Bombay to Boost Ad Spend as Sales Slump

DALLAS Bombay Company plans to increase ad spending in the fourth quarter in hopes of reversing sharply slumping sales, chairman and chief executive James D. Carreker said Thursday.

The Fort Worth, Texas-based home-furnishings retailer saw same-store sales fall 20 percent in September, Carreker said. That compares to a 23 percent increase in September 2003. For the year, sales at stores open at least one year are down 15 percent, the company said.

“Advertising expenditures have been increased for the balance of the year in an effort to execute an aggressive holiday sales strategy,” Carreker said.