2004 2003 (a) 2002 2001 2000 (b) (In thousands, except store and per share data) Net Sales $3,126,009 $2,799,872 $2,329,188 $1,987,271 $1,688,105 Gross Profit 1,112,539 1,018,413 851,974 718,830 624,891 Operating Income 293,551 293,597 253,921 203,865 203,036 Net Income 180,250 177,583 154,647 123,081 121,622 Net Income Available to Common Shareholders 180,250 177,583 154,647 123,081 120,209 Diluted Net Income Per Common Share Available to Common Shareholders 1.58 1.54 1.35 1.09 1.08 Working Capital $ 675,532 $ 450,279 $ 509,629 $ 360,757 $ 303,209 Total Assets 1,792,672 1,501,519 1,116,377 902,048 746,859 Total Debt 281,746 185,151 54,429 62,371 71,730 Shareholders’ Equity 1,164,212 1,014,522 855,404 651,736 518,658 Number of Stores Open 2,735 2,513 2,263 1,975 1,729  Total Selling Square Footage 20,444 16,878 13,042 10,129 7,818 Comparable Store Net Sales Increase (c) 0.5% 2.9% 1.0% 0.1% 5.7% Average Net Sales Per Store (c) $ 1 ,163 $ 1,134 $ 1,083 $ 1,043 $ 1,014 Financial Highlights (a) In January 2003, the Company changed its fiscal year from December 31 to th e Saturday closest to January 31, effective for the year beginning  February 2, 2003. (b) Includes merger-related costs of $1.1 million in cost of sales and $3.3 million in o perating expenses related to the merger with Dollar Express on  May 5, 2000. These costs, $3.1 million net of taxes, reduced diluted net income  per common share by $0.02. (c) Comparable store net sales compare net sales for stores open throughout each  of the two periods being compared. Net sales per store are calculated  for stores open throughout the entire period presented.