Net sales for the first quarter at Blair Corp. dipped but net income rose slightly.
Blair, Warren, PA, reported net sales of $128.6 million for the quarter, which ended March 31, compared with $137 million for last year's first quarter. Net income was $571,000, up from $500,000 last year.
E-commerce gross sales increased 27 percent to $24 million.
Blair sells women's and men's apparel and home products through catalogs and online. Businesses include Crossing Pointe, featuring women's clothing; Irvine Park, offering men's and women's dresswear; and Allegheny Trail Corp., a wholesale business targeting outdoors sporting goods and recreational retailers.
Improved targeting of mailings and the enhancement of Blair's automated fulfillment capabilities contributed to the higher net income, said Bryan J. Flanagan, senior vice president and chief financial officer.
Negative factors in the quarter included losses at Crossing Pointe, start-up costs associated with Allegheny Trail and the relaunch of the Irvine Park catalog.
