The ratings on Goodlettsville Tenn.-based Dollar General Corp. reflect Standard&Poor's Ratings Services' expectation that this leading dollar store chain will maintain credit protection measures in line with its "intermediate" financial risk profile, and that its strong market position will continue to support its satisfactory business risk profile. In addition to its strong market position as the largest dollar-store chain in the U.S., with 10,000 stores, the business risk profile also benefits from Dollar General's good prospects for future growth, and improved merchandising and operating efficiencies. Given the company's extreme value proposition and our forecast for a weak recovery of the U.S. economy, we believe Dollar General will continue to benefit from consumers trading down. In addition, improved merchandising
