Sales increased 1.9% in the second quarter and comparable store sales rose 1.4% for retailer Weis Markets.
Weis’s sales rose to $888.0 million during the thirteen-week period ended June 29, compared to the same period in 2018.
The Company's 2019 second quarter sales benefited from the Easter holiday shift, since the Easter selling period occurred in the last week of the first quarter in 2018 while the slow selling post-Easter week fell in the second quarter a year ago. In 2019, both weeks fell in the second quarter.
Management estimates the incremental holiday sales impact in 2019 for comparative purposes was approximately $9.7 million which has been excluded from the Weis's 2019 comparable store sales total.
The company's second quarter net income increased 7.2% to $20.5 million compared to $19.1 million in 2018, while earnings per share totaled $0.76 compared to $0.71 per share for the same period in 2018.
Weis attributed its second quarter sales and comparable store sales increases to the first quarter launch of its Low, Low Price program, which offers price reductions on 7,000 private brand items and the expansion of its Weis 2 Go online ordering service with in-store pick-up and home delivery. This program is now available in 150 stores. The Company's sales also benefited from disciplined marketing and advertising programs along with targeted promotions.