If you have ever heard someone say their Dollar General is remodeling and wondered why couponers suddenly get excited, there is a good reason. Dollar General remodels can bring some of the best clearance opportunities we see, including merchandise dropping to 70% off and, in some remodels, eventually reaching $0.01.
The important thing to understand is that every remodel is different. The departments and products included depend on what that particular store is changing, removing, refreshing, or replacing. One store may have an incredible remodel sale while another store may have a much smaller selection.
Here is your Crazy For Couponing Dollar General Remodel 101 guide to help you understand what to watch for, when to start checking, and how to shop a remodel the right way.
What Is a Dollar General Remodel?
Dollar General remodels are store projects where locations may receive changes ranging from a smaller refresh to a more extensive store transformation.
There are two types of remodel projects you may hear about:
Project Renovate — Full Remodels
These are more extensive store transformations and may include new fixtures, changes to the store layout, flooring, lighting, signage and other updates.
Project Elevate — Partial Remodels/Refreshes
These are smaller remodels or refreshes that may include updated signage, minor fixture changes and department updates.
The type of remodel matters because the merchandise being cleared out depends on what is changing at that specific store.
Dollar General Remodel Timeline
One of the biggest things to learn is the typical remodel progression. Timing can vary by location, so always treat remodel dates as a guide rather than a guarantee.
| Remodel Stage | Day | Typical Timing | What Happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Drop | Day 1 | Thursday | CORE items → 70% off |
| Freezer Drop | Day 12 | Monday | Freezer/Cooler → 70% off, if applicable |
| Penny Day | Day 25 | Sunday | Remaining qualifying items → $0.01 |
Day 1 — Initial/Core 70% Drop
What Items Will Be 70% Off?
There isn’t one universal list of products that will be 70% off at every Dollar General remodel.
The items included depend on what the store is getting rid of. That means products can vary considerably from store to store and from one remodel to another.
On the first day of a suspected remodel drop, check your Dollar General app and start adding possible clearance merchandise to your list. When you’re inside the store, look for 70% OFF clearance tags to help identify departments and merchandise included in the remodel.
But the biggest rule is:
SCAN, SCAN, SCAN!
Don’t assume something is included simply because another store had it on clearance. Scan the item and check the price for your selected store.
That is especially important when following pictures or lists posted online. Those can give you clues about what to look for, but they do not guarantee the same products will be discounted at your location.
The initial remodel drop typically begins on a Thursday.
This is when qualifying CORE merchandise may drop to 70% off. This is your first major indication that a location is actively progressing through its remodel clearance.
Again, what qualifies as CORE clearance can differ by store. Scanning is the best way to confirm the price.
Here are the items we use to trigger remodel locations in our search.
Dollar General Remodel Products
Day 12 — Freezer/Cooler 70% Drop
For applicable remodels, the next major stage is typically around Day 12 on Monday.
This is when qualifying freezer and cooler merchandise may drop to 70% off.
Not every remodel will have a freezer/cooler drop, so this portion is very much YMMV — Your Mileage May Vary.
Dollar General Remodel Freezer Products
Day 25 — Penny Day
The final stage couponers are watching for is Penny Day, typically around Day 25 on Sunday.
At this stage, remaining qualifying remodel merchandise may reach $0.01.
Timing can vary by store, and remodel schedules can change, so do not rely on the calendar alone. Use the timeline to know when you should start paying especially close attention to a store.
What If the Store Closes on Sunday?
This is an important remodel situation to watch.
If a remodeling Dollar General closes on Sunday, check the store again when it reopens — often Thursday or whatever day that particular location reopens.
There may be penny merchandise that was overlooked or put back onto the shelves during the remodel process.
And don’t assume the opportunity disappears immediately after reopening. Remodel penny merchandise may continue scanning at a penny for several weeks — sometimes around 4–6 weeks.
That is why we say:
Keep those penny peepers open!
Even after the main remodel rush is over, it can be worth paying attention to merchandise that appears to have survived the remodel.
How Will I Know Which Items Are Clearance or Penny?
This is probably the most common remodel question, and the answer is simple:
You have to research and scan.
There isn’t one master list that applies perfectly to every store because the merchandise depends on the type of remodel and what that particular location is removing or changing.
Use remodel information to narrow down what you should investigate, look for clearance tags inside the store, and then verify prices by scanning before putting merchandise into your cart.
The Dollar General app can be extremely helpful, but make sure you have the correct store selected before relying on a scanned price.
Dollar General Remodel Shopping Etiquette
Remodel shopping can be exciting, especially when people are finding merchandise at 70% off or a penny, but a great deal is never an excuse to make shopping miserable for employees or other customers.
Be kind. Be respectful to other customers, cashiers and yourself. This is supposed to be fun—not a WWE match.
Clean up after yourself. If you move merchandise while searching, put things back where they belong. Don’t leave shelves, aisles or displays destroyed while hunting for clearance.
Research before you shop. Know what you’re looking for and go into the store prepared.
And most importantly:
SCAN BEFORE TAKING!
Check the price before loading up your cart. A product being 70% off or a penny at another location does not automatically mean it is the same price at yours.
Remember: Every Remodel Is Different
The biggest mistake you can make with Dollar General remodel shopping is expecting every location to behave exactly the same way.
The products can be different. The departments can be different. Freezer participation can be different. The amount of merchandise remaining on Penny Day can be different. And the timing itself can vary.
Think of remodel information as a roadmap. It tells you what stages to watch for and when those stages typically happen—but scanning at your specific store is what confirms the deal.
Crazy For Couponing Remodel 101 Quick Reference
INITIAL DROP → Day 1 → Thursday → CORE 70% OFF
FREEZER DROP → Day 12 → Monday → FREEZER/COOLER 70% OFF, if applicable
PENNY DAY → Day 25 → Sunday → QUALIFYING REMODEL ITEMS $0.01
If the store closes for the remodel, check again when it reopens for merchandise that may have been returned to the shelves.
And remember: Research. Scan. Verify your store. Be respectful. Clean up after yourself.
That’s how we do Dollar General remodel shopping at Crazy For Couponing — Savings to Splurge.
