Gottschalks Inc. same store sales for the month of December 2005 increased 3.7% from the prior year. Total sales for the month increased 5.0% to $131.5 million from $125.2 million in December 2004. On a year-to-date basis, same store sales increased 1.2% from the comparable period of fiscal 2004. Total sales on a year-to-date basis increased 2.3% to $641.0 million compared to $626.8 million in the same period of fiscal 2004.
Jim Famalette, president and chief executive officer of Gottschalks, said, “We are very pleased with our solid comparable store sales increase for December. Our results reflect a strong reaction to key fashion items and the success of our initiative to sharply price major gift giving items. The best performing areas in December were shoes, men's and children's apparel, juniors and accessories. Additionally, in the home division we generated strong sales in furniture and housewares. Consistent with the trend over the last few years, we experienced an increase in gift card sales in December compared to the prior year. We continued to effectively manage our inventory and as a result our comparable store inventory at the end of December was 1.4% below the same period last year.”
Sales results are summarized as follows:
Same Store
December 31, January 1, Total % Sales %
2005 2005 Increase/Decrease Increase/Decrease
(in 000's)
Sales, 5
Weeks Ended $131,486 $125,194 5.0% 3.7%
Sales, 48
Weeks Ended $641,036 $626,813 2.3% 1.2%
