Michigan Issued Notice to Five Below After Customers Find $5 Deals Scanning at Higher Prices Across Dozens of Stores
MICHIGAN — State investigators have accused discount retailer Five Below of overcharging customers at nearly 20 Michigan stores, after discovering that products advertised as $5 deals were ringing up for $6 or $7 at the register.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced that more than 30 scanner pricing violations have been documented since June 2025, prompting an official warning to the national retail chain.
Shoppers Flag Price Discrepancies
Complaints surfaced earlier this fall when Michigan shoppers noticed discrepancies between shelf prices and checkout totals. Inspectors later confirmed several violations at stores in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Ann Arbor, where multiple items labeled at $5 scanned higher at checkout.
“Retailers are legally required to ensure shelf and scanner prices match,” an MDARD spokesperson said. “Even small price differences can harm consumers when repeated across thousands of sales.”
Regulators Issue Official Notice
State officials say Five Below was issued a compliance notice under Michigan’s scanner accuracy law. Businesses found in violation can face civil fines or mandatory restitution for affected customers.
The retailer must now review its labeling and checkout systems to ensure accuracy statewide. MDARD confirmed the company has been notified and is expected to submit a corrective response plan.
What Shoppers Should Do
Michigan consumers are encouraged to closely review receipts and verify shelf prices before leaving stores. Under Michigan law, customers who discover an overcharge are entitled to a refund plus up to $5 in compensation for the first item scanned incorrectly.
“If something rings up higher than marked, speak up,” state regulators advised. “You have a right to a refund and to hold businesses accountable.”
Five Below’s Expanding Price Range May Be Adding Confusion
Five Below, known for its “everything under $5” model, has expanded in recent years to include a “Five Beyond” section, featuring higher-priced merchandise. Regulators suspect the overlapping signage between $5 and higher-priced items may have contributed to customer confusion.
MDARD officials said they will continue to monitor Five Below’s pricing accuracy through the remainder of 2025 and urged other retailers to review their labeling systems to avoid similar violations.
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