The performance of Maurices, a Duluth-based chain of women's clothing stores, remained a relative bright spot in a challenging quarter for its parent company, Dress Barn Inc. of Suffern, N.Y.
Dress Barn recorded a loss of $1.1 million during its second quarter, which ended Jan. 24, compared to a profit of $7.4 million during the same period last year.
But sales at Maurices stores totaled $146.7 million -- up 4 percent from the second quarter of 2008. Most of the increased sales result from the growing stable of Maurices stores in operation, as the chain's comparable-store sale were down 2 percent for the quarter.
Despite challenging times, Maurices generated $9.4 million in operating income during the second quarter of this year.
"We continue to be excited by our new store openings, with 55 projected for this fiscal year," said George Goldfarb, a senior vice president at Maurices and chief financial officer.
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The chain already operates 697 stores across the nation, and has recently entered some new markets, such as Florida, California and Texas.
Meanwhile, total sales at the Dressbarn chain's 834 stores came in at $196 million for the second quarter -- slipping 4 percent from the same period last year. Comparable-store sales declined an even greater 6 percent in the Dressbarn chain.
