Dallas-based Zale Corp. said same-store sales for its fiscal fourth quarter increased 1.7%, as the jewelry retailer maximized opportunities during key gift-giving periods and continued to develop its bridal category, the Dallas Business Journal reports.

The company reportedly said revenue for the quarter ended July 31 was $442.4 million, up 1.6% from $435.6 million in the year-ago quarter.

Same-store revenue for the fiscal year ended July 31 rose 0.8%. Total revenue grew 0.9% to $2.21 billion from $2.19 billion in the previous fiscal year, Zale reportedly said in statement.

Zale will announce fourth-quarter and fiscal 2003 earnings results Aug. 28.

The company also named Betsy Burton to its Board of Directors.

Burton, 51, is CEOof BB Capital, Inc., a retail advisory and consulting company she formed in 1992. She was formerly CEO of Supercuts, Inc. from 1987 to 1991.

Burton currently serves on the boards of Staples, Inc., The Sports Authority, Inc., Aeropostale, Inc. and Rent-A-Center, Inc.

Zale Corporation is North America’s largest specialty retailer of fine jewelry operating approximately 2,235 retail locations throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as online. Zale Corporation’s brands include Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Zale Direct at www.zales.com, Gordon’s Jewelers, Bailey Banks & Biddle Fine Jewelers, Peoples Jewellers, Mappins Jewellers and Piercing Pagoda.

JCK