J. Crew’s Sales Fall as Chain Faces ‘Challenging’ Retail Climate

J. Crew Group Inc.’s same-store sales declined 7 percent last quarter, a sign the preppy-apparel chain is still struggling to win back shoppers.

Total revenue decreased 3 percent to $567.5 million, the New York-based company said in a statement Wednesday. J. Crew’s gross margin also contracted, shrinking to 36.1 percent in the period from 37.2 percent a year earlier.