And in contrast to the Wal Mart report on sales..... [View all]

[Sherman A1]

Feb 21 (Reuters) - Supermarket operator Safeway Inc on Thursday said store sales have strengthened from the previous quarter and it has seen no impact from higher payroll taxes, which have cut take-home pay for many shoppers.

If trends hold for the remainder of the week, Safeway's identical-store sales will be up 2 percent for the first eight weeks of the quarter, Steve Burd, Safeway's chairman and chief executive, said on a conference call with analysts.

Safeway's identical-store sales were up 0.8 percent, excluding fuel, for the fourth quarter.

At Safeway, that closely-watched measure includes results from established supermarkets that have not been replaced or significantly renovated.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/21/safeway-outlook-idUSL1N0BL4W420130221?feedType=RSS&feedName=cyclicalConsumerGoodsSector&rpc=43