Stage Stores, Inc. reported that total sales for the four week November period ended Nov. 24 increased 16.4 percent to $141 million, up from $121 million in the prior-year comparable period ended Nov. 26, 2011. Comparable store sales for the November period increased 13.2 percent.

Merchandise categories that posted comparable store sales gains in excess of the company average were cosmetics, footwear, home & gifts, junior sportswear and petites. Geographically, all regions of the country achieved a comparable store sales increase, with the Midwest, South Central and Southwest regions outperforming.

 
SALES SUMMARY

   
 
         
   



Comparable Store Sales





Total Sales
 


% Increase (Decrease)





($ in Millions)
Fiscal Period


2012

2011





2012


2011
1st Quarter

2.5
0.2





366

347
2nd Quarter

5.4
0.9





381

353
3rd Quarter

8.1
(0.6 )




371

333
November

13.2
2.3





141

121
Year-To-Date (10 Mos)

6.1
0.4





1,259

1,154















 

 

“November’s sensational 13.2 percent comparable store sales increase gets us off to a fantastic start to the holiday season,” commented, Michael Glazer, president and CEO.  “Despite the disruptions caused by Superstorm Sandy early in the month, we achieved a comparable store sales increase each week of November, culminating in a gain of over 20 percent in the week of Thanksgiving. We participated like never before during the Thanksgiving weekend as we offered some of our most exciting and compelling holiday offers and deals ever. Our strategy worked well as we achieved higher sales while maintaining our merchandise margin rate. We are extremely encouraged by our outstanding November results and fully expect that our positive momentum will continue in December. December’s business will be driven by exciting merchandise selections, a strong marketing campaign, a favorable calendar and ongoing benefits from the combination of our private label credit card reissue and new loyalty program launch.”

Stage Stores opened 15 new stores during November. Goody’s stores were opened in Toccoa, GA, Hamilton and Opelika, AL and Aberdeen, NC; Peebles stores were opened in Brodheadsville, PA, Sidney, NY and Oxford, NC; and Steele’s stores were opened in Tahlequah and Miami, OK, San Benito, Seguin, Mineral Wells and Alvin, TX, Alexander City, AL and Hobbs, NM. The company noted that those openings completed its 2012 new store opening program. It also reported that it permanently closed its Peebles store in Ventnor City, NJ due to flooding caused by Superstorm Sandy.

Stage Stores, Inc. operates primarily in small and mid-sized towns and communities, with 865 stores in 40 states.