Both Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn stores posted 0.3% comp-store increases. Outlets saw a 2% rise. In fact, they noted, comps might have been even stronger, but Internet and catalog sales might have siphoned off in-store purchases.
"The comps are a little deceiving," said Howard Lester, chairman and CEO. "We're probably seeing a small shift that takes place each year from [in-store] retailing to the Internet."
That trend could continue, especially in the fourth quarter, as holiday shoppers are drawn to the convenience of Web shopping, he added. Traffic has been slow thus far in November.
Net revenues for the third quarter were $895.1 million, up 5% compared with the same period last year. Net earnings were $27.1 million, down from $29.1 million for the same quarter a year ago.
Williams-Sonoma operates 597 stores, seven catalogs and six e-commerce sites under the names Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma Home.
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