Who doesn’t love getting a great deal on the little things we need in our lives? Whether it’s small household items, snacks, or necessities like socks, we don’t want to pay over the odds.
That’s why dollar stores are so popular across the US. With this being the case, are there any dollar stores in Hawaii, and if not, why not? Let’s dive in and find out.
What are Dollar Stores?
As the name suggests, these are stores that sell items for a dollar a piece or thereabouts. You can also find 99-cent shops that operate in the same way.
They sell just about everything from homeware to food to small pieces of clothing and everything in between. Essentially, it’s an affordable way to get everything you need in one place.
Does Hawaii Have Dollar Stores?
Unfortunately, Hawaii currently does not have any dollar stores on any of the islands. There were brief periods when chains tried to open up discounted home stores in Hawaii but they were short-lived.
Why Doesn’t Hawaii Have Dollar Stores?
There’s a really simple reason why Hawaii doesn’t have dollar stores, and it’s all about the import costs. The amount of money it takes to get these kinds of items out to islands means that you’d have to sell at a huge loss to charge customers just a dollar.
It’s why a lot of things in Hawaii are much more expensive than on the mainland unless you’re buying local produce.
What Alternatives are There in Hawaii?
So, there may not be any dollar stores in Hawaii but where can you shop and find affordable homeware, hardware, and other essentials on the island?
1. Walmart
A US staple, Walmart is a little more pricey than a dollar store, but you can still find a ton of great deals. From food to clothing to books and stationery, Walmart has pretty much everything you could want from a supermarket. There are currently nine Walmarts across Hawaii, so they’re pretty commonplace.
2. Costco
Who doesn’t love a good trip to Costco? One of the most well-known and beloved big box stores in the world is a US staple. It’s no wonder that Hawaiians love Costco as well!
With two in Honolulu alone, it’s a popular chain and is present on Oahu, Big Island, and Maui. It is a little bit more expensive than Costco on the mainland but offers great deals by Hawaiian pricing standards.
3. Amazon
If in doubt, head to Amazon. You can get cheap homeware and other useful items delivered right to your door in no time. There are some shipping restrictions when delivering to Hawaii, which are mostly based on size.
If you need to get a big-ticket item, you might need to head to an in-person store, but for dollar-store equivalents, Amazon is a great shout.
Summary
Although Hawaii doesn’t have any dollar stores, and high import costs make this seem unlikely to happen in the future, the islands do have a whole host of big brands, affordable stores, and outlets.
Hawaii can be an expensive place to live and visit, so keep this in mind when you’re budgeting.