Ankeny-based Casey’s General Stores reported an increase in sales and profits for the third quarter of their fiscal year that ended in January. Sales were up eight-point-eight percent, and gross profit increased just over five percent. Casey’s Chief Financial Officer Jim Shaffer says gas sales have increased as prices stabilized.The cost of gas had been unstable, but stabilized during the third quarter. Shaffer says the profit made on the sale of groceries and other items inside the store was off about three percent from a year ago.He says they’re reviewing the margins on cigarettes, beer and pop to see if stores overreacted to the downturn in business last year by emphasizing sales over profits. Shaffer says a drop in cheese prices help improve the profits in the sale of prepared foods. Casey’s has stores in nine midwestern states.
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