Stein Mart, Inc. reported sales for the five weeks ended July 3declined 1.5% despite a 0.6% increase in comp store sales during the June reporting period. The discount department store said its year-to-date sales are now off 5.0% on a 3.1% comps decline.


The retailer said ladies’ dresses and Boutique, home, and costume jewelry had the strongest comparable stores’ sales, while ladies’ casual sportswear continued to lag the Company. Geographically, June sales were better than Company trend in the Northeast, the Midwest and along the East coast. Sales were weakest along the Gulf Coast. At month-end, there were 265 stores in operation compared to 273 at the same time last year.