New Jersey joins 19 states in lawsuit against Dollar General

New Jersey has joined the Federal Trade Commission and 19 other states in a lawsuit against Dollar General. The group filed the complaint in federal court in Tennessee on Monday.

The lawsuit claims the discount retailer repeatedly charged customers higher prices at checkout than those displayed on shelves, in stores, and online. The complaint states these practices have continued for years. It alleges the discrepancies affected purchases of food, cleaning supplies, and other household necessities, causing millions of dollars in overcharges for consumers.

The filing includes a specific account from a New Jersey shopper. That customer reported in October 2024 that a buy-two-get-one-free promotion on bags of chips was not honored. The shopper paid a higher price than the advertised deal.

According to the documents, Dollar General received at least 29,265 customer complaints about marked prices not being honored. These reports occurred between January 2023 and March 2026. The complaints spanned all 48 states where the retailer operates.

Federal investigators also conducted undercover purchases in stores in Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Maryland in early 2026. The complaint says these purchases showed multiple pricing errors. While some errors favored the customer, the result was a net overcharge in each instance.

The lawsuit cites a prior $1.2 million settlement that Dollar General reached with New Jersey in 2023 over similar pricing inaccuracies. Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said the practices hurt New Jersey families who are struggling to get by. She stated the states are taking action to hold the company accountable and protect residents from unlawful pricing.

Dollar General disputed the characterization of its conduct in a statement on Monday. The company said its goal is complete accuracy between shelf and register prices. It noted that occasional discrepancies can occur despite its policies. The company said its store teams are instructed to make things right for customers. Dollar General said it has enhanced its price-accuracy procedures and intends to defend itself. The plaintiffs are seeking court orders to stop the practices, along with monetary relief and civil penalties.