History of Dollar General in Timeline
Dollar General Corporation, headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, is an American discount store chain with over 19,643 stores across the United States and Mexico, as of January 8, 2024.
1903: Rexall Brand Established
The Rexall brand, specializing in pharmaceutical products, was founded in 1903 by Louis K. Liggett, and over time, it grew into a major drugstore chain.
October 1939: Establishment of J.L. Turner and Son
James and Cal Turner established J.L. Turner and Son in October 1939 with an initial investment of $5,000 each, marking their formal entry into the retail sector.
1939: Company Origins
Dollar General's journey began in 1939 as a family business named J.L. Turner and Son in Scottsville, Kentucky. The founders were James Luther Turner and Cal Turner.
1955: Dollar General Store Concept
In 1955, Cal Turner pioneered the concept of a "Dollar General" store, offering merchandise at a fixed price point of one dollar. This concept was inspired by the success of "Dollar Days" promotions at other department stores and led to the conversion of Turner's Department Store in Springfield, Kentucky, into the inaugural Dollar General store.
1955: Name Change and First Dollar General Store
In 1955, J.L. Turner and Son was renamed Dollar General Corporation. This year also marked the establishment of the first Dollar General Store in Springfield, Kentucky, based on Cal Turner's vision of a retail store offering goods for a dollar.
1964: Passing of J.L. Turner
J.L. Turner passed away in 1964, leaving his son, Cal Turner, to lead the company.
1965: Cal Turner Jr. Joins the Company
In 1965, Cal Turner Jr., representing the third generation of the Turner family, joined Dollar General.
1968: Public Listing
Dollar General Corporation went public in 1968 and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. By this time, the company reported annual sales exceeding $40 million with net income surpassing $1.5 million.
1968: Public Offering and Financial Performance
Dollar General Corporation went public in 1968, with annual sales exceeding $40 million and net income surpassing $1.5 million, showcasing its strong financial standing.
1977: Cal Turner Jr. Assumes Presidency
Cal Turner Jr. succeeded his father as president of Dollar General in 1977, marking a significant leadership transition.
1993: Dollar General Literacy Foundation Established
Dollar General established the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in 1993, demonstrating its commitment to supporting literacy and education programs.
1997: Distribution Center in Virginia
A new distribution center was established in South Boston, Virginia, in 1997, expanding Dollar General's logistical network.
1999: Fortune 500 Recognition
Dollar General earned a spot on the Fortune 500 list in 1999, a testament to its growth and success.
April 2000: Distribution Center Relocation
Dollar General closed its distribution center in Homerville, Georgia, in April 2000, transferring operations to a new facility in Alachua, Florida.
2000: Dollar General Restates Financial Results
Dollar General restated its financial results for the years 2000 through 2003 on March 3, 2005, due to clarifications issued by the SEC regarding lease-accounting practices.
April 30, 2001: Dollar General Settles Financial Misstatement Lawsuit
On April 30, 2001, Dollar General agreed to a $162 million settlement after being found liable for making false statements or failing to disclose adverse information regarding its financial performance.
2002: Cal Jr.'s Retirement
Cal Jr. retired from Dollar General in 2002.
2002: Retirement of Cal Turner Jr.
Cal Turner Jr. retired from his position at Dollar General in 2002 after leading a period of substantial growth, with the company expanding to over 6,000 stores and achieving $6 billion in sales.
April 2, 2003: David Perdue Becomes CEO
David Perdue took on the role of CEO of Dollar General on April 2, 2003, succeeding Cal Jr.
2003: Entry into the Grocery Market
Dollar General made its foray into the grocery market in 2003 with the launch of Dollar General Market, expanding its product offerings.
2003: Dollar General Restates Financial Results
Dollar General restated its financial results for the years 2000 through 2003 on March 3, 2005, due to clarifications issued by the SEC regarding lease-accounting practices.
2004: Dollar General Opens Hong Kong Office
Dollar General established an office in Hong Kong in 2004 to oversee its global sourcing operations, including the export and import of Dollar General products.
2004: Expansion into Asian Markets
In 2004, Dollar General ventured into low-cost Asian markets by setting up a sourcing office in Hong Kong, a strategic move to access new suppliers and reduce costs.
March 3, 2005: Dollar General Restates Financial Results
Dollar General restated its financial results for the years 2000 through 2003 on March 3, 2005, due to clarifications issued by the SEC regarding lease-accounting practices.
June 21, 2007: Acquisition by Private Equity Investors
On June 21, 2007, CEO David Perdue announced his resignation, and David Bere stepped in as interim CEO. Subsequently, a group of private equity investors, including affiliates of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), GS Capital Partners, Citigroup Private Equity, and others, acquired all outstanding shares of Dollar General Corporation for $22 per share, totaling $6.9 billion, taking the company private.
2008: Dollar General Partners with Turner in NASCAR
Dollar General began its partnership with Turner (formerly Braun Racing) in NASCAR in 2008. The team had previously sponsored cars for Frank Cicci Racing and Kevin Harvick Incorporated.
2008: Dollar General Enters IndyCar Series
Dollar General entered the IndyCar Series in 2008 as the primary sponsor for Sarah Fisher Racing, owned and driven by Sarah Fisher.
August 20, 2009: Initial Public Offering
Dollar General filed for an initial public offering (IPO) on August 20, 2009, aiming to raise up to $750 million. This move transitioned the company back into a publicly traded corporation.
2010: Fisher and Rahal Drive for Dollar General in IndyCar
Both Sarah Fisher and Graham Rahal competed part-time for Dollar General-sponsored Sarah Fisher Racing in the IndyCar Series, achieving a notable 9th place finish at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
2010: Rexall Products Available at Dollar General
By the fall of 2010, a comprehensive selection of Rexall products, including vitamins and supplements, was available at Dollar General stores.
2010: Dollar General Sponsors Kyle Busch Motorsports
Dollar General sponsored several races in the Camping World Truck Series for Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2010, featuring Kyle Busch in the No. 18 Toyota Tundra.
2011: Dollar General Continues IndyCar Sponsorship
Dollar General maintained its sponsorship of Sarah Fisher Racing in 2011. Ed Carpenter joined the team, competing in nine races, including the Indianapolis 500.
2012: Dollar General Ends Sarah Fisher Racing Sponsorship
Dollar General concluded its sponsorship of Sarah Fisher Racing in the IndyCar Series in 2012.
2012: Competitor Starts Selling Cigarettes
Family Dollar, a competitor of Dollar General, began selling cigarettes in 2012.
2013: Dollar General Sponsors Brian Vickers and Matt Kenseth in NASCAR
Dollar General sponsored Brian Vickers in the Nationwide Series and became the primary sponsor for Matt Kenseth in the Sprint Cup Series, starting in 2013.
2013: Dollar General Starts Selling Cigarettes
Dollar General decided to sell cigarettes in 2013, following in the footsteps of its competitor, Family Dollar, who had started selling them a year earlier.
May 31, 2014: New Distribution Center Opens
Dollar General opened its 12th distribution center on May 31, 2014, in Bethel, Pennsylvania. This strategic move was intended to better serve stores in the northeast and midwest regions.
August 18, 2014: Bid for Family Dollar
On August 18, 2014, Dollar General made a bid of $9.7 billion for Family Dollar, a competing discount retail chain, aiming for a strategic acquisition.
August 20, 2014: Bid Rejection
The Family Dollar board rejected Dollar General's $9.7 billion bid on August 20, 2014, opting to proceed with a merger agreement with Dollar Tree instead.
November 2014: OSHA Fines Dollar General for Safety Violations
In November 2014, Dollar General was fined $51,700 by OSHA following an inspection of a Mississippi store. This was part of a pattern of safety violations dating back to 2009.
2014: Dollar General Sponsors Kyle Busch Motorsports
Dollar General continued its support of Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2014, sponsoring their No. 51 Toyota Tundra for four races.
June 3, 2015: CEO Transition
Todd Vasos, the Chief Operating Officer, replaced Rick Dreiling as CEO on June 3, 2015. Dreiling remained as a senior advisor and chairman until his retirement in January 2016.
September 2015: Agreement for Wisconsin Distribution Center
In September 2015, the Janesville City Council in Wisconsin approved an agreement to establish a Dollar General distribution center in the city. This center created more than 500 jobs and became Dollar General's 14th distribution facility.
January 2016: Rick Dreiling's Retirement
Rick Dreiling, former CEO of Dollar General, retired in January 2016 after serving as a senior advisor and chairman following his CEO tenure.
April 2016: Dollar General Receives Additional Fines for Electrical Hazards
OSHA issued further citations and a $107,620 fine to Dollar General in April 2016 for exposing employees to electrical hazards due to missing faceplates on electrical outlets.
May 23, 2016: Dollar General Ends NASCAR Sponsorship
Dollar General announced on May 23, 2016, that it would discontinue its sponsorship of NASCAR after the 2016 season, ending a multi-year involvement in the sport.
June 6, 2016: Texas Distribution Center Opens
Dollar General inaugurated its 13th distribution center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 6, 2016. The project involved a $100 million investment and created over 500 new jobs.
August 2016: Store Count Update
As of August 2016, Dollar General operated 13,000 stores.
August 17, 2016: Dollar General Becomes Title Sponsor of Dollar General Bowl
Dollar General assumed the title sponsorship of the GoDaddy Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, on August 17, 2016, renaming it the Dollar General Bowl.
September 15, 2016: Expansion Plans Announced
Dollar General unveiled plans on September 15, 2016, to hire 10,000 new employees and open 900 new stores in fiscal year 2016 and another 1,000 stores in fiscal year 2017, signifying a period of aggressive growth.
December 2016: Dollar General Continues to Face Fines for Blocking Fire Exits
OSHA reported in December 2016 that some Dollar General stores continued to block fire exits with merchandise, resulting in several fines and highlighting the company's disregard for safety regulations.
January 2017: DGX Concept Store Launch
Dollar General launched a new concept store called DGX in Nashville, Tennessee, in January 2017. This store format targeted urban shoppers and offered instant-consumption options like a coffee station and a soda fountain.
2017: Dollar General Expands to New States
Dollar General expanded its presence to North Dakota, Wyoming, and Washington in 2017.
2017: Distribution Center Openings and Acquisitions
Dollar General opened its 15th distribution center in Jackson, Georgia, in the fall of 2017. Additionally, they began construction on their 16th distribution center in Amsterdam, New York, expected to cost $91 million and generate 400 jobs. Furthermore, Dollar General acquired and converted stores from Dollar Express, a company that emerged from the Family Dollar-Dollar Tree merger.
2017: Planned Store Openings
Dollar General outlined plans to open 1,000 new stores during fiscal year 2017, as part of its expansion strategy.
October 2018: Hurricane Michael Damage
Hurricane Michael caused damage in Panama City, Florida, in October 2018, impacting businesses including Dollar General.
2018: Dollar General Literacy Foundation Celebrates 25th Anniversary
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2018, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to support literacy initiatives.
2018: Dollar General Introduces "Better for You" Assortment
In 2018, Dollar General expanded its product selection to include a "Better for You" category, aiming to provide healthier choices from brands like Kashi, Annie's, Back to Nature, and Kind.
2018: Planned Store Openings
Dollar General announced plans to open 900 new stores in 2018, continuing its expansion trajectory.
February 2019: Study Finds Comparable Produce Quality at Dollar Stores
In February 2019, a study conducted by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, revealed that the quality of fruits and vegetables sold at dollar stores was comparable to that of traditional grocery stores.
May 2019: Dollar General Withdraws Dollar General Bowl Sponsorship
Dollar General made the decision to end its title sponsorship of the Mobile bowl game in May 2019.
September 2019: 16,000th Store Opening and Donation
Dollar General marked a milestone with the grand opening of its 16,000th store in Panama City, Florida, in September 2019, a location that replaced one damaged by Hurricane Michael the previous year. To commemorate the occasion, the company, in partnership with Kellogg's, donated two checks worth $16,000 each to two local elementary schools that had been affected by the hurricane.
December 5, 2019: Expansion Plans for Fiscal 2020
Dollar General announced plans on December 5, 2019, for fiscal year 2020 that included the ambitious opening of 1,000 new stores, the remodeling of 1,500 existing stores, and the relocation of 80 stores, indicating continued growth and investment.
2019: Dollar General Expands Produce Offerings
By the end of its 2019 fiscal year, Dollar General had introduced produce sections in over 650 stores.
2019: Revenue Milestone
Dollar General's revenue reached approximately $27 billion in 2019, underscoring its position as a leading discount retailer.
2019: Dollar General Fined $1.75 Million for Pricing Irregularities in Vermont
In 2019, Dollar General was fined $1.75 million by Vermont for charging higher prices at the register than advertised on the shelf, highlighting issues with the company's pricing practices.
2019: Distribution Center Operational
The 16th distribution center in Amsterdam, New York, became fully operational in 2019, strengthening Dollar General's supply chain infrastructure.
February 2020: Job Creation Plans
In February 2020, Dollar General revealed plans to create 8,000 net new job opportunities in the 2020 fiscal year, highlighting its commitment to employment growth.
March 2020: Dollar General Expands Produce Offerings
Dollar General announced in March 2020 plans to expand its produce offerings to an additional 400 stores in its 2020 fiscal year.
May 2020: DGX Store Count
By May 2020, Dollar General was operating 12 DGX stores across nine states, showcasing the expansion of this new store concept.
May 2020: Store Damage During George Floyd Riots
During the George Floyd riots in Minneapolis–Saint Paul in late May 2020, two Dollar General stores were destroyed due to arson, and three others sustained property damage.
October 2020: Dollar General Opens First pOpshelf Stores
In October 2020, Dollar General launched its new store concept, pOpshelf, in Hendersonville and Clarksville, Tennessee. These stores primarily offered items priced under $5.
2020: Fortune 500 Ranking
Dollar General climbed to the 112th position on the Fortune 500 list in 2020, further solidifying its place among major U.S. corporations.
2020: Dollar General Continues Produce Expansion
Dollar General had plans to add produce sections to an additional 400 stores during its 2020 fiscal year.
2020: Dollar General Literacy Foundation Awards Record Grants
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded its most substantial one-day grant amount in 2020, totaling $8.6 million, distributed to approximately 970 non-profit organizations, schools, and libraries.
2020: Dollar General's Limited Presence in Certain States
As of early 2020, Dollar General stores were not present in Alaska, Hawaii, and Montana.
April 2021: Dollar General Announces Hiring Plans
In April 2021, Dollar General revealed plans to hire 20,000 new employees, a significant decrease compared to the 50,000 hired in 2020.
December 2021: OSHA Proposes Fines for Dollar General's Slip and Trip Hazards
A December 2021 inspection at a Dollar General store in Mobile, Alabama, led OSHA to propose $321,827 in penalties for exposing workers to slip and trip hazards and failing to maintain a safe exit route in the main storeroom.
2021: pOpshelf Expansion Plans
By the end of 2021, Dollar General aimed to expand the pOpshelf brand significantly with 50 standalone stores and 25 store-within-a-store locations.
2021: Dollar General Partners with Arbor Day Foundation
In 2021, Dollar General partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to restore over 321 acres of forest and plant more than 96,000 trees near the Mississippi River in Louisiana and Mississippi.
February 2022: OSHA Proposes Over $1 Million in Penalties for Safety Violations at Dollar General Stores
In February 2022, OSHA proposed over $1 million in penalties after inspections at several Dollar General locations found hazards such as blocked exit routes, unsafe stacking of materials, and fire risks, demonstrating a pattern of worker safety violations.
March 2022: Dollar General Expands to Idaho
Dollar General opened its first store in Idaho on March 5, 2022, located in the city of Athol.
April 2022: Dollar General Literacy Foundation Announces $9.2 Million Commitment
In April 2022, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation made a significant commitment of approximately $9.2 million to support literacy programs.
2022: Ohio Sues Dollar General for Deceptive Pricing
In 2022, the State of Ohio filed a lawsuit against Dollar General for deceptive pricing practices, adding to the company's legal troubles related to pricing discrepancies.
March 2023: Dollar General Faces Lawsuits and Fines for Price Irregularities
A March 2023 report revealed that Dollar General faced over $1 million in fines from multiple states for price irregularities between 2021 and 2022, along with multiple potential class-action lawsuits.
March 2023: Dollar General Added to OSHA's Severe Violator Program
In March 2023, Dollar General was added to OSHA's severe-violator enforcement program due to its repeated and serious workplace safety violations.
October 2023: Dollar General Announces CEO Change
On October 12, 2023, Dollar General brought back former CEO Todd Vasos to replace Jeff Owen. This decision was made by the Board to address stability and confidence concerns within the company.
2023: Inflation Adjustment
The initial investment of $5,000 each made by James and Cal Turner in 1939 is equivalent to $109,522 in 2023 when adjusted for inflation.
January 8, 2024: Dollar General Store Count
As of January 8, 2024 Dollar General operated 19,643 stores across the Contiguous United States and Mexico.
June 2024: Dollar General Board of Directors
The members of the Dollar General Board of Directors, as of June 2024, were Michael M. Calbert (Chairman), Todd Vasos (CEO), Warren Bryant, Patricia Fili-Krushel, Timothy I. McGuire, Ana Chadwick, David Rowland, Debra A. Sandler, and Ralph E. Santana.
2024: Dollar General Sustainability Initiatives
As of 2024, Dollar General has implemented several sustainability initiatives.
2024: Dollar General Removes Self-Checkout in Some Stores
In the first half of 2024, Dollar General discontinued self-checkout in more than half of its US stores due to theft-related losses.
2026: Dollar General Aims to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Dollar General aims to achieve a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2026.
2031: Dollar General Sets Target for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction
Dollar General aims to achieve a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per square foot by 2031.