Advance Auto Parts Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2012 Results

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ROANOKE, Va.--(Business Wire)--
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP), a leading retailer of automotive
aftermarket parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items, today
announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended
December 29, 2012. Fourth quarter earnings per diluted share (EPS) were $0.88
which was a 2.2% decrease versus the fourth quarter last year. For fiscal 2012,
EPS was $5.22 which was an increase of 2.2% over the same period last year.

Fourth Quarter Performance Summary

Twelve Weeks Ended Fifty-Two Weeks Ended
December 29, December 31, December 29, December 31,
2012 2011 2012 2011

Sales(in millions) $ 1,329.2 $ 1,327.6 $ 6,205.0 $ 6,170.5

Comp Store Sales % (1.9 %) 2.9 % (0.8 %) 2.2 %

Gross Profit % 49.9 % 49.0 % 49.9 % 49.7 %

SG&A % 41.4 % 40.6 % 39.3 % 39.0 %

Operating Income % 8.5 % 8.4 % 10.6 % 10.8 %

Diluted EPS $ 0.88 $ 0.90 $ 5.22 $ 5.11

Avg Diluted Shares(in thousands) 74,002 73,807 74,062 77,071

"We are pleased that our fourth quarter profitability results exceeded our
expectations. Our comparable sales trends continued to improve sequentially,
after adjusting for the holiday shift in our fourth quarter, as well as our
operating profits," said Darren R. Jackson, President and Chief Executive
Officer. "Overall fiscal 2012 was a challenging environment, which is reflected
in our results. Yet we achieved many key milestones that position us for a
strong future. Those achievements include the launch of our in-house commercial
credit program, the opening of our new distribution center in Remington,
Indiana, improvements in our commercial customer satisfaction, the market entry
into the boroughs of New York and the acquisition of BWP which closed after our
fiscal year ended. These milestones are significant steps which will allow us to
more effectively compete in the larger and faster growing Commercial market."

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2012 Highlights

Total sales for the fourth quarter increased 0.1% to $1.33 billion, as compared
with total sales during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. The sales increase
reflected a comparable store sales decrease of 1.9% versus a comparable store
sales increase of 2.9% during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, partially
offset by the net addition of 132 new stores over the past 12 months. For fiscal
2012, total sales increased 0.6% to $6.21 billion, compared with total sales of
$6.17 billion during fiscal 2011.

The Company's gross profit rate was 49.9% of sales during the fourth quarter as
compared to 49.0% during the fourth quarter last year. The 87 basis-point
increase in gross profit rate was primarily due to improvements in shrink and
supply chain efficiencies. The supply chain efficiencies, which were driven by
an increase in the volume of inventory handled during the quarter, more than
offset the increase in supply chain costs associated with the opening of the
Company's new distribution center and increased new store openings. For fiscal
2012, the Company's gross profit rate was 49.9%, compared with 49.7% in fiscal
2011.

The Company's SG&A rate was 41.4% of sales during the fourth quarter as compared
to 40.6% during the same period last year. The 79 basis-point increase was
primarily due to expense deleverage as a result of the Company's 1.9% comp store
sales decline, increased new store openings and costs associated with the
Company's acquisition related activities during the quarter, partially offset by
lower incentive compensation. For fiscal 2012, the Company's SG&A rate was 39.3%
versus 39.0% during fiscal 2011.

The Company's operating income during the fourth quarter of $113.2 million
increased 1.1% versus the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. On a rate basis,
operating income was 8.5% of total sales as compared to 8.4% during the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2011. For fiscal 2012, the Company's operating income rate was
10.6% versus 10.8% during fiscal 2011.

Operating cash flow decreased 17.3% to $685.3 million from $828.8 million
through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Free cash flow was $412.3 million
versus $507.2 million through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Capital
expenditures were $271.2 million as compared to $268.1 million through the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

"2012 was a challenging year for our company primarily driven by the ongoing
softness in our colder weather markets and decreased consumer demand for auto
parts. While we are disappointed we did not achieve our growth and profitability
expectations for the year, we are encouraged by our improved sales performance
trends versus the market," said Mike Norona, Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer. "Our decision to maintain our investment profile through the
course of the year is driven by our confidence in the long-term industry
fundamentals and provides us with a strong foundation to build upon as we head
into fiscal 2013."

Comparable Key Financial Metrics and Statistics (1)

Twelve Weeks Ended Fifty-Two Weeks Ended
December 29, December 31,
2012 2011 FY 2012 FY 2011 FY 2010

Sales Growth % 0.1 % 4.5 % 0.6 % 4.1 % 9.5 %

Sales per Store (2) $ 1,664 $ 1,708 $ 1,664 $ 1,708 $ 1,697

Operating Income per Store (3) $ 176 $ 184 $ 176 $ 184 $ 168

Return on Invested Capital (4) 19.4 % 19.5 % 19.4 % 19.5 % 17.5 %

Gross Margin Return on Inventory (5) 9.3 6.6 9.3 6.6 5.1

Total Store Square Footage, end of period 27,806 26,663 27,806 26,663 25,950

Total Team Members, end of period 53,473 52,002 53,473 52,002 51,017

(1) In thousands except for gross margin return on inventory and total Team Members. The financial metrics presented are calculated on an annual basis and accordingly reflect the last four quarters completed, except for Sales Growth % and where noted.
(2) Sales per store is calculated as net sales divided by an average of beginning and ending store count.
(3) Operating income per store is calculated as operating income divided by an average of beginning and ending store count.
(4) Return on invested capital (ROIC) is calculated in detail in the supplemental financial schedules.
(5) Gross margin return on inventory is calculated as gross profit divided by an average of beginning and ending inventory, net of accounts payable and financed vendor accounts payable.

Store Information

During the fourth quarter, the Company added 67 stores, including eight Autopart
International stores. For fiscal 2012, the Company added 137 stores, including
21 Autopart International stores. As of December 29, 2012, the Company's total
store count was 3,794 including 218 Autopart International stores. For the year,
the Company closed five stores.

2013 Annual Financial Outlook

The Company has provided the following annual financial outlook and certain key
assumptions for fiscal 2013.

Fiscal 2013 Annual Financial Outlook and Key Assumptions

New Stores 170 - 190 (155 - 165 Advance Auto Parts stores, 10 - 15 Autopart International stores); excludes 124 BWP stores acquired on December 31, 2012
Comparable Store Sales Low-single digits
Operating EPS $5.45 - $5.60; excludes BWP integration costs
Reported EPS $5.30 - $5.45; includes BWP integration costs of $0.15 - $0.20
Capital Expenditures $275 million - $300 million
Diluted Share Count Approximately 74 million shares

In fiscal 2013, the Company anticipates a low-single digit increase in
comparable store sales driven by continued strong Commercial sales growth. The
Company expects a modest increase in gross profit rate. The Company expects its
rate of growth in SG&A dollars per store to increase three to five percent.

As a result of the acquisition of BWP Distributors, Inc. (BWP), the Company
estimates that BWP will add roughly $170 million to $180 million of revenue in
fiscal 2013. The Company anticipates BWP will generate positive operating income
when excluding the impact of one-time integration costs. Additionally, the
Company anticipates free cash flow will be a minimum of $375 million, excluding
the net acquisition price of BWP, which was approximately one times the
anticipated additional revenue from BWP in fiscal 2013.

"Our 2013 annual operating EPS outlook will be in the range of $5.45 to $5.60
per share excluding one-time integration costs for BWP of approximately $0.15 to
$.20 per share. On a reported basis, including the BWP one-time integration
costs, our EPS outlook is expected to be $5.30 to $5.45," said Mike Norona,
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "Consistent with our
historical practice, our outlook does not reflect any anticipated share
repurchase activity. However, we plan to continue our historical practice of
opportunistically repurchasing shares in a disciplined manner, which could
positively impact our 2013 annual EPS outlook."

Share Repurchase Program

As of December 29, 2012, the Company had approximately $492 million available on
the Company's $500 million share repurchase program authorized by the Company's
Board of Directors on May 14, 2012.

Dividend

On February 5, 2013, the Company's Board of Directors declared a regular
quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share to be paid on April 5, 2013 to
stockholders of record as of March 22, 2013.

Investor Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 10:00
a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its quarterly results. To listen to the live call,
please log on to the Company's website, www.AdvanceAutoParts.com, or dial (866)
908-1AAP. The call will be archived on the Company's website until February 7,
2014.

About Advance Auto Parts

Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts, Inc., a leading automotive
aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in
the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer
markets. As of December 29, 2012, the Company operated 3,794 stores in 39
states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Additional information about the
Company, employment opportunities, customer services, and online shopping for
parts, accessories and other offerings can be found on the Company's website at
www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.

Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements, as
that statement is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements address future events or developments, and typically
use words such as believe, anticipate, expect, intend, plan, forecast, outlook
or estimate. These statements discuss, among other things, expected growth and
future performance, including store growth, capital expenditures, comparable
store sales, SG&A, operating income, gross profit rate, free cash flow,
profitability and earnings per diluted share for fiscal year 2013. These
forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions
including, but not limited to, competitive pressures, demand for the Company's
products, the market for auto parts, the economy in general, inflation, consumer
debt levels, the weather, business interruptions, information technology
security, availability of suitable real estate, dependence on foreign suppliers
and other factors disclosed in the Company's 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2011 on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual
results may differ materially from anticipated results described in these
forward-looking statements. The Company intends these forward-looking statements
to speak only as of the time of this news release and does not undertake to
update or revise them as more information becomes available.

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

December 29, December 31,
2012 2011

Assets

Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 598,111 $ 57,901
Receivables, net 229,866 140,007
Inventories, net 2,308,609 2,043,158
Other current assets 47,614 52,754
Total current assets 3,184,200 2,293,820

Property and equipment, net 1,291,759 1,223,099
Assets held for sale 788 615
Goodwill 76,389 76,389
Intangible assets, net 28,845 31,380
Other assets, net 31,833 30,451
$ 4,613,814 $ 3,655,754

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt $ 627 $ 848
Accounts payable 2,029,814 1,653,183
Accrued expenses 379,639 385,746
Other current liabilities 149,558 148,098
Total current liabilities 2,559,638 2,187,875

Long-term debt 604,461 415,136
Other long-term liabilities 239,021 204,829
Total stockholders' equity 1,210,694 847,914
$ 4,613,814 $ 3,655,754

NOTE: These preliminary condensed consolidated balance sheets have been prepared on a basis consistent with our previously prepared balance sheets filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for our prior quarter and annual report, but do not include the footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, for complete financial statements.

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Twelve Week Periods Ended
December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

December 29, December 31,
2012 2011

Net sales $ 1,329,201 $ 1,327,572
Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs 666,046 676,834
Gross profit 663,155 650,738
Selling, general and administrative expenses 549,959 538,820
Operating income 113,196 111,918
Other, net:
Interest expense (7,992 ) (5,073 )
Other (expense) income, net (159 ) 314
Total other, net (8,151 ) (4,759 )
Income before provision for income taxes 105,045 107,159
Provision for income taxes 39,990 40,720
Net income $ 65,055 $ 66,439

Basic earnings per share (a) $ 0.89 $ 0.92
Diluted earnings per share (a) $ 0.88 $ 0.90

Average common shares outstanding (a) 73,221 72,394
Average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution (a) 74,002 73,807

(a) Average common shares outstanding is calculated based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the quarter. At December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had 73,383 and 72,799 shares outstanding, respectively.

NOTE: These preliminary condensed consolidated statements of operations have been prepared on a basis consistent with our previously prepared statements of operations filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for our prior quarter and annual report, but do not include the footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Fifty-Two Week Periods Ended
December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

December 29, December 31,
2012 2011

Net sales $ 6,205,003 $ 6,170,462
Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs 3,106,967 3,101,172
Gross profit 3,098,036 3,069,290
Selling, general and administrative expenses 2,440,721 2,404,648
Operating income 657,315 664,642
Other, net:
Interest expense (33,841 ) (30,949 )
Other income (expense), net 600 (457 )
Total other, net (33,241 ) (31,406 )
Income before provision for income taxes 624,074 633,236
Provision for income taxes 236,404 238,554
Net income $ 387,670 $ 394,682

Basic earnings per share (a) $ 5.29 $ 5.21
Diluted earnings per share (a) $ 5.22 $ 5.11

Average common shares outstanding (a) 73,091 75,620
Average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution (a) 74,062 77,071

(a) Average common shares outstanding is calculated based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. At December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had 73,383 and 72,799 shares outstanding, respectively.

NOTE: These preliminary condensed consolidated statements of operations have been prepared on a basis consistent with our previously prepared statements of operations filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for our prior quarter and annual report, but do not include the footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Fifty-Two Week Periods Ended
December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

December 29, December 31,
2012 2011

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 387,670 $ 394,682
Depreciation and amortization 189,544 175,949
Share-based compensation 15,236 19,553
Provision for deferred income taxes 26,893 53,037
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation (23,099 ) (9,663 )
Other non-cash adjustments to net income 4,281 6,326
(Increase) decrease in:
Receivables, net (89,482 ) (15,372 )
Inventories, net (260,298 ) (179,288 )
Other assets 8,213 23,073
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable 376,631 360,678
Accrued expenses 40,936 (15,901 )
Other liabilities 8,756 15,775
Net cash provided by operating activities 685,281 828,849

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (271,182 ) (268,129 )
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (8,369 ) (23,133 )
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment 6,573 1,288
Net cash used in investing activities (272,978 ) (289,974 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Decrease) increase in bank overdrafts (7,459 ) 6,625
Decrease in financed vendor accounts payable - (31,648 )
Net (payments) borrowings on credit facilities (115,000 ) 115,000
Issuance of senior unsecured notes 299,904 -
Payment of debt related costs (2,942 ) (3,656 )
Dividends paid (17,596 ) (18,554 )
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, primarily exercise of stock options 8,495 21,056
Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights (26,677 ) (6,582 )
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation 23,099 9,663
Repurchase of common stock (27,095 ) (631,149 )
Contingent consideration related to previous business acquisitions (10,911 ) -
Other 4,089 (938 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 127,907 (540,183 )

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 540,210 (1,308 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 57,901 59,209
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 598,111 $ 57,901

NOTE: These preliminary condensed consolidated statements of cash flows have been prepared on a consistent basis with previously prepared statements of cash flows filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for our prior quarter and annual report, but do not include the footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Supplemental Financial Schedules
Fifty-Two Week Periods Ended
December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow:

December 29, December 31,
2012 2011

Cash flows from operating activities $ 685,281 $ 828,849
Cash flows used in investing activities (272,978 ) (289,974 )
412,303 538,875

Decrease in financed vendor accounts payable - (31,648 )

Free cash flow $ 412,303 $ 507,227

Note: Management uses free cash flow as a measure of our liquidity and believes it is a useful indicator to stockholders of our ability to implement our growth strategies and service our debt. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, information contained in our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Detail of Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Calculation:
Last Four Quarters Ended
December 29, 2012 December 31, 2011

Net income $ 387,671 $ 394,682
Add:
After-tax interest expense and other, net 20,649 19,575
After-tax rent expense 198,960 194,755
After-Tax Operating Earnings 607,280 609,012

Average assets (less cash) 3,806,779 3,446,432
Less: Average liabilities (excluding total debt) (2,594,945 ) (2,202,439 )
Add: Capitalized lease obligation (rent expense * 6) (a) 1,921,722 1,874,814
Total Invested Capital 3,133,556 3,118,807

ROIC 19.4 % 19.5 %

Rent expense $ 320,287 $ 312,469
Interest expense and other, net $ 33,241 $ 31,406

(a) Capitalized lease obligation is estimated as annualized rent expense for the applicable period times six years.

Note: Management uses ROIC to evaluate return on investments to the business and believes it is a useful indicator to stockholders given the future investments the Company plans to make in areas including information technology, supply chain and stores. ROIC is a non-GAAP measure and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, information contained in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Management believes our comparable results of operations are a useful indicator to
stockholders for consistency purposes.

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
Media Contact
Shelly Whitaker, APR, 540-561-8452
shelly.whitaker@advanceautoparts.com
or
Investor Contact
Joshua Moore, 952-715-5076
joshua.moore@advanceautoparts.com

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