Kellwood, the parent company to Kelty, Sierra Designs, and Slumberjack, reported sales in the first quarter of $639.4 million, down 6.9% from $686.1 million last year. Net earnings for the first quarter were $12.5 million or 45 cents per diluted share versus $25.0 million, or 90 cents per diluted share last year.

Sales of “other soft goods,” which includes Gerber Children’s apparel, intimate apparel and Kellwood’s American Recreation division, were $115 million, down 4% from last year. Sales of American Recreation products were slow due to declines in the mass channel of distribution from a slow start in the 2005 camping season caused by poor weather. Q2 Sales of other soft goods are forecasted to increase to approximately $105 million versus $101 million in fiscal year 2004.

For the fiscal year ended January 2006 sales are expected to be in the range of $2.4 billion, versus $2.56 billion last year. The Fall 2005 season is not fully booked. Based on orders received to date, sales in the second half of the year will not be at the same level as previously expected. Net earnings for fiscal year 2005 are forecasted to be in the range of $68.5 million, or approximately $2.38 per diluted share versus $70.1 million, or $2.50 per share in fiscal year 2004.