L.L. Bean sales climbed roughly 10% during the Christmas holiday period thanks to a late jump in activity at both retail stores and through the company’s on-line/catalog business. During the two weeks preceding Christmas, L.L. Bean saw a 35% spike in sales. Much of this is attributed to increasing consumer confidence in faster shipping over the holiday period. L.L. Bean said that the successful holiday period is putting the company on-track to record $1.3 billion in sales for 2004.

The company sees sales increasing, but the profits may not follow. Rich Donaldson, L.L. Bean spokesperson, told a local paper that the company increased its holiday personnel count from 5,500 last year to 7,500 this year. Additionally, the company increased its TV ad spend for the holiday season, and experienced more price cuts on holiday merchandise. All of these factors will undoubtedly impact the bottom line.

L.L. Bean sales climbed roughly 10% during the Christmas holiday period thanks to a late jump in activity at both retail stores and through the company’s on-line/catalog business.

During the two weeks preceding Christmas, L.L. Bean saw a 35% spike in sales. Much of this is attributed to increasing consumer confidence in faster shipping over the holiday period. L.L. Bean said that the successful holiday period is putting the company on-track to record $1.3 billion in sales for the full year.

The company sees sales increasing, but the profits may not follow. Rich Donaldson, L.L. Bean spokesperson, told a local paper that the company increased its holiday personnel count from 5,500 last year to 7,500 this year. Additionally, the company increased its TV ad spend for the holiday season, and experienced more price cuts on holiday merchandise. All of these factors will undoubtedly impact the bottom line.