Central Garden publishes sales figures

The Central Garden & Pet Company has reported financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. The company reported net sales of $368.8 mio for the fourth quarter of 2013, a seven per cent decrease over the fourteen week comparable fiscal 2012 period. Sales comparisons were affected by an extra week in the prior year quarter and full year periods. The company’s fourth quarter operating loss for 2013 was $26.4 mio compared to an operating loss of $8.5 mio in the fourth quarter of 2012. The net loss for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $22.6 mio compared with a loss of $10.1 mio in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Reported net sales for the pet segment for the quarter were $220.4 mio, a decline of seven per cent over the fourth quarter of 2012.The pet segment’s branded product sales for the quarter decreased $16.1 mio to $175.6 mio, while sales of other manufacturers’ products were $44.8 mio, a decrease of two per cent compared with the fourth quarter of 2012. The pet segment's operating margin improved for the quarter, aided by higher gross margins and lower marketing expenses. For the fourth quarter, the pet segment’s operating income was $24.7 mio, an increase from $16.5 mio in the fourth quarter of 2012.