United Stationers Inc., Deerfield, IL, a North American wholesale distributor of business products, today sales for the second quarter 2009 were $1.16 billion, down 7.4% from the prior year same period. Profit decreased 1.4% to $21.5 million.
Weak macro-economic conditions contributed to revenue declines in furniture, industrial, technology and traditional office supplies. Despite these conditions, the janitorial/breakroom category experienced sales growth.
"United’s results reflected our associates’ excellent efforts to control what we can in the face of difficult market conditions," said Richard W. Gochnauer, president and chief executive officer. "While employment and manufacturing trends continued to weaken in the quarter, the rate of change in our sales improved sequentially from the first quarter across most product categories as a result of growth initiatives and a boost from flu-related product sales."
Sales in the first half of 2009 were $2.28 billion, down 8.2% compared from the first half of 2008. Profit was down 19% to $34.7 million.