RETAILING

Smart & Final Earnings Nearly Double: The Los Angeles-based operator of nonmembership grocery warehouse stores earned $6.3 million, or 30 cents a share, in the second quarter, a 99% increase over the same period in 1995. The company said earnings during the quarter a year ago were lower partly because of $2.1 million in costs associated with the opening of a distribution facility in Northern California. Same-store sales, or revenue from stores open at least 12 months, rose 4.2%. Net income for the first half of 1996 was $10.5 million, or 50 cents per share, up 58% from the $6.6 million, or 32 cents per share, for the same period of 1995. Smart & Final Inc. operates 165 stores in California, Florida, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico.