Stage Stores Inc. reported that total sales for the five-week period ended Oct. 2, 2004, increased 41.3% to $97.8 million from $69.2 million in the prior year five-week period ended Oct. 4, 2003. Comparable store sales increased 2.5% versus a decrease of 3.5% last year. The Company noted that total sales include sales for the Peebles stores in the current year's results only, while comparable store sales include comparable store sales for the Peebles stores in both years.
The Company stated that its sales results, although positive, were negatively impacted during the last week of September due to unseasonably warm temperatures versus last year. The Company further stated that the impact of the warmer weather on the sale of fall merchandise, coupled with clearance activity related to remaining spring and summer goods, resulted in a sales mix during September that was comprised of a higher percentage of clearance goods versus last year.
With regard to its major categories of business, the Company reported that its accessories, dresses, footwear, intimate apparel, men's, misses sportswear and special sizes departments all had comparable store sales increases during September. Footwear was the best performing category, achieving an increase of 13.0%, followed by men's, which was up 10.7%.
