Gottschalks Inc. reported a 3.9% decrease in comparable store sales for the month of April from the prior year. Total sales for the four-week period decreased 4.9% to $38.3 million compared to $40.3 million in the same period of fiscal 2007. On a year-to-date basis, which consisted of 13-weeks, same store sales decreased 10.3% from the same period of the prior year. Total sales for the year-to-date period decreased 11.8% to $125.1 million compared to $141.8 million for the same period of fiscal 2007. The Company operated one less store for the month and year-to-date period compared to the same periods in fiscal 2007.
Jim Famalette, chairman and chief executive officer of Gottschalks said, “Although the macroeconomic environment remains challenging and we are continuing to experience sales pressure, our performance during April improved compared to recent months. In particular, we experienced a better trend in our California market as compared to our Northwest region. Our best performing categories were housewares, dresses, children's and special sizes, while sales of textiles remained soft. We ended the month with comparable store inventory down 10% as we continue to focus on prudent inventory management and expense reductions during this economic slowdown.”
