ROUNDY'S ACQUISITIONS CITED IN SALES, NET GAINS

PEWAUKEE, Wis. -- Roundy's here said two recent acquisitions helped boost sales and earnings to record levels for the second quarter and first half ended July 1.

n March. All 24 stores continue to operate under the Pick 'n Save name, which Roundy's licenses.

Sales rose 14.4% for the quarter to $762.8 million and 8.9% for the half to $1.4 billion. The company said retail sales represent approximately 34% of total sales.

Net income rose 31.8% for the quarter to $6.2 million and 57.5% for the half to $12.1 million. The company said the strong sales trend and continued focus on increasing retail-store sales, combined with lower operating costs companywide, were the primary reasons for the record earnings.

Gerald F. Lestina, president and chief executive officer, said, "Our goal in the coming months is to look for additional ways to improve warehouse and retail operations through standardizing operating policies, procedures and systems."

Roundy's operates 44 corporate stores, mostly under the Pick 'n Save name, in Wisconsin, "and we are in the process of strengthening our market position by seeking additional retail acquisitions," a company spokesman told SN.