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  4. We shopped at Dollar Tree and Dollar General, the two largest dollar store chains in the US, and were shocked by how different the shopping experience is

We shopped at Dollar Tree and Dollar General, the two largest dollar store chains in the US, and were shocked by how different the shopping experience is

We shopped at Dollar Tree and Dollar General, the two largest dollar store chains in the US, and were shocked by how different the shopping experience is
How does Dollar General stack up against its competitor, Dollar Tree?Courtesy of Dollar General
  • Dollar Tree and Dollar General are the two largest dollar store chains in the US.
  • While they serve a similar customer base, there are key differences in their shopping experience.

We visited a Dollar General and Dollar Tree store in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, a little over a mile from each other. Our first stop was at Dollar General.

We visited a Dollar General and Dollar Tree store in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, a little over a mile from each other. Our first stop was at Dollar General.
Insider/Brittany Chang

There were signs on the door informing customers that the store accepts food stamps. These two chains count on low-income shoppers, and welfare checks typically drive sales.

There were signs on the door informing customers that the store accepts food stamps. These two chains count on low-income shoppers, and welfare checks typically drive sales.
Insider/Brittany Chang

The first thing we noticed is that most items cost well over $1.

The first thing we noticed is that most items cost well over $1.
Insider/Brittany Chang

Though there are some sections with $1 deals, most offers are $3 and over ...

Though there are some sections with $1 deals, most offers are $3 and over ...
Insider/Brittany Chang

... with a $10 price cap.

... with a $10 price cap.
Insider/Brittany Chang

There was a ton of bundle deals to get customers to spend more.

There was a ton of bundle deals to get customers to spend more.
Insider/Brittany Chang

And there was a mix of private label and national brands.

And there was a mix of private label and national brands.
Insider/Brittany Chang

Some cleaning products were stored behind perspex panels for kids' safety.

Some cleaning products were stored behind perspex panels for kids
Insider/Brittany Chang

Despite the limited number of staff working at the store, we were impressed with how well it was kept.

Despite the limited number of staff working at the store, we were impressed with how well it was kept.
Insider/Brittany Chang

Even in the typically messy kids section, toys were neatly arranged.

Even in the typically messy kids section, toys were neatly arranged.
Insider/Brittany Chang

And the self-serve area looked almost untouched.

And the self-serve area looked almost untouched.
Insider/Brittany Chang

Dollar General has been strongly criticized in the past for the lack of fresh produce sold in its stores. Critics say these stores often open up in rural areas, forcing out other grocery stores, and creating food deserts.

Dollar General has been strongly criticized in the past for the lack of fresh produce sold in its stores. Critics say these stores often open up in rural areas, forcing out other grocery stores, and creating food deserts.
Insider/Brittany Chang

Source: Slate

This store only had a selection of processed and frozen foods.

This store only had a selection of processed and frozen foods.
Insider/Brittany Chang

One of the reasons Dollar General can keep its prices low is because it sells items in smaller quantities. It can mean shoppers pay more on a per-ounce or per-item basis.

One of the reasons Dollar General can keep its prices low is because it sells items in smaller quantities. It can mean shoppers pay more on a per-ounce or per-item basis.
Insider/Brittany Chang

Despite this, we saw some options for buying in bulk.

Despite this, we saw some options for buying in bulk.
Insider/Brittany Chang

There were several gaps on shelves in the store.

There were several gaps on shelves in the store.
Insider/Brittany Chang

Spaces on shelves have become common across the retail sector due to supply chain constraints.

Spaces on shelves have become common across the retail sector due to supply chain constraints.
Insider/Brittany Chang

Overall, the store was well presented and seemed like the ideal place for a midweek shop or somewhere to pick up cheap household essentials and personal care products.

Overall, the store was well presented and seemed like the ideal place for a midweek shop or somewhere to pick up cheap household essentials and personal care products.
Insider/Brittany Chang

Next, we headed to Dollar Tree. The company — Dollar General's leading competitor in the US — also owns pricier sister chain Family Dollar and has over 15,500 stores in total.

Next, we headed to Dollar Tree. The company — Dollar General
Insider/Brittany Chang

At this chain, deep discounts are the name of the game.

At this chain, deep discounts are the name of the game.
Insider/Brittany Chang

Up until recently, Dollar Tree was the last remaining major dollar store chain to stick to its $1-and-under price point. In September, it raised prices to $1.25.

Up until recently, Dollar Tree was the last remaining major dollar store chain to stick to its $1-and-under price point. In September, it raised prices to $1.25.
Insider/Brittany Chang

Source: Insider

Despite this, we spotted a few $1 deals.

Despite this, we spotted a few $1 deals.
Insider/Brittany Chang

The tone of the store was instantly different — it felt tired and run-down.

The tone of the store was instantly different — it felt tired and run-down.
Insider/Brittany Chang

While employees seemed to be in the middle of restocking shelves, there was an overwhelming number of boxes piled up around the store.

While employees seemed to be in the middle of restocking shelves, there was an overwhelming number of boxes piled up around the store.
Insider/Brittany Chang

These boxes were blocking aisles ...

These boxes were blocking aisles ...
Insider/Brittany Chang

... and making it hard for customers to even reach some items.

... and making it hard for customers to even reach some items.
Insider/Brittany Chang

This felt unsafe.

This felt unsafe.
Insider/Brittany Chang

Though both chains are known for their bare-bones design and no-frills shopping experience, this particular location was extremely messy.

Though both chains are known for their bare-bones design and no-frills shopping experience, this particular location was extremely messy.
Insider/Brittany Chang

Packages of food had been opened and were spilling on to shelves.

Packages of food had been opened and were spilling on to shelves.
Insider/Brittany Chang

But customers didn't seem to mind. When we visited, there were around 20 people browsing the store.

But customers didn
Insider/Brittany Chang

Other aisles were in good order.

Other aisles were in good order.
Insider/Brittany Chang

The store changes its assortment constantly, which gives its shoppers a treasure-hunt kind of experience.

The store changes its assortment constantly, which gives its shoppers a treasure-hunt kind of experience.
Insider/Brittany Chang

It also stocks a lot of seasonal merchandise which, according to Moody's, accounts for nearly half of its revenue.

It also stocks a lot of seasonal merchandise which, according to Moody
Insider/Brittany Chang

Source: Moody's

Though it's mostly private label, you can find deals on national brands here too.

Though it
Insider/Brittany Chang

There was no fresh food at this store either but a ton of cheap frozen food ...

There was no fresh food at this store either but a ton of cheap frozen food ...
Insider/Brittany Chang

... and confectionery.

... and confectionery.
Insider/Brittany Chang

While there are certainly deals to be had at Dollar Tree, the shopping experience was far superior at Dollar General in terms of the quality of the products and the appearance of the store.

While there are certainly deals to be had at Dollar Tree, the shopping experience was far superior at Dollar General in terms of the quality of the products and the appearance of the store.
Insider/Brittany Chang

However, if it's rock bottom discounts you're after, Dollar Tree doesn't disappoint.

However, if it
Insider/Brittany Chang

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