Given the current state of the economy, it should not surprise anyone that more people than ever are frequently visiting discount stores.

Even those who many would consider well-to-do are now taking advantage of the savings they see from shopping at Mardens, Reny's, Dollar General, or Ocean State Job Lot.

Of course, in addition to these well known chains, there are many locally owned discount stores.  Caswell's Liquidation Center in Waterville, Maine, for example.

It looks as though one of the country's most popular discount retailers is changing hands.

 

 

What We Know About Dollar Tree's Sale of Family Dollar

According to an article on the CNN website, Dollar Tree is selling the Family Dollar brand for a fraction of what the company paid for it in 2015.

The article explains that private equity groups Brigade Capital Management and Macellum Capital Management are in the process of purchasing the struggling brand for $1 billion.  Dollar Tree had purchased Family Dollar for $9 billion a decade ago.

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While the news comes as a surprise to many, it should not shock those in the retail community.  Last year, it was announced that nearly 1,000 Family Dollar stores would be closing and that the company was for sale.

Family Dollar currently has about 8,000 stores across the country.  Most locations are in urban areas and most items at the stores sell for between $1 and $10.

Despite the fact that more people than ever are shopping at discount stores, some discount store chains are still having issues.  The current issues with inflation have caused an increase in the operating costs of Family Dollar locations.  In addition, some people have reached a point where, instead of shopping at discount stores, they are just going without items they would normally purchase at stores like Family Dollar.

The sale is not final, yet.  It still needs to be approved by the appropriate regulatory agencies.

Hopefully, these new owners will make the needed changes and turn things around.

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Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll

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