Are Groceries Cheaper At Dollar Tree? Here's What Reddit Thinks

Many don't associate Dollar Tree with day-to-day grocery needs, but rather a spot to find your favorite discontinued snacks and some affordable kitchen decor items. Although the discount retail chain doesn't sell eggs or produce, you can still whip up a surprising array of meals using products from the grocer. However, while its pricing model suggests shopping for groceries here is cheaper, not all consumers agree.

A Reddit discussion shows that while Dollar Tree attracts shoppers with its $1.25 price tag, you'll often get better bulk savings at other retailers. "They sell you smaller packages and make it look like a deal. In reality, you're paying more $ per ounce," states one user. Redditors agree this approach can be handy when shopping for one or two people. When stocking up at Dollar Tree versus warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's Club, or chains like Walmart and Aldi, you may need to examine each item on a case-by-case basis.

A few select offerings are more affordable at Dollar Tree. A Redditor states the $1.25 coconut milk is a good buy; a can of the Asian cooking staple often goes for around the $2 mark at Walmart. Others find success with their spices, sliced jalapeños, and kitchen cleaning supplies, according to a different Frugal Reddit thread. Generally, the forum's consensus steers toward shopping at other grocery stores for day-to-day needs.

A dollar store stays affordable through strategies that don't always align with traditional grocery shopping. For starters, Dollar Tree often buys discontinued and overstock goods. Their complex supply chain structure offers a constant rotation of products, with selections differing at each outlet. So, you can't rely on the same products you love being available at every location. Like other grocers, Dollar Tree sells private-label products, but it often doesn't reveal which ones are made by the same manufacturers that produce national brands. This can make it more difficult to predict quality and taste.

For typical grocery needs, this setup works well for sampling new ramen and seasoning blends. You can also pick up sturdy pantry staples like pasta, frozen vegetables, and rice. However, for many shoppers, dependability is just as valuable as affordability. Since retailers like Walmart offer lower prices on many products, Dollar Tree isn't always the best choice for grocery shopping. Instead, its strength lies in a niche more akin to a convenience store. It's a reasonable place to grab affordable, conveniently sized foods, but not ideal for filling up a grocery cart weekly.