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March 31, 2022

It’s Actually Not a Dollar…

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Written for: Communicado Magazine
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Did you know that all dollar stores don’t sell item exclusively for a dollar?

Like most consumers, it is natural to believe that a store with the word DOLLAR in its name means everything is a dollar. But it really means everything in the store is economical like a dollar…

Let me explain…

There are three primary stores leading the dollar industry – Dollar Tree, Dollar General and Family Dollar.

There is also another store called Five Below that offers items for under five dollars and really does offer everything for under five dollars.

Dollar Tree corporation: Owns and operates Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and in some parts of the country, Dollar Bills. Until recently, everything in Dollar Tree stores was a dollar. Our economy has forced the company to increase the standard price of everything in the store to $1.25…

Hmmm. That makes it One Dollar Twenty Five Store now right? Right…

Family Dollar however, has always sold items at various price points.

Dollar General is an independently owned company and the primary competition for Dollar Tree stores. Like Family Dollar, they have always operated as a store offering items that are economical to the dollar, not strictly at the price point of a dollar.

What you might not know is that these stores are wildly successful and extremely profitable. Both are Fortune 500 companies and are publicly traded with stock prices above $100 a share. To give you some context, the company that owns Saks Fifth Avenue trades for $16.05 a share… 🤭

What you also might not know is that the quality of their products isn’t cheap. Yes, some things are basically one-use disposable, but, much of what you will find there is at least average quality – name brands in some cases. The catch in some cases is that you might just get a smaller quantity.

The best bang for your buck-twenty-five? Basic essentials:
Tissues, sandwich bag, garbage bags, air freshener, dishwashing liquid, bar soap, hand soap
Best things I’ve walked away with:
Cake dome carrier, cupcake carrier, Greta crackers. Go get yours…

If you’re an investor, this is a good buy. If you’re a consumer, you can get good buys.

So the next time you’re on your way to Saks Fifth Avenue and pass a Dollar store, stop and take a look. ‘Cause if you’re on your way to Saks, you’re gonna need what the Dollars have to offer…