Women’s fashion footwear retailer Bakers Footwear Group, Inc. has posted lower sales for both the 13-week and 26-week periods ended August 4.

Net sales were $42 million compared with $47.2 million for the thirteen-week period ended July 29, 2006, while net sales for the first half were $91.2 million, down from $97 million in the corresponding period in 2006.

Second quarter gross profit was $9.3 million compared with $13.5 million in the same quarter last year, while gross profit for the first half was $24.6 million compared with $29.8 million in the first half of 2006.

Chairman and CEO, Peter Edison, expressed the company’s disappointment concerning the results, which fell short of expectations. Performance within the sandals division was particularly low.

The company also announced that president and director, Michele Bergerac, has resigned to pursue other interests. General merchandise manager, Mark Ianni, has now been promoted to chief merchandising officer and Joseph Vander Pluym, previously vice president – stores, has become chief operations officer. Peter Edison will assume the title of president in addition to his current role as chairman and CEO.