GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General is making a strong play for back-to-school shoppers this season with a wide-ranging value initiative aimed at helping families, teachers and students stretch their budgets. With more than 20,000 stores across 48 states, the discount retailer is positioning itself as a go-to destination for affordable classroom and dorm essentials.
“Dollar General stands ready to deliver on our commitment of everyday value to help families as they shop for back-to-school items,” said Steve O’Brien, vice president and division merchandise manager at Dollar General. “Whether you’re a parent stocking up on supplies, a teacher preparing their classroom or a student getting ready for dorm living, we offer the essentials you need at prices that will help support a confident start to the school year.”
Value at Every Price Point
The chain is emphasizing low prices as it leans into a back-to-school promotional campaign that includes over 70 stationery and school supply items priced at $1 or less. Core items like Crayola crayons, Elmer’s glue sticks, notebooks and binders are all available at last year’s everyday low prices, according to the company.
Standout deals include folders, pencils and composition books at the $1 price point, Crayola coloring packs for $2 or less, and backpacks priced at just $5. Dollar General is also offering a mix of national name brands—including Sharpie, Expo, Crayola, BIC and Elmer’s—alongside its own private-label lines, iMagine and OfficeHub.
Beyond school supplies, Dollar General is also courting parents shopping for lunchbox fillers with its “Build the Lunchbox” savings campaign. Promotions include:
- Fruity snacks like Gushers, Fruit by the Foot and Fruit Roll-Ups at 2 for $5;
- Select Dole fruit products at 3 for $6;
- PB&J favorites like Welch’s Jelly and Peter Pan Peanut Butter at 2 for $5;
- Snack aisle staples including Cheez-Its (3 for $6) and Keebler cookies and crackers (2 for $6).
Educator-Focused Perks
Dollar General is also appealing directly to educators with exclusive offers. Now through September 6, verified teachers can receive 30% off select stationery items in-store. The company is also running a social media sweepstakes on its Instagram page from July 15 through August 30, with 20 winners set to receive $250 Dollar General gift cards.
To further assist teachers and parents in tracking down the exact items on class lists, Dollar General is partnering with TeachersList, a verified school supply platform, to ensure families can easily access needed products.
Enhancing Digital Engagement
Dollar General is encouraging customers to take advantage of its loyalty program and app-based tools to maximize savings. Through the myDG account, shoppers gain access to exclusive digital coupons, and the company’s Saturday $5 off $25 promotion remains a central feature of its weekly savings strategy. Additional weekday $5 off $25 events are scheduled throughout July.
The DG app includes a product scanning feature that allows users to instantly check available discounts and apply coupons—making it easier to find deals in real time while shopping in-store.
Meeting Shoppers Where They Are
With its extensive national footprint and focus on value, Dollar General is looking to solidify its role in the back-to-school shopping season—a key period for discount and mass retailers. The company's focus on pricing consistency, private-label innovation and digital engagement reflects its broader strategy to meet customers' needs during times of economic uncertainty.
“In today’s environment, families are looking for ways to save without sacrificing quality,” said O’Brien. “We’re proud to offer meaningful value, convenience and variety to help make the back-to-school season less stressful and more affordable.”
As households and classrooms gear up for a new academic year, Dollar General’s mix of value pricing, educator incentives and digital tools aims to deliver one-stop simplicity—and real savings—for millions of shoppers across the country.
