B&N.com sales rise 5.9%. (3rd-Quarter Results).(Barnes & Noble.com)(Brief Article)

Total sales at Barnes & Noble.com rose 5.9% for the third quarter ended September 30, 2002, to $102.6 million, and the company's net loss was cut to $17.5 million from $38.3 million in the comparable period last year. Sales made directly to consumers increased 13.1% in the quarter, to $95.4 million, while sales to corporate accounts fell 42.7%, to $7.1 million.

The reduction in losses was attributed to a cut in operating expenses, from $60.8 million to $42.3 million, in the most recent quarter, combined with a higher internal fulfillment rate and more efficient shipping. Marie Toulantis, B&N.com CEO, said the company has reduced its losses quicker than expected and …