US family footwear retailer Payless ShoeSource, Inc. has reported that same-store sales decreased 2.8% during the four weeks ended April 30, 2005. Sales were said to reflect the negative effect of the shift in Easter to March 2005 from mid-April last year.

Sales totalled $242.5 million, a 4.4% decrease from $253.8 million during April of last year. Total sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 were $695.2 million, a 0.4% increase from $692.3 million during the same period in 2004.

"We are pleased with our April results, particularly considering the Easter shift," said Steven J. Douglass, chairman and CEO of Payless ShoeSource. "Sales exceeded our expectations for two of the three months of the first quarter. It is clear that customers have reacted positively to the company's spring merchandise, to-date."

Share this story: