Abercrombie Earnings Up 15%

New Albany, Ohio, Abercrombie & Fitch said Wednesday that its profits rose 15% in the third quarter, despite same-store sales that were nearly flat.

Abercrombie said it made $118 million for the quarter ended Nov. 3 compared with profits of $102 million a year ago. Sales for the quarter rose 13% to $974 million from $863 million a year ago. Meanwhile, same-store sales were up 1% in the quarter.

Same-store sales increased 3% at both the company's Abercrombie & Fitch chain and its abercrombie children's clothing stores. Abercrombie's Hollister business saw a 1% decline in same-store sales, and they were down 7% at the company's RUEHL stores.