Did you hear about the possibility of Dollar Tree raising prices yet again?! I really hope this doesn’t end up affecting how much I love Dollar Tree!!
{Be sure to check out my lists of 25 Things to Buy at Dollar Tree and 5 Things You Should NOT Buy at Dollar Tree!}
Dollar Tree Raising Base Prices to $1.50?!
It looks like Dollar Tree is once again raising base prices on their merchandise. We saw the jump from $1 to $1.25 back in 2019, and now it looks like they’re planning to go up from $1.25 to $1.50.
The price increase in 2019 was a test to see how consumers responded to it, and I was really hopeful they would go back to their $1 base price model…but it looks like that won’t be happening. What a bummer!
Have you noticed this latest price increase at your local store yet?
Dollar Tree’s Multi-Price Model
Another change we saw in 2019 was the “multi-price” model. Rather than everything in-stores being $1, they changed it to have a variety of items at multiple price levels up to $5. And during 2024, we’ll see the max price go up, as well — from $5 to $7.
During 2024, over 3,000 Dollar Tree stores will roll out the new multi-price assortment model of everything in stores being priced between $1.50 to $7.
This move is being made in order to add new products to their shelves. Expect to see a variety of new products in stores like food, snacks, pet care, frozen and refrigerated items, plus more.
Are you seeing any $7 items at your stores yet? I’d be curious to know.
Some Good News About Dollar Tree Raising Prices
The good news is that, according to Dollar Tree’s CEO, the vast majority of the items sold in Dollar Tree stores will remain at the entry-level $1.50 fixed price point.
As you all know, I have long loved Dollar Tree and I’m sad to see they keep raising prices. But hopefully we can still enjoy a lot of their lower-priced $1.50 items for years to come!
I do wonder if I’ll eventually have to update my list of what NOT to buy at Dollar Tree, but we’ll see!
Related Links:
- My 25 Favorite Things to Buy at Dollar Tree
- 5 Things You Should NOT Buy at Dollar Tree
- 21 Valentine’s Day Deals at Dollar Tree
- 23 Stocking Stuffer Ideas from Dollar Tree
Missash0816 says
Logically I know that Dollar Tree couldn’t keep their prices at $1 forever. But I work down the street from their headquarters and it really irritates me that they raised their prices right after they built a huge new office building for themselves and invested millions into developing several blocks of commercial and residential real estate next to it 😕
Ron PW says
According to what is pictured as your favourite things to buy at the Dollar Store being aluminum foil and wax paper, I wish they had better quality wax(ed) paper. I also wished that they/we go back to using real tin foil as was many decades ago.
Shame on the leadership of The Dollar Tree executives continuing that misleading name, just as did the Everything is 99c Stores did. We’re not stupid, but most people will only complain to each other and the cashier about their near to price gouging price structures, and gouging in some cases.
My opinion since you asked for it.
By the way, I’ve followed this Money Saving Mom since not very long after she started this project. Oh the good ‘ol days regarding for this project when you could chat back to her, the children growing up, and the farm & gardening. Still a blessing for her sharing, and greatly more followings. I hope you never sellout this project to big corporate globalists or else it will never have that true hearted personal touch anymore. If you ever retire, I think retire this, too unless your kids will vow to keep it as you’re doing or end it like the end of a TV show does.
Crystal Paine says
I read all the comments here and you can always chat back with me! I’ve never had a farm or garden since I’ve been posting here, so I think you may be thinking of another site. Thank you so much for being such a longtime follower!
Leigh Stone says
The lie of 2% inflation gets all the “Pinochos” I can muster! From a $1 to $1.25 is not 2% inflation. Not only are we being ripped off by price, but by the amount of product as well. Accepting the price increases at Dollar Tree was hard enough to swallow but finding product amounts smaller has made me do a drive by on Dollar Tree. Money is hard to come by and our family has decided that seasonal items and unnecessary merchandise is not how we will spend our $1.25-$7 Dollar Tree needs to change its name to Dollar Pit.
R says
Here in Canada, we have a dollar store called Dollarama. They have multiple prices there and they keep raising how high the highest price is too. I’ve also noticed the quality keeps going down. For example, I have some kitchen utensils I bought there probably when my 19 year old was 2 or so and they are still going strong. More recently I’ve bought other utensils and they break within months.
Nicole says
It’s sad because Dollar Tree used to mean you count on everything being just $1. Now it seems they are getting closer to becoming just like every other Family Dollar or Dollar General where they advertise lower prices and bargain deals but that’s not the case where every item is this set price, all the time, guaranteed. Change isn’t always for the good. 🙁
Nat says
If they raise the prices again I won’t be shopping there anymore. You can get cheap stuff at Walmart and sometimes kids toys/crafts at Target. I do like buying card at Dollar Store.
Melissa says
One principle that gets lost when shopping at a dollar store even when items were just a dollar, is shopping by weight or cost per ounce. Most dollar stores have food items packaged just for them in smaller packages and in many cases, people were paying more per ounce than they would be paying for the same item in a grocery store or Walmart.
Kelly says
Totally agree with this; it’s important to know your price per ounce/use/serving on some things before buying at Dollar Tree.
I’d also agree with those discussing a decline in the quality of merchandise. I’ve generally stopped going because things break so easily (or at least it seems to me.)
Brandy says
I don’t know about the $1.50 but my Dollar Trees have started mixing more expensive items in. Other than the more expensive freezers, they’ve had those for quite some time now. Their generic smaller than normal (I think) cereal went up to $1.75 at one store I was in but I was able to get the huge family size box of actual Reese’s minis cereal for $1.25.
I don’t don’t like that they’re trying to turn into a Dollar General or Family Dollar.
Lesley says
The Dollar Tree I most often shop at is closing ( in a suburb of San Antonio). I was there earlier this week and the store was over half empty. I’m not sure how many locations are going to close.
Gloria says
I was very disappointed when they raised their prices from a dollar to a $1.25. I rarely go there now because you can get the items cheaper at Walmart. Dollar Tree is making so much money and they pay their employees minimum wage. They should be ashamed of themselves. They are such hard working people that work there.
Anne M says
The challenge is always to have low prices but good enough quality to get the job done. For me, Dollar Tree has the benefit of being a short drive away, saving gas money. I can even walk if the weather is nice.
Jen says
Our Dollat tree is a mess… probably due to lack of staff. So disorganized. At least 25 percent of the store is in the wrong place. I imagine they plan on people missing an item is higher priced.
I would rather have everything $1.25 or I’d go to Walmart. I generally think Walmart has become cheaper in comparison with a few exceptions like cards.
Christine M says
Our store is now a Dollar Tree “Plus”. Normally, we can grab full-sized boxes of named brand cereal there for $1. We went on Wednesday, and the price is $4! It sucks because we are so used to grabbing what we need without thinking about the price. Now we have to be careful about what we buy and make sure there is not a price listed. They are only listing prices on what costs more than $1. The things that are priced higher can be found cheaper at the Commissary, HEB, or Walmart.
Crystal Paine says
That’s good to know that they clearly list the prices on the more expensive stuff. I was wondering about that.
Rachel says
Yep, I no longer enjoy shopping at 99 cent store, either. I so hope Dollar Tree doesn’t actually make the same change! 🙁
Liz says
If the tariffs with China go up, the prices will most likely go up at most retailers. I work at a retailers corporate office and see the affect of the tariffs first-hand. Overseas vendors are increasing their costs to retailers to cover the tariffs. If retailers don’t increase prices, they will lose profits and have to lay people off/close stores.
Merry says
Stopped going to .99 stores when they did this. Some items priced as high as $7.99. Wal-Mart already has some products at competitive prices
Denise says
My local Dollar Tree just started selling items for more than $1. They are clearly marked on end caps or special sections, for now anyway. They range from $3 to $7 at this point and are mostly larger packages of paper products, cleaning products, and electronics. The guy I talked to about it assured me that they are not carrying fewer $1 items, but time will tell. He also said he thinks it makes shopping there more convenient if you can buy additional products. I personally would rather they stick to selling only $1 items!
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much for sharing this! This makes me feel better to hear this!
Tamboliya says
I am very distraught about this b/c I depend on these prices being $1 just to SURVIVE! Our 99 Cent Only store went WAY up in price points & I was so upset about it! I do not shop there anymore. I always hated so many “surprises” at the check register when I thought items were 99 cents only to find them to be $4! Their items were mixed throughout w/o labeling the diff. price so you never knew what the cost of each item was! It’s really horrible when you have line waiting behind you and you have to keep saying to the cashier to delete that item from the register b/c you did not know the price was higher b/c they would sneak it up on me which wound up being shocking, discouraging and embarassing! 🙁
Lori says
Tamboliya, I totally get what you are saying. I work at Dollar Tree, none of the current items prices went up. All the items are new items sold at the same or less than your local grocery store or Walmart. Every item is in its own section with signage and a price marked on the box. I can’t say someone might not desert an item but if you choose the item from its shelf it will clearly tell you the price. If it helps you avoid making another stop, I think that has value.
Rosanna says
I live in Canada and we have a store called Dollarama. When they first came, everything was a dollar but over the years things increased. There are multiple price points now, up to $4.00. It has gone up regularly since then. (We have Dollar Tree as well. I believe the price was always $1.25 there. We don’t have one very close though)
Jo says
I am not opposed to a few different price points, as long as dollar tree employees are paid more. I am an outside vendor and I am constantly surprised at the amount of merchandise dollar tree stores move. These employees work very very hard,often with constant complaining from customers because some item is sold out. They deserve higher wages even if dollar tree doesn’t bring in other price points.
Brenda says
Sad news. Our 99 cent only store did that and now so many things are more than 99 cents… the good stuff. I don’t gonthere nearly as often as I used to because I can get a lot of things for a similar price somewhere else. There are bargains to find but not as often.
Stacy says
Yes! The prices at the .99 store are waaaay higher than they used to be. Love that store but not the higher prices.
Jaime says
I’ve noticed that packaging sizes have been changing a lot at Dollar Tree. For example, the stainless dish scrubbers I get there used to be a three pack, then became a two pack. On my last visit, there were single packs hanging alongside the last remaining 2 packs. I need to take the time to revisit Walmart and price compare some of those household essentials I used to take for granted at Dollar Tree. Would live to hear who everyone thinks is the best deal for those types of products.
Amy says
Definitely agree, I have noticed this at my local dollar tree as well. Things are all still a dollar but I notice packages of items are smaller and some things such a dish towels seem to be poorer quality to me.
KRISTIN RAWSON says
Most of the items I can find at Walmart for less or the same price, so I definitely price check on the walma6and Kroger app before even going there