FORT MYERS, Fla., Sept. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chico's FAS, Inc.
(NYSE: CHS) today announced solid sales trends despite the impact of
hurricanes during the month. Same store sales for the month of September are
currently in the mid double digit percent range, with the Chico's brand same
store sales in the high single to low double digit percent range and the White
House | Black Market brand in the mid fifty percent range.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030428/CHICOLOGO )
The Company sustained limited damage to its stores from Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita. Six stores remain closed in the New Orleans area, while numerous
others are running at reduced sales levels as the areas continue to recover.
The Company operates 13 stores in Louisiana and 27 along the Gulf Coast of
Texas.
Scott A. Edmonds, President and CEO, said, "We are pleased to see that our
same store and overall sales levels have remained solid during this period as
we respond to the effects of the hurricanes. Our Fall line has been well
received and we have seen better than expected gross margins early in the
season. Our hearts go out to the people in New Orleans and along the Gulf
Coast. To that end, our associates have contributed over $100,000 to help
associates in the Chico's, White House | Black Market, and Soma family, as
well as the American Red Cross. The Company will also match the associate
contributions as part of a long-standing commitment to our corporate social
responsibility."
The Company is a specialty retailer of private label, sophisticated,
casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates, complementary accessories, and other
non-clothing gift items. The Company operates 723 women's specialty stores,
including stores in 47 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin
Islands and Puerto Rico operating under the Chico's, White House | Black
Market and Soma by Chico's names. The Company owns 481 Chico's front-line
stores, 28 Chico's outlet stores, 185 White House | Black Market front-line
stores, 6 White House | Black Market outlet stores and 10 Soma by Chico's
stores; franchisees own and operate 13 Chico's stores.
Certain statements contained herein, including without limitation,
statements addressing the beliefs, plans, objectives, estimates or
expectations of the Company or future results or events constitute "forward-
looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking statements involve known
or unknown risks, including, but not limited to, general economic and business
conditions, and conditions in the specialty retail industry. There can be no
assurance that the actual future results, performance, or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur. Users of
forward-looking statements are encouraged to review the Company's latest
annual report on Form 10-K, its filings on Form 10-Q, management's discussion
and analysis in the Company's latest annual report to stockholders, the
Company's filings on Form 8-K, and other federal securities law filings for a
description of other important factors that may affect the Company's business,
results of operations and financial condition. The Company does not undertake
to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience
or future changes make it clear that projected results expressed or implied in
such statements will not be realized.
For more detailed information, please call (877) 424-4267 to listen to the
Company's monthly sales information and investor relations line
A copy of a slide show addressing the Company's recent financial results and
current plans for expansion is available on the Company's website at
http://www.chicos.com in the investor relations section
Additional investor information on Chico's FAS, Inc. is available free of
charge on the Company's website at http://www.chicos.com in the investor
relations section
Executive Contacts:
Charles J. Kleman
Chief Financial Officer
Chico's FAS, Inc.
(239) 274-4105
F. Michael Smith
Vice President
Investor and Community Relations
Chico's FAS, Inc.
(239) 274-4797
SOURCE Chico's FAS, Inc.
-0- 09/26/2005
/CONTACT: Charles J. Kleman, Chief Financial Officer, +1-239-274-4105, or
F. Michael Smith, Vice President, Investor and Community Relations,
+1-239-274-4797, both of Chico's/
/Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030428/CHICOLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, [email protected] /
/Web site: http://www.chicos.com /
(CHS)
CO: Chico's FAS, Inc.
ST: Florida
IN: REA FAS
SU: SLS
DS-MR
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0284 09/26/2005 08:43 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com