On: Dollar stores make up nearly half of all new store...

[singlow]

I think many believe that the dollar store preys on shoppers who may think they are getting a better deal, but don't realize that the unit price is not better for many items, and often in deceptive ways.

[zhdc1 → singlow]

This is like saying that vending machines prey on unfortunate office workers who didn't have the foresight to pack a 2 liter soda in their brief case.

Convenience is absolutely a justification for charging higher prices.

[jcims → singlow]

That type of 'dollar store' is basically defunct (edit: must be a local phenomenon) Family Dollar and Dollar General are essentially small Wal-Marts and sell products for approximately the same price.

[heavyset_go → jcims]

There are over 15,000 Dollar Tree stores in the US that operate on the "$1 for each item" model.

[tomc1985 → jcims]

There are several Dollar Trees that are fully stocked and busy in the suburban Southern California city I used to live in. Not sure how that makes them "defunct"

[jcims → tomc1985]

Edited to say it must be local. They have largely disappeared around here. They usually only sold Tupperware and beach toys anyway, so I’m not sure how they apply to the article, but I’m just moving the goalposts there.