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New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs secures record settlement, highlighting ongoing pricing discrepancies in Dollar General stores.
11-29-2023 2:58pm
$1.2 Million Settlement for Dollar General in NJ Pricing Violation Case
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has reached a landmark $1.2 million settlement with Dollar General Corp. over repeated pricing violations across its 186 New Jersey stores. This agreement, involving a significant civil penalty, marks the largest settlement ever achieved by the Division's Office of Weights and Measures.
TRENTON, NJ: Dollar General, a prominent discount retail chain, has come under scrutiny for violating New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act (CFA) and Weights and Measures Act (WMA). The Tennessee-based retailer was found to have charged prices at the cash register that were higher than those displayed, affecting various merchandise categories.
Inspections conducted in November 2022 and February 2023 across 58 New Jersey Dollar General stores revealed over 2,000 instances of pricing discrepancies, with some products overcharged by up to $5.95.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin emphasized the state's dedication under Governor Murphy to protect consumers, particularly those from low- and moderate-income backgrounds, from unfair practices.
“This settlement advances those efforts by imposing a significant civil penalty against a national retailer for engaging in pricing practices that deceived and defrauded New Jersey residents,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin.
Cari Fais, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, criticized Dollar General's repeated overcharging in communities often lacking other retail options. She reiterated New Jersey's commitment to marketplace fairness and transparency.
“Dollar General claims to provide everyday essentials at affordable prices in communities often underserved by other retailers, but time and time again the chain has been caught overcharging customers through deceptive pricing tactics,” said Cari Fais, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs.
Beyond the financial penalties, the settlement mandates significant operational changes for Dollar General in New Jersey. These include compliance with all state and federal laws, employee training in pricing within 90 days, and rigorous internal audits for three years. Any store failing these audits must submit a corrective action plan.
The investigation, led by the OWM Enforcement Unit under Jason Flint and David Freed, highlights the state's proactive approach to consumer rights protection. Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Kozier, supervised by Jesse Sierant, represented the state in this matter.
Consumers suspecting violations of the CFA or WMA can file complaints online or request complaint forms by calling 1-800-242-5846.
