SuperValue has announced record net earnings of $59 million for 2001, according to figures released today.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the third quarter were $215.6 million, or 4.7 per cent of sales, up 100 basis points on last year.
Nine month EBITDA was $678.8 million, or 4.2 per cent of sales up 30 basis points versus last year.
Retail sales accounted for most of the company’s earnings at $2.2 billion, an increase of 1.7 per cent over last year.
Excluding the sales associated with the exit of non-core and under-performing stores, retail sales would have increased about 6 per cent.
"Our above-consensus third-quarter results were driven by strong improvement in our retail operations including strong momentum at our extreme-value retail format, Save-A-Lot," SuperValu president and chief executive Mr Jeff Noddle said.
"In addition, significant strides were made in SuperValue’s financial position through working capital reductions and a more focused capital-spending programme that reduced funded debt by $142 million since fiscal 2001 year end," Mr Noddle said.