CINCINNATI — The Kroger Co. today reported identical supermarket sales growth, without fuel, of 5.6 percent in the third 
quarter of fiscal year 2014.
The parent company of Dillon’s reported net earnings per diluted share, which includes a $0.04 benefit in the third quarter due to certain tax items, was $0.73. Excluding these items, Kroger’s adjusted net earnings were $0.69 per diluted share for the third quarter. In addition to strong core operating results, an increase in fuel margin per gallon contributed to the company’s net earnings per diluted share results in the third quarter.
For the third quarter, which ended Nov. 8, 2014, total sales increased 11.2 percent to $25 billion compared to $22.5 billion for the same period last year. Total sales, excluding fuel, increased 13.7% in the third quarter over the same period last year.
Net earnings for the third quarter totaled $362 million, or $0.73 per diluted share.