Brookstone reports 2Q sales hike

Net sales increased and losses declined in the second quarter for lifestyle specialty retailer Brookstone Inc., the company reported.

The Nashua-based Brookstone yesterday reported net sales of $99.9 million for the second quarter ended June 30, a 9.4 percent increase over the second quarter 2006 net sales of $91.3 million.

Losses from continuing operations fell by 42 percent during the second quarter, to $3.6 million, compared to $6.2 million reported for the same period in 2006.

Brookstone reported net sales for the 26-week period ended June 30 of $183 million — a 9 percent increase over the $168 million reported for the same time period last year.

Brookstone ended the second quarter with approximately $12 million in cash. The company had no cash borrowings under its asset-backed lending agreement.

The second quarter of 2007 was the fifth consecutive quarter of same-store sales increases for Brookstone. company officials said. – TRACIE STONE