Home hung in during Sears 3Q

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 10/22/2004 11:59:00 AM

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Despite disappointing third quarter results, Sears, Roebuck and Co was able to complete the reset of its home fashions bed and bath categories in hopes of driving stronger sales in those areas in the near future, the company reported during its third-quarter conference yesterday.

While Alan Lacy, chairman and CEO, admitted that the home fashions and consumer electronics resets proved to be "more disruptive than originally anticipated" in the third quarter and that the "ramp up in sales volume following the completion of these resets has been slower than expected," the company was encouraged by some initial results.

In home fashions, overall comp sales in bed and bath increased low single digits, with particular strengths experienced in key product categories, including bah towels, comforters and kids bedding," he said, adding that " ... the resets have better positioned these businesses for success going forward."