Staples saw a decrease of 2% reaching $2.4 million in overall sales for North American stores, while online sales grew 3%, according to a press release.
Total company sales for the second quarter reached $5.3 billion, a decrease of 2% compared to second quarter 2012. According to the report, Staples was negatively impacted by approximately 1% due to 103 store closures in North America and Europe during the 12 months preceding second quarter 2013.
Staple’s operating income rate decreased 4.12% compared to the second quarter of 2012. The decline primarily reflects lower product margins, increased costs related to growth initiatives in Staples.com.
Staples attributed the decline in overall North American sales to 54 store closures during the 12 months preceding the second quarter of 2013, net of estimated sales transfers of remaining stores.
The sales decline also reflects weakness in business machines and technology accessories, ink and toner, and computers, partially offset by the growth in tablets, facilities and break room supplies and copy and print services.
International sales for the second quarter were $946 million, a decrease of 8% compared to the second quarter 2012, according to the press release.
Given the weak second quarter outlook, the company expects full year 2013 sales to decrease in the low single-digits compared to 2012 sales on a 52 week basis of $23.9 billion, according to the press release.
Daniela Forte is a Content Producer with Multichannel Merchant. Daniela can be reached at 203-899-8449 or connect with her socially on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+