B&N online holiday comps up 10.9%

NEW YORK Barnes & Noble saw robust sales and comps growth in its online business this holiday season, but less than stellar results in its retail stores.

Barnes & Noble reported that comparable-store sales decreased 0.4% for the nine-week holiday seeling period due to weaker than expected recorded music sales. The company said that total store sales were $1.2 billion, a 4.1% increase over the same period in fiscal 2006.

Barnes & Noble.com comparable sales increased 10.9% for the holiday selling season and totaled $129.4 million.

Based on holiday sales results and January sales trends to date, the company is reducing its earnings per share guidance to $1.57 to $1.76 and $1.81 to $1.99 for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively. The company’s previous earnings per share guidance was $1.67 to $1.86 and $1.91 to $2.09, for the fourth quarter and the full year, respectively.