23 who laughed at the recession

CEO since 2004: Bob Sasser

Dollar Tree is a classic recession play and it didn't let down in the latest one.

The discount retailer's revenues were up 13% last year, to $5.2 billion, while earnings grew 40%, to $321 million.

But CEO Bob Sasser says Dollar Tree will do just fine as the economy recovers because it also stocks discretionary items, such as party supplies.

Sure, no one will starve without pink paper plates, but as Sasser says, "It's still only a dollar."

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