SALISBURY, N.C. -- Food Lion here said sales rose 3.5% and same-store sales rose 2.3% for the year ended Dec. 30. The company said it would disclose 1995 earnings Feb. 8. Sales for the year totalled $8.2 billion, compared with $7.9 billion a year ago. For the fourth quarter, sales rose 3.2% to $2.54 billion, compared with $2.46 billion a year ago. Same-store sales rose 1.3% for the quarter. Gary Giblen, managing director for Smith Barney, New York, said Food Lion's sales were weaker than expected, even though sales trends are improving. Giblen said he expects a modest sales pickup this year. During 1995 Food Lion opened 47 new stores and closed 13, bringing its total to 1,073, compared with 1,039 at the end of 1994. With a majority of new-store openings occurring toward the end of the fourth quarter, the company said, it expects to realize the full benefit of the additional stores in 1996.
