Which companies are considered dollar store stocks?

Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Five Below are generally considered to be the Big Three of dollar stores that are publicly traded.

How do dollar stores generate revenue?

The biggest factor in driving revenue for dollar stores is the sale of low-priced items in high volumes. They also bring in more revenue by stocking private label products that provide high margins and consumables such as food, beverage, and hygiene items that generate return business.

Are dollar store stocks suitable for long-term or short-term investing?

Dollar store stocks are best utilized as a defense against an economic downturn. While there may be some value-oriented opportunities, dollar stores generally profit from a weak economy.

Are dollar stores resilient during economic downturns?

Like most consumer staples stocks, dollar stores do quite well when times are tough.

What is the most successful dollar store?

In terms of size, Dollar General dominates the market, with more than 20,000 locations and an especially strong presence in rural markets.

Are dollar store stocks a good investment?

Dollar store stocks can be a very good investment, especially during relatively mild economic downturns. Investors should be prepared for some volatility, though, since consumers can curb spending during recessions and spend money on higher-priced goods during recoveries.

Best Dollar Store Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

By Frank Bass – Updated Apr 3, 2026 at 1:36 PM EST | Fact-checked by Parker Hicks

Key Points

Three top dollar store stocks are Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Five Below.
The dollar-store industry has historically shown steady growth and good margins, with some weakness during high-inflation periods.
Five Below is the smallest and youngest of the three dollar store stocks, but has shown more consistent business performance.

Dollar stores carry a range of cheap household products and random merchandise that fit even the tightest family budgets. While inflation has pressured the “everything costs $1 or less” niche, the concept of everyday staples at bargain prices endures nonetheless.

Let's explore the three big dollar store stocks so you can decide if one fits within your investment portfolio.

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The exterior of a Dollar General store — Source: Dollar General

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Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Market cap	Current price	Dividend yield
Dollar General (NYSE:DG)	$27.1 billion	$118.35	2.40%
Dollar Tree (NASDAQ:DLTR)	$20.8 billion	$101.39	0.00%
Five Below (NASDAQ:FIVE)	$12.6 billion	$219.84	0.00%

Data as of Apr 9, 2026. Showing 3 of 3 tickers.

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1. Dollar General

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NYSE: DG

Dollar General

Today's Change

(-3.82%) $-4.70

Current Price

$118.35

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$27B

Day's Range

$118.02 - $121.58

52wk Range

$85.60 - $158.23

Volume

57K

Avg Vol

3.2M

Gross Margin

28.21%

Dividend Yield

2.40%

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2. Dollar Tree

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NASDAQ: DLTR

Dollar Tree

Today's Change

(-4.00%) $-4.23

Current Price

$101.39

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$21B

Day's Range

$100.58 - $103.93

52wk Range

$68.92 - $142.40

Volume

61K

Avg Vol

3.1M

Gross Margin

36.40%

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Dollar Tree is Dollar General's closest competitor by store footprint and annual sales. Dollar Tree acquired Family Dollar in 2015 and 170 stores from the 99 Cents Only chain in 2024. Today, Dollar Tree operates more than 16,500 stores in the contiguous United States and Canada. It generated about $19.4 billion in revenue during 2025 fiscal year, which ended Jan. 31, 2026.

Financial performance

Like Dollar General, Dollar Tree has posted strong long-term sales growth. Same-store sales rose 5.3% in 2025, and the company noted that an increasing number of its customers made $100,000 or more. Of the 3 million new households shopping at its store, the company estimated that 60% earned at least six figures.

Stock price performance

Like Dollar General, Dollar Tree stock has been on a bumpy ride lately amid weak consumer spending, stiff competition from big-box stores, and lowered analyst expectations. After falling into the mid-$60s in late 2024, share prices had rebounded to roughly $140 by early 2026, then plunged to around $110 at the end of the first quarter.

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3. Five Below

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NASDAQ: FIVE

Five Below

Today's Change

(-3.66%) $-8.35

Current Price

$219.84

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$13B

Day's Range

$217.37 - $227.71

52wk Range

$55.36 - $238.40

Volume

425K

Avg Vol

1.1M

Gross Margin

31.96%

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Five Below opened its first store in 2002, which makes it a relative newcomer in the retail industry. The company targets young shoppers with an assortment of toys, party supplies, and other household basics -- many priced below $5.

Five Below trails its peers in store footprint and sales. The company has about 1,900 stores in the U.S. and reported net sales of $4.76 billion in 2025.

Financial performance

Five Below has largely been a growth story since its 2012 initial public offering. Between fiscal years 2015 and 2019, the company delivered annual sales growth of 20% or more. By fiscal year 2024, the rate had leveled off somewhat to about 15% before rebounding to 22.9% in 2025.

The company has the best operating margins of the three dollar stores, delivering more than 10% on this metric in most years. Its trailing 12-month operating margin stood at roughly 9% at the end of the first quarter of 2026.

Stock price performance

Five Below stock dove in mid-2023, dropping from more than $200 for a share to the mid-$60s in early 2025. The stock then soared, topping $230 per share by the end of the first quarter, following strong Q4 2025 results.

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Dollar store stock FAQ

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About the Author

Frank Bass is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst and editor covering energy, healthcare, consumer, and financial sectors. Frank has decades of experience in financial journalism, holding reporting and editing roles at The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press, and Bloomberg. He also currently edits research on the global energy transition. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas Tech University and is a graduate student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Fun Facts: Frank has hiked The Long Trail in Vermont from end to end, and currently lives in a semi-dry cabin in Interior Alaska.

TMFEditFool

Frank Bass has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Five Below. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Best Dollar Store Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest