March 16 (Reuters) - Discount retailer Dollar Tree ( DLTR )

forecast annual sales largely below expectations on

Monday, as budget-conscious consumers tightened spending.

Shares of the company were down 3% in premarket trading.

Shoppers in the U.S. are navigating increasing costs of living

and signs of deteriorating labor market conditions.

The U.S. unemployment rate rose 4.4% in February, from 4.3% in

January. Consumer prices also likely accelerated in February,

fueled by tariffs and a rise in the costs of gasoline and oil

due to tensions in the Middle East.

Rival Dollar General ( DG ) similarly forecastsoft full-year

sales last week, signaling weaker demand as value-seeking

shoppers grow more selective.

Dollar Tree ( DLTR ) expects fiscal 2026 net sales in the range of

$20.5 billion to $20.7 billion, compared with analysts'

estimates of $20.69 billion, per data compiled by LSEG.

The company expects fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings per share

in the range of $6.50 to $6.90, largely in line with analysts'

estimates of $6.69.

(Reporting by Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika

Syamnath)