Sales for the first six months of 2005 increased 9.1 percent to $309.4 million from sales of $283.6 million for the first six months of 2004. Comparable store sales increased 4.3 percent for the twenty-six week period.
Based on the July sales performance, the Company now expects diluted earnings per share to be $0.19 to $0.20 for the second quarter of 2005.
The Company will release its second quarter financial results on Tuesday, August 23, 2005, and will provide an update on the back-to-school sales period at that time.
The Company also announced the opening of four stores during the month, one each in O'Fallon, MO; Kansas City, MO; Columbia, MO; and Newport News, VA.
To hear the telephone replay of Shoe Carnival, Inc.'s pre-recorded July sales message, please dial 888-203-1112 followed by conference call I.D. number 611339 beginning August 4, 2005 at 7:30 a.m. Eastern time. The telephone replay will be available for one week.
Shoe Carnival is located in the Midwest, South and Southeast. It is a chain of 266 footwear stores. Combining value pricing with an entertaining store format, Shoe Carnival is a leading retailer of name brand and private label footwear for the entire family.