Family Dollar 2007 Annual Report Download - page 2

Corporate Profile
Family Dollar is one of the fastest growing discount store chains in
the United States. During the last ten years, more than 4,000 new
stores have been added to the chain, of which over half were opened
in the last five years. The merchandising strategy that drives this
growth provides customers with good values on basic merchandise for
the family and home in a small neighborhood store. Our merchandise
is sold at everyday low prices in a no frills, convenient, self-service
environment. Most merchandise is priced under $10.00.
Stores are located in a contiguous 44-state area ranging northeast to
Maine, southeast to Florida, as far northwest as Idaho and southwest
to Arizona. Family Dollar stores generally range in size from 7,500
to 9,500 square feet, and most are operated in leased facilities. The
relatively small size enables us to open new stores in rural areas and
small towns, as well as in large urban neighborhoods. Within these
markets, our stores are located in shopping centers or as freestanding
buildings or in urban storefronts convenient to our value-conscious
customer base.
During the fiscal year ended September 1, 2007, we opened 300 new
stores and closed 43 stores to bring the number of stores in operation
at fiscal year-end to 6,430.
Our headquarters are located in Matthews, North Carolina, just outside
of Charlotte. We operate automated full-service distribution centers in
Matthews; West Memphis, Arkansas; Front Royal, Virginia; Duncan,
Oklahoma; Morehead, Kentucky; Maquoketa, Iowa; Odessa, Texas;
Marianna, Florida; and Rome, New York. Family Dollar has been a
publicly held corporation since 1970 and its Common Stock is listed on
the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol FDO.