Web sales outshine store sales everywhere in December

While most merchants were bemoaning the less-than-stellar sales of the holiday shopping season, consumers were demonstrating a decided proclivity to shop remotely.

The Spiegel Group reported that total December sales were down 17% from December a year ago, while e-commerce sales were flat for the month. Total direct sales, however, were off 27%, the result of fewer catalogs mailed and more restrictive credit policies for customers. For the full year, sales were off 18% from the prior year. Spiegel did not report e-commerce sales for the full year.

Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. reported that December sales were up 17.3% from last year, with comparable store sales up 5.4%. Meanwhile, combined catalog and Internet sales, which Bank does not report separately, grew 31.6%. For the first 11 months of the fiscal year, total sales increased 15.1% to $228.1 million, while comparable store sales increased 5.4% and combined catalog and Internet sales increased 24.2%.

Restoration Hardware Inc. reported that total sales for November and December grew 4.3% to $127.4 million, while comparable store sales increased 1.8% vs. a year ago. Catalog and Internet sales grew 19.9% for the 2002 holiday period vs. the same period a year ago.

Retail store sales at Urban Outfitters Inc. in December increased 12% vs. a year ago, with comparable store sales down 1%, the company reported today. Meanwhile, catalog and Internet sales were up 48% for the month.