PRESS RELEASE

        DOLLAR TREE REPORTS RECORD FIRST QUARTER SALES OF $615.6 MILLION

CHESAPEAKE, Va. - May 8, 2003 - Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR), the
nation's largest $1.00 discount variety store chain, reported record
first-quarter 2003 sales of $615.6 million, exceeding the Company's previous
$590-$610 million guidance.

Total sales increased 20.8% compared to sales of $509.7 million in last year's
reported fiscal first quarter. This year's first quarter included 91 days,
compared to 89 days in last year's period.

Comparable-store sales rose 2.2% for the quarter, measured on a comparable
91-day basis.

The Company believes it will meet analysts' earnings per share estimates for the
fiscal first quarter, with increased sales of basic consumer products expected
to pressure gross margin.

 "We are delighted to have turned in such a fine sales performance," said CEO
Macon Brock, Jr., "especially in light of weather and war events that had the
potential to be disruptive. Our outstanding merchandise offerings were
particularly well-received by customers in this environment, and strong sales in
the weeks preceding Easter helped us overcome weather-related challenges in
February. We believe we are well-positioned to deliver on the sales and earnings
growth targets we set for the year."

On Thursday, May 29, 2003, the Company will release its quarterly earnings
results and host a conference call to discuss those results at 4:45 p.m. EDT.
The telephone number for the call is (630) 395-0019, passcode DLTR. A recorded
version of the call will be available until midnight Tuesday, June 3 and may be
accessed by dialing (402) 998-1102, passcode DLTR. A webcast of the call is
accessible through Dollar Tree's website, www.DollarTree.com, as well as at
Vcall's website, www.Vcall.com, and will remain on-line until midnight Tuesday,
June 3.

The Company is planning second-quarter sales to be in the range of $575-$590
million, with the mid-point of the range equating to roughly flat
comparable-store sales. This year's fiscal second quarter contains 91 days,
compared to 92 days in last year's second period. The Company's regular,
pre-recorded sales update will be available Monday, July 7, 2003, by 5:30pm EDT,
and will remain on-line through Friday, July 11, 2003. Interested parties can
access the Company's update by dialing (757) 321-5TRE.

Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. operates 2,318 stores in 41 states as of May 3, 2003.
During the first fiscal quarter of 2003, the Company opened 54 stores, closed 8
stores and expanded or relocated 30 stores. At May 3, 2003, the Company's retail
selling square footage totaled approximately 13.9 million, a 4.8% increase from
13.2 million at February 1, 2003 and a 27.4% increase compared to a year ago.

A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains
"forward-looking statements" as that term is used in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements address future events,
developments or results and typically use words such as believe, anticipate,
expect, intend, plan or estimate. For example, our forward-looking statements
include statements regarding first-quarter earnings per share, gross margin, as
well as second-quarter total sales, comparable-store sales, and full year sales
and earnings growth. For a discussion of the risks, uncertainties and
assumptions that could affect our future events, developments or results, you
should carefully review the "Risk Factors," "Business," and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
sections in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 28, 2003 and our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed November 14, 2002. Also, carefully review
"Risk Factors" in our most recent prospectuses filed November 15, 2000 and
August 3, 2000. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the future events,
developments or results described by our forward-looking statements in this
document could turn out to be materially and adversely different from those we
discuss or imply. We are not obligated to release publicly any revisions to any
forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or
circumstances occurring after the date of this report and you should not expect
us to do so.

CONTACT:              Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., Chesapeake
                      Erica Robb or Adam Bergman, 757/321-5000
                      www.DollarTree.com