Solid October Sales

Federated Department Stores Inc. (Cincinnati) reported a total sales increase of 3.8 percent for the four weeks ended Oct. 30, 2004. Same-store sales were up 4 percent.

For the retailer’s third quarter, total sales gained 0.2 percent and same-store sales were up 0.4 percent.

For the year to date, Federated’s sales are up 3.4 percent and so are same-store sales.

Chairman, president and ceo Terry Lundgren said the company was pleased with its October sales results, which exceeded prior forecasts of a 2 to 3 percent same-store sales increase. Lundgren attributed Federated’s stronger-than-anticipated performance to an improving overall sales trend, as well as a post-hurricane sales rebound in Florida.

Lundgren said Federated is anticipating that November same-store sales will be flat to up 2 percent, while December will benefit from having two extra pre-Christmas shopping days this year, resulting in an anticipated same-store sales increase of 1 to 3 percent.

For more retail financial results for the month of October, see the Retail Financial Reports channel on this web page.