The basics:

• Five Below opening stores in Linden (Oct. 3) and Wayne (Oct. 31)
• Expansion brings New Jersey footprint to 70 locations
• Retailer targets holiday season with trend-driven, budget-friendly merchandise

Ahead of the holiday shopping season, Five Below is adding two more stores in New Jersey.

According to the budget-friendly retailer’s website, the grand openings are scheduled for Oct. 3 at 860 W. Edgar Road in Linden and Oct. 31 at 625 Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne.

Founded 23 years ago in a Philadelphia suburb, Five Below offers trend-driven merchandise at everyday low prices across several categories, such as fashion, décor, sports, arts & crafts, celebrations and candy. Its brick-and-mortar footprint of more than 1,800 stores across the U.S. includes 68 locations in New Jersey.

After opening a record 55 sites in 2024, Five Below aims to add 150 outposts by the end of this year as part of an ongoing expansion effort.

Over the past two months in New Jersey, the company added a store at Columbia Park Center in North Bergen. Additionally, it announced plans to open at Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung.

Despite a pullback in consumer spending amid concerns about inflation and tariffs, Five Below continues to outperform thanks to its trend-focused merchandising and wallet-friendly pricing. For its second quarter fiscal year 2025, the chain reported net sales of $1.03 billion. The figure marks a 23.7% increase from $830.1 million in the same period a year ago.

‘Maniacally focused’

In a statement accompanying the Aug. 27 earnings report’s release, Five Below CEO Winnie Park said, “We are excited to deliver second quarter results that exceeded our sales and earnings expectations. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our strategy and are a testament to the hard work, dedication and tight collaboration of our teams across the company, especially in an ever-changing tariff environment.

“We have been maniacally focused on executing with excellence, specifically curating Wow! newness in our assortment, simplifying our pricing while maintaining extreme value, improving in-stock levels and optimizing product flow. Importantly, our results demonstrate that our customers are recognizing us as the destination for fun at great value.”

She went on to say, “Looking ahead, we remain laser-focused on delivering the magic of Five Below as we transition to Halloween and then the all-important holiday season. We will continue to surprise and delight our customers with trend-right products, exceptional value, and an amazing experience.”

Looking ahead, we remain laser-focused on delivering the magic of Five Below as we transition to Halloween and then the all-important holiday season.
— Winnie Park, CEO, Five Below

Located at the site of a former General Motors plant in Linden, Legacy Square is an outdoor shopping center with filled with dozens of retail destinations.

860 W. Edgar Road, Linden:

The property’s lineup includes a recently renovated Walmart Supercenter, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Wawa, Starbucks, Mattress Firm, Foot Locker, Panera Bread, LA Fitness, Panda Express, AFC Urgent Care and Buy Rite Wine & Liquor. Legacy Square is also home to a brand-new Blaze Pizza outpost.

In Wayne, Five Below is taking space at Plaza Square, an Aldi-anchored shopping center on Hamburg Turnpike. Retro Fitness, Wendy’s, Big Blue Swim School, T-Mobile, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, Kessler Physical Therapy and Music & Arts are also tenants.

It marks Five Below’s third store in the township. The chain’s other sites are at Waynechester Plaza on Route 23 and Wayne Town Center on Willowbrook Boulevard.

625 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne: