Stater Bros. 2Q sales up 6.85%

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. Stater Bros. reported second quarter sales increased 6.85% to $925.4 million compared to $866.1 million for the same period last year. After taking into consideration the timing effect of both Christmas Day and the Easter Holiday, like-store sales increased 3.7% for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2008.

The company reported net income of $13.5 million for both of the thirteen week second quarters of fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007. Net income for the fiscal year-to-date periods amounted to $24.3 million in 2008 and $23.4 million in 2007.

Jack Brown, chairman, president and ceo of Stater Bros. said, "We were pleased with our operating results for the quarter ... By the end of our current fiscal year, we will complete our new refrigerated distribution center, which is the final phase of our distribution consolidation. Our new state-of-the-art distribution center will allow us to better serve our "Valued Customers". We remain committed to being the low price leader while providing a friendly and satisfying shopping experience to our "Valued Customers" on each and every one of their visits to our Supermarkets, especially in these tough economic times."