National Lumber & Supply Inc. said declining...

National Lumber & Supply Inc. said declining sales contributed to a loss of $1.4 million for its first quarter ended April 30, contrasted with net income of $66,864 for the like period last year. The Fountain Valley operator of do-it-yourself home centers reported that sales dropped 10% to $34.3 million from $38.1 million. National Lumber, operating in the competitive Southern California market, lost $4.6 million last year, which brought the company’s losses to $6.8 million over the past 3 years. The firm has faced stiff competition from other home center chains. In April, President Melvin Jaffee said the firm was making major administrative, personnel and marketing changes to spur sales and reduce costs. But the company said there were no plans to close stores or lay off personnel.