Gottschalks Inc. saw November comparable store sales decrease 0.9% from the prior year. Total sales for the month decreased 1.4% to $61.6 million from $62.5 million in November 2005. The cmpany operated three fewer stores during the month compared to the same period in fiscal 2005.
On a year-to-date basis, same store sales increased 0.1% from the comparable period of fiscal 2005. Total sales on a year-to-date basis decreased 0.4% to $507.4 million compared to $509.6 million in the same period of the prior year.

Jim Famalette, president and chief executive officer of Gottschalks, said, “Our sales for the month of November improved as the month progressed. We achieved record sales on Black Friday following Thanksgiving with very strong sales continuing through that weekend. Our best performing merchandise areas were shoes, special sizes, childrens and housewares. Our promotions on targeted key items for the holiday season performed very well during the holiday weekend, and we were particularly pleased with the results of our home store specials. Our inventory at the end of the month was up 3% compared to the same time last year a result of new key item receipts for the holiday season.”


    Sales results are summarized as follows:
                                                                 Same Store
                        November 25,  November 26,    Total %      Sales %
                            2006         2005         Change       Change
                                (in 000's)

    Sales, 4 Weeks
     Ended                 $61,611      $62,496       (1.4%)       (0.9%)

    Sales, 43 Weeks
     Ended                $507,371     $509,550       (0.4%)        0.1%