Wealthier households are flocking to dollar stores, chains whose core customers are America’s poor, as Donald Trump’s tariffs darken US consumer sentiment. The two biggest operators, Dollar Tree and Dollar General, revealed this week rising inbound traffic from middle- and higher-income households in the first quarter of the year.

CEO Todd Vasos said the company has worked to reduce its exposure to China — and limit price hikes for shoppers.

Customers spent more per trip at Dollar General last quarter, a sign that higher-income shoppers may be looking to save — and possibly stocking up ahead of expected tariffs. Why it matters: Dollar stores have been struggling as Americans turned to budding alternatives such as same-day delivery from the likes of Amazon and Walmart.