The strong performance of low-cost discount chains – or so-called “dollar stores” – during the US recession was underlined on Wednesday by third-quarter results from Family Dollar.

Shares in the discount retailer rose more than a tenth after it said the number of customers had increased, as had spending per visit.The retailer, which operates more than 6,000 small stores mostly in neighbourhood plazas, reported a 35 per cent year-on-year increase in net earnings to $87.7m, or 62 cents per diluted share.