Courier’s Sales Off Overall, but Digital Business Up Sharply

First-quarter revenues for the segment were $10.8 million, down 7 percent from $11.6 million in last year’s first quarter. Sales were down 3 percent at Dover and down 31 percent at REA, with the decline at REA reflecting an exceptionally strong first quarter in fiscal 2010 due to the simultaneous effects of a major product launch and a chain-wide merchandising order at a large nationwide bookseller. Creative Homeowner sales were up 7 percent, reflecting improving sales of home plans as well as home-center book sales. Overall, the segment lost $809,000 in the quarter, versus a loss of $514,000 in fiscal 2010, reflecting the impact of slower sales at Dover and REA.