in the 2011 gross profit rate resulted primarily from utilizing higher markdowns to sell through winter apparel and home products, in addition to the impact of the change in sales mix resulting from sales of consumables, which generally have a lower gross profit rate, increasing at a higher rate than sales of non-consumables. Increased transportation costs, resulting from higher rates for diesel fuel, also contributed to the gross profit rate decrease. We recorded a $3.6 million LIFO charge in the 2011 quarter compared to zero in the 2010 quarter. Inventory shrinkage and distribution costs were favorable in the quarter. We believe that maintaining our commitment to everyday low prices is important to maintaining the loyalty of our customers, and so, from time to time, we may experience associated decreases in our gross profit rate.

 

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expense. SG&A expense was 22.2% as a percentage of sales in the 2011 period compared to 22.8% in the 2010 period, a decrease of 60 basis points. SG&A in the 2011 period included expenses totaling $13.1 million, or 38 basis points, for accruals related to the expected settlement of legal matters related to an employment case and a terminated derivatives contract. SG&A in the 2010 period included expenses totaling $15.0 million, or 48 basis points, relating to a secondary offering of our common stock, consisting of $0.7 million of legal and other transaction expenses and $14.3 million relating to the acceleration of certain equity appreciation rights. Retail salaries and store repairs and maintenance increased at a rate lower than our 10.9% increase in sales. In addition, decreases in total advertising costs contributed to the overall decrease in SG&A as a percentage of sales, as did other cost reduction and productivity initiatives. SG&A, as a percentage of sales, was also favorably impacted by the increase in sales. These improvements were partially offset by depreciation and amortization expenses, which increased at a higher rate than the increase in sales, primarily due to increased investment in store fixtures and equipment resulting from recent merchandising initiatives such as raising the height of our store shelves, as well as the purchase of stores.

 

Interest Expense . The decrease in interest expense in the 2011 period from the 2010 period is due to lower outstanding borrowings, resulting from our repurchases of indebtedness in 2010 and lower all-in interest rates on our Term Loan Facility which is described below.

 

Other (Income) Expense. In the 2011 period, we recorded pretax losses of $2.2 million resulting from the repurchase in the open market of $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes (as described below) plus accrued and unpaid interest.

 

Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate for the 2011 period was 38.1% compared to a rate of 37.8% for the 2010 period which represents a net increase of 0.3%.

 

27


 


 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Credit Facilities

 

We have two senior secured credit facilities (the “Credit Facilities”) which provide financing of up to $2.995 billion as of April 29, 2011. The Credit Facilities consist of a $1.964 billion senior secured term loan facility (“Term Loan Facility”) and a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility (“ABL Facility”). Total commitments under the ABL Facility are equal to $1.031 billion (of which up to $350.0 million is available for letters of credit), subject to borrowing base availability. The ABL Facility includes borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and for short-term borrowings referred to as swingline loans.

 

The amount available under the ABL Facility (including letters of credit) is subject to certain borrowing base limitations. The ABL Facility includes a “last out” tranche in respect of which we may borrow up to a maximum amount of $101.0 million.

 

Borrowings under the Credit Facilities bear interest at a rate equal to an applicable margin plus, at our option, either (a) LIBOR or (b) a base rate (which is usually equal to the prime rate). The applicable margin for borrowings is (i) under the Term Loan Facility, 2.75% for LIBOR borrowings and 1.75% for base-rate borrowings (ii) as of April 29, 2011, under the ABL Facility (except in the last out tranche described above), 1.25% for LIBOR borrowings and 0.25% for base-rate borrowings; and for any last out borrowings, 2.25% for LIBOR borrowings and 1.25% for base-rate borrowings. The applicable margins for borrowings under the ABL Facility (except in the case of last out borrowings) are subject to adjustment each quarter based on average daily excess availability under the ABL Facility. We are also required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the ABL Facility for any unutilized commitments at a rate of 0.375% per annum. We also must pay customary letter of credit fees.

 

Under the Term Loan Facility we are required to prepay outstanding term loans, subject to certain exceptions, with: up to 50% of our annual excess cash flow (as defined in the credit agreement) which will be reduced to 25% and 0% if we achieve and maintain a total net leverage ratio of 6.0 to 1.0 and 5.0 to 1.0, respectively; the net cash proceeds of certain non-ordinary course asset sales or other dispositions of property; and the net cash proceeds of any incurrence of debt other than proceeds from debt permitted under the senior secured credit agreement. Through April 29, 2011, no prepayments have been required under the prepayment provisions listed above. The Term Loan Facility can be prepaid in whole or in part at any time.

 

We voluntarily prepaid $325.0 million of the Term Loan Facility in January 2010 and, as a result, no further principal payments will be required prior to its maturity on July 6, 2014, assuming no mandatory prepayment provisions are triggered before such date. There is no amortization under the ABL Facility. The entire principal amounts (if any) outstanding under the ABL Facility are due and payable in full at maturity on July 6, 2013.

 

In addition, we are required to prepay the ABL Facility, subject to certain exceptions, with the net cash proceeds of all non-ordinary course asset sales or other dispositions of revolving facility collateral (as defined in the senior secured credit agreement); and to the extent

 

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such extensions of credit exceed the then current borrowing base. Through April 29, 2011, no prepayments have been required under any prepayment provisions.

 

We may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under the Term Loan Facility or the ABL Facility at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR loans.

 

All obligations under the Credit Facilities are unconditionally guaranteed by substantially all of our existing and future domestic subsidiaries (excluding certain immaterial subsidiaries and certain subsidiaries designated by us under our senior secured credit agreements as “unrestricted subsidiaries”), referred to, collectively, as U.S. Guarantors.

 

All obligations and related guarantees under the Term Loan Facility are secured by:

 

·                   a second-priority security interest in all existing and after-acquired inventory, accounts receivable, and other assets arising from such inventory and accounts receivable, of our company and each U.S. Guarantor (the “Revolving Facility Collateral”), subject to certain exceptions;

 

·                   a first-priority security interest in, and mortgages on, substantially all of our and each U.S. Guarantor’s tangible and intangible assets (other than the Revolving Facility Collateral); and

 

·                   a first-priority pledge of 100% of the capital stock held by us, or any of our domestic subsidiaries that are directly owned by us or one of the U.S. Guarantors and 65% of the voting capital stock of each of our existing and future foreign subsidiaries that are directly owned by us or one of the U.S. Guarantors.

 

All obligations and related guarantees under the ABL Facility are secured by the Revolving Facility Collateral, subject to certain exceptions.

 

The senior secured credit agreements contain a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability to: incur additional indebtedness; sell assets; pay dividends and distributions or repurchase our capital stock; make investments or acquisitions; repay or repurchase subordinated indebtedness (including the Senior Subordinated Notes discussed below) and the Senior Notes discussed below; amend material agreements governing our subordinated indebtedness (including the Senior Subordinated Notes discussed below) or our Senior Notes discussed below; or change our lines of business. The senior secured credit agreements also contain certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default.

 

At April 29, 2011, we had no borrowings, $11.9 million of commercial letters of credit, and $52.0 million of standby letters of credit outstanding under our ABL Facility.

 

Senior Notes due 2015 and Senior Subordinated Toggle Notes due 2017

 

As of April 29, 2011, we have $839.3 million aggregate principal amount of 10.625% senior notes due 2015 (the “Senior Notes”) outstanding (reflected in our consolidated balance sheet net of a $10.4 million discount), which mature on July 15, 2015, pursuant to an indenture

 

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dated as of July 6, 2007 (the “senior indenture”), and $450.7 million aggregate principal amount of 11.875%/12.625% senior subordinated toggle notes due 2017 (the “Senior Subordinated Notes”) outstanding, which mature on July 15, 2017, pursuant to an indenture dated as of July 6, 2007 (the “senior subordinated indenture”). The Senior Notes and the Senior Subordinated Notes are collectively referred to herein as the “Notes.” The senior indenture and the senior subordinated indenture are collectively referred to herein as the “indentures.”

 

Interest on the Notes is payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable in cash. Cash interest on the Senior Subordinated Notes accrues at a rate of 11.875% per annum. For the Senior Subordinated Notes, we previously had the ability to elect to pay interest by increasing the principal amount of the Senior Subordinated Notes or issuing new Senior Subordinated Notes (“PIK interest”) instead of paying cash interest. Due to the expiration of the notification period for such option, all interest on the Notes has been paid or will be payable in cash.

 

We intend to redeem all of the Senior Notes on or following the first scheduled call date in July 2011 at the redemption price set forth in the senior indenture. We also may redeem some or all of the Senior Subordinated Notes at any time at the redemption prices set forth in the senior subordinated indenture. We also may seek, from time to time, to retire some or all of the Notes through cash purchases on the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such redemptions and repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. On April 29, 2011, we repurchased in the open market $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes at a price of 107.0% plus accrued and unpaid interest. The pretax loss on this transaction of approximately $2.2 million was reflected in our consolidated financial statements in the first quarter of 2011.

 

Upon the occurrence of a change of control, which is defined in the indentures, each holder of the Notes has the right to require us to repurchase some or all of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the repurchase date.

 

The indentures contain covenants limiting, among other things, our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to (subject to certain exceptions): i ncur additional debt, issue disqualified stock or issue certain preferred stock; pay dividends on or make certain distributions and other restricted payments; create certain liens or encumbrances; sell assets; enter into transactions with affiliates; make payments to us; consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets; or designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.

 

The indentures also provide for events of default which, if any of them occurs, would permit or require the principal of and accrued interest on the Notes to become or to be declared due and payable.

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

Under the agreements governing the Credit Facilities and the indentures, certain limitations and restrictions could arise if we are not able to satisfy and remain in compliance with

 

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specified financial ratios. Management believes the most significant of such ratios is the senior secured incurrence test under the Credit Facilities. This test measures the ratio of the senior secured debt to Adjusted EBITDA. This ratio would need to be no greater than 4.25 to 1 to avoid such limitations and restrictions. As of April 29, 2011, this ratio was 0.9 to 1. Senior secured debt is defined as our total debt secured by liens or similar encumbrances less cash and cash equivalents. EBITDA is defined as income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle plus interest and other financing costs, net, provision for income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA, further adjusted to give effect to adjustments required in calculating this covenant ratio under our Credit Facilities. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not presentations made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), are not measures of financial performance or condition, liquidity or profitability, and should not be considered as an alternative to (i) net income, operating income or any other performance measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP or (ii) operating cash flows determined in accordance with U.S. 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 and debt service requirements and replacements of fixed assets.

 

Our presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Because not all companies use identical calculations, these presentations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. We believe that the presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate to provide additional information about the calculation of this financial ratio in the Credit Facilities. Adjusted EBITDA is a material component of this ratio. Specifically, non-compliance with the senior secured indebtedness ratio contained in our Credit Facilities could prohibit us, subject to specified exceptions, from making investments, incurring liens, making certain restricted payments and incurring additional secured indebtedness (other than the additional funding provided for under the senior secured credit agreement).

 

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The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA under the Credit Facilities is as follows:

 

 

 

13-weeks ended

 

52-weeks ended

 

(in millions)

 

April 29,
2011

 

April 30,
2010

 

April 29,
2011

 

January 28,
2011

 

Net income

 

$

157.0

 

$

136.0

 

$

648.9

 

$

627.9

 

Add (subtract):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

(0.0

)

(0.0

)

(0.2

)

(0.2

)

Interest expense

 

65.6

 

72.0

 

267.7

 

274.1

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

64.3

 

60.1

 

246.5

 

242.3

 

Income taxes

 

96.8

 

82.6

 

371.3

 

357.1

 

EBITDA

 

383.7

 

350.7

 

1,534.2

 

1,501.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on debt retirements

 

2.2

 

 

16.8

 

14.6

 

Loss on hedging instruments

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

0.4

 

0.4

 

Advisory and consulting fees to affiliates

 

 

0.1

 

 

0.1

 

Non-cash expense for share-based awards

 

3.5

 

6.1

 

13.4

 

16.0

 

Litigation settlement and related costs, net

 

13.1

 

 

13.1

 

 

Indirect costs related to merger and stock offering

 

 

0.8

 

0.5

 

1.3

 

Other non-cash charges (including LIFO)

 

5.5

 

1.8

 

15.2

 

11.5

 

Total Adjustments

 

24.4

 

8.9

 

59.4

 

43.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

408.1

 

$

359.6

 

$

1,593.6

 

$

1,545.1

 

 

Current Financial Condition / Recent Developments

 

At April 29, 2011, we had total outstanding debt (including the current portion of long-term obligations) of approximately $3.26 billion. We had $967.1 million available for borrowing under our ABL Facility at that date. Our liquidity needs are significant, primarily due to our debt service and other obligations. However, we believe our cash flow from operations and existing cash balances, combined with availability under the Credit Facilities, will provide sufficient liquidity to fund our current obligations, projected working capital requirements and capital spending for a period that includes the next twelve months as well as the next several years.

 

Our inventory balance represented approximately 43% of our total assets exclusive of goodwill and other intangible assets as of April 29, 2011. Our proficiency in managing our inventory balances can have a significant impact on our cash flows from operations during a given fiscal year. Inventory purchases are often somewhat seasonal in nature, such as the purchase of warm-weather or Christmas-related merchandise. Efficient management of our inventory has been and continues to be an area of focus for us.

 

As described in Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, we are involved in a number of legal actions and claims, some of which could potentially result in material cash payments. Adverse developments in those actions could materially and adversely affect our liquidity. We also have certain income tax-related contingencies as more fully described below under “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and in Note 4 to the

 

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condensed consolidated financial statements. Future negative developments could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity.

 

In March 2011, Standard & Poor’s, which currently has a rating of BB on our long-term debt, upgraded our outlook from stable to positive. Our Moody’s long-term debt rating remains at Ba3 with a positive outlook. These current ratings are considered non-investment grade. Our current credit ratings, as well as future rating agency actions, could (i) impact our ability to obtain financings to finance our operations on satisfactory terms; (ii) affect our financing costs; and (iii) affect our insurance premiums and collateral requirements necessary for our self-insured programs.

 

Cash flows from operating activities . Cash flows from operating activities were $223.6 million in the 2011 period, an increase of $132.4 million over the 2010 period. The most significant components of the increase in cash flows from operating activities in the 2011 period as compared to the 2010 period were related to working capital in general and Merchandise inventories and Accrued expenses and other in particular. We continue to closely monitor and manage our inventory balances, and they may fluctuate from year to year based on new store openings, the timing of purchases, and other factors. Merchandise inventories were virtually unchanged during the first quarter of 2011 compared to a 6% overall increase during the first quarter of 2010. Inventory levels in our four inventory categories in the 2011 period compared to the respective 2010 period were as follows: the consumables category increased 4% compared to a 7% increase; the seasonal category declined by 6% compared to a 7% increase; the home products category declined by 12% compared to virtually unchanged; and apparel increased by 2% in both periods. The primary items affecting Accrued expenses and other include increased accruals for legal settlements, changes in tax reserves, and lower incentive compensation payments in the 2011 period compared to the 2010 period. Cash flows from operating activities in the 2011 period compared to the 2010 period were positively impacted by our strong operating performance due to greater sales and increased net income, as described in more detail above under “Results of Operations.”

 

Cash flows from investing activities . Significant components of property and equipment purchases in the 2011 period included the following approximate amounts: $40 million for improvements, upgrades, remodels and relocations of existing stores; $22 million related to new leased stores, primarily for leasehold improvements, fixtures and equipment; $17 million for stores purchased or built by us; $7 million for distribution and transportation-related capital expenditures; and $6 million for information systems upgrades and technology-related projects. The timing of new, remodeled and relocated store openings along with other factors may affect the relationship between such openings and the related property and equipment purchases in any given period. During the 2011 period, we opened 139 new stores and remodeled or relocated 184 stores.

 

Significant components of property and equipment purchases in the 2010 period included the following approximate amounts: $38 million for improvements and upgrades to existing stores; $28 million for new leased stores; $14 million for remodels and relocations of existing stores; and $7 million for distribution and transportation related purchases. During the 2010 period, we opened 155 new stores and remodeled or relocated 128 stores.

 

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Capital expenditures for the 2011 fiscal year are projected to be approximately $550 to $600 million. We anticipate funding our 2011 capital requirements with existing cash balances, cash flows from operations, and if necessary, we also have significant availability under our ABL Facility.

 

Cash flows from financing activities . During the 2011 period, we repurchased $25.0 million outstanding principal amount of our outstanding Senior Notes at a total cost of $26.8 million including associated premiums. We had no borrowings or repayments under the ABL Facility in the 2011 or 2010 periods.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. In addition to the estimates presented below, there are other items within our financial statements that require estimation, but are not deemed critical as defined below. We believe these estimates are reasonable and appropriate. However, if actual experience differs from the assumptions and other considerations used, the resulting changes could have a material effect on the financial statements taken as a whole.

 

Management believes the following policies and estimates are critical because they involve significant judgments, assumptions, and estimates. Management has discussed the development and selection of the critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee has reviewed the disclosures presented below relating to those policies and estimates.

 

Merchandise Inventories . Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost determined using the retail last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. Under our retail inventory method (“RIM”), the calculation of gross profit and the resulting valuation of inventories at cost are computed by applying a calculated cost-to-retail inventory ratio to the retail value of sales at a department level. The RIM is an averaging method that has been widely used in the retail industry due to its practicality. Also, it is recognized that the use of the RIM will result in valuing inventories at the lower of cost or market (“LCM”) if markdowns are currently taken as a reduction of the retail value of inventories.

 

Inherent in the RIM calculation are certain significant management judgments and estimates including, among others, initial markups, markdowns, and shrinkage, which significantly impact the gross profit calculation as well as the ending inventory valuation at cost. These significant estimates, coupled with the fact that the RIM is an averaging process, can, under certain circumstances, produce distorted cost figures. Factors that can lead to distortion in the calculation of the inventory balance include:

 

·                   applying the RIM to a group of products that is not fairly uniform in terms of its cost and selling price relationship and turnover;

 

·                   applying the RIM to transactions over a period of time that include different rates of gross profit, such as those relating to seasonal merchandise;

 

34



 

·                   inaccurate estimates of inventory shrinkage between the date of the last physical inventory at a store and the financial statement date; and

 

·                   inaccurate estimates of LCM and/or LIFO reserves.

 

Factors that reduce potential distortion include the use of historical experience in estimating the shrink provision (see discussion below) and an annual LIFO analysis whereby all SKUs are considered in the index formulation. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method is made at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory levels, sales for the year and the expected rate of inflation/deflation for the year and are thus subject to adjustment in the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation. We also perform interim inventory analysis for determining obsolete inventory. Our policy is to write down inventory to an LCM value based on various management assumptions including estimated markdowns and sales required to liquidate such inventory in future periods. Inventory is reviewed on a quarterly basis and adjusted as appropriate to reflect write-downs determined to be necessary.

 

Factors such as slower inventory turnover due to changes in competitors’ practices, consumer preferences, consumer spending and unseasonable weather patterns, among other factors, could cause excess inventory requiring greater than estimated markdowns to entice consumer purchases, resulting in an unfavorable impact on our consolidated financial statements. Sales shortfalls due to the above factors could cause reduced purchases from vendors and associated vendor allowances that would also result in an unfavorable impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

We calculate our shrink provision based on actual physical inventory results during the fiscal period and an accrual for estimated shrink occurring subsequent to a physical inventory through the end of the fiscal reporting period. This accrual is calculated as a percentage of sales at each retail store, at a department level, and is determined by dividing the book-to-physical inventory adjustments recorded during the previous twelve months by the related sales for the same period for each store. To the extent that subsequent physical inventories yield different results than this estimated accrual, our effective shrink rate for a given reporting period will include the impact of adjusting the estimated results to the actual results. Although we perform physical inventories in virtually all of our stores on an annual basis, the same stores do not necessarily get counted in the same reporting periods from year to year, which could impact comparability in a given reporting period.

 

We believe our estimates and assumptions related to merchandise inventories have generally been accurate in recent years and we do not currently anticipate material changes in these estimates and assumptions.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. We amortize intangible assets over their estimated useful lives unless such lives are deemed indefinite. If impairment indicators are noted, amortizable intangible assets are tested for impairment based on projected undiscounted cash flows, and, if impaired, written down to fair value based on either discounted projected cash

 

35



 

flows or appraised values. Future cash flow projections are based on management’s projections. Significant judgments required in this testing process may include projecting future cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates and other assumptions. Projections are based on management’s best estimates given recent financial performance, market trends, strategic plans and other available information which in recent years have been materially accurate. Although not currently anticipated, changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value or impairment. Future indicators of impairment could result in an asset impairment charge.

 

Under accounting standards for goodwill and other intangible assets, we are required to test such assets with indefinite lives for impairment annually, or more frequently if impairment indicators occur. The goodwill impairment test is a two-step process that requires management to make judgments in determining what assumptions to use in the calculation. The first step of the process consists of estimating the fair value of our reporting unit based on valuation techniques (including a discounted cash flow model using revenue and profit forecasts) and comparing that estimated fair value with the recorded carrying value, which includes goodwill. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value, a second step is performed to compute the amount of the impairment by determining an “implied fair value” of goodwill. The determination of the implied fair value of goodwill would require us to allocate the estimated fair value of our reporting unit to its assets and liabilities. Any unallocated fair value represents the implied fair value of goodwill, which would be compared to its corresponding carrying value.

 

The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

 

Our most recent annual impairment tests of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets was performed during the third quarter of 2010 based on conditions as of the end of the second quarter of 2010. The tests indicated that no impairment charge was necessary. We are not currently projecting a decline in cash flows that could be expected to have an adverse effect such as a violation of debt covenants or future impairment charges.

 

Property and Equipment . Property and equipment are recorded at cost. We group our assets into relatively homogeneous classes and generally provide for depreciation on a straight-line basis over the estimated average useful life of each asset class, except for leasehold improvements, which are amortized over the lesser of the applicable lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset. Certain store and warehouse fixtures, when fully depreciated, are removed from the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization accounts. The valuation and classification of these assets and the assignment of depreciable lives involves significant judgments and the use of estimates, which we believe have been materially accurate in recent years.

 

Impairment of Long-lived Assets. We review the carrying value of all long-lived assets for impairment at least annually, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. In accordance with accounting standards for impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, we review for impairment stores open for

 

36



 

approximately two years or more for which recent cash flows from operations are negative. Impairment results when the carrying value of the assets exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows over the life of the lease. Our estimate of undiscounted future cash flows over the lease term is based upon historical operations of the stores and estimates of future store profitability which encompasses many factors that are subject to variability and are difficult to predict. If a long-lived asset is found to be impaired, the amount recognized for impairment is equal to the difference between the carrying value and the asset’s estimated fair value. The fair value is estimated based primarily upon projected future cash flows (discounted at our credit adjusted risk-free rate) or other reasonable estimates of fair market value in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

Insurance Liabilities . We retain a significant portion of the risk for our workers’ compensation, employee health, property loss, automobile and general liability. These represent significant costs primarily due to the large employee base and number of stores. Provisions are made to these liabilities on an undiscounted basis based on actual claim data and estimates of incurred but not reported claims developed using actuarial methodologies based on historical claim trends, which have been and are anticipated to continue to be materially accurate. If future claim trends deviate from recent historical patterns, we may be required to record additional expenses or expense reductions, which could be material to our future financial results.

 

Contingent Liabilities — Income Taxes. Income tax reserves are determined using the methodology established by accounting standards relating to uncertainty in income taxes. These standards require companies to assess each income tax position taken using a two step process. A determination is first made as to whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, based upon the technical merits, upon examination by the taxing authorities. If the tax position is expected to meet the more likely than not criteria, the benefit recorded for the tax position equals the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement of the respective tax position. Uncertain tax positions require determinations and estimated liabilities to be made based on provisions of the tax law which may be subject to change or varying interpretation. If our determinations and estimates prove to be inaccurate, the resulting adjustments could be material to our future financial results.

 

Contingent Liabilities - Legal Matters . We are subject to legal, regulatory and other proceedings and claims. We establish liabilities as appropriate for these claims and proceedings based upon the probability and estimability of losses and to fairly present, in conjunction with the disclosures of these matters in our financial statements and SEC filings, management’s view of our exposure. We review outstanding claims and proceedings with external counsel to assess probability and estimates of loss. We re-evaluate these assessments on a quarterly basis or as new and significant information becomes available to determine whether a liability should be established or if any existing liability should be adjusted. The actual cost of resolving a claim or proceeding ultimately may be substantially different than the amount of the recorded liability. In addition, because it is not permissible under U.S. GAAP to establish a litigation liability until the loss is both probable and estimable, in some cases there may be insufficient time to establish a liability prior to the actual incurrence of the loss (upon verdict and judgment at trial, for example, or in the case of a quickly negotiated settlement).

 

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Lease Accounting and Excess Facilities . Many of our stores are subject to build-to-suit arrangements with landlords, which typically carry a primary lease term of 10-15 years with multiple renewal options. We also have stores subject to shorter-term leases (usually with initial or current terms of 3 to 5 years), and many of these leases have multiple renewal options. As of January 28, 2011, approximately 35% of our stores had provisions for contingent rentals based upon a percentage of defined sales volume. We recognize contingent rental expense when the achievement of specified sales targets is considered probable. We recognize rent expense over the term of the lease. We record minimum rental expense on a straight-line basis over the base, non-cancelable lease term commencing on the date that we take physical possession of the property from the landlord, which normally includes a period prior to store opening to make necessary leasehold improvements and install store fixtures. When a lease contains a predetermined fixed escalation of the minimum rent, we recognize the related rent expense on a straight-line basis and record the difference between the recognized rental expense and the amounts payable under the lease as deferred rent. Tenant allowances, to the extent received, are recorded as deferred incentive rent and amortized as a reduction to rent expense over the term of the lease. We reflect as a liability any difference between the calculated expense and the amounts actually paid. Improvements of leased properties are amortized over the shorter of the life of the applicable lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset.

 

For store closures where a lease obligation still exists, we record the estimated future liability associated with the rental obligation on the date the store is closed in accordance with accounting standards for costs associated with exit or disposal activities. Based on an overall analysis of store performance and expected trends, management periodically evaluates the need to close underperforming stores. Liabilities are established at the point of closure for the present value of any remaining operating lease obligations, net of estimated sublease income, and at the communication date for severance and other exit costs. Key assumptions in calculating the liability include the timeframe expected to terminate lease agreements, estimates related to the sublease potential of closed locations, and estimation of other related exit costs. Historically, these estimates have not been materially inaccurate; however, if actual timing and potential termination costs or realization of sublease income differ from our estimates, the resulting liabilities could vary from recorded amounts. These liabilities are reviewed periodically and adjusted when necessary.

 

Share-Based Payments . Our share-based stock option awards are valued on an individual grant basis using the Black-Scholes-Merton closed form option pricing model. We believe that this model fairly estimates the value of our share-based awards. The application of this valuation model involves assumptions that are judgmental and highly sensitive in the valuation of stock options, which affects compensation expense related to these options. These assumptions include an estimate of the fair value of our common stock, the term that the options are expected to be outstanding, an estimate of the volatility of our stock price (which is based on a peer group of publicly traded companies), applicable interest rates and the dividend yield of our stock. Our volatility estimates are based on a peer group due to the fact that our stock has been publicly traded for a relatively short period of time in relation to the expected term of outstanding options. Other factors involving judgments that affect the expensing of share-based payments include estimated forfeiture rates of share-based awards. Historically, these estimates have not been materially inaccurate; however, if our estimates differ materially from actual experience, we may

 

38



 

be required to record additional expense or reductions of expense, which could be material to our future financial results.

 

Fair Value Measurements. We measure fair value of assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable accounting standards, which require that fair values be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. These standards establish a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy). Therefore, Level 3 inputs are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity, and thus require the use of significant judgment and estimates. Currently, we have no assets or liabilities that are valued based solely on Level 3 inputs.

 

Our fair value measurements are primarily associated with our derivative financial instruments, intangible assets, property and equipment, and to a lesser degree our investments. The values of our derivative financial instruments are determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments (or receipts) and the discounted expected variable cash receipts (or payments). The variable cash receipts (or payments) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. In recent years, these methodologies have produced materially accurate valuations.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments. We account for our derivative instruments in accordance with accounting standards for derivative instruments (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) and hedging activities, as amended and interpreted, which establish accounting and reporting requirements for such instruments and activities. These standards require that every derivative instrument be recorded in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value, and that changes in the derivative’s fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. See “Fair Value Measurements” above for a discussion of derivative valuations. Special accounting for qualifying hedges allows a derivative’s gains and losses to either offset related results on the hedged item in the statement of operations or be accumulated in other comprehensive income, and requires that a company formally document, designate, and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting. We use derivative instruments to manage our exposure to changing interest rates, primarily with interest rate swaps.

 

In addition to making valuation estimates, we also bear the risk that certain derivative instruments that have been designated as hedges and currently meet the strict hedge accounting requirements may not qualify in the future as “highly effective,” as defined, as well as the risk that hedged transactions in cash flow hedging relationships may no longer be considered probable to occur. Further, new interpretations and guidance related to these instruments may be

 

39



 

issued in the future, and we cannot predict the possible impact that such guidance may have on our use of derivative instruments going forward.

 

ITEM 3.                                                      QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

There have been no material changes to the disclosures relating to this item from those set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2011.

 

ITEM 4.                                                      CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

(a)          Disclosure Controls and Procedures .  Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

 

(b)          Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting .  There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) during the quarter ended April 29, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

40



 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.                                        LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

The information contained in Note 8 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements under the heading “Legal proceedings” contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

ITEM 1A.                               RISK FACTORS.

 

There have been no material changes to the disclosures relating to this item from those set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2011.

 

ITEM 2.                                       UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

 

The following table contains information regarding purchases of our common stock made during the quarter ended April 29, 2011 by or on behalf of Dollar General or any “affiliated purchaser,” as defined by Rule 10b-18(a)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

 

Period

 

Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (a)

 

Average
Price Paid
per Share

 

Total Number
of Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs

 

Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs

 

01/29/11-02/28/11

 

 

$

 

 

 

03/01/11-03/31/11

 

1,658

 

$

28.51

 

 

 

04/01/11-04/29/11

 

 

$

 

 

 

Total

 

1,658

 

$

28.51

 

 

 

 


(a)  Represents shares repurchased from employees pursuant to the terms of management stockholder’s agreements.

 

ITEM 6.                                        EXHIBITS.

 

See the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page hereto, which Exhibit Index is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

 

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CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

We include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws throughout this report, particularly under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies.” You can identify these statements because they are not limited to historical fact or they use words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “ believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “estimate,” “objective,” “intend,” or “could,” and similar expressions that concern our strategy, plans, intentions or beliefs about future occurrences or results. For example, statements relating to estimated and projected expenditures, cash flows, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity; plans and objectives for future operations, growth or initiatives; and the expected outcome or effect of pending or threatened litigation or audits are forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, so our actual results may differ materially from those that we expected. We derive many of these statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based on many detailed assumptions that we believe are reasonable. However, it is very difficult to predict the effect of known factors, and we cannot anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements include, without limitation:

 

·                   failure to successfully execute our growth strategy, including delays in store growth, difficulties executing sales and operating profit margin initiatives and inventory shrinkage reduction;

 

·                   the failure of our new store base to achieve sales and operating levels consistent with our expectations;

 

·                   risks and challenges in connection with sourcing merchandise from domestic and foreign vendors, as well as trade restrictions;

 

·                   our level of success in gaining and maintaining broad market acceptance of our private brands and in achieving our other initiatives;

 

·                   unfavorable publicity or consumer perception of our products;

 

·                   our debt levels and restrictions in our debt agreements;

 

·                   economic conditions, including their effect on the financial and capital markets, our suppliers and business partners, employment levels, consumer demand, disposable income, credit availability and spending patterns, inflation, and the cost of goods;

 

·                   increases in commodity prices (including, without limitation, cotton, wheat, corn, sugar, oil, paper and resin);

 

·                   levels of inventory shrinkage;

 

·                   seasonality of our business;

 

·                   increases in costs of fuel or other energy, transportation or utilities costs and in the costs of labor, employment and health care;

 

42



 

·                   the impact of changes in or noncompliance with governmental laws and regulations (including, but not limited to, product safety, healthcare and unionization) and developments in or outcomes of legal proceedings, investigations or audits;

 

·                   disruptions, unanticipated expenses or operational failures in our supply chain including, without limitation, a decrease in transportation capacity for overseas shipments or work stoppages or other labor disruptions that could impede the receipt of merchandise;

 

·                   delays or unanticipated expenses in constructing a new distribution center;

 

·                   damage or interruption to our information systems;

 

·                   changes in our competitive environment and the markets where we operate;

 

·                   natural disasters, unusual weather conditions, pandemic outbreaks, boycotts, war and geo-political events;

 

·                   incurrence of material uninsured losses, excessive insurance costs, or accident costs;

 

·                   our failure to protect our brand name;

 

·                   our loss of key personnel or our inability to hire additional qualified personnel;

 

·                   interest rate and currency exchange fluctuations;

 

·                   a data security breach;

 

·                   our failure to maintain effective internal controls;

 

·                   changes to income tax expense due to changes in or interpretation of tax laws or as a result of federal or state income tax examinations;

 

·                   changes to or new accounting guidance, such as changes to lease accounting guidance or a requirement to convert to international financial reporting standards;

 

·                   factors disclosed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2011; and

 

·                   factors disclosed elsewhere in this document (including, without limitation, in conjunction with the forward-looking statements themselves and under the heading “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”) and other factors.

 

All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by these and other cautionary statements that we make from time to time in our other SEC filings and public communications. You should evaluate forward-looking statements in the context of these risks and uncertainties. These factors may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. We cannot assure you that we will realize the results or developments we anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our operations in the way we expect. The forward-looking statements in this report are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

 

43



 

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, both on behalf of the Registrant and in his capacity as principal financial and accounting officer of the Registrant.

 

 

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

June 1, 2011

 

By:

/s/ David M. Tehle

 

 

David M. Tehle

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

44



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

10.1

 

Dollar General Corporation 2011 Teamshare Bonus Program

 

 

 

10.2

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement, adopted on May 24, 2011, for Stock Option Grants to Employees under the Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Incentive Plan for Key Employees of Dollar General Corporation and its Affiliates

 

 

 

10.3

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, adopted on May 24, 2011, for Grants to Non-Employee Directors under the Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Incentive Plan for Key Employees of Dollar General Corporation and its Affiliates

 

 

 

10.4

 

Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation as amended on May 24, 2011

 

 

 

15

 

Letter re unaudited interim financial information

 

 

 

31

 

Certifications of CEO and CFO under Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)

 

 

 

32

 

Certifications of CEO and CFO under 18 U.S.C. 1350

 

 

 

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

45


Exhibit 10.1

 

 

2011 Teamshare Incentive Program

(established under the Amended and Restated Dollar General Corporation Annual Incentive Plan)

 

I.             Definitions

 

As used in this document:

 

“Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board or any subcommittee thereof which meets the requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

“Management” refers to an individual Teamshare participant’s direct supervisor and/or the Company’s executive officers up to and including the CEO.

 

“Merit Effective Date” shall mean April 1 of the applicable performance period or, if later, the applicable date of the annual merit increase (e.g., for the 2011 Teamshare program, the Merit Effective Date is April 1, 2011).

 

“Teamshare” shall mean this Teamshare Incentive Program, as established under the Amended and Restated Annual Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

II.           Teamshare Overview

 

The Committee establishes the terms of Teamshare, which provides each eligible employee with an opportunity to receive a cash bonus payment equal to a certain percentage of his or her base salary based upon Dollar General’s achievement of one or more pre-established financial performance measures for a specified performance period (typically, our fiscal year).  When more than one financial performance measure is selected, the Committee determines the applicable weight to be assigned to each of the selected measures.

 

Threshold and target performance levels are established for each of the selected performance measures. No Teamshare payout may be made unless the threshold performance level is achieved. The amount payable to each eligible employee if the Company reaches the target performance level(s) is equal to a specified percentage of the eligible employee’s salary, subject to adjustment for performance discussed below under IV (except in the case of executive officers).  Teamshare payments for financial performance below or above the applicable target levels are prorated on a graduated scale commensurate with performance.

 

III.          2011 Teamshare Program

 

For the 2011 Teamshare program, the Committee selected financial performance measures based upon earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as

 

March 17, 2011

Teamshare

 

 

1



 

adjusted for certain items (“Adjusted EBITDA”) and return on invested capital (“ROIC”).  The Adjusted EBITDA measure and the ROIC measure are weighted 90% and 10%, respectively, of the total Teamshare pool.  If, for example, the Company achieves the target Adjusted EBITDA performance level but does not achieve the threshold ROIC performance level, the Teamshare pool will fund at 90%. In determining the level of performance the Company has achieved for each performance measure at year end, certain categories of items previously identified by the Committee may be excluded from the calculation.  Threshold performance results for both Adjusted EBITDA and ROIC coincide with potential Teamshare payout levels equal to 50% of individual payout targets (as a percentage of the eligible employee’s base salary).

 

IV.          Determination of Bonuses

 

(a)    If the Company achieves at least the threshold financial performance levels, each employee who participates in Teamshare will become eligible to receive a Teamshare payout if he or she receives at least a satisfactory individual performance review.

 

(b)    Management (or the Committee in the case of non-executive officers; executive officers may not have an upward adjustment to the Teamshare bonus payout) may adjust upward or downward, or entirely eliminate, the Teamshare payout to any eligible employee based upon personal performance, provided the total funded amount of the Teamshare pool is not exceeded.

 

V.           Individual Eligibility

 

(a)    To be eligible for a Teamshare payout, an employee must:

1.      Be an active regular, full-time or part-time store support center (SSC) or distribution center (DC) employee during the performance period (for Teamshare program, the Company’s 2011 fiscal year).

 

2.      Be hired by January 15 of the performance period.

 

3.      Be employed with the Company through the end of the performance period and on the date on which the Teamshare payment is made (unless otherwise required by state law).

 

4.      Have received a year-end performance rating of “Needs Improvement” or better (for officers, any Teamshare payment is in the Committee’s discretion if the officer receives a “needs improvement” performance rating). Employees rated “Unsatisfactory” are ineligible.

 

(b)    Bonuses for the estates of eligible employees will be eligible to receive the Teamshare payment if the employee’s death occurs on or after the end of the performance period.

 

VI.          Administrative Rules

 

(a)    Bonuses for eligible employees classified as exempt (below the executive officer level) are calculated based on the Company financial performance, with 20% pooled

 

2



 

for allocation on individual performance. At year-end, Management will use the following guidelines in determining an adjustment:

 

Performance Rating

 

Total Bonus Opportunity

O

 

105% - 115%

VG

 

100% - 110%

G

 

90% - 100%

NI

 

40% - 80%

U

 

0%

 

(b)    At year-end, the guidelines above will also be provided to Management for adjusting any Teamshare payouts for eligible non-exempt or hourly employees rated “Needs Improvement”.

 

(c)    Any adjustments to Teamshare payouts for officers are determined by the Committee.

 

(d)    Each eligible employee’s Teamshare payout is computed as a percentage of the applicable base salary (or day of pay if hourly) plus any shift differential.

 

(e)    Teamshare payouts are calculated for eligible employees from the beginning of the performance period to the Merit Effective Date based on the eligible employee’s salary (or day of pay if hourly) as of the Merit Effective Date.

 

(f)     Teamshare payouts will be prorated for changes to an eligible employee’s position, salary, individual target, shift differential or, status that occur between the Merit Effective Date and the end of the performance period based on the number of days the applicable element applies.

 

(g)    Teamshare payouts are prorated to exclude leaves of absence during the performance period.

 

(h)    Teamshare payouts will be made no later than April 15 of the year following the fiscal year in which financial performance is measured (e.g., for the 2011 Teamshare program, payouts, if any, will be made no later than April 15, 2012).

 

(i)     Teamshare information is proprietary and confidential. Employees are reminded that they may not disclose Teamshare information relating to the Company’s financial goals or performance. Such disclosure may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. The Company reserves the right to adjust, amend or suspend Teamshare at any time for any reason, including, but not limited to, unforeseen events.

 

VII.        Tax and Other Withholding Information

 

The IRS considers incentive payments as supplemental wages.  In accordance with IRS guidelines, Dollar General will withhold federal income taxes at the supplemental rate

 

3



 

(currently established at 25%).  In addition, this payment will be subject to applicable social security, Medicare, state and local taxes. Voluntary deductions (e.g. health insurance, 401k, etc.) will not be deducted from this amount.  Where required by law, specific garnishments (e.g., child support) may be deducted, as appropriate, from this amount.  Certain state laws require incentive payments be held for up to 30 days after the check date pending review of applicable child support garnishments.  After the Company receives notification from the state child support agencies regarding whether part or all of the impacted employee’s incentive payment should be paid toward child support, the Company will pay any remaining incentive funds with the next regular payroll.

 

4



 

Supplement to Teamshare Program Description

 

For purposes of the 2011 Teamshare program, adjusted EBITDA is computed in accordance with the Company’s credit agreements, and ROIC is calculated as total return (calculated as the sum of operating income, depreciation and amortization and minimum rentals, less taxes) divided by average invested capital of the most recent five quarters (calculated as the sum of total assets and accumulated depreciation and amortization, less cash, goodwill, accounts payable, other payables, accrued liabilities, plus 8x minimum rentals).  Each of adjusted EBITDA and ROIC calculations shall:

 

·       exclude the impact of (a) certain costs, fees and expenses related to our acquisition and related financing by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., any refinancings, any related litigation or settlements of such litigation, and the filing and maintenance of a market maker registration statement; (b) any costs, fees and expenses directly related to any transaction that results in a Change in Control (within the meaning of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Incentive Plan) or related to any primary or secondary offering of the Company’s common stock or other security; (c) share-based compensation charges (for adjusted EBITDA only); (d) any gain or loss recognized as a result of derivative instrument transactions or other hedging activities; (e) any gains or losses associated with the early retirement of debt obligations; (f) charges resulting from significant natural disasters; and (g) any significant gains or losses associated with our LIFO computation; and

 

·       unless the Committee disallows any such item, also exclude (a) non-cash asset impairments; (b) any significant loss as a result of an individual litigation, judgment or lawsuit settlement (including a collective or class action lawsuit and security holder lawsuit, among others); (c) charges for business restructurings; (d) losses due to new or modified tax or other legislation or accounting changes enacted after the beginning of the 2011 fiscal year; (e) significant tax settlements; and (f) any significant unplanned items of a non-recurring or extraordinary nature.

 

5


Exhibit 10.2

 

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”), dated as of the date indicated on Schedule A hereto (the “ Grant Date ”), is made by and between Dollar General Corporation, a Tennessee corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “ Company ”), and the individual whose name is set forth on the signature page hereof, who is an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company (hereinafter referred to as the “ Optionee ”).  Any capitalized terms herein not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Incentive Plan for Key Employees of Dollar General Corporation and its Affiliates, as such Plan may be amended from time to time (the “ Plan ”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to carry out the Plan, the terms of which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Compensation Committee (or a duly authorized subcommittee thereof) of the Board of the Company has determined that it would be to the advantage and best interest of the Company and its shareholders to grant the Option provided for herein to the Optionee, and has advised the Company thereof and instructed the undersigned officers to issue said Option.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

  DEFINITIONS

 

Whenever the following terms are used in this Agreement, they shall have the meaning specified below unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.

 

Section 1.1.   Cause

 

“Cause” shall mean (A) “Cause” as such term may be defined in any employment agreement between the Optionee and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates that is in effect at the time of termination of employment; or (B) if there is no such employment agreement in effect, “Cause” as such term may be defined in any change-in-control agreement between the Optionee and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates that is in effect at the time of termination of employment; or (C) if there is no such employment or change-in-control agreement, with respect to an Optionee: (i) any act of the Optionee involving fraud or dishonesty, or any willful failure to perform reasonable duties assigned to the Optionee which failure is not cured within 10 business days after receipt from the Company of written notice of such failure; (ii) any material breach by the Optionee of any securities or other law or regulation or any Company policy governing trading or dealing with stock, securities, investments or the like, or any inappropriate disclosure or “tipping” relating to any stock, securities, investments or the like; (iii) other than as required by law, the carrying out by the Optionee of any activity, or the Optionee making any public statement, which prejudices or ridicules the good name and standing of the Company or its Affiliates (including any limited partner of Buck Holdings, L.P.) or would bring such persons into public contempt or ridicule; (iv) attendance by the Optionee at work in a state of intoxication or the Optionee otherwise being found in possession at the Optionee’s place of work of any prohibited drug or substance, possession

 

1



 

of which would amount to a criminal offense; (v) any assault or other act of violence by the Optionee; or (vi) the Optionee being indicted for any crime constituting (x) any felony whatsoever or (y) any misdemeanor that would preclude employment under the Company’s hiring policy.

 

Section 1.2.   Disability

 

“Disability” shall mean (A) “Disability” as such term may be defined in any employment agreement between the Optionee and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates that is in effect at the time of termination of employment; or (B) if there is no such employment agreement in effect, “Disability” as such term may be defined in any change-in-control agreement between the Optionee and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates that is in effect at the time of termination of employment; or (C) if there is no such employment or change-in-control agreement, “Disability” as defined in the Company’s long-term disability plan.

 

Section 1.3.   Option

 

“Option” shall mean the right and option to purchase, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, all or any part of an aggregate of the number of shares of Common Stock set forth on Schedule A hereto.

 

Section 1.4.    Retirement

 

“Retirement” shall mean the voluntary termination of the Optionee’s employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates on or after (A) reaching the minimum age of sixty-two (62) and (B) achieving five (5) consecutive years of service; provided, however, that the sum of the Optionee’s age plus years of service must equal at least seventy (70).

 

Section 1.5.   Secretary

 

“Secretary” shall mean the Secretary of the Company.

 

ARTICLE II

GRANT OF OPTION

 

Section 2.1.    Grant of Option

 

For good and valuable consideration, on and as of the Grant Date the Company irrevocably grants to the Optionee the Option on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

Section 2.2.    Exercise Price

 

Subject to Section 2.4, the exercise price of the shares of Common Stock covered by the Option (the “ Exercise Price ”) shall be as set forth on Schedule A hereto, which shall be the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date.

 

Section 2.3.   No Guarantee of Employment

 

Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate or shall interfere with or restrict in any

 

2



 

way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, which are hereby expressly reserved, to terminate the employment of the Optionee at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, subject to the applicable provisions of, if any, the Optionee’s employment agreement with the Company or offer letter provided by the Company to the Optionee.

 

Section 2.4.    Adjustments to Option

 

The Option shall be subject to the adjustment provisions of Sections 8 and 9 of the Plan, provided , however , that in the event of the payment of an extraordinary dividend by the Company to its shareholders: the Exercise Price of the Option shall be reduced by the amount of the dividend paid, but only to the extent the Committee determines it to be permitted under applicable tax laws and not have adverse tax consequences to the Optionee under Section 409A of the Code; and, if such reduction cannot be fully effected due to such tax laws and it will not have adverse tax consequences to the Optionee, then the Company shall pay to the Optionee a cash payment, on a per Share basis, equal to the balance of the amount of the dividend not permitted to be applied to reduce the Exercise Price of the applicable Option as follows: (a) for each Share subject to a vested Option, immediately upon the date of such dividend payment; and (b) for each Share subject to an unvested Option, on the date on which such Option becomes vested and exercisable with respect to such Share.

 

ARTICLE III

  PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

 

Section 3.1.   Commencement of Exercisability

 

(a)           Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.1(b) or (c) below, so long as the Optionee continues to be employed by the Company or any other Service Recipient, the Option shall become vested and exercisable with respect to 25% of the Shares subject to such Option on each of the first four (4) anniversaries of the Grant Date.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding Section 3.1(a) above, upon the earliest occurrence of (i) a Change in Control, (ii) the Optionee’s death, or (iii)  a termination of the Optionee’s employment by reason of the Optionee’s Disability, the Option shall become immediately vested and exercisable with respect to 100% of the Shares subject to such unvested Option immediately prior to such event (but only to the extent such Option has not otherwise terminated or become exercisable).

 

(c)           Notwithstanding Section 3.1(a) above, in the event of the Optionee’s Retirement, that portion of the Option that would have become vested and exercisable within the one (1) year period following the Optionee’s Retirement date if the Optionee had remained employed with the Company or the applicable Service Recipient shall remain outstanding for a period of one (1) year following the Optionee’s Retirement date and shall become vested and exercisable on the anniversary of the Grant Date that falls within the one (1) year period following the Optionee’s Retirement date (but only to the extent such portion of the Option has not otherwise terminated or become exercisable); provided, however, that if during such one (1) year period there occurs a Change in Control or the Optionee dies or incurs a Disability, such portion of the Option shall instead become immediately vested and exercisable (but only to the extent such portion of the option has not otherwise terminated).

 

(d)           No Option shall become vested or exercisable as to any additional Shares following the Optionee’s termination of employment for any reason, and any Option which is unexercisable as

 

3



 

of the Optionee’s termination of employment shall immediately expire without payment therefor, in each case except as otherwise provided in Section 3.1(b) or (c) above.

 

Section 3.2.   Expiration of Option

 

The Optionee may not exercise the Option to any extent after the first to occur of the following events:

 

(a)           The tenth anniversary of the Grant Date so long as the Optionee remains employed with the Company or any Service Recipient through such date;

 

(b)           The fifth anniversary of the date of the Optionee’s termination of employment with the Company and all Service Recipients if the Optionee’s employment is terminated by reason of Retirement;

 

(c)           The first anniversary of the date of the Optionee’s termination of employment with the Company and all Service Recipients if the Optionee’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability (unless earlier terminated as provided in Section 3.2(h) below);

 

(d)           The first anniversary of the date of the Optionee’s termination of employment with the Company and all Service Recipients if the Optionee’s employment terminates (1) within two (2) years following a Change in Control and (2) for any reason other than an involuntary termination with Cause or a Retirement (in the case of an involuntary termination with Cause or a Retirement, the provisions of Section 3.2 (g) and (b), as applicable, shall instead apply);

 

(e)           Ninety (90) days after the date of the Optionee’s involuntary termination of employment by the Company and all Service Recipients without Cause (for any reason other than as set forth in Section 3.2(c));

 

(f)            Ninety (90) days after the date of the Optionee’s voluntary termination of employment with the Company and all Service Recipients by the Optionee (for any reason other than as set forth in Section 3.2(b) or (c));

 

(g)           Immediately upon the date of the Optionee’s termination of employment by the Company and all Service Recipients for Cause;

 

(h)           At the discretion of the Company, if the Committee so determines pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan.

 

ARTICLE IV

EXERCISE OF OPTION

 

Section 4.1.   Person Eligible to Exercise

 

During the lifetime of the Optionee, only the Optionee (or his or her duly authorized legal representative) may exercise the Option or any portion thereof.  After the death of the Optionee, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when the Option becomes unexercisable under Section 3.2, be exercised by the Optionee’s personal representative or by any person

 

4



 

empowered to do so under the Optionee’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.

 

Section 4.2.   Partial Exercise

 

Any exercisable portion of the Option or the entire Option, if then wholly exercisable, may be exercised in whole or in part at any time prior to the time when the Option or portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.2; provided , however , that any partial exercise shall be for whole shares of Common Stock only.

 

Section 4.3.   Manner of Exercise

 

The Option, or any exercisable portion thereof, may be exercised solely by delivering to the Secretary or his or her designee all of the following prior to the time when the Option or such portion becomes unexercisable under Section 3.2:

 

(a)           Notice in writing signed by the Optionee or the other person then entitled to exercise the Option or portion thereof, stating that the Option or portion thereof is thereby exercised, such notice complying with all applicable rules established by the Committee;

 

(b)           (i) Full payment (in cash or by check or by a combination thereof) for the Shares with respect to which such Option or portion thereof is exercised (provided, however, that full payment is deemed made if the Company receives cash in respect of the exercise price no later than the date on which the Company or its agent delivers or releases Shares to the Optionee or his or her agent, which date shall not be later than three (3) business days following the date on which the Option is exercised, in the event of a cashless exercise via a third party in a manner that is compliant with applicable law) or (ii) notice in writing that the Optionee elects to have the number of Shares that would otherwise be issued to the Optionee reduced by a number of Shares having an equivalent Fair Market Value to the payment that would otherwise be made by the Optionee to the Company pursuant to clause (i) of this subsection (b);

 

(c)           (i) Full payment (in cash or by check or by a combination thereof) to satisfy the minimum withholding tax obligation with respect to which such Option or portion thereof is exercised (provided, however, that full payment is deemed made if the Company receives such payment no later than the date on which the Company must remit such withholding to the Internal Revenue Service in the event of a cashless exercise via a third party in a manner that is compliant with applicable law) ; or (ii) notice in writing that the Optionee elects to have the number of Shares that would otherwise be issued to the Optionee reduced by a number of Shares having an equivalent Fair Market Value to the payment that would otherwise be made by the Optionee to the Company pursuant to clause (i) of this subsection (c);

 

(d)           A bona fide written representation and agreement, in a form satisfactory to the Committee, signed by the Optionee or other person then entitled to exercise such Option or portion thereof, stating that the shares of Common Stock are being acquired for his or her own account, for investment and without any present intention of distributing or reselling said shares or any of them except as may be permitted under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”), and then applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and that the Optionee or other person then entitled to exercise such Option or portion thereof will indemnify the Company against and hold it free and harmless from any loss, damage, expense or liability resulting to the Company if any sale or

 

5



 

distribution of the shares by such person is contrary to the representation and agreement referred to above; provided , however , that the Committee may, in its reasonable discretion, take whatever additional actions it deems reasonably necessary to ensure the observance and performance of such representation and agreement and to effect compliance with the Act and any other federal or state securities laws or regulations; and

 

(e)           In the event the Option or portion thereof shall be exercised pursuant to Section 4.1 by any person or persons other than the Optionee, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may require an opinion of counsel acceptable to it to the effect that any subsequent transfer of shares acquired on exercise of the Option does not violate the Act, and may issue stop-transfer orders covering such shares.  Share certificates evidencing stock issued on exercise of the Option may bear an appropriate legend referring to the provisions of subsection (d) above and the agreements herein. The written representation and agreement referred to in subsection (d) above shall, however, not be required if the Shares to be issued pursuant to such exercise have been registered under the Act, and such registration is then effective in respect of such Shares.

 

Section 4.4.   Conditions to Issuance of Stock Certificates

 

The Shares deliverable upon the exercise of the Option, or any portion thereof, may be either previously authorized but unissued Shares or issued Shares, which have then been reacquired by the Company.  Such Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable.  The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for Shares purchased (if certificated, or if not certificated, register the issuance of such Shares on its books and records) upon the exercise of the Option or portion thereof prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:

 

(a)           The obtaining of approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency which the Committee shall, in its reasonable and good faith discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable; and

 

(b)           The lapse of such reasonable period of time following the exercise of the Option as the Committee may from time to time establish for reasons of administrative convenience or as may otherwise be required by applicable law.

 

Section 4.5.   Rights as Shareholder

 

Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.4 of this Agreement, the holder of an Option shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a shareholder of the Company in respect of any shares purchasable upon the exercise of the Option or any portion thereof unless and until certificates representing such Shares shall have been issued by the Company to such holder or the Shares have otherwise been recorded in the records of the Company as owned by such holder.

 

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ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 5.1.   Administration

 

The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret or revoke any such rules.  All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee shall be final and binding upon the Optionee, the Company and all other interested persons.  No member of the Committee shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or the Option.  In its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan and this Agreement.

 

Section 5.2.   Option Not Transferable

 

Neither the Option nor any interest or right therein or part thereof shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Optionee or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect; provided, however, that this Section 5.2 shall not prevent transfers by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution or other transfers authorized in limited circumstances by the Committee (or its designee) .

 

Section 5.3.   Notices

 

Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of its Secretary or his or her designee, and any notice to be given to the Optionee shall be addressed to him or her at the address given beneath his or her signature hereto.  By a notice given pursuant to this Section 5.3, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to him or her.  Any notice, which is required to be given to the Optionee, shall, if the Optionee is then deceased, be given to the Optionee’s personal representative if such representative has previously informed the Company of his status and address by written notice under this Section 5.3. Any notice shall have been deemed duly given when (i) delivered in person, (ii) enclosed in a properly sealed envelope or wrapper addressed as aforesaid, deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service, or (iii) enclosed in a properly sealed envelope or wrapper addressed as aforesaid, deposited (with fees prepaid) in an office regularly maintained by FedEx, UPS, or comparable non-public mail carrier.

 

Section 5.4.   Titles; Pronouns

 

Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.  The masculine pronoun shall include the feminine and neuter, and the singular the plural, where the context so indicates.

 

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Section 5.5.   Applicability of Plan and Management Stockholder’s Agreement

 

The Option and the shares of Common Stock issued to the Optionee upon exercise of the Option shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan.  The Option and the shares of Common Stock issued to the Optionee upon exercise of the Option shall not be subject to, and hereby are expressly exempted from, all of the terms and provisions of any Management Stockholder’s Agreement between the Optionee and the Company in existence on the Grant Date.

 

Section 5.6.   Amendment

 

This Agreement may only be amended pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan.

 

Section 5.7.   Governing Law

 

The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.

 

Section 5.8.   Arbitration

 

In the event of any controversy among the parties hereto arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement which cannot be settled amicably by the parties, such controversy shall be finally, exclusively and conclusively settled by mandatory arbitration conducted expeditiously in accordance with the American Arbitration Association rules, by a single independent arbitrator.  Such arbitration process shall take place within the Nashville, Tennessee metropolitan area.  The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon all parties hereto and shall be rendered pursuant to a written decision, which contains a detailed recital of the arbitrator’s reasoning.  Judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.  Each party shall bear its own legal fees and expenses, unless otherwise determined by the arbitrator.

 

[ Signatures on next pages ]

 

8



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

 

 

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADDRESS:

 

 

 

Dollar General Corporation

 

100 Mission Ridge

 

Goodlettsville, TN 37072

 

[Signature Page of Stock Option Agreement]

 

9



 

 

OPTIONEE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[name]

 

 

 

 

 

ADDRESS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page of Stock Option Agreement]

 

10



 

Schedule A to Stock Option Agreement

 

Grant Date :

[TBD]

 

 

Exercise Price of Options :

$[TBD]

 

 

Option Grant :

 

 

[TBD]

Aggregate number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option granted hereunder is exercisable:

 

 

A-1


Exhibit 10.3

 

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”) is made effective as of [Date] (the “ Grant Date ”), between Dollar General Corporation, a Tennessee corporation (hereinafter called the “ Company ”), and [Name] (hereinafter referred to as the “ Grantee ”).  Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings as in the Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Incentive Plan for Key Employees of Dollar General Corporation and its Affiliates, as amended from time to time (the “ Plan ”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to grant the Grantee a restricted stock unit award as provided for hereunder, ultimately payable in shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.875 per Share (the “ Restricted Stock Unit Award ”), pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan; and

 

WHEREAS, the committee of the Company’s Board appointed to administer the Plan (the “ Committee ”) has determined that it would be to the advantage and in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders to grant the Restricted Stock Unit Award provided for herein to the Grantee;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:

 

1.      Grant of the Restricted Stock Unit .  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the additional terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company hereby grants to the Grantee [xxxx] Restricted Stock Units. A “ Restricted Stock Unit ” represents the right to receive one share of Common Stock upon satisfaction of the vesting and other conditions set forth in this Agreement.  The Restricted Stock Units shall vest and become nonforfeitable in accordance with Section 2 hereof.

 

2.      Vesting .

 

(a)            The Restricted Stock Units shall become vested and nonforfeitable in three equal installments on each of the first, second, and third anniversaries of the Grant Date (each such date, a “ Vesting Date ”), so long as the Grantee continues to be a member of the Board through each such Vesting Date.  Subject to acceleration of vesting pursuant to Section 2(b) below, upon any cessation of service by the Grantee as a member of the Board prior to any Vesting Date(s), the Grantee shall forfeit any rights to vest in any then unvested Restricted Stock Units.

 

(b)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if the Grantee ceases to be a member of the Board due to the Grantee’s death or Disability (as defined below), then that 33 1/3% portion of the Restricted Stock Units that would have become vested and nonforfeitable on the next Vesting Date if the Grantee had remained a member of the Board through such date will become vested and nonforfeitable upon such death or Disability; and (ii) the Restricted Stock Units shall become immediately vested and nonforfeitable as to 100% of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Restricted Stock Units immediately prior to a Change in Control (but only to the

 



 

extent such Restricted Stock Units have not otherwise terminated or become vested and nonforfeitable) so long as the Grantee is a member of the Board through the date of the Change in Control.

 

(c)            For the purposes of this Agreement, Disability shall have the meaning as provided under Section 409A(a)(2)(C)(i) of the Code.

 

3.      Entitlement to Receive Common Stock .

 

(a)            Shares corresponding to the number of Restricted Stock Units granted herein (“ RSU Shares ”) are to be delivered to the Grantee as soon as reasonably and administratively practicable after the Restricted Stock Units become vested pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 above, but in no event later than two and one-half months after the end of the fiscal year of the Company during which the applicable Restricted Stock Units become vested.  However , if the Grantee has made an election to defer receipt of all or any portion of the vested RSU Shares to a date beyond the applicable Vesting Date in accordance with the provisions of the Dollar General Corporation Deferral Election Form provided to the Grantee and returned to the Company prior to the Grant Date (such shares, the “ Deferred Shares ”), any such Deferred Shares shall instead be delivered on the date(s) so elected by the Grantee pursuant to such Deferral Election Form (each a “ Deferred Delivery Date ”), but in no event later than December 31 of the calendar year in which such Deferred Delivery Date occurs.

 

(b)            As soon as is administratively feasible on or following any date on which any RSU Shares are to be delivered to the Grantee in accordance with Section 3(a) above, the Company shall deliver to the Grantee or the Grantee’s legal representative a share certificate or evidence of electronic delivery of such RSU Shares in the amount of the RSU Shares so delivered to the Grantee, and such RSU Shares shall be registered in the name of the Grantee.

 

(c)            The shares of Common Stock deliverable upon the payment of a vested Restricted Stock Unit may be either previously authorized but unissued Shares or issued Shares, which have then been reacquired by the Company. Such Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable.

 

4.      Dividend Equivalents .   In the event that the Company pays any ordinary dividend (whether in cash, shares of Common Stock or other property) on its Shares, on the date such dividend is paid to shareholders the Grantee shall be credited, based on the number of unvested Restricted Stock Units held by the Grantee and the number of Deferred Shares (if any) that the Grantee is entitled to receive on a Deferred Delivery Date, in each case as of the record date of such dividend, with additional Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Shares, as applicable, that reflect the amount of such dividend (or if such dividend is paid in shares of Common Stock or other property, the fair value of the dividend, as determined in good faith by the Board).  Any such additional Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Shares, as applicable, shall be subject to all terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

5.      Transferability .  Neither the Restricted Stock Units prior to becoming vested pursuant to Section 2 nor any interest or right therein or part thereof shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Grantee or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment,

 

2



 

levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect; provided, however, that this Section 5 shall not prevent transfers by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

 

6.      Grantee’s Continued Service on the Board . Nothing contained in this Agreement or in any other agreement entered into by the Company and the Grantee guarantees that the Grantee will continue to serve as a member of the Board for any specified period of time.

 

7.      Change in Capitalization . If any event described in Section 9 of the Plan occurs, this Agreement and the Restricted Stock Units (and any Deferred Shares due to be delivered hereunder) shall be adjusted to the extent required or permitted, as applicable, pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan.

 

8.      Taxes . The Grantee shall have full responsibility, and the Company shall have no responsibility, for satisfying any liability for any federal, state or local income or other taxes required by law to be paid with respect to such Restricted Stock Units, including upon the vesting of the Restricted Stock Units and the delivery of any RSU Shares. The Grantee is hereby advised to seek his or her own tax counsel regarding the taxation of the grant and vesting of the Restricted Stock Units hereunder (and the tax consequences of any deferral election made in respect of the delivery of any RSU Shares).

 

9.      Limitation on Obligations .  This Restricted Stock Unit Award shall not be secured by any specific assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor shall any assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries be designated as attributable or allocated to the satisfaction of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement.  In addition, the Company shall not be liable to the Grantee for damages relating to any delays in issuing the share certificates or electronic delivery thereof to him (or his designated entities), any loss of the certificates, or any mistakes or errors in the issuance or registration of the certificates or in the certificates themselves.

 

10.    Securities Laws .  The Company may require the Grantee to make or enter into such written representations, warranties and agreements as the Committee may reasonably request in order to comply with applicable securities laws.  The granting of the Restricted Stock Units hereunder shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals of any governmental agencies as may be required.

 

11.    Notices .  Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of its Secretary or his or her designee, and any notice to be given to the Grantee shall be addressed to him at the address given beneath his signature hereto.  By a notice given pursuant to this Section 11, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to him.  Any notice that is required to be given to the Grantee shall, if the Grantee is then deceased, be given to the Grantee’s personal representative if such representative has previously informed the Company of his status and address by written notice under this Section 11.  Any notice shall have been deemed duly given when delivered by hand or courier or when enclosed in a properly sealed envelope or wrapper addressed as aforesaid, deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.

 

3



 

12.    Governing Law .  The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.

 

13.    Section 409A of the Code .  The provisions of Section 10(c) of the Plan are hereby incorporated by reference.

 

14.    Restricted Stock Units Subject to Plan . The Restricted Stock Unit Award and the Shares issued to the Grantee upon payment of the Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to all terms and provisions of the Plan, to the extent applicable to the Restricted Stock Units and such Shares. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

15.    Amendment and Termination . This Agreement may be modified in any manner consistent with Section 10 of the Plan.

 

16.    Administration . The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret or revoke any such rules.  All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee shall be final and binding upon the Grantee, the Company and all other interested persons.  No member of the Committee shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or the Restricted Stock Unit Award.  In its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan and this Agreement.

 

17.    Rights as Shareholder . Except as may be otherwise provided in Section 7 of this Agreement, the holder of a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a shareholder of the Company in respect of any Shares issuable upon the payment of a vested Restricted Stock Unit unless and until a certificate or certificates representing such Shares shall have been issued by the Company to such holder or, if the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, a book entry representing such Shares has been made by the registrar of the Company.

 

18.    Signature in Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

 

[ Signatures on next page. ]

 

4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRANTEE

 

 

 

 

 

[name]

 

 

 

ADDRESS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5


Exhibit 10.4

 

Summary of Compensation of Non-Employee Directors of Dollar General Corporation

 

We do not compensate for Board service any director who simultaneously serves as a Dollar General employee. We will reimburse directors for certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with continuing education seminars and for travel and related expenses related to Dollar General business.  We may allow directors to travel on the Dollar General airplane for those purposes.

 

Each non-employee director receives quarterly payment of the following cash compensation, as applicable:

 

·                         $75,000 annual retainer for service as a Board member;

·                         $17,500 annual retainer for service as chairman of the Audit Committee;

·                         $15,000 annual retainer for service as chairman of the Compensation Committee;

·                         $10,000 annual retainer for service as chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; and

·                         $1,500 for each Board or committee meeting in excess of an aggregate of 12 that a director attends during each fiscal year.

 

In addition to the director compensation described above, each non-employee director received in our 2009 fiscal year an equity award with an estimated value of $75,000 on the grant date. Sixty percent of the value of the equity grant consisted of non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of our common stock (“Options”) and forty percent consisted of restricted stock units ultimately payable in shares of our common stock (“RSUs”). The Options vest as to 25% of the Option on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date and the RSUs vest as to 33 1 / 3 % of the award on each of our first three annual shareholder meetings following the grant date, each subject to the director’s continued service on our Board. Our directors may elect to defer receipt of shares under the RSUs. We did not make an annual equity grant to our non-employee directors in 2010.

 

Beginning in our 2011 fiscal year, each non-employee director will receive an annual equity award with an estimated value of $75,000 on the grant date as determined by the Compensation Committee’s consultant using economic variables such as the trading price of our common stock, expected volatility of the stock trading prices of similar companies, and the terms of the awards.  We anticipate that sixty percent of the value of the annual equity award will consist of Options and forty percent will consist of RSUs. We expect that the Options will vest as to 25% of the Option on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date and that the RSUs will vest as to 33 1 / 3 % of the award on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, each subject to the director’s continued service on our Board. The directors may elect to defer receipt of shares underlying the RSUs.

 

The effective date of the annual equity awards (the “grant date”) is expected to be the date on which the quarterly Board meeting is held in conjunction with the Company’s annual shareholders’ meeting, and such awards shall be made to those directors who are elected or reelected at such shareholders’ meeting.  Any new director appointed after the annual shareholders’ meeting but before February 1 of a given year will receive a full equity award no later than the first Compensation Committee meeting following the date on which he or she is elected. Any new director appointed on or after February 1 of a given year but before the next annual shareholders’ meeting shall not receive a full or pro-rated equity award, but rather shall be eligible to receive the next regularly scheduled annual award.

 


Exhibit 15

 

June 1, 2011

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

 

Dollar General Corporation

 

We are aware of the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Nos. 333-151047, 333-151049, 333-151655, 333-151661 and 333-163200 on Form S-8 and 333-165799 and 333-165800 on Form S-3) of Dollar General Corporation of our report dated June 1, 2011 relating to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Dollar General Corporation that are included in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 29, 2011.

 

 

 

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

 

 

Nashville, Tennessee

 


Exhibit 31

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Richard W. Dreiling, certify that:

 

1.                            I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Dollar General Corporation;

 

2.                            Based on my knowledge, this 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 report;

 

3.                            Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this 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 report;

 

4.                            The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)           Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, 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 report is being prepared;

 

(b)          Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)           Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)          Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

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

 

(a)           All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)          Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: June 1, 2011

/s/ Richard W. Dreiling

 

Richard W. Dreiling

 

Chief Executive Officer

 



Exhibit 31

 

I, David M. Tehle, certify that:

 

1.                            I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Dollar General Corporation;

 

2.                            Based on my knowledge, this 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 report;

 

3.                            Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this 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 report;

 

4.                            The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)           Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, 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 report is being prepared;

 

(b)          Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)           Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)          Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

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

 

(a)           All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)          Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date: June 1, 2011

/s/ David M. Tehle

 

David M. Tehle

 

Chief Financial Officer

 


Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATIONS

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

 

Each of the undersigned hereby certifies that to his knowledge the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 29, 2011 of Dollar General Corporation (the “Company”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in such report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

 

/s/ Richard W. Dreiling

 

Name:

Richard W. Dreiling

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

Date:

June 1, 2011

 

 

 

/s/ David M. Tehle

 

Name:

David M. Tehle

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

Date:

June 1, 2011