Dollar General's retail model, with its low prices and minimal staff, has brought profits but also OSHA citations. Reporters discuss employee experiences and the company's response. The podcast explores Dollar General's success, focusing on internal communication and AI tools. It also examines the business model, working conditions, profitability, and challenges. Resistance to Dollar General's expansion and potential future considerations are also discussed.
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Quick takeaways
Dollar General's success is based on its convenient locations and competitive pricing, making it a go-to option for customers in rural areas with limited options.
Despite its financial success, Dollar General has faced scrutiny for its poor treatment of workers and unsafe working conditions, leading to repeated OSHA citations and fines.
Deep dives
Dollar General's Business Model and Growth
Dollar General's success is based on selling common necessities at competitive prices, with over 19,000 locations across the US. The company's business model focuses on convenience for customers, particularly in rural areas with limited options. Dollar General's smaller stores, averaging 7,500 square feet, offer a quick in-and-out experience. The company's rapid expansion and competitive pricing have contributed to its profitability, with net income reaching $2.4 billion last year.
Unsafe Working Conditions and Worker Exploitation
Despite its financial success, Dollar General has come under scrutiny for its poor treatment of workers and unsafe working conditions. The company has been repeatedly cited by the US Workplace Safety Agency, OSHA, and placed on the severe violator list for disregarding workers' rights. Stores have been found with expired and soiled products, dirtiness, and safety hazards. Employees have reported being forced to clean and resell contaminated goods, facing threats of violence from customers, and being understaffed, putting their safety at risk.
Resistance and Challenges Ahead
While Dollar General's growth has been remarkable, it has faced increasing resistance from communities and towns opposing the expansion of more Dollar General stores. Concerns about cluttered stores, lack of fresh produce options, and negative impacts on local economies have fueled this resistance. Additionally, rising costs, competition from other retailers, and the financial pressures faced by lower-income consumers present challenges for Dollar General's future. The company is attempting to address some of the issues by increasing staffing and investing in in-store improvements but faces ongoing scrutiny and legal proceedings from OSHA.
The Dollar General retail chain has 19,000-plus locations, more than Walmart and Wendy’s combined. Its business model is to open in towns too small to support bigger retailers, sell necessities at low prices and keep staff to a minimum, sometimes as few as one or two people per shift. This bare bones approach has led to profits but also numerous OSHA citations and millions of dollars in proposed fines against the company since 2017.
Bloomberg reporters Josh Eidelson and Brendan Case join this episode to talk about their reporting on Dollar General, what current and former employees say about what it’s like to work there–and how the company has responded.