GREAT FALLS, Mont. -- Buttrey Food & Drug Stores Co. here said sales for the 13 weeks ended Jan. 31 increased 2.9% to $99.0 million from $96.2 million in the year-ago quarter.
rey said.
This was offset partially by a 0.2% reduction in comparable-store sales, which was attributed to competitive openings, a strike in the company's Kalispell market and deflation in certain key categories, officials said. Sales for the 52-week fiscal year increased 5.4% to $391.4 million, compared with $371.3 million in the prior year.
Comparable-store sales for the 52-week period increased 0.3%. Net income for the 13-week fourth quarter ended Jan. 31 decreased 38% to $675,000, or 8 cents per share, from $1.09 million, or 13 cents per share, a year ago.
Net income for the 52 weeks decreased 2.2% to $3.51 million, or 40 cents per share, from $3.59 million, or 41 cents per share, in the prior year.
As reported in SN, the chain is set to be acquired by Albertson's, Boise, Idaho, pending regulatory approval.