Dollar stores can provide great value for your money, particularly if you're buying things like greeting cards, party supplies, or even kitchen utensils. You can even find some of your favourite brands there. However, some items aren't worth bothering with, like cell phone accessories and most kids toys.
Prices have increased at dollar stores over the past few years too, so shoppers should be wary. Certain items that you used to purchase regularly at your favourite dollar store may now cost more than they used to. On the other hand, though, stores have also been stocking more quality and brand name products.
The bottom line is that yes, dollar stores carry a few must-buy items, but savvy shoppers should still take care to check the price tags, receipts, and product quality to ensure you’re spending your money wisely.
Key Takeaways
- Most single-use items are better to buy at dollar stores, where items you want to last should be avoided.
- There are 4 major chains of dollar stores in Canada, with Dollarama being the most popular.
- Each dollar store chain has different pricing, but they've all gone up in recent years.
7 things you should buy at the dollar store
You may be surprised at our suggestions, but buying things like candy, snacks, kitchen utensils, and party supplies at the dollar store can actually save you quite a bit of money. Many people are skeptical about the quality of the items found at the dollar store, but we think you should give them a try.
Dollar stores often carry major brands at a discounted price, but you’ll need to know the regular price of these same items elsewhere to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Many of the dollar store’s generic items are just as good as brand name products too, so doing a bit of research and asking friends which ones they’ve tried can be a big help.
1. Greeting cards of all kinds
Despite what television commercials tell us, people don’t usually check the back of a birthday card to see whether the sender shopped at Hallmark. Dollar store cards are dirt cheap and just as good as the expensive ones – sometimes even better.
2. Chips, candy, snacks, and treats
If there’s one thing that’s sure to make you go broke, it’s the cost of snacks at the movie theatre. Instead of spending your cash on pricey snacks at the concessions counter, consider making a pit stop at the dollar store on the way to the theatre and take a look at their nearly overwhelming selection of candy and treats, some starting at 2 for $1.
Heck, do this even if you’re in more of the Netflix and chill mood. Both your wallet and your tastebuds will be thankful.
3. Party supplies and favours
Know what else costs a ridiculous amount of money? Kids birthday parties. But the solution is simple: disposable dishes, decorations, snacks, toys for treat bags, and even garbage bags to clean up afterwards can all be found at the dollar store for cheap.
Unless you’re throwing a soiree for several hundred people – in which case I recommend you hit up Costco and buy in bulk – shopping at the dollar store is a no-brainer.
4. Christmas and other holiday supplies and decor
By the day after Thanksgiving (and sometimes even before), most dollar stores look like the North Pole exploded inside its doors. Decorative window stickers, cheesy holiday-themed craft kits, garland for the tree, stockings for your pets…all of this and more can be found on the shelves at the dollar store for very reasonable prices.
It’s also a fantastic spot to shop for stocking stuffers. Think about it: colouring books, art supplies, nail polish, plastic dinosaurs…you can get it all in one spot and not break the bank.
5. Kitchen utensils and supplies
Maybe you remember buying rubber spatulas from the dollar store when you moved into your very first apartment as an adult – and cursing them when they broke about 2 weeks later. These days, though, the dollar store carries higher quality brands like Betty Crocker and Wilton, which allows you to save money and cook like a real chef.
6. Supplies for school and/or the office
Instead of dropping serious change on office supplies at Staples or even Costco, consider hitting up the dollar store for items like highlighters, pens, and pencils. You’ll likely be pleasantly surprised at the range of sturdy (and cute!) day planners, notebooks, and other products. It makes back-to-school shopping much more palatable.
7. Artwork and home decor
Redecorating? Revamping? Re…considering your previous choice of a poultry-themed kitchen?
We have suggestions regarding how to decorate on a budget – notice all the dollar store ideas? The prices may be a bit different now than when the article was first written, but the premise remains true. Check the dollar store first.
3 things to avoid at the dollar store
Prices have gone up and quality has gone down – it can’t be denied that the deals and products at dollar stores in Canada have changed significantly in recent years. With these details in mind, you may want to consider buying things like electronics, toys, and certain other items somewhere else.
1. Certain electronic items and accessories
If you really think that a $5 smart watch will even last past the end of the week, you’re mistaken. Most electronics you find at the dollar store aren’t worth their salt or their pricetag.
Also, it’s rarely a good idea to use a phone or device charger from the dollar store, or even things like their HDMI cables. They’ll last you a few uses, but that’s it. The few dollars you spend on these items would likely be better put towards the $20 you’ll spend at Walmart or elsewhere, and will save you the hassle of having to shop for a replacement in a few days.
2. Various toiletries and personal hygiene products
Some of the generic toiletries you’ll find at the dollar store are adequate, and users claim that things like pregnancy tests and even reading glasses are good quality items. The generic shampoos, soaps, and toothpaste that you’ll find there, though, aren’t going to be worth even the few pennies you pay for them.
And definitely don’t buy the generic makeup. It’s almost certain to be bad for your skin (not that it’ll stay on your face for very long anyway).
3. Toys and games for kids
Walking through the dollar store with kids can be a nightmare since they want every shiny piece of plastic jewellry and colourful action figure on the shelf. But we recommend that you don’t give in to their requests, mostly because these cheap items are just that: cheap.
Some dollar store toys are actually unsafe, especially for toddlers, as they have lots of small pieces and don’t stay together well.
Keep in mind that not all dollar stores are equal
In Canada, the “King of Dollar Stores” is Dollarama, no contest. The Rossy family, who owns the discount retail chain, was recently noted as being worth $2.52 billion, making them one of the richest families in Quebec, and in Canada.
With Dollarama stores available in popular shopping areas such as Dartmouth Crossing in Nova Scotia, Complexe Desjardins in Montreal, and West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, it’s NOT a stretch to see how well-to-do families might shop here when times are tight.
However, Dollarama isn't the only one on the scene. There are 4 major chains of dollar stores in Canada:
- Dollarama,
- Dollar Tree (which bought out Dollar Giant back in 2010),
- Everything For A Dollar, and
- The Great Canadian Dollar Store.
Dollarama dominates the country’s discount shopping scene, but these other stores are holding their own, as are many of the numerous privately-run dollar stores found in many communities. A fairly new competitor is the Japanese-style shop Miniso, which has been expanding across Canada and now has more than 40 locations.
How can dollar stores offer these prices?
While the dollar store stereotype is that it sells cheap products for cheap, you can find some impressive brands and products in store these days – and now Dollarama earns more than most retailers around the world. This is achieved through not spending on advertising, by having very limited brand choice among products, and keeping operating costs to a minimum.
You may have noticed that when you go to look for toothpaste at the dollar store, there's only one recognizable brand on the shelf. This is definitely on purpose as it creates the perfect situation to attract high level suppliers. The same suppliers that partner with big grocery stores find that working with Dollarama is easier and more profitable since they don't have to vie for shelf space. And this means that prices can be lower than those found in bigger stores.
Dollarama stores don't have the same ambiance as the bigger box stores either – and customers don't necessarily expect them to. The shelving is simple and standard, there aren't any cardboard cutouts or flashy advertising posters around, and sometimes there's a lingering plastic-y smell. But, again, all of this is on purpose. Keeping overhead costs low allows the store to pass on more savings to its shoppers.
Speaking of advertising, Dollarama – and many of its dollar store competitors – doesn't really advertise at all. And yes, this is on purpose, saves money, and the shoppers benefit.
Do you regularly shop at the dollar store?
Especially with inflation rising and everyone's wallets feeling tighter, the dollar store can look more and more appealing to more and more shoppers. If you can find the items you want at a lower price, why not shop there? You might even find more deals than you anticipated.
Do you frequent the dollar stores in your neighbourhood? Have you found any surprising deals there lately?
We always enjoy hearing from our readers, so feel free to leave us a note in the comments section below.
FAQ
Why should you shop at the dollar store?
Shoppers can find good deals on everyday household items at the dollar store, including products from your favourite brands. Be careful, though, as some dollar store products are cheaply made and not worth the price tag.
What are dollar stores called in Canada?
There are several dollar store chains in Canada. These include Dollarama, Dollar Tree, and the Great Canadian Dollar Store. Dollarama seems to be the most popular chain and has the most locations across the country.
Is the Great Canadian Dollar Store any good?
There are 115 Great Canadian Dollar Store locations across 8 Canadian provinces that offer plenty of good deals. Some of the best items to buy there include craft and art supplies, greeting cards, and kitchen utensils.
Is there a dollar store in Calgary?
Yes, there are plenty of dollar stores in Calgary. A quick Google search will provide store locations that include Dollar Tree, Dollarama, Dollar World, and other independent dollar stores, providing Calgary residents with a variety of options.
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Comments
That's a shame that Sunbeam has gone downhill. I checked their website and a good portion of the reviews aren't great either. Hopefully they get themselves together soon.
Thanks for your comment, Jay!
That's a great tip, thanks!
Hi Terrie,
Thanks for your great comment!
As for your question, here's an article where Stephen addresses how to get great deals on your internet, TV, and phone bills: $166 – My Cost For High Speed Internet, TV, 2 Cell Phones, Home Phone, Long Distance, And Movies
A few tips from that article:
I hope this helps you out, and you continue finding fantastic ways to save your money!
I've had the same experience Anil. I think it depends on which ones and what you use them for, but the CR2032 batteries I buy there barely last a month in my garage door opener and they are weak from the the very start because the opener gets terrible range on those dollar store batteries.
I read another study done on dollar store battery and they proved they do last less time but if you did a price analysis, they still came out slightly ahead in terms of total run time per dollar spent.