Dillard's sales fall for October

Dillard's October sales fall, overall and at stores open at least a year

• On 10:44 am EST, Thursday November 5, 2009

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- Dillard's Inc. said Thursday that sales at stores open at least a year declined 8 percent in October.

Sales at stores open for at least a year are a key measure of retailer performance because they measure growth at existing stores rather than from newly opened ones.

The department store chain said its softest categories were home and furniture, as well as juniors' and children's apparel. Sales of shoes were significantly stronger.

Total sales for the four weeks ended Oct. 31 fell 11 percent to $361.7 million from $406.1 million in the same month last year.

The Little Rock, Ark.-based company said sales in its Western and Central regions pushed down sales the most, offsetting a stronger performance in the Eastern region.

For the 39 weeks in the year to date, Dillard's overall sales dropped 14 percent and sales in stores open a year or more declined 12 percent.

Dillard's has stores in 29 states. Its shares slid 12 cents to $13.09 in morning trading.