Retail revenues rose 8.4% to $31.5 million compared to $29.1 million last year. The Company generated a 10.5% same store sales increase, on top of a 12.3% increase last year. Retail gross margin increased to 51.7% from 48.1% last year, a 360 basis point improvement. During the third quarter, the Company opened one and closed one retail store, ending the quarter with 95 locations.
For the first nine months of fiscal 2006, net sales increased 27.0% to $361.1 million from $284.4 million last year. Net income grew to $36.2 million, or $1.64 per diluted share, compared to $11.8 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, in the first nine months of fiscal 2005.
Arvind Dharia, Chief Financial Officer, commented, "We continue to maintain a pristine balance sheet, ending the quarter with $112.5 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, no debt, and $221.3 million in stockholders' equity."
marketing@alchempro.com
