NEW YORK (AP) — Dollar Tree is stepping up its fight for penny-pinching customers. On Monday, the discounter said it would acquire rival discounter Family Dollar for $8.5 billion, making it the biggest player in the dollar store category. The acquisition comes as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is going after lower-income customers with smaller stores. Despite their names, Dollar Store and Family Dollar vary in their business models.

Primarily, the deal gives Dollar Tree greater diversity in pricing and product mix. Here’s a snapshot of the two chains:

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