Fact Check: Is DG closing?

Is Dollar General Closing?

The claim that Dollar General (DG) is closing stores has gained attention recently, particularly in light of the company's announcements regarding its operational strategy. Reports indicate that Dollar General plans to close a significant number of its locations, specifically 96 Dollar General stores and 45 pOpshelf stores, as part of a broader reevaluation of its business model. However, the context and implications of these closures warrant a closer examination.

What We Know

1. Store Closures Announced: Dollar General has confirmed plans to close 96 of its stores and 45 pOpshelf locations. This announcement was made during the company's fourth-quarter earnings call for fiscal year 2024, which took place in March 2025 6710.

2. Financial Performance: The company reported a net income of $1.1 billion for fiscal year 2024, which represented a 32.3% decrease compared to the previous fiscal year 2. This decline in profitability has been attributed to shifts in consumer spending patterns, particularly as inflation affects shoppers' purchasing power 5.

3. Future Plans: Despite the closures, Dollar General has also announced plans to open 800 new stores, remodel 1,500 existing locations, and relocate 85 stores within the same timeframe 4. This indicates a dual strategy of contraction in some areas while expanding in others.

4. pOpshelf Brand Review: The closures include a significant number of pOpshelf stores, which are part of Dollar General's strategy to diversify its offerings. The decision to close these stores aligns with a broader review of the pOpshelf brand's performance 1.

5. Market Context: The closures come at a time when other discount retailers, such as Walmart, are also reevaluating their store footprints. This suggests that the retail environment is undergoing significant changes, driven by economic factors and consumer behavior 3.

Analysis

The sources reporting on Dollar General's store closures provide a mix of information, but their reliability and potential biases vary:

• Credibility of Sources:

  • USA Today 6 and CNBC 7 are well-established news organizations known for their financial reporting, lending credibility to their coverage of Dollar General's announcements.
  • Fast Company 2 and Retail Dive 4 are also reputable sources in the retail industry, providing context and analysis that can help understand the implications of the closures.
  • The Sun 5, while a popular outlet, may have a more sensationalist approach, which could affect the framing of the information.

• Potential Conflicts of Interest: Some sources, particularly those focused on retail analysis, may have vested interests in portraying the retail landscape in a certain light, especially if they are affiliated with industry stakeholders or analysts.

• Methodological Considerations: The data regarding store closures and financial performance is derived from Dollar General's earnings reports and public statements. While these are primary sources, they may also be influenced by the company's strategic interests in presenting its performance positively.

• Contradicting Evidence: While some sources emphasize the closures as a sign of trouble for Dollar General, others highlight the company's plans for expansion and remodeling, suggesting a more nuanced view of its overall health and strategy 410.

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The claim that Dollar General is closing stores is substantiated by the company's own announcements regarding the closure of 96 Dollar General stores and 45 pOpshelf locations. This decision is part of a broader reevaluation of its business model in response to declining profitability and changing consumer behaviors.

However, it is important to note that while the company is closing a number of stores, it is simultaneously planning to open 800 new locations and remodel 1,500 existing ones. This dual strategy indicates that Dollar General is not simply retracting but is also attempting to adapt and grow in other areas.

The evidence supporting this claim comes primarily from credible sources, including Dollar General's earnings reports and statements made during earnings calls. Nonetheless, the context of these closures should be considered, as they reflect broader trends in the retail industry, influenced by economic factors such as inflation and shifts in consumer spending.

Limitations in the available evidence include potential biases in reporting and the possibility that the company's future performance may not align with current plans. As such, while the claim is true, the situation is complex and evolving.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider multiple perspectives when assessing claims about corporate strategies and market conditions.

Sources

1. Dollar General Plans to Close Nearly 100 Stores: Here's What We Know. FinanceBuzz. Link
2. Dollar General stores closing 2025: 141 locations on doomed list. Fast Company. Link
3. Dollar General Is Shuttering 100 Stores—but There's A Catch. MSN. Link
4. Dollar General plans 800 stores this year as rival Dollar Tree pulls. Retail Dive. Link
5. Dollar General CEO confirms it shut down 51 stores in less than 6. The Sun. Link
6. Dollar General is closing nearly 100 stores nationwide. USA Today. Link
7. Dollar General (DG) Q4 2024 earnings. CNBC. Link
8. Popshelf updates all stores to new format, will exit Dollar General. Retail Dive. Link
9. Dollar General Is Closing Over 100 Stores in the Coming. RetailWire. Link
10. Dollar General Is Closing 141 Stores by January 2026. Hip2Save. Link