CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Second-quarter profits rose 37.1% to $78 million on a 12.7% rise in net sales to $1.38 billion at Dollar Tree Inc., as consumers looking for low prices drove same-store sales up a robust 6.7%.

Second-quarter profits rose 37.1% to $78 million on a 12.7% rise in net sales to $1.38 billion at Dollar Tree Inc., as consumers looking for low prices drove same-store sales up a robust 6.7%.

"Sales were strong throughout the quarter, driven by increases in both traffic and average ticket," said president and chief executive officer Bob Sasser in a statement.

Operating income at the dollar-store operator soared 43.3% to $127.8 million, while the company’s operating margin grew 200 basis points to 9.3% of sales.