Multiple Dollar General locations have been closing amid major change
Andrew Rivera
DOLLAR General locations across the country have closed due to persistent safety violations.
The closings come on the heels of multiple customer complaints of unsafe conditions due to overstocked merchandise clogging the aisles and other parts of the store.
The issue goes back as far as November of 2022, when customer complaints lead to the closing of a Dollar General in Gretna, Virginia.
At the store, fire marshals noted numerous violations.
"There were carts full of stock to be put onto the shelves, partially blocking the aisles. Also, it lacked sufficient clearance between the height of the stock and the ceiling. The heating system was inoperable and the electric panels blocked," Christopher Key, director of public safety for Pittsylvania County, told the Chatham Star-Tribune.
Back in December, a location in Mondovi, Wisconsin temporarily closed due to a failed follow-up fire safety inspection.
READ MORE ON RETAIL
"The biggest violations was the means of egress of the customers and the firefighters if needed," Steve Anderson, Mondovi Fire Chief, told WQOW
And the issues have persisted at other locations into the new year.
MORE VIOLATIONS
Just a few weeks ago two locations in the same North Carolina county closed due to safety violations.
Watauga County Fire Marshal Shane Garland closed both the Vilas and Zionville locations due to blocked exits among other violations.
Most read in Money
"We have found the stores with aisles and exits blocked," Garland said.
At least six Dollar Generals have closed at least temporarily due to the violations over the last few months, according to a report in Insider.
Most Dollar General Stores that have closed have since reopened.
MORE STORE CLOSURES
While Dollar General has struggled with safety issues, many other retailers have reduced their footprint due to financial woes.
These include Walmart, which despite being one of the most successful companies in the world, is closing numerous locations this March due to financial underperformance.
Meanwhile, Bed Bath & Beyond is committed to closing over 100 stores in 2023 as it tries to stave off bankruptcy.
And both CVS and Walgreens have been closing stores to save on costs.
See which home goods retailer is closing half of its US stores.
And check out the major restaurant chain reducing locations.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEZqqupl6YvK57zKilnrFfbIJ0hJJwbWibmJa7qLHSZpuopJyWv26zxKecq5mcYsCissStsGg%3D
