Dollar Tree Prices Are Going Up, Here’s How I’m Shopping Smarter

I felt a tiny pang the first time I saw the new price tags at  Dollar Tree. $4.75 for a chocolate bar?! It looked like a fancy chocolate bar, but still, I wasn't expecting that from my go-to budget-friendly store. Beyond this surprising discovery, many of my usual $1.25 go-tos are now $1.50 or even $1.75. 

In the Dollar Plus section, I've noticed some $3 items creeping up to $5, and a few $5 ones are now priced at $7. Most things are still a deal, but I've started shopping more strategically.

Dollar Tree's Prices Are Going Up, Here's What You Need To Know

The days of everything being a dollar flat are long behind us. Dollar Tree raised the price of items from $1 to $1.25 in late 2021, but that was just the beginning. According to a story in the U.S. Sun from earlier this year, Dollar Tree CEO Michael Creedon said the increased costs are a necessary “tool to mitigate the impact of tariffs and rising costs,” which, unfortunately, affect everyone's wallets. 

The higher price tags also reflect the company's desire to offer more name-brand products, larger sizes, and higher-quality goods that wouldn't have been profitable at the old price points. It makes sense from a business perspective, but it means I can't just grab and go like I used to.

What's particularly tricky right now is that some stores have yet to update their signage clearly, and prices can vary even within the same chain. This “everything's a dollar” assumption can lead to some unexpected sticker shock at the checkout.

How I'm Shopping Smarter at Dollar Tree

Instead of treating it like a flat-rate wonderland, I now shop like I would at any other store: with intention and a quick mental cost comparison. My strategy begins with knowing what remains an absolute steal, even at $1.50 or $1.75. I'm still buying items like storage essentials, reusable food containers with locking lids, parchment paper, zip-top bags, certain cleaning supplies, travel items, and seasonal toys and gifts. 

I continue to grab the pantry staples I've come to rely on, like dried lentils for quick soups, pre-cooked beans for taco nights, salmon packets for lunches, and freeze-dried strawberries and pink Himalayan salt, which are great deals. These all seem to cost less than they do elsewhere, so the price bump doesn't bother me as much.

For the Dollar Tree Plus section, I've completely changed my mindset, which, in all honesty, is probably a good thing. Instead of browsing casually, I treat it like a mini Target run and evaluate each item. Is this $5 storage bin well-made? Would I buy this $7 seasonal decoration at full price somewhere else? Some items absolutely pass the test, like large organizing bins, woven baskets, laundry items, multi-packs of socks, and certain electronics. Others, not so much.

I've also started paying attention to multi-packs, which often offer the best value. Things like two-packs of kitchen sponges, four-packs of bag clips, or multi-packs of snack containers for school lunches still give you that “more for less” feeling that initially drew me to Dollar Tree. 

I always seek out brand names and even luxury items that often make their way into DT because of overstock or branding and packaging changes. Lastly, I've started using the Dollar Tree app or in-store price scanners to scan any products that aren't clearly marked. This saves me from any surprises at checkout. 

As a grocery writer, I'm still walking out with valuable and exciting finds that make my life easier without breaking the bank, and I plan to continue finding those gems for you. What hasn't changed is Dollar Tree's ability to surprise me with a smart solution or a fun little find when I need it most. But in a world full of social media hauls and impulse buys, it serves as the perfect reminder to shop with intention and make every dollar count.