Family Dollar

ATLANTA — Select Family Dollar Stores will carry an environmentally friendly, individually-sold 3-lb firelog by Enviro-Log, the company stated.

"Family Dollar customers will appreciate the convenience and performance of our 3-lb firelogs, which burn cleaner and hotter than firewood," said Ross McRoy, president of Enviro-Log. "We are thrilled that Family Dollar customers can now take advantage of these environmentally friendly firelogs, as each Enviro-Log provides warmth and comfort for hours at a time."

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar stores reported a 12.7% increase in net sales and a 6.6% increase in comps in first quarter 2013, the company said.

WASHINGTON — Several retailers got top scores from a gay-rights organization for their efforts to prevent discrimination against and to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

The Human Rights Campaign released its 2013 Corporate Equality Index, which gives companies ratings of up to 100% based on their policies regarding LGBT employees and also released a buyer's guide for LGBT consumers.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores last week named Tammy DeBoer as SVP food. DeBoer will report to Paul White, EVP and chief merchandising officer.

"Providing customers with a compelling food assortment is key to driving trips and an important initiative for Family Dollar,” White said. “Tammy’s proven track record in the food industry and her strategic leadership will help drive further enhancements to our assortment and help us increase customer loyalty as we work to continue to expand our market share.”

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar on Thursday announced it is expanding its holiday selection to include hundreds of toys and gifts retailing for $10 or less. 

"We know our customers look to Family Dollar to help them celebrate the holidays," stated Michael Bloom, Family Dollar president and COO. "This year, we are proud to offer an expanded selection of items to make this holiday season even more memorable and budget-friendly."

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores has named Colin McGinnis to the position of SVP store operations support, store development and procurement. McGinnis will report to Barry Sullivan, EVP store operations.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores has named Jocelyn Wong to the position of SVP, chief marketing officer. Wong will report to Michael Bloom, president and COO.

 WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — It appears that even when the economy gets back to humming on all cylinders that America’s shopping patterns will have been forever changed, and that's only going to support dollar store growth for years to come. Clearly, the two biggest competitors in Family Dollar and Dollar General are ramping up store growth all over the country, with the two companies lining up on opposite corners much the way drug chains began had done in the '80s and '90s.