National Discount Retailer in IA, IL, WI Closing Nearly 100 Stores

Another retailer is looking to close a substantial amount of stores in 2025. It's a retailer that's been popping up like roaches over the past ten years. In addition to closing several stores, however, the company will be taking one of their smaller-scale concept stores and rebranding it to their main brand.

I'll catch you up. For starters, this isn't the first retailer to make massive changes as of late. Big Lots shut down a couple different Iowa stores. Party City is going out of business, with stores in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin closing soon. It was also revealed Kohl's would be closing 27 stores, two of which in Illinois. Weeks ago, it was reported Hooters was filing for bankruptcy. And Home Run Inn just closed a third of its locations in the Chicagoland area.

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Somewhat shockingly, given they always seem to be expanding and their stores pop up in what seems like no time, Dollar General revealed plans to close 96 stores as well as 45 Popshelf stores during the first quarter of 2025. In addition, six Popshelf stores will be converted into Dollar General stores.

I had to do a double-take. I never heard of Popshelf before. When it comes to Dollar General, I've heard of DG Market and DGX stores. DG Market stores offer an assortment of fresh produce and fruits, while DGX stores exist in busier metropolitans and sell a variety of grab-and-go sandwiches and snacks.

From the looks of it, Popshelf — which has one location in Iowa (Davenport), 14 in Illinois, and none in Wisconsin — is a retail store concept that aims to "engage customers with a fun, affordable and stress-free shopping experience," per their website. They offer season home décor, party goods, and a rotating stock of items. In short, it looks like a Five Below-adjacent concept.

Dollar General's chief executive officer noted in the Q1 2025 earnings call that the review and subsequent move to shutter dozens of locations was necessary to "strength the foundation" of their business. The number of closings represents less than one percent of their total number of stores.

According to multiple sources, the company operates more than 20,000 Dollar General, DG Market, DGX, and Popshelf stores across 48 states. That's an eye-popping figure.

At this time, it's unclear which stores will close permanently and which Popshelf locations will be converted into Dollar General locations. Presently, Popshelf alone has over 220 locations in 21 states. That number will be reduced to approximately 175 when the closures are complete.

Read more about Dollar General and Popshelf locations around the US closing on USA Today's website.