Stater Bros. Holdings? 1st quarter sales, profits increase

Stater Bros. HoldingsÆ 1st quarter sales, profits increase Colton-based Stater Bros. Holding Inc., the largest privately held supermarket chain in Southern California, reported first quarter net income of $9.9 million compared to $3.3 million for the 13-week first quarter ended Dec. 25, 2005.
   Stater Bros.' First quarter sales improved 4.3 percent to $904.1 million compared to $867.0 million for the first quarter of 2005. Taking into account a holiday schedule addition of one day to the quarter over 2005, like store sales increased 1.4 percent for the 13 weeks ended Dec. 24.
   Stater Bros. Holdings Inc. operates 162 supermarkets through its wholly owned subsidiary, Stater Bros. Markets.
   The firm distributes its products from a primary distribution center located at Stater Bros.' headquarters in Colton, and from six other satellite facilities. About 77 percent of the merchandise sold in Stater Bros.' supermarkets is processed through these facilities. The firm's transportation fleet comprises nearly 150 tractors and 500 trailers.