Shoe Carnival, Inc. reported sales for the five-week period ended April 5, 2003 decreased 0.5 percent to $54.6 million from sales of $54.8 million for the five-week period ended April 6, 2002. Comparable store sales decreased 11.2 percent in March 2003.
The Company noted that the two-week period prior to Easter Sunday is historically the peak of the Easter selling period. Last year the two weeks leading into Easter were in March. In 2003, a later Easter shifts these peak- selling weeks into April; therefore, March and April sales results should be combined for a more meaningful comparison to last year.
Sales for the nine-week period ended April 5, 2003 increased 0.3 percent to $89.9 million from sales of $89.6 million for the nine-week period ended April 6, 2002. Comparable store sales decreased 10.2 percent for the two- month period.
The Company also announced the opening of six new stores in March, one each in West Bend, WI (Milwaukee market); Conyers, GA (Atlanta market); Houston, TX; Niles, OH; Morton Grove, IL (Chicago market); and Lima, OH.
