USA: Sales Up At St John Knits International

Leading manufacturer and retailer of women's clothing and accessories, St John Knits International Inc, has announced an 8.8 per cent rise in full-year sales to $365.9 million from the previous year, despite a 4.4 per cent dip in fourth quarter sales. In a statement the company said the year-to-date increase in net sales of $29.5m over the same period in 2000 was primarily attributable to increases in sales of the Knit and Sport product lines to the company's wholesale accounts, as well as in the company-operated full-price boutiques.