Dollar General is rolling out an AI-enabled in-store audio network across approximately 6,000 stores in 48 states, doubling its existing audio presence to 12,000 locations by Q2 2026. The retailer has partnered with QSIC, a global in-store audio platform, to deliver localised, data-driven advertising and enhanced shopping experiences. The network integrates point-of-sale data, curated music and AI-generated audio advertisements to provide targeted messaging. QSIC's technology verifies ad delivery and offers closed-loop reporting to measure performance and incremental impact, exceeding Interactive Advertising Bureau standards. Dollar General operates over 20,000 stores nationwide, with approximately 75% of the US population living within five miles of a location. The expansion aims to help brand partners connect with customers, particularly in underserved rural communities.

DG Media Network to introduce ai-enabled in-store audio network across thousands of Dollar General stores. * 2 hrs ago Dollar General (NYSE: DG) today announced the planned rollout of an enhanced, AI-enabled in-store audio network across approximately 6,000 DG stores in 48 states. Through a new partnership with QSIC, Dollar General will deliver more relevant, localized and measurable audio experiences to customers while providing brand partners with accountable, data-driven advertising across one of the nation's most expansive retail footprints. This rollout will double DG's existing in-store audio presence and significantly increase measurement capabilities at scale, bringing the total number of DG stores with in-store audio capabilities to 12,000 in Q2 2026. "At DG Media Network, we're constantly looking for innovative ways to help brands meaningfully connect with our customers, and by introducing an AI-powered in-store audio network, we're unlocking an entirely new layer of relevancy and accountability in the shopping experience," said Austin Leonard, vice president and general manager of DG Media Network. "This platform allows us to deliver localized, real-time messaging at scale across the thousands of communities we serve - especially in underserved and often overlooked rural areas. It's a powerful way to create value for our brand partners while enhancing the in-store experience for the millions of customers who rely on Dollar General every day through more relevant, contextual messaging designed to add value, not noise, to their shopping trip." Dollar General operates more than 20,000 stores across the United States, with approximately 75% of the U.S. population living within five miles of a location. This uniquely dense footprint makes DG one of the most accessible retailers in the country, particularly in rural communities where Dollar General frequently serves as a primary destination for everyday essentials. QSIC, a global in-store audio platform that leverages AI and data intelligence to help retailers and brands unlock the value of in-store media, integrates point of sales (POS) data, curated music and AI-generated audio ads to deliver timely, targeted messaging. QSIC exceeds Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) standards through its proprietary technology that verifies ad delivery and its closed-loop reporting, helping brands understand performance and incremental impact. "We're thrilled to partner with Dollar General as they enhance their store experience and expand their in-store retail media capabilities," said Matt Elsley, Co-founder and CEO of QSIC. "Dollar General's unparalleled store base and deep reach into communities across the country make it an incredibly powerful opportunity for brands. With retail seeing approximately 85% of sales occurring in-store, physical locations remain the most valuable media channel. Our platform unlocks new value through intelligent automation, verified delivery and performance data that connects marketing investment to real-world results." About Dollar General Corporation Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) is proud to serve as America's neighborhood general store. Founded in 1939, Dollar General lives its mission of Serving Others every day by providing access to affordable products and services for its customers, career opportunities for its employees, and literacy and education support for its hometown communities. As of January 30, 2026, the Company's 20,893 Dollar General, DG Market, DGX and pOpshelf stores across the United States and Mi Súper Dollar General stores in Mexico provide everyday essentials including food, health and wellness products, cleaning and laundry supplies, self-care and beauty items, and seasonal décor from its high-quality private brands alongside many of the world's most trusted brands such as Coca Cola, PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, General Mills, Hershey, J.M. Smucker, Kraft, Mars, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble and Unilever. About QSIC: QSIC is the intelligent in-store audio platform that uses AI and first-party data to elevate and measure the impact of audio at the point of purchase. QSIC empowers retailers to create, manage and monetize in-store advertising that transforms spaces and delivers results. The company operates one of the largest retail audio networks in the U.S., reaching more than 350 million shoppers each month globally. Backed by the highest measurement standards in retail media, QSIC helps brands and retailers maximize their retail media networks quickly and effectively, turning physical stores into their most valuable asset. Learn more at www.getqsic.com. Media gallery

Barrows Connected Store, QSIC synchronize in-store audio, video retail media. Share via: Barrows Connected Store and QSIC announced a strategic partnership designed to unify in-store audio and digital video into a single, data-driven retail media platform. The deal connects Barrows' ConnectOS-powered in-store digital video network with QSIC's intelligent audio platform, enabling synchronized multi-sensory campaigns measured against real-world transaction data. The core problem the partnership addresses is straightforward: in-store audio and video have historically been planned, bought and measured separately, producing fragmented shopper experiences and siloed performance data. The combined offering will provide centralized campaign deployment, predictive store- and category-level targeting, real-time audio-video synchronization and closed-loop attribution tied to first-party retail data. Matt Elsley, co-founder and CEO of QSIC, said the integration closes a long-standing gap in how physical retail media has been executed. "Shoppers don't experience retail in silos, and retail media shouldn't either. Yet for too long, audio and video have been planned, activated and measured in isolation," he said. "QSIC has built the intelligence to measure in-store retail media tactics at a transactional level, and combining that with Barrows' video network means we can now synchronize creative in real time, grounded in actual purchase data. "For brands, that's not just a better shopper experience, it's a fundamentally more accountable way to reach people where decisions actually get made. For us, this is just the beginning." Case for creative synchronization. Research from Kantar cited by the companies found that creative quality contributes nearly 50 percent of overall media impact, with cross-channel creative synergy contributing up to 55 percent. Separately, studies show 57 percent of shoppers are influenced by in-store advertising at the moment of decision, and 72 percent make unplanned purchases based on in-store messaging. Brian DeCoveny, managing director of North America at Barrows Connected Store, said the partnership enables campaign formats that weren't previously achievable at this scale. "Think category takeovers, high-impact seasonal activations or brand moments that dominate a key timeframe - all enhanced by predictive targeting and closed-loop measurement using first-party retail data. Together, we're delivering the right message, at the right time, in the right context," he said. Scope, sectors. Both companies operate across grocery, mass, convenience, quick-service restaurants, liquor, hospitality, fashion, specialty retail and department stores. QSIC reaches more than 350 million in-store shoppers monthly through its audio platform. Barrows operates globally through its ConnectOS platform, which allows retailers and brands to activate, manage and measure campaigns in real time with locally relevant digital content. The Shelby Report delivers complete grocery news and supermarket insights nationwide through the distribution of five monthly regional print and digital editions. Serving the retail food trade since 1967,... More by Shelby Team Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *