"For the J. Jill brand, the overall assortment will be better balanced in the fall season, driven by a modest increase in style offerings, including expansion of special sizes, and a stronger representation of product at entry level price points. Further, we see great opportunities going forward, particularly in fiscal 2007, to improve the execution of both the retail and direct marketing businesses within the J. Jill brand in order to maximize the synergies in all channels," continued Mr. Zetcher.
For the second half of fiscal 2006, the Company currently anticipates that consolidated comparable store sales will be in the positive low single digit range, which would yield earnings per share on a GAAP basis approximately in the range of $0.50 - $0.55. Excluding anticipated acquisition related costs and adjustments of approximately $0.20 per share and approximately $0.07 in stock option expense, earnings per share would be in the range of $0.77 to $0.82 for the combined company. This compares to the $0.74 reported last year for the Talbots only brand.
Mr. Zetcher further commented, "We would be very pleased with this level of earnings per share growth in the back half of fiscal 2006. This would represent a healthy Talbots core business and a realization of certain cost synergies related to our strong integration efforts, offset by acquisition related costs and the anticipation of a modest back half operating loss for the J. Jill brand."
marketing@alchempro.com
