date:Mar 13, 2014
earnings of 84 Canadian cents per share, below analysts' estimate of C$1.23 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Expenses related to Empire's acquisition of Safeway's Canadian assets also weighed on the company's profit.
Empire bought the assets for C$5.7 billion last year to double its reach in the country's western provinces.
Empire, which faces competition from bigger rival Loblaw Companies Ltd (L.TO) and U.S. retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Target Corp, said its earn