Strong EPS Growth
Empire reported an EPS of $0.74 this quarter, translating to a 17.5% EPS growth year-over-year, supported by strong same-store sales growth of 3.8%.
Market Share Gains
Empire gained market share this quarter, with improvements in Full-Service and discount banners, and continued growth in fresh department sales.
Gross Margin Improvement
Gross margin improved by 32 basis points, exceeding medium-term expectations of 10 to 20 basis points, driven by operating efficiencies and in-store execution.
Dividend Increase
Empire announced a 10% increase in its quarterly dividend per share, marking the 30th consecutive year of dividend increases.
Capital Allocation and New Store Growth
Empire plans to invest $850 million in fiscal 2026, with a focus on opening 24 new stores compared to an average of 8 per year previously.