PetCo

PetCo Animal Supplies Inc. (San Diego) announced a 10.9 percent increase in net sales for its fourth quarter ended Jan. 29, 2005. Same-store sales increased 5.1 percent.

For the full fiscal year, sales were up 12.5 percent and same-store sales increased 6.2 percent. The comparable store net sales increase comes on top of a 5.6 percent increase in the prior-year period. Overall, net sales increased 12.5 percent over fiscal 2003.

“The comparable store sales increase of 5.1 percent in the fourth quarter extends our record of strong comp sales increases to 48 consecutive quarters of 4.6 percent or greater,” said chairman Brian Devine.

“As we reported previously, we had a relatively slow start to the fourth quarter in the election doldrums of November,” said ceo James Myers. “Solid holiday sales in December accelerated into January. However, in the second half of January, harsh winter storms in the Northeast and unusually rainy weather on the West Coast negatively affected customer traffic and diluted comp sales for the quarter. Our sales performance to date in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 resumed to levels consistent with our experience and expectations.”