'We're running out of options,' cries Family Dollar shopper as two stores set to close – and 1,000 more are next | 3O57K48 | 2024-05-11 17:08:01
FAMILY Dollar has looming closures for two locations in one city.
Shoppers fear they won't have affordable discount stores for long.
The retailer placed closure banners outside the Buffalo, New York, locations earlier this week, per NBC affiliate WGRZ.
Many low-income residents in the area told the news outlet they rely on Family Dollar for affordable essentials after heading to Aldi or Tops for food and drink items.
"Where are we going to shop now?" one local asked.
"We're running out of options," another remarked.
Without the dollar stores' prevalence in the community, some residents say they'll have to seek business from corner stores for the necessary merchandise.
While it may not seem like much of an issue to make the switch, corner stores have been accused of price gouging in the Buffalo area, according to WGRZ.
Additionally, many shoppers nearby can only walk to get groceries and would have to travel greater distances for more options.
With seemingly few options left, Mitch Nowakowski, a city council member for the Fillmore District — the area where the two closing Family Dollar stores are located — is taking action.
Nowakowski said the closures were "very concerning to me and my constituents," in a post to Facebook on Wednesday.
He promised to contact Dollar Tree, which owns Family Dollar, to work on keeping the two axed locations in the area.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> "Today, I'm reaching out to Dollar Tree to ensure the future of these two stores," the city council member wrote.
"I am passionate about preventing these properties from becoming vacant and blighted and continuing to preserve access to affordable essentials [in] the neighborhoods."
Nowakowski told WGRZ he has not yet heard back from Dollar Tree on a potential path forward to save the stores.
MASS EXIT
It seems unlikely that the retailer would reconsider, given Dollar Tree's announcement earlier this year confirming over 1,000 Family Dollar closures were underway.
About 600 stores will be axed by the end of 2024.
Another 370 are set to cease their operations over the coming years when their leases expire.
Dollar Tree will also close 30 of its locations.
The mass shutdowns come as a result of financial struggles.
</div> </div> Executives attributed the issues to rising inflation costs, leading Family Dollar and Dollar Tree customers to head elsewhere for deals and sales, according to CBS News.
Still, chairman and CEO of Dollar Tree, Rick Dreiling, said the company is "making decisive action to improve profitability and unlock value at Family Dollar."
For more related content, check out The U.S. Sun's coverage of the Dollar Tree customers who were calling for a change in the store's name after price hikes.
The U.S. Sun also has the story on the "everything must go" sales going on at Family Dollar right now.
More >> https://ift.tt/vyxK39t Source: MAG NEWS
