SuperValue Posts Earnings Decline

Minneapolis, SuperValu posted net earnings of $33.8 million in its second quarter ended Sept. 10, down from $78.5 million in the same quarter last year. The results include net after tax charges of about $45 million related to the plan to sell 20 Pittsburgh stores, start-up costs related to growth initiative and the losses incurred from Hurricane Katrina, the company said. Net sales increased to $4.6 billion, compared to $4.5 billion.