Susser Holdings Expects Q3 Improved Operating Results

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- Susser Holdings Corp. expects to continue its trend of year-over-year same-store merchandise and retail average per-store fuel volume growth.

In its 2012 fiscal third quarter operating results update, the parent of Stripes stores said today it expects same-store merchandise sales to grow approximately 5.8 percent during the same period last year. As for retail average per-store fuel volume, the c-store chain expects to report growth of approximately 6.6 percent year-over-year.

Year-to-date, Susser Holdings stated merchandise sales and retail average per-store fuel volumes have both grown about 6.8 percent.

Susser Holdings continues to grow its store count as well. The c-store chain opened eight new large-format stores in its fiscal third quarter, which ended on Sept. 30. So far this year, Susser Holdings has opened 15 new Stripes locations. As of Sept. 30, Susser Holdings had 552 c-stores in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

The parent of Stripes also announced that 14 additional new stores are currently under construction. Eleven of those stores are expected to open before the end of this year.

In addition, 11 new dealer sites were added in the wholesale segment during Susser Holdings' latest quarter and seven sites were discontinued for a total of 571 contracted branded sites at the end of its third quarter.

Regarding 2013, Susser Holdings plans to build 28 to 35 new c-stores and continue to acquire additional properties for its land bank use for future development.

As CSNews Online reported, Susser Holdings spun off Susser Petroleum Partners LP on Sept. 25. Susser Petroleum distributes more than 1.4 billion gallons of motor fuel to Stripes stores as well as other independent locations.

A concurrent third quarter press conference for both companies will take place on Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. Eastern time.