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METRO reports 2021 first quarter results MONTRÉAL , Jan. 26 , 2021 / CNW Telbec / - METRO INC . ( TSX : MRU ) today announced its results for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 ended December 19 , 2020 . 2021 FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS • Sales of $ 4,278.2 million , up 6.2 % • Food same - store sales up 10.0 % • Pharmacy same - store sales up 1.3 % • Net earnings of $ 191.2 million , up 12.3 % and adjusted net earnings ( 1 ) of $ 197.7 million , up 9.3 % • • Fully diluted net earnings per share of $ 0.76 , up 13.4 % , and adjusted fully diluted net earnings per share ( 1 ) of $ 0.79 , up 11.3 % Negative impact of about $ 0.05 per share due to the labour conflict at our Jean Coutu distribution center Expenses related to COVID - 19 totalling $ 28 million • Declared dividend of $ 0.25 per share , up 11.1 % ( Millions of dollars , except for net earnings per share ) Sales 2021 4,278.2 % 100.0 12 weeks / Fiscal Year 2020 4,029.8 % Change ( % ) 100.0 6.2 Operating income before depreciation and amortization 399.2 9.3 363.1 9.0 9.9 Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization ( 2 ) 399.2 9.3 370.6 9.2 7.7 Net earnings 191.2 4.5 170.2 4.2 12.3 Fully diluted net earnings per share 0.76 0.67 13.4 Adjusted net earnings ( 1 ) 197.7 4.6 Adjusted fully diluted net earnings per share ( 1 ) 0.79 180.9 0.71 4.5 9.3 11.3 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE " We are pleased with our first quarter results , delivering continued strong food sales with good operating leverage , while working through an 8 - week labour conflict at our Jean Coutu distribution center . Our contingency plan enabled us to successfully maintain the supply of medication to over 400 pharmacies . We are now back to normal operating conditions in the distribution center . I want to again sincerely thank all our front - line staff who continue to deliver the essential services of food and pharmacy to our communities during this challenging lockdown period . Our first priority remains the safety of our employees and our customers " , declared Eric La Flèche , President and Chief Executive Officer . OPERATING RESULTS SALES Sales in the first quarter of Fiscal 2021 reached $ 4,278.2 million , up 6.2 % compared to $ 4,029.8 million in the first quarter of Fiscal 2020. Food same - store sales were up 10.0 % ( 1.4 % in 2020 ) . Online food sales increased by about 170 % versus last year . Our food basket inflation was approximately 2.5 % ( 2.0 % in 2020 ) . Pharmacy same - store sales were up 1.3 % ( 3.6 % in 2020 ) , with a 4.0 % increase in prescription drugs and a 3.8 % decrease in front - store sales , mainly due to lower traffic , the milder cold and flu season , and reduced promotional activity during the labour conflict . Our warehouse sales to franchisees were impacted by the labour conflict at our Jean Coutu distribution center which had a dampening effect on the total sales increase of the Corporation . OPERATING INCOME BEFORE DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION