Whitehall Q1 Sales Slip to $71 Million

U.S. jewelry chain Whitehall Jewellers, Inc today (Thursday) announced sales for the first quarter ending April 30 edged down to $71 million from $73 million for the first quarter of last year.

Comparable store sales decreased 3.8 percent during the quarter, versus a comparable store sales increase of 3.3 percent for the first fiscal quarter of 2004.

CEO Lucinda Baier commented, "While we are not pleased with the comp store sales decrease in the first quarter, sales improved after the February period.

"We are pleased that the action plans identified and implemented after the Christmas season had a positive impact on sales and margin during the last two months of the quarter."