Buckle October same-store sales jump 14.5 percent

KEARNEY, Neb. - Apparel retailer The Buckle Inc. on Thursday said its October same-store sales rose 14.5 percent, matching the average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Reuters.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, is an important gauge of retail health because it measures growth at existing outlets rather than from expansion.

In a recorded message, the company said strong sales of both men's and women's clothing, accessories and footwear were strong. Average prices were higher than a year ago, and the average transaction value rose 8 percent over last year, in part reflecting fewer discounts this year.

The chain said net sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 1 rose 20.7 percent to $60.3 million, from $50 million in the corresponding period last year.

For the fiscal third quarter ended Nov. 1, same-store sales increased 19.1 percent, the company said. Net sales for the quarter increased 26 percent to $210.6 million, from $167.6 million in the 2007 quarter.

Analysts expected sales of $206.8 million for the period.

The Buckle, which operates 387 retail stores in 38 states, plans to release third-quarter profit results on Nov. 20.

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