The Talbots Inc announced total Company sales for the thirteen weeks ended May 5, 2007 of $573.6 million, versus last year's reported sales of $453.0 million.
By brand, retail sales were $387.4 million for Talbots compared to $384.9 million last year and $80.6 million for J. Jill, which was acquired effective May 3, 2006. Sales for the J. Jill brand represent approximately 20% of the total combined company sales volume.
Total Company comparable store sales declined 3.5% for the thirteen-week period. By brand, comparable store sales for Talbots decreased 3.9%. For the J. Jill brand, comparable store sales decreased 1.2% in the period.
Consolidated direct marketing sales for the thirteen-week period were $105.6 million, including catalog and Internet, compared to last year's Talbots only brand direct marketing sales of $68.1 million.
The Company reconfirmed its previously announced outlook for consolidated first quarter earnings per share on a reported basis to be in the range of $0.07 to $0.11.
The total company expectation assumes Talbots brand first quarter earnings per share to be in the range of approximately $0.30 - $0.32, versus last year's Talbots only brand earnings per share of $0.51, and a loss for the J. Jill brand in the range of approximately $0.10 - $0.08.
Also included in this first quarter reported outlook are acquisition and financing related costs of approximately $0.13 per share.
The Company plans to release its first quarter 2007 operating results on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 and will provide additional details at that time.
marketing@alchempro.com
