Dollar Stores Roar
By George Anderson
Consumers know the value of a dollar. That’s why so many are turning to dollar stores to get the best value for their bucks according to reports on the Dallas-Ft. Worth Star-Telegram and TCPalm web sites.
Sal Carollo, an owner of Dollar General Stores in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, told the Star-Telegram his stores appeal to a wide range of consumers. “We’ve always had a mix of Neiman Marcus types and lower income shoppers,” he said.
The appeal that dollar stores hold with consumers is easy to explain according to retail industry observers such as Phil Rist, vice president, BIGresearch. “Everyone is shopping for bargains. It means you’re a smart shopper. It’s fashionable to be practical.”
Moderator’s Comment: Is dollar store growth a function
of the weak economy? Will the format continue to prosper when the economy rebounds?
Rick Gallagher, publisher, Stores magazine believes in
the staying power of dollar stores. He told TCPalm, “It’s partly because they
sit in a market that is unique. It’s a genius concept. Dollar stores have created
a new market beneath the standard discount market.” [George
Anderson – Moderator]