Retailer Saks Incorporated saw owned sales total $213.5 million for the month of August compared to $178.2 million for the same period last year, a 19.9% increase. Comparable store sales increased 18.2% for the four-week period.


On a year-to-date basis, for the seven months ended September 1, 2007, owned sales totaled $1,687.2 million compared to $1,452.6 million for the seven months ended August 26, 2006, a 16.1% increase. Comparable store sales increased 14.4% for the seven-month period.

For August, nearly all merchandise categories at Saks Fifth Avenue performed well. The strongest categories for the month were women's shoes; handbags; men's apparel, accessories, and shoes; women's designer apparel and modern collections; and fine jewelry. Saks Direct and Off 5th also performed well for the month.


As previously disclosed, management expects comparable store sales growth of high-single digits in the aggregate for the fall season. The company previously disclosed that, due to the retail calendar shift and promotional adjustments, it expected to see outsized comparable store sales growth in August and expects to see outsized comparable store sales growth in September and November and below-average comparable store sales growth in October and December.


Saks Incorporated currently operates Saks Fifth Avenue, which consists of 54 Saks Fifth Avenue stores, 49 Saks Off 5th stores, and saks.com. The company also operates Club Libby Lu specialty stores.