Escalade swings to loss on weak sales

Sluggish sales of game room tables to Sears and other big retailers helped throw Escalade Inc. for an $800,000 loss in the first quarter.

The Evansville company said today that revenue in its sporting goods segment fell 14 percent, and that sales in its office equipment arm fell 11 percent as mass-market retailers pulled back due to the weak economy.

The loss compared to a $1.1 million profit in the same quarter in 2007.