Ascena Retail Banks On Omnichannel Following 'Mixed' Q4 Results

September 23, 2014

Following fourth quarter results that missed Wall Street expectations, Ascena Retail is looking ahead to fiscal 2015, which CEO David Jaffe said will see the continuation of a critical, multi-year investment to build the company's omnichannel platform.

The company reported net earnings of $15.7 million, compared with $29.8 million in the year-ago period.

Revenues for the quarter were $1.18 billion, compared with $1.20 billion in the prior year.  The company attributed the decrease challenging tween market comditions at Justice and inventory-related issues at Lane Bryant.  Results were partially offset by positive comp growth at Maurices and Catherines and new strong growth at Maurices.  Total same-store sales decreased by 2%.

"Despite mixed results across our portfolio and continuing soft traffic patterns, fourth quarter EPS was in line with our expectations.  We have yet to see sustained evidence of market improvement, and as a result, are maintaining focus on inventory levels and expense management, developing an integrated ecommerce platform for our customers, and driving efficiency improvements throgh our strategic investments.  Our final brand is in the process of moving into our retail distribution center in Ohio, and we remain on track to have all our brands operating out of our new ecommerce fulfillment center by spring of calendar 2015.  We continue to create a business model that will drive sustainable long term value for shareholders."

Source: Retailing Today

Ascena Retail Group's Profit Climbs Despite Challenging Q3

June 4, 2014

Ascena Retail Group president and CEO David Jaffe said sales in the third quarter were challenging, and despite comparable sales declines at Justice and Dressbarn, new store growth at Justice and Maurices, along with higher comparable sales at Lane Bryant, Maurices and Catherines bolstered the company's overall results.

The company's third quarter profit rose to $33.2 million, from $31.2 million in the year ago period.  Revenue inched up 0.3% to $1.145 billion, compared to $1.142 billion a year earlier.  Total same store sales rose 1%.

"Q3 sales were challenging, and that trend continued into the start of Q4," said Jaffe.  "As a result, we are implementing promotional strategies and receipt flow adjustments to ensure our inventories are conservatively positioned for the fall season."

Source: Retailing Today

Ascena Reduces Outlook Further

March 3, 2014

Ascena Retail Group, the operator of Lane Bryant, Justice and Dress Barn stores, cited increased spending on growth initiatives and a challenging sales climate for a second quarter profit decline and its second full year earnings guidance reduction in two months.

Sales for the company's second quarter ended January 26 increased 2% to $1.3 billion, while consolidated same-store sales were essentially flat.  A 3% comp decline at physical stores was offset by 28% e-commerce growth to achieve the overall flat comp increase.  Net income fell to $31.9 million, or 19 cents a share, from $47 million, or 29 cents a share last year.

The decrease was due primarily to profit declines at Justice stores and increased operating expenses from growth-related investments in new stores, merchandising and design resources and e-commerce capabilities, according to the company.

"Second quarter net income was slightly above our revised expectations, despite softer than expected sales in January driven primarily by challenging weather that continued to negatively impact sales into early March," said Ascena president and CEO David Jaffe.  "However, in warmer regions sales have been in line with expectations.  We are implementing promotional strategies and receipt flow adjustments to bring inventory balances back to targeted levels."

Jaffe remained optimistic about the company outlook, citing very good progress on long range strategic priorities related to synergy initiatives and recently completed construction of a new national retail distribution center and a new e-commerce fulfillment center that becomes operational in the spring.

Ascena's profits were expected to be under pressure following a January 13 announcement regarding holiday sales during November and December.  At the time, Jaffe noted that "a challenging holiday selling season resulted in increased promotional activity.  We successfully cleared excess inventory and have taken the necessary markdowns in the second quarter to transition cleanly into the spring season."

As a result, the company shaved as much as 20 cents of its full year profit forecast, reducing the range of earnings possibilities to $1.10 to $1.15 from earlier guidance of $1.25 to $1.30 for its fiscal year ending in July.  However, late Monday, the company further reduced its full year estimate to a range of $1 to $1.05.

The soft holiday sales and expense pressure followed a respectable showing in the company's first quarter ended October 26 in which each of its formats posted positive same store sales growth.

Source: Retailing Today