June 3 (Reuters) – Family Dollar Stores Inc (FDO.N) reported a 7 percent increase in third-quarter same-store sales on Thursday and said its earnings would come in near the upper end of its forecast range.

Family Dollar said net sales for the quarter, ended May 30, rose 8.4 percent to $2.00 billion, driven by strength in its seasonal and grocery categories.

The retailer said it expects third-quarter earnings to be near the upper end of its forecast range, which calls for earnings of 71 to 76 cents per share. Analysts on average have been expecting 77 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. (Reporting by Martinne Geller, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)