Comparable Store Sales Increase 1.3% vs. 15.9% Decrease Last Year
FORT MYERS, Fla., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chico's FAS, Inc.
(NYSE: CHS) today reported net sales for the thirteen-week period ended August
1, 2009 reached $419.9 million, compared to $405.2 million reported for the
thirteen-week period ended August 2, 2008.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080211/CHICOSLOGO)
Comparable store sales for the 2009 second quarter increased 1.3% versus
the 15.9% decrease for the 2008 period. Direct-to-consumer sales, which are
not included in comparable store sales, increased 46% over second quarter
2008.
Based on preliminary operating results, the Company expects to report
earnings per share for the second quarter in the range of $0.09 to $0.10,
exclusive of any non-cash or special items, compared to the $0.04 reported for
the like period last year.
A summary of comparable store sales and store count follows:
Second Quarter Comparable Store Sales Increase/(Decrease)
Second Second
Quarter Quarter
2009 2008
Chico's/Soma Intimates 0.4% (17.1%)
White House | Black Market 3.7% (12.3%)
Chico's FAS Consolidated 1.3% (15.9%)
Company Stores
Beginning Ending Ending Stores
Stores Stores By Type
5/3/2009 Opened Closed 8/1/2009 Frontline Outlet
Chico's 655 3 (6) 652 612 40
White House |
Black Market 344 2 (3) 343 327 16
Soma Intimates 70 4 - 74 73 1
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Total Chico's FAS 1,069 9 (9) 1,069 1,012 57
Chico's FAS, Inc. will report the complete operating results for the
quarter ended August 1, 2009 on Tuesday, August 25, 2009, before the opening
of trading on the New York Stock Exchange that day. Beginning with the third
quarter of 2009, the Company will report sales and earnings together on a
revised schedule, with the third quarter release on Wednesday, November 18,
2009.
More detailed information on second quarter 2009 sales is provided on the
Company's prerecorded recap by calling (877) 424-4267, or by logging onto
www.chicosfas.com, on the Event Calendar page.
ABOUT CHICO'S FAS, INC.
The Company is a women's specialty retailer of private branded,
sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates, complementary
accessories, and other non-clothing gift items. The Company operates 1,070
specialty stores, including stores in 48 states, the District of Columbia, the
U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
The Chico's brand currently operates 612 boutique and 40 outlet stores,
publishes a catalog during key shopping periods throughout the year, and
conducts e-commerce at www.chicos.com.
White House | Black Market currently operates 328 boutique and 16 outlet
stores, publishes a catalog highlighting its latest fashions and conducts
e-commerce at www.whitehouseblackmarket.com.
Soma Intimates is the Company's developing concept with 73 boutique stores
and 1 outlet store today. Soma also publishes a popular catalog for its
customers and conducts e-commerce at www.soma.com.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT
OF 1995 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 on Chico's FAS, Inc., please go to our
corporate website, www.chicosfas.com.
Executive Contact:
Robert C. Atkinson
Vice President
Investor Relations
Chico's FAS, Inc.
(239) 274-4199
SOURCE Chico's FAS, Inc.
-0- 08/06/2009