While it continues to downsize its brick-and-mortar footprint, a surge in consumer spending since the Tax Cut has led to strong sales of fashion boots which increased profit by 13% for the third quarter ended Nov. 3 despite a 6% decline in sales to $269,181,000 from $287,469,000. The biggest factor in the sales decline was the calendar shift that moved $18.3 million in Back-to-School sales out of the period although it also closed nine stores. Comps, however, were well ahead of guidance with a 4.5% increase for the period that was mainly the result of a 6.5% gain in Aug. ... Log in to view full article.