Hechinger Co.

This Landover-based home improvement chain posted a 15 percent drop in net income in its fiscal first quarter, compared with the same period a year ago.

Hechinger attributed the decline in the quarter, which ended May 4,to an increase in the cost of opening stores -- from $800,000 a year earlier to $3 million.

Three months ended 5/04/91

.... .... ....Revenue.... .... .... Net.... .... .... Share

'91.... .... ....392,509,000.... .... 7,169,000.. .... 0.20

'90.... .... ....345,730,000.... .... 8,387,000.. .... 0.23

% change.... .... ..... +13.5.... .... .....-14.5.. .....-13.0