Saks Incorporated owned sales totaled $273.2 million for the five weeks ended Oct. 4, 2008 compared to $307.4 million for the five weeks ended Oct. 6, 2007, an 11.1% decrease. Comparable store sales decreased 10.9% for the period.

On a quarter-to-date basis, for the two months ended Oct. 4, 2008, owned sales totaled $473.7 million compared to $520.9 million for the prior year two-month period ended Oct. 6, 2007, a 9.1% decrease. Comparable store sales decreased 8.9% for the two-month period.

On a year-to-date basis, for the eight months ended Oct. 4, 2008, owned sales totaled $1,991.5 million compared to $1,994.4 million for the prior year eight-month period ended Oct. 6, 2007, a 0.1% decrease. Comparable store sales decreased 0.3% for the eight-month period.

In the prior year, comparable store sales increased 7.7%, 11.8%, and 13.3% for the fiscal September, quarter-to-date, and year-to-date periods, respectively.

For September, the strongest categories at Saks Fifth Avenue were jewelry, fragrances, and cosmetics. The weakest categories at Saks Fifth Avenue for September were women’s apparel and men’s clothing and dress furnishings.