Dollar Tree Locations Will Soon Carry More Grocery Items — But Prices Will Look Much Different Than What You’re Used To

If you’ve been noticing more dollar stores lately, don’t worry — you aren’t imagining things. Both Dollar Tree and competitor Dollar General have been aggressively expanding across the United States after seeing large upticks in sales, thanks to the pandemic and inflation. Both chains have plans to open hundreds of new stores in the coming years, and Dollar Tree has expanded beyond its $1 pricing to include items at $1.25, $3, $4, $5. 

As part of its expansion, Dollar Tree also announced that they’ll be rolling out more grocery offerings — especially at those higher price points. In an earnings call earlier this month, Dollar Tree CEO, Rick Dreiling, noted that the company will be adding more coolers to its stores, with each cooler containing a variety of frozen and fresh proteins, pizza, ice creams, and more at those $3, $4,and $5 price points.

In the past, dollar stores like Dollar Tree have been criticized for a practice of expanding in low-income and rural areas while at the same time offering very little in the way of fresh food. Some have even claimed that the stores help contribute to the development of

food deserts

It remains to be seen whether or not Dollar Tree’s expanded grocery items will include more fresh foods, but that doesn’t mean that the rest of their grocery offerings are necessarily bad. The locations can be a great resource for snacks and frozen appetizers, and are often some of the closest and most affordable places people have to purchase food and household items. In my opinion, an increase in more grocery items at Dollar Tree locations across the nation is probably a good thing for consumers.