Ollie's Bargain Outlet

So here's the thing about Ollie's-it's basically the retail equivalent of a treasure hunt, except instead of pirates and maps, you've got closeout merchandise and cartoon mascot ads. They're America's largest retailer of closeout merchandise and excess inventory, and they've been at this for over 40 years, which means they've pretty much perfected the art of turning other stores' leftovers into your next great find.

The whole operation runs on a simple premise: they sell real brands at real bargain prices up to 70% off the fancy stores, so you can find the brands you love at a fraction of what you'd pay anywhere else. And honestly? That's not just marketing speak. With 558 locations across 31 states as of January 2025, they've clearly figured out how to make this model work on a massive scale.

What makes Ollie's different from your typical discount store is their buying strategy. Their buyers scour the globe for closeouts, overstocks, package changes, manufacturer-refurbished goods, and irregulars from the finest manufacturers in the world. If a manufacturer makes too much of an item or changes their packaging, Ollie's will buy the overstock at a discount and pass the savings on to you. It's like being the friend who always knows where to find the good deals, except they've turned it into a billion-dollar business.

The shopping experience itself is... well, they call their stores "semi-lovely," which is probably the most honest retail description you'll ever hear. Their 574+ stores sell merchandise of all descriptions and some beyond description, with real brands at real bargain prices in every department, from housewares and flooring to food, cookware, toys, games, electronics, and more. You really never know what you'll stumble across-could be name-brand kitchen gadgets one week, premium pet supplies the next.

But here's what's kind of brilliant about their approach: they've embraced the unpredictability. You never know what you'll find, but you know it'll be Good Stuff Cheap. That uncertainty actually becomes part of the appeal. It's retail therapy meets scavenger hunt, and apparently millions of people are here for it.

The company's also been expanding aggressively. In March 2025, they purchased 63 store leases from competitor Big Lots following that chain's closure, with plans to convert those locations to Ollie's stores by the end of 2025. They just celebrated opening their 600th store in Belmont, New Hampshire, marking their expansion into their 34th state. That's some serious growth momentum.

And they're not just about the deals-each year, Ollie's raises more than $2 million for charitable organizations that better the lives of children and families in the communities they serve. So you can feel good about your bargain hunting, which is always a nice bonus.