Apr 29, 2009 9:08 AM

SuperValu Inc reported fourth quarter fiscal 2009 net sales of $10.8 billion and a net loss of $201 million.

Fourth quarter retail net sales were $8.5 billion and included an approximate $0.6 billion benefit from the 53-week year, compared with $8.1 billion a year earlier.

Retail food net sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 represented 78.5 percent of total net sales versus 77.8 percent a year ago. Supply chain services net sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 represented 21.5 percent of total net sales compared with 22.2 percent the prior year.

Gross profit margin in the fourth quarter was $2.5 billion, or 22.9 percent of net sales, versus $2.4 billion, or 23.3 percent of net sales a year earlier.

Jeff Noddle, SuperValu chairman and chief executive officer, said, “It’s good to wrap up fiscal 2009 with fourth quarter adjusted earnings per share on a comparable basis exceeding last year by 5 percent. As we enter fiscal 2010, we anticipate a challenging economic environment, but remain focused on executing the strategic initiatives that will drive sustainable long-term sales and earnings growth.”