Body Central revenue marginally up by 0.4% in Q4

Sales results for the fourth quarter ended December 29, 2012:

-Net revenues for the quarter increased 0.4% to $81.0 million, compared to $80.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2011.

-Store sales increased 1.2% to $73.8 million. Comparable store sales decreased 11.6%.

-Based on sales results in the fourth quarter, the Company now expects fourth quarter diluted EPS to be in the range of $0.10 to $0.12 per share.

-The Company opened 13 stores in the quarter and operated 276 stores as of December 29, 2012.

Sales results for the fifty-two weeks ended December 29, 2012:

-Net revenues increased 4.9% to $311.0 million from $296.5 million for the same period a year ago.

-Store sales rose 5.1% to $275.1 million driven primarily by a 15% increase in store count offset by a comparable store sales decrease of 8.1%.

-The Company now expects full year diluted EPS to be in the range of $0.68 to $0.70 per share. Also included in the full year EPS estimate is the $600,000 pre-tax charge (or $0.02 per share) taken in the third quarter related to severance expense for the former CEO.

Tom Stoltz, Body Central's interim CEO, COO, and CFO, stated: "We are disappointed in our recent results as sales trends did not improve from the third quarter. We were more promotional than planned during December in response to the competitive environment which resulted in weaker merchandise margins. While we believe that our current initiatives will have a positive impact on the business, we now anticipate that it will be later in 2013 before they have a meaningful impact on our performance."

About Body Central

Founded in 1972, Body Central Corp. is a growing, multi-channel, specialty retailer offering on trend, quality apparel and accessories at value prices. As of December 29, 2012 the Company operated 276 specialty apparel stores in 26 states under the Body Central and Body Shop banners, as well as a direct business comprised of a Body Central catalog .The Company targets women in their late teens and twenties from diverse cultural backgrounds who seek the latest fashions and a flattering fit.

Body Central Corp