Decreasing sales at Central Garden & Pet

The US-based company Central Garden & Pet reports in the fiscal first quarter of its business year, which ended 29 December 2012, net sales of $292.5 mio., a 3 per cent decrease over the comparable period a year ago. Net sales decreased in both its garden (5 per cent) and pet segments (2 per cent), points out the company.

The first quarter operating loss was $13.1 mio., compared to an operating loss of $11.3 mio. in the first quarter of 2012, primarily reflecting lower sales and gross margins. The net loss for the quarter was $15.3 mio. or $0.32 per fully diluted share, compared with a loss of $13.1 mio., or $0.27 per fully diluted share, in the year-ago period. Typically, the Company has reported a loss in its fiscal first quarter given the seasonal nature of the lawn and garden category.