If the world returns to a recession (not something I view as likely, but you never know), there are a series of companies which will do comparatively well – dollar stores. They have an obvious value proposition, and solid margins – Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:DG) reported an operating margin of 10.2% for the trailing-12 months, as compared to Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ:DLTR) Stores at 8.5%, and Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (NYSE:FDO) at 6.7%.
These margins might indicate a recommendation for Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:DG), but my money’s on Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (NYSE:FDO) due to management’s superior work at innovation. Before I get into comparisons of the three, I’d like to start with a few comments on outside threats.
There is one sector in particular which I believe to be counter-cyclical by nature: dollar stores. When real incomes fall and unemployment goes up, more people buy cheap groceries. This is why Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:DG), Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ:DLTR) Stores and Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (NYSE:FDO) have done so well over the past four years.
Now, some of the households these firms attracted during the recession will remain customers even if the recovery continues. The uncertainty lies around how many will stay and how many will defect to grocery store, pharmaceutical, and big- box competitors. That uncertainty is too much for me if the recovery continues, so my recommendation to buy Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (NYSE:FDO) is contingent on a global backslide.
Wal-Mart Stores’ smaller-footprint Neighborhood Markets is another potential threat – neighborhood markets are designed explicitly to compete with dollar stores and are backed by Wal-Mart’s enormous financial resources. Wal-Mart only had 230 Neighborhood Markets nationwide as of March, so there is plenty of room for additional growth.
A recent study shows that Wal-Mart already offers cheaper groceries, household supplies, and pharmaceuticals than Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:DG). Timenotes that the dollar stores are getting away with higher margins than Wal-Mart – indicating either that they are getting their goods cheaper (unlikely, given Wal-Mart’s size) or they are finding ways to charge more (perhaps by selling smaller-sized items). As value-minded shoppers become more aware of these facts, they may return to the dollar stores’ big-box competitor.
Competitor financials
Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:DG) reported excellent first-quarter 2013 results, with same-store sales growth of 2.6% and total sales growth of 8.5%. Management expects continued same-store sales growth of 5% and overall sales growth of 10% to 11% for 2013. The company continues to expand aggressively, with 165 new stores opened this past quarter.
