DOLLAR TREE STORES INC
10-Q, 1998-11-13
VARIETY STORES
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                                    FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549


(Mark One)
   (X)    Quarterly  report  pursuant  to  Section  13 or 15  (d) of the
            Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the quarterly period ended
            September 30, 1998


   ( )    Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities
            Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File Number: 0-25464



                            DOLLAR TREE STORES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                   Virginia                            54-1387365
        (State or other jurisdiction of               (I.R.S. Employer
        incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)

                                500 Volvo Parkway
                           Chesapeake, Virginia 23320
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                         Telephone Number (757) 321-5000
               (Registrants telephone number, including area code)

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days:

                    Yes (X)                      No ( )

As of November 6, 1998, there were 59,158,498 shares of the Registrant's  Common
Stock outstanding.



<PAGE>



                            DOLLAR TREE STORES, INC.
                                and subsidiaries

                                      INDEX

              PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                                                        Page No.

Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:

       Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
        September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997........................       3

       Condensed Consolidated Income Statements
        Three months and nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997..       4

       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
        Nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997...................       5

       Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.............       6

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
          Condition and Results of Operations...........................       7

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk......      13

              PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings...............................................      13

Item 5. Other Information...............................................      13

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K................................      13

           Signatures...................................................      15




<PAGE>



                            DOLLAR TREE STORES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (In thousands, except share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     (Unaudited)
                                                    September 30,   December 31,
                                                        1998            1997
                                                    ------------    ------------
<S>                                                   <C>               <C>
                   ASSETS
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents......................  $  5,325          $ 43,695
     Accounts receivable............................     1,014             1,406
     Merchandise inventories .......................   184,511            89,066
     Deferred tax asset ............................     6,162             5,093
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets .....     6,606             3,762
                                                       -------           -------
         Total current assets.......................   203,618           143,022
                                                       -------           -------
Property and equipment, net.........................   108,364            82,071
Deferred tax asset..................................     2,294             2,029
Goodwill, net . . . . ..............................    43,033            44,478
Other assets, net...................................     1,149               976
                                                       -------           -------
         TOTAL ASSETS...............................  $358,458          $272,576
                                                       =======           =======


         LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
     Current portion of long-term debt..............  $ 40,000          $   --
     Accounts payable ..............................    53,057            44,058
     Accrued liabilities ...........................    16,541            19,526
     Income taxes payable...........................      --              18,908
     Current installments of obligations
        under capital leases........................       392               317
                                                       -------           -------
         Total current liabilities..................   109,990            82,809
                                                       -------           -------
Long-term debt (note 4).............................    50,000            30,000
Obligations under capital leases,
   excluding current installments...................     2,188               804
Other liabilities...................................     4,072             4,037
                                                       -------           -------
         Total liabilities..........................   166,250           117,650
                                                       -------           -------

Shareholders' equity:
     Common stock, par value $0.01. Authorized  
       100,000,000 shares, 59,144,230 shares issued
       and outstanding at September 30, 1998 and
       58,709,948 shares issued and outstanding at
       December 31, 1997 (note 2)...................       591               391
     Additional paid-in capital.....................    44,124            36,185
     Retained earnings..............................   147,493           118,350
                                                       -------           -------
         Total shareholders' equity.................   192,208           154,926
                                                       -------           -------
         TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY.  $358,458          $272,576
                                                       =======           =======

</TABLE>


      See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

                                        3

<PAGE>



                            DOLLAR TREE STORES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
                      (In thousands, except per share data)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended
                                                     September 30,             September 30,
                                                 ---------------------     ------------------
                                                   1998        1997          1998         1997
                                                 --------    --------      --------     --------
<S>                                              <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>     
Net sales....................................    $176,071    $142,386      $500,769     $389,464
Cost of sales................................     107,915      88,550       312,927      248,173
                                                  -------     -------       -------      -------

        Gross profit.........................      68,156      53,836       187,842      141,291
                                                  -------     -------       -------      -------

Selling, general, and administrative 
  expenses:
   Operating expenses........................      43,384      35,444       124,615       99,973
   Depreciation and amortization.............       4,736       3,327        13,207        9,422
                                                  -------     -------       -------      -------

        Total selling, general
          and administrative expenses........      48,120      38,771       137,822      109,395
                                                  -------     -------       -------      -------

Operating income.............................      20,036      15,065        50,020       31,896
Interest expense.............................       1,313         971         2,634        2,209
                                                  -------     -------       -------      -------

Income before income taxes...................      18,723      14,094        47,386       29,687
Provision for income taxes...................       7,208       5,425        18,243       11,428
                                                  -------     -------       -------      -------

        Net income...........................    $ 11,515    $  8,669      $ 29,143     $ 18,259
                                                  =======     =======       =======      =======

Net income per share (notes 2 and 3):
   Basic net income per share................    $   0.19    $   0.15      $   0.49     $   0.31
                                                  =======     =======       =======      =======

   Weighted average number of common
     shares outstanding:.....................      59,132      58,616        58,968       58,492
                                                  =======     =======       =======      =======

   Diluted net income per share .............    $   0.18    $   0.13      $   0.45     $   0.28
                                                  =======     =======       =======      =======

   Weighted average number of common
     shares and dilutive potential
     common shares outstanding...............      65,391      64,831        65,213       64,569
                                                  =======     =======       =======      =======

</TABLE>

      See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


                                        4

<PAGE>



                            DOLLAR TREE STORES, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (In thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Nine Months Ended
                                                               September 30,
                                                            -------------------
                                                             1998        1997
                                                            -------     -------
<S>                                                        <C>         <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net income..............................................  $ 29,143    $ 18,259
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
  used in operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization........................    13,207       9,422
    Loss on disposal of property and equipment ..........       500          77
    Provision for deferred income taxes..................    (1,334)       (984)
    Changes in assets and liabilities increasing
     (decreasing) cash and cash equivalents:
       Accounts receivable...............................       392         635
       Merchandise inventories...........................   (95,445)    (58,069)
       Prepaid expenses and other current assets.........    (2,844)        233
       Other assets .....................................        57        (160)
       Accounts payable..................................     8,999      11,478
       Accrued liabilities...............................    (2,985)         70
       Income taxes payable..............................   (14,754)     (8,269)
       Other liabilities.................................        35         805
                                                            -------     -------
        Total adjustments................................   (94,172)    (44,762)
                                                            -------     -------
        Net cash used in operating activities ...........   (65,029)    (26,503)
                                                            -------     -------
Cash flows from investing activities:
 Capital expenditures ...................................   (36,933)    (42,600)
 Proceeds from sale of property and equipment............       137        --
                                                            -------     -------
        Net cash used in investing activities............   (36,796)    (42,600)
                                                            -------     -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
 Proceeds from long-term debt............................   162,900     213,400
 Repayment of long-term debt and facility fees...........  (103,130)   (144,103)
 Principal payments under capital lease obligations......      (300)       (227)
 Proceeds from options exercised and purchase
  of shares under ESPP...................................     3,985       1,684
                                                            -------     -------
        Net cash provided by financing activities........    63,455      70,754
                                                            -------     -------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents.....   (38,370)      1,651
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.........    43,695       2,987
                                                            -------     -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period...............  $  5,325    $  4,638
                                                            =======     =======
</TABLE>


      See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


                                        5

<PAGE>




                            DOLLAR TREE STORES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     The condensed consolidated financial statements of Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.
and  subsidiaries  (the "Company") at September 30, 1998, and for the three- and
nine-month  periods  then ended,  are  unaudited  and  reflect  all  adjustments
(consisting only of normal recurring  adjustments)  which are, in the opinion of
management,  necessary for a fair  presentation  of the  financial  position and
operating results for the interim periods. The condensed  consolidated financial
statements  should  be read  in  conjunction  with  the  consolidated  financial
statements and notes thereto, together with management's discussion and analysis
of financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31,
1997,  contained in the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10- K. The results of
operations  for the three- and nine-month  periods ended  September 30, 1998 are
not  necessarily  indicative  of the results to be expected  for the entire year
ending December 31, 1998.

2. STOCK DIVIDEND

     In connection  with a stock dividend  authorized by the Board of Directors,
the Company issued one-half share of Common Stock for each outstanding  share of
Common  Stock,  payable June 29, 1998 to  shareholders  of record as of June 22,
1998.  All share and per share data in these  condensed  consolidated  financial
statements and accompanying  notes have been  retroactively  adjusted to reflect
this dividend, having the effect of a three-for-two stock split.

3. NET INCOME PER SHARE

     The  following  table sets forth the  calculation  of basic and diluted net
income per share:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Three months ended     Nine months ended
                                               September 30,         September 30,
                                            1998          1997     1998         1997
                                            ----          ----     ----         ----
                                              (In thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Basic net income per share:
     Net income........................   $  11,515  $   8,669  $  29,143  $  18,259
                                             ------     ------     ------     ------
     Weighted average number of
        common shares outstanding......      59,132     58,616     58,968     58,492
                                             ------     ------     ------     ------
               Basic net income
                 per share.............   $    0.19  $    0.15  $    0.49  $    0.31
                                             ======     ======     ======     ======

Diluted net income per share:
     Net income........................   $  11,515  $   8,669  $  29,143  $  18,259
                                             ------     ------     ------     ------
     Weighted average number of
       common shares outstanding.......      59,132     58,616     58,968     58,492
     Dilutive effect of stock options
       and warrants....................       6,259      6,215      6,245      6,077
                                             ------     ------     ------     ------
     Weighted average number of
       common shares and dilutive
       potential common shares 
       outstanding.....................      65,391     64,831     65,213     64,569
                                             ------     ------     ------     ------
               Diluted net income
                 per share.............   $    0.18  $    0.13  $    0.45  $    0.28
                                             ======     ======     ======     ======
</TABLE>

                                        6

<PAGE>



4. ISSUANCE OF DEBT

     On May 20,  1998,  the  Company  entered  into a Loan  Agreement  with  the
Mississippi  Business Finance  Corporation  ("MBFC") under which the MBFC issued
Taxable  Variable  Rate  Demand  Revenue  Bonds (the  "Bonds")  in an  aggregate
principal amount of $19.0 million, to finance the acquisition, construction, and
installation of land,  buildings,  machinery and equipment for the Company's new
distribution  facility in Olive Branch,  Mississippi.  At September 30, 1998 the
balance  outstanding on the Bonds is $7.9 million.  The Company begins repayment
of the principal  amount of the Bonds  beginning on June 1, 2006, with a portion
maturing each June 1 until the final portion  matures on June 1, 2018. The Bonds
contain a demand provision and, therefore, outstanding amounts are classified as
current  liabilities.  Interest is payable monthly based on a variable  interest
rate which was 5.65% at September 30, 1998.

     The Bonds are supported by a $19.3  million  Letter of Credit issued by one
of the  Company's  existing  lending  banks.  The Letter of Credit is  renewable
annually. The Letter of Credit and Reimbursement Agreement requires, among other
things,  the maintenance of certain specified ratios and restricts the amount of
capital expenditures and the payment of dividends.

5. STEP AHEAD INVESTMENTS, INC.

     On July 22, 1998,  the Company  signed a definitive  merger  agreement with
Sacramento,  California  based  Step  Ahead  Investments,  Inc.("SAI").  SAI,  a
privately-held  corporation  established  in 1983,  operates 63 stores under the
name  "98(cent)  Clearance  Centers." The stores offer variety  merchandise at a
fixed  price of  98(cent)  or less  and are  located  in  northern  and  central
California and northwestern Nevada.

     Under the terms of the merger  agreement,  the Company  expects to issue or
reserve  between 1.9 and 2.1 million shares for all of SAI's  outstanding  stock
and options,  adjusted for certain  changes in the  Company's  stock price.  The
stock-for-stock   transaction   is   expected   to  be   accounted   for   as  a
pooling-of-interests.  The  Company's  Registration  Statement  on Form S-4,  as
amended,  became effective on November 10, 1998. This transaction is expected to
close  on or  shortly  after  December  10,  1998,  pending  approval  of  SAI's
shareholders and fulfillment of other customary closing conditions.

Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

FORWARD LOOKING  STATEMENTS.  The Company has made in this report, and from time
to time may otherwise make, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act of 1995  concerning  the  Company's
operations, economic performance and financial condition. Such statements may be
identified by the use of words such as "believe," "anticipate" and "expect." The
forward-looking  statements concern, among other things, the Company's expansion
plans and store openings; sales per selling square foot and comparable store net
sales  trends;  increases in shipping or  distribution  costs;  the Dollar Bills
litigation;  the potential  products liability claims; the Step Ahead merger and
adverse economic factors.  Such  forward-looking  statements could be inaccurate
and are subject to various known and unknown

                                        7

<PAGE>



risks and uncertainties.  Actual results,  performance or actions of the Company
could differ  materially  from those  currently  anticipated  due to a number of
factors,  including the failure of the merger to be consummated at all or in the
manner  anticipated  as well as the risks  discussed in this Form 10-Q under the
caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of  Operations",  in the  Company's  1997  Annual  Report on Form 10-K under the
captions  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and
Results  of  Operations"  and  "Business",  and  in the  Company's  Registration
Statement  on Form S-4, as  amended,  effective  November  10,  1998,  under the
caption "Risk Factors".

The Three Months Ended September 30, 1998 and 1997

Results of Operations and General Comments

     Net sales  increased  $33.7  million,  or 23.6%,  to $176.1 million for the
three months ended  September 30, 1998, from $142.4 million for the three months
ended  September 30, 1997. Of this  increase,  (i)  approximately  88%, or $29.8
million,  was  attributable  to  stores  opened  in 1997 and 1998  which are not
included  in the  Company's  comparable  store net sales  calculation,  and (ii)
approximately  12%, or $3.9 million,  was  attributable to comparable  store net
sales growth,  which represented a 2.9% increase over comparable store net sales
in the corresponding  quarter of the prior year.  Because  substantially all the
Company's  products sell for $1.00,  the increase in comparable  store net sales
was a direct  result of increased  unit volume.  The Company added 75 new stores
during the third  quarter of 1998 and closed one store,  compared  to opening 54
new stores and closing one store during the third  quarter of 1997.  Nine of the
new stores were obtained from two small dollar store operators.

     Management  anticipates  that the primary source of future net sales growth
will be new  store  openings  and,  to a lesser  degree,  sales  increases  from
expanded and relocated stores and comparable store net sales increases. Although
the Company has experienced  significant increases in comparable store net sales
historically,  management  believes  that the  increases,  if any, in comparable
store  net  sales  in  the  future  may  be  smaller   than  those   experienced
historically,  and that  decreases in average net sales per selling  square foot
will occur as the average store size increases.

     Gross  profit,  which  consists of net sales less cost of sales  (including
distribution and certain occupancy costs), increased $14.3 million, or 26.6%, to
$68.2  million  in the third  quarter  of 1998 from  $53.8  million in the third
quarter of 1997. As a percentage of net sales,  gross profit  increased to 38.7%
from 37.8%,  primarily due to improved merchandise costs (after consideration of
the increased freight costs) and a reduction in inventory shrinkage and markdown
costs as a percentage of net sales.  The  improvement in merchandise  costs as a
percentage  of net sales is primarily  due to favorable  pricing and the earlier
receipt of higher  margin items,  compared to last year.  Because of the earlier
receipt of selected  items,  management does not expect this rate of improvement
to continue for the balance of the year.



                                        8

<PAGE>



     Selling,   general  and  administrative  expenses  ("SGA"),  which  include
operating expenses and depreciation and amortization, increased $9.3 million, or
24.1%,  to $48.1  million in the third quarter of 1998 from $38.8 million in the
third quarter of 1997,  and increased as a percentage of net sales to 27.3% from
27.2%  during the same  period.  This  increase in SGA, as a  percentage  of net
sales,  resulted primarily from increased payroll,  primarily due to the minimum
wage  increase  late in 1997,  and  higher  depreciation,  offset  by a  general
reduction in operating expenses resulting from cost controls.

     Operating income increased $5.0 million, or 33.0%, to $20.0 million for the
third quarter of 1998 from $15.1 million for the comparable  period in 1997, and
increased  as a  percentage  of net sales to 11.4%  from  10.6%  during the same
period for the reasons noted above.

The Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998 and 1997

Results of Operations and General Comments

     Net sales  increased  $111.3  million,  or 28.6%, to $500.8 million for the
nine months ended  September 30, 1998,  from $389.5  million for the nine months
ended  September 30, 1997. Of this  increase,  (i)  approximately  78%, or $87.0
million,  was  attributable  to  stores  opened  in 1997 and 1998  which are not
included  in the  Company's  comparable  store net sales  calculation,  and (ii)
approximately  22%, or $24.3 million,  was  attributable to comparable store net
sales growth,  which represented a 6.8% increase over comparable store net sales
in the corresponding  nine months of the prior year.  Because  substantially all
the  Company's  products sell for $1.00,  the increase in  comparable  store net
sales was a direct result of increased unit volume.  Management  believes that a
consistent  in-stock  inventory  position in basic consumable goods early in the
year,  combined  with an extended  Easter  selling  season,  contributed  to the
comparable store net sales increase. The Company added 171 new stores and closed
four stores  during the first nine  months of 1998,  compared to opening 129 new
stores and closing one store  during the first nine months of 1997.  Nine of the
new stores were obtained from two small dollar store operators.

     Gross  profit,  which  consists of net sales less cost of sales  (including
distribution and certain occupancy costs), increased $46.6 million, or 32.9%, to
$187.8 million in the first nine months of 1998 from $141.3 million in the first
nine months of 1997.  As a percentage  of net sales,  gross profit  increased to
37.5%  from  36.3%,   primarily  due  to  improved   merchandise   costs  (after
consideration  of the increased  freight costs).  The improvement in merchandise
costs is primarily  due to favorable  pricing and the earlier  receipt of higher
margin items.  In May 1998, a  trans-Pacific  ocean-shipping  cartel  imposed an
increase of $300 per container on all U.S.  imports from Asia, which took effect
with shipments  beginning in mid-May 1998. This rate increase is expected to add
approximately  $600,000 to $700,000 in freight expenses to the Company's cost of
sales for the  second  half of 1998,  and  approximately  $1.5  million  to $2.0
million  for 1999.  The cartel  recently  announced  its  intention  to impose a
further increase of $900 per container for shipments from Asia to the West Coast
of the United States and $1,000 for shipments to the East Coast, with a $300 per
container surcharge during the peak shipping season from June 1 through November
30. Although it is uncertain

                                        9

<PAGE>



whether  the cartel  will be  successful  in  implementing  the  increase at the
announced rates, the target effective date for the increase is May 1, 1999.

     SGA increased $28.4 million,  or 26.0%, to $137.8 million in the first nine
months  of 1998  from  $109.4  million  in the first  nine  months of 1997,  and
decreased  as a  percentage  of net sales to 27.5%  from  28.1%  during the same
period.  This decrease in SGA, as a percentage of net sales,  resulted primarily
from the  leveraging of fixed costs,  due to the strong  comparable  store sales
increases,  and from on-going cost control  initiatives,  which more than offset
slight increases in payroll and depreciation.

     Operating  income  increased $18.1 million,  or 56.8%, to $50.0 million for
the first nine months of 1998 from $31.9  million for the  comparable  period in
1997,  and  increased as a percentage of net sales to 10.0% from 8.2% during the
same period for the reasons noted above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

    The Company's  ongoing capital  requirements  result  primarily from capital
expenditures  related to new store  openings  and working  capital  requirements
related to new and existing stores.  The Company's working capital  requirements
for existing  stores are seasonal in nature and typically  reach their peak near
the  end of  the  third  and  beginning  of  the  fourth  quarter  of the  year.
Historically,  the Company has met its seasonal working capital requirements for
existing stores and funded its store expansion program from internally generated
funds and borrowings under its credit facilities.

    During the first nine months of 1998,  net cash used in operations was $65.0
million.  The net cash used in  operations  during the first nine months of 1998
was used  primarily to build  inventory  levels and compares to net cash used in
operations of $26.5 million during the  comparable  period of 1997. The increase
in  1998  reflects  higher  inventory  levels  due to  the  earlier  receipt  of
merchandise in anticipation of a shipping  container shortage in Southeast Asia.
Net cash used in investing  activities  during the first nine months of 1998 was
$36.8 million, which consisted primarily of capital expenditures relating to new
store expansion. Net cash provided by financing activities during the first nine
months of 1998 was $63.5  million,  which was  primarily  used to fund  seasonal
working capital needs.

     The Company's borrowings under its bank facilities,  senior notes and Bonds
were $90.0  million at September  30, 1998,  and $72.5  million at September 30,
1997.  Borrowings  at December 31, 1997,  amounted to $30.0  million.  Under the
Company's bank facilities, an additional $82.9 million is available at September
30, 1998,  approximately  $13.5 million of which is committed to certain letters
of credit issued in relation to the routine purchase of foreign merchandise.

     During September 1998, the Amended and Restated  Revolving Credit Agreement
was  amended to remove the  minimum  beneficial  ownership  requirements  of the
founding shareholders.



                                       10

<PAGE>



   Except for the cost of the new Olive Branch  facility,  the Company  believes
that it can adequately fund its planned capital expenditures and working capital
requirements for the next several years from net cash provided by operations and
availability under its credit facilities.

Recent Development

     On July 22, 1998,  the Company  signed a definitive  merger  agreement with
Sacramento,  California based Step Ahead  Investments,  Inc.("SAI").  The merger
agreement  was amended on October 20, 1998.  SAI, a  privately-held  corporation
established  in 1983,  operates  63 stores  under the name  "98(cent)  Clearance
Centers." The stores offer variety  merchandise  at a fixed price of 98(cent) or
less and are located in northern and central California and northwestern Nevada.
The Company's Registration  Statement on Form S-4, as amended,  became effective
on November 10, 1998.

     Under the terms of the merger  agreement,  the Company  expects to issue or
reserve  between 1.9 and 2.1 million shares for all of SAI's  outstanding  stock
and options,  adjusted for certain  changes in the  Company's  stock price.  The
stock-for-stock   transaction   is   expected   to  be   accounted   for   as  a
pooling-of-interests.  This transaction is expected to close on or shortly after
December 10, 1998,  pending  approval of SAI's  shareholders  and fulfillment of
other customary closing conditions.

     Costs relating to the merger are expected to be approximately $5.5 million,
which will be charged to  operations  upon  consummation  of the  merger.  After
consideration  of these  costs and  charges,  the Company  anticipates  that the
merger will be dilutive for  shareholders  of the combined  company for the year
ended  December 31, 1998,  but  management  believes that the merger will not be
dilutive for the year ended December 31, 1999.

Year 2000 Compliance

     The Company has been evaluating and adjusting all known date-sensitive
systems and equipment for Year 2000 compliance. The Year 2000 project has been
divided into four phases: 1) inventory and initial assessment, 2) remediation
& testing, 3) implementation and 4) contingency planning. The assessment phase
of the Year 2000 project is substantially complete and included both
information technology, such as computer equipment and software, as well as
non-information technology equipment, such as warehouse conveyor systems.

     The Company's plan provides for internal compliance of all mission-critical
systems by  mid-1999.  The Company  believes  that the  majority of its internal
systems are currently Year 2000  compliant.  Some programs and equipment will be
replaced  beginning in late 1998 by routine upgrades which will provide numerous
system  enhancements  and  will be Year  2000  compliant.  These  upgrades  were
previously planned and were not accelerated due to Year 2000 issues. The Company
has not deferred any  information  technology  projects to address the Year 2000
issue.



                                       11

<PAGE>



     The Company  plans to continue to rely  primarily on internal  resources in
order to  identify,  correct  or  reprogram  and  test  systems  for  Year  2000
compliance.  The total costs of modifying the Company's  current systems are not
expected to exceed  $500,000.  These  costs are not  expected to have a material
adverse  impact on the Company's  financial  position,  results of operations or
cash flows in future periods.

     Additionally,  the Company is in the process of communicating  with service
providers  and  suppliers  of  merchandise  in order to assess  their  Year 2000
readiness  and the extent to which the  Company may be  vulnerable  to any third
parties' failure to remediate their own Year 2000 issues.  Many of these parties
have stated their ability to supply the Company will not be affected by the Year
2000 issue.  However,  the Company  cannot  assure  timely  compliance  of third
parties and may be adversely affected by failure of a significant third party to
become Year 2000 compliant.

     Although the Company  anticipates minimal business disruption will occur as
a result of Year 2000 issues, possible consequences include, but are not limited
to, loss of communications  links with store locations,  customs delays, loss of
electric power,  inability to process transactions,  or engage in similar normal
business activities.

     To date,  the Company has not  established a contingency  plan for possible
Year 2000 issues.  Where needed,  the Company will establish  contingency  plans
based on the  Company's  actual  testing  experience  and  assessment of outside
risks.

     The  cost  of the  conversions  and  the  completion  dates  are  based  on
management's best estimates and may be updated as additional information becomes
available.

New Accounting Pronouncements

     The Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board has issued  Statements No. 130,
Reporting  Comprehensive  Income (SFAS 130), No. 131, Disclosures about Segments
of an Enterprise and Related  Information (SFAS 131) and No. 133, Accounting for
Derivative  Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133). SFAS 130 and SFAS 131
are  effective  for the Company  beginning  January  1998 and for the year ended
December 31, 1998,  respectively.  SFAS 130 is currently not  applicable for the
Company. SFAS 133 is effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning
after June 15,  1999.  The impact of SFAS 133 is being  reviewed by the Company,
but  management  believes  it will not have a material  effect on the  Company's
financial condition.

     The Accounting  Standards  Executive Committee of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position (SOP) 98-5,  Reporting
on the Costs of Start-up  Activities,  on April 3, 1998. It requires pre-opening
costs to be expensed as incurred for fiscal years  beginning  after December 15,
1998 and the  impact of the  implementation  of this SOP is not  expected  to be
material to the Company's financial results.



                                       12

<PAGE>



Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

     Not applicable.


                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

     The Company has  previously  reported in its 1997 Annual Report on Form
10-K a  dispute  involving  Michael  and  Pamela  Alper and a  corporation  they
control. There have been no material developments regarding this matter in 1998.

     The Company has recalled certain retractable dog leashes which were alleged
to have caused several  personal  injuries,  as previously  reported in its 1997
Annual  Report on Form  10-K.  There  have been no other  material  developments
regarding this matter in 1998.

     Additionally,  the Company is a party to ordinary  routine  litigation  and
proceedings  incidental to its  business,  including  certain  matters which may
occasionally be asserted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, none of
which is individually or in the aggregate material to the Company.


Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

     In relation to the proposed merger with Step Ahead  Investments,  Inc., the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-61139) became
effective on November 10, 1998.

Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

(a) Exhibits.

     The  following  documents,  filed as Exhibits 2.1 and 4.1 to the  Company's
Current  Report  on Form 8-K on July 31,  1998 are  incorporated  herein by this
reference:

     2.1      Merger Agreement dated July 22, 1998 by and among Dollar Tree
              Stores, Inc., Dollar Tree West, Inc., and Step Ahead Investments,
              Inc.

     4.1      Voting Agreement dated July 22, 1998 by and among Dollar Tree
              Stores, Inc., Gary L. Cino, Janet Cino, Gary L. Nett, Trustee for
              The Cino Children's Trust dated March 18, 1997, and Gary and Janet
              Cino, Trustees of the Gary and Janet Cino Trust dated May 1,
              1991.


                                       13

<PAGE>



     The  following  document,  filed as Exhibit  2.1 to the  Company's  Current
Report on Form 8-K on October 29, 1998 is incorporated herein by this reference:

     2.2      Amendment to the Merger Agreement dated October 20, 1998 by and
              among Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., Dollar Tree West, Inc., and Step
              Ahead Investments, Inc.

     The following document is filed herewith:

     10.1     Fifth  Amendment  to Amended  and  Restated  Revolving  Credit
              Agreement  dated  September 30,  1998 by and  among  Dollar  Tree
              Distribution,  Inc.,  Dollar Tree  Stores,  Inc.,  Dollar Tree
              Management, Inc., BankBoston, N.A., NationsBank, N.A., Crestar
              Bank,  First Union National Bank of Virginia,  Amsouth Bank of
              Alabama, and Union Bank of California, N.A.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K.

     The Company filed the following Reports on Form 8-K.

         Date                  Subject

     July 16, 1998         Press release regarding a 50% stock dividend

     July 31, 1998         Signing of a definitive merger agreement between the
                           Company and Step Ahead Investments, Inc.

     October 8, 1998       Press release regarding net sales for the quarter
                           ended September 30, 1998

     October 29, 1998      Amendment to the Merger Agreement between Dollar Tree
                           Stores, Inc., Dollar Tree West, Inc. and Step Ahead
                           Investments, Inc.
                           Press release regarding net earnings for the quarter
                           ended September 30, 1998





                                       14

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


DATE:         November 13, 1998

                                                   DOLLAR TREE STORES, INC.




                                                   By: /s/ Frederick C. Coble
                                                       ------------------------
                                                       Frederick C. Coble
                                                       Senior Vice President,
                                                       Chief Financial Officer
                                                       (principal financial and 
                                                        accounting officer)


                                       15

<PAGE>

                         FIFTH AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND
                       RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

         This Fifth Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement
is made as of the 30th day of September, 1998 by and among

         Dollar Tree Distribution, Inc. (the "Borrower"), a Virginia corporation
         having its chief executive office at 500 Volvo Parkway, Chesapeake, 
         Virginia 23320;

         Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. ("DTS"), a Virginia corporation having its 
         chief executive office at 500 Volvo Parkway, Chesapeake, Virginia
         23320;

         Dollar Tree Management, Inc. ("DTM"), a Virginia corporation having its
         chief executive office at 500 Volvo Parkway, Chesapeake, Virginia 
         23320;

         BankBoston,   N.A.   (f/k/a  The  First   National   Bank  of  Boston),
         NationsBank, N.A., Crestar Bank, First Union National Bank of Virginia,
         Amsouth Bank of Alabama,  Union Bank of California,  N.A. and all other
         financial institutions which are now or may hereafter become parties to
         such Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement  (individually,  a
         "Lender" and collectively, the "Lenders"); and

         BankBoston,  N.A. (f/k/a The First National Bank of Boston), a national
         banking  association  having  its head  office at 100  Federal  Street,
         Boston, Massachusetts,  as Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the
         "Agent").

in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and benefits to be 
derived herefrom,

                               W IT N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, the Borrower, DTS, DTM, the Agent and the Lenders entered into
an Amended and Restated  Revolving  Credit  Agreement  dated as of September 27,
1996 (as amended by a First Amendment to Amended and Restated  Revolving  Credit
Agreement  dated January 25, 1997, as further  amended by a Second  Amendment to
Amended  and  Restated  Revolving  Credit  dated as of May 8,  1997,  as further
amended by a Third Amendment to Amended and Restated  Revolving  Credit dated as
of September 2, 1997 and as further amended by a Fourth Amendment to Amended and
Restated  Revolving  Credit  dated as of  November  7, 1997,  collectively,  the
"Agreement"); and

         WHEREAS,  the Borrower,  DTS, DTM, the Agent, and the Lenders desire to
modify and amend the Agreement, as provided herein.

         NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:


                                        1

<PAGE>



         1.       Definitions.  All capitalized terms used herein and not 
                  otherwise defined shall have the same meaning herein as in the
                  Agreement.

         2.       Amendment to Section 6. The  provisions of Section 6.22 of the
                  Agreement  are hereby  amended by deleting the first  sentence
                  thereof.

         3.       Amendment  to Section 8. The  provisions  of Section  8.12 are
                  hereby amended by deleting clause (a) in its entirety.

         4.       Ratification of Loan Documents.  Except as provided herein, 
                  all terms and conditions of the Agreement and the other Loan 
                  Documents remain in full force and effect. The Obligors each 
                  hereby ratify, confirm, and reaffirm all representation, 
                  warranties, and covenants contained therein and acknowledge 
                  and agree that none of them have any offsets, defenses, or 
                  counterclaims against the Agent or any Lender thereunder, and 
                  to the extent that any such offsets, defenses, or 
                  counterclaims may exist, each of the Obligors hereby waive and
                  release the Agent and Lenders therefrom.

         5.       Miscellaneous.

                  (a)      This  Fifth   Amendment   to  Amended  and   Restated
                           Revolving Credit Agreement may be executed in several
                           counterparts   and  by  each   party  on  a  separate
                           counterpart,  each  of  which  when so  executed  and
                           delivered  shall  be an  original,  and all of  which
                           together shall constitute one instrument.

                  (b)      This  Fifth   Amendment   to  Amended  and   Restated
                           Revolving  Credit  Agreement   expresses  the  entire
                           understanding  of the  parties  with  respect  to the
                           transactions    contemplated    hereby.    No   prior
                           negotiations or discussions  shall limit,  modify, or
                           otherwise affect the provisions hereof.


                                        2

<PAGE>



         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  undersigned  have  hereunto  executed  this
Agreement as a sealed instrument as of the date first above written.

                                       DOLLAR TREE DISTRIBUTION, INC.


                                  By:   /s/ Frederick C. Coble
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Frederick C. Coble
                                       Title: Senior Vice President,
                                              Chief Financial Officer

                                       DOLLAR TREE STORES, INC.


                                  By:   /s/ Frederick C. Coble
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Frederick C. Coble
                                       Title: Senior Vice President,
                                              Chief Financial Officer

                                       DOLLAR TREE MANAGEMENT, INC.


                                  By:   /s/ Frederick C. Coble
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Frederick C. Coble
                                       Title: Senior Vice President,
                                              Chief Financial Officer

                                       BANKBOSTON, N.A. (f/k/a THE
                                       FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON)
                                       individually and as Agent


                                  By:   /s/ Judith C.E. Kelly
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Judith C.E. Kelly
                                       Title: Vice President


                                        3

<PAGE>



                                       CRESTAR BANK


                                  By:   /s/ Bruce W. Nave
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name: Bruce W. Nave
                                       Title:Senior Vice President,

                                       FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK


                                  By:   /s/ Leslie S. Cundiff
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name: Leslie S. Cundiff
                                       Title:Senior Vice President,

                                       NATIONSBANK, N.A.


                                  By:   /s/ Franklin P. Earley
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name: Franklin P. Earley
                                       Title:Senior Vice President,

                                       UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.


                                  By:   /s/ Susan D. Biba
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name: Susan D. Biba
                                       Title:Vice President

                                       AMSOUTH BANK OF ALABAMA


                                  By:   /s/ Mary Anna Raburn
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name: Mary Anna Raburn
                                       Title:Vice President


                                        4

<PAGE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                              5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE COMPANY'S
FORM 10-Q FOR THE  PERIOD  ENDED  SEPTEMBER  30,  1998 AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                       1,000
       
<S>                                         <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                             9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                             5,325
<SECURITIES>                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      1,014
<ALLOWANCES>                                           0
<INVENTORY>                                      184,511
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 203,618
<PP&E>                                           153,599
<DEPRECIATION>                                    45,235
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   358,458
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            109,990
<BONDS>                                                0
                                  0
                                            0
<COMMON>                                             591
<OTHER-SE>                                       191,617
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     358,458
<SALES>                                          500,769
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 500,769
<CGS>                                            312,927
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    312,927
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 137,822
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 2,634
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   47,386
<INCOME-TAX>                                      18,243
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               29,143
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                      29,143
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          0.49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          0.45
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                              5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE COMPANY'S
FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. SUMMARY FINANCIAL
INFORMATION FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 IS HEREIN RE-PRESENTED
TO REFLECT EARNINGS PER SHARE AS RECALCULATED FOR STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL
ACCOUNTING STANDARD NO. 128.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                1,000
       
<S>                                                  <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                       SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                                      4,638
<SECURITIES>                                                    0
<RECEIVABLES>                                               1,220
<ALLOWANCES>                                                    0
<INVENTORY>                                               133,150
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                          145,603
<PP&E>                                                    102,480
<DEPRECIATION>                                             31,899
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            264,399
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                      75,655
<BONDS>                                                         0
                                           0
                                                     0
<COMMON>                                                      391
<OTHER-SE>                                                123,738
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                              264,399
<SALES>                                                   389,464
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                          389,464
<CGS>                                                     248,173
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                             248,173
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                          109,395
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                          2,209
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                            29,687
<INCOME-TAX>                                               11,428
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                        18,259
<DISCONTINUED>                                                  0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                 0
<CHANGES>                                                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                               18,259
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                   0.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                   0.28
        


</TABLE>


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