Central Garden & Pet Posts Loss in Q4

Central Garden & Pet Co. of Walnut Creek, Calif., reported a net loss of $8.8 million on net sales of $347 million in the fourth quarter ended Sept. 25, compared to a net income of $8 million on net sales of $363 million in the year-ago period.

Sales of branded products decreased 7 percent to $291 million, and sales of other manufacturers' products increased 8 percent to $56 million, according to the company.

Net sales for the pet products segment were up 5 percent, reaching $214 million in the quarter. Operating income for the pet products segment was $12.9 million, compared to $27.6 million in the year-ago period. Sales of branded products increased 3 percent to $174 million. Sales of other manufacturers' products increased 17 percent to $40 million.

Net sales for the garden products segment were $133 million, compared to $160 million in the year-ago period. The division reported an operating loss of $7.6 million, compared to an operating income of $4.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Sales of branded products decreased 18 percent to $117 million. Sales of other manufacturers' products decreased 9 percent to $16 million.

For fiscal year 2010, Central reported net income of $45.8 million on net sales of $1.5 billion, compared to net income of $65.9 million on net sales of $1.6 billion in fiscal year 2009. Sales of branded products decreased 8 percent, while sales of other manufacturers' products increased 7 percent.

Operating income for the year for the pet segment increased 11.6 percent to $97.9 million in 2010. Operating income for the garden segment increased 7.2 percent to $109.1 million.