Stein Mart reports numbers decrease

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Stein Mart reported total sales of $80.6 million for the four weeks ended Aug. 2, a 4.6% decrease from $84.5 million in 2007. Comparable-store sales decreased 8.7%.

Second-quarter comp sales decreased 9.7%, while total sales for the quarter were $311.6 million, 5.8% down from $330.7 million in 2007's second quarter.

During July, comparable-store sales of ladies' casual sportswear, intimate apparel and special sizes were better than company trend, while gifts, linens and ladies' career were below company trend. At Aug. 2, the company operated 283 stores compared to 270 at the same time last year.