Susser Holdings (SUSS) Sees SSS Down 1.2% for Q409; Growth of 3.3% for FY09

Susser Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SUSS) said today it expects to report a same-store merchandise sales decline of approximately 1.2 percent for the fourth quarter of 2009 and growth of approximately 3.3 percent for the full year.

Retail average per-store fuel volumes are expected to decline by 5.9 percent versus the fourth quarter of last year, but on a full-year basis, they are expected to be up by 2.4 percent.

Full-year same-store sales and per-store fuel volume growth were in the middle of the company's 2009 guidance. Both numbers exclude the impact of the 53rd week in 2009, for comparison against the prior year.

"Last year was the 21st consecutive year that Susser realized positive annual same-store sales growth," said Sam L. Susser, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The fourth quarter merchandise comparison reflects the fact that the recession accelerated in Texas in the last part of 2009. Our fourth quarter retail fuel volume also compares against a three-month period of increasing gasoline demand a year earlier, fueled by falling prices at the pump. The Company was cycling up against growth in same-store merchandise of 6.5 percent and in average per-store fuel volume of 6.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008."

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