Dollar General expands footprint

GOODLETTESVILLE, Tenn. — After a failed bid to acquire its smaller rival, Dollar General is on the move and expanding its presence to three new states.

Dollar General already operates more than 11,700 stores, but entry into Oregon, Maine and Rhode Island gives it more greenfield expansion opportunities to pursue while Dollar Tree is busy integrating the recently acquired Family Dollar chain. Family Dollar shareholders approved an $8.5 billion deal early this year to sell the company to Dollar Tree, effectively shaking off a hostile $9.1 billion offer from rival Dollar General.

“It’s very exciting to move into these new states and grow the Dollar General brand. We continue to be focused on sustainable growth and doing what we do best, which is serving our customers with everyday low prices, convenience and exceptional value,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “Increasing Dollar General’s footprint in these states gives us a presence and opens further growth opportunities in both the Northeast and Pacific Northwest, where we see tremendous growth potential for Dollar General.”

To commemorate the store openings, celebrations were held at each of the following new stores in which customers received complimentary gift cards, tote bags, prizes, special offers and other giveaways:

• 
  1079 Sabattus St. in Lewiston, Maine


• 
  33 Elm St. in North Berwick, Maine


• 
  94 S.E. Main St. in Winston, Ore.


• 
  1300 Easy St. in Brookings, Ore.


• 
  567 Main Rd. in Tiverton, R.I.


• 
  1548 Broad St. in Cranston, R.I. 

Stores in Maine and Rhode Island will be served by the company’s Bethel, Pa., distribution center that celebrated its grand opening in May 2014. Oregon stores plan to be served by the company’s Lebec, Calif., distribution center that opened in April 2012.

The new store openings expand the retailer’s presence to 43 states.