MARSH SUPERMARKETS REPORTS VOLUME, EARNINGS UP IN YEAR

INDIANAPOLIS -- Sales and earnings at Marsh Supermarkets here increased for the year ended March 30, while sales rose and earnings declined for the fourth quarter.

crease, about $50.5 million came from retail operations, $22 million came from wholesale sales and $14.5 million came from food-service operations, Marsh reported.

For the 12-week fourth quarter, net income fell 9.9% to $1.9 million. Sales rose 6.6% to $316 million, and same-store sales increased 1%.

Fourth-quarter results benefited from a gain of 14 cents per share on the sale of real estate. The prior-year quarter benefited from a gain of 7 cents per share on real estate sales and of 4 cents per share from a change in the effective tax rate.

4TH-QUARTER RESULTS

Qtr Ended3/30/964/1/95

Sales $316 million $296.5 million

Change + 6.6%

Same-store + 1.0%

Net Income $1.9 million $2.06 million

Change - 9.9%

Inc/Share 21 cents 24 cents

52 Weeks 1996 1995

Sales $1.4 billion $1.3 billion

Change + 6.7%

Same-store + 1.1%

Net Income $9.03 million $8.6 million

Change + 5.4%

Inc/Share $1.02 98 cents