Dollar Tree to Shut 1,000 Stores as Inflation and Theft Take Toll

Dollar Tree plans to close about 1,000 underperforming Family Dollar stores by 2024 due to poor sales and profits, impacting shoppers in rural and inner city areas.

Experts say inflation leading to higher prices and squeezed profits is the main factor, with theft adding further pressure. Customers are buying fewer non-essential items.

Other factors include competition from chains like Walmart and online retailers like Amazon and Temu drawing customers away.

Theft is rising in vulnerable, high-crime areas, changing attitudes so there is more consensus it can’t be tolerated at current levels.

Store closures raise safety concerns with few staff and increased brazen theft. Technology and government partnerships are needed to hold criminals accountable.