Talbot’s reports 18 percent sales drop

HINGHAM – Talbot’s Inc., retailer of women and children’s clothing, reported that February same-store sales fell 18 percent with a resultant 10 percent decline in shares value, Bloomberg News reported. Talbot’s said the reduction in sales could be partially attributed to the fact that it moved its annual sale up to January this year. By so doing, the company said, it was able to move into the new fiscal year without clearance inventory on its books.