Sharper Image Reports Its Loss Nearly Tripled

Sharper Image Corp.’s loss nearly tripled during the fiscal first quarter, further underscoring the challenges facing the gadget retailer as it tries to win back estranged shoppers.

The company, based in San Francisco, said it lost $12.6 million, or 84 cents a share, during the three months that ended April 30. That compared with a loss of $4.6 million, or 30 cents, a year earlier.

Sales for the period totaled $106.8 million, a 26% decline from $144.9 million a year earlier.

In an even more telling sign of Sharper Image’s distress, sales at stores open at least a year fell 29% in the quarter. Comparable-store sales sagged even more during May, drooping 36% compared with May 2005.