The discount retail chain Dollar General has agreed to a major settlement of at least $15 million to resolve widespread allegations of systematic overcharging across its vast network of US stores.
National Settlement for Shelf Price Discrepancies
The agreement, filed on 10 December, settles multiple lawsuits accusing the retailer of advertising one price on shelves but charging customers a higher amount at the register. Shoppers anywhere in the United States may now be eligible for repayments.
This marks the company's second such settlement in a single month. Earlier in December, Dollar General agreed to pay $1.55 million to the state of Pennsylvania following a separate investigation. Pennsylvania's Attorney General, Dave Sunday, condemned what he called "blatant deception," noting that over 40% of the chain's 900 stores in the state failed pricing accuracy checks between 2019 and 2023.
Inspections Reveal Systemic Failures
The legal actions align with findings from a Guardian investigation published on 3 December. That report revealed Dollar General stores had failed more than 4,300 government price-accuracy inspections across 23 states since January 2022. Many affected stores are in rural towns and low-income urban areas with few other shopping options.
The national settlement consolidates five consumer lawsuits targeting operations in New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. Marc Dann, a former Ohio Attorney General whose firm is involved in the litigation, highlighted the disproportionate impact on budget-conscious shoppers. "They may have $10 or $20 to spend that week," Dann said. "The worst part is not that they’re getting overcharged. It’s that they’re putting stuff back."
How Customers Can Claim Compensation
Pending final court approval at a hearing scheduled for March 2026 in New Jersey, the settlement outlines a claims process for customers:
- Shoppers with documentation (like photos or receipts) proving an overcharge can claim a cash award, starting at $10 and up to the full overpayment amount.
- Those who filed a complaint with the company or a government agency within 30 days of a purchase are also eligible.
- Consumers without documentation can still claim a $3 discount
As part of the settlement, Dollar General has also agreed to hire staff dedicated to monitoring shelf prices and to fund external price audits. The company, which is headquartered in Tennessee, has denied wrongdoing but stated it agreed to settle to avoid "burdensome and costly litigation."
If the total payout falls short of the $15 million settlement value, the company has committed to donating the remainder to a national food bank organisation.
