Un-Limited Performance

Limited Brands (Columbus, Ohio) enjoyed a 3 percent increase in same-store sales for the third quarter ending Nov. 2, 2002. Same-store sales were also up 3 percent for October, and are up 4 percent for the 39 weeks year-to-date.

A year ago, Limited was in the midst of a 7 percent drop in third-quarter same-store sales; October results were down 6 percent and the company was down 5 percent year-to-date.

Strongest same-store performances in the quarter were by Limited Stores (up 10 percent, up 11 percent year-to-date) and Victoria's Secret (up 8 percent for the quarter, up 7 percent year-to-date).

Sales for Lerner New York and Express have been flat, and Bath & Body Works tumbled 1 percent for the quarter and is down 4 percent year-to-date. However, a year ago the company's personal care and cosmetics chain was suffering through a 16 percent third-quarter tumble.