Dollar General names new leader of store ops
Dollar General has made an update to its store operations leadership.
Steve Sunderland, executive VP of store operations, plans to leave Dollar General, effective January 19. Steve Deckard, currently executive VP of growth and emerging markets, will transition to an expanded role leading store operations across Dollar General, Mi Súper Dollar General in Mexico, PopShelf stores and the corporate store operations teams.
In addition to domestic and international store operations, Deckard will continue to lead real estate, asset protection and the company’s Wellbeing strategies.
In December, Dollar General said it expects to open 800 new stores (down from an expected 990 openings in 2023) in fiscal 2024, along with 1,500 remodels and 85 store relocations.
Deckard began his Dollar General career in 2006 as a regional director of stores and has held roles of increasing responsibility in store operations, strategy and financial planning, and asset protection, among others. As senior VP of emerging markets, he led the company’s international expansion into Mexico prior to his promotion to executive VP, growth and emerging markets in June 2023.
“Since joining Dollar General in 2006 as a leader in our stores, Steve (Deckard) has consistently shown his ability to deliver strong results while remaining focused on our customer,” said Todd Vasos, CEO, Dollar General. “As we get back to the basics across all functions at DG, we are confident Steve’s proven leadership, deep understanding of our operations, and commitment to our mission position him uniquely to drive our stores' success today and into the future.”
The departing Sunderland joined Dollar General in 2014. Prior to that, he was senior VP, retail operations, at Office Max.
“We are grateful to Steve (Sunderland) for his many years of dedicated service to our communities, customers and our store employees,” said Vasos. “His contributions to our store operations for nearly a decade have supported our growth from more than 11,000 stores in 2014 to our nearly 20,000 locations across the U.S. today.”
As of November 3, 2023, the company operated 19,726 Dollar General, DG Market, DGX and PopShelf stores across the United States and Mi Súper Dollar General stores in Mexico.