The dollar store dilemma

Make Me Smart

Several American dollar store chains have been down bad these days. Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and 99 Cents Only have all recently announced store closures. On the other hand, Dollar General is poised to expand. This has us wondering: What’s going on with the dollar store business model? Has today’s inflationary economy broken it? On the show today, Sandro Steinbach, professor of agribusiness and applied economics at North Dakota State University, explains the economics behind dollar stores, how they keep prices so low, and the impact they have on different communities.

Then, we’ll discuss privacy risks while using popular dating apps. And, what the Australian kids’ show “Bluey” can teach us about the economy.

Here’s everything we talked about:

• • Video: “How can dollar stores still sell things for a dollar?” from Marketplace

• • “Why are discounters like 99 Cents Only Stores in dire straits?” from Marketplace

• • “Here’s How Dollar General Keeps Its Prices at Rock-Bottom” from Business Insider

• • “The Dollar-Store Showdown Comes Down to Real Estate” from The Wall Street Journal

• • “Dollar store expansion and independent grocery retailer contraction” from Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy

• • “The American dollar store has fallen on hard times” from CNBC

• • “Dating apps are collecting more of your information than you think” from The Washington Post

• • “Justice Department Reaches Civil Settlement with Hundreds of Victims Abused by Lawrence Nassar” from the Department of Justice

• • “Justice Department settles with Larry Nassar victims for $138.7 million” from The Washington Post

• • “Historical U.S. Trade Deficits” from The St. Louis Fed

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