Damned if you do. Damned if you don't. Are they marketing to the poor? Absolutely. But, I have a lot of problems thinking that they are a liability.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/19/business/dollar-general-opposition/index.html
Opponents also express concerns that dollar stores don't offer fresh produce
They do help fill that forgotten dime store niche. Also, at least in suburbia, they are more accessible for those without cars. The nearest big box grocery stores are a 14 mile round trip for me which is a long way just to buy a couple of items, when a new Dollar General is just 2 miles.
>fresh produce
Which numerous studies have reported that the poor can't afford. They tend to go for carbs and cheap calories.
The DG nearest me chose to locate directly across from a large trailer park. Prior to that, I'd see people walking down the highway to the nearest supermarket about a mile away. Because of the distance, they couldn't carry more than a small bag or two. I see the DG as a big asset for them.
"They tend to go for carbs and cheap calories."
and ya wonder why we have heath issues in America >:(
>heath issues
Processed carbs also have a very long shelf-life also. When there is too much surplus they dump them on consumers at very low prices. I believe refined carbs are addictive; yet we subsidies corn and soybean production.
long shelf-life
When we lived in Fiji they were selling General Mills breakfast cereal 5 years past its expiration date.
The less fortunate get the POOR food
Sounds like Fiji needs a DG.