HURRICANES HELP PUBLIX BOOST SALES

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Sales gains related to the four major hurricanes that struck Florida this year more than offset inventory losses due to power outages at Publix Super Markets, the retailer said last week.

Comparable-store sales for the quarter increased 4.6%. Net earnings during the quarter increased 36.5% to $183.7 million.

Publix estimated inventory losses and other expenses as a result of the hurricanes were $63 million.

Publix's stock is owned by the company's employees and is not publicly traded.