Sunbury, Pa.-based Weis Markets had sales of $876.7 million in the quarter ended March 30, up 0.1% from the same period in 2018.
Comparable store sales grew 1.4%, adjusted for the holiday shift — Easter falling in the first quarter last year and the second quarter this year.
In a news release, Weis attributed the increases to a combination of factors:
- the debut of its Low, Low Price program, which reduced prices on 7,000 private-brand items;
- the growth of its Weis 2 Go online ordering service with pickup and delivery options;
- and more winter weather events compared to 2018.
The company’s net income, however, dipped 11.7% to $14.3 million.
Gross profit rates were affected by “declining retails and costs in fuel as well as produce and dairy commodities,” according to the release.
Other retailers have also noted that the first quarter was challenging because of California weather events that limited supplies of many fruits and vegetables.
Shelby Report market share data indicates that Weis has 116 stores in the East Pennsylvania/Delaware/New Jersey area (6.8% share). 58 stores in the Maryland/Washington D.C./North Virginia/Delaware market (3% share) and eight stores in the Upstate New York/Vermont market (1.2% share).
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