April May

The May Department Stores Co. (St. Louis) reported a preliminary net sales decline of 3.8 percent for April. Same-store sales decreased 5.6 percent.

For the company's fiscal first quarter, it issued a preliminary report that net sales were down 7.2 percent and same-store sales down 8.8 percent. It will report its first quarter earnings later this month.

During April, May opened two David's Bridal stores, in Kentucky and North Carolina. The retailer currently operates 445 department stores under the Lord & Taylor, Famous-Barr, Filene's, Foley's, Hecht's, Kaufmann's, L.S. Ayres, Meier & Frank, Robinsons-May, Strawbridge's and The Jones Store nameplates, as well as 183 David's Bridal stores, 235 After Hours stores and 10 Priscilla of Boston stores.