Dillard’s department stores report 5 percent drop in sales at stores open at least a year

Dillard’s Inc. sales figure drops for January

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Dillard’s Inc. department store chain says sales at its stores that have been open at least a year fell 5 percent in January from a year earlier.

The figure released Thursday was lower than the 8 percent decline that analysts polled by Thomson Reuters anticipated for the Little Rock-based retailer.

Dillard’s also announced its overall sales for the month decreased 6 percent from a year ago.

Dillard’s said sales in the home and furniture, men’s apparel and accessories categories were weaker, while shoe sales were strong in the four weeks.

The high-end retailer’s sales for the month were $353.9 million compared to $376.6 million in January 2009.