Finlay Enterprises Inc announced that sales for the third quarter ended November 1, 2008 increased 12.9% to $160.2 million compared to $141.9 million in the comparable period of 2007. The fiscal year 2007 sales results are on a continuing operations basis, which excludes sales from Parisian stores. Specialty jewelry stores consisting of Carlyle, Congress, and Bailey Banks & Biddle, which was acquired in November 2007, contributed sales of $58.0 million for the quarter, as compared to $23.6 million for the same period last year.
Comparable store sales (stores open for the same months during the comparable period) for the third quarter excluding the Macy's and Lord & Taylor stores scheduled to close at year-end decreased 13.5%. Including these stores, comparable store sales decreased 14.9%.
On a continuing operations basis, sales for the nine months ended November 1, 2008 increased 22.8% to $555.9 million compared to $452.8 million in the first nine months of 2007. Specialty jewelry stores contributed sales of $210.5 million for the nine month period as compared to $77.9 million in 2007. Comparable store sales for the nine months excluding the Macy's and Lord & Taylor stores decreased 7.0%. Including these stores, comparable store sales decreased 7.9%.