Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. reported July net sales decreased 3% at its PacSun stores to $99.1 million from $102.4 million last year, while comps declined 4%. Geographically, comps were strongest in Texas, the Midwest and New England, but were weakest in Florida, the Desert Southwest, California and the Rocky Mountain/Great Plains regions.


Apparel comps were up 11% and accounted for 81% of total comp sales. Junior’s apparel comps were up 24%. Strength in Bullhead denim, tops and dresses offset weakness in swim and shorts. Young men’s apparel comps were down slightly. Strength in Bullhead denim was offset by weakness in swim and shorts. Young men’s tops comped flat for the month.

 

Accessory comps were down low-20s. Footwear comps were down mid-60s, due to the planned exit of sneakers and fashion footwear that was announced in January and began in late April of this year. For the month, footwear accounted for approximately 4% of comp store sales.
Transactions and average sale per comp store were both down low-single digits for the month.


Total PacSun sales for the second quarter were $312.7 million, a slight increase versus PacSun sales of $311.8 million during the same period last year. PacSun same store sales decreased 1% during the same period.


The company now expects to report earnings from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 in the range of 5 cents to 6 cents per diluted share.


Zumiez Inc. reported net sales increased 12.7% to $31.7 million from $28.2 million for the month, but the action sports retailer once again saw a comparable store sales decline. Comps were down 1.4% for the month after increasing 9.7% last year.


The decline in comparable store sales was driven by a decrease in comp store transactions somewhat offset by an increase in average unit retail. Footwear and skate hard goods posted positive comps for the month, offset by negative comps in accessories, juniors, men’s and boy’s apparel.

The Buckle, Inc. continued its monthly hot streak, posting a 20.9% jump in comps for July. Net sales increased 28.7% to $57.0 million from $44.3 million a year ago. Men’s sales increased 30% over the year-ago month, representing 44% of total sales. Denim, woven and knit shirts and active apparel were called out as strong performers. Average selling prices were up 5.5% for the month in men’s.
Women’s sales increased 26.5%, accounting for 56% of net sales with denim, knit tops and accessories performing well. Average selling prices on the women’s side were also up 5.5%. Accessories sales increased 39% while footwear increased 9%. Footwear average selling prices were down 3.5%.


DSW Inc. reported net sales for the second quarter increased 2.4% to $357.2 million compared with $348.7 million for the year-ago quarter. Same store sales decreased 6.9% for the comparable period versus an increase of 5.9% last year.


The company said second quarter merchandise margin rate increased significantly over last year due to the positioning of inventory levels with anticipated same store sales declines. Last year’s merchandise margin rate was negatively impacted by promotional activity aimed at clearing seasonal merchandise.


For the fiscal year, the company reiterated its estimated annual comparable store sales in the negative mid-single digits and annual earnings per diluted share in the range of 75 cents to 85 cents.


The TJX Companies, Inc. turned to its Marmaxx division for a company-wide 3.0% comparable sales improvement for fiscal July. The company’s Bob’s Stores division recorded a 7% decline in monthly comps and also caused the company to restate its guidance.
Management said that a 2 cent per share impairment charge attributable to the Bob’s Store division would cause second quarter earnings per share to be in the range of 44 cents to 45 cents instead of 46 cents to 47 cents. The cause of the impairment charge was not further elaborated upon.