EXHIBIT 23.3
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
    As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement of our report, which includes an
explanatory paragraph related to going concern considerations, dated March 6,
1998 on the consolidated financial statements of Universal International, Inc.
for the year ended December 31, 1997 included in 99 Cents Only Stores Form 10-K
and Universal International Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1997 and to all references to our Firm included in the registration statement on
Form S-4.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
   
Minneapolis, Minnesota
July 22, 1998