Kroger boosts sales 10 quarters in a row

The Kroger Co has reported total sales increased 9.8% to $16.1 billion for the third quarter that ended Nov 10, 2007. Identical supermarket sales rose 7.7% with fuel and 5.7% without fuel. This is the tenth consecutive quarter Kroger has reported identical supermarket sales increases, excluding fuel, in excess of 3%.

Net earnings in the third quarter totaled $253.8 million, in contrast to $214.7 million in the same period a year ago.

During the first three quarters of fiscal 2007, total sales climbed 7.6% to $53.0 billion. For the same period, identical supermarket sales, excluding fuel, were up 5.3%.

Net earnings for the first three quarters of fiscal 2007 were $857.6 million, compared with net earnings of $730.1 million for the same period in fiscal 2006.