A dollar store is basically a discount store in the USA where one can get a wide range of goods including food and soft drinks, household items, office supplies, toys, old books, small electronic items at unbelievable low prices.
Many of these products have private labels on them. However it is advised not to buy deodorants, USB chargers, toys, tools, batteries, knives and medicines from such stores. In the USA lots of such stores are there which are immensely popular. Most of the goods merchandised here are purported to be from China since they are much cheaper.
Best Dollar stores in the USA
10. Burlington –
Burlington started in 1924 and its first store was opened at New Jersey. Initially the dollar store was famous for its huge range of coats and jackets. Burlington claims that its offers are at least 60% lesser than other competitors at any of its 700 stores that are around. Burlington also has online buying for select categories of products having launched its e commerce site in 1999.
In 2016 the company re branded itself by putting forward the message that Burlington is much more than a coat factory. One can choose from a whole assortment of home decor, furnishing, clothes and apparel, shoes, clothing and items required for babies too
9. Hobby Lobby-
Started in 1972 with base at Oklahoma, initially the store was known as Hobby Lobby Creative Centres, and now mainly sells art and craft items as well as items like picture framing , various types of cards, jewellery and floral items .
Apart from the USA Hobby Lobby have branches in Hong Kong and Mainland China. The stores numbering more than 900 are open on all weekdays and Saturdays. The combined staff strength is 43000 in 46 US states. The office area at Oklahoma is one million square feet for merchandise and distribution apart from the office complex.
Its affiliate organisation offers Bible and religious educational books apart from gifts meant for school children
8. Tractor Supply Company –
Established in 1938 at North Dakota, today Tractor Supply has about 1900 stores in 49 US States. The products it markets are classified into 5 main categories viz livestock products, agricultural products, gifts and toys, clothing and footwear and lastly tools and hardware.
It also sells welding and accessories, lawn mowers and power generators, heating elements and other such items. Tractor Supply has been into media advertisement consistently. Apart from 32000 active members nationally, the company has its own online selling portal also.
A small pet speciality company, Petsense is also owned by Tractor Supply having a separate e commerce site.
7. Ulta –
Formerly known as Ulta Salon Cosmetics and Fragrance Inc, Ulta beauty stores as it is popularly known , started off in 1990 from Illinois. Currently it has about 1200 stores in all the fifty states. The main items that it markets are men and women fragrance, cosmetics, skincare, nail care and hair care, beauty tools apart from baby products .
The company says that its ultimate aim is to ensure that all its stores be known as the beauty destinations of the USA. Today Ulta deals in at least 25000 items from 500 beauty brands offering personalised service to its customers.
No wonder Ulta today is the largest beauty retail chain in the USA.
6. Ross Stores –
Formed in 1982 at California, Ross Stores today has 88000 work force working with it. It was adjudged the biggest off price retailer of the USA around two years back. Today Ross operates around 1500 stores in 37 states and also in Guam.
The most significant items that Ross is selling and marketing consists of clothing, footwear, jewellery, beauty products, toys, bedding, furniture, , and house ware.
5. Five Below –
Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Pennsylvania the company is basically a discount stores chain that sells anything up to $5 and also markets a combination of various products from $6 to $ 10.
At the moment Five Below has a workforce of over 12000 and markets its products from 900 stores in 36 states of the USA. The number of associates that Five Below has is around 90000. The main target audiences that Five Below focuses on are the young adult crowd and the teenagers.
The items that Five Below markets are school books, both office and school stationeries, smart phones, fashion accessories games and sports items.
4. Aldi –
A German multinational discount chain, Aldi as many competitors say is redefining the concept of dollar stores in the USA. Customers who go to Aldi will have to pay an amount to rent a shopping cart .Also the paper carry bags come with a fee.
These two are not prevalent in other dollar stores. Right now Aldi has 1800 stores in 35 states of the country and it is expected to come out of its image of dollar store to a full fledged supermarket chain by end 2022. It plans to open 2500 stores by that time.
The main focus of Aldi has been the marketing of groceries items.
3. Family Dollar –
Established in 1959 at North Carolina, Family Dollar has around 8000 stores except Alaska, Hawaii, Washington and Oregon. Currently it is owned by the second most important dollar store – Dollar Tree.
The vast array of items that Family tree is marketing consists of Personal items, foods and beverages, beauty, health and wellness electronics, office stationeries, room and kitchen cleaning items and various items for toddlers. There are numerous consumer schemes available at all times and various coupons etc are issued.
2. Dollar Tree –
The Virginia based company founded in 1986 earlier known as Only $1.00 operates both in the USA as well as in Canada, The main USP of this chain is that its items are sold for $1 or less. With a massive strength of more than 15000 stores in almost 49 US states, Dollar Tree is a Fortune 500 company.
Dollar Tree has its own distribution network throughout the USA and has eleven distribution hubs. The main items that Dollar Tree is marketing consists of frozen foods, foods and beverages, household decor, dinnerware, glassware, household cleaning items, toys , gifts rather everything under the sun.
1. Dollar General –
The Tennessee based discount chain or dollar store company, was founded in 1939 as J L Turner and Sons rechristened itself as Dollar General Stores in 1968. J L Turner was a family owned business.
Currently it has more than 15500 chain stores in almost the entire USA. Dollar General is the largest dollar store or discount chain and has a mammoth like presence in the semi urban and rural parts of the USA.
Apart from selling almost all types of household items, Dollar General has its own label called DG which it vigorously markets and promotes. DG is also the company’s ticker symbol in stock exchange. It also sponsors car racing and bowling competitions.
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