Harris Teeter Comps Rise 3.3%

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ruddick Corp., parent of the Harris Teeter chain, said yesterday that the chain's operating profit was up 6.3% in the first quarter, to $35.4 million. Sales increased by 11.2%, to $796.3 million, which the company attributed to new-store openings and a comparable-store sales increase of 3.31%. The company said operating profit as a percent of sales declined slightly, in part as a result of higher pre-opening costs.