The Kroger Co. (Cincinnati) today reported total sales, which include fuel, increased 6 percent to $18.8 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 compared with $17.7 billion for the same period last year. Excluding fuel sales, total sales increased 3.3 percent in the quarter, which ended August 14, 2010.
“Kroger's sales have remained solid in the face of competitive and economic challenges because of the strong credibility we have with our shoppers,” says David Dillon, Kroger's chairman and ceo. “We continue to build momentum through our Customer 1st strategy, which serves Kroger customers, associates, shareholders and communities well in a variety of operating environments.”
For the first two quarters of fiscal 2010, total sales were $43.6 billion compared with $40.5 billion for the same period last year. Excluding fuel sales, total sales increased 3.2 percent, while identical supermarket sales, excluding fuel, grew 2.6 percent.
The grocer expects identical supermarket sales growth, excluding fuel, of 2 to 3 percent for the year. Kroger plans to invest approximately $1.9 to $2.1 billion in capital projects in fiscal 2010.
Kroger operates more than 2400 supermarkets and multi-department stores under local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 784 convenience stores, 372 fine jewelry stores, 932 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food processing plants in the U.S.