Kroger Reports First Quarter 2011 Results

The Kroger Co. KR today reported total sales, including fuel, increased 11.0% to $27.5 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared with $24.7 billion for the same period last year. In the first quarter, which ended May 21, 2011, total sales, excluding fuel, increased 4.8% over the same period last year. Identical supermarket sales, without fuel, increased 4.6% in the first quarter over the same period last year. This marks 30 consecutive quarters of identical supermarket sales increases for Kroger. Net earnings for the first quarter totaled $432.3 million, or $0.70 per diluted share. Net earnings in the same period last year were $373.7 million, or $0.58 per diluted share.