Zale Corp. reported Thursday that same-store sales increased 1.4 percent for the second quarter, compared to the same period of the prior year. Total revenues for the quarter, ended Jan. 31, were $1 billion compared to last year’s total revenues of $979 million, an increase of 4.1 percent.

Last year’s total revenues exclude the results of the Bailey Banks & Biddle stores that were closed during the second fiscal quarter of 2006, the Dallas-based company said. Including the store closures, total revenues this year increased 2.5 percent compared to last year’s total revenues of $994 million.

Year-to-date total revenues, excluding the store closures, increased 3.9 percent to $1.452 billion, compared to $1.397 billion for the same period last year. Including the store closures, year-to-date total revenues increased 2.2 percent compared to $1.421 billion for the same period last year. Year-to-date comparable store sales, which exclude the store closures, increased 1.1 percent.

Zale Corp. said it will announce its second quarter fiscal 2007 earnings results on Feb. 21.

Zale Corp. operates approximately 2,400 retail locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, as well as online. Zale Corp.’s brands include Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Gordon’s Jewelers, Bailey Banks & Biddle Fine Jewelers, Peoples Jewellers, Mappins Jewellers, and Piercing Pagoda. Through its ZLC Direct organization, Zale also operates online at www.zales.com and www.baileybanksandbiddle.com. Additional information on Zale Corp. and its brands is available at www.zalecorp.com.

JCK