<p><strong>Matthews, NC</strong></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. recently reported that sales for the 52 weeks ended October 2, 2012 increased by 5.8% to $4.54 billion from $4.29 billion in fiscal 2011. Sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 increased by 3.7% to $1.14 billion from $1.10 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. The increase in sales for the year and quarter was driven by an increase in comparable store sales and sales from new stores, partially offset by store closings. Comparable store sales increased by 3.97% for the year, and 3.01% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, from the respective comparable periods of fiscal 2011.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The company’s sales increased in the fourth quarter compared to the same period last year, at $1.14 billion which was driven by an increase in comparable store sales and sales from new stores, partially offset by store closings.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>During fiscal 2012, Harris Teeter opened thirteen new stores, which includes six of the stores acquired from Lowes Foods and one replacement for a store closed in the first quarter, and closed eight stores (comprised of the six stores sold to Lowes Foods, one replacement that opened in fiscal 2012 and one replacement which is expected to open in fiscal 2013). In addition, one store located in the Washington D.C. market has been temporarily closed while the Company repairs damage caused by flooding that occurred in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. Harris Teeter operated 208 stores as of the end of fiscal 2012 and retail square footage increased by 4.5% in fiscal 2012, as compared to an increase of 3.2% in fiscal 2011.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Net earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 totaled $22.8 million and were comprised of earnings from continuing operations of $23.7 million, or $0.48 per diluted share and losses from discontinued operations of $0.9 million. The net impact of the Lowes Foods Transaction incremental costs reduced earnings from continuing operations after tax in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 by $4.5 million, or $0.09 per diluted share. A net loss of $8.9 million was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2011, comprised of earnings from continuing operations of $24.6 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, and losses from discontinued operations of $33.5 million.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.harristeeter.com" target="_new"> Harris Teeter </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
