Lighting distributor Acuity Brands Inc. (NYSE: AYI), Atlanta, GA, reported sales for the third quarter ended May 31, 2013, of $541.5 million, an increase of 11.1 percent compared to the same period a year earlier. Profit decreased 5.7 percent to $31.7 million.

For the first nine months, sales were $1.5 billion, an increase of 6.3 percent year-over year. Profit fell 0.7 percent to $82.5 million.

“We believe this is reflective of our strategy to aggressively introduce innovative and energy-efficient lighting solutions, expand in key channels and geographies, and enhance our customer service,” Vernon J. Nagel, president and CEO, said. … “Our net sales were higher across most product categories and key sales channels, while our LED lighting solutions more than doubled from a year ago and now approach approximately 20 percent of our total net sales.”