Dollar General and PopShelf to Close 141 Stores
Retail store closures are accelerating in 2025, and now Dollar General is the latest major chain to downsize. Following the likes of Joann Fabrics, Walgreens, and Big Lots, Dollar General Corporation announced it will shutter 141 stores across its two brands: Dollar General and PopShelf.
The closures were revealed in the company’s Q4 and fiscal year 2024 earnings report, citing performance reviews and future outlooks as the basis for the decision.
Breakdown of Closures:
- 96 Dollar General stores
- 45 PopShelf stores
- 6 additional PopShelf locations will be converted into Dollar General stores
While the specific locations haven’t been released yet, the closures represent a small portion of the company’s total footprint—less than 1% of Dollar General’s 20,000+ stores across 48 states. However, for PopShelf, which has just over 220 locations, losing 45 stores marks a 20% reduction.
“We believe this decision better positions us to serve our customers and communities,” said CEO Todd Vasos.
The company did not provide details on what will happen to employees affected by the closures. Dollar General Corporation currently employs over 194,000 people.
Financial Snapshot:
Despite net sales increasing 5% to $40.6 billion, Dollar General’s net income dropped 32.3%, down to $1.1 billion for fiscal year 2024. The closures appear to be part of a broader strategy to refocus and stabilize operations amid changing market conditions.
Bigger Picture: Retail Closures on the Rise
Dollar General’s announcement follows a troubling trend for U.S. retail in 2025. According to Coresight Research, up to 15,000 retail stores are expected to close across the country this year.
The drivers?
- Declining foot traffic
- Inflation-driven cuts to discretionary spending
- Rapid growth of e-commerce competitors like Temu and Shein, which are expanding beyond clothing into general merchandise.
As consumers shift more of their spending online and seek out lower prices, even discount giants like Dollar General are being forced to rethink their footprint.
Bottom line: While 141 closures may be a drop in the bucket for a company of Dollar General’s size, it’s a telling sign of the turbulence facing brick-and-mortar retail in 2025.
