Burlington Coat 3Q net sales down

BURLINGTON, N.J. Burlington Coat Factory reported that for its third quarter ended March 1 net sales decreased $0.2 million to $987.1 million. Comparative-store sales decreased 6% during the quarter.

The company attributed its comps decline to weakened consumer demand and temporarily low or out of stock issues in certain limited divisions during the three-month period ended March 1.

For the three-month period ended March 1, net income amounted to $26.8 million compared with $31.1 million during the three month period ended March 3, 2007. The decrease in net income is primarily attributable to a decrease in other revenue and an increase in selling and administrative expenses, partially offset by improved markup on purchases and increased other income for the three-month period ended March 1.