Ingles Markets said its comparable-store sales were down 3.1% in the third quarter, excluding fuel, compared with the year-ago period. Total sales including fuel were up 1.6%, however, to $1.37 billion, which also included sales from a new store that opened shortly before the quarter ended on June 27. In its quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ingles reported fuel sales of about $213.6 million in the third quarter, up about 32% compared with $161.8 million in the third quarter of last year. Those gains outpaced sales declines in grocery categories, which fell about 2%, to $468.3 million, and nonfoods (including pharmacy), which fell about 9%, to $268.5 million. Ingles also cited increased bank charges due to higher credit card usage, “which entails more card swipes and related fees,” the company said.