Brookstone Gains

Brookstone Inc. (Nashua, N.H.), reported a second quarter same-store sales gain of 13.3 percent that the product development and specialty retail company said was helped by a robust Father’s Day performance and the above-average performance of its airport stores.

Total sales for the quarter ended Aug. 1, 2004, climbed 22.2 percent.

For the first six months of 2004, total sales are up 24.3 percent and same-store sales have climbed 16.2 percent.

“We are very pleased with our second-quarter results, particularly given the variable retail landscape,” said chairman, president and ceo Michael Anthony. “Brookstone proved once again the preferred destination for Father’s Day shoppers, as consumers flocked to our assortment of innovative and unique products and our inviting store environment. More importantly, Brookstone recorded strong double-digit same-store sales in all three months of the quarter, driven in part by our airport stores, which continued to perform above the company average.

“To date in 2004, we have opened seven new stores and remodeled one,” Anthony said. “For the year, we plan to open approximately 18-20 new stores, including eight in the third quarter and the remainder in the fourth quarter. We also plan to remodel approximately 10 to 12 stores in our exciting and successful award-winning new store format.”

Brookstone operates 277 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico, typically located in high-traffic regional shopping malls, lifestyle centers and airports.