Dollar Tree is Officially No Longer A Dollar Store and Here’s Why

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Dollar is officially no longer a dollar store.

Yes, the once all a dollar store changed to $1.25 a while ago (back in 2021) but it looks like while Dollar Tree had intentions of rolling back prices on hundreds of items, they have in fact, done the opposite.

And before you make comments saying it’s because it’s the Dollar Tree Plus products, it’s not. I’m fully aware of the Dollar Tree Plus items that are $3, $5, $10, etc. This isn’t it.

front of dollar tree store

I recently visited my local Dollar Tree and I was shocked at some of the price increases. I mean sure, I get it, everything is going up in price these days but these are items that were normally $1 then jumped to $1.25 and now, the same items are marked at $1.50 – $2.00 each. That is as much as a 60% increase!

I also did not notice these prices last week so this must have been a recent and quiet roll-out.

In addition the price increases, people on social media are reporting their Dollar Tree stores now have price checkers due to the price increases so customers can check prices before heading to check out.

front of dollar tree store

Honestly, this just saddens me because in a time like now, I bet so many are relying on necessities such as food to survive and while $0.25-$1.00 here or there doesn’t seem like much for some, it is a big difference for others.

So, I am going to share with you the Dollar Tree items that are now increased in price so you don’t have any surprises at the register.

Dollar Tree Price Increases in 2024

Helium Balloons

One of my favorite items to buy at Dollar Tree has been the balloons because they are such a great deal. Well, they are no longer $1.25, they have now increased to $1.50 each.

helium balloons price increase at dollar tree

1-Liter Soda

Another item I noticed increased quite a bit was the 1-liter soda bottles. Both Pepsi and Coke Products were included. Instead of being $1-$1.25, they are now clearly marked as being $1.75 each.

1-liter soda price increase at dollar tree

Sunglasses

Whenever we go on vacation, I grab my kiddos a pair of cheap sunglasses from Dollar Tree. That way, if they get broken or lost, we didn’t spend a fortune on them. Well, this is one of the items that have increased. These are now $1.50 each.

sunglasses price increase at dollar tree

Reading Glasses

Yep – these have increased in price too. The reading glasses (like the sun glasses) are now marked at $1.50 per pair.

reading glasses price increase at dollar tree

Ice

Now not all Dollar Tree locations carry frozen bagged ice but if your store does, prepare yourself for the price increase. Dollar Tree bagged Ice is now $2.00 per bag. While my store did not have a sign up with this price increase, I did confirm the price increase with an employee.

ice container at dollar tree

As you can see, Dollar Tree already seems to be secretly increasing prices on items throughout their stores. So, expect your dollar to not go as far the next time you visit your local store. I am sure this is just the beginning of the price increases we will see this year.

1-liter soda price increase dollar tree

But what do you think? Is Dollar Tree still a bargain store?

Want more Dollar Tree Ideas? Check out:

12 Comments

  1. We’ve also noticed items getting SMALLER at the store, so those increases might be an even higher percentage. Some things are still a bargain but many are just not.

  2. Margaret Hansen says:

    Your store was the hope of many people with low income and now you go and break that hope raising your prices. I know prices have gone up on many items but the peoples checks have not gone up. raising your prices 25cents was not to bad but going beyond that is. Change your name to dollars beyond!!

    1. @Margaret Hansen, AGREE!!

  3. Frugal Shopper says:

    Dollar Tree – BOO to you! You should be ashamed. Consider changing the store name – maybe “Dollars Tree” or “Used to Be- Dollar Tree”. So many people, myself included, shopped (yes, becoming past tense) at Dollar Tree for many items to make my budget ends meet. Now your price increases are ridiculous. $1.00 to $1.25 was a 25% store wide increase overnight! Now another jump to at least $1.50-1.75???? You can use smaller increments than a quarter on every item! Last Christmas a lady in front of me was buying her kids Christmas toys at dollar tree- she was short a few dollars because of the price increase- I paid the difference for her. We need Dollar Tree, but not at prices that are now cheaper at Big Lots or crappy Walmart! Stop opening more stores and price gouging to pay the rent!

    1. @Frugal Shopper, YES!

  4. Dollar Tree’s prices reflect what is going on everywhere. People want to earn better wages, fuel and energy prices are through the roof, and commercial rents keep on rising.

    I know my local Dollar Tree has been having trouble keeping their shelves stocked with merchandise which is still from the supply shortage.

    Dollar Tree lost $1.71 billion dollars in 2024. (ABC News)

    All of these costs get passed down to the consumer.

    1. Condo Blues says:

      @BD, Dollar Tree claimed they raised prices to 1.25 in order to pay their employees better and have more than 2 people working at a time in store – that didn’t happen. In fact things are worse in some stores. Often there is only one person working my local stores a Time. The store shelves are a hot mess because of it. DT/FD is losing money because they think if they open more stores they will make more money which isn’t working. For example there are 5 DTs in a 10 mile area near me when 1 or 2 well staffed stores would be more profitable than the 5 hot messes in the area now.

  5. There are seniors who rely on the $1-$1.25 price. It’s not like you have first choice items most of your stuff is seconds even the soaps and stuff and you’re getting them for next to nothing so you’re gouging people on social security,you should be ashamed of yourselves.

  6. BummedCrafter says:

    That’s a bummer. 🙁 I get why they’re doing it, but it’s still a bummer.

  7. Well even if they go up some items can still be a bargain. It’s like shopping at 5 BB below, ocean state Job lot or Big lots.

    1. TYPE O NEGATIVE says:

      @Tracy, Nothing is a bargain in Dollar Tree now.

      Even Family Dollar (owned by Dollar Tree) and Dollar General have $1 items, so there’s no need to shop here anymore

    2. @TYPE O NEGATIVE, yep

Comments are closed.

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