Net income at the Canadian operator and franchisorrose 6.0% to C$12,586,000 ($11.4 mm) for the period ended Oct. 28 despite a3.7% dip in total sales to C$333,471,000 ($303.2 mm). Retail sales declined 2%to C$224,158,000 ($203.8 mm) and wholesale sales fell 7% to C$109,313,000($99.4 mm). Comparable store sales rose 3.0% in franchise locations butdeclined 2.4% in corporate doors. Gross margins slipped 30 basis points to34.2% as FGL adopted an aggressive pricing strategy to counter cross-bordershopping due to the weaker U.S. dollar.

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