Ahead of the back-to-school shopping season, budget-friendly retailers Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and Marshalls are opening brand-new stores in New Jersey.

With 78% of shoppers expecting higher prices this season, value is likely to remain a major consideration for families, the National Retail Federation says. As a result, the trade association anticipates discount stores will be among the most popular destinations for the season.

Overall, spending is projected to hit a record $43.3 billion. Families plan to shell out an average of $863.86 per K–12 student and $1,437.79 per college student, the NRF says.

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet expects an Aug. 12 unveiling of its new store at 165 White Horse Pike in Clementon.

Headquartered in Pennsylvania, Ollie’s sells discounted merchandise across a range of categories, including books, food, toys, bed & bath, cleaning supplies, clothing, furniture, electronics, furniture, hardware and seasonal items.

Because the chain specializes in closeouts, excess inventory and overstocked brand name items, Ollie’s offers prices that are up to 70% below traditional retailers.

Currently, the company has 685 stores across 35 states. That includes 11 locations in New Jersey. After opening 86 stores last year, Ollie’s expects to add 75 more sites in 2026. Long term, the chain believes it can grow to more than 1,300 locations nationwide.

In Clementon, Ollie’s is taking over a store previously occupied by bankrupt Big Lots.

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet in Clementon:

Marshalls

Marshalls is planning an Aug. 27 grand opening at Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung.

Based in Massachusetts, the TJX Cos.-owned off-price retailer sells brand-name clothing, footwear, accessories, beauty products and home merchandise at prices up to 50 percent less than traditional department and specialty stores. Its footprint of roughly 1,370 stores across North America includes about 50 locations in New Jersey.

A longtime tenant at the shopping center, Marshalls is moving to a reconfigured 27,000-square-foot store in part of a site previously occupied by ShopRite. The building is also home to a recently opened, 26,495-square-foot Burlington outpost.

The space became available when ShopRite relocated to a newly constructed 72,000-square-foot store next to its former location at the Route 22 shopping center.

Other tenants at the recently redeveloped, 420,000-square-foot retail hub include Kohl’s + Sephora, Dollar Tree, Five Below, Planet Fitness, The Children’s Place, Taco Bell and KidStrong.

Exclusive leasing and managing agent Levin Management Corp. has also revealed that popular chicken finger chain Raising Cane’s is coming soon.

Following the multimillion-dollar effort to transform Blue Star into a regional destination, the growing lineup of retail, restaurants and entertainment has fueled a surge in foot traffic. LMC recently reported that visits climbed 40.1% year over year to 3.8 million annually.

Marshalls in Watchung: