Havertys sales down 8.3% in August
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, September 10, 2007
Atlanta — Havertys' August sales dipped 8.3% from the same month a year ago, and same-store sales were off 10.1% as the Top 100 company faced tough comparison numbers from 2006.
September, meanwhile, got off to a stronger start for the 122-store, Atlanta-based chain thanks to a good Labor Day.
Sales for the month totaled $70.7 million, compared with $77.1 million in August 2006. Through the first eight months of the year, sales were down 9.4% to $516.7 million compared with $570.6 million in 2006, and same-store sales decreased 11%.
Havertys President and CEO Clarence Smith noted that August sales were up against a 10.3% same-store sales increase a year ago. Total written business in August decreased 4.3% compared with last year.
"Early September sales are trending better, with total written business for the Labor Day weekend off 3% compared to last year's mid-teen percentage increase," he said. "In fact, written business this Labor Day set an all-time record for any single day at Havertys."
