Net sales for cataloger and retailer Williams-Sonoma, Inc., rose 30% in the second quarter, from $264 million to $344 million. But net earnings fell from $6.9 million to $5.1 million. The quarter ended July 30.
Retail sales for the San Francisco lifestyle products marketer were strong, rising 20% overall and 7% among comparable stores to reach $206.7 million. But direct sales jumped 50%, to $137.2 million. The company attributed the increase to the strength of its Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma brands and its Internet business. Williams-Sonoma launched the Pottery Barn Bed + Bath catalog in May, and opened a Pottery Barn Web site on Aug. 1.
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