Dollar General stores are found throughout the U.S. and can provide some good bargains thanks to their selection of bank-account friendly items. However, the stores are often cluttered with stuff and may not provide the best shopping experience out there.
In an effort to cater to customers who want a more upscale shopping experience, Dollar General is opening retail locations that operate under a different brand. These stores are called pOpshelf, and they're meant to appeal to wealthier and more suburban customers.
If you haven't shopped at one yet, the big question is, should you check out pOpshelf or steer clear?
Do you have a pOpshelf near you?
While you can find Dollar General stores just about anywhere, the number of pOpshelf locations is currently much more limited. There will be approximately 1,000 pOpshelf stores by the end of 2025 (according to Dollar General), but they currently exist only in a limited number of states, including:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- New Jersey
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
While pOpshelf does have a website, you can typically only buy items online to pick up in your local store -- not to have them shipped. So if there's no pOpshelf in your area yet, you won't be able to shop there until the store continues with its expansion efforts. You can also check your local Dollar General, as a small number of them have scaled-down versions of pOpshelf as a store within a store.
Do you need the items pOpshelf offers?
Dollar General sells a lot of practical necessities, including food, beverages, and household products like paper towels. pOpshelf does not really offer these kinds of essentials but instead is focused on items like beauty products and home decor.
If you are in the market for fun purchases and you won't have to go into credit card debt to buy them, then there's nothing wrong with checking out what little splurges pOpshelf can offer you. But if you are on a tight budget and you tend to overspend in places where home decor and kitchen items can be had for relatively low prices, you may want to steer clear of the temptation.
After all, while an adorable $8 blue bubble glass isn't a huge splurge, if you're the type of person who would justify buying a bunch of them because the individual price isn't that high, pOpshelf may not be the place for you.
Will pOpshelf offer you the best prices?
Many items sold at pOpshelf are priced at $5 or less, but that's not the case with all items. Some have prices as high as $18 or more. Some of the items are also priced a lot higher than at competitor stores like Dollar Tree. For example, a Halloween-themed mug would run you $3.00 at pOpshelf, while you could get a fall-themed mug for just $1.25 at the Dollar Tree.
It's important to compare prices and not just assume that pOpshelf will offer good deals because of its affiliation with Dollar General. By keeping these three factors in mind, you can decide if shopping at pOpshelf is right for your personal finances.
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FAQs
Dollar General has a new store called pOpshelf that caters to those who want a more upscale shopping experience. pOpshelf sells Dollar General–branded items, as well as many other products. You can often get good prices at pOpshelf, but costs are higher than they are at Dollar Tree.
What is in a pOpshelf? ›
We've got every reason to shop. From party supplies, to DIY finds, surprises for the kids, trending beauty, and more. No matter what it is, you'll find the thing you need. And a few things you didn't know you wanted.
What is the Dollar General controversy? ›
It has not been a great year for Dollar General. The chain was lambasted in an episode of "Last Week Tonight" where John Oliver highlighted the many problems in its stores which include significant labor issues. The HBO show, cast a harsh light on how poorly staffed the chain's nearly 19,000 stores are.
What company owns pOpshelf? ›
“pOpshelf is an integral part of Dollar General's innovative and long-term strategy as we continuously look for ways to best serve customers and diversify the relevant goods we offer.
What is the dark side of dollar stores? ›
Their poor labor practices, lax security, and sloppy safety protocols harm workers. They single out towns and cities with high concentrations of low- and fixed-income residents, particularly Black and Brown residents. They exacerbate traffic.
What is the difference between pOpshelf and Dollar General? ›
Dollar General has a new store called pOpshelf that caters to those who want a more upscale shopping experience. pOpshelf sells Dollar General–branded items, as well as many other products. You can often get good prices at pOpshelf, but costs are higher than they are at Dollar Tree.
Does pOpshelf fill up balloons? ›
pOpshelf | Balloons for any occasion AND free inflation in every store? Say less.
Is pOpshelf expensive? ›
pOpshelf is an exciting and new retail store with the majority of items priced at $5 or less that offers customers an affordable and fun shopping experience.
Can you return items to pOpshelf? ›
pOpshelf offers a generous return policy, allowing customers to return most merchandise within 30 days of purchase. To be eligible for a return, the item must be unused, in its original packaging, and accompanied by the original receipt or proof of purchase.
What are the three biggest dollar store chains in America? ›
Three national chains dominate the dollar store retail environment: Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar. Combined they had over 24,000 stores as of October 2018. You can see in the map that these stores are most heavily concentrated in the Southeast United States.
Major chains have been slow to improve product safety despite years of consumer pressure. A new product screening report released today by the Campaign for Healthier Solutions and the Ecology Center Healthy Stuff lab found hazardous chemicals in children's products sold by the leading dollar store brands in the US.
Why are dollar stores bad for poor communities? ›
The impact of dollar stores is plainly stated in the introduction: “dollar stores drive grocery stores and other retailers out of business, leave more people without access to fresh food, extract wealth from local economies, sow crime and violence, and further erode the prospects of the communities they target.”
What is the strategy of pOpshelf? ›
Its goal is to trade in trendy brands and products and create a treasure hunt experience at the Popshelf stores. That effort includes combining continually refreshed merchandise with seasonal specials and limited-time offers. The company already thinks the banner is having resonance with customers.
Can you use Dollar General gift cards at pOpshelf? ›
Two (2) $250 Dollar General gift cards (to be redeemed in-store at DG Market + pOpshelf retail locations).
Does pOpshelf have diapers? ›
Keep your baby comfortable and rash-free with this Gentle Steps Jumbo Bag Baby Diaper. It is suitable for babies weighing 8-14 lbs and has a super-absorbent core that provides up to 12 hours of leakage protection for day and night use.
What is considered a pop up store? ›
Pop-up retail is a retail store (a "pop-up shop") that is opened temporarily to take advantage of a faddish trend or seasonal demand. Demand for products sold in pop-up retail is typically short-lived or related to a particular holiday.
