Deep discount dollar store leader Dollar Tree (DLTR -0.57%) had one of its best quarters in years. It recorded same store sales growth of 5.9% in the third quarter, marking its biggest increase in comps since 2011. Profit margins also widened by 40 basis points over last year's third quarter.
Dollar Tree is the premiere pure play dollar store chain and sports the largest operating margins of any of its rivals. Adjusted margins improved to 11.2% from 10.8% last year, and from 10.5% in the second quarter. That's ahead of the 9.1% Dollar General recorded last quarter and the 1.5% from Family Dollar reported.