5.6% comparable store sales(1) growth and 22.2% increase in diluted net earnings per share to $0.77 Dollarama increases equity interest in LATAM partnership and expands countries of operation to include Mexico Long-term store target for Dollarcity increased from 850 stores by 2029 to 1,050 by 2031 in current four markets of operation MONTREAL, June 12, 2024 /CNW/ - Dollarama Inc. (TSX:DOL) ("Dollarama" or the "Corporation") today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended April 28, 2024. Dollarama also announced today that it has acquired an additional 10.0% equity interest in Latin American value retailer Dollarcity, increasing its total equity interest to 60.1%, and that it has expanded its partnership countries to include Mexico. See separate press release for more details. Fiscal 2025 First Quarter Results Highlights Compared to Fiscal 2024 First Quarter Results Sales increased 8.6% to 1,405.8 million Comparable store sales grew 5.6%, over and above 17.1% growth in the corresponding period of the previous year EBITDA(1) increased 14.0% to $417.7 million, representing an EBITDA margin(1) of 29.7%, compared to 28.3% Operating income increased 16.0% to $322.0 million, representing an operating margin(1) of 22.9%, compared to 21.4% Diluted net earnings per common share increased 22.2% to $0.77, compared to $0.63 18 net new stores opened, compared to 21 net new stores 1,281,166 common shares repurchased for cancellation for $145.5 million "As anticipated, we are seeing a progressive normalization in comparable store sales, with growth primarily driven by persistent higher than historical demand for core consumables and other everyday essentials. As Canadian consumers continue to seek out compelling value for their hard-earned money, we will remain focused on executing on our value and convenience promise," said Neil Rossy, President and CEO. "Like Dollarama in Canada, the Dollarcity value proposition is resonating with consumers in LATAM. The increase in Dollarcity's long-term target to 1,050 stores by 2031 in their current four countries of operation speaks to the untapped growth potential in these markets and more broadly, the relevance of our retail model across geographies and demographics," added Mr. Neil Rossy. _________________________________ (1) Refer to the section entitled "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" of this press release for the definition of these items and, where applicable, their reconciliation with the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Fiscal 2025 First Quarter Financial Results Sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased by 8.6% to $1,405.8 million, compared to $1,294.5 million in the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. This increase was driven by growth in the total number of stores over the past 12 months (from 1,507 stores on April 30, 2023, to 1,569 stores on April 28, 2024) and comparable store sales growth.  Comparable store sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased by 5.6%, consisting of an 8.7% increase in the number of transactions and a 2.8% decrease in average transaction size, over and above comparable store sales growth of 17.1% in the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. The increase in comparable store sales was driven primarily by strong customer demand for consumables. Gross margin(1) was 43.2% of sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, compared to 42.2% of sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Gross margin as a percentage of sales was higher primarily as a result of lower inbound shipping costs, mainly driven by the positive impact of renewed contracts with carriers, as well as lower logistics costs. General, administrative and store operating expenses ("SG&A") for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased by 11.0% to $217.2 million, compared to $195.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024. SG&A represented 15.4% of sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, compared to 15.1% of sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2024. This variance reflects higher store labour and operating costs. EBITDA totalled $417.7 million, representing an EBITDA margin of 29.7%, for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, compared to $366.3 million, or an EBITDA margin of 28.3%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The Corporation's 50.1% share of Dollarcity's net earnings for the period from January 1, 2024, to March 31, 2024, increased by 68.3% to $22.1 million, compared to $13.1 million for the same period last year. The Corporation's investment in Dollarcity is accounted for as a joint arrangement using the equity method. Net financing costs were $36.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, compared to $36.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The slight decrease reflects higher interest income from invested capital, partially offset by a higher average borrowing rate on Fixed Rate Notes and lease liabilities.  Net earnings increased by 20.0% to $215.8 million, or $0.77 per diluted common share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, compared to $179.9 million, or $0.63 per diluted common share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Dollarcity Store Count and New Long-term Store Target During its first quarter ended March 31, 2024, Dollarcity opened 15 net new stores, compared to 8 net new stores in the same period last year. As at March 31, 2024, Dollarcity had 547 stores with 324 locations in Colombia, 99 in Guatemala, 72 in El Salvador and 52 in Peru. This compares to 532 stores as at December 31, 2023. Following an updated evaluation of the market potential for Dollarcity stores in its current markets of operation, comprised of Colombia, Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru, Dollarcity's management believes that it can profitably grow its store network in these four markets to approximately 1,050 stores by 2031, up from its previous long-term target of 850 stores by 2029. The increased store target reflects anticipated growth primarily in Peru and Colombia. ______________________________ (1) Refer to the section entitled "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" of this press release for the definition of these items and, where applicable, their reconciliation with the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Normal Course Issuer Bid During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, 1,281,166 common shares were repurchased for cancellation under the Corporation's normal course issuer bid for a total cash consideration of $145.5 million, at a weighted average price of $113.60 per share. Dividend  On June 12, 2024, the Corporation announced that its board of directors approved a quarterly cash dividend for holders of common shares of $0.0920 per common share. This dividend is payable on August 2, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 5, 2024. The dividend is designated as an "eligible dividend" for Canadian tax purposes. Publication of Fiscal 2024 ESG Report Dollarama today published its fiscal 2024 ESG Report, prepared in alignment with relevant Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards and with an increasing number of recommendations from the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). This latest report provides a comprehensive overview of the Corporation's ESG strategy, governance oversight and priority topics across five pillars: our products and customers, our operations and climate strategy, our people, our supply chain and our governance. It also provides an annual update on key indicators, goals and initiatives. Our fiscal 2024 ESG Report and accompanying SASB Index is in complement to our previous ESG disclosure and related documents, all available in the Sustainability section of www.dollarama.com, and should be read in conjunction with our regulatory filings. Outlook(2)  The Corporation's financial annual guidance ranges for fiscal 2025 issued on April 4, 2024, as well as the assumptions on which these ranges are based, remain unchanged: (as a percentage of sales except net new store openings in units and capital expenditures in millions of dollars) Fiscal 2025 Guidance Net new store openings 60 to 70 Comparable store sales 3.5% to 4.5% Gross margin 44.0% to 45.0% SG&A 14.5% to 15.0% Capital expenditures $175.0 to $200.0 These guidance ranges are based on several assumptions, including the following: The number of signed offers to lease and store pipeline for the remainder of fiscal 2025, the absence of delays outside of our control on construction activities and no material increases in occupancy costs in the short- to medium-term Approximately three months visibility on open orders and product margins  Continued positive customer response to our product offering, value proposition and in-store merchandising The active management of product margins, including through pricing strategies and product refresh, and of inventory shrinkage The Corporation continues to account for its investment in Dollarcity as a joint arrangement using the equity method The entering into of foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge the majority of forecasted merchandise purchases in USD against fluctuations of CAD against USD The continued execution of in-store productivity initiatives and realization of cost savings and benefits aimed at improving operating expense The absence of a significant shift in labour, economic and geopolitical conditions, or material changes in the retail environment No significant changes in the capital budget for fiscal 2025 for new store openings, maintenance and transformational capital expenditures, the latter mainly related to IT projects The absence of unusually adverse weather, especially in peak seasons around major holidays and celebrations Many factors could cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the foregoing forward-looking statements, including the fiscal 2025 guidance and the underlying assumptions. These statements, including the various underlying assumptions, are forward-looking and should be read in conjunction with the cautionary statement on forward-looking statements. _________________________________ (2) To be read in conjunction with the "Forward-Looking Statements" section of this press release.  Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release about our current and future plans, expectations and intentions, results, levels of activity, performance, goals or achievements or any other future events or developments constitute forward-looking statements. The words "may", "will", "would", "should", "could", "expects", "plans", "intends", "trends", "indications", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "likely" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words or other comparable words or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to management and on estimates and assumptions made by management regarding, among other things, general economic and geopolitical conditions and the competitive environment within the retail industry in Canada and in Latin America, in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that are believed to be appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. However, there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Many factors could cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including the factors which are outlined in the management's discussion and analysis for the first quarter of the fiscal year ending February 2, 2025 and discussed in greater detail in the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of the Corporation's annual management's discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2024, both available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on the Corporation's website at www.dollarama.com. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Corporation or Dollarcity; however, they should be considered carefully. The purpose of the forward-looking statements is to provide the reader with a description of management's expectations regarding the Corporation's and Dollarcity's financial performance and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements made herein. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at June 12, 2024 and management has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Virtual Shareholder Meeting and First Quarter Results Conference Call Dollarama will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders today, June 12, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. (ET). The meeting will be conducted virtually, via live audio webcast. All shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 18, 2024 will be able to listen to the live audio webcast and submit questions. However, only registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders (including non-registered shareholders who have duly appointed themselves as proxyholder) will be able to vote at the meeting. Dollarama will also hold a conference call to discuss its fiscal 2025 first quarter results and the Dollarcity transaction today, June 12, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. (ET) followed by a question and answer period for financial analysts only. Other interested parties may participate in the call on a listen-only basis via live audio webcast accessible through Dollarama's website at www.dollarama.com/en-CA/corp/events-presentations. About Dollarama Dollarama is a recognized Canadian value retailer offering a broad assortment of ...