Dollar Tree Rolling Prices Back to $1

What happened

Dollar Tree branched away from its trademark $1 dollar pricing at the end of 2021, when it pushed prices of the vast majority of products up to $1.25. That's about to change again. According to Winsight, the company told its annual investor conference it plans to bring the cost of 300 or 400 products back to $1. It's also looking to roll out a mix of price points at $3, $4, and even $5.

So what

Increasing numbers of shoppers have turned to dollar stores to save money in the face of rising prices. On the face of it, Dollar Tree's moves could be good for Americans' bank accounts. But without knowing which items will be affected, it is hard to know how much it will benefit consumers.

Reverting to $1 for certain products could reduce costs. Selling more items at higher price points may let it broaden its selection while still retaining competitive prices. Particularly as the retailer is aggressively expanding its frozen and refrigerated food options, which can often be a good money-saving option.

Now what

Dollar stores can be a great way to reduce your grocery costs. The trick is to know which items offer the best value and be prepared to shop around -- dollar stores tend to stock a limited range of items.

Here are some tips to getting the most out of dollar stores:

• Don't assume dollar stores always cost less: Low prices make it easy to get carried away in a dollar store. Price comparisons can still be worthwhile, especially on branded products. The Krazy Coupon Lady says it found brand-name products at Walmart for 60% less than in Dollar Tree.
• Compare like with like: Dollar stores sometimes shrink the sizes of products to keep costs low. Don't be fooled by the sticker price alone -- look at the price per 100g or price per 100ml to get a realistic picture.
• Stack your discounts and rewards: Several cash back apps work with Dollar Tree and similar stores, as do certain coupons. If you have a rewards credit card, you can also use it to earn points. Stacking discounts and rewards can add up and save you money at checkout.
• Check the labels: Pay attention to sell-by dates on your dollar store purchases. One of the consequences of having fewer people on staff is that products that are past their expiration date might get left on the shelves.

Doing at least some of your shopping at stores like Dollar Tree may save you money. And bringing some of its products back to $1 could ease the pressure on your wallet -- as long as the package sizes don't shrink alongside the price tags.