Debs Come Out in March

Deb Shops Inc. (Philadelphia) has reported a 5.9 percent increase in comp-store sales for the monthended March 31, 2001. Total apparel sales for the month increased 10.7 percent. However, the company pointed out, there were five Saturdays in March 2001 as compared to four Saturdays during March 2000.

Deb Shops operates 295 specialty apparel stores in 38 states under the Deb, Deb Plus and Tops 'N Bottoms names for juniors in both regular and plus sizes. The company also operates 17 retail bookstores in five states under the Atlantic Book Shops and Atlantic Book Warehouse names. But the reported results were for apparel (and accessories) only.