Brookstone

Brookstone Inc. (Merrimack, N.H.) announced a 3.7 percent increase in total sales for the 13-week period ended April 30, 2005. Same-store sales decreased 3.9 percent.

“Our first-quarter sales were at the lower end of the range of our previously announced forecast,” said chairman, president and ceo Michael Anthony. “We were encouraged by the success of a number of new-product introductions and pleased that our airport stores continued to deliver strong same-store sales.”

In the quarter, the specialty retailer opened one new airport store, raising its airport-store count to 38. Anthony said it remains on track to open a total of approximately 20 new stores and remodel 11 stores in 2005.

Brookstone reiterated its announcement of April 15 that it has signed a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by a consortium led by OSIM International Ltd., J.W. Childs Associates L.P. and Temasek Capital (Private) Limited.