Net sales at LeNaturiste decreased 18%, all attributable to a weaker Canadian dollar, and the division operated at a loss of $1 million. LeNaturiste will continue to focus on increasing gross margins by utilizing more in-house manufactured products and more targeted promotions.
During the fiscal second quarter of 2009, the North American Retail division closed 3 stores and added 3 new stores. At the end of the fiscal second quarter of 2009, the North American Retail division operated a total of 531 stores, consisting of 444 Vitamin World stores in the United States and 87 LeNaturiste stores in Canada. Vitamin World plans to add 3 stores and close 5 stores during the remainder of fiscal 2009.
European Retail net sales for the fiscal second quarter ended March 31, 2009 decreased $24 million, or 15% to $134 million compared to $158 million for the prior like quarter. Julian Graves recorded net sales of $23 million. European Retail division same store sales in local currency decreased 5% from the prior like period. On a monthly basis, in local currency, same store sales decreased 10% in both January and February but increased 4% in March.
As previously announced, the Julian Graves acquisition continues to be the subject of an inquiry from the UK Competition Commission for potential anti-trust implications. In conjunction with this inquiry, Julian Graves business has not been integrated with the Company's European operations and incurred a loss of $0.5 million during the fiscal second quarter ended March 31, 2009.
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