Dollar General has outlined another ambitious year for its real estate strategy in 2026.
- Location Focus & Store Format
- Strategic Rationale for Dollar General’s Expansion
- FAQ’s On Dollar General Opening 450+ Stores
- How many new locations is Dollar General adding?
- Where will these new Dollar General locations be situated?
- Is Dollar General planning to establish stores in countries outside of the U.S?
- Are existing Dollar General stores undergoing renovation?
In the upcoming fiscal year, which concludes in January 2027, the value retailer plans to establish 450 new stores in the U.S. and 10 new stores in Mexico, in addition to executing 4,250 remodelling and renovation projects and relocating 20 stores.
The retailer will concentrate on larger store formats and expand into rural markets, which were responsible for the majority of the 196 stores Dollar General opened in Q3 2025. This 8,500-square-foot store format will be utilised for most of the retailer’s new store developments next year.
The financial performance was strong: Dollar General reported a 4.6% increase in net sales during Q3, which concluded on October 31, 2025, rising to $10.6 billion from $10.2 billion the previous year. Same-store sales also increased by 2.5% compared to the same period in 2024.
Location Focus & Store Format
The exact address of the new locations has not been disclosed yet, but executives mentioned that most of the planned stores would be located in rural areas and small towns, which generally experience minimal competition from large national retail chains.
This strategy serves as a resource for consumers who might have to travel a considerable distance to find necessities by providing a cost-effective location for daily low-cost consumption.
The new stores will typically be 8,500 sq ft in size and will provide a combination of essential items such as food, personal care products, household goods, and seasonal merchandise. Management believes this size provides the ideal combination of product variety and convenience for consumers in smaller markets.
Strategic Rationale for Dollar General’s Expansion
Dollar General is not just expanding for the sake of expansion; it is part of a broader trend in discount retail where value-oriented shopping is becoming increasingly popular regardless of income levels.
Consumers are looking for ways to save money during an economic downturn, and as such, they are looking for lower-priced sources of groceries, cleaning products, and personal care products – which is where Dollar General’s stores play a significant role.
Their strategy includes some key components:
- Accessibility: to provide access to consumers in towns and rural areas where retail options are severely limited.
- Affordability: to provide consumers with everyday low prices on everyday items.
- Store Experience: to enhance the shopping experience for customers by upgrading store interiors and layouts through remodels and renovations.
- Growth: to build out a large, sustainable nationwide footprint.
Dollar General is projected to add 450 stores during the 2026 expansion, providing job opportunities to new communities, improved access to value shopping options and increased competition with other discount retailers.
With the addition of 450 new store openings, remodels and relocations, Dollar General’s expansion is indicative of its aggressive strategy to position itself for future growth and demand.
FAQ’s On Dollar General Opening 450+ Stores
How many new locations is Dollar General adding?
In 2026, Dollar General anticipates adding around 450 new locations in the U.S.A.
Where will these new Dollar General locations be situated?
While Dollar General has not given detailed locations yet, most of these new locations will probably be situated in rural areas and small towns where the availability of large retail chains is limited.
Is Dollar General planning to establish stores in countries outside of the U.S?
Yes. Along with the 450 locations slated to be opened in the U.S.A., Dollar General is also planning to open approximately 10 stores in Mexico.
Are existing Dollar General stores undergoing renovation?
Yes. In 2026, Dollar General will renovate nearly 2,000 stores under the Project Renovate banner and approximately 2,250 stores under the Project Elevate banner.
