Talbots grows 2005 web sales 27.8% while total sales grow 6%

The Talbots Inc. posted another solid year of web sales. Talbots, which last month announced plans to acquire The J. Jill Group Inc. in a deal valued at $517 million, put up web sales of $105.7 million in 2005, an increase of 27.8% from e-commerce sales of $82.7 million in 2005.

Overall, the web accounted for 6% of total sales of $1.8 billion, compared to 2004 when e-commerce represented about 5% of total sales of $1.7 billion. “We saw solid sales growth in both our comparable stores and in our direct marketing business,” says Talbots president and CEO Arnold B. Zetcher.

Talbots, No. 87 in the Internet Retailer Top 400 Guide to Retail Web Sites, expects to complete its acquisition of J. Jill, No. 85 in the Internet Retailer Top 400 Guide to Retail Web Sites, in the second quarter.