- The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. posted a steep third quarter net loss of $29.7 million. However, compared to a year ago, the number was an improvement; A&P then reported red ink of $89.6 million. Comparable-store sales for the quarter rose 0.1%, and total sales dropped to $2.47 billion from $2.53 billion a year ago.
- Longs Drug Stores Corporation reported preliminary December total sales of $510.7 million, a 2.5 percent increase over the $498.3 million recorded in the comparable period a year ago. Pharmacy sales were 36.5 percent of total drug store sales compared to 36.6% a year ago.
Preliminary year-to-date total sales were reported to be $4.1 billion for the 48 weeks ended January 2, 2003, five percent above those of last year. Same-store sales increased 3.1 percent, with pharmacy same-store sales up 5.9 percent and front-end same-store sales increasing 0.8 percent.
