Ollie’s Bargain Outlet's new store in Illinois attracts shoppers seeking value

Bargain shoppers fleeing high prices were in full force on Wednesday for the grand opening of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet’s newest Illinois store in Champaign.

Despite the wintry weather conditions, shoppers braved the elements and lined up 30 minutes before the store opening to get first dibs on Ollie’s brand-name closeouts.

Ollie's, which was founded in 1982 and now operates 473 stores, is know for selling merchandise from food to flooring at closeout prices. Many customers at the grand opening commented on the deals as they shopped the aisles.

So, what drives shoppers to Ollie’s? Taking a tour inside the new store reveals bargain prices on name-brand CPGs that are packed in every aisle. The new store is located at 111 Convenience Center Road next to Kohls in the old Office Depot. At 35,125 square feet, the store has everything from grocery items, beauty supplies, housewares and rugs. And not to mention a wildly popular throwback comic book selection that had many shoppers clamoring for a copy.

Ollie’s sells everything, but food is key to its sales strategy, with the grocery department located right at the sprawling store's entrance. 

“You can just tell by the footprint it's a sizable portion of the store,” Ken Missig, regional director of store operations, told WGB at the grand opening, in reference to the grocery offering.

Grocery essentials found at the store include aisles of breakfast foods and cereals, soups and canned goods, pasta and rice, oils, sauces, condiments, baking supplies, and health-focused foods such as nuts, dried fruits and more.

“Our claim to fame is good stuff cheap, so we feel like we can provide the brands that the customers know and love at a great value, which would certainly help folks that are feeling a bit of a crunch with all the prices moving up,” Missig said.

The store, which touts “real brand, real bargains” signage throughout also lets the shoppers know the price savings on the sticker for each item. A 26.3-ounce box of Kellogg’s Fruit Loops says “our price” $3.29 with “their price” listed as $5.49 on the package.

The store also includes bargain prices on beauty and health items, as well as cleaning products from a variety of CPG brands such as Dove, Tide and  more.

“We are excited to open our 6th store in the great state of Illinois where the folks have been so good to us,” said John Swygert, president and CEO of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, in a statement. “With so many great deals, we’re thrilled to provide shoppers in Champaign and its surrounding areas with a treasure hunt experience where they can find a huge selection of brand name merchandise at up to 70% off the fancy stores’ prices every day.”

The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based retailer is expanding its portfolio of stores. Another Illinois Ollie’s location will open on March 15, and a 600,000-square-foot distribution center in Princeton is expected to be completed in 2024. But the Midwest is not the only area Ollie’s is eyeing expansion.

“We're going to creep into Wisconsin later in the year, and we'll get in Iowa this year more than likely,” Missig told WGB.