Newly Public Celebrate Express Increases Net Sales

Kirkland, WA-based Celebrate Express (Nasdaq: BDAY) reported net sales of $18.8 million for its fiscal second quarter ended Nov. 30. That’s a 43% increase from $13.2 million for the comparable quarter of 2003. Net income skyrocketed to $685,000, compared with $72,000 12 months prior. The company went public on Oct. 20.

Celebrate Express, which includes party goods catalog Birthday Express, girls’ apparel title Storybook Heirlooms, and costume brand Costume Express, attracted 35% more new customers since the previous second quarter. In a release, president/CEO Mike Jewell said that the company benefited from the expansion of the higher-margin Costume Express business. “This brand takes advantage of the Halloween season, which is now the second largest holiday for celebration spending,” Jewell said.