Union, NJ, June 23-- Bed, Bath & Beyond in the first quarter reported earnings that were up 21 percent to $98.9 million, or $0.33 per a share, verses $82 million and $0.27 per share a year ago. Analysts were expecting earnings of $0.26 per share.
Net sales for the quarter were up 13 percent to $1.2 billion. Same store sales rose 4.4 percent. The company opened 11 new stores in the quarter, bringing its total to 732 as of May 28. The company said it plans to open about 85 stores in total this year.
