Exhibit 99

Investor Contact:
Kiley Fleming
(615) 855-5525

DOLLAR GENERAL REPORTS INCREASED SALES FOR THE MONTH OF February

GOODLETTSVILLE,  Tenn. - March 8, 2001 - Dollar General  Corporation  (NYSE: DG)
today reported total retail sales for the four-week fiscal period ended March 2,
2001,  equaled  $367.1  million  compared with $307.2  million for the four-week
period  ended  February  25,  2000,  an  increase  of 19.5  percent.  Due to the
Company's 53-week fiscal year in 2000, the Company's fiscal and calendar periods
in 2001 do not coincide.  For the four-week calendar period ended March 2, 2001,
total sales  increased 18 percent and  same-store  sales  increased  4.7 percent
compared with sales for the four-week period ended March 3, 2000.

Outlook:

For the  five-week  fiscal period of March,  the Company  expects total sales to
increase 15-17 percent. For the five-week calendar period,  same-store sales are
expected to increase 1-3 percent compared with sales last year. March sales will
be released on Thursday, April 12, 2001.

Weekly sales trends are  announced on Mondays after the market closes and can be
attained online at www.dollargeneral.com or by calling (615) 855-5529.

For the first quarter,  total company revenues and same-store sales are expected
to increase  15-17 percent and 2-4 percent,  respectively,  as compared with the
first quarter of 2000.  The Company  anticipates  opening  200-250 stores in the
quarter.  Gross  profit as a  percentage  of net sales is expected to be flat to
down  slightly  compared  with  2000.  Based  on  current  sales   expectations,
management  anticipates  operating  expenses as a  percentage  of net sales will
increase  0.50-0.60% compared with 2000. Interest expense as a percentage of net
sales is expected to  increase  0.20-0.25%,  reflecting  higher  borrowings  and
higher interest rates compared with the first quarter of last year. The tax rate
is expected to be approximately 36.25%. Using this guidance,  management expects
to report  earnings per share of $0.13-0.14  for the first quarter ending May 4,
2001.

Dollar General operates more than 5,000 neighborhood stores in 25 states.

This press release  contains  historical and  forward-looking  information.  The
forward-looking  statements  are made pursuant to the safe harbor  provisions of
the Private  Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company believes the
assumptions underlying these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however,
any of the assumptions  could be inaccurate,  and therefore,  actual results may
differ  materially from those projected in the  forward-looking  statements as a
result of  certain  risks and  uncertainties,  including,  but not  limited  to,
general transportation and distribution delays or interruptions, inventory risks
due to shifts  in market  demand,  changes  in  product  mix,  interruptions  in
suppliers'  business,  fuel price and interest rate fluctuations,  and costs and
delays associated with building,  opening and operating new distribution centers
("DCs") and stores. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any
revisions to any forward-looking  statements  contained herein to reflect events
or  circumstances  occurring  after the date of this  report or to  reflect  the
occurrence of unanticipated events.

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