American apparel retailer Gottschalks Inc. has posted a decrease in same store sales of 0.7% for July compared with July 2005. Total sales for the month decreased 0.5% to $43.3 million compared with sales of $43.5 million in July 2005.

For the year-to-date period, same store sales were flat, while total sales increased 0.3% to $296.8 million from $295.7 million for the same period last year.

President and chief executive officer Jim Famalette said that best performing merchandise categories in July were cosmetics, shoes, sportswear and swimwear.