Dollar General, one of America’s most popular discount store chains, just announced it’s closing 141 stores across the country. This includes 96 Dollar General locations and 45 Popshelf stores, which are its trendier, more upscale version of a dollar store.
According to an article by Delaware Online, the company says the closures are part of a larger plan to cut costs and improve efficiency. Like many other retail stores lately, Dollar General has been dealing with:
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Higher operating costs (like rent, wages, and transportation)
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Changing shopping habits — more people are buying online or cutting back on spending
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Increased competition from other discount stores like Dollar Tree and online retailers like Amazon
Their CEO, Todd Vasos, said some stores just aren’t performing well enough to keep open, and it's time to focus on the locations that are still doing well.
Popshelf is a newer type of store from Dollar General that launched a few years ago. It’s aimed at middle-income shoppers and sells fun, affordable items like home decor, beauty products, and seasonal items—mostly under $5.
While some Popshelf locations are still popular, 45 of them will close as part of this downsizing effort. However, the company says they’re still committed to the Popshelf brand and will continue opening new locations in areas where the demand is strong.
Not necessarily. Even though some stores are closing, Dollar General is still a huge company with over 19,000 stores in the U.S. They're just trying to stay competitive by focusing on the most profitable locations and cutting out the ones that aren't working.
It’s also not alone. Other big-name retailers like Dollar Tree, CVS, and Walgreens have also announced store closures recently. Many of these companies are adapting to a changing economy and trying to balance in-store shopping with e-commerce growth.
If a store near you is closing, you might start seeing "store closing" sales with discounts on remaining inventory. Employees at closing stores may be offered jobs at nearby locations, though not all will be able to stay with the company.
For now, Dollar General says it's focusing on improving its stores, customer service, and making smarter business moves for the future.
