With tariffs shaking up global supply chains and US consumers wary about their economic futures, discounters are hitting their stride. After some high-profile bankruptcies in 2024 from low-price outlets such as Big Lots and 99 Cents Only, the biggest players are thriving: Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Five Below, and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet all reported sales increases in the first quarter while also issuing optimistic outlooks for the rest of the year.

But it’s probably not wise to paint with too broad a (three for $2) brush when it comes to the discount space. Each of these stores have their own strategies for surviving and thriving in the current environment, and over a spate of earnings calls this month, they revealed their top priorities, ranging from expanding their loyalty programs to getting into the delivery business.

The rise of the Bargainauts: Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, for example, is raising an “army” through its popular loyalty program.

“Our Ollie’s Army members are our most dedicated customers who account for more than 80% of our sales and spend close to 40% more per visit and shop more frequently,” CEO Eric van der Valk told shareholders. “These are value-seeking Bargainauts who take pride in saving money and being an Ollie’s Army member.”

Keep reading here.—AV

From luxury and fast fashion retailers to independents, the current wave of economic challenges has been hard on everyone. Rising costs, a consumer spending lull, and tariffs have created a perfect storm.

The resale industry, meanwhile, is doing slightly better as shoppers turn to secondhand retailers both for better prices and sustainability practices. According to ThredUp’s recent resale report, the secondhand apparel market in the US was up 14% in 2024, marking its “strongest annual growth since 2021 and outpacing the broader retail clothing market.”

At Goodwill—which is sort of the holy grail of secondhand—sentiments are similar. In fact, according to David Eagles, Goodwill Industries International’s chief operating officer, the company’s retail revenue was somewhere between $6 billion and $7 billion.

“We’re a real sort of solution finder in [the retail] space,” Eagles told Retail Brew, adding that Goodwill recorded close to 300 million transactions last year at its 3,300 stores across the country. Additionally, the nonprofit received nearly 120 million donations—a record high, per Eagles.

Clearly, Goodwill is doing something right to maintain consumer interest in the current economy. The question is: What?

Keep reading here.—JS

Albertsons is piloting digital ad displays in stores this summer, the grocer announced today during the Cannes Lions in France.

Its retail media arm, Albertsons Media Collective, is partnering with digital solution company Stratacache for the pilot, which will see digital screens deployed at stores in two regions, its Northern California and Jewel-Osco divisions, this summer. The screens will be placed in “high-traffic areas with impactful touchpoints in the customer journey” throughout the store, the company said, including the store entry and produce department. The company is showcasing the new advertising features at a mock grocery store set up at Cannes this week.

Keep reading here.—EC