<p><strong>Sanbury, PA</strong></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Weis Markets Inc., has reported its third quarter net income, increasing 1.2% to $17.2 million while its earnings per share increased 1.6% to $0.64 per share compared to the same period in 2011.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">During the thirteen-week period ending September 29th, the company's operating income increased 1.3% to $26.5 million. For the period, the company's sales decreased 1.5% to $668.4 million while comparable stores decreased 1.7%.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Weis Markets stated its net income and operating income increases were the result of its continuing focus on promotions and marketing, increased store-level productivity, improved operational and supply chain efficiencies and a decrease in depreciation expenses due to its change of depreciation methods from accelerated to straight-line.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>While the company's overall market share remained stable, it attributed its sales results to an unfavorable year over year comparison. In September 2011, a majority of its stores located in Pennsylvania and New York counties were impacted by flooding due to Hurricanes Irene and Lee, resulting in emergency sales surges throughout these areas.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Compared to the same period in 2011, the company's third quarter sales were also impacted by a $4.5 million decline in pharmacy sales due to the conversion of brand drugs to generic. As part of its strategy to offset this decline, the Company has expanded its immunization programs.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>For the 39 week period ending September 29, the Company's sales totaled $2.01 billion, down 0.4% while comparable store sales decreased 0.2%. For the same period, the Company's net income increased 7.3% to $60.4 million while year to date earnings per share increased 7.7% to $2.25 per share. Year to date operating income increased 7.1% to $92.2 million. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.Weismarkets.com" target="_new"> Weis Markets </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
