May Co.

The May Department Stores Co. (St. Louis) reported a 13.4 percent increase in preliminary net sales for the four-week period ended July 30, 2005. Same-store sales decreased 3.3 percent.

Net sales for the department store retailer’s second quarter gained 16.6 percent. First-half sales were up 15.1 percent.

Same-store sales declined 1.6 percent in the quarter, and were down 3.4 percent in the half.

During July, May opened a new Kaufmann’s store in Pittsburgh and the Bridal Group opened one David’s Bridal store and one After Hours Formalwear store. Six additional department stores are planned for 2005: three Foley’s stores in Loveland, Colo., San Antonio and Dallas/Fort Worth; a Hecht’s store in N. Charlotte, N.C.; a Kaufmann’s store in Columbus, Ohio; and a Robinsons-May store in Simi Valley, Calif. The Bridal Group plans to open an additional 14 David’s Bridal stores and 11 After Hours stores by year-end.

The 1200-unit chain will soon become part of Federated Department Stores Inc. (Cincinnati).