A handful of dollar stores and their international equivalents are using licensing and collaborations to stand out in an increasingly crowded market in which they face growing competition from a variety of different types of low-cost retailers. Many of these chains have raised their prices above the $1 mark, or similar milestones, which puts them in direct competition with a wider swath of value chains. But it also gives them a bit more room to maneuver when forging licensing and collaboration deals.
Some examples of global retailers who have been leaning into partnerships with licensed properties illustrate the phenomenon:
- This month, Dollar General is launching Simply for You by Hallmark, a holiday collection consisting of décor, essentials for entertaining, and gifts — from tablecloths, spice jars, and decorative word blocks to puzzles, snow globes, and snack boxes — priced from $1 to $15, with 70% on offer for $5 or less. In April, the chain paired with singer-songwriter Holly Williams, whose themes include home and heritage, on an XO Holly by Holly Williams range of décor, kitchen goods, bedding, and other home goods priced from $1 to $20, with half below $5. In March 2026, Dollar General introduced KI by Kathy Ireland, an affordable-luxury line of blankets, comforters, pillows, sheets, bathroom accessories, and the like featuring pastel colors, florals, and textured materials, priced from $6 to $35. The Ireland deal was one of several home goods partnerships with brands and celebrities the retailer announced in June 2025, with the others including designer Betsey Johnson’s Betseyville, Beverly Hills Polo Club, and Simply Belle by Simply Southern. Meanwhile, Dollar General’s Dolly Parton Home Collection, which it launched with the late singer in summer of 2024 with cast iron skillets, tabletop, décor, kitchen tools, and home textiles, has expanded to encompass additional categories, including a range of Christmas-themed products that debuted in fall 2025.
- Daiso, a Japanese-headquarted 100-yen store that has expanded globally, has done collaborations in a number of different regions, especially across Asia. In April of this year, Daiso’s Japanese stores launched an exclusive limited-edition collection of 28 pastel-colored items featuring Chiikawa and friends, the social media-driven, manga-origin, and widely licensed property by illustrator Nagano. Products fall into the categories of household items, accessories, and stationery and include bags and pouches; stickers, badges, erasers, and keychains; and bento cups, all retailing for 100 to 200 yen ($0.64 to $1.27). In South Korea, the chain partnered with Korean makeup artist Jung Sam-mul earlier this year for eight K-beauty products under the Zoom by Jung Sam-mul label, with prices from 1,000 won to 5,000 won ($0.73 to $3.64), or just 5% to 10% of what the artist’s signature products usually go for. Daiso has also partnered with Disney, with the latest example being a range of everyday cooking and meal-prep products featuring Disney characters, introduced in its Korean stores this fall, with more to come. The studio has collaborated with Daiso in other territories as well, including Japan and Singapore, among others.
- Can Do, a competitor to Daiso in the 100-yen store space in Japan, has offered collaborative merchandise with characters such as Gloomy Bear and Pokémon. The former took place in fall of 2025 and featured the 25-year-old creepy cute character created by graphic designer Mori Chack on zip pouches, tin badges, clear cases, folders, sticky notes, card sleeves, umbrella charms, keychains, and more, with all items priced at 100 yen. The latter occurred in 2023 and featured stationery and accessories (zip pouches, file folders, key chains, washi tape, stickers, memo pads, and the like) celebrating the property’s 43rd anniversary, with most of the items in the 220- to 440-yen range ($1.40 to $2.80).
- Poundland, a U.K. one-pound chain that is currently in a turnaround phase after being purchased by Gordon Bros. in 2025, has done many collaborations, primarily with celebrities, in the past. In 2013, it announced a deal with actress, author, and baking expert Jane Asher for a full range of bakeware and associated gadgets, mostly retailing for £1. (She followed this deal with a similar range at Home Bargains, a discount variety store, in 2017, which is still ongoing.) Other Poundland collaborators from the mid-2000s include TV building expert Tommy Walsh in 2015 for a 200-piece assortment of £1 ($1.34 at current exchange rates) DIY products for both novices and professionals, such as tools, fixtures, fittings, and adhesives; gardener and TV presenter Charlie Dimmock in 2016, for a range of £1 gardening products including tools, decorations, compost, pots, and planters; and reality stars Ferne McCann and Mario Falcone, both of whom gained fame on The Only Way Is Essex, in 2018 for £1 beauty products and £5 ($6.69) fragrances.
While these chains have used collaborations effectively over the years, it should be noted that the number of dollar stores and their international equivalents leaning into licensing and collaborations remains relatively few, at least to date. But more could appear as competition in this retail tier grows, business models change, and licensors become more interested in introducing their properties to this formerly no-go channel.
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