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Post by melanell on Jul 17, 2024 10:59:06 GMT
apnews.com/article/five-below-joel-anderson-sales-5c3cbf5a65fb5ca29f0467cebdf6fdacI'm sharing this more for some possible discussion of how this store and various "Dollar" stores have been changing recently more than anything. I'm not upset about the situation--but I do have thoughts about it.  I completely understand someplace like Dollar Tree switching from $1.00 per item to $1.25 per item. And if 5 Below had to eventually become 7 Below or 10 Below, I would have understood that as well. But, in my own humble opinion, especially with 5 Below, which catered to a younger audience, the main thing that these retailers do that customers don't like is to remove the simplicity of shopping there by instead of just raising existing prices a bit, as Dollar Tree originally stated they would do, is to start adding in sections or items that are more than that "hook" price. I feel like they both had a certain degree of Temu's "shop like a millionaire" going on, without ever marketing it that way. A person could walk in, money in hand, and know they could buy X amount of items. No adding prices, no remembering what the items in their basket cost, no stress. All they had to do was count. If they could buy 10 items that day at Dollar Tree or 4 items at 5 Below, they knew that. Great for kids, and many times good for an adult on a budget, as well. And now, it's more difficult for someone on a budget, but especially in 5 Below's case, potentially a lot less fun for a kid. I know that before both of these stores started mixing in non "hook price" items throughout the store, my kids loved going to both stores. And I used to regularly bring my nieces & nephews, and even some of my kids' friends, too. And it was fun for them. And now--they don't think it's fun anymore. Both stores ruined the experience the kids were looking for--the freedom they felt shopping there. And I wonder how many of either store's customers went there for fun rather than for budget, and how many of those also no longer view the stores that way. I can't know the only kids who no longer ask to go to 5 Below anymore. And not because they outgrew it, but because the store took away what they loved about it.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jul 17, 2024 12:00:31 GMT
Spot on!!
Although I no longer have to penny pinch, your point is so on spot. There was a time when I did purchase a package of $Tree toilet paper(way overpriced for amount of product) but that dollar was all I had to spend...
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Post by melanell on Jul 17, 2024 12:26:35 GMT
Spot on!! Although I no longer have to penny pinch, your point is so on spot. There was a time when I did purchase a package of $Tree toilet paper(way overpriced for amount of product) but that dollar was all I had to spend... Definitely. It's so hard when you're going through tight times, and knowing that if nothing else, you can get something in that store that will work, and it will only be a dollar or a 1.25, can be such a relief. I know I've seen so many Youtube videos or Pinterest pins that are along the lines "5 meals for Under $10 at Dollar Store", or "Emergency Meal Plan from the Dollar Tree", etc. And in all of those, the idea of every item in the store being the same price is a part of that idea. It doesn't matter where you live, the prices will be the same. (Unlike traditional grocery stores where regional pricing can differ widely.) And so you know you can definitely get your 10 items, and even swap out one ingredient for another if you wish, and it will all still be the same $10. So if this person is suggesting sausage, but you hate sausage, you can buy any other meat product you can find, and you'll still be able to get 10 items for $10, just like the person in the video. Stores like Dollar General, for instance, that have dollar items/sections, but also sell aisles and aisles of goods at all different individual prices---that takes away that safety net. |
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Post by malibou on Jul 17, 2024 14:29:57 GMT
A very good point you make, especially about the kids and how they use the store. Ds used to love to go to Dollar Tree, and I thought he had aged out, but I think your theory is the actual answer.
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,887 
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Post by Just T on Jul 17, 2024 14:35:56 GMT
I know I've seen so many Youtube videos or Pinterest pins that are along the lines "5 meals for Under $10 at Dollar Store", or "Emergency Meal Plan from the Dollar Tree", etc. One of my favorite TikTokers is a gal who shows what you can make for good, creative meals using only things bought at Dollar Tree. I don't have to keep to that low of a grocery budget, and I don't eat many processed foods, but the things she creates are amazing. Right now, she is doing a series on only spending $100 for a month of meals. She also will post things like making a Christmas dinner or Superbowl party snacks on a $25 budget. I know there have been times in my life I would have loved to find her and her recipes as they would have been so helpful when times were tight. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jul 17, 2024 14:36:29 GMT
I recently heard that Dollar Tree is raising baseline prices again to $1.50 from $1.25. Not sure if it’s happened yet or not since I don’t regularly shop there but I’m really not surprised. I think my kid aged out of that store when she realized all the toys and things for kids are cheap junk. She still likes 5 Below mostly because they sell a lot of the Sanrio and anime themed stuff she likes.
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,409
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Post by artbabe on Jul 17, 2024 15:05:40 GMT
I used to take my nephews there to go Christmas shopping for the family. It gave the kids a lot of freedom to pick out anything in the store for people and I knew right from the start how much it was going to cost.
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Post by katlady on Jul 17, 2024 15:29:32 GMT
I went into a 5 Below for the first time about a week ago. For some reason, I always thought it was a teen clothing store. But I heard they had art stuff so I went it check it out. It was an interesting store. I can’t see someone shopping there on a regular basis, like weekly. It would be a “treat” store if my kids were young. There is a partitioned section in the back that has the items that are more than $5. Are all 5 Below stores not like that?
I’ve noticed that all “dollar” stores have raised their prices. Daiso at one time was a $1. I knew if I had 7 items, it was $7 plus tax. Then it became $1.25, and I don’t know what the base price is anymore, probably close to $2. There are pricing signs throughout the store indicating things have different prices now. I joke with SO that with a weak yen, why hasn’t Daiso prices come back down.
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Post by buddysmom on Jul 17, 2024 15:44:57 GMT
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Post by melanell on Jul 17, 2024 16:41:20 GMT
I know I've seen so many Youtube videos or Pinterest pins that are along the lines "5 meals for Under $10 at Dollar Store", or "Emergency Meal Plan from the Dollar Tree", etc. One of my favorite TikTokers is a gal who shows what you can make for good, creative meals using only things bought at Dollar Tree. I don't have to keep to that low of a grocery budget, and I don't eat many processed foods, but the things she creates are amazing. Right now, she is doing a series on only spending $100 for a month of meals. She also will post things like making a Christmas dinner or Superbowl party snacks on a $25 budget. I know there have been times in my life I would have loved to find her and her recipes as they would have been so helpful when times were tight. That's such a great resource for people who find themselves in a very tight spot for awhile. As you said, it may not be whole foods by any stretch of the imagination, but I can see it being very helpful to people even just in a temporary rough spot financially. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jul 17, 2024 16:47:57 GMT
Years ago I was in Dollar Tree behind a senior citizen and she had a cart of food items, which would have provided her meals for weeks. Marie Colendar(?) frozen pastas which are sold in supermarkets in larger sizes.
Although not the best place to purchase canned vegetables and fruits. Of course, dependent on other accessibility of budget items.
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Post by melanell on Jul 17, 2024 16:49:54 GMT
I used to take my nephews there to go Christmas shopping for the family. It gave the kids a lot of freedom to pick out anything in the store for people and I knew right from the start how much it was going to cost. For years I had a tradition of taking my kids and a few of my siblings' kids who live nearby out Christmas shopping. We'd go first to Dollar Tree and then to 5 Below. And it was very simple for us to make little checklists with just names and the number of gifts for each kid, because we knew ahead of time what their budget was and how many items that would equal at each store. So when we reached the store, I'd keep the money, and the kids would get their basket and their paper & pencil, and they'd be able to shop all on their own (I mean, without my looking over their shoulder the whole time. I was there with them in the store. ) and they loved that so much. And I loved that I could volunteer to do this with them each year and it wasn't a hassle, and there were no tears when something was too expensive, etc. It was just a nice day. When we were done we'd get lunch. And then another day we'd get together to wrap gifts, or some years to make gifts. But even then I tended to buy the items for making the gifts at those same 2 stores. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jul 17, 2024 16:52:56 GMT
I forgot to mention buying stocking stuffers for all ages!! Particularly when kids are buying for siblings!!
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Post by Bridget in MD on Jul 17, 2024 16:56:59 GMT
I know I've seen so many Youtube videos or Pinterest pins that are along the lines "5 meals for Under $10 at Dollar Store", or "Emergency Meal Plan from the Dollar Tree", etc. One of my favorite TikTokers is a gal who shows what you can make for good, creative meals using only things bought at Dollar Tree. I don't have to keep to that low of a grocery budget, and I don't eat many processed foods, but the things she creates are amazing. Right now, she is doing a series on only spending $100 for a month of meals. She also will post things like making a Christmas dinner or Superbowl party snacks on a $25 budget. I know there have been times in my life I would have loved to find her and her recipes as they would have been so helpful when times were tight. I love that creator, and she is SO kind and knowledgeable. |
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Post by CarolinaGirl71 on Jul 17, 2024 17:23:24 GMT
For years, I thought Five Below was a frozen yogurt shop. One day I was waiting for another store to open at 10 am, and kept seeing people walking out with big bags of stuff, so I checked it out and was very surprised!😮🤣
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,887
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jul 17, 2024 18:43:51 GMT
Not a 5 below fan. I went in one because I was walking past and it was a new store. It was LOUD- sound, color, lights. I don’t care if I never step foot in one ever again.
Dollar 25 tree is sometimes more than Target! Gotta know your price points. I find I go to DT less and less.
All the Big Lots near me in CA are gone. Those used to be MacFrugals and Pick n Save stores. All gone.
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Post by melanell on Jul 17, 2024 19:42:27 GMT
For years, I thought Five Below was a frozen yogurt shop. One day I was waiting for another store to open at 10 am, and kept seeing people walking out with big bags of stuff, so I checked it out and was very surprised!😮🤣 Our 5 Below had one of those ice cream places where you get your own ice cream, then they add your toppings, and they weight it next to the store for awhile. I used to think it was a bit ironic that I'd take the kids to buy a toy or poster for $5.30, then bring them next store where they'd manage to construct a sundae that cost $8.93 or something.  After 1 or 2 stops there I started telling them we'd stop someplace else to get a cold treat on the way home. |
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craftymom101
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,798
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Post by craftymom101 on Jul 19, 2024 12:53:21 GMT
For years, I thought Five Below was a frozen yogurt shop. One day I was waiting for another store to open at 10 am, and kept seeing people walking out with big bags of stuff, so I checked it out and was very surprised!😮🤣 Our 5 Below had one of those ice cream places where you get your own ice cream, then they add your toppings, and they weight it next to the store for awhile. I used to think it was a bit ironic that I'd take the kids to buy a toy or poster for $5.30, then bring them next store where they'd manage to construct a sundae that cost $8.93 or something. After 1 or 2 stops there I started telling them we'd stop someplace else to get a cold treat on the way home. The "add your own toppings" ice cream shops are SO expensive! When my boys were in elementary school, I took them a few times and I was always shocked at the total price for two cups of ice cream + toppings. We don't go anymore. I hadn't been to Dollar Tree in years, but one of the gardening FB pages I frequent had a post about seeds at Dollar Tree for $1.25/packet. Specifically, I was looking for marigolds and zinnia seeds. I picked up packets of each, plus some veggie seeds, and all did really well in my garden this year. The zinnias in particular have been awesome. I planted seeds in January, and I have gorgeous zinnia flowers in my garden right now. |
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Post by melanell on Jul 19, 2024 13:25:47 GMT
Our 5 Below had one of those ice cream places where you get your own ice cream, then they add your toppings, and they weight it next to the store for awhile. I used to think it was a bit ironic that I'd take the kids to buy a toy or poster for $5.30, then bring them next store where they'd manage to construct a sundae that cost $8.93 or something. After 1 or 2 stops there I started telling them we'd stop someplace else to get a cold treat on the way home. The "add your own toppings" ice cream shops are SO expensive! When my boys were in elementary school, I took them a few times and I was always shocked at the total price for two cups of ice cream + toppings. We don't go anymore. I hadn't been to Dollar Tree in years, but one of the gardening FB pages I frequent had a post about seeds at Dollar Tree for $1.25/packet. Specifically, I was looking for marigolds and zinnia seeds. I picked up packets of each, plus some veggie seeds, and all did really well in my garden this year. The zinnias in particular have been awesome. I planted seeds in January, and I have gorgeous zinnia flowers in my garden right now. That sounds beautiful! I love zinnias! |
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