January sales roundup

The calendar may have changed but the results are the same for many of the publicly traded catalogers tracked by CATALOG AGE. For instance, San Francisco-based high-tech gadgets cataloger/retailer The Sharper Image (Nasdaq: SHRP) continues to crank out strong numbers due to the popularity of its proprietary product. Total January sales increased 42%, to $34.7 million from last January's $24.7 million. Catalog sales increased 16%, to $10.3 million from $8.9 million. Comparable store sales increased 37%. Internet sales, including auction sales, increased 64%, to $6.1 million from $3.7 million.

Likewise, at cataloger/retailer Jos. A. Bank Clothier (Nasdaq: JOSB), sales for the month ended Feb. 1 were $15.4 million, up 20% from $12.8 million for January 2001. Combined catalog and Internet sales at the Hampstead, MD-based men’s apparel marketer increased 8%. Comparable store sales increased 10%.

Dallas-based Neiman Marcus Group (NYSE: NMG.A) posted a 5% increase in January revenue, to $188 million from $179 million last year. Sales at Neiman Marcus Direct, which includes the Horchow home décor title and the Chef’s Catalog book of kitchenware, increased 27%. The upscale marketer attributes the dramatic increase to a shift in the fiscal calendar: The week following Christmas, which is historically a slow period for the direct business, was included in the previous fiscal month this year. Among its catalog brands, the Neiman Marcus title experienced the highest year-over-year sales performance, supported by strong sales in linens, women's contemporary sportswear and dresses, and ladies' shoes.

Sales at Hingham, MA-based apparel cataloger/retailer The Talbots (NYSE: TLB) rose 4%, to $111.2 million from $107.3 million the previous January. "January is historically a sale month and our better-than-expected comparable store sales performance was driven by the strong selling of our clearance merchandise," chairman/president/CEO Arnold Zetcher said in a statement. "Our catalog sales also came in ahead of plan for the period." Comparable store sales decreased 3% for the month.

Among the marketers suffering the equivalent of a hangover is New York-based apparel cataloger/retailer J. Crew. Its January revenue fell 6%, to $33.7 million from $35.9 million last year. Net sales for the direct division, which includes catalogs, decreased 5% from last year. Worse, comparable store sales declined 19%.

January sales at general merchandiser J.C. Penney slid 3%, to $2.07 billion from $2.13 billion last year. Direct sales at the Plano, TX-based marketer tumbled 28%, to $153 million from $212 million, but the company said the decline was within expectations.

Finally, there’s poor Spiegel Group (OTC-SPGLA), the parent of Eddie Bauer, Newport News and Spiegel catalogs. Talk about the winter of their discontent: The Downers Grove, IL-based company posted a 16% decrease in January sales, to $135.8 million from $162.6 million last year. Total direct sales decreased 26%, due to a planned reduction in catalog circulation and lower customer response.