Sales up, profit down at Publix

New York City Publix’s net earnings dropped 6.3% in the first quarter to $321.5 million. Sales rose 2.2% to $6.4 billion, from $6.2 billion a year ago. Same-store sales fell 2.8%.

“The economy continues to affect our results and stock price,” Publix CEO Ed Crenshaw said in a news release. “We look forward to an improving economy.”

Publix has 1,005 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.