Kirkland's posts profit for the quarter

Jackson, Tenn. Kirkland's reported Thursday a net income of $3.5 million for the first quarter, compared with a net loss of $2.6 million for the year-ago period.

Net sales for the 13-week period ended May 2 were $83.3 million, compared with $84.1 million for the prior-year period. Comp-store sales increased 5.2% compared with 4.3% in first quarter fiscal 2008. In mall stores, comp-store sales rose 8.2% for the quarter, and in off-mall stores the increase was 4.2%.

The company opened three stores and closed 10 stores during the quarter to end the period with 292 stores.