Mr. McComb concluded, "Since our mid-October Partnered Brands sale announcement, we have successfully completed the Mexx, Liz Claiborne, Monet, Dana Buchman and Kensie transactions. We are now a more efficient, dynamic, brand-centric, retail-based company and will focus on building and growing our three global lifestyle brands – Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand and kate spade. October direct to consumer comparable sales were in line overall with our expectations as we head into the Holiday season.
kate spade posted a 54% comparable sales increase in October, as the kate team continued its stellar execution across all categories and channels. Lucky Brand also maintained its strong direct to consumer sales trend in October, generating comps of 23%, as trend-right product continues to resonate with its customer. While Juicy Couture comps of (13%) were below our expectation, we remain excited about renewed growth, based upon early reviews of the new team's product, which is already in the pipeline and will ship in the first quarter of 2012."