Brookstone’s Profit Up

Nashua, N.H., Brookstone saw its profit rise 3% in the latest quarter on a surge in direct-marketing sales. The company said it earned $33.2 million, or $1.57 a share, on revenue of $237.8 million in the fiscal fourth quarter ended Jan. 29 compared to $32.1 million, or $1.55 a share, on revenue of $219.1 million in the year-ago period. Same-store sales were flat during the quarter, but direct-marketing sales rose 24.5% to $48 million.

For the full year, the company earned $21.4 million, or $1.02 a share, on revenue of $499 million. In the previous year, it earned $17.6 million, or 87? a share, on revenue of $434.2 million.

In 2005, Brookstone plans to open 20 stores, forecasts same-store sales growth of 2% to 3% and plans to continue to grow its Internet business. It also expects to increase the productivity of its catalog.