Stein Mart, Inc. reported comparable store sales for the four-weeks ended Nov. 4 decreased 14.2% compared with the year ago period. Total sales for the period were $118.8 million, a 15.3% decrease from $140.2 million in the year ago period.


Year to date sales for the retailer were down 8.4% to $1.08 billion from $1.80 billion a year ago. Comps for the same period were down 10.9%.

During November, the categories of ladies' casual sportswear and ladies' accessories had the best sales performance, while the most challenging businesses were gifts, Boutique, and ladies' career. Geographically, sales were somewhat better than trend in Texas and the mid-South, but continued to be weak in the extreme Southeast and Southern California.

“Although sales decreased in the mid-teens through most of November, business increased over Thanksgiving weekend as customers responded to our special promotions and the sales trend improved considerably,” noted Linda M. Farthing, president and chief executive officer. “However, the Thanksgiving weekend improvement was not enough to significantly alter the month's outcome, and we expect to continue aggressive promotional activity through the remainder of the year.”


At Nov. 29, 2008, there were 278 stores in operation as compared to 280 at the same time last year.