Clothing, fragrances, jewelry, and online wedding gift registry company Gottschalks Inc announced that same store sales for the month of December 2005 increased 3.7 percent from the prior year.
Total sales for the month increased 5.0 percent to $131.5 million from $125.2 million in December 2004. On a year-to-date basis, same store sales increased 1.2 percent from the comparable period of fiscal 2004.
Total sales on a year-to-date basis increased 2.3 percent to $641.0 million compared to $626.8 million in the same period of fiscal 2004.
Jim Famalette, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gottschalks, said, "Company is very pleased with solid comparable store sales increase for December. Results reflect a strong reaction to key fashion items and the success of initiative to sharply price major gift giving items. The best performing areas in December were shoes, men's and children's apparel, juniors and accessories."
"Additionally, in the home division company generated strong sales in furniture and housewares. Consistent with the trend over the last few years, experienced an increase in gift card sales in December compared to the prior year. And continued to effectively manage inventory and as a result comparable store inventory at the end of December was 1.4 percent below the same period last year."
Gottschalks is a regional department store chain, currently operating 64 department stores and 6 specialty apparel stores in six western states, including California (39), Washington (12), Alaska (6), Oregon (3), Nevada (2) and Idaho (2). Gottschalks offers better to moderate brand-name fashion apparel, cosmetics, shoes, accessories and home merchandise.