Department store chain Dillard's said Thursday that sales in its stores that have been open at least a year fell 11 percent for November, hurt by weak sales of its juniors' and children's apparel

A year ago, the sales comparison _ considered a key indicator of a retailer's health because it excludes sales at stores that open or close during the year _ fell 9 percent.

Dillard's total sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 28 fell 13 percent to $437.9 million from $505.8 million.

For the year so far, Dillard's sales at stores open at least a year fell 12 percent, and its total sales fell 14 percent to $4.53 billion from $5.27 billion.

In November, the company's east and west regions performed better than its central region. Sales of juniors' and children's apparel clothing were weak.