Dollar Stores Rake In Holiday Business As Job Market, Economy Remain Mired In Slump

Consumers on a tight budget this holiday season have made dollar stores a favored destination for Christmas shopping. Many of the stores have done their best to provide a more attractive shopping venue, having spruced up their facilities and product lines to better meet the needs of budget-conscious gift givers. Industry observers expect dollar stores to turn in healthy sales performances as the job market and economy continue in a slump: fourth quarter sales increases of at least 4.2 percent are forecast for stores that have been open at least a year. Dollar stores have expanded rapidly in recent years, with several chains operating thousands of outlets across the country.