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<\/p>\nAs big malls and department stores close, bargain chains like Ross Dress for Less are rolling out new stores.<\/p>\n
Economic anxiety and inflation are leading shoppers to spend less and search for savings. In this bombed-out retail landscape, some chains are thriving and opening new outlets. <\/p>\n
At a new Ross in Alhambra, Liz Lopez was shopping for a designer purse. She is a big fan of the Dublin-based chain and thrilled to now have one just 10 blocks from her home. <\/p>\n
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People check out after shopping at a newly opened Ross store.<\/p>\n
(Jason Armond \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n
\u201cI come on Tuesdays for the senior discounts,\u201d Lopez said, showing off her new black Dolce & Gabbana purse. \u201cI always find good deals.\u201d <\/p>\n
The new store on East Valley Boulevard opened this month. One of its sister shops \u2014 dd\u2019s Discounts, which is owned by the same parent company \u2014 opened in North Hollywood. <\/p>\n
This year, the parent company, Ross Stores Inc., plans to open 110 new outlets across the country, after 90 last year. <\/p>\n
Ross Chief Executive Jim Conroy said Ross is capturing market share by attracting customers away from other retail chains.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe share shift is more from mainstream retail, department stores and other places like that,\u201d he told analysts after announcing strong growth <\/a>early this month.<\/p>\n Other discount outlets, including T.J. Maxx, Dollar General, Nordstrom Rack and Five Below, are also expanding to capitalize on tough times. <\/p>\n Retail data show shoppers are visiting a broader spectrum of destinations to find lower prices, said Placer.ai, which tracks people\u2019s movements based on cellphone usage.<\/p>\n \u201cConsumers have become increasingly selective and price-sensitive, actively pivoting away from traditional mid-market chains in favor of discount retailers and value-oriented brands,\u201d Placer.ai said in a report this month. \u201cBecause affordability remains a core focus, average households are spreading their visits across a wider number of non-discretionary stores to hunt for deals.\u201d<\/p>\n Discount retailers have been popular for decades, but a combination of factors is now driving accelerated growth for some, experts said. <\/p>\n Dollar stores and the first off-price retailers rose to popularity in the 1990s, but really took off around 2010 following the recession, according to Dylan Carden, a specialty retail analyst at William Blair. <\/p>\n Since then, the stigma surrounding bargain stores has lessened for both customers and brands. <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re phenomenal at what they do,\u201d Carden said of the major off-price retailers, including Ross and TJX, which owns T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and Home Goods. <\/p>\n In the last year or so, well-established retailers that were already grappling with intense competition from online retailers have been hit as their customers cut back on discretionary spending amid inflation, tariffs and global conflict. <\/a><\/p>\n Savings signs can be found on the walls at a newly opened Ross store in Alhambra.<\/p>\n (Jason Armond \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n For stores such as Ross, this dip in demand at department stores means a larger supply of discounted products, as they often buy unsold merchandise from struggling high-end outlets and manufacturers. <\/p>\n \u201cThese companies offer a tremendous value to shoppers, but they perhaps offer an even greater value to the brands,\u201d said Simeon Siegel, a senior managing director at Guggenheim Partners. \u201cThey\u2019ve solidified their role in the retail ecosystem.\u201d <\/p>\n Five Below, the Pennsylvania-based discount outlet aimed at teens and tweens, opened 150 new stores<\/a> in 2025 and has plans to open more this year. Its same-store sales rose 15% in the fourth quarter last year. <\/p>\n Ross sells everything from neck ties to shower curtains. Its fourth-quarter profits last year rose 10% from the year prior. Ross reported record sales<\/a> for 2025 of $22.8 billion, up 8% from the year prior. Its net income was $2.1 billion, similar to 2024, while comparable store sales grew 5%. <\/p>\n Investors have been happy with its outperformance.<\/p>\n Ross shares surged around 70% over the past year. TJX shares rose around 30%.<\/p>\n A man exits after shopping at a newly opened Ross store.<\/p>\n (Jason Armond \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n TJX has also seen year-over-year increases in sales and net income, according to its most recent earnings release.<\/a> It plans to open 146 new stores this year.<\/p>\n \u201cThe revenues, the stores, the businesses are doing excellent,\u201d Siegel said. \u201cThey are absolutely in their stride.\u201d<\/p>\n In contrast, some department stores are struggling. <\/p>\n Macy\u2019s closed two California locations<\/a> earlier this year as part of its plan to reduce its footprint by 30% by 2027. Twelve more closures are planned in the coming months across the U.S.<\/p>\n Saks Global, which owns Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection<\/a> in January, citing overwhelming debt. <\/p>\n![\"Savings](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774268295_977_.jpeg\")
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