Two dollar store chains are competing to buy a third, Family Dollar.

The retailer entertained an $8.5 billion merger deal with Dollar Tree last month, and Dollar General announced Monday it would pay a competitive $9.7 billion for the chain. While all of these discount stores are similar, they have several important differences.  

Here’s a look:

Dollar General

• Size: Biggest of the three.

• Products: A lot of brand names, a mix of food and discretionary items like clothing and beauty products.

• Placement in the Fortune 500: 164.

• Locations: More than 11,500 locations in more than 40 states. Primarily in smaller towns, located in the southern and eastern U.S., as well as the Midwest and the Southwest.

• Prices: About a fourth of their items are $1 or less.

• How are they doing? Chain is thriving with $17.5 billion in revenue and $5.4 billion in profits.

Dollar Tree

• Size: Smallest of the three.

• Products: Mostly imported from China, focused on discretionary items like party supplies, beauty products, etc.

• Placement in the Fortune 500: 342.

• Locations: More than 5,000 locations in 48 states, mostly located in strip malls in small towns.

• Prices: Most items cost $1 or less.
  

• How are they doing? The chain is thriving and growing with $7.8 billion in revenue and $2.7 billion in profits.

The target of the bids: Family Dollar

• Size: The takeover target, and second-largest of the three.

• Products: A lot of brand names; focuses on food, also carries some linens and other products.

• Placement in the Fortune 500: 271.

• Locations: More than 8,200 stores in 45 states, mainly in urban and rural areas.

• Prices: Most items are under $10.

• How are they doing? Family Dollar has been struggling and closing stores. It tried raising prices and the plan back-fired. It has recently been closing stores. They have about $10.3 billion in revenue and $3.5 billion in profits.