Comparable Store Sales Decreased 3.2%
FORT MYERS, Fla., May 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chico's FAS, Inc. (NYSE:
CHS) today reported net sales for the thirteen-week period ended May 2, 2009
increased 0.2% to $410.6 million, compared to $409.6 million reported for the
thirteen-week period ended May 3, 2008. Comparable store sales for the first
quarter of fiscal 2009 decreased 3.2% compared to the 17.5% decrease for the
prior year's first quarter. Direct-to-consumer sales, not included in
comparable store sales, increased 37.1% over first quarter 2008.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080211/CHICOSLOGO )
A summary of comparable store sales and store count follows:
First Quarter Comparable Store Sales Increase/(Decrease)
First First
Quarter Quarter
2009 2008
Chico's/Soma Intimates (6.0%) (19.9%)
White House | Black Market 4.2% (9.7%)
Chico's FAS Consolidated (3.2%) (17.5%)
Company Stores
Beginning Ending
Stores Stores
2/1/2009 Opened Closed 5/2/2009
Chico's 660 - (5) 655
White House | Black Market 345 1 (2) 344
Soma Intimates 71 1 (2) 70
-- -- --- --
Total Chico's FAS 1,076 2 (9) 1,069
Chico's FAS, Inc. will report the complete operating results for the
quarter ended May 2, 2009 on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, before the opening of
trading on the New York Stock Exchange that day.
More detailed information on first 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 1,071
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 656 boutique 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 344 boutiques, publishes a
catalog highlighting its latest fashions and conducts e-commerce at
www.whitehouseblackmarket.com.
Soma Intimates is the Company's developing concept with 71 boutique stores
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.
CONTACT:
Robert C. Atkinson
, Vice President, Investor Relations of
Chico's FAS, Inc., +1-239-274-4199
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080211/CHICOSLOGO/
Web Site: http://www.chicos.com
(CHS)