Havertys sales down 4.3% in Dec., 8.7% for the year.(Haverty Furniture Companies Inc.)(Financial report)(Brief article)

Furniture-Today, January, 2008

Staff

Atlanta- Havertys said its December sales were down 4.3% from the same month a year ago, to $70.8 million, with same-store sales down 7.4%.

For the full year, the 123-store Atlanta-based chain said sales came to $784.6 million, down 8.7% from the $859.1 million reported in 2006. Same-store sales declined 10.6%.

"December's sales continued the decline experienced during the first two months of the quarter," said Clarence Smith, president and CEO. "Our total written business for the month of December was off slightly compared to 2006 and the 2008 New Year's holiday period was modestly positive compared to a year ago."