Slides of March

Limited Brands Inc. (Columbus, Ohio) reported a same-store sales decrease of 4 percent for the five weeks ended April 5, 2003. Net sales declined 0.5 percent.

The retailer also reported a same-store sales decrease of 3 percent for the nine weeks ended April 5, though net sales for the period were up 1 percent.

All the retail divisions in the company suffered same-store sales decreases in the month. Victoria's Secret Stores was down 2 percent, Bath & Body Works down 10 percent, Express down 3 percent and Limited Stores down 5 percent.