Dollar General says some customers can no longer afford basic necessities

Dollar General has a particularly clear view into the pocketbooks of low-income Americans, given those shoppers are the discount retailer's core customer base. And some are so financially pinched they can no longer afford basic necessities, the chain relayed on Thursday.

Years of escalating prices is squeezing those on the lower rungs of the income ladder, and Dollar General is not expecting much improvement this year, "particular for our core customer," according to CEO Todd Vasos.

The warning comes amid mounting concerns that the U.S. economy is slowing down, with businesses and investors pointing to uncertainty stemming from the Trump administration's disputes with trading partners.