Dollar stores are at the peak of their popularity and visibility throughout the country. Dollar store profits are seeing a 17% increase compared to this time last year. This is partly because of the aggressive expansion into more communities.
Because these stores focus on low cost operations, they have been able to expand quickly. A majority of dollar stores are located in southern states such as Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.
Ten percent of dollar store service employees are Black. Staffing is low at many of these stores, and this leaves many employees alone in the store, many times with no security.
Employees are speaking out about their job experiences and believe that they are not being properly compensated for the risks they face. According to the Economic Policy Institute, around 84% of Dollar General employees are earning $14 or less per hour. The recent Jacksonville, Florida Dollar General shooting raised more criticisms around dollar store policies on safety.
As dollar stores expand into more and more locations, current employees and critics are calling on stores to adjust their policies as opposed to making charitable donations. Increased security, better pay and workers’ rights are chief among their proposed demands.