Winn-Dixie quarterly loss increases

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Winn-Dixie Stores reported a net loss of $2.3 million, or 4 cents per diluted share for the quarter, compared to a net loss of $0.8 million, or 1 cent per diluted share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Identical-store sales increased 3%.

Net sales in the first quarter were $1.7 billion, an increase of $55 million, or 3.4%, compared to the prior year period. Approximately 110 basis points of the improvement in identical-store sales were due to increased sales as a result of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and Tropical Storm Fay.