Chico's 2013 net sales rise 0.2 percent

REPORT_ Chico's has reported net sales 2.586 billion dollars, an increase of 0.2 percent compared to 2.581 billion dollars in fiscal 2012. Comparable sales for 2013 decreased 1.8 percent following a 7.2 percent increase in 2012. For the fourth quarter, net sales were 610.2 million dollars, a

decrease of 6.4 percent compared to 651.9 million dollars in last year's fourth quarter, primarily reflecting 115 net new stores for a square footage increase of 8.4 percent. Comparable sales for the fourth quarter decreased 3.4 percent following a 3.7 percent increase in last year's fourth quarter.

For the thirteen weeks ended February 1, 2014 (the fourth quarter), the company based in Fort Myers reported adjusted net income of 5.9 million dollars compared to adjusted net income of 32.7 million dollars for the fourteen weeks ended February 2, 2013, and fourth quarter 2013 adjusted earnings per diluted share of 0.04 dollars compared to adjusted earnings per diluted share of 0.20 dollars in last year's fourth quarter.

For

the fifty-two weeks ended February 1, 2014 (fiscal 2013), the company reported adjusted net income of 137.0 million dollars compared to adjusted net income of 182.2 million dollars for the fifty-three week year ended February 2, 2013 (fiscal 2012), and fiscal 2013 adjusted earnings per diluted share of 0.85 dollars compared to adjusted earnings per diluted share of 1.09 dollars in fiscal 2012.

For the fourth quarter, the Chico's/Soma Intimates brands' comparable sales decreased 1.5 percent following a 2.3 percent increase in last year's fourth quarter for a two-year stack of up 0.8 percent. The Chico's brand experienced a low-single digit comparable sales decrease in the fourth quarter compared to flat comparable sales in last year's fourth quarter and the Soma Intimates brand experienced a mid-single digit comparable sales increase in the fourth quarter compared to a double-digit increase in last year's fourth quarter. The White House | Black Market brand's comparable sales decreased 6.6 percent following a 6.3 percent increase in last year's fourth quarter for a two-year stack of down 0.3 percent. Boston Proper net sales decreased 9.7 million dollars.

For fiscal 2013, the Chico's/Soma Intimates brands' comparable sales decreased 2.7 percent following a 7.5 percent increase in 2012 for a two-year stack of up 4.8 percent. The Chico's brand experienced a mid-single digit comparable sales decrease compared to a mid-single digit increase last year and the Soma Intimates brand experienced a mid-single digit comparable sales increase compared to a double-digit increase last year. The White House | Black Market brand's comparable sales for fiscal 2013 were flat following a 6.5 percent increase in 2012 for a two-year stack of up 6.5 percent. Boston Proper net sales decreased 26.9 million dollars.