Fashion
US’ Dollar General Q2 sales up 5.1%, raises full-year forecast
Dollar General Corporation has reported financial results for its second quarter (Q2) of fiscal 2025 (FY25), ended August 1, 2025, with solid growth across key metrics. Net sales rose 5.1 per cent to $10.7 billion from $10.2 billion in the same quarter last year, driven by contributions from new stores and same-store sales growth of 2.8 per cent. The same-store performance reflected a 1.5 per cent increase in customer traffic and a 1.2 per cent rise in average transaction size, with gains recorded in consumables, seasonal items, home products, and apparel.
Dollar General has posted strong Q2 FY25 results with net sales up 5.1 per cent to $10.7 billion and same-store sales rising 2.8 per cent.
Gross margin improved to 31.3 per cent, operating profit climbed 8.3 per cent to $595.4 million, and EPS rose 9.4 per cent to $1.86.
The retailer lifted full-year guidance, expecting sales growth of 4.3–4.8 per cent and EPS of $5.8–6.3.
Gross profit as a percentage of sales improved to 31.3 per cent from 30 per cent, supported by lower shrink, higher inventory markups, and reduced damages, though partially offset by higher markdowns, distribution costs, and LIFO provision, the company said in a release.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 25.8 per cent of sales compared to 24.6 per cent a year earlier, largely due to higher incentive compensation, maintenance, and employee benefits.
Operating profit increased 8.3 per cent to $595.4 million, while net income rose 10 per cent to $411.4 million. Diluted EPS climbed 9.4 per cent to $1.86 from $1.7 last year. Interest expense declined 15.3 per cent to $57.7 million, while the effective tax rate stood at 23.5 per cent compared with 22.3 per cent last year.
The company’s board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.59 per share. Merchandise inventories at cost fell 7.4 per cent on a per-store basis to $6.6 billion, compared with $7 billion last year. Year-to-date cash flow from operations increased 9.8 per cent to $1.8 billion.
Capital expenditures totalled $694 million in the first half of fiscal 2025, including $365 million for remodels, relocations, and upgrades, $151 million for distribution and transport projects, $143 million for new store facilities, and $32 million for IT and technology upgrades. During Q2 alone, Dollar General opened 204 new stores, remodelled 729 stores under Project Elevate, 592 under Project Renovate, and relocated 15 stores.
“We are pleased with our strong second-quarter results, including earnings growth that significantly exceeded our expectations. Our improved execution, along with our progress advancing key initiatives, is resonating with both existing and new customers as we further enhance our value and convenience proposition. I want to thank our team for their ongoing commitment and dedication to fulfilling our mission of Serving Others every day in more than 20,000 stores across the country,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s chief executive officer.
Looking ahead, the company has raised its full-year guidance to reflect its second quarter outperformance and stronger outlook for the remainder of the year. It now expects net sales growth of 4.3–4.8 per cent, up from 3.7–4.7 per cent previously. Same-store sales growth is forecast at 2.1–2.6 per cent, compared with earlier guidance of 1.5–2.5 per cent.
Diluted EPS is expected in the range of $5.8 to $6.3, higher than the prior $5.2–$5.8 outlook, based on a tax rate assumption of 23.5 per cent. Capital expenditures remain forecast at $1.3–$1.4 billion. For fiscal 2025, the company plans to execute around 4,885 real estate projects, including 575 new US stores, up to 15 in Mexico, approximately 2,000 remodels under Project Renovate, 2,250 remodels under Project Elevate, and 45 relocations.
“Looking ahead, we believe we have ample opportunity to drive growth and further improve our operating and financial performance, as we continue to work toward achieving the goals laid out in our long-term financial framework. We are proud of our progress, confident in the future of this resilient business model, and excited about the opportunity to further create sustainable long-term value for our customers, associates, and shareholders,” Vasos added.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Fashion
China boosts offshore wind capacity to speed up low-carbon transition
The country’s total wind power installed capacity hit 650 million kW at the end of February 2026—up by 22.8 per cent year on year (YoY), data from the National Energy Administration show.
China is developing several advanced offshore wind projects, fast-tracking its energy transition.
Its cumulative offshore wind installed capacity has surpassed 47 million kW, leading the world for five consecutive years.
China is now shifting its focus to deeper, more distant waters.
It has also developed a robust, clustered offshore wind industrial supply chain, with key hubs in coastal provinces.
Its cumulative offshore wind installed capacity has surpassed 47 million kW, leading the world for five consecutive years.
Generally, projects with water depths exceeding 50 metres are categorised as deep-sea offshore wind, and those over 65 kilometres from the shore as far-offshore wind.
China is now shifting its focus to deeper, more distant waters, where winds are stronger and more stable, but pose greater operational challenges.
In south China’s Guangdong Province, a major offshore wind farm project developed by China Huadian Corporation, situated off the coast of Yangjiang City, has started full-scale construction.
Located up to 89 km offshore, it will generate 1.6 billion kWh of clean power annually and reduce carbon emissions by 1.26 million tonnes upon completion, a state-controlled media outlet reported.
Meanwhile, in east China’s Shandong Province, the country’s deepest operational offshore wind farm has achieved full grid connection. The 504,000-kW project, developed by China Huaneng Group, operates in waters ranging from 52 to 56 metres deep, approximately 70 km offshore.
In south China’s Hainan Province, a pilot wind project has also commissioned its first grid-connected turbines, which are expected to generate 150 million kWh of clean power per year.
China has also developed a robust, clustered offshore wind industrial supply chain, with key hubs in coastal provinces like Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong and Fujian, covering turbine manufacturing, auxiliary equipment, construction and installation, and operation and maintenance services.
In Shantou, Guangdong Province, local authorities are exploring diversified utilisation models for offshore wind to build a world-class high-end offshore wind equipment cluster.
Key components for wind turbines, including generators, gearboxes, and bearings, are produced and assembled seamlessly within the industrial cluster, reducing long-distance transportation costs and the risk of damage.
The city also boasts a key offshore wind innovation hub, equipped with a training centre and an advanced wind turbine testing platform, which provides professional technical support and performance testing services for the global offshore wind industry.
In Yancheng, east China’s Jiangsu Province, China’s largest offshore wind industrial cluster has taken shape, with a complete supply chain. Its total wind turbine production capacity accounts for over 40 per cent of the national total, and blade production accounts for about 20 per cent of the country’s output.
During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), China aims at further developing large-scale offshore wind bases across the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea, and steadily scale up deep-sea wind development.
The country targets over 100 million kW of cumulative offshore wind capacity by 2030.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Fashion
Sweden’s H&M & Stella McCartney return with nostalgic 2026 collection
The collection unites past and present, combining beloved current signatures, such as oversized shirting, sweeping trenches and sharp tailoring, with playful iconic hits from McCartney’s early archive, including bejewelled prints and slogan tops.
H&M unveils its new Stella McCartney collaboration, launching May 7, marking 20 years since their first partnership.
Blending archive-inspired designs with modern signatures, the collection features tailored pieces, statement prints and accessories.
With a strong focus on recycled and organic materials, it reflects McCartney’s legacy of innovation, sustainability and timeless style.
“I see this collection as a journey through my fashion history. It is a true mix of current classics and some of my old favourites that showcase my first forays into fashion and the development of my signatures. It’s playful, strong, sparkling, joyful, refined.” Stella McCartney.
Other key items in the collection include rib knitted dresses and tops with McCartney’s signature Falabella chain at the neck, and a long white gown with a cape-like sleeve that loops into the hem, giving the look of a sweeping circle of fabric. Also available are sparkling partywear, separates and denims, as well as mesh dresses and tops in a bold archival cherry-print. Offering an extra dose of nostalgia is a white mini tee embellished with studs reading ‘Rock Royalty’.
The accessories range is strong, and rich in bags. There will be six styles to choose from, including small, branded shoulder bags, giant totes and a timeless chocolate-toned bag with a chain-detail strap. This is one of several pieces in the collection that incorporate the Falabella chain, including necklaces and earrings, crafted in recycled metal in mixed tones, and loafers with chain detailing on the front.
The collection is defined by an approach to materials that prioritizes recycled content, organic cottons, wool certified to the RWS Standard and innovative usage of feedstock for coated materials, such as industrial corn and recycled vegetable oil.
Unveiled today is the collection’s campaign, shot by Sam Rock in London, and starring Renee Rapp, Angelina Kendall and Adwoa Aboah. The mood is playful yet effortless, nostalgic yet forward-thinking. Across the campaign, &Stella becomes the tagline for this special collaboration. Reinterpreted in myriad forms – &Here &Now &Me &You – it becomes a message about connection, care, and a way of being that speaks both this moment, and to the past, present, and future.
“Stella has always had a bold vision for fashion, and this collection tracks her journey from a young, rule-breaking voice to a master of timeless design. Every single piece in the collection is desirable and tells a unique and bold story.” – Ann-Sofie Johansson.
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JP)
Fashion
North India cotton yarn steady despite continued push by spinners
The Delhi cotton yarn market remained stable, though demand from downstream industries was weak at elevated price levels. Garment demand in both domestic and export markets also remained sluggish. A trader from Delhi market told Fibre*Fashion, “Spinning mills are selling cotton yarn at an additional margin of at least ** per cent. They have a cushion of advance orders from other countries. Mills have export orders for the next *–* months, so they do not need to sell in the domestic market. They are selling cotton yarn domestically at higher prices than export realisations.”
In Delhi, ** count combed knitting yarn was traded at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg (GST extra), while ** count combed yarn was priced at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg. Meanwhile, ** count carded yarn was traded at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg and ** count carded at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg, according to market sources.
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