date:Feb 21, 2014
basis points due primarily to reduced advertising expense and increased LIFO income, partly offset by increased shrink and increased revenue from Blackhawk gift card sales which have a lower gross profit margin than grocery sales.
Operating and administrative expense increased 58 basis points to 24.00% of sales in the fourth quarter of 2013 from 23.42% of sales in the fourth quarter of 2012. Excluding the 29 basis-point impact from fuel sales, operating and administrative expense increased 29