NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Jones Apparel ( JNY) reported an 11% jump in third-quarter profit, even as sales remain weak. During the quarter, the owner of Nine West and Jones New York earned $30.4 million, or 36 cents a share, compared with $27.3 million, or 33 cents, in the year-ago period. Excluding severance costs from layoffs earlier in the year and other items, the company actually earned 46 cents a share, significantly higher than the 28 cents analysts had expected. But revenue still slipped 11% to $855.7 million from $964.7 million last year. The company has slashed inventory by 24% and closed 69 underperforming stores. Management says it is on track to shutter another 265 stores between this year and next. As a result of the closures, Jones expects to improve results by $4 million in 2009, $16 million in 2010 and $22 million in 2011. -- Reported by Jeanine Poggi in New York Follow TheStreet.com on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
