Stage Stores, Inc. reported that its total sales for the four-week November period ended November 26, 2011, increased 4.3 percent to $121 million from $116 million in the prior-year four-week period ended November 27, 2010. Comparable store sales increased 2.3 percent.
Merchandise categories which achieved comparable store sales increases during November were accessories, cosmetics, footwear, junior’s, home & gifts and young men’s. Geographically, all regions had comparable store sales gains during the month.
Andy Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our comparable store sales increase was driven by a very strong week four, which included Black Friday. We are encouraged by our positive start to the holiday shopping period and expect December to benefit from our key merchandising initiatives in cosmetics, cold weather, non-apparel gifts and toys and continued strength in eCommerce sales. We look forward to meeting our customers’ holiday shopping and gift-giving needs with exciting merchandise selections and exceptional customer service.”
The company completed its 2011 new store opening program during November with the opening of seven new department stores and three new off-price stores. New Goody’s stores were opened in Huntsville, Jasper and Selma, AL, and in Enid and Chickasha, OK, a new Palais Royal store was opened in Houston, TX, and a new Peebles store was opened in Hamilton, NY. The company’s first three Steele’s stores were opened in Beeville, TX, and Bastrop and Minden, LA. In addition to the ten new stores opened in November, the company reopened a store which had been closed due to storm damage.
For the year, the company opened a total of 37 new stores.
