Nov 3, 2004 11:13 AM, from staff and wire reports

Smart & Final Inc reported income from continuing operations of $12.0 million for the 16-week quarter ended Oct 3, 2004, an increase of $3.7 million or 44% over the 2003 third quarter’s $8.3 million of income from continuing operations.

Sales from continuing operations in the current year third quarter were $603.2 million, a gain of 12.0% over third-quarter 2003 sales of $538.4 million. Third-quarter 2004 comparable store sales rose by 12.0% over the 2003 level.

Los Angeles CA-based Smart & Final operates 231 non-membership warehouse stores for food and foodservice supplies in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, and northern Mexico.