Dollar General: number of stores in the U.S. 2007-2023

Dollar General has had explosive growth over the depicted period, more than doubling their store count from 8,194 to 20,022 in 2023. In fact, Dollar General was the leading retailer with the most store locations in the United States in 2023. In the last year available, Dollar General's sales exceeded 38.5 billion U.S. dollars. Dollar General started as a family-owned business called J.L. Turner in 1939. In 1968, the company changed its name to Dollar General and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Dollar store controversy

Following the 2008 recession, Dollar General expanded rapidly, primarily in economically depressed areas. The company, along with other major dollar store chains, claimed to fill a niche in these communities where the closest grocery store might either be too far or have prices too high for customers. Critics say dollar stores are driving out full-service grocery stores and local businesses, exacerbating economic decline and offering a narrow selection of food with lower nutritional value.

Groceries lead sales

Looking at the merchandise sales of Dollar General, it is indeed the consumables category that is the company’s biggest earner, by a huge margin. The growth in its sales' share outpace the rest of the company’s offerings as well. In 2009, consumables accounted for 70 percent of sales, by 2023 that share had risen to nearly 81 percent.