Sales were up last month for four catalogers that reported sales on Thursday.
* Chico’s FAS Inc., Fort Meyers, FL, reported August sales increased 36.5% to $76.9 million from the $56.3 million reported for the prior year’s four week period. For the 30 weeks ended Aug. 28, total sales increased 47.6% to $588 million from $399 million for the same period a year ago. Scott A. Edmonds, president and CEO, noted that several factors impacted the clothier’s late August results, including the Labor Day holiday, a mailing delay in the delivery of our September catalog, and Hurricane Charley.
*Dallas-based Neiman Marcus Group Inc. posted August revenues of $240 million, a 14.8% increase over the $209 reported for the same period in 2003. Comparable revenues at Neiman Marcus Direct in August increased 2.5%. In the direct-to-consumer business, the Neiman Marcus brand experienced the highest year-over-year sales performance, supported by strong sales in women’s contemporary sportswear and dresses, handbags and accessories. The company operates print catalogs and Web sites under the Neiman Marcus, Horchow and Chef’s Catalog brands.
* J. C. Penney Co. Inc., Plano, TX reported total sales for August of $1.5 billion, a 4.3% increase over the prior year period. Catalog/Internet sales for the month rose 6%, to $194 million versus $183 million posted in august 2003. For the 30 week period ending August 28., total sales were up 6.8% to $9.4 billion compared to $8.8 billion in the prior year period, while catalog/Internet sales hit $1.4 billion, up 3.1% from the $1.3 billion posted for last August.
* Sharper Image Corp. reported that total company sales for the calendar month of August increased 16% to $43.3 million from last August’s $37.2 million. Total catalog/direct marketing sales for the San Francisco-based firm increased 19% to $11.1 million from last August’s $9.4 million. Internet sales increased 35% to $6.2 million from last August’s $4.6 million. For the seven months ending August 31, total company sales increased 25% to $341.4 million from last year’s $272.2 million. Total store sales increased 20% to $193.4 million from $161.3 million in the prior year. Total catalog/DM sales increased 32% to $95.2 million from last year’s $71.9 million. Internet sales increased 35% to $52.8 million from last year’s $39.1 million.
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