Belk ups profit on lower sales
By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 8/29/2008 10:29:00 AM
Charlotte, N.C. – By tightening inventory and controlling other costs, southern regional department store operator Belk, Inc. boosted second-quarter profits to $8.2 million, a 9.3% rise from the year-ago period.
Sales of $829.3 million at the 307-store chain were down 5.6% and comps slipped 4.0%. “While sales results were disappointing, we were pleased to deliver a profit improvement through the hard work and efforts of our associates throughout the company,” said chairman and ceo Tim Belk.
The results showed a distinct turnaround from the first quarter, as net income six months year-to-date was just $13.3 million compared to $17.0 million for the year-ago period, while first-half sales fell 7.7% and comps dropped 6.4%.
