While Sharper Image sales decreased 13% for February , other firms such as Talbots and J.C. Penney posted gains for the shortest month.
The Talbots Inc. reported that total company sales for fiscal February increased 13% to $95.0 million from $84.3 million for the four weeks ended Feb. 28, 2004. Comparable store sales increased 8.1% for the month, driven by sales of early spring merchandise, said Arnold B. Zetcher, president and CEO.
Total company sales for Sharper Image Corp. decreased 13% to $45.4 million from last February’s $51.9 million. Total store sales decreased 10% to $26.3 million from last February’s $29.3 million. Comparable store sales decreased 20%. Total catalog/direct marketing sales (including wholesale) decreased 16% to $12.2 million from last February’s $14.5 million. Internet sales decreased 14% to $6.9 million from last February’s $8.0 million. “This February’s sales were in line with our expectations, taking due note of the very significant sales increases in February 2004,” said Richard Thalheimer, founder, chairman and CEO. “We are focused on expense control, and our development and merchandising teams continue to work on exciting new products for introduction later this year.”
Men’s clothing purveyor JoS. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. posted total sales for the fiscal month ended Feb. 26 of $28.6 million, an increase of 19.2% versus the $24.0 million reported in the comparable prior year period. Comparable store sales increased 3.1% for the month, while combined catalog and Internet sales increased 20.4%. “We are especially encouraged by the early results of our new spring products, including sportcoats, trousers, dress shirts and knits.” noted David E. Ullman, CFO.
Plano, TX-based J. C. Penney Company Inc. reported that catalog/Internet sales increased 6.4% last month to $200 million versus the $188 million reported for Feb. 2004. Comparable department store sales increased 6.1% for the four weeks ending Feb. 26 to $1.08 billion, from $1.01 billion during the same period last year.
Nordstrom Inc., Seattle, posted preliminary sales of $463.2 million for four-week period, an increase of 8.4% compared to sales of $427.4 million for the same period last year. Same-store sales increased 7%.
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