First NationalSupermarkets said its annual sales are running at a rate of
1.58 billion dlrs, compared with 1.39 billion dlrs 18 months
ago, when the company was taken private by its management.
    The company said it is commencing a four-year capital
program that will include the opening 20 new stores as well as
the enlargement and remodeling of selected existing stores.
    It said it will continue its practice of closing some
smaller, less productive stores, converting those assets into
larger stores in its core market areas.
 Reuter
