Dollar General's Expansion Plans: Opening 450 New Stores in 2026
Dollar General is set to open approximately 450 new stores in the next year as part of its growth plans. The company reported a nearly 5% increase in net sales in the third quarter of the 2025 fiscal year, with more customers shopping at its stores and higher profits per sale. CEO Todd Vasos expressed excitement about the opportunities ahead for Dollar General.
During the last quarter, Dollar General opened 196 new stores, remodeled over 1,100 stores, and relocated eight stores. The company had previously planned to open 575 new stores, remodel more through initiatives like "Project Renovate" and "Project Elevate," and relocate around 45 stores by the end of fiscal year 2025.
In 2026, Dollar General aims to open approximately 450 new stores in the U.S., with plans to remodel thousands more and relocate nearly two dozen stores. The new stores are expected to be mainly in rural communities and will feature larger footprints with expanded cooler offerings and more health and beauty products.
While specific locations for the new stores were not disclosed, Dollar General's focus on rural communities was highlighted during the earnings call. The company also announced plans to close nearly 100 stores earlier this year but did not indicate any widespread closures in the near future.
Dollar General operates nearly 21,000 locations in the U.S., including stores under different names like DG Market, DGX, or pOpshelf. The company's growth plans come as consumer sentiment in the U.S. showed a slight improvement this month, with concerns about inflation easing.
Expectations for year-ahead inflation decreased from 4.5% to 4.1%, the lowest level since January. Inflation, while lower than mid-2022 levels, remains above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. The company's earnings report coincided with the release of an updated consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan.
In conclusion, Dollar General's expansion plans include opening new stores, remodeling existing ones, and focusing on rural communities. The company's growth comes amid improving consumer sentiment and easing inflation concerns in the U.S.