August Sales Roundup

Improved catalog sales in the month of August for the publicly traded cataloger/retailers give cause for cautious optimism as consumer marketers gear up for the all-important fourth quarter.

For example, combined catalog and Internet sales increased 35% at Hampstead, MD-based cataloger/retailer Jos. A. Bank Clothiers (NasdaqNM: JOSB). The men’s apparel marketer said that total company sales for the month increased 25%, to $21.8 million from $17.4 million for August 2003. Comparable store sales increased 6%.

Direct marketing sales at San Francisco-based gadgets marketer Sharper Image (Nasdaq: SHRP) rose 19%, to $11.1 million for the month ended Aug. 31, compared with $9.4 million the previous August. Internet sales increased 35%, to $6.2 million. Total sales for the month increased 16%, to $43.3 million from $37.2 million last year. But comparable store sales fell 6%.

August revenue at the direct division of upscale apparel and décor retailer Neiman Marcus (NYSE: NMG.A) increased 3%. The flagship Neiman Marcus brand experienced the highest year-over-year sales performance; the other catalog brands are Horchow and Chef’s Catalog. Total August revenue at Neiman Marcus rose 15%, to $240 million.

Catalog/Internet sales at Plano, TX-based J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) increased 6%, to $194 million for the four weeks ended Aug. 28, compared with $183 million the previous August. The company says that catalog/Internet sales showed strong results from its Fall/Winter Big Book as well as Internet sales, which rose more than 35%. Total company revenue for the month increased 4%, to $1.54 billion. Penney projects September sales for both department stores and its catalog/Internet business to increase in the low-single digits.

August sales at Victoria’s Secret Direct, part of Columbus, OH-based apparel retailer Limited Brands (NYSE: LTD), rose 9% exceeding company expectations. Total company sales for the month were $577.8 million, compared with $575.7 million for August 2003.

But August sales at Hingham, MA-based apparel marketer The Talbots (NYSE: TLB), decreased 1%, to $86.8 million. Comparable store sales fell 5% for the month, as expected. Talbots does not break out monthly catalog sales figures.