Discount Variety Retail Chain Dollar Tree reported stronger first-quarter earnings and sales growth Thursday, driven by higher customer spending and improved merchandise margins, as the discount retailer raised its outlook for fiscal 2026. The company said net sales for the quarter ended May 2 rose 7.2% to $5 billion from a year earlier. Comparable-store sales increased 3.5%, fueled by a 4.5% increase in average ticket size, though customer traffic declined 1%. Results reflec