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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

Filed by the Registrantý

Filed by a Party other than the Registranto

Check the appropriate box:

o

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

o

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

ý

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

o

 

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

Dollar General Corporation

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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No fee required.

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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
  (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
         
  (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
         
  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
         
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

 

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Amount Previously Paid:
        
 
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  (4) Date Filed:
         

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LOGO
 Dollar General Corporation
100 Mission Ridge
Goodlettsville, Tennessee 37072


 

Dear Shareholder:

              The 20132015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Dollar General Corporation will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2013,27, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., Central Time, at Goodlettsville City Hall Auditorium, 105 South Main Street, Goodlettsville, Tennessee. All shareholders of record at the close of business on March 21, 201319, 2015 are invited to attend the annual meeting. For security reasons, however, to gain admission to the meeting you may be required to present photo identification and comply with other security measures.

              At this year's meeting, you will have an opportunity to vote on the matters described in our accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement. Our 20122014 Annual Report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2013January 30, 2015 also accompany this letter.

              Your interest in Dollar General and your vote are very important to us. We encourage you to read the Proxy Statement and vote your proxy as soon as possible so your vote can be represented at the annual meeting. You may vote your proxy via the Internet or telephone, or if you received a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail, you may vote by mail by completing and returning a proxy card.

              On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express our appreciationthank you for your continued support of Dollar General.


 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

/s/ Rick Dreiling

 

 

Rick Dreiling
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

April 11, 20132, 2015


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LOGO
 Dollar General Corporation
100 Mission Ridge
Goodlettsville, Tennessee 37072


 


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

DATE: Wednesday, May 29, 201327, 2015

TIME:

 

9:00 a.m., Central Time

PLACE:

 

Goodlettsville City Hall Auditorium
105 South Main Street
Goodlettsville, Tennessee

ITEMS OF BUSINESS:

 

1)

 

To elect as directors the 98 nominees listed in the proxy statement

 

 

2)

 

To approve an amendment to Dollar General Corporation's Amended and Restated Charter to implement a majority voting standard in uncontested elections of directors



3)


To ratify the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 20132015

 

 

4)3)

 

To transact any other business that may properly come before the annual meeting and any adjournments of that meeting

WHO MAY VOTE:

 

Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 21, 201319, 2015


 


 


By Order of the Board of Directors,


 


 


/s/ Christine L. Connolly

Goodlettsville, Tennessee
April 11, 20132, 2015

 

Christine L. Connolly
Corporate Secretary

Please vote your proxy as soon as possible even if you expect to attend the annual meeting in person. You may vote your proxy via the Internet or by phone by following the instructions on the notice of internet availability or proxy card, or if you received a paper copy of these proxy materials by mail, you may vote by mail by completing and returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed reply envelope. No postage is necessary if the proxy is mailed within the United States. You may revoke your proxy by following the instructions listed on page 3 of the proxy statement.


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DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
Proxy Statement for
20132015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders



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General Information

 1

Voting Matters

 2

Proposal 1: Election of Directors

 5

Corporate Governance

 1211

Director Compensation

 1716

Director Independence

 19

Transactions with Management and Others

 21

Executive Compensation

 2622

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 2622

Compensation Committee Report

 3935

Summary Compensation Table

 4036

Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal 20122014

 4239

Outstanding Equity Awards at 20122014 Fiscal Year-End

 4340

Option Exercises and Stock Vested During Fiscal 20122014

 4441

Pension Benefits Fiscal 20122014

 4442

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Fiscal 20122014

 4542

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

 4643

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 5751

Compensation Risk Considerations

 5751

Security Ownership

 5852

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

 5852

Security Ownership of Officers and Directors

 60

Proposal 2: Vote Regarding Charter Amendment

6253

Audit Committee Report

 6554

Proposal 3:2: Ratification of Appointment of Auditors

 6655

Fees Paid to Auditors

 6656

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 6757

Shareholder Proposals for 20142016 Annual Meeting

 6757

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 29, 201327, 2015

              This Proxy Statement, our 20122014 Annual Report and a form of proxy card are available at www.proxyvote.com. You will need your Notice of Internet Availability or proxy card to access the proxy materials.

              As permitted by rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), we are furnishing our proxy materials over the Internet to some of our shareholders. This means that some shareholders will not receive paper copies of these documents. Instead, these shareholders will receive only a Notice of Internet Availability containing instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet. The Notice of Internet Availability also contains instructions on how each of those shareholders can request a paper copy of our proxy materials, including the Proxy Statement, our 20122014 Annual Report and a proxy card. Shareholders who do not receive a Notice of Internet Availability will receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail, unless they have previously requested delivery of proxy materials electronically. If you received only the Notice of Internet Availability and would like to receive a paper copy of the proxy materials, the notice contains instructions on how you can request copies of these documents.


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GENERAL INFORMATION


What is this document?

              ItThis document is the Proxy Statement of Dollar General Corporation for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2013.27, 2015. We will begin mailing printed copies of this document or the Notice of Internet Availability to our shareholders on or about April 11, 2013.2, 2015. We are providing this document to solicit your proxy to vote upon certain matters at the annual meeting.

              We refer to our company as "we," "us" or "Dollar General." Unless otherwise noted or required by context, "2015," "2014," "2013," "2012," "2011," "2010" and "2009""2011" refer to our fiscal years ending or ended January 29, 2016, January 30, 2015, January 31, 2014, February 1, 2013, and February 3, 2012, January 28, 2011 and January 29, 2010.respectively.

What is a proxy, who is asking for it, and who is paying for the cost to solicit it?

              A proxy is your legal designation of another person, called a "proxy," to vote your stock. The document that designates someone as your proxy is also called a proxy or a proxy card.

              YourOur directors, officers and employees are soliciting your proxy is being solicited by and on behalf of our Board of Directors. Dollar General will pay all expenses of this solicitation. Our directors and employees may solicit proxies in person or by mail, telephone, e-mail, facsimile or other means, but theysolicitation expenses. We will not be additionally compensated for those efforts except wecompensate these persons to solicit your proxy but will reimburse them for any out-of-pocket expenses they incur. We also may reimburse custodians and nominees for their expenses in sending proxy material to beneficial owners.

Who may attend the annual meeting?

              Only shareholders, their proxy holders and our invited guests may attend the meeting. If your shares are registered in the name of a broker, trust, bank or other nominee, you will need to bring a proxy or a letter from that record holder or your most recent brokerage account statement that confirms your ownership of those shares as of March 21, 2013.19, 2015. For security reasons, we also may require photo identification for admission.

Where can I find directions to the annual meeting?

              Directions to Goodlettsville City Hall, where we will hold the annual meeting, are posted on the "Investor Information" portionsection of our website located at www.dollargeneral.com.

Will the annual meeting be webcast?

              Yes. You are invited to visit the "Conference Calls and Investor Events" section of the "Investor Information" section of our website located at www.dollargeneral.com at 9:00 a.m., Central Time, on May 27, 2015 to access the live webcast of the meeting. An archived copy of the webcast will be available on our website for at least 60 days. The information on our website, however, is not incorporated by reference into, and does not form a part of, this proxy statement.

What is Dollar General Corporation and where is it located?

              We operate convenient-sizedDollar General operates conveniently located, small-box stores tothat deliver everyday low prices on products that families use every day. WeAs of February 27, 2015, we are the largest discount retailer in the United States by number of stores with more than 10,55711,879 locations in 40 states as of March 1, 2013.43 states. Our principal executive offices are located at 100 Mission Ridge, Goodlettsville, TNTennessee 37072. Our telephone number is 615-855-4000.

Where is Dollar General common stock traded?

              Our stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "DG."


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VOTING MATTERS


How many votes must be present to hold the annual meeting?

              A quorum, consisting of the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of shares of our common stock outstanding on March 21, 2013,19, 2015, must exist to conduct any business.business at the meeting.

What if a quorum is not present at the annual meeting?

              If a quorum is not present at the meeting, any officer entitled to preside at or to act as Secretary of the meeting shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum is present.

What am I voting on?

              You will be asked to vote on:

 

 the election of 98 directors; and
 

an amendment to our Amended and Restated Charter to implement a majority voting standard in uncontested elections of directors; and

 

the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm (the "independent auditor") for 2013.2015.

May other matters be raised at the annual meeting?

              We are unaware of other matters to be acted upon at the meeting. Under Tennessee law and our governing documents, no other non-procedural business may be raised at the meeting unless proper notice has been given to shareholders. If other business is properly raised, your proxies have authority to vote as they think best, including to adjourn the meeting.

Who is entitled to vote at the annual meeting?

              You may vote if you owned shares of Dollar General common stock at the close of business on March 21, 2013.19, 2015. As of that date, there were 327,212,294303,703,702 shares of Dollar General common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share is entitled to one vote on each matter.

What is the difference between a "shareholder of record" and a "street name" holder?

              You are a "shareholder of record" if your shares are registered directly in your name with Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, our transfer agent. You are a "street name" holder if your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, trust or other nominee as custodian.

How do I vote?

              If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote your proxy over the telephone or Internet or, if you received printed proxy materials, by marking, signing, dating and returning the printed proxy card in the enclosed envelope. Please refer to the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability or proxy card, as applicable. Alternatively, you may vote in person at the meeting.

              If you are a "street name"street name holder, your broker, bank, or other nominee will provide materials and instructions for voting your shares. You may vote in person at the meeting if you obtain and bring to the meeting a legal proxy from your broker, banker, trustee or other nominee giving you the right to vote the shares.


What is the difference between a "shareholderTable of record" and a "street name" holder?Contents

              You are a "shareholder of record" if your shares are registered directly in your name with Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, our transfer agent. You are a "street name" holder if your shares are held in the name of a brokerage, bank, trust or other nominee as custodian.

What if I receive more than one Notice of Internet Availability or proxy card?

              You will receive multiple Notices of Internet Availability or proxy cards if you hold shares in different ways (e.g., joint tenancy, trusts, custodial accounts, etc.) or in multiple accounts. If you are a streetStreet name holder, youholders will receive yourthe Notice of Internet Availability or proxy card or other voting


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information, along with voting instructions, from your broker.their brokers. Please vote the shares represented by each Notice of Internet Availability or proxy card you receive.receive to ensure that all your shares are voted.

How will my proxy be voted?

              The persons named on the proxy card will vote your proxy as you direct on the proxy card. If youror, if you return a signed proxy card doesor complete the Internet or telephone voting procedures but do not specify instructions,how you want to vote your proxy will be voted:shares: "FOR" all directors nominated; "FOR" the approval of the amendment to our Amended and Restated Charter to implement a majority voting standard in uncontested elections of directors;nominated and "FOR" ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firmauditor for 2013.2015.

Can I change my mind and revoke my proxy?

              Yes. If you are aA shareholder of record tomay revoke a proxy given pursuant to this solicitation you must:by:

 

 signsigning a valid, later-dated proxy card and submitsubmitting it so that it is received before the annual meeting in accordance with the instructions included in the proxy card;
 

 

at or before the annual meeting, sendsubmitting to our Corporate Secretary a written notice of revocation dated later than the date of the proxy;

 

 

submitsubmitting a later-dated vote by telephone or Internet no later than 11:59 p.m. (ET), Eastern time, on May 28, 2013;26, 2015; or

 

 

attendattending the annual meeting and votevoting in person.

              If you are aYour attendance at the annual meeting, by itself, will not revoke your proxy.

              A street name holder tomay revoke a proxy given pursuant to this solicitation you must followby following the instructions of the bank, broker, trustee or other nominee who holds yourhis or her shares.

How many votes are needed to elect directors and approve other matters?directors?

              AtTo be elected at the annual meeting, directors will be elected by a pluralitynominee must receive the affirmative vote of thea majority of votes cast by holders of shares entitled to vote at the meeting, which means that the 9 nominees receiving the largest number of affirmative votes will be elected to our Board. The proposals to amendmeeting. Under our Amended and Restated Charter, to provide forthe "affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast" means that the number of votes cast in favor of a nominee's election exceeds the number of votes cast against his or her election. You may vote in favor of or against the election of each nominee, or you may elect to abstain from voting standardyour shares.

What happens if a director fails to receive the required vote for election?

              An incumbent director who does not receive the required vote for election at the annual meeting must promptly tender a resignation as a director for the Board's consideration pursuant to our Board-approved director resignation policy outlined in future uncontested electionsour Corporate Governance Guidelines. Each director standing for reelection at the annual meeting has agreed to resign, effective upon the Board's acceptance of directorssuch resignation, if he or she does not receive a majority vote. If the Board rejects the offered resignation, the director will continue to serve until the next annual shareholders' meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected or his or her earlier resignation or removal in accordance with our Amended and Restated Bylaws ("Bylaws"). If the Board accepts the offered resignation, the Board, in its sole discretion, may fill the resulting vacancy or decrease the size of the Board.


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How many votes are needed to approve other matters?

              The proposal to ratify the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firmauditor for 20132015 will be approved if the votes cast in favor of eachsuch proposal exceed the votes cast against it.

              With respect to the director elections, you may vote for all nominees or you may withhold your vote on one or more nominees. With respect to each of the other proposals,this proposal, and any other matter properly brought before the annual meeting, you may vote in favor of or against the proposal, or you may elect to abstain from voting your shares.


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What are broker non-votes?

              Although your broker is the record holder of any shares that you hold in street name, it must vote those shares pursuant to your instructions. If you do not provide instructions, your broker may exercise discretionary voting power over your shares for "routine" items but not for "non-routine" items. All matters described in this proxy statement, except forThe election of directors is considered to be a non-routine item, while the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm, areauditor is considered to be non-routine matters.a routine matter.

              "Broker non-votes" occur when shares held of record by a broker are not voted on a matter because the broker has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and either lacks or declines to exercise the authority to vote the shares in its discretion. Like abstentions, as long as a quorum is present, broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of a particular proposal.

How will abstentions and broker non-votes be treated?

              Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be treated as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present but will not be counted as votes cast either in favor of or against a particular proposal and will have no effect on the outcome of a particular proposal.

Will my vote be confidential?

              Proxy instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual shareholders are handled in a manner that is intended to protect your voting privacy. Your vote will not be intentionally disclosed either within Dollar General or to third parties, except (1) as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements; (2) in a dispute regarding authenticity of proxies and ballots; (3) in the case of a contested proxy solicitation, if the other party soliciting proxies does not agree to comply with the confidential voting policy; (4) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote; (5) to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation; or (6) when a shareholder makes a written comment on the proxy card or otherwise communicates the vote to management.


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PROPOSAL 1:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS


What is the structure of the Board of Directors?

              Our Board of Directors must consist of 1 to 15 directors, with the exact number, currently fixed at 9,8, set by the Board pursuant to and in compliance with our shareholders' agreement with Buck Holdings, L.P., and the sponsor shareholders identified in that agreement.Board. All directors are elected annually by our shareholders.

Who are the nominees this year?

              The nominees for the Board of Directors consist of 9the 8 current directors. If elected, each nominee would hold office until the 20142016 annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.qualified, subject to any earlier resignation or removal. These nominees, their ages at the date of this document and the calendar year in which they first became a director are listed in the table below.

Name Age Director Since Age Director Since

Raj Agrawal

 40 2007

Warren F. Bryant

 67 2009 69 2009

Michael M. Calbert

 50 2007 52 2007

Sandra B. Cochran

 54 2012 56 2012

Richard W. Dreiling

 59 2008 61 2008

Patricia D. Fili-Krushel

 59 2012 61 2012

Adrian Jones

 48 2007

Paula A. Price

 53 2014

William C. Rhodes, III

 47 2009 49 2009

David B. Rickard

 66 2010 68 2010

What are the backgrounds of this year's nominees?

Mr. Agrawal joined Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., L.P. ("KKR") in May 2006 and is the North American head of KKR's Infrastructure business. He previously was a member of KKR's Retail and Energy and Natural Resources industry teams. From 2002 to May 2006, he was a Vice President with Warburg Pincus, where he was involved in the execution and oversight of a number of investments in the energy and infrastructure sector. Mr. Agrawal's prior experience also includes Thayer Capital Partners, where he played a role in the firm's business and manufacturing services investments, and McKinsey & Co., where he provided strategic and mergers and acquisitions advice to clients in a variety of industries. KKR's affiliates indirectly own a substantial portion of our outstanding common stock through their investment in Buck Holdings, L.P. and related entities. Mr. Agrawal is a director of Colonial Pipeline Company and Bayonne Water JV Parent, LLC.

              Mr. Bryant served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Longs Drug Stores Corporation, a retail drugstore chain on the West Coast and in Hawaii, from 2002 through 2008 and as its Chairman of the Board from 2003 through his retirement in 2008. Prior to joining Longs Drug Stores, he served as thea Senior Vice President of The Kroger Co., a retail grocery chain, from 1999 to 2002. Mr. Bryant is a director of Office Depot, Inc. and Loblaw Companies Limited of Canada and served as a director of OfficeMax Incorporated and George Weston LTD of Canada.from 2004 to 2013.

              Mr. Calbert joined KKR & Co. L.P. ("KKR") in January 2000 and has beenwas directly involved with several KKR portfolio companies. He headscompanies until his retirement in January 2014. Mr. Calbert led the Retail industry team within KKR's Private Equity platform. Heplatform prior to his retirement and now serves as a consultant to KKR. Mr. Calbert joined Randall's Food Markets beginning in 1994 and served as the Chief Financial Officer from 1997 until it was sold in September 1999. He joined KKR in January 2000. Mr. Calbert also previously worked as a certified public accountant and consultant with Arthur Andersen Worldwide from 1985-1994,1985 to 1994, where his


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primary focus was on the retail/retail and consumer industry. He served as our Chairman of the Board until December 2008. KKR's affiliates indirectly own a substantial portion of our outstanding common stock through their investment in Buck Holdings, L.P. and related entities. Mr. Calbert is a director of Toys "R" Us, Inc., US Foods, Pets at Home,Inc. and Academy, Ltd.

              Ms. Cochran has served as a director and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. since September 2011. She joined Cracker Barrel in April 2009 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and was named President and Chief Operating Officer in November 2010. She was previously Chief Executive Officer at book retailer Books-A-Million, Inc. from February 2004 to April 2009. She also served as that company's President (August 1999—February 2004), Chief Financial Officer (September 1993—August 1999) and Vice President of Finance (August 1992—September 1993). Ms. Cochran has over 20 years of experience in the retail industry. Ms. Cochran is a director of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. She served as a director of Books-A-Million Inc. from 2006 to 2009.


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              Mr. Dreiling joined Dollar General in January 2008 as Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board. He was appointed Chairman of the Board on December 2, 2008. Prior to joining Dollar General, Mr. Dreiling served as Chief Executive Officer, President and a director of Duane Reade Holdings, Inc. and Duane Reade Inc., the largest drugstore chain in New York City, from November 2005 until January 2008 and as Chairman of the Board of Duane Reade from March 2007 until January 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Dreiling, beginning in March 2005, served as Executive Vice President—Chief Operating Officer of Longs Drug Stores Corporation, an operator of a chain of retail drug storesdrugstore chain on the West Coast and in Hawaii, after having joined Longs in July 2003 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Dreiling served as Executive Vice President—Marketing, Manufacturing and Distribution at Safeway Inc., a food and drug retailer. Prior to that, Mr. Dreiling served from 1998 to 2000 as President of Vons, a Southern California food and drug division of Safeway. He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA). Mr. Dreiling is a director of Lowe's Companies, Inc.

              Ms. Fili-Krushel has served as Chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, a division of NBCUniversal Media, LLC, composed of NBC News, CNBC, MSNBC and the Weather Channel, sincefrom July 2012.2012 until April 2015. She previously served as Executive Vice President of NBCUniversal (January 2011—July 2012) with a broad portfolio of functions reporting to her, including Operationsoperations and Technical Services, Business Strategy, Human Resourcestechnical services, business strategy, human resources and Legal.legal. Prior to NBCUniversal, Ms. Fili-Krushel was Executive Vice President of Administration at Time Warner Inc. (July 2001—December 2010) where her responsibilities included oversight of philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, human resources, worldwide recruitment, employee development and growth, compensation and benefits, and security. Before joining Time Warner in July 2001, Ms. Fili-Krushel had been CEOChief Executive Officer of WebMD Health Corp. since April 2000. From July 1998 to April 2000, Ms. Fili-Krushel was President of the ABC Television Network, and from 1993 to 1998 she served as President of ABC Daytime. Before joining ABC, she had been with Lifetime Television since 1988. Prior to Lifetime, Ms. Fili-Krushel held several positions with Home Box Office. Before joining HBO, Ms. Fili-Krushel worked for ABC Sports in various positions.

              Mr. JonesMs. Price has been with Goldman, SachsSenior Lecturer at Harvard Business School in the Accounting and Management Unit since July 2014. She was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ahold USA from May 2009 until January 2014. At Ahold, which operates more than 700 supermarkets under the Stop & Shop, Giant and Martin's names as well as the Peapod online grocery delivery service, Ms. Price was responsible for finance, accounting and shared services, strategic planning, real estate development, store format and construction, and information technology. Before joining Ahold, she was the Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer at CVS Health Corporation (formerly CVS Caremark Corporation) from July 2006 until August 2008. Earlier in her career, Ms. Price served as the Chief Financial Officer for the Institutional Trust Services division of JPMorgan Chase (from August 2002 until September 2005), and held several other senior management positions in the U.S. and the U.K. in the financial services and consumer packaged goods industries. A certified public accountant, she began her career at Arthur Andersen & Co. since 1994. He is a managing director in Principal Investment Area (PIA) in New York where he focuses on consumer-related and healthcare opportunities. Affiliates of Goldman, Sachs & Co. indirectly own a substantial portion of our outstanding common stock through their investment in Buck Holdings, L.P. and related entities. Mr. Jones isMs. Price has also served as a director of Biomet,Accenture plc since May 2014 and Western Digital Corporation since July 2014 and served as a director of Charming Shoppes, Inc., Education Management Corporation, HealthMarkets, Inc. (Lane Bryant, Catherine's, Fashion Bug, Cacique and Michael Foods Group, Inc. He also previously served on the board of directors of Burger King Holdings, Inc.Figi's brands) from 2002 to 2008.


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              Mr. Rhodes was elected Chairman of AutoZone, Inc., a specialty retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories, in June 2007. He has served as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director of AutoZone since 2005. Prior to his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rhodes was Executive Vice President—Store Operations and Commercial. Prior to 2004, he had been Senior Vice President—Supply Chain and Information Technology since 2002, and prior thereto had been Senior Vice President—Supply Chain since 2001. Prior to that time, he served in various capacities with AutoZone, including Vice President—Stores in 2000, Senior Vice President—Finance and Vice President—Finance in 1999, and Vice President—Operations Analysis and Support from 1997 to 1999. Prior to 1994, Mr. Rhodes was a manager with Ernst & Young, LLP.


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              Mr. Rickard served as the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of CVS Health Corporation (formerly CVS Caremark Corporation,Corporation), a retail pharmacy chain and provider of healthcare services and pharmacy benefits management, from September 1999 until his retirement in December 2009. Prior to joining CVS, Caremark, Mr. Rickard was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of RJR Nabisco Holdings Corporation from March 1997 to August 1999. Previously, he was Executive Vice President of International Distillers and Vintners Americas. Mr. Rickard is a director of Harris Corporation and Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. He served as a director of The May Companies from January 2005 to August 2005.

How are directors identified and nominated?

              All nominees for election as directors at the annual meeting are currently servingserve on our Board of Directors and were recommendednominated by the Board for election or re-election, as applicable, upon the case may be, by our Board committee responsible for nominating and corporate governance matters, which was our combined Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee prior to April 1, 2013, and since April 1, 2013 is a separaterecommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee (the "Nominating Committee"). The Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying, evaluating and recommending director candidates, subject to the terms of the shareholders' agreement and Mr. Dreiling's employment agreement discussed below. Ourwhile our Board is responsible for nominating the director slate of directors for election by shareholders at the annual meeting.

              The charter of our Nominating CommitteeCommittee's charter and our Corporate Governance Guidelines require the Nominating Committee to consider candidates submitted by our shareholders in accordance with the notice provisions of our Bylaws (see "Can shareholders nominate directors?" below) and to apply the same criteria to the evaluation of those candidates as it applies to other director candidates. The Nominating Committee also may also use a variety of other methods to identify potential director candidates, such as recommendations by our directors, management, or third partythird-party search firms.

              In January 2012, when Ms. Price, who joined our Board consisted of seven directors,in 2014, was initially recommended to the Nominating Committee initiatedby a search for additional director candidates and retained a third-party search firm to assist in identifying potential future Board candidates who meet our qualification and experience requirements and to compile and evaluate information regarding the candidates' qualifications, experience and independence. Ms. Fili-Krushel was recommended as a candidate by the third party search firm while Ms. Cochran was recommended as a candidate by our CEO. Each of Ms. Fili-Krushel and Ms. Cochran was fully vetted by our third party search firm and by our Nominating Committee and our Board.non-management director.

              Four of our directors, Messrs. Agrawal, Calbert, Dreiling and Jones, are managers of Buck Holdings, LLC, which serves as the general partner of Buck Holdings, L.P. The limited liability company agreement of Buck Holdings, LLC generally requires Buck Holdings, LLC to cause shares of our common stock held by Buck Holdings, L.P. to be voted in favor of any person designated to be a member of our Board pursuant to our shareholders' agreement with Buck Holdings, L.P.

              Pursuant to our shareholders' agreement with Buck Holdings, L.P. and the sponsor shareholders identified in that agreement, certain of our shareholders have the right to designate


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nominees to our Board, subject to their election by our shareholders at the annual meeting. Specifically, KKR 2006 Fund L.P., KKR PEI Investments, L.P., KKR Partners III, L.P., 8 North America Investor LP, and their respective permitted transferees (collectively, the "KKR Shareholders"), given the current ownership level of Buck Holdings, L.P. of our common stock, have the right to designate up to 10% of the number of total directors comprising our Board, as well as the right to designate one person to serve as a non-voting Board observer. Any fractional amount that results from determining the percentage of the total number of directors will be rounded up to the next whole number. The KKR Shareholders will retain these rights for as long as Buck Holdings, L.P. owns at least 5% of our outstanding common stock.

              The KKR Shareholders have the right to remove and replace their director-designee at any time and for any reason and to fill any vacancy otherwise resulting in such position.

              Pursuant to the shareholders' agreement, the KKR Shareholders have nominated Mr. Calbert to serve on our Board. Mr. Calbert, like all of our director nominees, is subject to election by our shareholders at the annual meeting.

              In addition, ourOur employment transition agreement with Mr. Dreiling requires Dollar General to (1) nominate him to serve as a member of our Board each yearat any meeting of our shareholders held prior to January 29, 2016 that he is slatedcalled for reelection to the Board; and (2) recommend to the Board that Mr. Dreiling serve as Chairmanpurpose of the Board.electing directors. Our failure to do so would give rise to a breach of contract claim. If Mr. Dreiling is re-elected to our Board at such a meeting, he agrees to serve in such capacity and shall serve as the Chairman of the Board at least through the date on which a successor chief executive officer begins employment with us and, if asked by our Board, through January 29, 2016 if later.

How are nominees evaluated; what are the minimum qualifications?

              Subject to the shareholders' agreement and Mr. Dreiling's employment transition agreement discussed above, the Nominating Committee is charged with recommending to the Board of Directors only those candidates that it believes are qualified to becomeserve as Board members consistent with the criteria for selection of new directors adopted from time to time by the Board.Board and who have not achieved the age of 76, unless the Board has approved an exception to this limit on a case by case basis. We have a written policy to strive to have a Board representing diverse experience at policy-making levels in areas that are relevant to our business. To implement this policy, the Nominating Committee assesses diversity by evaluating each candidate's individual qualifications in the context of how that candidate would relate to the Board as a whole.whole and also considers more traditional concepts of diversity. The Committee periodically assesses the effectiveness of this policy by considering whether the Board as a whole represents such diverse experience and composition and by recommending to the Board changes to the criteria for selection of new directors as appropriate. The Committee recommends candidates, including those submitted by shareholders, only if it believes the candidate's knowledge, experience and expertise would strengthen the Board and that the candidate is committed to representing the long-term interests of all Dollar General shareholders.


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  ��           The Nominating Committee assesses a candidate's independence, background and experience, as well as the current Board's skill needs and diversity. With respect to incumbent directors selected for re-election, the Committee also assesses each director's meeting attendance record and the suitability offor continued service. In addition, individual directors and any nominee should bethe Committee determines that all nominees are in a position to devote an adequate amount of time to the effective performance of director duties and possess the following characteristics: integrity and accountability, informed judgment, financial literacy, a cooperative approach, a record of achievement, loyalty, and the ability to consult with and advise management.

What particular experience, qualifications, attributes or skills led the Board of Directors to conclude that each nominee should serve as a director of Dollar General?

              Our Board of Directors believes that each of the nominees can devote an adequate amount of time to the effective performance of director duties and possesses the minimum qualifications identified above. The Board has determined that the nominees, as a whole, complement each other, meet the Board's skill needs, and represent diverse experience at policy-making levels in areas relevant to our


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business. The Board also considered the following in determining that the nominees should serve as directors of Dollar General:


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              Acting upon the Nominating Committee's recommendation, of the Nominating Committee and in accordance with the shareholders' agreement, our Board has concludedafter concluding that these nominees possess the appropriate experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, to serve as directors of Dollar General andour Board has unanimously nominated these individuals to be elected by our shareholders at our annual meeting.

Can shareholders nominate directors?

              The KKRYes. Shareholders may nominate directors pursuant to the shareholders' agreement discussed above under "How are directors identified and nominated." Other shareholders can nominate directors by following the procedures outlined in our Bylaws. In short, the shareholder must deliver a written notice to our Corporate Secretary at 100 Mission Ridge, Goodlettsville, TN 37072 for receipt no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the prior year's annual meeting. However, if the meeting is held more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, the notice must be received no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the date of such annual meeting. If the first public announcement of the


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annual meeting date is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the notice must be received by the 10th day following the day on which the public announcement was made.date.


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              The notice must contain all information required by our Bylaws about the shareholder proposing the nominee and about the nominee, which generally includes:

              You should consult our Bylaws, posted on the "Investor Information—Corporate Governance" portionsection of our website located at www.dollargeneral.com, for more detailed information regarding the process by which shareholders may nominate directors. No shareholder nominees have been proposed for this year's meeting, other than the nominee designated pursuant to the shareholders' agreement as discussed above.annual meeting.

What if a nominee is unwilling or unable to serve?

              That is not expected to occur. If it does, the persons designated as proxies on yourthe proxy card are authorized to vote your proxy for a substitute designated by our Board of Directors.

Are there any familial relationships between any of the nominees?

              There are no familial relationships between any of the nominees or between any of the nominees and any of our executive officers. See "Director Independence" below for a discussion of a familial relationship between Ms. Cochran and one of our non-executive officers.

What does the Board of Directors recommend?

              Our Board unanimously recommends that you voteFOR the election of each of the director nominees.


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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE


Does the Board of Directors have standing Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees?

              Yes. Our Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee. The Board has adopted a written charter for each of these committees, which are available on the "Investor Information—Corporate Governance" section of our website located at www.dollargeneral.com. Current information regarding each of these committees is set forth below.

Name of
Committee & Members

Committee Functions

AUDIT:

Mr. Rickard, Chairman
Mr. Bryant
Ms. Cochran
Ms. Price

Selects the independent auditor

Pre-approves the independent auditor's audit engagement fees and terms and all permitted non-audit services and fees

Reviews an annual report describing the independent auditor's internal quality control procedures and any material issues raised by its most recent review of internal quality controls

Annually evaluates the independent auditor's qualifications, performance and independence, annually evaluates the lead audit partner, and periodically considers whether there should be a regular rotation of such firm

Discusses the audit scope and any audit problems or difficulties

Sets policies regarding the hiring of current and former employees of the independent auditor

Discusses the annual audited and quarterly unaudited financial statements with management and the independent auditor

Discusses types of information to be disclosed in earnings press releases and provided to analysts and rating agencies

Discusses policies governing the process by which risk assessment and risk management are to be undertaken

Reviews disclosures made by the CEO and CFO regarding any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting

Reviews internal audit activities, projects and budget

Establishes procedures for receipt, retention and treatment of complaints we receive regarding accounting or internal controls

Discusses with our general counsel legal matters having an impact on financial statements

Performs an annual self-evaluation

Furnishes the committee report required in our proxy statement

Evaluates and makes recommendations concerning shareholder proposals relating to matters within the committee's expertise

Periodically reviews and reassesses the committee's charter


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Name of
Committee & Members

Committee Functions

COMPENSATION:

Mr. Bryant, Chairman
Ms. Fili-Krushel
Mr. Rhodes

Reviews and approves corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our CEO

Determines the compensation of our executive officers and recommends the compensation of our directors

Recommends, when appropriate, changes to our compensation philosophy and principles

Establishes our short-term incentive compensation program for senior officers

Establishes our long-term incentive compensation program and approves equity-based awards under such program

Oversees the share ownership guidelines and holding requirements for Board members and senior officers

Oversees the process for evaluating our senior officers

Reviews and discusses with management, prior to the filing of the proxy statement, the disclosure regarding executive compensation, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and compensation tables (in addition to preparing a report on executive compensation for the proxy statement)

Oversees and evaluates the independence of its compensation consultant and other advisors

Performs an annual self-evaluation

Evaluates and makes recommendations concerning shareholder proposals relating to matters within the committee's expertise

Periodically reviews and reassesses the committee's charter

NOMINATING AND

Develops and recommends criteria for selecting new directors

GOVERNANCE:

Screens and recommends to our Board individuals qualified to become

    Mr. Rhodes, Chairman
Ms. Cochran
Ms. Fili-Krushel

    members of our Board

Recommends the structure and membership of Board committees

Recommends persons to fill Board and committee vacancies

Develops and recommends Corporate Governance Guidelines and corporate governance practices

Oversees the process governing the evaluation of the Board

Performs an annual self-evaluation

Evaluates and makes recommendations concerning shareholder proposals relating to matters within the committee's expertise

Periodically reviews and reassesses the committee's charter

Does Dollar General have an audit committee financial expert serving on its Audit Committee?

              Yes. Our Board has designated each of Mr. Rickard, Ms. Cochran and Ms. Price as an audit committee financial expert and has determined that each is independent as defined in NYSE listing standards and in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. Such experts have the same responsibilities as the other Audit Committee members. They are not our auditors or accountants, do not perform "field work" and are not employees. The SEC has determined that designation as an audit committee financial expert will not cause a person to be deemed to be an "expert" for any purpose.


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How often did the Board and its committees meet in 2014?

              During 2014, our Board, Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee met 16, 5, 8 and 3 times, respectively. Each incumbent director attended at least 75% of the total of all meetings of the Board and all committees on which he or she served which were held during the period for which he or she was a director and a member of each applicable committee.

What is Dollar General's policy regarding Board member attendance at the annual meeting?

              Our Board of Directors has adopted a policy that all directors should attend annual shareholders' meetings unless attendance is not feasible due to unavoidable circumstances. All persons serving as Board members at the time attended the 2014 annual shareholders' meeting.

Does Dollar General combine the positions of Chairman and CEO?

              Yes. Mr. Dreiling serves as CEO and Chairman of our Board of Directors. Mr. Dreiling's employment agreement with us provides that Dollar General shall recommend to theDirectors and CEO. The Board that he serve as the Chairman of the Board for as long as he is employed under such agreement.

              The Boardcurrently believes combining these roles provides an efficient and effective leadership model for Dollar General because, given his day-to-day involvement with and intimate understanding of our specific business, industry and management team, Mr. Dreiling is particularly suited to effectively identify strategic priorities, lead the discussion and execution of strategy, and facilitate information flow between management and the Board. The Board further believes that combining these roles fosters clear accountability, effective decision-making, and alignment on the development and execution of corporate strategy. To promote effective independent oversight, the Board has adopted a number of governance practices, including:

              The Board recognizes that no single leadership model is right for all companies and at all times, and the Board will review its leadership structure as appropriate, including in connection with the appointment of a new CEO in light of Mr. Dreiling's planned retirement in January 2016, to ensure it continues to be in the best interests of Dollar General and our shareholders.

Does Dollar General have a management succession plan?

              Yes. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require our Board of Directors to coordinate with our CEO to ensure that a formalized process governs long-term management development and succession, including succession in the event of an emergency or the retirement of our CEO. Our Board formally reviews our management succession plan at least annually. Our comprehensive program encompasses not only our CEO and other executive officers but all employees through the front-line supervisory level. The program focuses on key succession elements, including identification of potential successors for positions where it has been determined that internal succession is appropriate, assessment of each potential successor's level of readiness, and preparation of individual growth and development plans. With respect to CEO succession planning, the Company's long-term business strategy is also considered. In addition, we maintain at all times, and review with the Board periodically, a confidential procedure for the timely and efficient transfer of the CEO's responsibilities in the event of an emergency or his sudden incapacitation or departure.


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Are there share ownership guidelines for Board members and senior officers?

              Yes. Share ownership guidelines for Board members and senior officers, summarized below, are included in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. Please see the Corporate Governance Guidelines for details of the share ownership guidelines.

              For Board members, the guideline is 3 times the annual cash retainer payable for service on our Board as in effect on January 1, 2011 (or, if later, the date on which the director joined or joins our Board) to be achieved within 5 years of August 24, 2011 (or, if later, the date on which the director joined or joins our Board).

              For senior officers, the guideline is a multiple, as set forth below, of the officer's annual base salary as in effect on April 1, 2013 (or, if later, the officer's hire or promotion date) to be achieved within 5 years of the later of April 1, 2013 or the April 1 next following such person's hire or promotion date.

Officer Level
Multiple of Base Salary

CEO

5X

EVP

3X

SVP

2X

What is Dollar General's policy regarding Board member attendance at the annual meeting?

              Our Board of Directors has adopted a policy that all directors should attend annual shareholders' meetings unless attendance is not feasible due to unavoidable circumstances. All Board members serving at the time attended the 2012 annual shareholders' meeting.

Does the Board have standing Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees?

              Yes. Our Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board has adopted a written charter for each of these committees which are available on the "Investor Information—Corporate Governance" portion of our website located at www.dollargeneral.com.

              The Board has determined that all current members of each of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee are independent as defined in the NYSE listing standards and in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. Prior to April 2013, when the Compensation Committee did not consist solely of independent directors, the Board had established a subcommittee of the Compensation Committee consisting solely of independent directors (at various points in time including Messrs. Bryant, Rhodes and Rickard and Ms. Fili-Krushel) for purposes of approving any compensation that may otherwise be subject to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In addition, a subcommittee of our Nominating Committee consisting of Messrs. Bryant and Calbert oversaw the search for additional directors that was launched in January 2012.

              Current information regarding each of these committees is set forth below. Ms. Cochran joined the Audit Committee on December 5, 2012. Messrs. Calbert and Jones served on our combined Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee (the "CNG Committee") until April 1, 2013, Mr. Agrawal served on the CNG Committee until June 26, 2012, Mr. Rickard served on the CNG Committee from June 26, 2012 to October 15, 2012, and Ms. Fili-Krushel joined the CNG Committee


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on October 15, 2012. Effective April 1, 2013, we separated our CNG Committee into a separate Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Governance Committee.

Name of
Committee & Members

Committee Functions

AUDIT:

Mr. Rickard, Chairman
Mr. Bryant
Ms. Cochran

Selects the independent registered public accounting firm

Pre-approves all audit engagement fees and terms, as well as audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm

Reviews an annual report describing the independent registered public accounting firm's internal quality control procedures and any material issues raised by its most recent review of internal quality controls

Annually evaluates the independent registered public accounting firm's qualifications, performance and independence

Discusses the audit scope and any audit problems or difficulties

Sets policies regarding the hiring of current and former employees of the independent registered public accounting firm

Discusses the annual audited and quarterly unaudited financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm

Discusses types of information to be disclosed in earnings press releases and provided to analysts and rating agencies

Discusses policies governing the process by which risk assessment and risk management is to be undertaken

Reviews disclosures made by the CEO and CFO regarding any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting

Reviews internal audit activities, projects and budget

Establishes procedures for receipt, retention and treatment of complaints we receive regarding accounting or internal controls

Discusses with our general counsel legal matters having an impact on financial statements

Periodically reviews and reassesses the committee's charter

Provides information to our Board that may be relevant to the annual evaluation of the Board and its committees

Prepares the report required by the SEC to be included in our proxy statement

Evaluates and makes recommendations to our Board concerning shareholder proposals relating to matters of which the committee has expertise


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Name of
Committee & Members

Committee Functions

COMPENSATION:

Mr. Bryant, Chairman
Ms. Fili-Krushel
Mr. Rhodes

Reviews and approves corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our chief executive officer

Determines the compensation of our executive officers and recommends the compensation of our directors

Recommends, when appropriate, changes to our compensation philosophy and principles

Oversees overall compensation and benefits programs

Recommends any changes in our incentive compensation and equity-based plans that are subject to Board approval

Oversees the evaluation of senior management

Reviews and discusses with management, prior to the filing of the proxy statement, the disclosure regarding executive compensation, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and compensation tables (in addition to preparing a report on executive compensation for the proxy statement)

Provides information to our Board that may be relevant to the annual evaluation of the Board and its committees

Evaluates and makes recommendations to our Board concerning shareholder proposals relating to matters of which the committee has expertise

Periodically reviews and reassesses the committee's charter

NOMINATING AND

Develops and recommends criteria for selecting new directors

GOVERNANCE:

Screens and recommends to our Board individuals qualified to become

    Mr. Rhodes, Chairman
Ms. Cochran
Ms. Fili-Krushel

    members of our Board

Recommends the structure and membership of Board committees

Recommends persons to fill Board and committee vacancies

Develops and recommends Corporate Governance Guidelines

Oversees the evaluation of the Board

Evaluates and makes recommendations to our Board concerning shareholder proposals relating to matters of which the committee has expertise

Periodically reviews and reassesses the committee's charter

Does Dollar General have an audit committee financial expert serving on its Audit Committee?

              Yes. Our Board has designated Mr. Rickard and Ms. Cochran as audit committee financial experts and has determined that each is independent as defined in NYSE listing standards and in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. Such experts have the same responsibilities as the other Audit Committee members. They are not our auditors or accountants, do not perform "field work" and are not employees. The SEC has determined that designation as an audit committee financial expert will not cause a person to be deemed to be an "expert" for any purpose.


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How often did the Board and its committees meet in 2012?

              During 2012, our Board, Audit Committee, and CNG Committee met 7, 4, and 5 times, respectively. Each director attended at least 75% of the total of all meetings of the Board and all committees (including ad hoc committees) on which he or she served.

What is the Board'sBoard of Director's role in risk oversight?

              Our Board of Directors and its committees have an important role in our risk oversight process. Our Board regularly reviews with management our financial and business strategies, which reviews include a discussion ofincluding relevant material risks as appropriate. Our General Counsel also periodically reviews with the Board our insurance coverage and programs as well as litigation risks.

              The Audit Committee discusses our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, primarily through oversight of our enterprise risk management program. Our Internal Audit department coordinates that program, which entails review and documentation of our comprehensive risk management practices. The program evaluates internal and external risks, identifies mitigation strategies, and assesses the remaining residual risk. The program is updated through interviews with senior management and our Board, review of strategic initiatives, evaluation of the


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fiscal budget, review of upcoming legislative or regulatory changes, review of certain internal metrics and review of other outside information concerning business, financial, legal, reputational, and other risks. Semi-annually theThe results are presented to the Audit Committee.Committee at least annually. Quarterly, the categories with high residual risk, along with their mitigation strategies, are discussedreviewed individually.

              Our Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation program. In addition, asAs discussed under "Executive Compensation—Compensation Risk Considerations" below, the Compensation Committee also participates in periodic assessments of the risks relating to our overall compensation programs.

              While the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee oversee the risk areas identified above, the entire Board is regularly informed about risks through committee reports about such risks.reports. This enables the Board and its committees to coordinate the risk oversight role, particularly with respect to risk interrelationships. Our Board believes this division of risk management responsibilities effectively addresses the risks facing Dollar General. Accordingly, the risk oversight role of our Board and its committees has not had any effect on our Board's leadership structure.

Does Dollar General have a management succession plan?

              Yes. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require our Board of Directors to coordinate with our CEO to ensure that a formalized process governs long-term management development and succession. Our Board formally reviews our management succession plan at least annually. Our comprehensive program encompasses not only our CEO and other executive officers but all employees through the front-line supervisory level. The program focuses on key succession elements, including identification of potential successors for positions where it has been determined that internal succession is appropriate, assessment of each potential successor's level of readiness, and preparation of individual growth and development plans. With respect to CEO succession planning, our long-term business strategy is also considered. In addition, we maintain at all times, and review with the Board periodically, a confidential procedure for the timely and efficient transfer of the CEO's responsibilities in the event of an emergency or his sudden incapacitation or departure.

              In connection with Messrs. Dreiling's and Tehle's planned retirements in January 2016 and July 2015, respectively, we are actively engaged in an internal and external search for successors. The CEO search includes, and the CFO search may include, use of a third-party executive search firm to help facilitate the process. Messrs. Calbert and Bryant (as lead director and as Compensation Committee Chairman, respectively) represent the Board on the day to day CEO search work with the executive search firm.

Are there share ownership guidelines and holding requirements for Board members and senior officers?

              Yes. Details of our share ownership guidelines and holding requirements for Board members and senior officers are included in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" and "Director Compensation" for more information on such ownership guidelines and holding requirements for senior officers and Board members, respectively.

How can I communicate with the Board of Directors?

              Our Board-approved process for security holders and other interested parties to contact the Board of Directors, a particular director, or the non-management directors or the independent directors as a group is described on www.dollargeneral.com under "Investor Information—Corporate Governance."


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Where can I find more information about Dollar General's corporate governance practices?

              Our governance-related information is posted on www.dollargeneral.com under "Investor Information—Corporate Governance," including our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, the charter of each of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee, and the namesname(s) of the persons chosen to lead the executive sessions of the non-management directors and of the independent directors. This information is available in print to any shareholder who sends a written request to: Investor Relations, Dollar General Corporation, 100 Mission Ridge, Goodlettsville, TN 37072.


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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION


              The following table and text discusssummarize the compensation earned by or paid to each of our non-employee Board members for 2012.2014. Mr. Dreiling was not separately compensated for his service on the Board; his compensation for service as our CEO is discussed under "Executive Compensation" below. We have omitted the columns pertaining to non-equity incentive plan compensation and change in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings because they are inapplicable.


Fiscal 20122014 Director Compensation

Name Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)(1)
 Stock
Awards
($)(2)
 Option
Awards
($)(3)
 All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
 Total
($)
  Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)(1)
 Stock
Awards
($)(2)
 Option
Awards
($)(3)
 All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
 Total
($)
 

Raj Agrawal

 75,000 51,780 56,495  183,275 

Warren F. Bryant

 84,000 51,780 56,495  192,275  120,000 47,669 75,846  243,515 

Michael M. Calbert

 92,500 51,780 56,495  200,775  110,000 47,669 75,846  233,515 

Sandra B. Cochran

 5,503    5,503  95,500 47,669 75,846  219,015 

Patricia D. Fili-Krushel

 15,897 49,570 53,239  118,706  97,000 47,669 75,846  220,515 

Adrian Jones

 75,000 51,780 56,495  183,275 

Paula A. Price(5)

 36,896 56,088 91,516  184,500 

William C. Rhodes, III

 84,000 51,780 56,495  192,275  115,000 47,669 75,846  238,515 

David B. Rickard

 95,500 51,780 56,495  203,775  113,500 47,669 75,846  237,015
 

(1)
In addition to the annual Board retainer, each directorwhich was prorated in the case of Ms. Price, the following directors received payment for the following number of excess meetings: Mr. Bryant (6)(10); Ms. Cochran (7); Ms. Fili-Krushel (8); Mr. Rhodes (6)(10); and Mr. Rickard (2)(4). Messrs. CalbertBryant, Rhodes and Rickard also received an annual retainer for service as the CNGCompensation Committee Chairman, the Nominating Committee Chairman and the Audit Committee Chairman, respectively. Mr. Calbert received an annual retainer for service as the lead director.

(2)
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock units awarded to Ms. Price on August 26, 2014 in connection with her appointment to the Board, as well as to each director (other than Mss. Cochran and Fili-Krushel)(excluding Ms. Price) on June 1, 2012, and to Ms. Fili-Krushel on December 4, 2012, in each caseMay 29, 2014, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Information regarding assumptions made in the valuation of these awards is included in Note 1110 of the annual consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2013,January 30, 2015, filed with the SEC on March 25, 201320, 2015 (our "2012"2014 Form 10-K"). As of February 1, 2013,January 30, 2015, each directorof the persons listed in the table above had 1,757the following total unvested restricted stock units outstanding, except for Mss.outstanding: each of Messrs. Bryant, Calbert, Rhodes and Rickard (1,890); Ms. Cochran (2,263); Ms. Fili-Krushel (1,879); and Fili-Krushel who respectively had 0 and 1,034 total unvested restricted stock units outstanding.Ms. Price (883).

(3)
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options awarded to Ms. Price on August 26, 2014 in connection with her appointment to the Board, as well as to each director other than Mss. Cochran and Fili-Krushel(excluding Ms. Price) on June 1, 2012, and to Ms. Fili-Krushel on December 4, 2012, in each caseMay 29, 2014, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Information regarding assumptions made in the valuation of these awards is included in Note 1110 of the annual consolidated financial statements in our 20122014 Form 10-K. As of February 1, 2013,January 30, 2015, each directorof the persons listed in the table above had 12,923the following total unexercised stock options outstanding (whether or not then exercisable), except for: each of Messrs. Bryant, Calbert and Rhodes (21,756); Ms. Cochran (13,120); Ms. Fili-Krushel (12,892); Ms. Price (4,795); and Mr. Rickard and Mss. Cochran and Fili-Krushel who respectively had 12,680, 0 and 4,059 total unexercised stock options outstanding (whether or not then exercisable)(21,513).

(4)
Perquisites and personal benefits, if any, totaled less than $10,000 per director.

(5)
Ms. Price joined our Board effective August 26, 2014.

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              The Board approves, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, is responsible for recommending the form and amount of director compensation for consideration and approval by our Board. Thecompensation. As part of this process, the Committee may consult with or review information provided by Meridian Compensation Partners ("Meridian"), its independent consultant, ("Meridian"), regarding the form and amount of director compensation and also welcomesmay consider the input of our CEO and our Chief People Officer, butOfficer. However, the Committee and the Board retain and exercise ultimate decision-making authority regarding director compensation. We do not compensate for Board service any director who also serves as our employee. We will reimburse directors for certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with continuing education seminars and for travel and related expenses related to Dollar General business.

              For 2012,2014, each non-employee director received quarterly payment (prorated as applicable), in quarterly installments, of the following cash compensation, as applicable:

              In addition, except as provided below, each non-employee director, including Ms. Price who joined the Board mid-year, received an annual equity award under our Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Incentive Plan with an estimated value of $125,000 on the grant date as(as determined by Meridian using economic variables such as the trading price of our common stock, expected volatility of the stock trading prices of similar companies, and the terms of the awards.award) under our Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Incentive Plan. Sixty percent of this value consisted ofwas delivered in non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of our common stock ("Options") and 40% consisted ofwas delivered in restricted stock units payable in shares of our common stock ("RSUs"). The Options willare scheduled to vest as to 25% of the Optionsaward and the RSUs willare scheduled to vest as to 331/3% of the award on each of the first four and three anniversaries of the grant date, respectively, in each case subject to the director's continued service on our Board. Directors may elect to defer receipt of shares underlying the RSUs. Ms. Cochran received her annual equity award in March 2013 consistent with these terms and parameters.

              We anticipate granting similar equity awards annually to those non-employee directors who are elected or reelected at each applicable shareholders' meeting. Any new director appointed after the annual shareholders' meeting but before February 1 of a given year, as was the case with Mss. Cochran and Fili-Krushel, will receive a full equity award no later than the first regularly scheduled Compensation Committee meeting following the date on which he or she is appointed. Any new director appointed on or after February 1 of a given year but before the next annual shareholders' meeting shall be eligible to receive the next regularly scheduled annual award.

              The compensation program described above was similar to that in place in 2011 but was slightly revised for 2012 as a result of a market benchmarking review. In 2011, afterAfter reviewing with Meridian our Board compensation program relative to our market comparator group, the Compensation Committee determined that 2011 total compensation was approximately 29% below the market median, with the shortfall in the equity component. Accordingly, the Committeehas recommended, and the Board approved, a $50,000 increasehas determined based upon the Committee's recommendation, that the cash component of the 2015 non-employee director compensation will remain unchanged, but the following changes will be made to the equity portion:

              In addition, beginning with calendar year 2015, Dollar General has implemented a Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Director Deferred Compensation Plan") to allow for deferral by non-employee directors of up to 100% of cash fees earned for Board service in a fiscal year. For those who choose to participate, benefits are payable upon separation from service in the equity componentform, as elected by the director at the time of Board compensation (from $75,000 to $125,000) effective June 2012.

              Effective April 1, 2013, we separated our CNG Committee intodeferral, of a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Governance Committee. We also named a lead director effective March 19, 2013. The Compensation Committee Chairman, the Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman, and the lead director will receive an annual retainer of $15,000, $10,000, and $17,500, respectively.lump sum distribution or monthly


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payments for 5, 10 or 15 years. Participating directors can direct the hypothetical investment of deferred fees into funds identical to the funds offered in our 401(k) Plan and will be credited with the deemed investment gains and losses. The amounts deferred, along with deemed investment gains and losses, are credited to a liability account. The amount of the benefit will vary depending on the fees the director has deferred and the deemed investment gains and losses. In the event of a director's death, benefits are payable to the director's named beneficiary. In the event of a director's disability (as defined in the Director Deferred Compensation Plan), the unpaid benefit will be paid in a lump sum. Participant deferrals are not contributed to a trust, and all benefits are paid from Dollar General's general assets.

              Our non-employee directors are subject to share ownership guidelines and holding requirements. The ownership guideline is 4 times the annual cash retainer payable for service on our Board as in effect on January 1, 2011 (or, if later, the date on which the director joined or joins our Board) to be achieved within 5 years of August 24, 2011 (or, if later, within 5 years of the date on which the director joined or joins our Board). At least 1 times the annual cash retainer in effect at the time the director joined or joins our Board should be acquired prior to joining the Board (or as soon after as practicable). Administrative details pertaining to these matters are established by the Compensation Committee.


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DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE


Is Dollar General subject to the NYSE governance rules regarding director independence?

              Yes. A majority of our directors must be independent in accordance with the independence requirements set forth in the NYSE listing standards. In addition, the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee must be composed solely of independent directors to comply with such listing standards and, in the case of the Audit Committee, with SEC rules. The NYSE listing standards define specific relationships that disqualify directors from being independent and further require that for a director to qualify as "independent," the Board must affirmatively determine that the director has no material relationship with our company.Dollar General. The SEC's rules and the NYSE listing standards contain a separate definitiondefinitions of independence for members of audit committees and the NYSE listing standards contain a separate definition (to take effect in 2013) of independence for compensation committees.committees, respectively.

How does the Board of Directors determine director independence?

              The Board of Directors affirmatively determines the independence of each director and director nominee in accordance with guidelines it has adopted, which include all elements of independence set forth in the NYSE listing standards and SEC rules as well as certain Board-adopted categorical independence standards. These guidelines are contained in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are posted on the "Investor Information—Corporate Governance" portionsection of our website located at www.dollargeneral.com.

              The Board first analyzes whether any director or director nominee has a relationship covered by the NYSE listing standards that would prohibit an independence finding for Board Audit Committee, Compensation Committee or Nominating and Governance Committeecommittee purposes. The Board then analyzes any relationship of the remaining eligible directors and nominees towith Dollar General or to our management that falls outside the parameters of the Board's separately adopted categorical independence standards to determine whether or not that relationship is material. The Board may determine that a director or nominee who has a relationship that falls outside of thesuch parameters of the categorical independence standards is nonetheless independent (to the extent thatbecause the relationship wouldis not constitute a barconsidered to independence under the NYSE listing standards).be material. Any director who has a material relationship with Dollar General or its management is not considered to be independent. TheAbsent special circumstances, the Board does not consider or analyze any relationship that falls within the parameters of the Board's separately adopted categorical independence standards.

Are all of the current directors and nominees independent?

              No. Our Board of Directors consists of Raj Agrawal, Warren F. Bryant, MikeMichael M. Calbert, Sandra B. Cochran, Richard W. Dreiling, Patricia D. Fili-Krushel, Adrian Jones, BillPaula A. Price, William C. Rhodes and DaveDavid B. Rickard. Messrs. Rickard and Bryant and RickardMss. Cochran and Ms. CochranPrice serve on our Audit Committee, Messrs. Bryant and Rhodes and Ms. Fili-Krushel serve on our Compensation Committee, and Mr. Rhodes and Mss. Cochran and Fili-Krushel serve on our Nominating and Governance Committee.

              Our Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that Messrs. Bryant, Calbert, Rhodes and Rickard and Mss. Cochran, Fili-Krushel and Fili-Krushel,Price, but not Messrs. Agrawal, Calbert,Mr. Dreiling, or Jones, are independent from our management under both the NYSE'sNYSE listing standards and our additional standards. Except as described below, any relationship between an independent director and Dollar General or our management fell within the Board-adopted categorical standards and, accordingly, was not reviewed or considered by our Board. The Board has also determined that the currently servingcurrent members of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the CompensationNominating Committee meet the independence requirements for membership on those committees set forth in the NYSE listing standards, our additional standards and, as to the Audit Committee, SEC rules.


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for membership on those              In reaching the determination that Ms. Cochran is independent, the Board committees set forth in the NYSE listing standards (including the additional requirements for the Compensation Committee to take effect in 2013) and, as to the Audit Committee, SEC rules.

considered that Ms. Cochran's brother, Stephen Brophy, has served as a Vice President of the Company (a non-executive position) since 2009. For 2012,2014, Mr. Brophy earned from the Company total cash compensation (comprised of his base salary and bonus compensation) of less than $300,000. In addition, Mr. Brophy$320,000 and received from the Company on March 20, 2012 an annual equity award consisting of 4,7293,034 non-qualified stock options, to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock and a target award of 825569 performance share units, (814 of which were earned as a result of the Company's level of achievement of applicable financial performance measures for 2012) and on566 restricted stock units. In March 18, 20132015, Mr. Brophy received an annual equity award consisting of 2,9993,583 non-qualified stock options, to purchase sharesa target award of the Company's Common Stock, between 0 and 1,414433 performance share units, with a targeted amount of 707 (the exact amount to be determined based upon the Company's fiscal 2013 financial performance), and 711433 restricted stock units, in each caseunits. All equity awards were granted on terms consistent with the annual equity awards received by all Dollar General employees at the same job grade level as Mr. Brophy and on terms substantially similar to awards described in the Company's Annual Proxy Statement filedforms of award agreements on file with the SEC on April 5, 2012 and in this Proxy Statement. The Company doesSEC. We do not expect Mr. Brophy's total cash compensation for 20132015 to materially differ from his 20122014 total cash compensation.

              Mr. Brophy also participatesis eligible to participate in employee benefits plans and programs available to our other full timefull-time employees. Ms. Cochran does not participate in any consideration or decision-making related to Mr. Brophy's compensation or performance evaluations. Mr. Brophy's cash compensation wasand equity awards were approved by the Compensation Committee pursuant to the Company's related party transactionrelated-party transactions approval policy.


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TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS


Does the Board of Directors have a policy for the review,related-party transactions approval or ratification of related-party transactions?policy?

              Yes. Our Board of Directors has adopted a written policy for the review, approval or ratification of "related party" transactions. A "related party" for this purpose includes our directors, director nominees, executive officers and greater than 5% shareholders, and any of their immediate family members, and a "transaction" includes one in which (1) the total amount may exceed $120,000, (2) Dollar General is a participant, and (3) a related party will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than as a director or a less than 10% owner of another entity, or both).

              Pursuant to thisThe policy andrequires prior Board approval for all known related party transactions, subject to certain exceptions identified below, all known related party transactions require prior Board approval.below. In addition, at least annually after receiving a list of immediate family members and affiliates from our directors and executive officers, and greater than 5% shareholders, the Corporate Secretary inquires of relevant internal departments to determine whether any transactions were unknowingly entered into with a related party and presentsthe Board is presented with a list of such transactions, subject to certain exceptions identified below, for review. The related party may not participate in any discussion or approval of the transaction and must provide to the Board for review.all material information concerning the transaction.

              AsOur Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. DreilingCEO is authorized to approve a related party transaction in which he is not involved if the total anticipated amount is expected to be less than $1 million and he informs the Board of such transactions.the transaction. The following transactions below are deemed pre-approved without Board review or approval:

              The policy prohibits the related party from participating in any discussion or approval of the transaction and requires the related party to provide to the Board all material information concerning the transaction.


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What related-party transactions existed in 20122014 or are planned for 2013?2015?

              We describe below theOther than compensation paid or to be paid during 2014 and 2015 to one of our non-executive officers who is a family member of Ms. Cochran, as discussed further under "Director Independence" above, there are no transactions that have occurred since the beginning of 2012, and2014, or any currently proposed transactions, that involve Dollar General and exceed $120,000 and in which a related party had or has a direct or indirect material interest. In addition, we describe below certain other relationships between Dollar General and related parties in which a related party has an interest that may not be material.

              Relationships with Management.    Simultaneously with the closing of our 2007 merger and thereafter through May 2011, we, Buck Holdings L.P. and certain of our employees (collectively, "management shareholders") entered into shareholder's agreements (each, a "Management Stockholder's Agreement") that impose significant restrictions on transfer of covered shares of our common stock held by the management shareholders. Generally, shares are nontransferable prior to the fifth anniversary of either the closing date of our 2007 merger or a later specified date (depending on the terms of the applicable agreement) except (i) sales pursuant to an effective registration statement filed by us under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") in accordance with the Management Stockholder's Agreement, (ii) a sale to certain permitted transferees, or (iii) as otherwise permitted by our Board of Directors or pursuant to a waiver of the transfer restrictions; provided, that, in the event KKR or its affiliates transfer their limited partnership units to a third party, such transfer restrictions shall lapse with respect to the same proportion of shares of common stock owned by a management shareholder as the proportion of limited partnership units transferred by KKR and such affiliates relative to the aggregate number of limited partnership units they owned prior to such transfer. Following our initial public offering in 2009, we amended the Management Stockholder's Agreements to exclude from the transfer restrictions any shares acquired in the open market or through the directed share program administered as part of the initial public offering. Shares acquired by executive officers in the open market or through the directed share program will still be subject to any lock-up arrangements with the underwriters of any public offering of shares. Limited waivers of the transfer restrictions on a certain percentage of the shares subject to the Management Stockholder's Agreement have been granted since 2009, and a complete waiver of all remaining transfer restrictions, including those applicable to Mr. Vasos and to two other of our Executive Vice Presidents, Messrs. Flanigan and Ravener, was granted on February 1, 2013. These transfer restrictions had expired for a significant number of management shareholders, including some of our executive officers (Messrs. Dreiling and Tehle and Mss. Lanigan and Elliott) in July 2012.

              In the event that a registration statement is filed with respect to our common stock, the Management Stockholder's Agreement prohibits management shareholders from selling shares not included in the registration statement from receipt of notice that we have filed or intend to file such registration statement until 180 days (in the case of an initial public offering) or 90 days (in the case of any other public offering) of the effective date of the registration statement, unless the underwriters, if any, agree to a shorter period. The Management Stockholder's Agreement also enables the management shareholder to cause us to repurchase his or her covered stock and vested options in the event of his or her death or disability, and enables us to cause the management shareholder to sell his or her covered stock or options to us upon certain termination events, all for the period of time specified in the Management Stockholder's Agreement. These put and call rights expired for a significant number of the management shareholders, including some of our executive officers (Messrs. Dreiling and Tehle and Mss. Lanigan and Elliott), in July 2012 and are scheduled to expire for our remaining covered executive officers at various points in 2013.

              Certain members of senior management, including our executive officers other than Mr. Sparks (the "Senior Management Shareholders"), have limited "piggyback" registration rights with respect to their shares of our common stock in the event that certain investors sell, or cause to be sold, shares of our common stock in a public offering. Such rights may be voluntarily extended to other members of management as determined by our Board in connection with any given future such sale by certain


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investors. See the description of the registration rights agreement under "Relationships with the Investors" below. During 2010, we amended these rights to allow for their accumulation by any employee entitled, but who elects not, to exercise such rights in a given offering. The Senior Management Shareholders waived their piggyback registration rights arising from our initial public offering in 2009 in consideration of our releasing them from the transfer restrictions contained in the Management Stockholder's Agreements after the expiration of a 180-day restricted period with respect to a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares that such Senior Management Shareholders could have required us to register in connection with our initial public offering.

              See "Director Independence" for a discussion of a familial relationship between Ms. Cochran and one of our non-executive officers and compensation paid to that officer during 2012 and 2013.

              Interlocks.    Mr. Dreiling serves as a manager of Buck Holdings, LLC for which Messrs. Calbert, Agrawal and Jones (each of whom served on our CNG Committee for all or part of 2012) serve as managers.

              Relationships with the Investors.    In connection with our initial public offering in 2009, we entered into a shareholders' agreement with affiliates of each of KKR and Goldman, Sachs & Co. Among its other terms, the shareholders' agreement establishes certain rights with respect to our corporate governance, including the designation of directors. For additional information regarding those rights, see "How are directors identified and nominated" elsewhere in this document.

              In July 2007, we and Buck Holdings, L.P. entered into an indemnification agreement with KKR and Goldman, Sachs & Co. pursuant to which we agreed to provide customary indemnification to such parties and their affiliates in connection with certain claims and liabilities incurred in connection with certain transactions involving such parties, including the financing for our 2007 merger and pursuant to services provided under our sponsor advisory agreement with such parties that was entered into in 2007 and terminated in 2009.

              In connection with our 2007 merger, we entered into a registration rights agreement with Buck Holdings, L.P., Buck Holdings, LLC, KKR and Goldman, Sachs & Co. (and certain of their affiliated investment funds), among certain other parties. Pursuant to this agreement, investment funds affiliated with KKR have an unlimited number of demand registration rights and investment funds affiliated with Goldman, Sachs & Co. have two demand registration rights which can be exercised once a year. Pursuant to such demand registration rights, we are required to register with the SEC the shares of common stock beneficially owned by them through Buck Holdings L.P. for sale by them to the public, provided that each of them hold at least $100 million in registrable securities and such registration is reasonably expected to result in aggregate gross proceeds of $50 million. We are not obligated to file a registration statement relating to any request to register shares pursuant to such demand registration rights without KKR's consent within a period of 180 days after the effective date of any other registration statement we file pursuant to such demand registration rights. In addition, in the event that we are registering additional shares of common stock for sale to the public, whether on behalf of us or the investment funds as described above, we must give notice of such registration to all parties to the registration rights agreement, including the Senior Management Shareholders, and such persons have piggyback registration rights providing them the right to have us include the shares of common stock owned by them in any such registration. In each such event, we are required to pay the registration expenses.

              Pursuant to this registration rights agreement and the demand registration rights thereunder, secondary offerings of our common stock were completed in April, June and October 2012 and April 2013 for which affiliates of KKR and of Goldman, Sachs & Co. served as underwriters. Dollar General did not sell shares of common stock, receive proceeds, or pay any underwriting fees in connection with any of these secondary offerings, but paid resulting aggregate expenses of approximately $1.4 million in


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connection with the 2012 secondary offerings and expects to pay resulting aggregate expenses of approximately $0.5 million in connection with the April 2013 secondary offering. Certain members of our management, including certain of our executive officers, exercised registration rights in connection with such offerings. The underwriters, including affiliates of KKR and Goldman, Sachs & Co., waived their fee for members of our management who participated in the October 2012 and the April 2013 secondary offerings. To the extent additional secondary offerings of our common stock are completed in fiscal 2013, we expect affiliates of KKR and Goldman, Sachs & Co. to serve as underwriters and for us to pay resulting expenses, in each case consistent with the 2012 and April 2013 secondary offerings.

              Concurrent with the closing of the April 2012 secondary offering and pursuant to a Share Repurchase Agreement between Dollar General and Buck Holdings L.P., dated March 25, 2012, Dollar General purchased 6,817,311 shares of Common Stock from Buck Holdings L.P. for an aggregate purchase price of $300 million, or $44.00562 per share which represents the per share price to the public in the secondary offering less underwriting discounts and commissions. Of such shares, affiliates of KKR and Goldman, Sachs & Co. sold to Dollar General 3,552,787 and 1,478,274 shares for proceeds of $156.3 million and $65.1 million, respectively.

              In addition, pursuant to a Share Repurchase Agreement between Dollar General and Buck Holdings, L.P., dated September 25, 2012, Dollar General purchased 4,929,508 shares of Common Stock from Buck Holdings, L.P. for an aggregate purchase price of $250 million, or $50.715 per share which represents the per share price to the public in the October 2012 secondary offering less underwriting discounts and commissions. Of such shares, affiliates of KKR and Goldman, Sachs & Co. sold to Dollar General 2,567,370 and 1,068,254 shares for proceeds of approximately $130.2 million and $54.2 million, respectively. The closing of such share repurchase was conditioned upon the receipt of the consent of the requisite lenders under our senior secured credit facilities and the consummation of the October 2012 secondary offering. In connection with the closing of such repurchase transaction, Buck Holdings, L.P. reimbursed Dollar General approximately $1.7 million for lender fees incurred in obtaining such consent as further described below. Affiliates of KKR are and affiliates of Goldman, Sachs & Co. may be lenders under the term loan and, as such, each would have received a pro-rata portion of such fee.

              Each of the share repurchase transactions with Buck Holdings, L.P. described above was part of an overall Board-authorized share repurchase program and was specifically reviewed and approved by a special committee of our Board made up entirely of independent directors.

              Affiliates of KKR are and Goldman, Sachs & Co. may be lenders under our senior secured term loan facility, which had a $2.3 billion principal amount at inception and a principal balance as of February 1, 2013 of approximately $2.0 billion. Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P. also served as syndication agent and joint lead arranger for the term loan facility. This term loan facility was entered into and subsequently amended (as discussed below) in the ordinary course of business and, as of the loan origination and subsequent amendment, was made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with persons not related to the lender and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. We paid approximately $62.0 million of interest on the term loan during fiscal 2012.

              We amended this term loan facility in March 2012 to, among other things, extend the maturity of a portion of such facility from 2014 to 2017. An affiliate of each of KKR and Goldman, Sachs & Co., along with a third unaffiliated entity, acted as a joint lead arranger in connection with such term loan facility amendment for which each of the KKR and Goldman, Sachs & Co. affiliates received a fee from Dollar General of approximately $440,000. As disclosed above, in connection with the October 2012 share repurchase from Buck Holdings, L.P., we further amended this term loan facility in October 2012 to add additional capacity for Dollar General to repurchase, redeem or


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otherwise acquire shares of its capital stock, not to exceed $250 million. Dollar General incurred a fee associated with such amendment, which was reimbursed by Buck Holdings, L.P. as discussed above.

              Goldman, Sachs & Co. was a counterparty to an amortizing interest rate swap, entered into in connection with the senior secured term loan facility, which matured on July 31, 2012. Such interest rate swap had a notional amount of $103.3 million immediately prior to its maturity date. We paid Goldman, Sachs & Co. approximately $2.5 million in fiscal 2012 pursuant to this swap.

              In March 2012, we amended our senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility to, among other things, increase the maximum total commitment to $1.2 billion. An affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (among other entities) serves as lender and served as documentation agent and joint lead arranger under such facility. This amended revolving credit facility was entered into in the ordinary course of business, was made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with persons not related to the lender and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. We paid approximately $6.0 million of interest on the revolving credit facility during fiscal 2012.

              As disclosed above, in connection with the October 2012 share repurchase from Buck Holdings, L.P., we further amended this revolving credit facility in October 2012 to add additional capacity for Dollar General to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of its capital stock, not to exceed $250 million.

              In July 2012, pursuant to an indenture dated as of July 12, 2012 (the "Senior Indenture"), we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes due 2017 (the "Senior Notes") which mature on July 15, 2017. As joint book-running managers in connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes, an affiliate or affiliates of each of KKR and Goldman Sachs & Co. received an equivalent share of approximately $2.3 million during fiscal 2012.

              Dollar General paid approximately $185,000 to Goldman, Sachs & Co. for brokerage services in connection with the Company's open market share repurchases in September 2012 under a Board-authorized share repurchase program.

              As previously disclosed, the Company intends to effect a refinancing of its existing senior secured credit facilities in the first quarter of fiscal 2013. The Company expects affiliates of each of KKR and Goldman, Sachs & Co. to participate in various capacities and receive customary fees consistent with prior financings.

              Each of KKR and Goldman, Sachs & Co., either directly or through affiliates, has ownership interests in a broad range of companies ("Portfolio Companies") with whom we may from time to time enter into commercial transactions in the ordinary course of business, primarily for the purchase of goods and services. We believe that none of our transactions or arrangements with Portfolio Companies is significant enough to be considered material to KKR or Goldman, Sachs & Co. or to our business or shareholders. In 2012, the largest amount paid to a Portfolio Company was approximately $95.8 million paid to a KKR Portfolio Company in the ordinary course of business for the purchase of merchandise for resale. This amount represented less than 3.0% of the vendor's revenues for its last completed fiscal year and less than 1.0% of our revenues for 2012.

              Our Board members, Messrs. Calbert and Agrawal, serve as executives of KKR, while our Board member, Mr. Jones, serves as a Managing Director of Goldman, Sachs & Co. KKR and certain affiliates of Goldman, Sachs & Co. indirectly own, through their investment in Buck Holdings, L.P., a significant percentage of our common stock.


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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION


              We refer to the persons listed in the Summary Compensation Table below as our "named executive officers." References to the "merger" or the "2007 merger" mean our merger that occurred on July 6, 2007 as a result of which substantially all of our common stock became owned by Buck Holdings, L.P. ("Buck LP"), a Delaware limited partnership controlled by investment funds affiliated with KKR.


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Overview

              The overarching goal of our executive compensation program is to serve the long-term interests of our shareholders. A competitive executive compensation package is critical for us to attract, retain and motivate persons who we believe have the ability and desire to deliver superior shareholder returns. We strive to balance the short-term and long-term components of our executive compensation program to incent achievement of both our annual and long-term business strategies, to pay for performance and to maintain our competitive position in the market in which we compete for executive talent. We believe the success of our program is

              Compensation Best Practices.    As evidenced by the following practices and policies, we strive to ensure alignment of interests with shareholders and to implement sound corporate governance practices:

Compensation Practice
Dollar General Policy
Pay for PerformanceüWe link pay to performance by ensuring a significant percentage of total direct compensation is linked with the financial performance of key metrics. All of our short-term cash incentive compensation and a significant majority of our long-term equity incentive compensation are performance based. For more details, see "Pay for Performance" below.

Share ownership guidelines and holding requirements


ü


We utilize share ownership guidelines and holding requirements to create alignment with the long-term interests of our shareholders. For more details, see "Share Ownership Guidelines and Holding Requirements" below.

Prohibition on hedging and pledging Dollar General securities and on holding Dollar General securities in margin accounts


ü


We prohibit executive officers and Board members from hedging their ownership of Dollar General stock, pledging Dollar General securities as collateral, and holding Dollar General securities in a margin account. For more details, see "Policy Against Hedging and Pledging Transactions" below.

Substantial elimination of tax gross-ups


ü


None of our executives are eligible for tax gross-up payments other than on relocation-related items.

Prohibition on repricing or cash buyout of underwater stock options without shareholder approval


ü


Our long-term equity incentive program does not permit repricing of underwater stock options, including reduction in exercise price of stock options or replacement of an award with cash or another award type, without shareholder approval.

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Compensation Practice
Dollar General Policy
Annual compensation risk assessmentüOur Compensation Committee performs at least annually a risk assessment of our compensation program.

Independent compensation consultant


ü


The Compensation Committee retains an independent compensation consultant to advise the Compensation Committee on the executive and non-employee director compensation program and practices.

              Pay for Performance.    Consistent with our pay-for-performance philosophy, a significant majority of our named executive officers' target total direct compensation for 2014 was performance based and exposed to fluctuations in the price of our common stock. In addition, our 2014 target total direct compensation packages sought to reward both long-term and annual performance, as shown in the charts below:

CEOOther NEOs
(Average)



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GRAPHIC

STI—Short-Term Cash Incentive

LTI—Long-Term Equity Incentive

              The results of the financial and operating results for 2012 (2012 was a 52-week year and 2011 was a 53-week year):performance metrics used in connection with our 2014 performance-based compensation are as follows:

              20112014 Say on Pay Vote.    In 2011Once every three years, we provide the opportunity for our shareholders votedto vote on an advisorya nonbinding basis with respect to our compensation program for named executive officers.officers, which is the time interval last approved by our shareholders on a nonbinding basis. The advisory vote on our named executive officer compensation program was last held in 2014. Of the total votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes), 96.5%96.0% were cast in support of the program. We continue toprogram, which we view this vote as overwhelmingly supportive of our compensation policies and decisions and, accordingly,decisions. Accordingly, we do not believe the results required consideration of changes to our compensation program in 2012 or 2013.

program. The most significant compensation-related actions or achievements in 2012 pertainingnext opportunity for our shareholders to vote to approve on a nonbinding basis the compensation of our named executive officers include:


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Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

              We strive to attract, retain and motivate persons with superior ability, to reward outstanding performance, and to align the long-term interests of our named executive officers with those of our shareholders. The material compensation principles applicable to the 2012 and 2013 compensation of our named executive officers included the following, all of which are summarized below and discussed in more detail in "Elements of Named Executive Officer Compensation" below::


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