Stater Bros. Holdings Inc. saw its fiscal second quarter sales and profits rise as it completed the most recent phase of its distribution center consolidation

"We have reached a historic milestone as we have completed the transition to our new dry distribution center at the former Norton Air Force Base," said Jack H. Brown, chairman, president, and c.e.o. of Stater Bros. "By the end of our current fiscal year, we will complete our new refrigerated distribution center, which is the final phase of our distribution consolidation."

Sales for the 13-week quarter ended March 30 increased 6.85 percent to $925.4 million, up from $866.1 million last year. The timing of Christmas Day resulted in one more sales day in the second quarter of 2008 compared to last year, as it's the only day the company's stores are closed. The holiday fell in first quarter of fiscal 2008 and the second quarter of fiscal 2007.

In addition, the Easter holiday fell in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and in the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Excluding the timing effect of both Christmas Day and the Easter Holiday, like store sales increased 3.7 percent for the quarter.

Year-to-date sales increased $98 million, or 5.5 percent, to $1.87 billion from last year's $1.77 billion. Year-to-date same store sales increased 3.5 percent in fiscal 2008 over last year.

Stater Bros.' profits were $13.5 million for both of the 13-week second quarters of fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007, with year-to-date profits also remaining flat year over year at $23.4 million.

Stater Bros. operates 165 supermarkets through its wholly owned subsidiary, Stater Bros. Markets.