Weak J. Jill results hurt Talbots 1Q same-store sales

The Talbots Inc. on Thursday said first-quarter same-store sales fell 9.8 percent, hurt by weak results from its J. Jill Brand.

For the thirteen weeks ended May 3, same-store sales fell 7.4 percent at its namesake Talbots stores and 20.2 percent at its J. Jill locations.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, is a key measure of retailer performance, because it measures growth at existing stores rather than from newly opened ones.

Total sales fell 6 percent to $542 million from $574 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected quarterly sales of $567.4 million.

Trudy F. Sullivan, president and chief executive, said total sales were weaker than expected and while there was "significant improvement" in its Talbots brand, J. Jill sales were weak throughout the quarter.

In morning trading, Talbot's shares slipped 17 cents, or 2.2 percent, to $7.45.