Dollar Tree 3Q same-store sales rise 6.2 percent

CHESAPEAKE, Va. - Discount variety store chain Dollar Tree Inc. reported Thursday that its same-store sales increased 6.2 percent in the third quarter because of increased traffic and strong sales of Halloween merchandise.

The company said that total sales for its third quarter were $1.11 billion, up more than 11 percent from $997.8 million in the year-ago period.

"Sales were consistently strong throughout the quarter," Chief Executive Bob Sasser said in a statement.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected third-quarter revenue of $1.10 billion.

Dollar Tree said it will provide more information about third-quarter results and its outlook for the fourth quarter during an earnings conference call on Nov. 25.

Shares rose $1.93, or 5.3 percent, to $37.47 in morning trading.

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