Dollar Tree said on Wednesday it was exploring options, including a potential sale or spinoff of its Family Dollar banner, as it looks to restructure business at a time when still-high inflation continues to strain consumer spending.
The retailer, like its peer Dollar General, has been grappling with weak discretionary demand as shoppers focus more on less-profitable consumables. It is facing stiff competition from rivals Walmart, Target and Chinese e-commerce platform Temu, which are also offering lower-priced products to attract budget-stretched customers.
Family Dollar, which Dollar Tree bought for US$8.5 billion (RM39.9 billion) in 2015, has been the main underperformer for the company, as its core lower-income customers have come under pressure due to reduced government benefits and higher borrowing costs.
"The unique needs of each banner at this time... lead us to the decision to conduct a thorough review of strategic alternatives for the Family Dollar business," said CEO Richard Dreiling.
Dollar Tree earlier this year had outlined plans to shutter 970 of its Family Dollar stores.
The company said on Wednesday it would close an additional 150 stores by the end of fiscal 2024.
It has not set a deadline or definitive timetable for the completion of the review process and noted there can be no assurance that the process will result in any transaction.
The Family Dollar banner operates 8,359 stores and 10 distribution centres, as of Feb 3. Overall, Dollar Tree operates more than 16,000 stores.
JPMorgan Securities LLC is the financial adviser in this review.
Dollar Tree had raked in about US$31 billion in revenue for fiscal 2023, of which Family Dollar accounted for 45 per cent.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the news on Wednesday.
Shares of Dollar Tree were down about 3.0 per cent in premarket trading, after the company forecast annual profit that lagged analysts' estimate.
It expects adjusted profit for fiscal 2024 to be between US$6.50 and US$7 per share, the midpoint of which is below LSEG estimates of US$6.89.
The company said its outlook reflects the increased transportation costs related to the loss of a distribution centre in Oklahoma due to a tornado.