Dollar General Same Store Sales Rise 2% as Shoppers Trade Down

Dollar General same store sales rose 2% in the first quarter as shoppers traded down and traffic increased 1.4%. The move gave the discount chain a clearer read on value-seeking behavior, while higher trip counts and a slightly larger average ticket supported the quarter.

Dollar General and 2% same-store sales

Net sales grew 3.4% year over year to $10.8 billion, with all of the retailer’s merchandise categories posting positive comparable sales. That mix suggests the quarter was not driven by one aisle alone; customers bought across the basket while still favoring lower price points.

1.4% more store traffic supplied most of the gain, while average transaction amount rose 0.5%. Those two figures point to a customer who is coming in more often and spending a bit more per visit, even as price pressure keeps value front and center.

Todd Vasos on value pressure

Todd Vasos said Dollar General is uniquely positioned to serve customers as they further prioritize value and convenience. “We know that value and convenience are always important to our customers, but even more so right now.”

Rural customers are feeling the squeeze most sharply, according to Vasos, who said they are working “as they work to minimize trip distance and make trade-offs in their search for everyday affordability.” The chain’s grocery selection drew shoppers seeking lower price points, and a new frozen food section is doing very well.

190 stores and a 2027 handoff

190 stores in the U.S. and five stores in Mexico opened in the first quarter, extending the chain’s footprint while the business kept pushing the value message. In March, Dollar General said Vasos will step down at the start of next year, and JJ Fleeman will take over on January 1, 2027.

For now, the quarter gives the next management team a clean benchmark: traffic, basket size, and broad-based category gains are all moving in the right direction, but the customer remains under price pressure and will keep deciding whether convenience justifies each trip.