PriceSmart April same-store sales rise 22.1 percent

SAN DIEGO—PriceSmart Inc., which operates warehouse clubs in Central America and the Caribbean, said Thursday its same-store sales climbed 22.1 percent in April as it operated two more warehouse clubs in the period than a year earlier.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, is a key indicator of retailer performance since it measures growth at existing stores rather than newly opened ones.

Total monthly sales grew 28 percent to $88.9 million from $69.5 million.

Same-store sales for the 34-week period ended April 27 rose 20.3 percent. Total sales grew 25.3 percent to $716.5 million.

PriceSmart operates 25 warehouse clubs in 11 countries and one U.S. territory.