Blair’s web site sales increase 25% to 12% of all sales

Web-based sales at Blair Corp., direct marketer of apparel and home products, increased 23% in the first quarter to $16 million from $13 million in the first quarter of last year, the company reported today.

Companywide revenue increased 1.3% in the quarter to $137 million from $135.3 million a year ago. The web now accounts for 11.7% of Blair’s sales, up from 9.6% a year ago.

Net income for the first quarter was $500,189, compared to net income of $5.6 million for the first quarter last year. The company says the reduction in net income was primarily attributable to increased cost of goods sold and advertising expenses. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales increased to 49.5% for the first quarter of 2003 from 47.7% a year ago. Advertising expenses rose 13% resulting from an increase in catalog and other mailings to current and prospective customers, the company says.

Blair’s brands include the Blair catalog and Blair.com as well as CrossingPointe.com. and CrossingPointe catalog.