Consumer
Dollar General Settles With US Over Widespread Safety Allegations
- Retailer will pay $12 million, significantly reduce inventory
- Settlement removes overhang for investors after stock slide
A Dollar General store in Germantown, New York.
Photographer: Angus Mordant/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Dollar General Corp. agreed to a sweeping companywide settlement with US safety regulators, a potential turning point for the nation’s most ubiquitous retailer after years of controversy about safety conditions in its stores.
The company will pay $12 million in penalties and agreed to establish new safety protocols, hire more safety staff and significantly reduce store inventory to avoid obstructed exits, the US Department of Labor said. Dollar General has also brought in outside experts to identify hazards and conduct surprise audits. If issues are identified and not fixed within 48 hours, the retailer could be required to pay $100,000 a day up to $500,000 until they’re handled.