Recently, there has been an influx in the number of one dollar stores but if something costs $1, it doesn’t mean you’ve to buy it. Similarly, it’s pretty obvious that filling up the cart at these stores takes only a few minutes but the quality is substandard. On the other hand, there are some famous dollar stores, such as 99 cent store vs. Dollar Store and we are talking about both of them with this article
99 Cent Store vs Dollar Tree
99 Cents Store
This is a private dollar store or price-point chain based in California. Their headquarters are in Commerce but the branches are available all around the country. In the initial time, the products were being offered at 99 cents or less but they have some products available at higher prices as well. 99 Cents Store came into being in 1928 and Dave Gold launched it. Today, there are stores available in Texas, California, Nevada, and Arizona.
In addition to the price-point retailer, 99 Cents Store is also operating Bargain Wholesale company which sells wholesale products to different retailers in the U.S. In addition, they have showrooms in LA through which they export the products to fifteen different countries. Oftentimes, 99 Cents Store exhibit at the trade shows in Chicago and Las Vegas. When the chain was first launched, they tested the sales by selling wine bottles at 99 cents (it was obviously a successful start).
The most interesting fact is that 99 Cents Store sold the TV sets for the first thirteen visiting families for only 99 cents, which helped the company catch indirect marketing through media. 99 Cents Store introduced the flexible pricing model in 2003 where some products were sold at 49 cents and 69 cents because they wanted to ensure better store management. When it comes down to the return process, this store allows the return of up to 9 products within nine days of purchasing the products.
What’s most surprising is that 99 Cents Store remains open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM but some stores also open at eight in the morning and close at ten in the night. Given their fame, the chain has been a part of the movie, Punch-Drunk Love which was launched in 2002. In addition, it was an important part of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas while there are multiple parodies, including 69 Cent Stores. As far as the products are concerned, there are hundreds and thousands of products available!
Dollar Tree
Dollar Tree is another chain of discounted product stores based in America. They are known to sell products for one dollar or less and it was previously known as, “Only $1.00.” This store chain has its headquarters in Chesapeake, Virginia, and has been listed on Fortune 500 company list. Dollar Tree is currently operating more than fifteen thousand stores (15,115 stores, to be precise). They are operating in 48 different states as well as in Canada.
Dollar Tree stores are supported by the national logistics company which has 24 distribution centers to meet extensive needs. In addition, they are operating a multi-price store, known as Family Dollar. They are competing with the low-end dollar stores and retail market. They have an extensive range of products available, including private, national, and regional labels. As far as the departments are concerned, there is something for everyone.
For instance, Dollar Tree is operating food, health, beauty, housewares, dinnerware, glassware, décor, cleaning, stationery, toys, candies, gifts, books, pet supplies, teaching products, crafting supplies, electronics, and automotive departments. Some of the stores are also selling dairy items and frozen food products, such as ice cream, milk, dinner recipes, eggs, and pre-baked food products. Moreover, they started accepting manufacturing coupons back in 2012.
The stores have been operating since 1953 but they went by a different name and Dollar Tree name was allocated in 1993. The chain started off as a discount store and they would find the best bargains to offer discounts to their customers. Basically, the store chain was launched for people who wanted to shop on tight budgets but it has become equally popular among rich customers (who doesn’t like some guilty shopping at such cheap stores, right?). As far as their Canadian stores are concerned, they were inaugurated in Vancouver, back in 2001.