This Is The Best And Worst Time To Shop At Dollar Tree

Whether you're thinking of buying groceries or stopping by to peruse affordable kitchen decor items, it's a good idea to time your visit to Dollar Tree. During peak hours, the retailer gets surprisingly busy, with lines forming at the register and crowds in the aisles. Furthermore, the store's item availability constantly changes, meaning that after a buzzy few days, all the hidden gems might be picked over.

Subsequently, head to the retailer on weekday mornings for a more relaxed shopping opportunity. The majority of Dollar Tree locations open at 8 a.m., providing shopping serenity amidst the day's start. Plus, locations receive new items at the start of the week, so Tuesday through Thursday enables the largest selection of new shipments.

On the other hand, you'll want to steer clear of the store on the weekend. Across varying retailers, many people tackle their weekly shopping on Saturday and Sunday, and Dollar Tree accordingly draws crowds looking for well-priced home, craft, and food items. The busiest times at the chain include afternoon hours on both days, as well as Sunday morning. And depending on the location, you might run into many fellow post-work shoppers on weekday evenings, too. So keep such shopping trends in mind, and you'll have a more easy-going Dollar Tree experience.

To really optimize your Dollar Tree shopping experience, track the restocking day of your local store. Most outlets receive new shipments once a week (larger ones might get two), so stop by soon afterward, and you'll get a first glance at the store's consistent stream of new arrivals. However, not all stores follow the same delivery schedule, and replenishing shelves can take several days, making it tricky to pinpoint the best day to shop.

According to a Dollar Tree manager on Reddit, "We get our truck on Monday. Usually, ours comes early morning/[mid-afternoon]." They note there's not usually a set unpacking order, with the location's number of staff impacting the process. So at some Dollar Tree's, you might find new food items on Tuesday, while others on Wednesday. On the same thread, other Dollar Tree employees note that they restock primarily in the morning and aim to have shelves full on Thursday. For a more location-specific answer, you could always ask your cashier, too — although they might not be involved in the process. Generally, though, aim to stop by Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday morning to discover the biggest selection of Dollar Tree gems like summer barbecue supplies, seasonal decorations, or new treats.