The Spiegel Group yesterday reported sales of $162.7 million for the four weeks ended Jan. 26, an 8 percent drop from $176.8 million in the four weeks ended Jan. 27, 2001.
Sales results by division in January reflected a decline of 7 percent at Eddie Bauer, 8 percent at Newport News and 11 percent at Spiegel.
Sales from the group's e-commerce channel rose 30 percent while total direct sales fell 5 percent and retail store sales fell 13 percent.
Comparable-store sales for its Eddie Bauer division plummeted 25 percent for the four-week period. Spiegel Group, Downers Grove, IL, said Eddie Bauer's markdowns were lower in the month compared with last year because of lower inventory ownership and its strategy to move more clearance merchandise through its outlet stores, both of which hurt comparable-store sales.
