Outerwear, footwear and swimwear retailer American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. has posted total sales of $171.9 million for the four weeks ended May 5, a decline of 4% compared with $179.2 million for the four-week period ended April 29, 2006. Because of the 53^rd week in fiscal 2006, April 2007 figures are comparable with the four-week period ended May 6, 2006. On this basis, comparable store sales declined 10% compared with a 19% increase for the same period last year.

The negative sales comparison for April, following a very strong performance in March, was largely due to the Easter period and generally disappointing traffic trends. The company noted that sales trends improved as the month progressed and were positive in the last two weeks of April.

Total sales for the first quarter increased 17% to $612.4 million compared with $522.4 million for the first quarter of 2006.