The company lost money in 1947, however, and although it returned to profitability, sales stagnated.

But foreign sales stagnated, edging up three-tenths of 1 percent, to $7.93 billion.

The company launched quickly, registering more than 400 distributors in its first month of operation, however sales soon stagnated.

"Their sales have stagnated for the past five years," he said.

Yet Novell's sales are stagnating, and the company lost money last quarter.

Despite new developments, the chain's sales stagnated between 1988 and 1994.

Its annual sales stagnated at $180 million, and its earnings dropped to nearly nothing from $35 million in 2000.

The company, whose sales stagnated last year, increased revenue by 21 percent, to $806 million, a little more than expected.

The company's sales and profit figures had been stagnating for years, leading to a programme of savings as of 2005.

This move started several years ago but has taken on a new urgency as sales have stagnated in America.