Maidenform Q2 sales growth

The US undergarments marketer Maidenform Inc has reported an increase in sales for the second quarter, thereby narrowing its loss. Net sales for the period ended 2 July were up 8.9 percent from $93.9 million (£52.6 million) in the same period last year to $102.3 million.

Net sales for the wholesale division climbed 10.2 percent to $87.5 million, compared with $79.4 million in the second quarter of 2004. Gains in this division were primarily due to sales in the mass merchant channel, generated by new store growth and additional product placements.

Net sales for fiscal 2005 increased by 17.4 percent to $202.5 million, while international sales - including the wholesale division - grew 53.8 percent to $12.3 million. The company said that sales in the first quarter benefited greatly from the roll out of certain products to all stores of a major mass merchant. It also launched a line of panties to a US chain.