Amazon Takes On Dollar Stores With This New Department

published Feb 4, 2018

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Amazon is making it easier to snag a bargain. The online retail giant is taking a cue from dollar stores with its latest shopping experience.

While many shoppers head to Amazon with an idea of what they’re looking for and to price compare, it’s not exactly top of mind for browsing. However, extreme deal and off price retailers, like dollar stores and discount brands such as Nordstrom Rack and TJ Maxx, thrive on the thrill of discovery. In the past few years, online dollar store Hollar and bargain beauty site Miss A have attracted a million shoppers a month who scoop up $3 organizers or $1 lip gloss with abandon.

Amazon is trying to emulate that experience, having recently rolled out a $10 and under department, and it comes with a killer perk: the retail giant’s fast, free shipping. And while one analyst made headlines by saying Amazon’s next acquisition would be Target, Forbes has a compelling argument for the company to set its sights on Dollar Tree or Dollar General, as evidenced by this new offering.

The department is broken down into categories: Women’s, Men’s, Electronics, Home Decor, Household, Gifts. Everything costs a Jackson or less, and just like a dollar store, there are some fun and useful finds scattered among the cheesy T-shirts and objects covered in questionable font choices.

Note: While browsing, I did see that despite being under $10, some things weren’t actually a bargain ($9 for Mrs Meyers spray? No thanks.). Overpriced cleaners excluded, check out a sampling of the $10 and under department below: