Improved Margins Cut Loss at Pathmark

CARTERET, N.J. - Pathmark Stores here turned higher gross profits from flat comparable sales, reducing losses during its fiscal third quarter to $5.8 million, the company said Thursday. Pathmark lost $18.3 million in the same period a year ago. EBITDA improved to $30.3 million from $19 million, due to higher gross profits in almost all departments, particularly in produce, which outperformed storewide comps by 4%, the company said. Sales of $978.1 million decreased 0.3% from a year ago. Pathmark officials in a conference call said it would roll out elements of its new store prototype in store renovations planned for 2007, with a new store tentatively planned for late next year.