	mars store mxxx sees qtr year loss and charge mars store inc said it expects to report a loss of about dlrs for the fourth quarter and about mln dlrs for the fiscal year ended january as a result of the loss the company said it has decided to discontinue the operations of its big value outlets division which will result in a yet undisclosed one time charge against ings for the year the estimated mln dlrs year loss or about cts a share compares with ings of dlrs or cts a share recorded last year the fourth quarter loss was affected by an abnormally high inventory shrinkage lower than planned sales and higher markdowns related to increased promotional activity all of which reduced fourth quarter gross margins the company said in order to concentrate on the company s core business the operation of discount and promotional department stores mars said it has decided to close the big value division reuter 
