Gottschalks Sept. comps down 3.9%

FRESNO, Calif. Gottschalks reported a same-store sales decrease of 3.9% for the month of September.

The company reported that total sales for the month decreased 7.7% to $52.8 million from $57.2 million in September 2006.

Jim Famalette, chairman and ceoof Gottschalks said, "While we generated positive comparable-store sales in our Northwest stores during the month, we continued to experience softer sales trends in our California stores. In particular, we experienced generally weak sales across our home store merchandise and men's apparel. Our best performing merchandise categories for the month were special sizes, children's, better sportswear and dresses. Based on current trends we expect third quarter comp store sales to be 4.5% below last year."