Stater Bros.' Profit Slides, Sales Increase

COLTON, Calif. -- Stater Bros. Holdings here yesterday said net income for its fiscal fourth quarter, which ended Sept. 24, declined about 11%, to $10.8 million, on a sales gain of 4.9%, to $891.4 million, compared with year-ago results. For the full fiscal year, net income was down slightly, to $26.1 million, vs. $26.2 million in fiscal 2005. Sales for the full year were up 4%, to $3.5 billion. Comparable-store sales were up 2.9% for the fourth quarter and 1.5% for the year. The privately owned company, which reports earnings because its debt is publicly traded, operates 162 supermarkets in Southern California.