If you’re unfamiliar with Five Below, the retailer bills itself as a trendy spot where budget-savvy shoppers can go to buy high-quality items for a good price. According to the store’s website, most of the items you’ll find here will only cost you between $1 and $5, with only the really high-end merch rising above that figure.
The store is known for selling a wide variety of items, and you can get everything from T-shirts to back-to-school supplies at many locations. However, a recent Threads post from the retailer’s official account may have hit the wrong note with shoppers who feel like the store has moved away from budget-friendly buys.
“Apparently the number five needs to be retired, so we need a new name,” the post said, before asking followers to come up with some suggestions. But instead of crowdsourcing some real ideas, commenters used the opportunity to blast the retailer’s pricing model.
Now, the post is going viral as people discuss just how expensive things are getting everywhere, especially places like Five Below that were once known as a great value alternative to more expensive retailers.
People Poked Fun at the Store Using Clever Name Suggestions
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It’s clear that Five Below didn’t learn anything from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)’s attempts to use a public poll to name a new ship (for those who don’t remember, Boaty McBoatface was the winning suggestion, which was later rejected in favor of the RRS Sir David Attenborough). That being said, people really delivered some zingers in the comments, coming up with a few ironic suggestions.
“Some stuff is $5, but most of it has a random price that you won’t know until you take it to the register and find out it’s $10,” one person wrote before asking if that was too long for the sign.
Another poster came up with a laundry list of suggestions, with standout options including “Five In Spirit Only,” and “The Store Formerly Known As Affordable.”
Some Also Just Told the Retailer to Return to Its Roots
There were more than a few people who refused to take part in the name game and instead asked the store to just lower its prices. “Maybe leave it the way it is and make everything in the store $5 below,” one person wrote.
Unfortunately, it seems like everyone’s feeling the pinch these days, since prices continue to rise on everyday items and essentials. According to a 2025 report from NerdWallet, a lot of that can be blamed on lingering supply chain disruptions from the pandemic, as well as tariffs and other factors.
According to the report, prices increased more than 26 percent since before the pandemic. It’s safe to say that consumers are frustrated by these increases, which likely led to the negative response to Five Below’s post. Whether the feedback makes it to corporate remains to be seen, but for now it’s probably safe to assume that Five Below won’t be taking any of these name suggestions under consideration anytime soon.