What Is Popshelf? Here's Why You Should Visit (If You Like Free Stuff)

Have you heard about Dollar General’s sister store, Popshelf? Shopping there is nothing like Dollar General, though, even though Dollar General owns Popshelf. But what is Popshelf — and why do I recommend you should check them out at least once?

Their locations try to create a totally new kind of discount store experience — with more appealing displays than the ones at Dollar General. Plus they offer a store loyalty program that gives you an in-store freebie when you sign up for their email list. That’s something you don’t get at Five Below.

Inside Popshelf stores, they have seasonal items, beauty products, party decorations, home decor, cleaning supplies, and more. We’ve even found popular brands there like Rae Dunn. If you live near one of the more than 200 locations in 20 states, you’ll definitely want to stop by at least once to pick up your free rewards box (which I’ll explain!).

Here’s your complete guide to everything to know about Popshelf.

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What is Popshelf like? Think of it as Dollar General’s version of Five Below.

Dollar General actually owns Popshelf, and they opened up their first location in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2020.

I like to think of Popshelf as a combination of Dollar General and Five Below (with an additional dash of finds from Target’s Dollar Spot).

 

Most items at Popshelf cost $5 or less.

Popshelf’s main perk is their price point. The discount chain has set their prices low intentionally, and everything is easy to understand — with no decimal points in the price tags. All merchandise is priced with only rounded dollar amounts (unlike Five Below, which has some things priced at $5.55, $5.95, etc.).

Although most Popshelf items are priced at $1, $2, $3, or $5, they do sell some things for as much as $10.

You’ll find home goods, party supplies, craft items, cleaning supplies, and more at these prices. We’ve even seen sets of Rae Dunn bowls there.

 

How many Popshelf locations are there?

As of December 2023, there are 224 total Popshelf locations in 20 states. Texas has the most stores, with 57 locations.

Some Popshelf locations operate as DG Market + Popshelf, aka a store-within-a-store that’s part of Dollar General Market locations.

Here are the states with at least one Popshelf store:

• Alabama (12)
• Arkansas (2)
• Florida (17)
• Georgia (29)
• Illinois (9)
• Indiana (4)
• Iowa (1)
• Kentucky (6)
• Louisiana (4)
• Maryland (3)
• Missouri (5)
• Mississippi (4)
• North Carolina (26)
• New Jersey (1)
• Ohio (5)
• Oklahoma (5)
• South Carolina (10)
• Tennessee (16)
• Texas (57)
• Virginia (8)

TIP: As a comparison, Five Below opened their 1,200th store in 2022.

 

What are Popshelf hours?

Most stores are open daily from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., which is pretty similar to Dollar General’s hours. (Near me, Dollar General stores are typically open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.)

 

Sign up for Popshelf Rewards and pick up your free box of goodies in-store.

When you first sign up for the Popshelf Rewards program (online, in the app, or in-person), you’ll unlock a free reward box (via QR code) that you can pick up on your next visit. Each rewards box has about 3 – 5 free items inside.

You generally have five themed boxes to choose from, but the inventory may vary at your local store. At my store, I could choose from Beauty, Fragrance, Candles, Chef, or Snacks.

I chose the Fragrance box on my recent visit in December 2023, and here’s what I got:

• Rain Forest Scented Incense Sticks, 20 Count
• Amber Musk Scented Incense Sticks, 20 Count
• 1 Wooden Incense Holder

Note that you’ll need to be 18 years of age or older to sign up for a rewards account.

Related: Like getting stuff for free? Here are all the places that’ll give you freebies, rewards, and discounts on your birthday.

 

 

You can browse the aisles with less clutter compared to Dollar General.

Based on my experience, Popshelf has lived up to their promise to be “a place that’s clutter-free.”

Considering Dollar General is kinda known for their cluttered stores (cough … class action lawsuit), having the Popshelf stores nice and clean is a good change.

 

Look for clearance items and sales at Popshelf, too.

Like a traditional Dollar General, Popshelf offers a clearance section and sales. But one nice thing is they post their current sales right on their website — instead of making it a secret like Dollar General clearance events usually are.

The markdowns won’t be as plentiful as what you’ll find in a Dollar General, but you never know what you’ll stumble across. For example, right now they have 50% off Christmas items at my Popshelf.

TIP: I’ve also heard of shoppers scoring penny items at Popshelf when employees do markdowns. We wrote a whole guide for how to shop the Dollar General Penny List.

 

Order online to get free in-store pickup (they don’t do shipping).

Unlike Five Below, you can’t shop Popshelf.com and get your order delivered to your house. With Popshelf, your only options are to shop in-store or to place an online order for in-store pickup. When you select in-store pickup, you can choose a date and time, and then you’ll grab your order from a numbered bin inside the store.

TIP: Their no-shipping policy might change in the future, as I saw this message when I chose in-store pickup for an order: “Shipping will be available in the future.”