Sharper Image’s web sales take a nosedive
Internet sales at Sharper Image Corp. took a nosedive in September, falling 51% from September a year earlier to $2.2 million from $4.5 million. The web site was the worst performing segment of a retail company where sales have been contracting for many months.
Total company sales in September were down 39% from a year ago to $19.6 million from $31.9 million. Total store sales were down 22% to $13.6 million from $17.5 million, while comparable store sales in September decreased 21%.
Sharper Image, No. 122 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide, discontinued selling via infomercials in September 2006, when such sales totaled $3.6 million. Without the prior year’s infomercial sales, the decrease in total company sales was 31%.
Total catalog/direct marketing sales (including wholesale and 2006 infomercials) were $3.7 million down 62% from last September`s $9.8 million, down 41% without infomercials.
The first eight months of Sharper Image’s fiscal year painted pretty much the same picture, with Internet sales down more significantly than sales in other channels. Web-based sales for the eight months were off 40% from a year earlier to $24.9 million from $41.6 million.
Total company sales were down 32% to $184.9 million from $273.4 million a year earlier. Without 2006’s infomercial sales, the company`s total sales decrease year-to-date was 23%.
Total store sales for the eight months were down 17% to $131.1 million from $158.2 million in the prior year. Comparable store sales were down 17%.
Total catalog sales/direct marketing sales (including infomercials and wholesale) for the eight months were off 61% to $28.8 million compared to $73.6 million. The decrease was 31% without infomercials.
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