NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) May 21, 2015--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services today noted that Dollar Tree Inc.'s first-quarter (ended May 2, 2015) results were in line with our expectations and the latest results from competitors including Dollar General. Dollar Tree reported a 3.4% same-store sales increase on a constant currency basis, compared with a 2.0% increase in the same period last year. Delayed receipts at four of the company's 10 distribution centers related to congestion in west coast ports pressured overall sales. Gross margin declined 40 basis points (bps) because of items including increased freight costs and inventory shrinkage. Pro forma for its pending acquisition of Family Dollar, which Dollar Tree intends to close in early July 2015, we
