Drugstore.com Posts Narrower 3Q Loss As Sales Rise

BELLEVUE, Wash. (AP) — Online retailer Drugstore.com Inc. said Tuesday it had a smaller third-quarter loss than a year earlier as sales of over-the-counter drugs and vision care items increased and its gross margins improved.

The Bellevue, Wash.-based company lost $1.6 million, or 2 cents per share, in the quarter that ended Sept. 27. That compares to a loss of $3.6 million, or 4 cents per share, a year earlier.

Revenue rose 10 percent to $96.8 million from $87.8 million.

The company also said it expects a fourth-quarter net loss of $1.8 million to $2.8 million.

Drugstore.com shares rose 25 cents, or 9.4 percent, in aftermarket trading after closing Tuesday at $2.66, down 5 cents from a day earlier.