Concentrated dye compositions (P) which are solutions of y % by weight of at least one anionic dye (A) in a solution of x % by weight of benzyl alcohol (B) in water, and z % by weight of at least one formulation additive (F),in whichx is a number in the range from 0.5 to 4,y is a number in the range from 5 to 35andz is a number in the range from 0 to 2,and are essentially free from alcohols other than (B) and from solvents or solubilizers other than water and (B)are distinguished by their surprisingly good stability and can be used for any desired dyeing methods for which the respective dyes (A) themselves can be employed, be it for the dyeing of fibre material or be it, in particular, for the coloring of non-fibrous substrates.