We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (2024)

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Retail

Jessica Tyler

2018-12-06T16:31:00Z

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (1)

Dollar storesare having a moment.Dollar-store sales in the United States grewfrom $30.4 billion in 2010 to $45.3 billion in 2015.
Dollar Generalcurrently has about15,000 locations, with plans to open a further 975 stores in 2019. Comparable sales were up 2.8% at Dollar General in the third quarter.
While not a traditional dollar store in that its products are priced up to $5,Five Belowcurrently has 745 stores, 53 of which were opened in the most recent quarter. Five Below reported comparable sales grew by 4.8% in the third quarter of 2018.
We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below and found that Five Below offered a superior shopping experience.

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The Dollar General we visited was in Queens, New York.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (2)

In the front of the store was a table with seasonal summer products that were 40% off.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (3)

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Also near the front of the store was a small shelf with phone chargers that cost between $5 and 15.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (4)

The aisles nearest to the entrance were filled with chips and candy anywhere from $1 to $5.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (5)

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It also carried sodas and energy drinks ...

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (6)

... 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.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (7)

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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.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (8)

There was a small shelf of $3 books in the back corner of the store, but there wasn't a ton to choose from.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (9)

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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.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (10)

It also had a small selection of toys ...

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (11)

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... lots of cleaning supplies, storage bins, and other home products ...

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (12)

... and pet food and toys.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (13)

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Even though most things in the store were pretty inexpensive as is, there was an entire aisle of products that cost exactly $1.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (14)

The store also had a clearance section, though it was a bit of a mess.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (15)

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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, you'd definitely be able to find most things you need for under $15.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (16)

The Five Below we went to was also in Queens.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (17)

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Even though everything in the store already cost $5 or less, many products were 50% off.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (18)

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.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (19)

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Five Below carried electronics like headphones and phone chargers, and everything cost under $5.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (20)

Five Below didn't 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.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (21)

Advertisem*nt

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.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (22)

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 you'd expect on a $5 pair of shoes.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (23)

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The middle of the store had books for $5 or less, and it carried a much bigger selection than Dollar General.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (24)

Five Below didn't 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.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (25)

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There were toys and games ...

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (26)

... fitness equipment ...

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (27)

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... and craft supplies. While it had a lot more toys, games, and arts and crafts supplies, it didn't have as many cleaning supplies or pet products as Dollar General.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (28)

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.

We shopped at Dollar General and Five Below to see which rapidly growing discount store offered a better experience, and the winner was clear (2024)

The Dollar General we visited was in Queens, New York.

In the front of the store was a table with seasonal summer products that were 40% off.

Also near the front of the store was a small shelf with phone chargers that cost between $5 and 15.

The aisles nearest to the entrance were filled with chips and candy anywhere from $1 to $5.

It also carried sodas and energy drinks ...

... 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.

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.

There was a small shelf of $3 books in the back corner of the store, but there wasn't a ton to choose from.

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.

It also had a small selection of toys ...

... lots of cleaning supplies, storage bins, and other home products ...

... and pet food and toys.

Even though most things in the store were pretty inexpensive as is, there was an entire aisle of products that cost exactly $1.

The store also had a clearance section, though it was a bit of a mess.

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, you'd definitely be able to find most things you need for under $15.

The Five Below we went to was also in Queens.

Even though everything in the store already cost $5 or less, many products were 50% off.

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.

Five Below carried electronics like headphones and phone chargers, and everything cost under $5.

Five Below didn't 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.

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.

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 you'd expect on a $5 pair of shoes.

The middle of the store had books for $5 or less, and it carried a much bigger selection than Dollar General.

Five Below didn't 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.

There were toys and games ...

... fitness equipment ...

... and craft supplies. While it had a lot more toys, games, and arts and crafts supplies, it didn't have as many cleaning supplies or pet products as Dollar General.

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.

References