Why 20 states, including Michigan, are suing Dollar General over its price tags

Key Points:

• Michigan, 19 other states, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have sued Dollar General, alleging the retailer charged customers more at checkout than the prices advertised, resulting in millions of dollars in overcharges.
• The lawsuit claims Dollar General stores repeatedly mislabeled prices or failed to honor advertised prices despite receiving tens of thousands of customer complaints and having extensive knowledge of the issue.
• The deceptive pricing practices allegedly harmed shoppers, particularly lower-income households earning $35,000 or less, who account for about 60% of Dollar General’s revenue.
• Dollar General operates over 20,000 stores nationwide, marketing itself as a low-priced, accessible option for underserved rural communities, but has not publicly commented on the lawsuit filed in federal court in Tennessee.
• Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel emphasized the importance of consumer protection laws and expressed hope that the investigation will end deceptive pricing practices and restore pricing transparency across the country.