Five Below is everywhere. Seriously. If you’ve stepped into a suburban shopping center lately, you’ve probably seen that bright blue signage and a swarm of teenagers hunting for Squishmallows or $5 phone chargers. But 2025 is looking a little different for the discount giant. While the brand has been on a tear—opening a record-breaking 228 stores in 2024—the Five Below store openings 2025 schedule is showing a deliberate, calculated shift in tempo.
Honestly, it’s not just about opening doors anymore; it’s about where those doors are located and what’s behind them.
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The company is currently executing what they call the "Triple-Double" strategy. It sounds like a basketball stat, but it’s actually a roadmap to triple their store count to 3,500 locations by 2030. For the 2025 fiscal year (which runs through early February 2026), the target is approximately 150 net new stores. That’s a dip from the previous year’s breakneck pace, but don't let the smaller number fool you. They are entering brand-new territory, most notably a massive push into the Pacific Northwest—a region that has been a "white space" on their map for way too long.
The Pacific Northwest Push and Beyond
If you live in Washington or Oregon, you’ve probably felt left out of the Five Below craze. That changed officially in late 2024 and is hitting full stride in 2025. In November, the retailer dropped eight stores into the region at once. We're talking cities like:
- Puyallup, WA (Sunrise Village)
- Federal Way, WA (Celebration Center)
- Richland, WA
- Beaverton, OR
This isn't just a random expansion. CEO Winnie Park, who took the helm recently, is focusing on "densifying" existing markets while picking off these high-value new regions. A big part of this 2025 growth involves a bit of real estate scavenging. When Party City hit bankruptcy hurdles, Five Below was right there to scoop up leases. It’s a smart play. These locations are already in high-traffic retail hubs where the "core customer"—basically kids, teens, and parents—already hang out.
Why the Slowdown Matters
Why only 150 stores when they did nearly 230 last year? It’s about the "kid."
Winnie Park has been very vocal in investor calls about returning to the brand's "true north." Sometimes, when a company grows too fast, the stores start to feel cluttered or the "wow" factor of the products fades. By aiming for 150 stores, the management team is trying to ensure that every new Five Below store openings 2025 event actually delivers on the "treasure hunt" experience.
They are also dealing with some real-world headaches. Tariffs are a big one. Since so much of their inventory—from tech gadgets to room decor—is sourced globally, potential import taxes mean they have to be smarter about their supply chain. They even opened a global sourcing office in India to diversify away from being too dependent on any one country.
The Five Beyond Factor
The "Five" in Five Below is becoming a bit of a loose suggestion. If you’ve walked into a newer location, you’ve seen the Five Beyond section. This is their "store-within-a-store" concept where items go for $6, $10, or even $25.
For 2025, almost every new store opening will feature this format. It’s where they keep the higher-end stuff like Bluetooth speakers, weighted blankets, and larger LEGO sets. From a business perspective, this is a goldmine. It increases the "average ticket"—retail speak for "how much money you drop per visit." In the second quarter of 2025, comparable sales grew by 12.4%, largely because people weren't just buying one $5 item; they were grabbing a $12 hoodie or a $15 gaming headset too.
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What to Expect at a 2025 Grand Opening
If a Five Below is opening near you this year, expect a spectacle. They don’t just unlock the doors. The first 100 people usually get a $10 gift card, and there’s usually a lot of local fanfare.
But there's a community angle now, too. During the Seattle-area expansion, the company partnered with local Boys & Girls Clubs to renovate "teen spaces." It’s a savvy move to build brand loyalty in a new market. They aren't just the "cheap store" anymore; they're trying to be the "cool neighborhood spot" for kids.
Practical Steps for Shoppers and Real Estate Watchers
If you’re trying to track the Five Below store openings 2025 to see if your town is next, here’s how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the local permits: Five Below often files under "Five Below Inc." in municipal building permits 3–6 months before an official announcement.
- Check the "New Stores" directory: The company maintains a "New Stores" page on its website that updates roughly 30 days before a grand opening.
- Look at former Party City or Tuesday Morning spots: These are the prime targets for 2025 relocations and new builds.
- Sign up for "The High Five" emails: This is the fastest way to get notified about grand opening promos and gift card giveaways in your specific zip code.
The 2025 expansion is less of a sprint and more of a strategic march. With nearly 2,000 stores expected by the end of the year, the goal of 3,500 by 2030 actually looks doable. They’re betting big that even in a weird economy, people will always have five bucks (or maybe fifteen) to spend on something that makes them smile.
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To get the most out of your local opening, keep an eye on the official Five Below store locator and look for the "Coming Soon" tag, which typically appears once the interior shelving starts going up. If you're a regular, 2025 is also the year to watch for their new loyalty program pilot, which aims to reward those frequent "candy and charger" runs that keep the lights on.