Chico's FAS Q1'FY14 net sales up 1.6% to $681.6mn

For the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2014 (the first quarter), the Company reported net income of $39.9 million compared to adjusted net income of $51.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 2013, and first quarter 2014 earnings per diluted share of $0.26 compared to adjusted earnings per diluted share of $0.32 in last year's first quarter. 

 

For the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2014 (the first quarter), the Company reported net income of $39.9 million compared to adjusted net income of #

The adjusted first quarter fiscal 2013 results exclude the impact of non-recurring acquisition and integration costs, as presented in the accompanying GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation. Including the first quarter 2013 impact of non-recurring acquisition and integration costs of $0.6 million after tax, or $0.01 per diluted share, the Company reported first quarter fiscal 2013 net income of $51.1 million, or $0.31 per diluted share.

 

For the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2014 (the first quarter), the Company reported net income of $39.9 million compared to adjusted net income of #

Net Sales

For the first quarter, net sales were a record $681.6 million, an increase of 1.6% compared to $670.7 million in last year's first quarter, primarily reflecting 99 net new stores for a square footage increase of 6.9%, offset by a decrease in comparable sales. Comparable sales for the first quarter decreased 2.6% following flat comparable sales in last year's first quarter, reflecting lower average dollar sale as a result of the impact of a highly promotional environment in response to lower traffic due in part to inclement weather.

 

For the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2014 (the first quarter), the Company reported net income of $39.9 million compared to adjusted net income of #

For the first quarter, the Chico's/Soma Intimates brands' comparable sales increased 0.4% following a 2.8% decrease in last year's first quarter. The Chico's brand experienced a decrease of less than 1% in comparable sales in the first quarter compared to a mid-single digit decrease in last year's first quarter, and the Soma Intimates brand experienced a high-single digit comparable sales increase in the first quarter compared to a mid-single digit increase in last year's first quarter. The White House | Black Market brand's comparable sales decreased 8.6% following a 6.4% increase in last year's first quarter.

 

For the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2014 (the first quarter), the Company reported net income of $39.9 million compared to adjusted net income of #

Gross Margin

For the first quarter, gross margin was $382.9 million compared to $386.8 million in last year's first quarter. Gross margin was 56.2% of net sales, a 150 basis point decrease from last year's first quarter, primarily reflecting increased promotional activity in response to lower traffic, partially offset by lower incentive compensation as a percent of net sales.

 

For the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2014 (the first quarter), the Company reported net income of $39.9 million compared to adjusted net income of #

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

For the first quarter, selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were $319.0 million compared to $304.9 million in last year's first quarter. SG&A was 46.8% of net sales, a 130 basis point increase from last year's first quarter, primarily reflecting sales deleverage of store expenses and the impact of approximately $4 million in investment spending on strategic initiatives, partially offset by lower incentive compensation as a percent of net sales.

 

For the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2014 (the first quarter), the Company reported net income of $39.9 million compared to adjusted net income of #