SUNBURY, Pa. -- Weis Markets here said last week its sales for the 13-week third quarter ended Sept. 25 rose 6.3% to $492.3 million while same-store sales were up 2.5% and net income increased 3.9% to $19.2 million.
ter of 1998 from the sale of AquaPenn Spring Water stock. Not including this exceptional item, Weis Markets' year-to-date income would have risen 11.2%.
The company attributed the third-quarter sales growth and increase in net income to several factors:
Continued opening of new, acquired, expanded or remodeled stores, which now make up half of Weis Markets' store base. In the third quarter, the company opened two new stores -- a 46,500-square-foot unit in Tannersville, Pa., and a 56,705-square-foot superstore in Pasadena, Md. The company also completed the expansion of a store in Milton, Pa.
Aggressive and cost-effective promotional programs in key markets.
Efforts to control and reduce store-level expenses, particularly inventory shrinkage.
In the fourth quarter, Weis Markets has already opened a 53,088-square-foot superstore in Flanders, N.J., and plans to open superstores in Honesdale, Pa., and Allentown, Pa., later this year. The company also said it is currently building five superstores, three new and two replacement units, scheduled to come on line in early 2000.
