Gottschalks swings to a loss

FRESNO, Calif. Gottschalks Inc. today reported that net loss for the second quarter was $4.8 million, or 35 cents per diluted share, compared to net income of $486,000 or 4 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2006.

For the first six months of fiscal 2007, net loss was $9.4 million, or 69 cents per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $3.5 million or 26 cents per diluted share in the first six months of fiscal 2006.     

The company reported a same-store sales decrease of 4% for the second quarter of 2007. Total sales decreased by 5.5% to $145 million from $153.4 million for the second fiscal quarter last year. Year-to-date same-store sales decreased 2.4%. Total sales for the six months ended Aug. 4 were $286.8 million compared to $296.9 million in the same period in fiscal 2006.