Total sales increased 3.4 percent to $37.5 billion in the first quarter compared to $36.3 billion for the same period last year. Total sales, excluding fuel, increased 2.3 percent in the first quarter over the same period last year. Excluding fuel and the effect of Kroger's recently sold convenience store business unit, total sales increased 2.8 percent. Kroger's stock has risen significantly in the past week. "Everything we do supports our customers engaging seamlessly with Kroger," McMullen said in a press release announcing the earnings. In the first quarter, Kroger also announced its digital sales increased 66 percent from the previous year's quarter.