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5 Up-And-Coming Discount Stores With Potential To Be Better Than Dollar Tree

Chances are you might have one in your neighborhood.

By Magdalena Becker

Edited by Esther Carlstone

Updated July 25, 2025

While we all love a quick run to our local Dollar Tree, sometimes we're itching to try someplace new. Thankfully, there are other options available to us with similarly affordable prices and quality products.

If you want to save money the next time you go shopping, you should visit one of these viral discount stores. Some you may have heard of, others you definitely haven't. While some of these chains may not be available in your area, don't panic, they may be coming soon near you.

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Daiso

With over 6,000 locations across the globe, Daiso, the Japanese-inspired variety store, is only getting more and more popular. They sell everything from trendy home decor, stationery, food, gardening tools, beach finds, and more, and it's all adorable. While you can browse their products online, you can only make purchases in-store in the U.S.

Most products, including lots of Hello Kitty and Friends-themed items, cost less than $5 — with many in the $1 to $2 range — and they even sell Asian food items like instant ramen and Japanese curries.

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pOpshelf

Owned by the same parent company as Dollar General, pOpshelf feels like their take on a Five Below: bright colors, trendy styled products, and prices ranging from $1 to $25.

Besides being stocked with every discount item you could need, from home decor and snacks to clothing and travel accessories, pOpshelf is known for its clean and organized stores.

With over 180 locations across 21 states, Popshelf is primarily located in the South, the Midwest, and on the East Coast.

Ollie's Bargain Outlet

While Ollie's Bargain Outlet has been an American discount staple since 1982, the affordable chain has yet to fall from popularity. Thanks to their savvy business model, Ollie's is able to offer low prices on bulk merchandise since they purchase directly from manufacturers. This means they tend to stock up on overruns, overstocks, and closeouts. As of February 2025, Ollie's has 559 locations in 30 states.

In March, Ollie's acquired 40 ex-Big Lots leases and is planning on opening 75 additional locations just this year.

Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals

September marks the start of a new season and a new shopping mindset. As summer winds down, it's the perfect time to take advantage of transitional savings and post-summer sales. Look for deals on:

Light layers and early fall fashion
Outdoor clearance items
Back-to-school essentials
For grocery savings, grab peak-season produce, like apples, squash, grapes, and sweet potatoes

As retailers begin to roll out fall promotions, September is the sweet spot for scoring deals on both end-of-summer clearances and early autumn items. Shop now to get the best of both seasons.

Five Below

Everyone knows about Five Below. Despite expanding their selection which has raised some item prices, the discount chain continues to offer most products for just $5. From seasonal decor to high-quality tech items, Five Below can be a one-stop shop for all things home, beauty, and gifts. The chain consistently goes viral for its trendy designs.

Most stores also offer their Five Beyond section, which holds higher-priced items up to $30.

There are over 1,800 stores in the U.S. across 45 states and 1,272 cities.

Miniso

Chinese retailer Miniso is taking the U.S. by storm one location at a time. Founded in 2013, the variety store specializes in household and consumer goods, which include anything from the cutest toys to aesthetic kitchen supplies.

Miniso has over 7,100 stores worldwide, including locations in the U.S. like California, New York, and Florida. While you may have to take a day trip to visit one of these coveted locations, the discounts will be so worth it.

Don't Miss: 9 ways to tackle high grocery costs you won't hear about from your grocery store

Quick tips: How to save on your grocery bill

Grocery shopping doesn't have to break the bank when you use the right strategies. Here are three quick tips for reducing food expenses:

Buy store brands instead of name brands whenever possible.
Always make sure to compare unit prices, not just sticker prices.
Join your store's loyalty program so you don’t miss out on member discounts.

Even though something like choosing coupons in your grocery store app can feel like an annoying task, the savings can really add up.

Bottom line

Prioritizing discount stores on your weekly errands is the best way to keep more cash in your wallet. If you want to try something different from your usual Dollar Tree, why not give one of these chains a try?

While some of them might not yet be available in your city or neighborhood, their ever-rising popularity means you might see them pop up soon.

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