Trans World reports sales drops, but narrows losses

Albany, N.Y. Trans World Entertainment Corp. said Thursday it posted total sales for the third quarter ended Oct. 31 of $161.4 million, down 17% from $195.2 million in third quarter 2008.

The company experienced a net loss of $22.3 million in the quarter, compared with a loss of $28.4 million a year ago.

The average number of stores in operation during the quarter was 694 compared with 786 last year, a 12% decline. Comparable-store sales in third quarter 2009 decreased 9%.

Trans World Entertainment operates retail stores in the United States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, primarily under the names f.y.e. (for your entertainment) and Suncoast and on the Web at fye.com, wherehouse.com, secondspin.com, and suncoast.com.