According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report, the annual Seasonally Adjusted Food-at-Home Consumer Price Index increased 2.3% compared to a decrease of 1.6% for the same period last year. Even though the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ index rates may be reflective of a trend, it will not necessarily be indicative of the Company’s actual results. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the thirteen-week average price of gasoline in the Central Atlantic States increased 36.7% or $0.88 per gallon in the thirteen weeks ended September 25, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. The average price of gasoline in the Central Atlantic States increased 26.1% or $0.63 per gallon in the first thirty-nine weeks of 2021 when compared to the same period in 2020.
Total net sales increased 6.1% to $1.1 billion for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2021, from $1.0 billion for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2020. The increase in total net sales was primarily driven by the 4.6% increase excluding fuel which includes an increase in pharmacy sales, driven by increased prescription volume and administering COVID-19 vaccines, and higher fuel sales. Comparable store sales for the thirteen weeks ended September 25, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020 increased 4.6% including fuel and 3.2% excluding fuel.
Total net sales increased 1.0% to $3.1 billion for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 25, 2021 when compared to the similar period in 2020. The increase in total net sales was primarily driven by increased pharmacy prescription volume and administering COVID-19 vaccines, and higher fuel sales, which was partially offset by the 0.4% decrease excluding fuel. Comparable store sales for the first thirty-nine weeks, compared to the same period in 2020, decreased 0.1% including fuel and decreased 1.4% excluding fuel.
Although the Company experienced retail inflation and deflation in various commodities for the periods presented, impacts of the novel coronavirus pandemic have caused uncertainty about future economic conditions and may change future product mix. Management cannot accurately measure the full impact of inflation or deflation on retail pricing due to changes in the types of merchandise sold between periods, shifts in customer buying patterns and the fluctuation of competitive factors. Management remains confident in its ability to generate long-term sales growth in a highly competitive environment, but also understands some competitors have greater financial resources and could use these resources to take measures which could adversely affect the Company’s competitive position.
Cost of Sales and Gross Profit
Cost of sales consists of direct product costs (net of discounts and allowances), net advertising costs, distribution center and transportation costs, as well as manufacturing facility operations.
Gross profit on sales increased 3.2% for the thirteen weeks ended September 25, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. Gross profit margin decreased to 26.6% in the thirteen weeks ended September 25, 2021, from 27.4% in the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2020. The decrease in gross profit margin was primarily due to the increased pharmacy and fuel sales, which have a lower gross profit margin than grocery sales, and higher product and supply chain costs.
In the first thirty-nine weeks of 2021, gross profit on sales remained unchanged when compared to the same period in 2020. Gross profit margin decreased to 26.7% in the thirty-nine weeks ended September 25, 2021, from 26.9% in the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020. The decrease in gross profit margin was primarily due to the increased pharmacy and fuel sales, which have a lower gross profit margin than grocery sales, and higher product and supply chain costs.
Non-cash LIFO inventory valuation adjustments represent expense of $2.0 million in the first thirty-nine weeks of 2021 compared to expense of $2.2 million in the same period in 2020. Although the Company experienced cost inflation and deflation in various commodities for the periods presented, the Company anticipates overall product costs to increase given the recent inflationary indicators in the food retail industry.