Footwear and accessories company Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. has reported lower revenues for the first quarter ended March 31. Revenues dropped to $122.6 million, down 5.6% from the year ago quarter. This decline was said to be primarily due to a slower than anticipated start-up of a new third-party distribution centre that shifted approximately $7 million of shipments from March into April. First quarter wholesale revenues were $75.9 million, down 5.1% versus the prior year's level of $79.9 million. Consumer direct revenues for the first quarter decreased 10% to $36.3 million versus $40.4 million in the same quarter last year, with a comparable store sales decline of 13.5% versus the year-ago quarter.

Licensing revenue for the first quarter increased by 8% to $10.4 million versus $9.6 million in the same quarter of the prior year.

Kenneth Cole designs, sources, and markets footwear, handbags, and accessories under the trademarks Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, and Tribeca.