Amazon tends towards larger quantities, which is what people have trouble affording. I am happy to buy in bulk for things that I use -- as an example I take Zyrtec every day, and buy a 365-count container every year for $15. Dollar stores aren't competing with that, they're for people that can only afford $1 right now, and so they end up with a 14 count container for that. Those people will pay $26 for a year supply, but the important part is that they have $14 right now and are still free of allergies.
That is the problem that people have with dollar stores. They have a cheaper cost of entry, but are more expensive overall. Those of us that aren't living paycheck to paycheck have the liberty of buying things a year in advance to get a better price, and Amazon is great for us. But most of the country isn't doing quite so well.
That is the problem that people have with dollar stores. They have a cheaper cost of entry, but are more expensive overall. Those of us that aren't living paycheck to paycheck have the liberty of buying things a year in advance to get a better price, and Amazon is great for us. But most of the country isn't doing quite so well.