Gottschalks August hurt by soft home sales

FRESNO, Calif. Gottschalks today announced that same-store sales for the month of August decreased 7.8% from the prior year. Total sales for the month decreased 9.6% to $42.9 million from $47.4 million in August 2006. On a year-to-date basis, same-store sales decreased 3.1% from the same period of the prior year. Total sales for the year-to-date period decreased 4.3% to $329.6 million compared to $344.4 million for the same period of fiscal 2006.

According to Jim Famalette, chairman and ceo of Gottschalks the company experienced softer sales than expected, particularly in its home merchandise category. The company's best performing categories included juniors, young men's, swimwear and dresses.