Cost Plus predicts a wider loss in third quarter than a year earlier as sales decline

Cost Plus expects loss third-quarter loss to widen

OAKLAND, Calif. — Specialty home retailer Cost Plus Inc. said Thursday it expects to report a loss for its third quarter because of declining sales.

The company said it expects a loss from continuing operations of $19 million to $24 million compared with a loss of $21 million in the period a year earlier.

It expects to report sales of $177 million to $186 million, down from $213 million in the quarter last year.

It expects sales in stores open at least one year, a key retail metric known as same-store sales, to fall between 6 percent and 11 percent