Food category aids Family Dollar in Dec.

MATTHEWS, N.C. Family Dollar Stores reported a 2.5% increase in net sales for the five weeks ended Jan. 5 thanks to strong performance in its consumables category, mainly food.

The company reported that net sales for the month were $816.6 million compared with $796.7 million last year. Comparable-store sales decreased 0.7%.

The Ccmpany currently anticipates that comparable-store sales results for the January period ending Feb. 2 will be approximately flat.