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Dollar Tree CEO on Family Dollar merger vote: We'll not accept another delay

By Jim Bradley
By Jim Bradley

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Time has been running out for Matthews-based Family Dollar as the pressure of merging mounts and now a key ally said patience is running out, too.
 
"We have been more than reasonable but have reached the end of our patience," the CEO of Dollar Tree Bob Sasser, which Family Dollar wants to merge with, said in a letter.

(Read more here)

Economist John Connaughton said there's a clear message. 
 
"They (Dollar Tree) are at a point that they want an answer," Connaughton said.

You can read the full documents here.
 
Rival Dollar General continues to pursue a hostile takeover, but in a new filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission Family Dollar argued there is an "inability of the Dollar General proposal to be consummated." 
 
Family Dollar officials said regulators at the Federal Trade Commission have indicated a combined Family Dollar/Dollar General would have to divest itself of as many as 4,500 stores to avoid giving the combined company too much influence over pricing in the dollar store industry. 
 
Retail and marketing expert Jane Thomas said there are concerns that consumers could be impacted.
 
"We would virtually have a monopoly in the dollar industry category. It's dangerous for customers,"
Thomas said.
 
Family Dollar admits it is losing valuable employees because of the company's uncertain future and there's even more pressure on management to make a shareholder vote on the merger count.
 
That vote is scheduled for next week.
 
"I think they have to decide one way or the other on (Jan. 22)," Thomas said. "Dollar Tree has thrown down the gauntlet."

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