announcement that it will buy Family Dollar Stores for $8.5 billion shows that while dollar stores were once an afterthought in the retail industry, they have become an increasingly important player — for investors and consumers. Big box discount retailers and so-called dollar stores (which are known for deep discounts but do price some items at more than $1), have been battling for years. have experimented with their own take on the dollar format. With so many players slugging it out for customers, it’s hard to know where to find the best deals. MarketWatch spoke to retail experts, who advised choosing wisely on everything from vitamins to spatulas and paper towels and sunglasses. What makes a food a ‘superfood’? Many foods are being labeled "superfoods," but what does this really mean?Bleach toilet tablets, alas, were hit and miss, he adds. When it comes to extension cords or power strips, always check for the “UL” international safety certification label, Perez says, while zinc-carbon heavy duty batteries don’t always have as much stored energy as name-brand or lithium batteries.

“’s free mobile coupon app for online deals, she says. But dollar stores often don’t stock the best-known brands and some items need close inspection. The brands in the discount stores tend to fade, shrink and curl faster than higher priced towels, he says. “Even the crazy towel deals from the big box retailers on Black Friday are a risk for getting quality towels,” he says. Vintage Nike Shoe Identification“Hold out for January White Sales when stores like Macy’sUsed Furniture Denver For Sale move quality inventory at discount prices. Fishing Rod Rack ) as No. 1 out of 10 tested based on price, drying time, absorbency and durability, and rated WestPoint Home’s Lasting Color No. 1 in the budget category ($5.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Water blasters from lesser known brands may be prone to leaking, lose power and are frustrating to play with, he says. After testing bubble solutions, he recommends two brands — Gazillion Bubbles and Imperial’s Miracle Super Bubbles. Dollar stores do have some good deals and often some decent quality stuff from established brands, he says, “but if you’re buying at a dollar store, your expectations should be in line with what you’re spending. Definitely stock up on small toys that are good for birthday party favors.” Be careful when buying toys anywhere, especially if it’s a brand or type you don’t recognize. They could be poor quality or pose safety hazards. Shampoo and conditioner Although these may seem like a good deal, dollar stores’ shampoo and conditioner selection is limited to just a few lesser known brands, Woroch says. “I’ve found the same product at Wal-Mart for less.” You are better off buying your hair-cleaning products at Target or Wal-Mart where you have a larger selection of brands and cheaper prices, especially since there is always one or two on sale plus coupons available,” she adds.

Dollar Tree sells Silkience, Alberto V05, Hair & Scalp and Salon Selectives shampoos and conditioners at a unit price of $1 per bottle (as part of a 12-bottle case). Good Housekeeping rates Pantene Pro-V as the best overall hair thickener shampoo ($4.50 at Walgreens). Food and drinks While dollar stores obviously have bargain basement prices, soft drinks are often cheaper when they’re on sale or sold in bulk at grocery and big-box stores, says Jeff Yeager, author of “The Ultimate Cheapskate’s Road Map to True Riches.” Dollar stores are not the place you’re likely to find San Pellegrino or Snapple. Dollar Tree has soft drinks like Shasta Cola and Stars & Stripes Cola ($1 per bottle as part of six-bottle case). A package of Oreo cookies (14.3 ounces), for example, costs $3.50 at Deals, which is owned by Dollar Tree, but sells for $2.98 at Wal-Mart. Dollar Tree does have the pricing edge on some items like athletic socks and backpacks, says Will McKitterick, a retail analyst at firm IBISWorld, but buying in bulk is often cheaper at Wal-Mart.

What’s more, Wal-Mart has a pricing policy that guarantees they will match any advertised price from any local store as long as it’s an identical item and the ad clearly states the price. Some instances where Wal-Mart beats out dollar store prices: A three-ring binder costs $1.91 at Wal-Mart, but $2 at Deals, 4-ounce glue (34 cents at Wal-Mart, $1 at Dollar Tree), and a 64-package of crayons costs $2.84 at Wal-Mart and $3.50 at Deals (if customers buy a minimum quantity of 12 packets). More from MarketWatch: 10 things billionaires won’t tell you Here’s what you shouldn’t buy on Amazon Was your brokerage account hacked?Did you know that regularly checking your blood pressure at home makes you more likely to achieve your target blood pressure? Studies also show that taking your blood pressure at home is often more accurate since it eliminates “white coat hypertension” or inflated readings due to the stress of being in a medical environment.Home blood pressure monitors vary in size and functionality, some requiring the use of a cuff around your upper arm and some taking a reading from your finger or wrist.

Most monitors come with a digital display that’s easy to read, and some even have spoken results in multiple languages for the visually impaired.Shop for a Blood Pressure Monitor NowTips for Buying a Blood Pressure MonitorTo choose the right monitor for you, keep in mind the following features beyond price:Where on your body you place the blood pressure monitor. Finger and wrist units are rapidly growing in popularity since they’re easier to use and more convenient than an upper arm cuff. However, some doctors caution they’re not as accurate as upper arm versions. You can test how accurate your blood pressure monitor is by taking it to your next doctor’s appointment and comparing your results.Simple blood pressure monitors boast easy one-button operation. Choose one that has features you’ll actually use, not unnecessary bells and whistles.Amount of blood pressure data. Make sure your blood pressure monitor clearly reports your systolic and diastolic readings as well as your pulse rate.

Many also offer irregular heart beat detection and so-called averaging functions that help you get a feel for how you’re doing over time.Many blood pressure monitors allow you to save results by date and time, some for more than one user. The more advanced monitors come with a USB cable and software for connecting to your computer, so you can easily chart your measurements and share them with your doctor.Most blood pressure monitors use AA or AAA batteries, and some include an AC adapter as well. Look for features such as auto power off (to save battery life) and low battery indicator. Note that some blood pressure monitors come with batteries already installed and some require purchasing them.For upper arm blood pressure monitors only:Automatic vs. semi-automatic inflation. Auto-inflated blood pressure monitors are the most popular because they combine convenience with accuracy. There are also “semi-automatic” models, but due to potential inconsistencies of inflating the cuff yourself, the results may be less reliable.

You’ll need to measure the circumference of your arm to make sure you get the right size arm cuff. Some models include one or more adjustable cuffs to fit a range of people. To help you position it correctly, look for arm cuffs that include an artery marker.Shop for a Blood Pressure Monitor NowRead Other Diabetes Buying GuidesCopyright © 2010 Aisle7. www.Aisle7.netThe information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications or other treatments. Important Walmart Disclaimer: All content provided is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to substitute for the diagnosis, treatment, or advice of a medical professional. Consult your medical professional for guidance before changing or undertaking any diet, exercise or health program, or before using any prescription or over-the-counter drug. assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter.