Dollar Tree considering sale, spinoff of Family Dollar

Dollar Tree Inc. has initiated a formal review of strategic alternatives for the company’s Family Dollar brand, which could include a potential sale, spinoff or other disposition of the business, the discount retailer has announced.

“The unique needs of each banner at this time—transformation at Family Dollar and growth acceleration at Dollar Tree—lead us to the decision to conduct a thorough review of strategic alternatives for the Family Dollar business. Our goal is to position both the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar banners to progress further and faster, and to determine whether the exclusive attention of a dedicated team will benefit both, while creating value for Dollar Tree shareholders and other stakeholders,” said Rick Dreiling, chairman and chief executive officer.

“Dollar Tree has been on a multi-year journey to help the company fully achieve its potential,” he said. “Last year, we announced a comprehensive review of the Family Dollar portfolio, including the planned closure of approximately 970 underperforming Family Dollar stores to focus on enhanced investments in remaining Family Dollar stores that present favorable opportunities for long-term growth and transformation, with more attractive returns on capital. We are already beginning to see progress in this targeted strategy in the streamlined Family Dollar banner.”

He added, “At the same time, we continue to aggressively grow the Dollar Tree banner through compelling initiatives like our expanded multi-price offerings, significant planned new store openings across the United States and accretive transactions like our recent successful bid to acquire up to 170 stores from 99 Cents Only.”

Dollar Tree has not set a deadline or definitive timetable for the completion of the strategic alternatives review process, and there can be no assurance that this process will result in any transaction or particular outcome. The Company does not intend to comment further unless and until the Board has approved a specific course of action or the Company has otherwise determined that further disclosure is appropriate or necessary.

In May, Dollar Tree laid off 54 corporate employees, Supermarket News reported.

Dollar Tree has retained J.P. Morgan Securities as its financial advisor and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP as its legal advisor to assist in this review. 

Chesapeake, Virginia-based Dollar Tree operates 16,397 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces under the Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and Dollar Tree Canada brands.

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This story was originally featured on CSP Daily News, a sister publication of Supermarket News.