Eddie Bauer Holdings, Inc. fourth quarter net merchandise sales totaled $365 million, compared to $361 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. Net merchandise sales include sales from the Company's retail and outlet stores and its direct channel, which includes its catalogs and websites, but does not include licensing revenue or revenue generated by the Company's joint ventures. Comparable store sales for the fourth quarter of 2006 increased 4.6% from the fourth quarter of 2005. Comparable store sales in the fourth quarter of 2005 had declined 7.1% from the same period in 2004. Sales from the Company's direct channel, which includes sales from its catalogs and websites, increased by 0.1% from the fourth quarter of 2005.
For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006, net merchandise sales declined 4.5%, totaling $957 million in 2006 compared to $1,002 million in fiscal 2005. Comparable store sales for fiscal 2006 declined 2.0% from fiscal 2005, which compares to a 2.2% decrease in comparable store sales in fiscal 2005 from fiscal 2004. Sales from the Company's direct channel, which includes sales from its catalogs and websites, decreased by 4.4% from fiscal 2005.
