West 49 Inc., an action sports retailer in Canada, reported that fourth quarter net sales increased 0.8% to CA$62.4 million ($63.1 mm) from CA$61.9 million ($53.8 mm) for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. Comparable store sales for the quarter decreased 4.5% on a consolidated basis and decreased 2.4% for the company's core West 49 banner. In the year-ago quarter, comparable stores sales increased 7.3% on a consolidated basis and 8.7% for the West 49 banner. The company felt its comparable store sales were negatively impacted by cross border shopping due to the weakened U.S. dollar, especially in the province of Ontario, where a large number of its West 49 stores are located. Excluding Ontario, the West 49 banner comps grew 3.7%.
For the fiscal year, net sales increased 4.9% to CA$204.9 million ($193.8 mm) from CA$195.3 million ($172.1 mm) last year. Consolidated comparable stores sales for the fiscal year decreased 1.3%, while increasing 0.5% at the West 49 banner.
