Haunting October

Chico's FAS Inc. (Fort Myers, Fla.) reported a 57.6 percent increase in sales for October 2003 over the same four-week period a year ago. Same-store sales jumped 20.6 percent.

For the 39 weeks ended Nov. 1, 2003, the private-label women's clothing and accessories retailer reported a 40.8 percent increase in total sales and a 14.6 percent increase in same-store sales.

In the same four-week period, Limited Brands Inc. (Columbus, Ohio) showed a 1.6 percent increase in total sales over a year ago, but a 2 percent decrease in same-store sales.

For the 39 weeks of fiscal 2003, Limited Brands' net sales were up 4 percent and its same-store sales up 1 percent.

By divisions, Victoria's Secret stores' same-store sales were up 4 percent in October and up 4 percent year-to-date. But a year ago, the division was showing 6 percent and 7 percent increases, respectively. Bath & Body Works stores were up 3 percent in October, up 2 percent year-to-date. A year ago, the division was showing same-store sales decreases. However, Express stores were down 10 percent in October, down 1 percent year-to-date; and Limited Stores were down 7 percent in October, down 3 percent year-to-date. In the comparable time periods in 2002, the more than 4000 Limited stores were showing solid same-store sales gains.