<div id="subtitle">Neiman Marcus Jan. key sales figure climbs as luxury shoppers buy handbags, jewelry</div><div><p>Neiman Marcus Inc. said Thursday that that sales at its namesake stores and Bergdorf Goodman locations open at least a year climbed 4.5 percent last month as shoppers again snapped up luxury handbags, precious jewelry and women's couture apparel.</p><p>The privately held retailer reported that its strongest results were in the Southeast and Northeast.</p><p>For Neiman Marcus Direct, comparable sales surged 16 percent with strong sales in its women's apparel, shoes, jewelry, men's and handbag categories. The Neiman Marcus Direct segment includes online and print catalogs for Horchow, Bergdorf Goodman and its namesake brand.</p><p>This sales figure is a key indicator of retailer performance since it measures growth at existing stores rather than newly opened ones.</p><p>Total sales for the four weeks ended Jan. 30 increased 8.3 percent to $242 million.</p><p>In the second quarter, sales at the company's namesake stores and Bergdorf Goodman locations open at least a year rose 0.6 percent, with results at its namesake stores down 2.2 percent and Bergdorf's figure up 9 percent.</p><p>Neiman Marcus Direct comparable sales climbed 5.9 percent.</p><p>Second-quarter total sales grew 2.1 percent to $1.1 billion.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=68455672&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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