Weis Markets' 2011 sales up 5% despite slow recovery

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Monday reported an increase in 2011 sales of 5% to $2.8 billion.

Weis said its comparable sales for the calendar year also were up, increasing 4.2% for 2011, compared with the year-ago period.

"Our organization generated strong results for the year in a market clearly impacted by the slow recovery and continuing high unemployment," Weis Markets president and CEO David Hepfinger said. "We continue to benefit from our record level cap ex investments in our store base, improved efficiencies and operating discipline in the overall management of our stores, strong increases in our sales per customer and more comprehensive sales building programs during key holiday periods, particularly in the fourth quarter."