US footwear company The Stride Rite Corporation has reported record sales of $209.2 million for the second quarter, an increase of 8% compared with the same period in the prior year. However, net income slipped to $14.2 million from $16.9 million.

Sales at the combined Children's Group decreased 1% compared with last year as a 4% improvement at the Children's Retail Group was more than offset by a 16% decrease at its wholesale division.

Keds posted an improved second quarter, with sales down just 1%, whilst Sperry Top-Sider posted a 23% improvement, Saucony’s domestic sales increased 2%, Tommy Hilfiger footwear sales rose 4%, and Robeez results “continued to meet financial expectations”.

For the first six months, net sales rose 7% to reach $403.9 million from $377.4 million in the same prior-year period, whilst net income improved slightly to $25.3 million, up from $25.2 million.