NEW YORK (AP) — Ducking into a dollar store to pick up some a soda and bag of cookies might save you time and effort, but will you save any money?

Since the start of the downturn, major chains such as Dollar General Corp. and Family Dollar Stores Inc. have accelerated their growth by transforming stores with wider aisles, better lighting and more name brands. The result is that they’re shedding their image as depots for misfit merchandise and pulling in a wider range of shoppers.