Monthly web sales fall again at Abercrombie, but at a slower rate

Web sales continue to decline at youth-oriented apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Co., but the rate of decline slowed in July from the previous month.

Abercrombie, No. 58 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide, reported the following results for the four-week period ended Aug. 1:

• Web sales declined year over year 11% to $16.2 million from $18.2 million. In May and June, respectively, web sales dropped 10% and 17%.
• Comparable-store sales declined 28%.
• Total net sales year over year declined 22% to $236.0 million from $302.6 million.

“We believe July sales were somewhat adversely affected by a shift in timing of tax-free holidays and later back-to-school dates in certain parts of the country,” the retailer says.

Year to date, Abercrombie reports:

• Online sales totaled $97.8 million, down 17% from $117.9 million in the same period last year.
• Comparable-store sales are down 30%.
• Total net sales decreased year over year 23% to $1.26 billion from $1.64 billion.