UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K


Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):   September 1, 2005



Dollar General Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

     
     

Tennessee

001-11421

61-0502302

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

     
     

100 Mission Ridge

Goodlettsville, Tennessee

 

37072

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 
 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (615) 855-4000

     
     
 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:


[  ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ]

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ]

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ]

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))




ITEM 7.01.

REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE


On September 1, 2005, Dollar General Corporation issued the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99 and incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, regarding sales results for the four-week and 30-week periods ended August 26, 2005, as well as new store openings and store closings through August 26, 2005.


ITEM 9.01.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS


(a)

Financial statements of businesses acquired.  N/A

(b)

Pro forma financial information.  N/A

(c)

Exhibits.  See Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page hereto.




SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



Date:   September 1, 2005

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION

     
     
     
 

By:

/s/ Susan S. Lanigan

   

Susan S. Lanigan

   

Executive Vice President and General Counsel




2






EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit No.

Description

   

99

News release dated September 1, 2005.




3





Investor Contact:

Media Contact:


Emma Jo Kauffman

Tawn Earnest


(615) 855-5525

(615) 855-5209


DOLLAR GENERAL REPORTS AUGUST SAME-STORE SALES


GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. – September 1, 2005 – Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) today reported total retail sales for the August four-week period ended August 26, 2005, equaled $624.0 million compared with $570.7 million last year, an increase of 9.3 percent. For the August period, same-store sales, or sales in stores that were open both at the end of the period and at the beginning of the preceding fiscal year, increased 0.9 percent, which is within the Company’s previously communicated range.   


The primary drivers of positive same-store sales were food, including perishables, candy and snacks, as well as pet supplies and paper products. These results were partially offset by negative same-store sales in the summer seasonal, basic clothing and stationery departments. The Company believes that its August same-store sales were unfavorably impacted by increased pressure on its customers’ discretionary purchases caused by higher gasoline prices as well as aggressive back-to-school marketing and pricing by competitors. Customer transactions in same-stores decreased approximately 2.1 percent. The average customer purchase in August for total stores was approximately $8.82 compared to $8.44 in the same period last year.  


For the 30-week period ended August 26, 2005, Dollar General total retail sales increased 12.3 percent to $4.7 billion from $4.2 billion for the 30-week period ended August 27, 2004. Same-store sales for the 30-week period increased 4.0 percent.


Year-to-date through August 26, 2005, the Company opened 484 stores and closed 49 stores.


The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of Hurricane Katrina on its stores in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.  The Company believes approximately 200 Dollar General stores are currently closed in these states, mostly as a result of power outages. Some of these stores may have been permanently destroyed, although the Company is not yet in a position to make that determination. Dollar General intends to work quickly to reopen or relocate affected stores where possible and to resume meeting the needs of customers in those communities.


About Dollar General

Dollar General is a Fortune 500 ® discount retailer with 7,755 neighborhood stores as of August 26, 2005.  Dollar General stores offer convenience and value to customers by offering consumable basic items that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies, as well as a selection of basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low prices.  The Company store support center is located in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Dollar General’s Web site can be reached at www.dollargeneral.com .


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