8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

January 8, 2018

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)

ASCENA RETAIL GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	0-11736	30-0641353
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification Number)

933 MacArthur Boulevard

Mahwah, New Jersey 07430

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(551) 777-6700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4c))
	Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
	Emerging growth company o
	If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On January 8, 2018, Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release disclosing material non-public information regarding its sales results for the Holiday period from November 18, 2017 to January 1, 2018. The Company is also reaffirming its earnings per diluted share guidance for the second quarter. A copy of this press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference into this Item 7.01.

The information in Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release dated January 8, 2018.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

ASCENA RETAIL GROUP, INC.

(Registrant)

Date: January 8, 2018

By:	/s/ Dan Lamadrid
Dan Lamadrid
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

EX-99.1

News Release

- ASCENA RETAIL GROUP, INC. ANNOUCES HOLIDAY SALES RESULTS

AND REAFFIRMS FISCAL 2018 SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS PER SHARE GUIDANCE -

MAHWAH, NJ -January 8, 2018 - ascena retail group, Inc. (NASDAQ - ASNA) (the “Company”) today announced sales results for the Holiday period (Saturday 11/18/17 - Monday 1/1/18) as presented below by segment and brand, and reaffirmed its second quarter earnings per share guidance.

Segment	Comparable Sales
Kids Fashion (Justice)	4%
Plus Fashion	(2)%
Lane Bryant	Flat
Catherines	(7)%
Premium Fashion	(3)%
LOFT	(1)%
Ann Taylor	(6)%
Value Fashion	(9)%
maurices	(6)%
dressbarn	(13)%
Total ascena	(3)%

David Jaffe, Chief Executive Officer commented, "While holiday performance was mixed across our brand portfolio, we were pleased with the continued comp acceleration at Justice, along with the significant trend improvement at both LOFT and Lane Bryant, which were five points better than the prior quarter. As we discussed in our December call, we are aggressively addressing merchandising issues at dressbarn, and anticipate trend improvement as we get into the Spring season. Quarter to-date enterprise comparable sales are down 3%, and we are reaffirming our second quarter earnings guide of a 7 to 12 cent loss per share, excluding the potential impact from recently enacted tax reform.”

About ascena retail group, inc.

ascena retail group, inc. (NASDAQ:ASNA) is a leading national specialty retailer offering apparel, shoes, and accessories for women under the Premium Fashion segment (Ann Taylor, LOFT, and Lou & Grey), Value Fashion segment (maurices and dressbarn), Plus Fashion segment (Lane Bryant, Catherines and Cacique), and for tween girls under the Kids Fashion segment (Justice). ascena retail group, inc. operates ecommerce websites and approximately 4,800 stores throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

For more information about ascena retail group, inc. visit: ascenaretail.com, AnnTaylor.com, LOFT.com, louandgrey.com, maurices.com, dressbarn.com, lanebryant.com, Catherines.com, and shopjustice.com.

CONTACT:	For investors:	For media:
	ICR, Inc.	ascena retail group, inc.
	James Palczynski	Sue Ross
	Partner	Corporate Affairs
	(203) 682-8229	(218) 491-2110
	jp@icrinc.com	sue.ross@ascenaretail.com