Higher sales helped Shoppers Drug Mart post a 19 per cent increase in its third-quarter net income, the company reported Friday.

The retail chain (TSX:SC) said it made $108 million (50 cents a share), up from $90 million (42 cents a share) a year earlier.

The company said its year-over-year sales grew by more than eight per cent to $2.14 billion. Shoppers' same-store sales, comparing stores open more than 12 months, grew by 5.2 per cent during the quarter.




The firm's prescription sales increased 8.6 per cent in the third quarter to $1.02 billion, to account for 47.6 per cent of the company's sales, up from 47.5 per cent in the same period last year.

"We are pleased with our third quarter results," Glenn Murphy, company chairman and CEO said. "Our sales momentum and operating performance thus far in 2005 have left us well positioned heading into the final quarter of the year."

The company has more than 940 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores across the country.

Shares of Shoppers were up 90 cents at $40.85 on the TSX.