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Chico's FAS, Inc. Reports Higher First Quarter 2009 Sales

05/07/2009

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)

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