Stater Bros. reports Q3 results

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. Stater Bros. Holdings reported mixed results for its third quarter late Tuesday.

Sales for the 13 weeks ended June 28 decreased 0.43% to $928.6 million, compared with $932.7 million for same period last year. The Easter holiday fell in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and in the third quarter of fiscal 2009. After taking into consideration the timing effect of the Easter holiday, like store sales decreased 1.81% for the 13 weeks ended June 28.

Total sales for the 39 weeks ended June 28, 2009, increased $17.8 million or 0.64% and amounted to $2.82 billion, compared with $2.80 billion for the same period in fiscal 2008. Year-to-date like store sales increased 0.09% in fiscal 2009 compared with the same period in fiscal 2008.

The company reported net income of $15.1 million and $9.2 million in the third quarters of fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively. Net income for the fiscal year-to-date periods amounted to $29.8 million in 2009 and $33.5 million in 2008.

Brown said, "We are pleased with our operating results for the quarter and the first thirty-nine weeks of our fiscal year," said Jack Brown, chairman president and CEO of Stater Bros. Markets. "During these tough economic times, we remain committed to assisting our 'valued customer' by providing them the best possible purchasing value for their shopping dollar and by providing friendly service and a satisfying shopping experience on each and every one of their visits to our Supermarkets."

Stater Bros. Holdings is the largest privately held supermarket chain in Southern California and operates 167 supermarkets through its wholly owned subsidiary, Stater Bros. Markets.