US specialty retailer of leather outerwear, accessories and apparel Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc. has reported an 18.3% decrease in sales for the four weeks ended October 29, 2005. The company recorded sales of $29.9 million compared with $36.6 million for the four weeks ended October 30, 2004. Year-to-date sales decreased 9.1% to $219.1 million compared with $241.0 million for the same period last year.

Comparable store sales decreased 17.4% for the four weeks; this decrease compares with a 9.4% increase in comparable store sales for the four weeks ended October 30, 2004. Year-to-date comparable store sales increased 3.1% compared with an increase of 4.7% in the same period last year.

The company stated that the fall in sales was due to particularly mild weather in October.