The Forzani Group Ltd., Canada’s largest retailer of sporting goods, reported slightly higher sales for the fiscal 2009 Back-to-School selling season. Retail system sales for the seven-week period ended September 21 increased 0.8% over the same period last year.
Overall same-store sales for the seven-week period were flat as the benefit of the earlier Labor Day and return to school was tempered by continued reined-in consumer spending patterns. Corporate same-store sales were down 2% against 2007.
On a regional basis, western comparable store sales were flat while eastern store sales, predominantly in Ontario, were down 3.2%. Franchise store sales, predominantly in Quebec, increased 3.5% for the seven-week period. Softgoods sales outpaced hardgoods and footwear.
