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Dollar stores have been growing like crazy over the past few years.
From 2010 to 2015, dollar-store sales grew from $30.4 billion to $45.3 billion in the United States. Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar have all announced plans to open hundreds of stores this year.
Dollar General currently has around 15,000 locations . This year, it is on track to open 900 stores at a rate of about three stores a day, with plans to open a further 975 stores in 2019. In the third quarter of 2018, Dollar General reported same-store sales were up 2.8%.
While not a traditional dollar store in that its products are priced up to $5, Five Below announced its own plans to grow earlier this year. Five Below reported comparable sales grew by 4.8% in the third quarter, and it opened 53 new stores, bringing its total count to 745.
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One of the stores that opened was a flagship location on New York's Fifth Avenue , one of the most expensive shopping destinations in the US.
We compared what it's like to shop at the two rapidly growing dollar stores and found that one offered a far better experience. Here's the verdict:
The Dollar General we visited was in Queens, New York.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
In the front of the store was a table with seasonal summer products that were 40% off.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
Also near the front of the store was a small shelf with phone chargers that cost between $5 and 15.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
The aisles nearest to the entrance were filled with chips and candy anywhere from $1 to $5.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
It also carried sodas and energy drinks ...
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
... spices, condiments, pasta, cereal, and other basic food products. There was a decent variety of different brands and sizes, including its own private-label Clover Valley brand.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
There was a small aisle with drugstore makeup brands like Maybelline and Covergirl, ranging anywhere from $3 to $10 for most products. There were a ton of products crammed into the small space.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
There was a small shelf of $3 books in the back corner of the store, but there wasnt a ton to choose from.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
There were a few aisles of home decor and seasonal Halloween and Christmas products, most of which cost $3 or less, but it was pretty messy. There were a lot of empty shelves towards the back of the store.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
It also had a small selection of toys ...
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
... lots of cleaning supplies, storage bins, and other home products ...
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
... and pet food and toys.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
Even though most things in the store were pretty inexpensive as is, there was an entire aisle of products that cost exactly $1.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
The store also had a clearance section, though it was a bit of a mess.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
By the register were magazines, candy, gum, and other small products. The store had a pretty big variety of products, and even though it was a bit disorganized, youd definitely be able to find most things you need for under $15.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
The Five Below we went to was also in Queens.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
Even though everything in the store already cost $5 or less, many products were 50% off.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
Near the front of the store were wheelbarrows filled with school supplies. Dollar General had some school supplies, but not nearly as many as Five Below.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
Five Below carried electronics like headphones and phone chargers, and everything cost under $5.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
Five Below didnt carry any food like Dollar General did, but the front of the store was like a small candy store. There was also a small cooler selling drinks like Red Bull and soda for under $5.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
There were a ton of cosmetics products from drugstore brands and smaller brands alike. There was a surprising amount of all-natural and cruelty-free brands, which are typically more expensive.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
There was a wall of $5 clothes and shoes, selling simple styles like black boots, plain tank tops, and pajamas that you might also find at a store like Target. The styles were all very basic, and the quality was better than youd expect on a $5 pair of shoes.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
The middle of the store had books for $5 or less, and it carried a much bigger selection than Dollar General.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
Five Below didnt have seasonal products out yet when we visited, but it did have a lot of home decor products for around the same price as Dollar General.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
There were toys and games ...
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
... fitness equipment ...
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
... and craft supplies. While it had a lot more toys, games, and arts and crafts supplies, it didnt have as many cleaning supplies or pet products as Dollar General.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
Even though Dollar General had more in terms of food and other necessities, the products that the stores did have in common were higher quality and less expensive at Five Below than Dollar General, and the store was also cleaner, brighter, and more pleasant to shop in, making it the clear winner.
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Business Insider/Jessica Tyler
See Also:
- TJ Maxx has thrived while other retailers struggle in an evolving shopping industry. We shopped there and saw why.
- Burger King is forcing customers to go to McDonald's for one-cent Whoppers. Here are 7 of the weirdest deals and ads in recent fast-food history.
- Kohl's is being hailed as a winner of the retail apocalypse while other department stores struggle. We shopped there and saw why.
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