Dollar Tree’s Forecast Falls Short of Estimates on Rising Cost Pressures

  • Retailer cites higher wages, repair costs, “elevated shrink”
  • Comparable sales surge, easily topping analyst estimates

A Dollar Tree store in Beltsville, Maryland.

Photographer: Nathan Howard/Bloomberg
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Dollar Tree Inc.’s third-quarter earnings forecast fell short of analyst estimates as the company contends with challenges such as higher wages and a less profitable sales mix, one year after introducing a higher price point.

The discount retailer also cited headwinds from “elevated shrink,” a retail-industry term that includes losses from theft. Adjusted earnings in the current quarter will be no more than $1.04 a share, the company saidBloomberg Terminal Thursday. That was far behind the $1.29 average of analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.