West Marine, Inc. reported net sales for the 13 weeks ended March 29, 2008 of $113.3 million, a decrease of $12.5 million, or 10.0%, from net sales of $125.8 million a year ago, primarily due to a $9.4 million decrease in comparable store sales. Comparable store sales for the first quarter decreased 9.4%.
 
Net sales in the stores segment for first quarter of 2008 were $97.1 million, a decrease of $9.5 million, or 8.9%, compared to same period last year. The sales decrease primarily was due to a $9.4 million decrease in comparable store sales.


Port supply, or wholesale sales through the distribution centers, were $9.1 million, a decrease of $1.3 million, or 12.9%, compared to the same period last year. Port supply sales to wholesale customers through store locations are included in the stores segment. Net sales in the direct sales segment for the first quarter of 2008 were $7.1 million, a decrease of $1.7 million, or 19.2%, compared to same period last year.

“Sales results during the first quarter were a bit less than we had expected,” said CEO Geoff Eisenberg. “With significant softness in the boating equipment market, we had planned for a material reduction in comparable store sales, and nothing that occurred in the first quarter gave any indication that sales would rebound in the short term. Though we’re pleased with the execution of our internal sales strategies, we’re certainly anxious as we enter the prime boating season, which begins in late-April or early-May for most of our markets.”