Dollar Tree and Dollar General are both scheduled to report second-quarter financial results before the market opens on Thursday. Here is what you need to know.

The context

Both Dollar Tree and Dollar General have historically gained relevance and outperformed competitors when operating in tough macroeconomic environments, as has been the case as of late.

Dollar Tree said last quarter that its value proposition is resonating with its customers, especially those from lower-income households, who are navigating higher fuel costs and economic uncertainty.

Dollar General similarly said last quarter that it is uniquely positioned to gain share in rural communities, where the chain has an outsized presence and is investing in affordability and value in an effort to appeal to stressed shoppers.

Both companies have been major beneficiaries of the trade-down economy, a recent report from Placer.ai said, delivering consistent overall and comparable sales growth for several quarters running.

While both chains offer a broad assortment of goods, each has carved out its own niche. Dollar Tree has emerged as a destination for shorter, mission-driven trips that often skew more discretionary, the location-analytics firm said. Dollar General, on the other hand, has become a go-to stop for routine essentials.

Visits to Dollar General outpaced those to Dollar Tree for most of this year, Placer.ai said. Rising gas prices throughout the spring played into Dollar General's strengths and prompted consumers to tighten their belts and rein in their discretionary spending. But the report also noted that Dollar Tree regained momentum as fuel-price pressures eased heading into the summer, posting a surge in visits in July.

Investors will be looking for insights into each company's operations, hopeful to see if the chains have continued to grow their sales, visits and share of the market as the economic backdrop remains rocky.

The numbers

Dollar Tree is expected to post adjusted earnings of $1.15 a share on sales of $4.86 billion, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet. That compares with adjusted earnings of 77 cents a share on sales of $4.57 billion a year earlier.

The Chesapeake, Va., company's same-store sales are projected to climb 3.2%.

Dollar General, meanwhile, is forecast to report adjusted earnings of $2.01 a share on sales of $11.2 billion, compared with adjusted earnings of $1.86 a share on sales of $10.73 billion in the same quarter last year.

Comparable sales for the Goodlettsville, Tenn., company are anticipated to tick up 2.6%.