Dollar General set to build massive distribution center in Arkansas

Dollar General is planning on building a 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center in North Little Rock, Ark., and it is expected to open in April, reports local news outlet Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The new site neighbors Amazon’s already-open distribution center, and Lowe’s soon-to-be-occupied distribution center.

The new $140 million building will help Dollar General sell fresh produce in more stores and create 300 jobs in the area, according to North Little Rock Development Director Robert Birch.

Dollar General began selling fresh produce in 10 of its Little Rock stores last year, operating in many economically disadvantaged urban neighborhoods and rural communities that otherwise lack access to these sources — areas known as food deserts. 

There are now 12 Dollar General stores in the Little Rock area that now sell fresh produce, and the discount chain is making plans to sell fresh fruits and vegetables in 5,000 stores in the U.S. by the end of January 2024. Dollar General CEO Jeff Owen said that this expansion will give the company more points of produce distribution than any other mass retailer or grocer in the U.S.

A Dollar General corporate spokesperson said that the new facility will store fresh items in addition to its traditional nonperishable products, and similar distribution sites are underway near Denver and in Oregon. 

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The spokesperson also said that Dollar General is expanding fresh produce sales to 10,000 stores (many also designated food deserts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture). Currently, Dollar General has 19,200 stores.