J. Jill Group, Inc. reported net sales of $246.3 million during fiscal 2000, compared with $250.3 million during 1999, in its annual report filed today.
Net income was $12.8 million, compared with a loss of $0.7 million the year before. The fiscal year ended on Dec. 30.
The decrease in net sales resulted, in part, from the closing of the Nicole Summers catalog in 1999.
The firm increased its catalog circulation by 15.3% during 2000, increasing its response rates and average order size.
E-commerce sales represented 16% of total direct net sales in 2000, compared with 2.3% in 1999. Retail segment net sales grew to $27.4 million, from $1 million the year before.
The increase in net income was due mostly to productivity improvements in order processing at the firm’s operations and fulfillment center in Tilton, NH, and the leverage of certain fixed costs.
The firm decreased its selling and administrative costs as a percentage of net sales to 25.2% last year, down from 29.8% in 1999.
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