Charming Shoppes reports 1Q comps slide

BENSALEM, Pa. Charming Shoppes reported first quarter income from continuing operations of $0.7 million, or 1 cent per diluted share. This compares to income from continuing operations of $26.5 million, or 20 cents per diluted share for the same period last year.

Net sales from continuing operations for the quarter decreased 8% to $641.3 million, compared to net sales from continuing operations of $696.6 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 5, 2007.  Consolidated comparable-store sales for the company's retail stores segment decreased 13% during the thirteen weeks ended May 3.