EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-26575, 333-80185 and 333-66729) of 99 Cents Only Stores of our report dated February 27, 2004 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedules, which appear in this Form 10-K/A. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Los Angeles, CA April 2, 2004