Publix’s Sales Up 4.4 Percent

Publix’s sales for the third quarter of 2012 were $6.7 billion, a 4.4 percent increase from last year. The Lakeland,Fla.-based supermarket operator's  comparable-store sales for third quarter increased 2.5 percent.

Net earnings were $368.4 million, compared to $311.9 million in the third quarter of 2011, a jump of 18.1 percent. Earnings per share for the third quarter increased to 47 cents for 2012, up from 40 cents per share in 2011.

Publix’s sales for the first nine months of 2012 were $20.5 billion, a 3.9 percent increase from last year’s $19.7 billion. Comparable-store sales for the first nine months of 2012 increased 2.6 percent.

Net earnings for the first nine months of 2012 were $1.2 billion, compared to $1.1 billion in 2011, an increase of 6.1 percent. Earnings per share increased to $1.48 for the first nine months of 2012, up from $1.39 per share in 2011.

The Lakeland,Fla.-based supermarket operator, which is privately owned, has 1,065 stores. The company’s quarterly report to the SEC, Form 10-Q, will be available Nov. 8 on its website.