Overview
- The Federal Trade Commission filed a federal lawsuit joined by 20 states on Monday accusing Dollar General of repeatedly charging customers more at the register than the prices shown on shelves, price tags, and in advertisements.
- The filings say the company received tens of thousands of consumer complaints and that undercover FTC purchases in multiple states found every test buy rang up at higher prices than advertised.
- Plaintiffs allege the discrepancies persisted for years, extracted millions in unlawful overcharges, and disproportionately hurt shoppers in rural and low-income communities where more than 21,000 Dollar General stores operate.
- The suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, asks for a permanent injunction, monetary relief and other remedies that could include refunds and mandated pricing controls if the court agrees.
- The federal case follows a nearly $1.9 million New York settlement reached less than two weeks earlier and signals growing regulatory pressure on retailers to ensure price consistency at shelf, online and the register.