NEW YORK,NY(AUTHORLINK NEWS, August 20, 2009) – Barnes & Noble, Inc. today reported a 5% decrease in total sales to $1.2 billion for the second quarter ended August 1, 2009, compared to the prior year.
Store sales decreased 5% to $1.0 billion, with comparable store sales decreasing 6.9% for the quarter, within the Company’s guidance for a decrease of 5% to 7%.
Barnes & Noble.com sales were $102 million for the quarter, a 2% increase compared to the prior year.
Second quarter net earnings were $12.3 million, or $0.21 per share, including a $4 million cash tax benefit from an insurance settlement.
Bestselling titles during the quarter included Janet Evanovich’s Finger Lickin’ Fifteen, Kathryn Stockett’s The Help, Daniel Silva’s The Defector, Sophie Kinsella’s Twenties Girl, and Dick Morris’s Catastrophe.
“Due to strong expense management and improved gross margins we achieved earnings per share near the high-end of guidance. While the decline in retail traffic continues to be the principal impediment to our top line, we do offer our customers the ability to shop with us online, where sales were slightly above last year,” said Steve Riggio, chief executive officer of Barnes & Noble, Inc. “We remain focused on working capital management, which resulted in solid free cash flow and no borrowings on our credit facility for the second quarter.”
For the third quarter, the company expects comparable store sales at Barnes & Noble stores to decline 1% to 3%. The company continues to expect full-year comparable store sales to decline 3% to 5%.
On August 10, 2009, the company announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Barnes & Noble College Booksellers. The acquisition is expected to close on or about October 1, 2009, at which point the company plans to issue updated guidance for the balance of the year.
As of August 1, 2009, the company operated 724 Barnes & Noble stores and 50 B. Dalton stores. During the second quarter, one Barnes & Noble store was opened and three were closed. One B. Dalton store was closed during the quarter.
Barnes & Noble, Inc. will report third quarter results on or about November 19, 2009.
