Dollar Tree sales improve in October

Discount store Dollar Tree says sales at stores open more than a year rise 6.5 percent in Oct.

• On 10:53 am EST, Thursday November 5, 2009

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (AP) -- Dollar Tree Inc., operator of discount stores that sell products for $1 or less, said Thursday that its third-quarter sales at stores open more than a year rose 6.5 percent.

Total sales rose 12.1 percent to $1.25 billion in the month.

Sales at stores open at least a year are a key measure of retailer performance because they measure growth at existing stores rather than from newly opened ones.

The Chesapeake, Va.-based retailer said traffic rose during the quarter as consumers sought deals on health and beauty care basics, household consumables and party supplies.

Shares rose 95 cents, or 2 percent, to $48.24 in morning trading.