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August 4 , 2021 CENTRAL GARDEN & PET Central Garden & Pet Announces Record Q3 Fiscal 2021 Results Q3 fiscal 2021 net sales increased 24 % to $ 1,037 million Q3 fiscal 2021 diluted EPS grew 8 % to $ 1.37 Raises outlook for fiscal 2021 diluted GAAP EPS to $ 2.45 or better Raises outlook for fiscal 2021 diluted Non - GAAP EPS to $ 2.62 or better WALNUT CREEK , Calif .-- ( BUSINESS WIRE ) -- Central Garden & Pet Company ( NASDAQ : CENT , CENTA ) ( " Central ” ) , a market leader in the Garden and Pet industries , today announced financial results for its fiscal 2021 third quarter ended June 26 , 2021 . " We delivered another record quarter due to the strong demand for our Pet and Garden brands and our team's hard work and dedication , " said Tim Cofer , CEO of Central Garden & Pet . " We are encouraged by the early progress on our Central to Home strategy and our third quarter results especially when we consider the extraordinary growth in the prior year quarter . Given our robust year - to - date performance , we are raising our outlook for fiscal 2021. " Fiscal 2021 Third Quarter Financial Results Net sales increased 24 % to $ 1,037 million compared to $ 833 million a year ago , driven largely by recent acquisitions , which contributed $ 137 million to the quarter , and organic growth in both segments . Organic sales increased 9 % . Gross margin was 30.9 % , a decline of 50 basis points compared to a year ago , driven primarily by the impact of initial purchase accounting related to recent acquisitions as well as cost inflation in areas such as key commodities , labor and freight . Operating income increased 8 % to $ 113 million from $ 105 million a year ago . Operating margin was 10.9 % , a decline of 170 basis points primarily driven by gross margin compression , rising logistics cost and heightened investment spending . Net interest expense was $ 13 million compared to $ 11 million a year ago primarily due to higher debt outstanding .