Spartan Stores, Inc., (Nasdaq: SPTN) a leading regional grocery distributor and retailer, today reported financial results for its 16-week third quarter of fiscal 2013 ended January 5, 2013. Third Quarter Results Consolidated net sales for the 16-week third quarter decreased 0.9 percent to $789.9 million compared to $797.2 million in the same period last year as a result of lower distribution and supermarket sales, partially offset by increased fuel sales. Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) for the quarter was $25.1 million, or 3.2 percent of net sales, compared to $26.0 million, or 3.3 percent of net sales last year. Adjusted earnings from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 were $5.2 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, excluding an after tax debt extinguishment charge of $1.4 million associated with the early retirement of a portion of the Company's Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 and an after tax charge for acquisition related professional fees of $0.3 million. For the third quarter of fiscal 2012, adjusted earnings from continuing operations were $5.1 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, excluding an after tax gain on the sale of assets of $0.4 million and an after tax expense associated with the early termination of the Company's interest rate swap agreement of $0.5 million. Reported earnings from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 were $3.5 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared to $5.0 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. “Despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges, we made continued progress in the execution of our key strategic priorities during the third quarter,” stated Dennis Eidson, Spartan’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We continued to invest in both our distribution and retail segments by opening new stores, remodeling existing stores, refining our promotional efforts and strengthening our private brand offerings. We acquired an upscale, high-volume grocery store in West Michigan, further solidifying our leading conventional supermarket share in this market and we recently announced an expansion of our distribution customer base in Ohio. In addition, we successfully refinanced a portion of our Convertible Senior Notes, which enabled us to lengthen the maturity of our debt obligations and reduce our overall interest expense.”
