The Talbots Inc., Hingham, MA, generated $408.2 million during third-quarter 2003, up 2% from $401.8 million a year ago. Its catalog sales mirrored this growth, increasing 2% as well, from $62.1 million to $63.2 million. The quarter ended Nov. 1.
While total retail sales were also up 2%, growing from $339.7 million to $345 million, comparable store sales declined 4.5% for the quarter.
The company reported that it sold more discounted merchandise than it had anticipated during its October sale event, and that mid-October store traffic was off. The apparel marketer trimmed its earnings projection for the quarter by around 6%.
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