The ratings on Dollar General Corp. reflect Standard&Poor's Ratings Services' expectation that the company will maintain credit protection measures in line with its "intermediate" financial risk profile, supported by healthy sales growth while managing a rapid store growth strategy. We view Dollar General's business risk as "satisfactory" because of its strong market position as the largest dollar-store chain in the U.S., with 10,000 stores, good prospects for future growth, and improved merchandising and operating efficiencies. Standard&Poor's economists currently forecast GDP growing 2.1% in 2012 and 2.5% in 2013, unemployment remaining above 8.0% in 2012 and 7.9% in 2013, and consumer spending increasing 2.1% in 2012 and 2.5% in 2013. Given the company's extreme value proposition and
