Limited Holds Its Own

Limited Brands Inc. (Columbus, Ohio) has reported a 2 percent gain in same-store sales for the four weeks ended May 1, 2004.

Net sales were up 1 percent.

For the company’s first quarter, ending May 1, 2004, same-store sales gained 8 percent and net sales were up 7 percent.

By division for the month of April, in same-store sales, Victoria’s Secret Stores gained 11 percent and Bath & Body Works 1 percent. The others lost ground: Express was down 9 percent and Limited Stores down 2 percent.

By divisions for the quarter, again in same-store sales performance, Victoria’s Secret was up 15 percent and Bath & Body Works up 7 percent. Express and Limited Stores were flat.

The company has opened four stores since Jan. 31, 2004 — a Victoria’s Secret, a Bath & Body Works and two Express dual gender stores — and closed 44 stores.