Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) is proud to serve as America’s neighborhood general store. Founded in 1939, Dollar General lives its mission of Serving Others every day by providing access to affordable products and services for its customers, career opportunities for its employees, and literacy and education support for its hometown communities. As of August 4, 2023, the company’s 19,488 Dollar General, DG Market, DGX and pOpshelf stores across the United States and Mi Súper Dollar General stores in Mexico provide everyday essentials including food, health and wellness products, cleaning and laundry supplies, self-care and beauty items, and seasonal décor from our high-quality private brands alongside many of the world’s most trusted brands such as Coca Cola, PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, General Mills, Hershey, J.M. Smucker, Kraft, Mars, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble and Unilever. Learn more at DollarGeneral.com.
Dollar General Opens its 6,000th Store; Company Operates More General Merchandise Stores, Company-Owned Locations Than Any Other Retailer
September 27, 2002
BOWLING GREEN, Ky., Sep 27, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Today, representatives of Dollar General Corporation, local and state officials, and residents of Bowling Green celebrated the grand opening of Dollar General's 6,000th store in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
"This occasion of our 6,000th store is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate," said Chairman and CEO Cal Turner at the grand opening ceremony. "My father and I never envisioned that this small town orientation, this 'aw shucks, work hard, serve others' attitude would result in our being a Fortune 500® company, and that Dollar General would define one of the most exciting growth opportunities in retailing!"
In 1939, J.L. Turner and his son Cal Turner, Sr. formed the company that would later become Dollar General Corporation in Scottsville, Ky. Today, with stores in 27 states, Dollar General is one of the country's fastest growing retailers. The company operates more general merchandise stores than any other retailer. It also operates more company-owned stores than any other US company.
"This is a mass retail milestone," said Robert J. Verdisco, president of the International Mass Retail Association. "We applaud Dollar General for their remarkable expansion and service to communities nationwide. This company exemplifies the power of enthusiastic word-of-mouth advertising by customers excited about the excellent value that their stores provide. In this difficult economy, these stores have served cash-strapped Americans extremely well. Dollar General is one of the brightest stars in retailing, and we wish them continued success."
Dollar General Corporation opened its first Dollar General store in Springfield, Kentucky in 1955 and became a public company in 1968. The company operates seven distribution centers: in Kentucky, Florida, Oklahoma, Virginia, Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio. Today, with corporate headquarters in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Dollar General employs more than 50,000 people company-wide.
"On behalf of the Bowling Green City Commission and the citizens of Bowling Green, we appreciate the opportunity to have this additional investment in our community," said Mayor Sandy Jones of Bowling Green. "We appreciate the jobs. We appreciate your providing the value, quality and the wonderful stores you've grown to be known for. Thank you for investing in Bowling Green. Thank you for sharing this day with us, and we look forward to other opportunities as we as all grow together."
In keeping with Dollar General's support of literacy initiatives and in recognition of opening its 6,000th store, company representatives presented $3,000 donations to both Henry F. Moss Middle School and Bowling Green Technical College Adult Learning Center. Representatives were on hand to accept the donation.
"It's not every day a company opens 6,000 stores," President and Chief Operating Officer Don Shaffer said. "We want to mark this day by making special presentations to two educational organizations in the Bowling Green community."
Dollar General is heavily involved in supporting literacy initiatives throughout its 27-state operating region. In September 1987, the company launched an ongoing campaign that gives functionally illiterate and under- educated adults a single, approachable place to go to find out about the GED and Learn-To-Read programs available in their area. To date more than 50,000 people have been served. Dollar General has also been successful in returning more than 1,200 people from welfare to work through its Learning Center Programs launched in 1993.
Dollar General company common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "DG." For fiscal 2001, Dollar General reported sales of $5.3 billion. Dollar General's web site can be reached at www.dollargeneral.com.
SOURCE Dollar General Corporation
CONTACT: Andrea Ewin Turner of Dollar General Corporation,
+1-615-855-5209