Leslie’s Poolmart Posts 1st Quarter $2.78-Million Loss

Leslie’s Poolmart posted a first-quarter loss of $2.78 million as its sales edged up to $10.4 million from $10.3 million a year earlier.

The Chatsworth-based operator of swimming pool-supplies stores typically reports losses in the seasonally slow first quarter ending March 31. In last year’s first quarter, Leslie’s lost $2.73 million.

Leslie’s said the latest quarter was hampered by “generally poor spring weather nationwide,” which helped limit the company’s gains even though it opened 34 additional stores during the preceding 12 months.

Leslie’s, which now operates a total of 130 stores in 26 states, said its “same store” sales--sales of stores open at least a year--fell 7% in the latest quarter.