STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — In an effort to optimize store performance after a decrease in profits, Dollar General has announced it will close 96 stores throughout the country, and shutter 45 of its pOpshelf locations before year’s end.
“As we look to build on the substantial progress we made on our Back to Basics work in fiscal 2024, we believe this review was appropriate to further strengthen the foundation of our business,” Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s chief executive officer, noted in the company’s earnings report on March 13. “While the number of closings represents less than one percent of our overall store base, we believe this decision better positions us to serve our customers and communities.”
The discount chain, which operates over 19,000 stores across 48 states — including two on Staten Island, located in Mariners Harbor and Stapleton — has not yet announced which locations are closing.
There are more than 220 locations of pOpshelf, a retail store concept owned by Dollar General, which offers more upscale products than a traditional dollar store. But none are within the Tristate area.
The first Dollar General store opened in Springfield, Kentucky, on June 1, 1955, with a simple concept: No item in the store would cost more than $1. Today, according to store numbers and profits, the brand is considered the largest dollar store chain in the United States.
