Dollar Tree, pressured by weak spending, appoints interim CEO
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Dollar Tree, pressured by weak spending, appoints interim CEO

Dollar Tree Inc. appointed a new interim chief executive as the beleaguered discounter struggles to attract low-income shoppers and compete against bigger rivals.

Michael C. Creedon Jr., chief operating officer since the end of 2022, was named Dollar Tree’s interim leader as the company searches for a permanent appointment, according to a statement. He replaces Richard W. Dreiling, who resigned. Dreiling, who previously headed rival Dollar General Corp., has been CEO of Dollar Tree since January 2023.

Dollar Tree shares were up 6.1% at 5:08 p.m. in extended trading in New York. The stock has fallen about 53% this year so far.

Dollar Tree and other discount chains typically perform well during challenging economic times when consumers want to save money, but the segment has struggled in recent years. The Chesapeake, Virginia-based company lowered its outlook last quarter after saying its core lower-income consumers are under pressure from high inflation and interest rates — and macroeconomic pressures are also weighing on its other shoppers.

Retail rivals, notably Walmart Inc., have continued to perform well, suggesting that dollar stores are losing market share.

Dollar Tree said it continues to review strategic options for the Family Dollar chain it bought for about $8.9 billion nearly a decade ago. The company also maintained its outlook for the third quarter.

Truist Securities analyst Scot Ciccarelli wrote Monday that the dollar store industry has become tougher to navigate due to activist investors, financial pressures and intensified competition.

Dreiling did not attend the company’s most recent earnings call in September due to health concerns.