AnnTaylor Stores Corporation announced its sales results for the month of August 2007.
For the four-week period ended September 1, 2007, net sales increased 9.1% to $162.7 million, compared with net sales of $149.2 million for the four-week period ended August 26, 2006.
By division, net sales for Ann Taylor increased 1.5% to $57.5 million in August 2007, compared with net sales of $56.6 million in August 2006. For Ann Taylor LOFT, net sales increased 7.9% to $79.3 million in August 2007, compared with net sales of $73.5 million in August 2006.
Comparable store sales for the August 2007 period increased 2.9%, versus a comparable store sales gain of 1.9% in the August 2006 period. By division, comparable store sales for Ann Taylor increased 1.7% in the 2007 period, compared with an increase of 6.9% the prior year. For Ann Taylor LOFT, comparable store sales declined 1.5% in August 2007, compared with a decrease of 1.0% the prior year.
Commenting on the Company's sales results, Ann Taylor President & Chief Executive Officer Kay Krill stated, "We were pleased with our overall results for August, which reflected improved trends at both divisions. While traffic continued to be soft, we successfully offset much of this slowdown with strong overall in-store metrics and some planned promotional activity to keep our inventories turning."
"At Ann Taylor, our August results reflected strength in dresses, casual separates, and knit and woven tops, partially offset by some weakness in sweaters and sportswear. At LOFT, our business strengthened during the month, as clients responded favorably to our August transitional assortment, which featured a more appropriate balance of updated classics, color and novelty."
"We are entering the Fall season at both divisions in good shape from an inventory standpoint and with product assortments that we believe are more brand-appropriate."
AnnTaylor Stores Corporation
marketing@alchempro.com
