PUBLIX TOPS $20B IN SALES

LAKELAND, Fla. - Annual sales at Publix Super Markets here surpassed $20 billion for the first time on an 11% year-over-year gain, the company said last week.

to $989.2 million, also benefiting from the extra week.

During the 14-week fourth quarter, comparable sales increased 9.1%, including a 1.5% benefit related to Hurricane Wilma, the retailer said. Sales during the period of $5.7 billion increased 20.1% from the same period a year ago (12% without the additional week), and quarterly earnings of $294.9 million were up 26.5%.