Editing Dollar General (section)

===2003–present===
Dollar General entered the grocery market with the establishment of Dollar General Market in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Springer|first1=Jon|title=Dollar General Market: Still in the Lab|url=https://www.supermarketnews.com/finance/dollar-general-market-still-in-the-lab|access-date=4 June 2017|publisher=Supermarket News|date=August 23, 2010}}</ref> In 2004, Dollar General expanded to low-cost Asian markets by opening a sourcing office in [[Hong Kong]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Malloy|first1=Daniel|title=On David Perdue, Dollar General and recalls of Chinese-made toys|url=http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2014/10/30/on-david-perdue-dollar-general-and-recalls-of-chinese-made-toys/|access-date=June 18, 2017|publisher=AJC|date=October 30, 2014|archive-date=October 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024100158/http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2014/10/30/on-david-perdue-dollar-general-and-recalls-of-chinese-made-toys/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On June 21, 2007, CEO David Perdue announced his resignation, leaving David Bere as interim CEO.<ref>{{cite news|title=Perdue steps down from Dollar General|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2007/06/18/daily22.html|access-date=June 4, 2017|work=Nashville Business Journal|date=June 21, 2007}}</ref> One month later, all shares of Dollar General [[stock]] were acquired by private equity investors for $22 per share. An investment group consisting of affiliates of [[Kohlberg Kravis Roberts]] (KKR), [[GS Capital Partners]] (an affiliate of [[Goldman Sachs]]), [[Citigroup]] Private Equity, and other co-investors completed an acquisition of Dollar General Corporation for $6.9{{Spaces}}billion.<ref>{{cite news|title=KKR signs a record $6.9 billion buyout of Dollar General|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/12/business/worldbusiness/12iht-dollar.4885571.html|access-date=March 31, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 12, 2007}}</ref>

As a part of the transition to a privately held company, Dollar General assessed each location at the end of its lease against a model known as "EZ Stores". This assessment included evaluating whether the location had a loading dock, garbage dumpsters, adequate parking, and acceptable profitability. Stores that did not pass this evaluation were relocated or closed. Over 400 stores were closed as part of this initiative.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.registerbee.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=DRB%2FMGArticle%2FDRB_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352055222 | title = Location part of store closing | author = Susan Elzey | access-date = August 13, 2007 | date = July 19, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928060623/http://www.registerbee.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=DRB%2FMGArticle%2FDRB_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352055222 | archive-date = September 28, 2007 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

[[Image:Dollar General, Davidson Rd, GA125, Lowndes County.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Construction of a Dollar General store in [[Lowndes County, Georgia]], in 2015]]
Dollar General filed on August 20, 2009, for an [[initial public offering]] of up to $750 million, turning the company once again into a publicly traded corporation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rooney |first1=Ben |title=Dollar General files $750 million IPO |url=https://money.cnn.com/2009/08/20/news/companies/Dollar_General_IPO/index.htm |access-date=February 20, 2022 |work=CNN Money |date=August 20, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/dollar-general-files-for-an-ipo/|title=Dollar General Files for an I.P.O.|first=Michael J. de la|last=Merced|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> In 2013, Dollar General started selling [[cigarette]]s in response to its competitor [[Family Dollar]] selling cigarettes in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Peterson|first1=Kim|title=Dollar General is opening full-sized grocery stores|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dollar-general-is-opening-full-sized-grocery-stores/|access-date=June 4, 2017|publisher=CBS News|date=December 12, 2013}}</ref> Dollar General's 12th distribution center opened on May 31, 2014, in [[Bethel, Berks County, Pennsylvania|Bethel, Pennsylvania]], to serve the [[Northeastern United States|Northeast]] and [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]] stores.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Dollar General Celebrates Grand Opening of its 12th Distribution Center in Bethel, Pennsylvania|url=http://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-celebrates-grand-opening-of-its-12th-distribution-center-in-bethel-pennsylvania.htm|access-date=June 26, 2017|date=May 31, 2014|archive-date=May 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507004903/http://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-celebrates-grand-opening-of-its-12th-distribution-center-in-bethel-pennsylvania.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> On August 18, 2014, Dollar General lodged a competing bid of $9.7{{Spaces}}billion against [[Dollar Tree]] for Family Dollar. The bid was rejected on August 20, 2014, by the Family Dollar board, which said it would proceed with the deal with Dollar Tree.<ref name="BidRebuffed">{{cite news|title=Family Dollar rejects $9.7 bn acquisition bid by Dollar General|url=http://www.charlottenews.net/index.php/sid/224972437|date=August 21, 2014|access-date=August 22, 2014|publisher=Charlotte News.Net}}</ref>

On June 3, 2015, Chief Operating Officer [[Todd Vasos]] replaced Rick Dreiling as chief executive. Dreiling remained as senior advisor and chairman until his retirement in January 2016.<ref>{{cite news|last1=RAMAKRISHNAN|first1=SRUTHI|title=Dollar General says COO Vasos to replace Dreiling as CEO|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-dollargeneral-ceo-idUSKBN0OD1L020150528|work=[[Reuters]]|date=May 28, 2015|access-date=June 1, 2015}}</ref> Dollar General's 13th distribution center opened in [[San Antonio, Texas]], on June 6, 2016, with a local investment of $100 million and the creation of over 500 jobs.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Dollar General Celebrates Grand Opening of Its 13th Distribution Center in San Antonio, Texas|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-celebrates-grand-opening-of-its-13th-distribution-center-in-san-antonio-texas.htm|access-date=June 26, 2017|date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=May 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506182820/http://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-celebrates-grand-opening-of-its-13th-distribution-center-in-san-antonio-texas.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> In September 2015, the City Council in [[Janesville, Wisconsin]], approved an agreement to bring a Dollar General distribution center to the town. The center created more than 500 jobs in the area and became the 14th Dollar General distribution center.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Noggle|first1=Amber|title=Development agreement approved for Dollar General distribution center|url=http://www.wkow.com/story/30030349/2015/09/14/development-agreement-approved-for-dollar-general-distribution-center|website=WKOW.com|publisher=WKOW Madison, WI|access-date=September 15, 2015|archive-date=January 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113202925/http://www.wkow.com/story/30030349/2015/09/14/development-agreement-approved-for-dollar-general-distribution-center|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Image:DollarGeneralDC2018.jpg|thumb|250px|An Alachua, Florida Dollar General distribution center in 2018]]
On September 15, 2016, Dollar General announced plans to hire 10,000 new employees and open 900 new stores in fiscal 2016 and 1,000 in fiscal 2017. Dollar General operated 13,000 stores as of August 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2016/09/15/dollar-general-add-10000-workers-hiring-spree/90402730/|title=Dollar General to add 10,000 workers in hiring spree|website=[[The Tennessean]]|access-date=September 18, 2016}}</ref>

In January 2017, Dollar General opened a concept store in [[Nashville, Tennessee]], called DGX. The DGX store concept focuses on urban shoppers and is geared toward instant-consumption services such as coffee stations and soda fountains. The following month another DGX store opened in [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], and in September a third DGX opened in [[Philadelphia|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Ennis |title=DOLLAR GENERAL INVESTING IN CITIES WITH DGX CONCEPT |url=https://www.moderncities.com/article/2018-jan-dollar-general-investing-in-cities-with-dgx-concept |access-date=June 13, 2018 |publisher=Modern Cities |date=January 23, 2018}}</ref> As of May 2020, Dollar General operated 12 DGX locations in nine states.<ref name="dgxstore.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.dgxstore.com/Pages/Index.aspx|title=DGX|website=dgxstore.com}}</ref>

[[File:Popshelf store.jpg|thumb|A pOpshelf store in [[Mishawaka, Indiana]]]]

In [[Jackson, Georgia]], Dollar General opened its 15th distribution center in fall 2017 to serve stores in Georgia and the surrounding states.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Dollar General Building New Distribution Center in Central Georgia|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-building-new-distribution-center-in-central-georgia.htm|access-date=June 26, 2017|date=May 9, 2016|archive-date=May 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506190542/http://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-building-new-distribution-center-in-central-georgia.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2017, Dollar General began construction for its 16th distribution center, in [[Amsterdam, New York]]. The distribution center was to cost $91 million and was expected to create 400 jobs in [[Montgomery County, New York]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Subik|first1=Jason|title=Dollar General breaks ground for new warehouse distribution center|url=http://www.leaderherald.com/news/local-news/2017/07/dollar-general-breaks-ground-for-new-warehouse-distribution-center/|access-date=November 25, 2017|work=The Leader-Herald|date=July 1, 2017|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019001116/http://leaderherald.com/news/local-news/2017/07/dollar-general-breaks-ground-for-new-warehouse-distribution-center/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Dollar General planned to open 900 new stores in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Meyersohn|first1=Nathaniel|title=Dollar General is opening 900 new stores next year|url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/12/07/news/companies/dollar-general-store-openings/index.html|access-date=December 16, 2017|work=CNN Money|date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> The distribution center became fully operational in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 23, 2019 |title=FIRST DELIVERY ARRIVES AT NEW DOLLAR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER |website=Recorder News |url=https://www.recordernews.com/news/local-news/167235 |access-date=May 22, 2020 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706005546/https://www.recordernews.com/news/local-news/167235 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Also in 2017, Dollar General acquired stores from Dollar Express, a spinoff from the Family Dollar–Dollar Tree deal, and converted the store.<ref>{{Cite web| title = Dollar Express Chain Sells Out To Competitor Dollar General After 1.5 Years| work = Consumerist| access-date = December 23, 2017| date = April 4, 2017| url = https://consumerist.com/2017/04/04/dollar-express-chain-sells-out-to-competitor-dollar-general-after-1-5-years/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Garcia|first1=Tonya|title=Dollar General acquires all 323 Dollar Express stores|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dollar-general-acquires-all-323-dollar-express-stores-2017-04-06|access-date=June 8, 2017|publisher=Market Watch|date=April 6, 2017}}</ref>

In September 2019, Dollar General celebrated the grand opening of its 16,000th store, in [[Panama City, Florida]], following damage sustained from [[Hurricane Michael]] in October 2018. To commemorate the opening, Dollar General presented two $16,000 checks in partnership with [[Kellogg's]] to two local elementary schools displaced from the hurricane.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/our-story/blog-posts/dollar-generals-16000th-store-helps-florida-community-recover-from-hurricane-michael.htm|title=Dollar General's 16,000th Store Helps Florida Community Recover from Hurricane Michael|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=October 15, 2019|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730003035/https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/our-story/blog-posts/dollar-generals-16000th-store-helps-florida-community-recover-from-hurricane-michael.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On December 5, 2019, Dollar General announced plans for fiscal 2020 that included the opening of 1,000 new stores, remodeling of 1,500 mature stores, and relocation of 80 stores.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-corporation-reports-strong-third-quarter-2019-financial-results.htm|title=Dollar General Corporation Reports Strong Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=December 5, 2019|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=May 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516025125/https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-corporation-reports-strong-third-quarter-2019-financial-results.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 2020, Dollar General announced plans to create 8,000 net new career opportunities in fiscal year 2020.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-plans-to-create-8000-net-new-career-opportunities-in-fy-2020.htm|title=Dollar General Plans to Create 8,000 Net New Career Opportunities in FY 2020|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=February 3, 2020|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=May 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522034637/https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-plans-to-create-8000-net-new-career-opportunities-in-fy-2020.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Dollar General expanded to 46 states in 2020 with the addition of new stores in [[Wyoming]]<ref name=expands45>{{cite press release|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-expands-presence-to-45-states.htm|title=Dollar General Expands Presence to 45 States|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=March 7, 2020|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706005447/https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-expands-presence-to-45-states.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> in March and [[Washington (state)|Washington]] in April.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-opens-first-store-in-washington-state.htm|title=Dollar General Opens First Store in Washington State|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=April 20, 2020|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=April 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428131321/https://newscenter.dollargeneral.com/news/dollar-general-opens-first-store-in-washington-state.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Dollar General on fire after protest and riot aftermath on East Lake Street (49956694648).jpg|thumb|250x250px|Dollar General store in [[Minneapolis]] destroyed by [[George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul|arson]], 2020]]
In late May 2020, two Dollar General stores were destroyed by [[List of arson damage during the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul|arson]] during the [[George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul|George Floyd riots in Minneapolis–Saint Paul]], and three others had property damage.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last1=Penrod |first1=Josh |last2=Sinner |first2=C.J. |date=2020-07-13 |title=Buildings damaged in Minneapolis, St. Paul after riots |work=[[Star Tribune]] |url=https://www.startribune.com/a-deeper-look-at-areas-most-damaged-by-rioting-looting-in-minneapolis-st-paul/569930671/ |access-date=2022-05-05}}</ref>

In October 2020, Dollar General opened its first pOpshelf stores in [[Hendersonville, Tennessee|Hendersonville]] and [[Clarksville, Tennessee]], selling mostly items costing less than $5. By the end of 2021, the company planned 50 free-standing pOpshelf locations and 25 store-within-a-store locations inside Dollar General Market stores.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article258295163.html#storylink=mainstage_card3|title=Second discount retailer from Dollar General company open in Myrtle Beach area|last=Farhat|first=Jenna|work=[[The Sun News]]|date=February 11, 2022|access-date=February 11, 2022}}</ref>

In April 2021, the company said it was planning to hire 20,000 employees, less than the number hired in 2020 (50,000).<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 14, 2021 |title=Dollar General to hire up to 20,000 workers as economy rebounds |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-dollar-general-hiring-idUSKBN2C11I2 |access-date=April 14, 2021}}</ref>

On 5 March 2022, Dollar General opened its first store in the state of Idaho, located in [[Athol, Idaho|Athol]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Dollar General Opens 1st Store in Idaho|url=https://progressivegrocer.com/dollar-general-opens-1st-store-idaho|website=progressivegrocer.com|access-date=March 7, 2022|date=April 16, 2022}}</ref>

On 12 October 2023, Dollar General announced the return of former CEO Todd Vasos, who replaced Jeff Owen. Chairman Michael Calbert said in a statement, “At this time the Board has determined that a change in leadership is necessary to restore stability and confidence in the Company moving forward".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Delouya |first=Samantha |date=2023-10-12 |title=Dollar General brings former CEO Todd Vasos back to lead the struggling retailer {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/12/business/dollar-general-new-ceo-todd-vasos/index.html |access-date=2023-10-13 |publisher=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

In October 2024, it was announced that there are plans for all pOpshelf stores inside DG Market stores to be removed.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.retaildive.com/news/popshelf-updates-store-format-closes-dollar-general-shop-in-shops/730129/ | title=Popshelf updates all stores to new format, will exit Dollar General locations }}</ref>