Solid sales gains at Amazon, B&N.com.(First-Quarter Results)(Barnes & Noble.com Inc.)

AMAZON.COM AND Barnes & Noble.com both reported stronger first-quarter sales gains in 2004 over the same period of 2003.

Net sales at B&N.com rose 8.4%, to $114.9 million, and the company reduced its net loss to $9.8 million from $13.1 million in last year's first quarter. Kevin Frain, B&N.com chief financial officer, told PW sales of bestsellers were very strong in the period, as were textbook sales. The e-taller also benefited from the redemption of gift cards sold over the holidays, Frain said.

The reduction in B&N.com's loss was due in part to lower marketing, sales and editorial costs, the company said. The company's EBITDA loss was $3.7 million, down …