Zumiez says net sales grew 11 percent in March, and key sales reading also picked up

NEW YORK – Sports apparel retailer Zumiez said Wednesday its sales picked up in March.

The operator of Zumiez and Blue Tomato stores reported $70.7 million in net sales over the five-week period that ended on Saturday. That was up 11.1 percent compared to the same period last year.

Sales at location open at least a year, an important measurement of retailer health, increased 5.5 percent.

Sales at stores open at least a year is a reading that strips out results from stores that opened or closed within the last year.

The Lynnwood, Washington-based company runs 610 stores, 552 of them in the U.S.

Zumiez Inc. shares rose 34 cents to $37.90 Wednesday and were unchanged in aftermarket trading. The stock has climbed 52 percent over the last 12 months.