Dress Barn Sales Down in Q2

Suffern, N.Y. Dress Barn reported net sales for the fiscal second quarter ended Jan. 24 were $343.2 million, a decrease of 1% from $345.6 million in the year-ago period. Same-store sales for the quarter decreased 4%.

By division, net sales for dressbarn stores decreased 4% to $196.5 million, compared to net sales of $204.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Same-store sales decreased 6% for the quarter.

Net sales for maurices stores increased 4% to $146.7 million, compared to net sales of $141.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Same-store sales decreased 2% for the quarter.

The company reported a net loss for the fiscal second quarter of $1.1 million, compared to net earnings of $7.4 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2008.