MOBILE, Ala. -- Delchamps here reported a comparable-store sales increase of 7% during the second quarter ended Dec. 30, representing the company's third consecutive quarter of such increases.
Overall sales increased 6.4% from $260.5 million to $277.1 million for the 13 weeks. Net income jumped 381% from $168,000 to $808,000.
For the 26 weeks, sales were up 6.6% from $526.7 million to $561.7 million and comparable store sales were up 6.9%. Earnings dropped 96.8% from $1.6 million to $52,000.
During the first two quarters of the year, Delchamps opened one supermarket, renovated 42 and closed two. The company also opened one liquor store and closed three.
David Morrow, chairman and chief executive officer, said the earnings for the second quarter exceeded expectations.
Delchamps operates 117 supermarkets in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana, and 10 liquor stores in Florida.