UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2020

☐Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission File Number: 001-11421

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

TENNESSEE		61-0502302
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.875 per share	DG	New York Stock Exchange

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 ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

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

Large Accelerated Filer ☒		Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐		Smaller reporting company ☐
		Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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

The Registrant had 249,033,698 shares of common stock outstanding on August 21, 2020.

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)


	July 31,		January 31,
	2020		2020
	(Unaudited)		(See Note 1)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,959,604	$	240,320
Merchandise inventories		4,391,157		4,676,848
Income taxes receivable		36,176		76,537
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		210,471		184,163
Total current assets		7,597,408		5,177,868
Net property and equipment		3,520,998		3,278,359
Operating lease assets		9,154,789		8,796,183
Goodwill		4,338,589		4,338,589
Other intangible assets, net		1,199,931		1,200,006
Other assets, net		35,718		34,079
Total assets	$	25,847,433	$	22,825,084

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of operating lease liabilities		1,015,733		964,805
Accounts payable		3,400,642		2,860,682
Accrued expenses and other		978,567		709,156
Income taxes payable		16,246		8,362
Total current liabilities		5,411,188		4,543,005
Long-term obligations		4,089,001		2,911,993
Long-term operating lease liabilities		8,124,884		7,819,683
Deferred income taxes		689,893		675,227
Other liabilities		176,396		172,676
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock		—		—
Common stock		217,906		220,444
Additional paid-in capital		3,381,819		3,322,531
Retained earnings		3,758,995		3,162,660
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(2,649)		(3,135)
Total shareholders’ equity		7,356,071		6,702,500
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	25,847,433	$	22,825,084

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)


	For the 13 weeks ended				For the 26 weeks ended
	July 31,		August 2,		July 31,		August 2,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Net sales	$	8,684,241	$	6,981,753	$	17,132,690	$	13,604,938
Cost of goods sold		5,866,006		4,832,817		11,718,763		9,453,726
Gross profit		2,818,235		2,148,936		5,413,927		4,151,212
Selling, general and administrative expenses		1,775,608		1,571,161		3,504,516		3,061,200
Operating profit		1,042,627		577,775		1,909,411		1,090,012
Interest expense		39,326		24,810		69,819		50,743
Income before income taxes		1,003,301		552,965		1,839,592		1,039,269
Income tax expense		215,700		126,410		401,545		227,701
Net income	$	787,601	$	426,555	$	1,438,047	$	811,568
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	3.15	$	1.65	$	5.73	$	3.14
Diluted	$	3.12	$	1.65	$	5.69	$	3.13
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		250,281		257,793		251,031		258,407
Diluted		252,190		259,102		252,908		259,683

Dividends per share	$	0.36	$	0.32	$	0.72	$	0.64

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)


	For the 13 weeks ended				For the 26 weeks ended
	July 31,		August 2,		July 31,		August 2,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Net income	$	787,601	$	426,555	$	1,438,047	$	811,568
Unrealized net gain (loss) on hedged transactions, net of related income tax expense (benefit) of $86, $86, $173 and $172, respectively		243		243		486		487
Comprehensive income	$	787,844	$	426,798	$	1,438,533	$	812,055

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)


								Accumulated
	Common			Additional				Other
	Stock	Common		Paid-in		Retained		Comprehensive
	Shares	Stock		Capital		Earnings		Loss		Total
Balances, May 1, 2020	251,722	$	220,259	$	3,332,283	$	3,659,804	$	(2,892)	$	7,209,454
Net income	—		—		—		787,601		—		787,601
Dividends paid, $0.36 per common share	—		—		—		(89,659)		—		(89,659)
Unrealized net gain (loss) on hedged transactions	—		—		—		—		243		243
Share-based compensation expense	—		—		15,509		—		—		15,509
Repurchases of common stock	(3,184)		(2,785)		—		(598,751)		—		(601,536)
Other equity and related transactions	495		432		34,027		—		—		34,459
Balances, July 31, 2020	249,033	$	217,906	$	3,381,819	$	3,758,995	$	(2,649)	$	7,356,071

Balances, May 3, 2019	258,322	$	226,032	$	3,275,917	$	3,074,584	$	(3,864)	$	6,572,669
Net income	—		—		—		426,555		—		426,555
Dividends paid, $0.32 per common share	—		—		—		(82,391)		—		(82,391)
Unrealized net gain (loss) on hedged transactions	—		—		—		—		243		243
Share-based compensation expense	—		—		10,874		—		—		10,874
Repurchases of common stock	(1,353)		(1,184)		—		(183,804)		—		(184,988)
Other equity and related transactions	99		87		6,111		—		—		6,198
Balances, August 2, 2019	257,068	$	224,935	$	3,292,902	$	3,234,944	$	(3,621)	$	6,749,160

Balances, January 31, 2020	251,936	$	220,444	$	3,322,531	$	3,162,660	$	(3,135)	$	6,702,500
Net income	—		—		—		1,438,047		—		1,438,047
Dividends paid, $0.72 per common share	—		—		—		(180,276)		—		(180,276)
Unrealized net gain (loss) on hedged transactions	—		—		—		—		486		486
Share-based compensation expense	—		—		34,477		—		—		34,477
Repurchases of common stock	(3,635)		(3,180)		—		(661,436)		—		(664,616)
Other equity and related transactions	732		642		24,811		—		—		25,453
Balances, July 31, 2020	249,033	$	217,906	$	3,381,819	$	3,758,995	$	(2,649)	$	7,356,071

Balances, February 1, 2019	259,511	$	227,072	$	3,252,421	$	2,941,107	$	(3,207)	$	6,417,393
Net income	—		—		—		811,568		—		811,568
Dividends paid, $0.64 per common share	—		—		—		(165,147)		—		(165,147)
Unrealized net gain (loss) on hedged transactions	—		—		—		—		487		487
Share-based compensation expense	—		—		24,505		—		—		24,505
Repurchases of common stock	(3,039)		(2,659)		—		(382,315)		—		(384,974)
Transition adjustment upon adoption of leases accounting standard (see Note 1)	—		—		—		28,830		—		28,830
Other equity and related transactions	596		522		15,976		901		(901)		16,498
Balances, August 2, 2019	257,068	$	224,935	$	3,292,902	$	3,234,944	$	(3,621)	$	6,749,160

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)


	For the 26 weeks ended
	July 31,		August 2,
	2020		2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	1,438,047	$	811,568
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		278,617		245,908
Deferred income taxes		14,493		8,118
Noncash share-based compensation		34,477		24,505
Other noncash (gains) and losses		6,177		4,001
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Merchandise inventories		283,957		(321,085)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(27,237)		(8,516)
Accounts payable		560,918		323,217
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		273,208		58,614
Income taxes		48,245		(10,611)
Other		(3,567)		(5,198)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		2,907,335		1,130,521

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(424,167)		(293,060)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment		1,051		1,467
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(423,116)		(291,593)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of long-term obligations		1,494,315		—
Repayments of long-term obligations		(1,037)		(525)
Net increase (decrease) in commercial paper outstanding		(425,200)		(280,700)
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities		300,000		—
Repayments of borrowings under revolving credit facilities		(300,000)		—
Costs associated with issuance of debt		(13,574)		—
Repurchases of common stock		(664,616)		(384,974)
Payments of cash dividends		(180,268)		(165,136)
Other equity and related transactions		25,445		16,488
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		235,065		(814,847)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		2,719,284		24,081
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		240,320		235,487
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	2,959,604	$	259,568

Supplemental noncash investing and financing activities:
Right of use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$	869,137	$	847,498
Purchases of property and equipment awaiting processing for payment, included in Accounts payable	$	89,290	$	82,055

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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 disclosures normally required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements or those normally made in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2020 which was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date. Accordingly, readers 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 31, 2020 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 2020 fiscal year is scheduled to be a 52-week accounting period ending on January 29, 2021, and the 2019 fiscal year was a 52-week accounting period that ended on January 31, 2020.

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 July 31, 2020 and results of operations for the 13-week and 26-week accounting periods ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019 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. Because the Company’s business is moderately seasonal, the results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year. In addition, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer behavior in the quarterly and year to date periods ended May 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020 resulted in a departure from seasonal norms experienced in recent years and may continue to disrupt the historical quarterly cadence of the Company’s results of operations for an unknown period of time.

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 or deflation for the year. The interim LIFO calculations are subject to adjustment in the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation. The Company recorded a LIFO provision of $0.1 million and $3.2 million in the respective 13-week periods, and $1.7 million and $6.6 million in the respective 26-week periods, ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019. In addition, ongoing estimates of inventory shrinkage and initial markups and markdowns are included in the interim cost of goods sold calculation.

The Company adopted new accounting guidance related to leases as of February 2, 2019. The cumulative effect of applying the standard resulted in an adjustment to retained earnings of $28.8 million at February 2, 2019, primarily for the elimination of deferred gain on a 2013 sale-leaseback transaction. Because the standard was adopted under the modified retrospective approach, it did not impact the Company’s historical consolidated net income or cash flows.

In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance related to the accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. These amendments align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software, as well as hosting arrangements that include an internal use software license. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is

permitted. The Company adopted this guidance on a prospective basis and such adoption had an immaterial effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In August 2018, the FASB also issued guidance related to the disclosure requirements for fair value measurement. This guidance added, modified, and removed certain disclosure requirements related to assets and liabilities recorded at fair value. The majority of this guidance pertains to assets and liabilities classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, and the Company has no such assets or liabilities. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance did not affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued amendments to existing guidance related to the subsequent measurement of goodwill. Subsequent to adoption, the Company will perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The amendments are being applied on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance related to measurement requirements for credit losses on financial instruments. These amendments require a financial asset or a group of financial assets measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The guidance requires measurement of expected credit losses based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance did not affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

2.	Earnings per share

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


	13 Weeks Ended July 31, 2020					13 Weeks Ended August 2, 2019
			Weighted					Weighted
	Net		Average	Per Share		Net		Average	Per Share
	Income		Shares	Amount		Income		Shares	Amount
Basic earnings per share	$	787,601	250,281	$	3.15	$	426,555	257,793	$	1.65
Effect of dilutive share-based awards			1,909					1,309
Diluted earnings per share	$	787,601	252,190	$	3.12	$	426,555	259,102	$	1.65


	26 Weeks Ended July 31, 2020					26 Weeks Ended August 2, 2019
			Weighted					Weighted
	Net		Average	Per Share		Net		Average	Per Share
	Income		Shares	Amount		Income		Shares	Amount
Basic earnings per share	$	1,438,047	251,031	$	5.73	$	811,568	258,407	$	3.14
Effect of dilutive share-based awards			1,877					1,276
Diluted earnings per share	$	1,438,047	252,908	$	5.69	$	811,568	259,683	$	3.13

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

Share-based awards 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 awards would be antidilutive, were zero and 0.6 million in the respective 13-week periods, and 0.3 million and 0.6 million in the respective 26-week periods, ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019.

3.	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 the following 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 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 Company’s 2015 and earlier tax years are not open for further examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The IRS, at its discretion, may choose to examine the Company’s 2016 through 2018 fiscal year income tax filings. The Company has various state income tax examinations that are currently in progress. Generally, with few exceptions, the Company’s 2016 and later tax years remain open for examination by the various state taxing authorities.

As of July 31, 2020, the total reserves for uncertain tax benefits, interest expense related to income taxes and potential income tax penalties were $5.1 million, $0.5 million and $0.0 million, respectively, for a total of $5.6 million. This total amount is reflected in noncurrent other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The Company’s reserve for uncertain tax positions is not expected to be reduced in the coming twelve months as a result of expiring statutes of limitations. As of July 31, 2020, approximately $5.1 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 rates for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended July 31, 2020 were 21.5% and 21.8%, respectively, compared to rates of 22.9% and 21.9% for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended August 2, 2019. The income tax rates for the 13-week and 26-week periods in 2020 were lower than the comparable 13-week and 26-week periods in 2019 primarily due to increased income tax benefits associated with share-based compensation partially offset by a lower income tax rate benefit from federal income tax credits due to higher pre-tax earnings in the 2020 periods compared to the 2019 periods. In addition, the effective income tax rate for the 13-week period in 2020 was lower than the comparable period in 2019 due to increased income tax expense associated with prior state law changes that occurred in the 2019 period that did not reoccur in the 2020 period.

4.Leases

As of July 31, 2020, the Company’s primary leasing activities were real estate leases for most of its retail store locations and certain of its distribution facilities. Substantially all of the Company’s leases are classified as operating leases and the associated assets and liabilities are presented as separate captions in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Finance lease assets are included in net property and equipment, and finance lease liabilities are included in long-term obligations, in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. At July 31, 2020, the weighted-average remaining lease term for the Company’s operating leases is 10.0 years, and the weighted average discount rate for such leases is 4.1%. Operating lease costs are reflected as selling, general and administrative costs in the condensed consolidated statements of income. For the 26-week periods ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019, such costs were $678.6 million and $622.4 million, respectively. Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities of $680.4 million and $626.3 million, respectively, were reflected in cash flows from operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the 26-week periods ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019.

5.	Current and long-term obligations

Current and long-term obligations consist of the following:


	July 31,		January 31,
(In thousands)	2020		2020
Revolving Facility	$	—	$	—
3.250% Senior Notes due April 15, 2023 (net of discount of $711 and $837)		899,289		899,163
4.150% Senior Notes due November 1, 2025 (net of discount of $451 and $489)		499,549		499,511
3.875% Senior Notes due April 15, 2027 (net of discount of $315 and $336)		599,685		599,664
4.125% Senior Notes due May 1, 2028 (net of discount of $406 and $428)		499,594		499,572
3.500% Senior Notes due April 3, 2030 (net of discount of $651)		999,349		—
4.125% Senior Notes due April 3, 2050 (net of discount of $4,987)		495,013		—
Unsecured commercial paper notes		—		425,200
Other		124,463		4,895
Debt issuance costs, net		(27,941)		(16,012)
	$	4,089,001	$	2,911,993

On September 10, 2019, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement, providing for a $1.25 billion unsecured five-year revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility”) of which up to $175.0 million is available for letters of credit.

Borrowings under the Revolving Facility bear interest at a rate equal to an applicable interest rate margin plus, at the Company’s option, either (a) LIBOR or (b) a base rate (which is usually equal to the prime rate). The applicable interest rate margin for borrowings as of July 31, 2020 was 1.015% for LIBOR borrowings and 0.015% for base-rate borrowings. The Company is also required to pay a facility fee, payable on any used and unused commitment amounts of the Revolving Facility, and customary fees on letters of credit issued under the Revolving Facility. As of July 31, 2020, the facility fee rate was 0.11%. The applicable interest rate margins for borrowings, the facility fees and the letter of credit fees under the Revolving Facility are subject to adjustment from time to time based on the Company’s long-term senior unsecured debt ratings.

The Revolving Facility contains a number of customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the Company’s ability to: incur additional liens; sell all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; consummate certain fundamental changes or change in the Company’s lines of business; and incur additional subsidiary indebtedness. The Revolving Facility also contains financial covenants which require the maintenance of a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio. As of July 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants. The Revolving Facility also contains customary events of default.

As of July 31, 2020, the Company had no outstanding borrowings, outstanding letters of credit of $4.8 million, and borrowing availability of approximately $1.25 billion under the Revolving Facility that, due to its intention to maintain borrowing availability related to the commercial paper program described below, could contribute incremental liquidity of $1.06 billion. In addition, as of July 31, 2020, the Company had outstanding letters of credit of $53.9 million which were issued pursuant to separate agreements.

As of July 31, 2020, the Company had a commercial paper program under which the Company may issue unsecured commercial paper notes (the “CP Notes”) from time to time in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.0 billion outstanding at any time. The CP Notes may have maturities of up to 364 days from the date of issue and rank equal in right of payment with all of the Company’s other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The Company intends to maintain available commitments under the Revolving Facility in an amount at least equal to the amount of CP Notes outstanding at any time. As of July 31, 2020, the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet reflected no outstanding unsecured CP Notes. CP Notes totaling $181.0 million were held by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and are therefore not reflected on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

On April 3, 2020, the Company issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.5% senior notes due 2030 (the “2030 Senior Notes”), net of discount of $0.7 million, and $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes due 2050 (the “2050 Senior Notes”), net of discount of $5.0 million. The 2030 Senior Notes are scheduled to mature on April 3, 2030 and the 2050 Senior Notes are scheduled to mature on April 3, 2050. Interest on the 2030

Senior Notes and the 2050 Senior Notes is payable in cash on April 3 and October 3 of each year, commencing on October 3, 2020. The Company incurred $13.6 million of debt issuance costs associated with the issuance of the 2030 Senior Notes and the 2050 Senior Notes.

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 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 does not have any fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 as of July 31, 2020.

The following table presents the Company’s liabilities required to be measured at fair value as of July 31, 2020, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements are classified.

Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets

Significant

for Identical

Other

Significant

Total Fair

Assets and

Observable

Unobservable

Value at

Liabilities

Inputs

July 31,

(In thousands)

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

2020

Liabilities:

Long-term obligations (a)

4,629,210

124,463

—

4,753,673

Deferred compensation (b)

31,075

—

31,075

(a)	Included in the condensed consolidated balance sheet at book value as Long-term obligations of $4,089,001.

(b)	Reflected at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as Accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $2,098 and noncurrent Other liabilities of $28,977.

7.Commitments and contingencies

Legal proceedings

From time to time, the Company is a party to various legal matters in the ordinary course of its business, including actions by employees, consumers, suppliers, government agencies, or others. The Company has recorded accruals with respect to these matters, where appropriate, which are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. For some matters, a liability is not probable or the amount cannot be reasonably estimated and therefore an accrual has not been made. In 2019, the Company recorded an accrual of $31.0 million for losses the Company believes are both probable and reasonably estimable relating to certified class actions and associated matters including the matters discussed below under Consumer/Product Litigation.

Except as described below and based on information currently available, the Company believes that its pending legal matters, both individually and in the aggregate, will be resolved without a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as a whole. However, litigation and other legal matters involve an element of uncertainty. Adverse decisions and settlements, including any required changes to the Company’s business, or other developments in such matters could affect our consolidated operating results in future periods or result in liability or other amounts material to the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements.

Consumer/Product Litigation

In December 2015 the Company was first notified of several lawsuits in which plaintiffs allege violation of state law, including state consumer protection laws, relating to the labeling, marketing and sale of certain Dollar General private-label motor oil. Each of these lawsuits, as well as additional, similar lawsuits filed after December 2015, was filed in, or removed to, various federal district courts of the United States (collectively “Motor Oil Lawsuits”).

On June 2, 2016, the Motor Oil Lawsuits were centralized in a matter styled In re Dollar General Corp. Motor Oil Litigation, Case MDL No. 2709, before the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri (“Motor Oil MDL”). In their consolidated amended complaint, the plaintiffs in the Motor Oil MDL sought to certify two nationwide classes and multiple statewide sub-classes and for each putative class member some or all of the following relief: compensatory damages, injunctive relief, statutory damages, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. The Company’s motion to dismiss the allegations raised in the consolidated amended complaint was granted in part and denied in part on August 3, 2017. To the extent additional consumer lawsuits alleging violation of laws relating to the labeling, marketing and sale of Dollar General private-label motor oil have been or will be filed, the Company expects that such lawsuits will be transferred to the Motor Oil MDL.

In May 2017, the Company received a Notice of Proposed Action from the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General (the “New Mexico AG”) which alleges that the Company’s labeling, marketing and sale of certain Dollar General private-label motor oil violated New Mexico law (the “New Mexico Motor Oil Matter”). The State is represented in connection with this matter by counsel for plaintiffs in the Motor Oil MDL.

On June 20, 2017, the New Mexico AG filed an action in the First Judicial District Court, County of Santa Fe, New Mexico pertaining to the New Mexico Motor Oil Matter. (Hector H. Balderas v. Dolgencorp, LLC, Case No. D-101-cv-2017-01562). On May 4, 2020, the Company’s motion to dismiss the action was denied.

On September 1, 2017, the Mississippi Attorney General (the “Mississippi AG”), who also is represented by the counsel for plaintiffs in the Motor Oil MDL, filed an action in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi alleging that the Company’s labeling, marketing and sale of certain Dollar General private-label motor oil violated Mississippi law. (Jim Hood v. Dollar General Corporation, Case No. G2017-1229 T/1) (the “Mississippi Motor Oil Matter”). The Company removed this matter to Mississippi federal court on October 5, 2017, and filed a motion to dismiss the action. The matter was transferred to the Motor Oil MDL and the Mississippi AG moved to remand it to state court. (Jim Hood v. Dollar General Corporation, N.D. Miss., Case No. 3:17-cv-801-LG-LRA). On May 7, 2019, the Mississippi AG renewed its motion to remand. The Company’s and the Mississippi AG’s above-referenced motions are pending.

On January 30, 2018, the Company received a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) from the Office of the Louisiana Attorney General (the “Louisiana AG”) requesting information concerning the Company’s labeling, marketing and sale of certain Dollar General private-label motor oil (the “Louisiana Motor Oil Matter”). In response to the CID, the Company filed a petition for a protective order on February 20, 2018 in the 19^th Judicial District Court for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana seeking to set aside the CID. (In re Dollar General Corp. and Dolgencorp, LLC, Case No. 666499). On February 7, 2020, the Company reached an agreement with the Louisiana AG to resolve this matter for an amount that is immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial statements as a whole.

On August 20, 2018, plaintiffs moved to certify two nationwide classes relating to their claims of alleged unjust enrichment and breach of implied warranties. In addition, plaintiffs moved to certify a multi-state class relating to their claims of breach of implied warranties and multiple statewide classes relating to alleged unfair trade practices/consumer fraud, unjust enrichment and breach of implied warranty claims. The Company opposed the plaintiffs’ certification motion. On March 21, 2019, the court granted the plaintiffs’ certification motion as to 16 statewide classes regarding claims of unjust enrichment and 16 statewide classes regarding state consumer protection laws. Subsequently, the court certified an additional class, bringing the total to 17 statewide classes. The court denied plaintiffs’ certification motion in all other respects. On June 25, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit granted the Company’s Petition to Appeal the lower court’s certification rulings. The Company’s appeal remains pending.

The Company is vigorously defending these matters and believes that the labeling, marketing and sale of its private-label motor oil comply with applicable federal and state requirements and are not misleading. The Company further believes that these matters are not appropriate for class or similar treatment. At this time, however, except as to the Louisiana Motor Oil Matter, it is not possible to predict whether these matters ultimately will be permitted to proceed as a class or in a similar fashion or the size of any putative class or classes. Likewise, except as to the Louisiana Motor Oil Matter, no assurances can be given that the Company will be successful in its defense of these matters on the merits or otherwise. Based on its belief that a loss in these matters is both probable and reasonably estimable, as noted above, during 2019, the Company recorded an accrual for an amount that is immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial statements as a whole.

8.	Segment reporting

The Company manages its business on the basis of one reportable operating segment. As of July 31, 2020, all of the Company’s operations were located within the United States with the exception of certain product sourcing operations in Hong Kong and China, which collectively are not material with regard to assets, results of operations or otherwise to the condensed consolidated financial statements. The following net sales data is presented in accordance with accounting standards related to disclosures about segments of an enterprise.


	13 Weeks Ended				26 Weeks Ended
	July 31,		August 2,		July 31,		August 2,
(in thousands)	2020		2019		2020		2019
Classes of similar products:
Consumables	$	6,496,350	$	5,428,005	$	13,199,799	$	10,641,160
Seasonal		1,161,611		854,093		2,079,523		1,591,071
Home products		586,021		375,068		1,084,303		750,781
Apparel		440,259		324,587		769,065		621,926
Net sales	$	8,684,241	$	6,981,753	$	17,132,690	$	13,604,938

9.	Common stock transactions

On August 29, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a common stock repurchase program, which the Board has since increased on several occasions. Most recently, on August 26, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $2.0 billion increase to the existing common stock repurchase program and as of that date, a cumulative total of $10.0 billion had been authorized under the program since its inception. The repurchase authorization has no expiration date and allows repurchases from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and number of shares purchased depends on a variety of factors, such as price, market conditions, compliance with the covenants and restrictions under the Company’s debt agreements and other factors. Repurchases under the program may be funded from available cash or borrowings, including under the Company’s Revolving Facility and issuance of CP Notes discussed in further detail in Note 5.

Pursuant to its common stock repurchase program, during the 26-week periods ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019, the Company repurchased in the open market approximately 3.6 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $664.6 million and approximately 3.0 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $385.0 million, respectively.

The Company paid a cash dividend of $0.36 per share during each of the first two quarters of 2020. On August 25, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.36 per share, which is payable on or before October 20, 2020 to shareholders of record on October 6, 2020. The amount and declaration of future cash dividends is subject to the sole discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, the Company’s results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the Board may deem relevant in its sole discretion.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Dollar General Corporation

Results of Review of Interim Financial Statements

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Dollar General Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of July 31, 2020, the related condensed consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, and shareholders’ equity for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019, the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “condensed consolidated interim financial statements”). Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements 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) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of January 31, 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 19, 2020, we expressed an unqualified audit opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2020, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

Basis for Review Results

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the PCAOB. We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. A review of interim financial statements 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 PCAOB, 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.


	/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

August 27, 2020
Nashville, Tennessee

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 fiscal year ended January 31, 2020. It also should be read in conjunction with the disclosure under “Cautionary Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this report.

Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has resulted in widespread and continuing impacts on the global economy and has affected our business, as well as our customers, suppliers, and other business partners. We have been classified as an essential business in all locations where we operate, and as such, our stores have generally remained open to serve our customers. In responding to the pandemic and its effects, our priority has been the health and safety of our employees and customers. In order to serve our employees and customers during this time while prioritizing their well-being, we have taken a variety of actions across our stores, distribution centers and store support center, including (as applicable): enhancing cleaning protocols, designating one hour each day for our elderly customers to shop our stores with limited crowds, implementing social distancing measures, providing personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, masks and hand sanitizer) for employees, providing employee temperature checks at our distribution facilities, and installing plexiglass barriers at registers.

In early March, we began seeing heightened demand from customers, particularly for consumable products such as paper, food and cleaning products, which continued throughout the first and second quarters, albeit with some variability as to the volume and category mix. Toward the end of the first quarter and throughout the second quarter, we also saw a significant increase in demand in many non-consumable products, including home, seasonal and apparel, resulting in an overall significant mix shift into non-consumable categories in the second quarter. From early March through the end of the second quarter, many new customers have begun shopping with us for their everyday essential needs, and we are working to retain them going forward. To address the increased demand, we increased our hiring of new store associates and have worked and continue to work with suppliers to incorporate new items in stores to meet the essential needs of customers while addressing certain product shortages and vendor allocations which we expect to persist for at least the remainder of the fiscal year in some cases. We believe that this increased customer demand significantly benefited our first and second quarters’ results of operations, and in particular, sales, gross profit, operating income and net income. Although we incurred additional payroll related expenses in the first half of fiscal 2020, including employee appreciation bonuses of approximately $73 million, increased distribution and transportation costs, as well as other costs to meet the significant demand and to protect the health and safety of our employees and customers, these costs were more than offset by the incremental sales. We anticipate these increased expenses will continue throughout fiscal 2020.

We expect to continue to be affected, although the extent and duration is unknown, by the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the economy in a variety of ways, potentially including changing consumer demand (whether higher or lower) in certain product categories, supply chain interruptions, increased distribution and transportation costs, increased payroll expenses, and increased costs in an effort to maintain safe work and shopping environments. Additionally, the vast shutdown of many businesses in the United States has resulted in high levels of unemployment, which, along with current and potential school closures, could have a significant adverse impact on our core customers for an unknown length of time. The potential effect of economic stabilization efforts, including additional government stimulus payments and enhanced unemployment benefits, is uncertain. In addition to the items described above, we expect the current adverse economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to continue at least throughout 2020 and possibly longer, potentially resulting in continued elevated unemployment, reduced economic activity, and capital markets volatility. We may experience adverse effects on our business, results of operations and cash flows from a recessionary economic environment that may persist after the COVID-19 pandemic has moderated. As a result, the quarterly cadence of our results of operations is likely to vary from historical patterns.

Due to the significant uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects, there may be consequences that we do not anticipate at this time or that develop in unexpected ways. We will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation, and we will continue to take actions as necessary to serve our employees, customers, communities and shareholders.

Executive Overview

We are the largest discount retailer in the United States by number of stores, with 16,720 stores located in 46 states as of July 31, 2020, with the greatest concentration of stores 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 basic apparel. Our merchandise includes national brands from leading manufacturers, as well as our own 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 locations.

We believe our convenient store formats, locations, and broad selection of high-quality products at compelling values have driven our substantial growth and financial success over the years and through a variety of economic cycles. We are mindful that the majority of our customers are value-conscious, and many have low and/or fixed incomes. As a result, we are intensely focused on helping our customers make the most of their spending dollars. Our core customers are often among the first to be affected by negative or uncertain economic conditions and among the last to feel the effects of improving economic conditions particularly when trends are inconsistent and of an uncertain duration. The primary macroeconomic factors that affect our core customers include the unemployment and underemployment rates, wage growth, changes in U.S. and global trade policy (including price increases from tariffs), and changes to certain government assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Additionally, our customers are impacted by increases in those expenses that generally comprise a large portion of their household budget, such as rent, healthcare and fuel prices. Finally, significant unseasonable or unusual weather patterns can impact customer shopping behaviors.

We remain committed to the following long-term operating priorities as we consistently strive to improve our performance while retaining our customer-centric focus: 1) driving profitable sales growth, 2) capturing growth opportunities, 3) enhancing our position as a low-cost operator, and 4) investing in our people as a competitive advantage.

We seek to drive profitable sales growth through initiatives aimed at increasing customer traffic and average transaction amount. As we work to provide everyday low prices and meet our customers’ affordability needs, we remain focused on enhancing our margins through effective category management, inventory shrink reduction initiatives, private brands penetration, distribution and transportation efficiencies, global sourcing, and pricing and markdown optimization. Several of our sales-driving initiatives are also designed to capture growth opportunities and are discussed in more detail below.

Historically, our sales of consumables, which tend to have lower gross margins, have been the key drivers of net sales and customer traffic, while sales of non-consumables, which tend to have higher gross margins, have contributed to more profitable sales growth and an increase in average transaction amount. In recent years our sales mix has continued to shift slightly toward consumables, and, within consumables, slightly toward lower margin departments such as perishables. Although this trend did not occur in the first half of 2020 (as discussed above under “Impact of COVID-19”), we continue to expect some sales mix challenges to persist over the long term. There can be no assurance that our initiatives, including those discussed below, some of which are intended to address these trends, will be successful.

We continue to make progress on and invest in certain strategic initiatives that we believe will help drive profitable sales growth and capture long-term growth opportunities. As a result of positive early results, we are accelerating our investment and the rollout of certain of these initiatives. Such opportunities include leveraging existing and developing new digital tools and technology to provide our customers with additional shopping access points and even greater convenience. This technology includes our Dollar General app, which contains a variety of tools to enhance the in-store shopping experience. Additionally, we are continuing to expand the rollout of DG Pickup, which is a buy online, pickup in-store initiative aimed at offering another convenient access point for customers. Our non-consumables

initiative, or “NCI,” is continuing to evolve and help shape our approach to non-consumable categories throughout the chain, offers a new, differentiated and limited assortment that will change throughout the year. As we extend this initiative more broadly, as well as incorporate certain related merchandising efforts throughout our chain, our goal is to continue to improve the shopping experience while delivering exceptional value within key areas of our non-consumable categories. Our goal is to have this offering in over 5,400 stores by the end of fiscal 2020.

We are continuing our rollout of the “DG Fresh” initiative, a self-distribution model for fresh and frozen products that is designed to enhance sales, reduce product costs, improve our in-stock position and enhance item assortment. By the end of fiscal 2020, we plan to operate up to ten DG Fresh distribution facilities, which will serve approximately 14,000 stores.

Tariffs on products from China, as applied to both our direct imports and domestic purchases, have not had a net material impact on our financial results. We believe we can continue to mitigate the potential sales and margin impact of such increased tariffs on our financial results in 2020 through various sourcing, merchandising and pricing efforts. However, as noted above, changes in trade policy that result in higher prices for our customers may negatively impact their budgets, and consequently, their spending, and additional increases in tariff rates or expansion of products subject to tariffs may have a more significant impact on our future business. There can be no assurance we will be successful in our efforts to mitigate the impacts of existing or future tariffs in whole or in part, including but not limited to any impacts on customer spending.

To support our other operating priorities, we remain focused on capturing growth opportunities. In the first half of 2020, we opened 500 new stores, remodeled 973 stores, and relocated 43 stores. Through the end of the second quarter, the COVID-19 pandemic has not resulted in a delay in our real estate plans, and we do not currently expect any significant delays based on what is currently known to management. For 2020, we continue to plan to open 1,000 new stores, and have increased our remodel and relocation plans to include 1,670 stores, and 110 stores, respectively, for a total of 2,780 real estate projects.

We continue to innovate within our channel and are able to utilize the most productive of our various store formats based on the specific market opportunity. We expect that our traditional 7,300 square foot store format will continue to be the primary store layout for new stores in 2020. We expect approximately 75% of the planned 1,670 remodels in 2020 to use a higher-cooler-count store format that enables us to offer an increased selection of perishable items, with the traditional store format being the primary store layout for the remainder of the real estate projects. Additionally, the majority of both new stores and remodels will incorporate higher-capacity coolers. The acceleration of remodels in 2020 and the increased usage of the higher-cooler-count formats is expected to allow us to capture additional growth opportunities within our existing markets. In addition, our smaller format store (less than 6,000 square feet) is expected to allow us to capture growth opportunities in urban areas. We continue to incorporate lessons learned from our various store formats and layouts into our existing store base. These lessons contribute to innovation in developing new formats, with a goal of driving increased customer traffic, average transaction amount, same-store sales and overall store productivity.

We have established a position as a low-cost operator, always seeking ways to reduce or control costs that do not affect our customers’ shopping experiences. We plan to continue enhancing this position over time while employing ongoing cost discipline to reduce certain expenses as a percentage of sales. Nonetheless, we seek to maintain flexibility to invest in the business as necessary to enhance our long-term profitability. We have experienced incremental costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic as discussed above under “Impact of COVID-19” and following.

We also have launched “Fast Track”, an initiative aimed at further enhancing our convenience proposition and in-stock position as well as increasing labor productivity within our stores. The first phase of Fast Track involved sorting process optimization within our distribution centers, as well as increased shelf-ready packaging, to allow for greater store-level stocking efficiencies, followed by the second-phase pilot of a self-checkout option in a limited number of stores. We have completed the sorting process optimization at all of our non-refrigerated distribution centers. Additionally, we have introduced self-checkout in a select number of stores. These and certain other strategic initiatives will require us to incur upfront expenses for which, in some respects, there may not be an immediate or acceptable return in terms of sales or enhanced profitability.

Certain of our operating expenses, such as wage rates and occupancy costs, have continued to increase in recent years, due primarily to market forces. While we expect these increases to persist, certain of our initiatives and plans are

intended to help offset these challenges, although there can be no assurance we will be successful in mitigating them. We have experienced incremental payroll, distribution and transportation costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic as discussed above under “Impact of COVID-19”.

Our employees are a competitive advantage, and we proactively seek ways to continue investing in them. Our goal is to create an environment that attracts and retains talented personnel, particularly at the store level, because employees who are promoted from within our company generally have longer tenures and are greater contributors to improvements in our financial performance. We believe our investments in compensation and training for our store managers have contributed to improved customer experience scores, higher sales and improved turnover metrics.

To further enhance shareholder returns, we repurchased shares of our common stock and paid quarterly cash dividends in the second quarter of 2020. We resumed repurchases under our share repurchase program after temporarily suspending repurchases during the first quarter of 2020 to evaluate the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. We intend to continue our share repurchase activity, and to pay quarterly cash dividends, throughout the remainder of 2020, subject to Board discretion and approval.

We utilize key performance indicators (“KPIs”) in the management of our business. Our KPIs include same-store sales, average sales per square foot, and inventory turnover. Same-store sales are calculated based upon stores that were open at least 13 full fiscal months and remain open at the end of the reporting period. We include stores that have been remodeled, expanded or relocated in our same-store sales calculation. Changes in same-store sales are calculated based on the comparable 52 calendar weeks in the current and prior years. Net sales per square foot is calculated based on total sales for the preceding 12 months as of the ending date of the reporting period divided by the average selling square footage during the period, including the end of the fiscal year, the beginning of the fiscal year, and the end of each of our three interim fiscal quarters. Inventory turnover is calculated based on total cost of goods sold for the preceding four quarters divided by the average inventory balance as of the ending date of the reporting period, including the end of the fiscal year, the beginning of the fiscal year, and the end of each of our three interim fiscal quarters. Each of these measures is commonly used by investors in retail companies to measure the health of the business. We use these measures to maximize profitability and for decisions about the allocation of resources.

A continued focus on our four operating priorities as discussed above, coupled with pandemic-related sales and other impacts (more fully discussed below), along with strong cash flow management resulted in strong overall operating and financial performance in the 2020 period as compared to the 2019 period, as set forth below.

Highlights of our 2020 second quarter results of operations compared to the 2019 second quarter and our financial condition at July 31, 2020 are set forth below. Basis points amounts referred to below are equal to 0.01% as a percentage of net sales.

●

Net sales increased 24.4% to $8.68 billion. Sales in same-stores increased 18.8% primarily reflecting a substantial increase in items per transaction. Average sales per square foot for all stores over the 52-week period ended July 31, 2020 was $260.

●

Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, was 32.5% in the 2020 period and 30.8% in the 2019 period, an increase of 167 basis points, primarily reflecting higher initial inventory markups, a significant increase in sales of non-consumable products, and favorable markdowns.

●

SG&A expense, as a percentage of net sales, was 20.4% in the 2020 period compared to 22.5% in the 2019 period, a decrease of 205 basis points, due in part to lower retail labor, occupancy and utilities costs as a percentage of net sales.

●

Operating profit increased 80.5% to $1.04 billion in the 2020 period compared to $0.58 billion in the 2019 period.

●

Interest expense increased by $14.5 million in the 2020 period primarily due to higher average outstanding debt balances in connection with the issuance of debt in the first quarter of 2020.

●

The effective income tax rate for the 2020 period was 21.5% compared to a rate of 22.9% for the 2019 period primarily due to income tax benefits associated with share-based compensation.

●

Net income was $787.6 million, or $3.12 per diluted share, in the 2020 period compared to net income of $426.6 million, or $1.65 per diluted share, in the 2019 period.

Highlights of the year-to-date period of 2020 include:

●

Cash generated from operating activities was $2.91 billion for the 2020 period, an increase of $1.78 billion over the comparable 2019 period.

●

Total cash dividends of $180.3 million, or $0.72 per share, were paid during the 2020 period, compared to $165.1 million, or $0.64 per share, in the comparable 2019 period.

●

Inventory turnover was 4.9 times on a rolling four-quarter basis. On a per store basis, inventories at July 31, 2020 decreased by 5.9% compared to the balances at August 2, 2019.

The above discussion is a summary only. Readers should refer to the detailed discussion of our results of operations below in the current year periods as compared with the prior year periods as well as our financial condition at July 31, 2020.

Results of Operations

Accounting Periods. We utilize a 52-53 week fiscal year convention that ends on the Friday nearest to January 31. The following text contains references to years 2020 and 2019, which represent the 52-week fiscal years ending or ended January 29, 2021 and January 31, 2020, respectively. References to the second quarter accounting periods for 2020 and 2019 contained herein refer to the 13-week accounting periods ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019, respectively.

Seasonality. The nature of our business is somewhat seasonal. Primarily because of sales of Christmas-related merchandise, operating profit in our fourth quarter (November, December and January) has historically been higher than operating profit in each of the first three quarters of the fiscal year. Expenses, and to a greater extent operating profit, 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. Consumer behavior driven by

the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a departure from seasonal norms we have experienced in recent years and may continue to disrupt the historical quarterly cadence of our results of operations for an unknown period of time.

The following table contains results of operations data for the second 13-week periods and the 26-week periods of 2020 and 2019, and the dollar and percentage variances among those periods:


	13 Weeks Ended						2020 vs. 2019				26 Weeks Ended						2020 vs. 2019
(amounts in millions, except	July 31,			August 2,			Amount		%		July 31,			August 2,			Amount		%
per share amounts)	2020			2019			Change		Change		2020			2019			Change		Change
Net sales by category:
Consumables	$	6,496.4		$	5,428.0		$	1,068.3	19.7	%	$	13,199.8		$	10,641.2		$	2,558.6	24.0	%
% of net sales		74.81	%		77.75	%						77.04	%		78.22	%
Seasonal		1,161.6			854.1			307.5	36.0			2,079.5			1,591.1			488.5	30.7
% of net sales		13.38	%		12.23	%						12.14	%		11.69	%
Home products		586.0			375.1			211.0	56.2			1,084.3			750.8			333.5	44.4
% of net sales		6.75	%		5.37	%						6.33	%		5.52	%
Apparel		440.3			324.6			115.7	35.6			769.1			621.9			147.1	23.7
% of net sales		5.07	%		4.65	%						4.49	%		4.57	%
Net sales	$	8,684.2		$	6,981.8		$	1,702.5	24.4	%	$	17,132.7		$	13,604.9		$	3,527.8	25.9	%
Cost of goods sold		5,866.0			4,832.8			1,033.2	21.4