(ASHEVILLE) -- Ingles Markets, Inc. reported that its third quarter net sales rose 6.4% to $911 million and net income increased 11.2% to $12.7 million compared with the prior year’s third quarter. The Asheville-based supermarket chain also saw its net sales and net income grow over the first nine months of fiscal year 2011.

“Our daily focus is to provide value to our customers, increase sales and provide profits for our shareholders," said CEO Robert P. Ingle II.  "The results for the third quarter reflect success in those areas in spite of economic and competitive challenges.”

The company's net sale grew 4.7% in the first nine months of its fiscal year. Nine month net sale totaled $2.65 billion and net income increased 24.3% to $28.1 million.