Sales flat at American Eagle

US young fashion business American Eagle Outfitters recorded flat like-for-like sales for November, after uneven trading including a strong Thanksgiving weekend.

The flat like-for-likes mark a slowdown on the group's average like-for-like performance for the 43 weeks to December 1. Average like-for-likes are running 3% ahead. Total sales rose 16% to US$285.8 million (£140m) for the four weeks to December 1, compared with the same period in 2006.

The company, which targets 15- to 25-year-old men and women with staples such as jeans, T-shirts and polo shirts, has 855 stores in the US and Puerto Rico, plus 75 in Canada. It also sells via its website to 42 countries including the UK.

The group runs a sub-brand, Aerie by American Eagle, which offers sleepwear and underwear in the main stores as well as 38 of its own standalones.

In September 2006, the retailer launched casualwear concept Martin + Osa, targeting 28- to 40-year-olds. It currently has 19 stores.
This week, American Eagle Outfitters signed a 25,000sq ft flagship store in Manhattan's Times Square. The store – the retailer's largest to date – will have external multimedia signs that rise 25 stories high and cover 15,000sq ft.