SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets here said Friday that targeted promotions and “transaction-building programs” helped drive up third-quarter comparable-store sales by 6.2%, although profits were hurt by a one-time charge and increased operating costs. Net income was down 25%, to $8.1 million, on a sales gain of 6.9%, to $603.9 million, for the 13-week quarter, which ended Sept. 27. Private-label sales rose 4.6% in terms of units. The company, which operates 155 stores in the mid-Atlantic region, took a $1.7 million pretax impairment charge for a store closure, and noted that it incurred a 28.8% increase in health and business insurance costs, a 55.2% increase in fuel costs and a 15% increase in interchange fees. Through three quarters, net income was down 29%, to $30 million, on sales gains of 5.1%, to $1.8 billion. Comps were also up 5.1% year-to-date.
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