MARSH SUPERMARKETS HAS SALES HIKE, PROFIT IN QUARTER

INDIANAPOLIS -- Marsh Supermarkets here reported an increase in sales and a net profit for the second quarter ended Oct. 10.

mp-store sales increased 3.5% for the quarter. Comp-store figures for the 28-week period were not available, and the company did not release same-store figures.

Marsh reported a profit of $2.5 million for the quarter and a 16% profit increase to $5.5 million for the 28 weeks. The company said that in last year's second quarter it restructured its debt, incurring an extraordinary charge of $3.3 million that resulted in a net loss of $1.5 million.

Operating income rose 15% to $8.5 million for the quarter and 18.9% to $18.6 million for the year to date, Marsh reported.

2ND-QUARTER RESULTS

Qtr Ended 10/10/98 7/11/97

Sales $488.5 million $465.7 million

Change + 4.9%

Same-store N/A

Net Income $2.5 million ($1.5 million)

Inc/Share 30 cents 22 cents

28 Weeks 1998 1997

Sales $849.1 million $809.6 million

Change + 4.9%

Same-store N/A

Net Income $5.5 million $4.7 million

Change 16%

Inc/Share 66 cents 56 cents

Figure does not include last year's extraordinary charge of $3,278,000.