Dollarama

Dollarama is a Canadian dollar store operator offering a broad assortment of everyday consumer products, general merchandise, and seasonal items. It has 690 locations across the country, providing its customers with compelling value in convenient locations, including metropolitan areas, mid-sized cities, and small towns. Dollarama was founded in 1992 by Larry Rossy.

1992: The company was founded by Lawrence Rossy and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

1994: Dollarama opens its first store in Ontario.

2001: Dollarama dramatically expands its presence in Ontario through the acquisition of 60 locations following a retail chain bankruptcy.

2003: Its first store in Manitoba opens.

2004: In November, 80 percent of the chain was sold for $850 million US, to a private equity fund, Bain Capital, of Boston, Massachusetts. Dollarama is growing rapidly with nearly 350 stores across six Canadian provinces.

2005: Dollarama continues its expansion into Western Canada, opening its first stores in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

2006: Store openings in British Columbia and Newfoundland follow shortly after.

2007: Dollarama reaches a symbolic milestone with the opening of its 500th store in Ottawa, Ontario, with more plans for growth.

2009: Following a successful initial public offering, Dollarama’s shares begin to trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “DOL” on October 16. Stephen Gunn, Lead Director of the Board of Directors is named Chairman of the Board. Dollarama operates more than 1,000 stores in Canada and has implemented five new price points: $1.25, $1.50, $2.00, $2.50 and $3.00.

2011: Bain Capital sells its remaining stake in Dollarama, now a well-established company, still committed to the disciplined execution of its growth strategy and to creating value for its shareholders.

2012: Dollarama celebrates the opening of its 700th store in Canada, and further expands its product offering with the addition of two new price points: $2.50 and $3.00.

2013: Dollarama was planning to expand its market to Latin America, and made an eight-year agreement to share its business expertise and provide sourcing services to Dollar City, a Salvadoran chain of dollar stores in Central America and Colombia.

2015: After converting all the locations to the dollar store concept, Larry Rossy continued to open new stores reaching 1,000 stores.

2016: After contributing to nearly 25 years of growth and profitability, Neil Rossy is appointed president and chief executive officer while founder Larry Rossy becomes executive chairman. Now Canada's largest dollar store chain, he handed the reins to his son Neil, after 43 years of running the company. Dollarama established a partnership with the Marco G. R. Enterprise, resulting in the sponsorship of the first edition of the Formula Windsor Championship.

2018: After a lifetime in the retail industry, company founder Larry Rossy steps down as Executive Chairman and is named Chairman Emeritus. By the end of the year, Dollarama has over 1,200 stores across Canada.

2019: In August, Dollarama acquires a 50.1% interest in Latin American value retailer Dollarcity following a six-year commercial partnership.

Dollarama aims to provide customers with a consistent shopping experience and compelling value, offering a broad assortment of general merchandise, consumables and seasonal items.

To become a household name and shopping destination for Canadians from coast to coast.