Dollar General reported its fourth-quarter earnings, surpassing analysts' expectations with net sales of $9.86 billion against the forecasted $9.78 billion (-4.15% YoY) and earnings per share (EPS) of $1.83 (-40.88% YoY), despite a year-over-year decline. The company's stock jumped towards a 7-month high following the announcement, buoyed by a surprise growth in same-store sales of 0.7% YoY and a positive outlook for 2024 sales growth between 6.0% and 6.7%. However, Dollar General also projected its 2024 profit below Wall Street estimates, citing higher costs and a shift in consumer behavior as challenges. The retailer's gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 29.5% for the reported quarter, down from 30.9% last year, reflecting broader trends affecting low-income consumers, including persistent inflation and a shift towards essential spending, which have pressured the discount retail sector.