Sears Reports November Comparable Store Sales
Sears, Roebuck and Co. (NYSE: S) announced today that comparable domestic store revenues increased 2.8 percent for the four weeks ended Nov. 27, 2004. Total domestic store revenues were $2.51 billion for the four-week period in November 2004, up 1.9 percent compared with the four weeks ended Nov. 29, 2003.
"We were pleased with our November sales results, especially our strong start to the holiday shopping season. Despite sluggishness early in the month, we enjoyed particularly strong customer response to our enhanced promotional events and had record sales the day after Thanksgiving," said Sears Chairman and CEO Alan J. Lacy. "We had very solid performances in key gift categories, such as home electronics and tools, and our home appliance business had another strong month."
While overall apparel sales declined from a year ago, women's ready-to- wear revenues improved at the end of November and footwear performed well throughout most of the month. Specialty retail revenues were up in the mid- single digit range, led by Sears Hardware, The Great Indoors and Outlet Stores.
Sears, Roebuck and Co. Domestic Store Revenues & Comparable Store Revenues (*According to National Retail Federation Fiscal Calendar.) (**A store is considered to be comparable at the beginning of the 13th month after the store is opened.) Fiscal Period Ending Percent Change November 27, November 29, All Comp 2004 2003 Stores Stores** November $2,511,400,000 $2,464,600,000 1.9% 2.8% Year-to-Date* $21,172,100,000 $21,778,700,000 -2.8% -1.5%
The company has made available by phone a recorded message on sales performance of its domestic stores for November 2004. The message can be heard by calling (847) 286-6111 and will be available for approximately one week.
About Sears
Sears, Roebuck and Co. is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. With revenues in 2003 of $41.1 billion, the company offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,300 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the U.S. and Canada, which includes approximately 870 full-line and 1,100 specialty stores in the U.S. Sears also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears is the only retailer where consumers can find each of the Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End brands together -- among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. The company is the largest provider of product repair services with more than 14 million service calls made annually.
SOURCE: Sears, Roebuck and Co.
CONTACT: Media, Edgar P. McDougal, +1-847-286-9669, or Investors,
Scott A. Bohaboy, +1-847-286-7419, both of Sears, Roebuck and Co.
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