Sharper Image continues its slide in all channels; JCP.com’s sales up 25%

Internet sales in March at Sharper Image Corp. were down 25% from March 2005 to $6.6 million from $8.7 million, the company reports. Total March sales were down 26% to $39.1 million from $53.1 million. Store sales were down 26% to $21.4 million and comparable store sales were down 29%. Catalog sales/direct marketing sales, including wholesale, were down 30% to $11.1 million from $15.8 million.

Internet sales for the first two months of Sharper Image’s fiscal year were down 24% to $11.9 million from $15.6 million a year earlier. Total company sales were down 29% to $70 million from $98.5 million. Total store sales were down 27% to $40.2 million from $54.9 million, while comp store sales decreased 31. Total catalog sales/direct marketing sales, including wholesale, were down 36% to $17.9 million from $28 million.

"During the month, we experienced improving returns on infomercial spending, and although it is too early to tell if this is a trend, we have incrementally increased spending in this channel,” said Richard Thalheimer, founder, chairman and CEO.

March web sales at J. C. Penney Company Inc. were up 25% over March last year, the company reports, while total department store sales were flat. Comparable department store sales decreased 1%. J.C. Penney does not report Internet dollar sales on a monthly basis.