Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Nov. 24, 2012

Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment [Abstract]

Segment Information

8. Segment Information

The Company operates a chain of more than 7,500 general merchandise retail discount stores in 45 states, serving the basic needs of customers primarily in the low- and middle-income brackets. The stores are supported by ten distribution centers and one Store Support Center. All of the stores operate under the Family Dollar name and are substantially the same in terms of size, merchandise, customers, distribution and operations. The Company has no franchised locations or other lines of business. All of the Company’s operations are located in the United States with the exception of certain sourcing entities located in Asia. The foreign operations are not material. The Company manages the business on the basis of one operating segment and therefore, has only one reportable segment. The following table presents net sales by classes of similar products.

	Quarter Ended
(in thousands)	November 24, 2012		November 26, 2011
Classes of similar Products:
Consumables	$	1,789,285	$	1,509,536
Home Products	242,335		246,000
Apparel and Accessories	178,026		186,214
Seasonal and Electronics	212,042		206,537
Net sales	$	2,421,688	$	2,148,287

The following table describes the Company’s product categories in more detail:

Consumables	Household chemicals
	Paper products
	Food
	Health and beauty aids
	Hardware and automotive supplies
	Pet food and supplies
	Tobacco
Home Products	Domestics, including blankets, sheets and towels
	Housewares
	Giftware
	Home décor
Apparel and Accessories	Men’s clothing
	Women’s clothing
	Boys’ and girls’ clothing
	Infants’ clothing
	Shoes
	Fashion accessories
Seasonal and Electronics	Toys
	Stationery and school supplies
	Seasonal goods
	Personal electronics, including pre-paid cellular phones and services