Dollar General CEO exposes bitter reality about today’s economy

Well, yes but…

Thirty years ago, having a six-figure income meant you could live comfortably, with all the accoutrements of wealth.

A $100,000 income in 1996 put you in the top 1% or 2% of income earners. This was not a common income level. No surprise, there were few shoppers at Dollar General with $100k incomes because there were very few people with $100k incomes in 1996! DUH!

Today, $100,000 income puts one on the top 30% of income earners (due to the government using inflation to devalue the dollar). And by household income, in 2026, about 50% of all households have an annual income of greater than $100k. With half the country now at that income level, basic math means Dollar General has more customers at that income level. DUH.

Reporter Madison Troyer follows the doomerism playbook, negativity and self loathing about the U.S. and an inability to think critically.