Dollar General has big plans for 2012

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General was among the discount stores that benefited from a more cautious consumer spending in 2011, and the retailer expects that momentum to continue in 2012. The company announced that it plans to open 625 new stores and add more than 6,000 new jobs in 2012. These new stores and jobs will be spread among Dollar General’s 38-state operating area, plus California and Massachusetts.

“Dollar General is excited about our tremendous opportunity for growth in existing markets as well as in new markets such as California and Massachusetts,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “We believe the new communities and states we are entering will benefit from our stores’ convenience and value, as well as the jobs and commitment to community our stores bring.”

The projected jobs follow on the heels of three years of positive job growth for the company. Including 2012, the company will have created more than 21,000 new jobs since 2009.

In addition to 625 new stores in 2012, the company said it plans to remodel or relocate 550 stores and open a distribution center in California.