Mar 14, 2007 9:16 AM

The Kroger Co’s total sales increased 14.5% to $16.9 billion for the fiscal fourth quarter ended Feb 3, 2007. After adjusting for the extra week in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the Cincinnati OH-based supermarket chain’s total sales rose 5.7% over the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005.

Net earnings in the fourth quarter totaled $384.8 million, compared with $282.1 million in the same period a year earlier.

For the full 2006 fiscal year, total sales climbed 9.2% to $66.1 billion. After adjusting for the extra week in fiscal 2006, total sales gained 7.0% over fiscal 2005.

Net earnings for fiscal 2006 were $1.11 billion, versus fiscal 2005’s net earnings of $958.0 million.