Dollar General the discount chain is opening 450 new stores in 2026. That’s right, the company continues to grow strongly in the United States, expanding in rural zones, or areas with limited access to big supermarkets.
There is still not a detail list of where these new shop will be located, but the chain has already talked about places where they plan to grow.
“Our first priority is investing in the business, including our existing store base, as well as other high-return growth opportunities such as new store expansion, remodels, and other strategic initiatives,” Donny Lau, the company’s financial chief at Dollar General, told investors.
Big expansion coming in in 2026
Results from the third quarter of 2025, where positive for the company, and made clear that Dollar General’s strategy is working, and the growth will continue on a big scale.
The company’s shares went up to 12.3% reaching a 15-month peak, increasing its gain by 45% this year. “We believe these behaviors suggest that we are continuing to attract higher-income customers who are looking to maximize value while still shopping for items they want and need,” Todd Vasos, company’s CEO said at the time.
Donny Lau, explained that the priority of the company is to invest in already existing shops, but also in wider projects (with higher returns) like opening new stores, or some strategical renovations.
The company is planing to open around 10 branches in Mexico, (besides the 450 new stores in the United States), carry out 20 relocations and remodel mor than 4,200 existing stores. All of this, will consolidate Dollar General as “the place to go” to if your looking for accesible prices.
Dollar General’ bet: 450 stores and 11,000 opportunities
The chain hasn’t yet revealed any details about the new branches, we don’t have yet information about where they will be, when will the open, or what the sizes are for these new locations.
Vasos, mentioned that most of the 450 stores will be opened in rural communities. This shops usually offer les options in products but represent an big opportunity for Dollar General’s business model.
According to the information given, new stores will be about 8,500 square feet, and designed to offer essentials, food, household products and everyday merchandise, in small but easy to walk through spaces.
The CEO also revealed that the company has identified around 11,000 potential opportunities for more shops in the U.S. but stated that not all of them would be done, leaving potential growth for the possibility of a long-term plan.
What to spect for the 2026
Inflation and changes on the consumers habits have made it difficult for the retail industry this last few years. Nevertheless, Dollar General is showing that is not all supermarkets are the same, and their strategy seems to be working just fine.
During previous calls with investors, Vasos explained that new customers are visiting stores more frequently and spending more per visit, even in categories that are not essential. Which is good news, especially when more and more consumers are paying more attention to how to use their money wisely, and spend less overall.
However, to get to this point, the company has had to adapt too; just like the economy is hitting nearly every sector, Dollar General couldn’t doge the bullet, and had to face some rough adjustments in 2025.
They closed almost 100 stores after reviewing their portafolio. But these closures came with a plan behind; to relocated them where they could be of real use—and benefit. Closing some stores also allows the company to make the new ones stronger.
The plan keeps pointing to 575 new stores, which means that 2026 will have many openings in the U.S. Continuing with a sustained and strategic growing path.