Wild Oats Markets Inc. on Thursday reported second-quarter earnings of $4.9 million, or 16 cents per share, compared with $922,000, or 3 cents per share, a year ago.
Analysts were expecting earnings of 10 cents per share.
The Boulder-based natural foods retailer said net sales for the quarter increased 4.2 percent to $296.6 million.
The company attributed the increase in sales to the opening of four new stores. Comparable store sales – or sales at stores that have been open for more than a year – were up 1.3 percent. A year ago, comparable store sales were up 5.4 percent.
“Our comparable store sales are experiencing a short-term impact from new competition,” Wild Oats president and chief executive Perry Odak said during a conference call with analysts.
Wild Oats and other natural foods retailers are facing a higher level of competition from traditional grocers, who are increasing their natural and organic offerings. Odak specifically cited competition in the Rocky Mountain region from Safeway, which has been aggressively remodeling its stores and expanding its organic offerings.
He predicted that such efforts would ultimately help Wild Oats by building awareness of the natural and organic market.
The company raised its guidance for full-year earnings to between 38 and 43 cents per share. That was up from previous guidance of 34 to 40 cents per share.
The company, which operates stores under the Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, Henry’s Farmers Markets, Sun Harvest and Capers Community Markets banners, has 20 leases or letters of intent signed for new stores.
Staff writer Kristi Arellano can be reached at 303-820-1902 or karellano@denverpost.com.
EARNINGS
Gaiam Inc.: Broomfield-based lifestyle media company reported a loss of $1.2 million, or 5 cents per share, compared with a loss of $766,000, or 5 cents per share, a year ago. Analysts had predicted a loss of 7 cents per share. Gaiam’s revenue increased 98.8 percent to $43.2 million for the quarter, based on internal growth and sales of media titles it acquired last year through the purchase of GoodTimes Entertainment. The company earlier this week announced that it paid $6.9 million for a majority stake in Cinema Circle, the parent company of Spiritual Cinema Circle, a subscription-based film club designed for “spiritual” moviegoers. The deal will allow the company to further its objective of increasing subscription sales to customers, said Gaiam president Lynn Potter.
Crocs Inc.: The Niwot-based maker of colorful resin clogs reported earnings of 39 cents per share, beating analysts’ expectations of 22 cents per share. Company officials attributed the growth to increased demand for its shoes, which are being sold in an increased number of locations. The company had earnings of 10 cents per share a year ago. Crocs reported second-quarter revenue of $85.6 million, up 231 percent from $25.8 million a year ago. “We are very pleased with the progress we have made across the board, and we look forward to building on our positive momentum going forward,” Crocs president and chief executive Ron Snyder said in a statement issued by the company.
Suncor Energy Inc.: The world’s largest oil-sands producer said second-quarter profit soared fourteenfold as the company increased output after recovering from a fire last year at its plant in northern Alberta. Net income rose to $1.08 billion, or $2.30 a share, from $73.8 million, or 16 cents, a year earlier, the Calgary-based company said. Sales rose 71 percent to $3.6 billion. The company also owns an oil refinery in Commerce City and filling stations in Colorado.
