America's dollar store revolution

Neighborhood retail outlets boasting bargain-basement prices on off-brand goods are booming... mostly because the broader economy isn't

Dollar store
(Image credit: CC BY: CGPGrey)

Lately, it often seems like dollar stores are sprouting like weeds on every corner. Indeed, these shops stocked with inexpensive necessities and off-brands are rapidly populating the U.S. retail landscape.

The dollar store retail segment is largely dominated by three publicly traded retailers: Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar. (99 Cents Only was purchased by a private equity firm in October 2011). From an investor standpoint, this sector is growing faster than just about any other retail category.

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Laura Heller has been reporting on mass-market retail trends and initiatives since 1995 as a reporter for trade magazines, business outlets, and websites. She has appeared on national TV and radio programs discussing retail trends and her blog, The Point of Purchase, appears on Forbes.com