MONTREAL -- Metro-Richelieu here said sales and earnings rose for the second quarter and first half ended March 15.
ile sales jumped 7.3% to $537.5 million for the quarter and 5.6% to $1.1 billion for the half.
The company said sales for the food segment alone climbed 8.9% for the quarter and 7.1% for the half. Capital expenditures for the half totaled $25.9 million, including $16.3 million to expand the company's retail network. Metro-Richelieu's independent customers invested an additional $14.1 million in their stores, for a combined retail expenditure of $30.4 million for 16 remodels, 20 expansions and three new stores, which added more than 220,000 square feet of retail floor space.
Pierre H. Lessard, president and chief executive officer, said the company plans "to continue to focus on its merchandising programs, on store renovation and expansion programs and on opening new outlets, with a view to further increasing market share."