Gottschalks Inc. same store sales for the month of September 2006 increased 1.0% from the prior year. Total sales for the month decreased 1.0% to $57.2 million from $57.7 million in September 2005. The Company operated three fewer stores during the month compared to the same period in fiscal 2005.
On a year-to-date basis, same store sales decreased 0.1% from the comparable period of fiscal 2005. Total sales on a year-to-date basis decreased 0.4% to $401.5 million compared to $403.0 million in the same period of the prior year.
Jim Famalette, president and chief executive officer of Gottschalks, said, “We experienced positive sales trends throughout the month and are pleased with our comparable store sales increase in September. For the month, our best performing merchandise categories were shoes, accessories, better sportswear and dresses. As previously announced, we closed our Northgate store in Seattle at the end of September as part of our focus on streamlining our store base to improve overall store performance. At the end of the month our comp store inventory was down 2.2% from the same period last year.”
Sales results are summarized as follows:
Same Store
September 30, October 1, Total % Sales %
2006 2005 Change Change
(in 000's)
Sales, 5 Weeks Ended $57,172 $57,727 (1.0)% 1.0%
Sales, 35 Weeks Ended $401,526 $403,045 (0.4)% (0.1)%
