Publix reports 6% rise in 1Q sales

LAKELAND, Fla. Publix announced sales of $6.2 billion, up 6% from last year's $5.9 billion, for the first quarter of 2008. Comparable-store sales increased 3.6% over last year.

Net earnings for the quarter were $343.2 million, an 8.1% increase over las year's $317.6 million. Earnings per share were 41 cents, compared to 38 cents in 2007.

"I'm proud that our Publix associates continue to deliver strong operating peformance," stated Publix ceo Ed Crenshaw.

Currently, Publix—privately owned and operated by its 144,000 employees—operates 932 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.