Kroger Co. says that while its total sales in its fiscal fourth quarter rose 7.2% to $18.6 billion, compared with $17.3 billion for the same period last year, net earnings fell to $255.4 million, from
$349.2 million in the same period a year ago. Excluding gasoline, total sales rose just 2% in the quarter, and same-store sales advanced 1.2%.
Describing the environment as difficult, the
Cincinnati-based supermarket chain says that it continues to be cautious in its forecast, and that it expects same-store sales in the year ahead to rise between 2 and 3%, excluding fuel.--Sarah
Mahoney