PEMBROKE PINES, Fla., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Claire's Stores,
Inc. (NYSE: CLE) today reported that for the four weeks ended January 28, 2006
comparable store sales rose nine percent, in contrast to the four-week period
ended January 29, 2005 when comparable store sales rose seven percent. Total
sales during the four-week period ended January 28, 2006 increased nine
percent to $81,512,000 compared with $74,542,000 for the comparable four-week
period last year.
Comparable store sales results for January 2006 compared to January 2005
were as follows:
* Claire's North America: positive mid teens
* Claire's International: negative low single digits
* Icing by Claire's: positive mid teens
Please note that our comparable store sales numbers are calculated in
local currencies. Total sales numbers give effect to the impact of foreign
exchange, with January 2006 revenues reflecting the strengthening of the U.S.
dollar compared to January 2005.
Sales for the fourth fiscal quarter ended January 28, 2006 increased five
percent to $414,399,000 from $395,891,000 during last year's comparable fiscal
quarter. Comparable store sales increased six percent following an increase of
five percent during last year's fourth fiscal quarter.
For Fiscal 2006 in its entirety sales increased seven percent to
$1,369,393,000 compared to sales of $1,279,407,000 for the comparable period
last year. Comparable store sales increased six percent compared to an
increase of eight percent during Fiscal 2005.
Co-Chairman and Co-CEO Bonnie Schaefer stated that, "Comparable store
sales in our International Division were slightly negative in January. While
these results were below our internal plan, our promotional stance resulted in
closing inventories that are significantly lower than at the end of this
year's third fiscal quarter. This enhances our opportunity to bring in fresh,
exciting new merchandise for spring and to continue repositioning the Company
in Europe, as we build further recognition for Claire's as a destination for
costume jewelry in addition to accessories."
Co-Chairman and Co-CEO Marla Schaefer stated that, "We are extraordinarily
pleased with the strong performance turned in by our North American operations
during January. Claire's and Icing by Claire's each exceeded our internal
plans. Shoppers returned in full force to take advantage of both early spring
offerings and sale merchandise, further supporting the concept that January is
transitioning into a more important shopping month than in prior years."
CLAIRE'S STORES, INC.
(Monthly Sales in 000's)
TOTAL COMP. STORE
REPORTING PERIOD FY 2006 FY 2005 CHANGE CHANGE
February $88,139 $82,229 7% 6%
March $119,692 $105,782 13% 10%
April $94,962 $ 93,580 1% (2%)
May $94,593 $ 89,239 6% 3%
June $124,336 $116,757 6% 4%
July $105,838 $99,227 7% 7%
August $110,717 $98,990 12% 10%
September $116,366 $105,884 10% 8%
October $100,351 $91,828 9% 8%
November $101,433 $97,325 4% 5%
December $231,454 $224,024 3% 4%
January $81,512 $74,542 9% 9%
Year-to-Date $1,369,393 $1,279,407 7% 6%
Company Overview
Claire's Stores, Inc., is a leading international specialty retailer
offering value-priced costume jewelry and accessories to fashion-aware tweens,
teens and young adults through its two store concepts: Claire's and Icing by
Claire's. While the latter operates only in North America, Claire's operates
internationally. As of January 28, 2006, Claire's Stores, Inc. operated
approximately 2,900 stores in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Austria,
Germany, Spain, Holland and Belgium. Claire's Stores, Inc. operates through
its subsidiary, Claire's Nippon, Co., Ltd., 172 stores in Japan as a 50:50
joint venture with AEON, Co., Ltd. (fka JUSCO, Co. Ltd.), a $40 billion
specialty retailer headquartered in Japan. The Company also licenses 84
stores in the Middle East and Turkey under a licensing and merchandising
agreement with Al Shaya Co., Ltd. and seven stores in South Africa under
similar agreements with The House of Busby Limited.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" which represent
the Company's expectations or beliefs with respect to future events.
Statements that are not historical are considered forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated. Those factors include, without limitation: changes in consumer
preferences and consumer spending for pre-teen, teen and young adult apparel
and accessories; competition; general economic conditions such as inflation
and increased energy costs; general and political social conditions such as
war, political unrest and terrorism; natural disasters or severe weather
events; currency fluctuations and exchange rate adjustments; changes in laws;
uncertainties generally associated with the specialty retailing business;
disruptions in our supply of inventory; inability to increase comparable store
sales at recent historical rates; inability to design and implement new
information systems; delays in anticipated store openings or renovations; and
uncertainty that definitive financial results may differ from preliminary
financial results due to, among other things, final GAAP adjustments. These
and other applicable risks, cautionary statements and factors that could cause
actual results to differ from the Company's forward-looking statements are
included in the Company's filings with the SEC, specifically as described in
the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal year ended January 29,
2005. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-
looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. The
historical results contained in this press release are not necessarily
indicative of the future performance of the Company.
Additional Information:
Note: Other Claire's Stores, Inc. press releases, a corporate profile and
most recent 10-K and 10-Q reports are available via Claire's corporate
website: http://www.clairestores.com. For information about our products and
stores, please go to http://www.claires.com.
SOURCE Claire's Stores, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.clairestores.com
http://www.claires.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/174913.html
CONTACT:
Marisa F. Jacobs, Esq., Vice President of
Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, +1-212-594-3127,
fax: +1-212-244-4237, or marisa.jacobs@claires.com
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