Both dollars per transaction and conversion were comparable to last year, despite the low double-digit decline in traffic. Based on their sales and margins to date, they are reaffirming their guidance of earnings per diluted share of $1.17 for fiscal 2005.'
Total inventory levels at the end of September were down approximately 17 percent on a per square foot basis compared to the same period last year. By division, inventory levels on a per square foot basis were down approximately 25 percent for Ann Taylor and up approximately 3 percent for Ann Taylor LOFT. September marked the fourth consecutive monthly decrease in total inventory per square foot, and the Company continues to anticipate that consolidated inventory levels per square foot will be down in the low double-digit range by year-end.
During the month, the Company opened two Ann Taylor stores, 14 Ann Taylor LOFT stores, and two Ann Taylor Factory stores and closed two existing Ann Taylor stores. The total store count at month end was 808, comprised of 361 Ann Taylor stores, 398 Ann Taylor LOFT stores, and 49 Ann Taylor Factory stores. Total square footage at the end of fiscal September 2005 increased 15.9 percent over the same period last year.
For the fiscal year-to-date period ended October 1, 2005, total net sales were $1,323,231,000, up 9.5 percent from $1,208,858,000 last year. By division, net sales for the fiscal year-to-date period were $555,118,000 for Ann Taylor compared to $563,990,000 last year, and $634,701,000 for Ann Taylor LOFT compared to $538,311,000 last year. Comparable store sales for the fiscal year-to-date period were down 2.7 percent compared to a 6.6 percent increase last year.
-Ltd..jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Thermore (Far East) Ltd.")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSllC Ltd)")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF)")
