Sales, Income Fall at Brookstone

MERRIMACK, NH-Specialty retailer Brookstone Inc. reported a 7.3% drop in net sales for the fourth quarter of 2005 with quarterly sales of $76.7 million for the period ending Oct. 29, 2005. Third quarter same-store sales also declined 11.3% compared to the same period in 2004 while direct marketing sales were flat at $13.9 million.

The Merrimack, NH-based tools and gadgets merchant also said it suffered an $11.7 million loss from continuing operations compared to the third quarter of 2004 when it reported a $6 million loss from continuing operations. After discounted operations, Brookstone had a net loss of $13.4 million, $6.7 million more than the net loss recorded for the same period last year.

Year-to-date net sales also were down 3.9% with total sales for the 39-week period ending at $241 million compared to the same 39-week period in 2004. Same-store sales through Oct. 29 decreased 8.7% while direct marketing sales from its catalogue and internet site increased $1.4 million to $39 million. Year-to-date losses from continuing operations totaled $20.4 million, compared to a net loss of $9.9 million for the same period in 2004.