Whitehall Jewellers, Inc. on Thursday said sales for the first quarter ended April 30, 2005 were $71.0 million compared to $73.0 million for the first quarter of last year. Comparable store sales decreased 3.8% during the quarter, versus a comparable store sales increase of 3.3% for the first fiscal quarter of 2004.

“While we are not pleased with the comp store sales decrease in the first quarter, sales improved after the February period,” Lucinda Baier, Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago-based company. “We are pleased that the action plans identified and implemented after the Christmas season had a positive impact on sales and margin during the last two months of the quarter.”

Whitehall Jewellers, Inc. operates 386 stores in 38 states. The company operates stores in regional and superregional shopping malls under the names Whitehall Co. Jewellers, Lundstrom Jewelers, and Marks Bros. Jewelers.

JCK