According to an article in Supermarket News, Dollar General plans to add 900 new locations this year and pending a successful market test, will add fresh produce to hundreds of remodeled locations.
The company has introduced “traditional plus” stores that include 34 cooler doors to merchandise an expanded perishables assortment (by year-end, the company expects to have an average of 20 cooler doors per store, up from 10 in 2012). And of the 750 traditional plus stores that are expected to be in operation by the end of the year, about 450 will carry fresh fruits and vegetables.
According to Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos, “The ability to offer produce, particularly in areas with limited grocery availability, represents an attractive growth opportunity for Dollar General in the years ahead.”
The company also plans to roll out an expanded assortment of better-for-you products at select stores, with a focus on high protein and low salt options.