“Wow, the Midale Variety Store is truly a hidden gem, and Midale is incredibly fortunate to have an establishment like this! This store genuinely has everything you could need, making it a one-stop shop for locals and visitors alike. From essentials to unique finds, it’s amazing how well-stocked and thoughtfully curated this store is. What sets the Midale Variety Store apart isn’t just its fantastic selection—it’s the strong, outstanding community leaders behind it. Their dedication to serving the community shines through in every aspect of the store, from the friendly and welcoming atmosphere to their genuine care for their customers. It’s clear they’re passionate about supporting and uplifting the town, and their efforts truly make a difference. If you haven’t stopped in yet, you’re missing out on an amazing experience. Shopping local here not only supports a fantastic small business but also contributes to the continued growth and strength of the Midale community. Let’s all do our part to keep this incredible store thriving for years to come! Highly recommended—you won’t be disappointed!”
Burlington Stores is giving its locations a major makeover. The off-price retailer has already transformed about half of its 1,115 stores and plans to complete the redesign across its entire fleet by the end of 2026. The company calls this makeover "Store Experience 2.0." Gone are the cramped aisles and confusing layouts that once defined discount shopping. Instead, Burlington is creating wider walkways, organized sections, and clearer signs to help shoppers find what they need.
Dollar General is adding more of its private label food offerings to stores, following similar moves by big retailers like Walmart and Amazon as store brands keep growing in popularity. The store is launching new items under its own labels, including ice cream, cinnamon rolls, coffee syrups, and salad dressings. The move comes as store brand sales reached $271 billion in 2024, up nearly 4% from 2023.
Daiso, the beloved Japanese retailer known for its variety of affordable household goods, is expanding further in the U.S. market. This week, the company is celebrating the grand openings of three new stores in Texas and California. On Saturday, Aug. 10, Daiso debuted an 8,000-sq.-ft. location in Beaumont, Texas, at Dowlen Towne Center, as well as two Southern California stores - a 6,319-sq.-ft. space in Van Nuys at Mid Valley Marketplace and a 5,200-sq.-ft. store in Westminster at Westminster Center.
Dollar Tree is moving into 170 former 99 Cents Only stores, marking a big shift in the discount retail landscape. The company announced Wednesday it's taking over leases in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas, with plans to reopen the stores under its own brand as early as fall 2024.
Ollie's Bargain Outlet just landed a great deal of its own, winning a $14.6 million bankruptcy auction for 11 former 99 Cents Only store locations across Texas. The discount retail chain pounced after 99 Cents Only abruptly went out of business in March, shuttering all 371 of its stores in California, Arizona, Texas, and Nevada. Ollie's quickly made an opening "stalking horse bid" to grab over a dozen of the empty properties.
