Dollar General will pay a fine of $400,000 and implement corrective measures following inspections in Weld and Larimer counties that revealed significant pricing discrepancies. The investigation, prompted by inspections conducted in 2023, was led by the office of Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. He found that the retailer charged customers more at the register than the prices displayed on store shelves.
“We are committed to ensuring that shoppers pay the price they see when they enter a store,” Weiser stated in a prepared announcement. He emphasized the importance of consumer rights, asserting, “In this case, Dollar General was telling their customers that they would be charged one price and actually charging them another, and I am now holding them accountable for this wrongful conduct.” Weiser is currently campaigning for the governorship of Colorado.
In total, the Colorado Department of Agriculture conducted five inspections in the two counties, with Dollar General failing three of them. Following these inspections, the Attorney General’s office carried out an additional eighteen inspections to further investigate the retailer’s pricing practices.
In addition to the fine, the settlement mandates that Dollar General post signage in its stores indicating that it will honor the lowest price in cases of discrepancies. The company has also agreed to undertake price audits across all its Colorado locations for the next three years. This initiative aims to enhance pricing accuracy and requires improved training for employees on the importance of accurate pricing.
The Attorney General’s office will receive audit reports from Dollar General, which will include planned corrective actions if any audits uncover further inconsistencies. This agreement reflects a broader commitment to protect consumer rights in Colorado and ensure fair business practices.
This story highlights the ongoing efforts by state officials to hold businesses accountable for pricing practices that may mislead consumers. The outcome of this investigation serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency in retail pricing and the role of regulatory bodies in safeguarding consumer interests.
