I went holiday shopping at Five Below with a $50 budget and now understand why the store is expanding rapidly

Gabbi ShawJan 15, 2024, 11:44 IST

Five Below.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider<ul class="summary-list"><li>Five Below is a discount specialty chain that has 1,400 locations across the US.</li><li>I decided to visit the closest one to my home in New York City.</li></ul>Five Below was founded in 2002 in Wayne, Pennsylvania, as a kids' store, but it has since expanded to offer hundreds of different items.And <a target="_blank" rel href="https://www.businessinsider.com/five-below-visit-features-more-find-at-dollar-stores-2023-7">it has expanded rapidly</a>. By 2008, there were 100 stores. In 2016, sales reached $1 billion, according to the brand's website.In 2022, the chain opened its 1,200th store, and in early 2023, it announced plans to open 200 more stores this year for a total of 1,540 stores in the US.I decided to see what the hype was all about and pay my local <a target="_blank" rel href="https://www.businessinsider.com/five-below-photo-tour-shows-how-fitness-and-beauty-merchandise-made-it-successful-2021-8">Five Below</a> a visit during the holiday season. While there, I was interested to see what I could get with a $50 budget for holiday gifts.Here's how my Five Below shopping spree went.

Five Below is a chain of specialty discount stores founded in 2002. The name refers to the merchandise, which is mostly $5 and below, with some exceptions.

John Greim/Getty Images

I've been to a couple of Five Below locations but never one in New York City. Earlier this month, I visited the Fifth Avenue store to do some holiday shopping with a $50 budget.

The Five Below I visited in New York City.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

I've been to a couple of Five Below locations but never one in New York City. Earlier this month, I visited the Fifth Avenue store to do some holiday shopping with a $50 budget.

While the store seemed small from the outside, inside I realized it was actually two floors, with most of the inventory downstairs.

The escalator down to the main floor.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

At the bottom of the escalator, I found a selection of wheeled baskets and a mural telling me to "let go and have fun." So, I did.

The floor was telling me to relax.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider.

The first thing I was struck by was how bright the store was, even though we were underground. It didn't feel claustrophobic at all.

One corner of Five Below.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Close to the bottom of the escalator was the Five Beyond section — that is, items that cost more than $5.

Five Beyond.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Nearby, I also spotted a display filled with New York-themed items, like these water bottles.

NYC water bottles.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

The first thing I tossed in my cart was a $3 hot-chocolate bomb, which seemed like a perfect stocking stuffer for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Hot chocolate bombs.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

A mug with my mom's initial on it made a perfect complementary gift.

A "H" mug.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

I continued exploring. This display of Squishamllow-esque pillows caught my eye.

Pillows.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Books can be expensive, but not at Five Below.

The book selection at Five Below.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Anyone who wants a Stanley cup or a Hydro Flask without wanting to spend upwards of $30 should check out their local Five Below.

Water bottles at Five Below.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

I was also surprised by the selection of weights and other workout necessities.

The exercise section.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Nor could I believe there were full-sized posters priced at $5.25.

A "Super Mario Bros." poster at Five Below.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Then I came upon the candy section, aptly named Sugar Rush. It was enough to rival any candy store.

Sugar Rush.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There was a relatively small Christmas decoration section, but even less representation for Hanukkah or Kwanzaa.

The holiday section of Five Below.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

But far and away, tech accessories were the most popular items in the store.

Tech stocking stuffers.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

There was a giant display of different types of speakers and a few phone stands.

More gadgets.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

With a full cart, I headed to check out and discovered I was $4 under budget, even after purchasing a tote for 35 cents and making a $1 donation.

The reusable tote.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

I purchased nine items — as well as the bag and donation — for holiday gifts for $42.40. Tax was $3.76 for a total of $46.16.

My Five Below haul.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Am I expecting these items to last forever? No. But they will make perfect little gifts to complement bigger ones.

The disco ball is already proudly hanging in my living room.Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

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I went holiday shopping at Five Below with a $50 budget and now understand why the store is expanding rapidly

Five Below is a chain of specialty discount stores founded in 2002. The name refers to the merchandise, which is mostly $5 and below, with some exceptions.

I've been to a couple of Five Below locations but never one in New York City. Earlier this month, I visited the Fifth Avenue store to do some holiday shopping with a $50 budget.

While the store seemed small from the outside, inside I realized it was actually two floors, with most of the inventory downstairs.

At the bottom of the escalator, I found a selection of wheeled baskets and a mural telling me to "let go and have fun." So, I did.

The first thing I was struck by was how bright the store was, even though we were underground. It didn't feel claustrophobic at all.

Close to the bottom of the escalator was the Five Beyond section — that is, items that cost more than $5.

Nearby, I also spotted a display filled with New York-themed items, like these water bottles.

The first thing I tossed in my cart was a $3 hot-chocolate bomb, which seemed like a perfect stocking stuffer for anyone with a sweet tooth.

A mug with my mom's initial on it made a perfect complementary gift.

I continued exploring. This display of Squishamllow-esque pillows caught my eye.

Books can be expensive, but not at Five Below.

Anyone who wants a Stanley cup or a Hydro Flask without wanting to spend upwards of $30 should check out their local Five Below.

I was also surprised by the selection of weights and other workout necessities.

Nor could I believe there were full-sized posters priced at $5.25.

Then I came upon the candy section, aptly named Sugar Rush. It was enough to rival any candy store.

There was a relatively small Christmas decoration section, but even less representation for Hanukkah or Kwanzaa.

But far and away, tech accessories were the most popular items in the store.

There was a giant display of different types of speakers and a few phone stands.

With a full cart, I headed to check out and discovered I was $4 under budget, even after purchasing a tote for 35 cents and making a $1 donation.

I purchased nine items — as well as the bag and donation — for holiday gifts for $42.40. Tax was $3.76 for a total of $46.16.

Am I expecting these items to last forever? No. But they will make perfect little gifts to complement bigger ones.