CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Strong sales increases at Harris-Teeter stores helped Ruddick Corp. here post a 60.7% improvement in net earnings during the fiscal first quarter that ended Jan. 2, the company said Thursday.
Ruddick, which also owns the American & Efird thread company, posted net income of $38.1 million on total sales of $1.11 billion. Sales at Harris Teeter increased 6.2% to $1.03 billion, and comparable-store sales increased by 2.2%. Harris Teeter’s performance was driven by new stores, as well as increased in customer loyalty and store visits resulting from lower everyday prices and increased promotions, the company said.
“We are encouraged by the indication of a more positive change in our customers’ purchasing habits. During the quarter we realized higher growth in sales of items such as organic ,ilk, premium beef, imported cheese and bakery products,” Thomas W. Dickson, chairman and chief executive officer of Ruddick, said in a statement.
