Financial Reports: Abercrombie & Fitch, Jos. A. Bank, PC Mall, REI, Sharper Image, and Talbots

Abercrombie & Fitch Has a Good Year
Net sales at Abercrombie & Fitch rose 13% for the fiscal year ended Feb. 2.

The New Albany, OH-based apparel retailer’s net sales for the fiscal year were $3.8 billion, up from $3.3 billion for the previous 52-week fiscal year.

While its comp store sales were down 1%, direct-to-consumer net sales increased 49% to $258.9 million.

Jos. A. Bank Has Dapper Year
Jos. A Bank Clothiers reported a strong fiscal year 2007, which ended Feb. 2.

The Hampstead, MD-based menswear merchant saw a 10.5% gain in net sales to $604 million, compared to $546.4 million in last year’s 53-week fiscal year. Direct sales increased 13.1%.

It also expects net income for fiscal year 2007 to increase approximately 12% to 14% over fiscal year 2006 net income of $43.2 million.

Jos. A Bank’s fourth-quarter net sales were up 7.6% to $208.9 million from $194.1 million, and direct sales increased 11.1%.

But the final month of its fiscal year was a rough one: Total net sales for January decreased 17.1% to $34.3 million from $41.4 million, and direct sales decreased 18.6%.

PC Mall’s Sales Soar in 4Q
Computer reseller PC Mall reported fourth-quarter net sales of $408 million, a year-over-year increase of 38% – and its largest revenue quarter ever.

Compared to the same quarter of 2006, the Torrance, CA-based merchant’s consumer net sales surged 42%, its public sector net sales increased 37%, and its consumer sales rose 21%.

Its net income was $4.6 million, up a whopping 169% over last year, and its gross profit was $47.9 million, up 41%.

REI Sales Up 13.5%
Outdoor gear and apparel merchant Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) announced 2007 revenue of $1.3 billion, a 13.5% increase over the $1.1 billion it rang up the previous year.

For the year, REI’s operating income increased from $105.5 million to $106.5 million, or .9%, and net income increased from $40.3 million to $41.4 million, or 2.7%. Sales in the company’s direct sales channel were up 16.1%.

More Weak Numbers for Sharper Image
Continuing its downward trend, electronic gadgets merchant The Sharper Image reported lower total company sales for its fourth quarter and fiscal year.

For the quarter ended Jan. 31, total company sales were $164.1 million, down 16% from $195.2 million, a decrease of 16%. Total store sales slipped 12% to $118.1 million compared to $134.7 million for the prior fourth quarter.

Sharper Image’s total sales were $374.9 million compared to $506.7 million for the prior fiscal year, a decrease of 26%. Total store sales were $265.6 million, down 15% compared to $311.2 million for last year.

The Talbots Ends Quarter Down, Year Flat
Fourth quarter sales at Hingham, MA-based apparel merchant The Talbots were down 8%, but the company managed to finish the fiscal year flat.

Total company sales 13-week quarter ended Feb. 2 were $587 million, vs. reported sales of $638 million for the 14 weeks ended Feb. 3, 2007. Consolidated direct marketing sales for the recent period, including catalog and Internet, were $113 million, compared to $114 million a year ago.

Total year-to-date sales for the 52 weeks were $2.29 billion, just better than the $2.23 billion in the previous 53-week year. Consolidated direct marketing sales were $428 million, up 11 % from $385 last year.

On Feb. 6, the company said it would close another 22 stores in an effort to cut its cost structure by at least $100 million by the end of fiscal 2009.