Dollar Tree vs. Dollar General vs. Family Dollar: Which Store Saves You More?
Find out which dollar store chain is the best choice for your budget shopping and learn more about pricing and organization!
Years ago, shopping at a dollar store meant spending at most $1 on any item, with some products going for even lower. But thanks to inflation, prices at these still heavily discounted stores have increased. Meanwhile, smaller dollar stores are increasingly being replaced by dollar store chains like Dollar Tree, Dollar General and Family Dollar.
With these chain stores taking over, it can tough to know which one has the best merchandise for your needs and gives you the best deal. Find out what each chain has to offer as we compare Dollar Tree, Dollar General and Family Dollar!
Dollar Tree: Get crafty for cheap
Dollar Tree has become more popular over the last few years, but the store actually opened in 1953 and was rebranded as Dollar Tree in 1994. Traditionally, items at Dollar Tree were sold for a dollar, but the base price at the store is now $1.25, with a few items being sold for as much as $7. The change was made due to inflation but also to attract more customers, including shoppers with a higher income.
While Dollar Tree has a lot of good offers, some of the best items to purchase at this chain include craft supplies, pantry staples (snacks, spices, etc.) and kitchen supplies. Dollar Tree’s seasonal content is also worth the buy, from expensive-looking decor to decorative dish ware.
Dollar General: Great for groceries
Dollar General has been a go-to choice for customers for 86 years. Prices at Dollar General are slightly higher than at other dollar store chains, with items ranging from $1 to as much as $15 (some personal-care items and storage). The chain even sells low-priced electronics, though those can sell for up to $60. While the selection of items at all of the dollar store chains are similar, some products are better to purchase at Dollar General.
This chain has a good selection of paper products, nonperishable pantry items and snacks, as well as seasonal decor and party supplies. Dollar General is also known for having a wider variety of groceries than other dollar chains, even offering limited fresh produce in some stores. Products offered here range from frozen foods to name-brand options like Kraft cheese slices and JIF peanut butter.
One downside about Dollar General stores in the past has been the issue of stores being extremely overrun with merchandise, so much so that some locations have had to close for fire safety reasons. However, the stores have put initiatives in place to keep their stores clean and organized in the past few years.
Family Dollar: Perfect for personal care
Family Dollar has been around for over 65 years. Considering Family Dollar stores were owned by Dollar Tree for about 10 years until earlier this year, the stores are fairly similar when it comes to price and store cleanliness. Prices at Family Dollar range from about $1 to $10, with most items hitting the $3 to $5 mark. But what products are best to purchase at Family Dollar?
Shoppers like the selection of personal-care essentials—with some name-brand options like CeraVe, Dove and Neutrogena—pantry items and cleaning products.
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