Q1 web sales rise 18.5% year-over-year at Coldwater Creek

Internet sales at women’s apparel retailer Coldwater Creek rose 18.5% for the first quarter ended May 5, up from $55.5 million in the year-ago period, as the opening of 12 new stores pushed total net sales up 30.7% to $281.3 million, the retailer said today.

Internet sales as a percent of total sales declined to 23.4% from 25.8%, but rose to 68.2% as a percent of combined web and catalog sales from 64.1%. Catalog sales declined 1.7% to $30.6 million from $31.1 million. Comp store sales, or sales of stores open at least a year, rose 7.3%.

Coldwater Creek is No. 46 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide.

Net income for the quarter rose 4% to $12 million from $11.6 million a year ago. "The net sales and earnings performance for the first quarter was a result of solid response to our spring merchandise in combination with effective cost-control measures," says chairman and CEO Dennis Pence.

Coldwater Creek ended Q1 with 252 stores.