The Chicago Daily Herald reports on the growing influence of dollar stores, fueled by their move into more affluent suburban locations. They are, according to the paper, “a growing presence in the suburbs, attracted by their residents' purchasing power and availability of space in myriad strip malls.”
Family Dollar, for example, plans to expand its presence in the Chicago area by about a third over the next year. George Mahoney, executive vice president of Family Dollar, tells the paper that the company has 100 stores there now, but will open another 30 over the next 12 months. "It's very much a focus of our expansion," Mahoney said. "We think there are great opportunities for expansion, and the urban markets are a particular focus."
And Dell Holden, director of retail relations for the Retail Dollar Store Association, says that as the format has “gotten over that stigmatism of being a low-income haven” and is “hitting on all levels of household income," it means that “the only model that can really compete with Wal-Mart is the dollar stores.”
Family Dollar, for example, plans to expand its presence in the Chicago area by about a third over the next year. George Mahoney, executive vice president of Family Dollar, tells the paper that the company has 100 stores there now, but will open another 30 over the next 12 months. "It's very much a focus of our expansion," Mahoney said. "We think there are great opportunities for expansion, and the urban markets are a particular focus."
And Dell Holden, director of retail relations for the Retail Dollar Store Association, says that as the format has “gotten over that stigmatism of being a low-income haven” and is “hitting on all levels of household income," it means that “the only model that can really compete with Wal-Mart is the dollar stores.”
- KC's View:
