The most well-known discount store chain in the United States is making a shift that hasn't gone unnoticed among its customers. Many have been surprised to notice that prices are no longer the same as they used to see a few months ago. Although the company hasn't made an official announcement, the change is already visible and has started to spread across the country.
For the past few weeks, prices at Dollar Tree have been quietly increasing. Products that used to cost $1.25 are now being sold for $1.50 or even $1.75. The brand, which for 35 years offered everything for just one dollar, has started to change its strategy, and this is evident in the red tags that indicate a recent increase.
Prices rise without prior notice
Shopping expert Jeff Rossen was one of the first to alert consumers. Through a video on YouTube and Facebook, he explained that the increases are being applied gradually and without official announcements. According to employees of the chain, the most common products are seeing increases of 40%.
Items such as mops, dusters, and cleaning products went from $1.25 to $1.50. Artificial flowers are now sold for $1.75, while bread, rolls, and instant noodles have also gone up. Other affected products include aluminum foil, baking pans, and some kitchen utensils.
A sign to detect these increases is the red price tags: "If you see a red tag, that product just went up in price," Rossen warned. On social media, customers haven't taken long to express their frustration. "Dollar Tree is digging its own grave," wrote one user, while another commented ironically: "They should change their name to Money Tree."
From $1.25 to $7: Dollar Tree is raising their prices
The company has been preparing this change for some time. In March 2024, Dollar Tree began raising their price limit up to $7. The goal was to offer a wider range of products and improve their profit margin. In addition, more than 3,000 stores have already adopted this multi-price model, according to The Sun.
Since 2021, the chain had gone from selling at one dollar to including prices of $3 and $5. Now, the new ranges include more than 300 items between $1.50 and $7. According to former CEO Rick Dreiling, "customers are responding well to the new offering," assuring that stores with this format have seen an increase in sales.
Not all Dollar Tree customers agree with this view. On Facebook, a customer complained: "It's no longer Dollar Tree... What's happening to the world?" Another summed it up in one phrase: "Just call it '7 Below'." Despite these criticisms, the company is moving forward with their plan.
The price increase also responds to inflation, rising costs, and tariffs on Chinese products. Although consumers are paying more for the same items, many still go for the deals. Some even recommend items such as candy or specific products that can still be found at a good price.