Dollar General

Dollar General is a chain of variety stores headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. The first store opened in Springfield, Kentucky in 1955. As of 2022, the chain operates over 18,216 stores in the United States.

Early history and first stores
During the Great Depression, traveling dry goods salesman J.L. Turner began buying bankrupt general stores in the Nashville area. His son, Cal, accompanied him during the stores' liquidations. The two then formed J.L. Turner and Son Wholesale in October 1939. By the mid-1950's, they operated 35 Turner's Department Store locations in Kentucky and Tennessee.

In 1955, being inspired by the "Dollar Days" promotions at various department stores where products were sold for only a dollar, Cal converted the Turner's Department Store in Springfield, Kentucky into the first location of Dollar General Stores. The store was unique in that all products were always sold for no less than one dollar.

Growth and expansion
The company went public in 1968, posting annual sales at over $40 million. Dollar General's first corporate office building and warehouse was opened in Scottsville, Kentucky in 1973. Some time later, in 1977, Cal Turner Jr. became the president and CEO of Dollar General. In 1983, the corporation acquired 275 stores from Interco, followed by another 206 and a distribution center from Eagle Family Discount Centers in 1985. The company's corporate headquarters in Goodlettsville, Tennessee opened in 2000. Dollar General expanded into the grocery market in 2003 with the launch of Dollar General Market (later shortened to DG Market). The stores average about 17,000 square feet, and, in addition to the traditional general merchandise offerings, have a more expansive grocery selection including fresh produce and frozen foods. As of 2007, Dollar General Market operated 57 locations.

Recent history
The company was family-run until November 2002, when Cal Turner Jr. retired and was temporarily succeeded by acting CEO Donald S. Shaffer. On April 3, 2003, former Reebok president David Perdue was officially named CEO of Dollar General, with Shaffer continuing as president. Turner also declined to seek re-election on Dollar General's board of directors the next June, and Perdue took over his duties.

On June 21, 2007, the sale of Dollar General to Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts was approved. The same day, Perdue announced that he would be stepping down from his duties at the company. President and COO David Bere became the interim CEO. On January 13, 2008, Duane Reade chairman, president, and CEO Richard Dreiling was appointed as the new chief executive officer of the company.

Following the transaction to KKR, Dollar General enacted a plan to close mainly older and rural stores nearing the end of their lease. The "EZ Stores" model locations, which did not have garbage dumpsters, a loading dock, acceptable parking, and profitability, were either relocated to a location with more potential success or shuttered outright. Over 400 stores closed during the process. In 2009, a new, modernized variant of the Dollar General logo was officially rolled out on products and at new and some remodeled stores. The design featured a new typeface, replacing the old one which hearkened back to the 1972 logo.

DGX
On November 9, 2016, Dollar General announced the new DGX format. DGX stores are slightly smaller than Dollar General stores and are operated in downtown areas of large cities. The stores feature regular Dollar General merchandise and groceries, as well as coffee, a soda fountain, and sandwiches. The first store opened in the Midtown neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee on January 20, 2017. Later locations that year were opened in Raleigh, North Carolina and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

As of January 2023, DGX has 30 locations in Ohio, Tennessee, Nebraska, Florida, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Georgia, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, North Carolina, Wisconsin, New York, Minnesota, Alabama, and Michigan.

Popshelf
In October 2020, the company announced the launch of Popshelf, a more upscale and modern discount store similar to Five Below. The store sells items such as home decor and beauty products, mostly for five dollars or less. The first stores were opened in Nashville that fall. Popshelf has 123 locations as of January 11, 2023.

Private-label brands

 * Scent Happy - body fragrance
 * Five Deep Breaths - body care
 * root to end - hair care
 * Composure - incontinence
 * Breeze - feminine hygiene
 * 321 Party! - party supplies
 * Clover Valley - groceries
 * Good & Smart - health foods
 * Sweet Smiles - candy
 * DG Home - cleaning supplies
 * trueliving - house care
 * Smart & Simple - paper products and groceries
 * Shavely's & Sierra - shaving supplies
 * Comfort Bay - linen
 * iMagine - art supplies
 * OfficeHub - office supplies
 * ProEssentials - hardware
 * Studio Selection - personal care
 * Gentle Steps - baby products
 * Believe Beauty - cosmetics
 * NTense Energy - energy drinks
 * Rexall - over-the-counter medicine
 * DG Health - medication
 * Nature's Menu - pet food
 * Heartland Farms - pet treats
 * Forever Pals - pet care
 * Drive MXD - automotive

Resources

 * Dollar General/List of locations