EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ann Taylor Announces May 2007 Sales Results

New York, New York, June 7, 2007 – AnnTaylor Stores Corporation (NYSE: ANN) today announced its sales results for the month of May 2007.

For the four-week period ended June 2, 2007, net sales increased 1.6% to $221.1 million, compared with net sales of $217.6 million for the four-week period ended May 27, 2006. By division, net sales for Ann Taylor declined 3.6% to $79.2 million in May 2007, compared with net sales of $82.2 million in May 2006. For Ann Taylor LOFT, net sales increased 0.8% to $111.8 million in May 2007, compared with net sales of $110.9 million in May 2006.

Comparable store sales for the May 2007 period decreased 4.6%, versus a comparable store sales gain of 12.0% in the May 2006 period. By division, comparable store sales declined 3.2% for Ann Taylor in the 2007 period, compared with an increase of 10.4% the prior year. For Ann Taylor LOFT, comparable store sales declined 8.4% in May 2007, compared with an increase of 14.0% the prior year.

Commenting on the Company’s sales results, Ann Taylor President & Chief Executive Officer Kay Krill stated, “As we expected, our sales performance in May improved versus April and, overall, was essentially in line with our expectations. Our Ann Taylor division continued to achieve strong full-price sales, although the division’s comp performance for May was impacted by weak mall traffic and continued softness in sweaters that was not offset by our continued strength in knits. Strong categories during the month for Ann Taylor were suits, dresses, knits and petite apparel. At LOFT, we are encouraged by the reaction of our clients to the product improvements we were able to make, including adding some additional color and novelty items to the assortment. We continue to anticipate gradual improvement in LOFT’s product assortments over the course of the next several months. Overall, we remain confident in our earnings outlook for the business for the balance of the year, as previously disclosed.”

About Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor is one of the country’s leading women’s specialty retailers, operating 878 stores in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and Online Stores at www.anntaylor.com and www.anntaylorLOFT.com as of May 5, 2007.

Contact:

Maria A. Sceppaguercio

SVP, Communications & Investor Relations

Ann Taylor Stores Corporation

212-457-2199


ANNTAYLOR

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements may use the words “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “intend”, “project”, “may”, “believe” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements also include representations of the expectations or beliefs of the Company concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including:

 

   

the Company’s ability to predict accurately client fashion preferences;

 

   

competitive influences and decline in the demand for merchandise offered by the Company;

 

   

the Company’s ability to successfully execute brand extensions and new concepts;

 

   

effectiveness of the Company’s brand awareness and marketing programs;

 

   

the Company’s ability to secure and protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights in the United States and/or foreign countries;

 

   

general economic conditions, including the impact of higher fuel and energy prices, interest rates, a downturn in the retail industry or changes in levels of store traffic;

 

   

fluctuation in the Company’s level of sales and earnings growth;

 

   

the Company’s ability to locate new store sites or negotiate favorable lease terms for additional stores or for the lease renewal or expansion of existing stores;

 

   

risks associated with the performance and operations of the Company’s Internet operations;

 

   

a significant change in the regulatory environment applicable to the Company’s business;

 

   

risks associated with the possible inability of the Company, particularly through its sourcing and logistics functions, to operate within production and delivery constraints and the Company’s dependence on a single distribution facility;

 

   

the uncertainties of sourcing associated with the current quota environment, including changes in sourcing patterns resulting from the elimination of quota on apparel products and the re-imposition of quotas in certain categories, and other possible trade law or import restrictions;

 

   

financial or political instability in any of the countries in which the Company’s goods are manufactured;

 

   

risks associated with a failure by independent manufacturers to comply with the Company’s labor practices requirements;

 

   

the potential impact of natural disasters and public health concerns, particularly on the Company’s foreign sourcing offices and manufacturing operations of the Company’s vendors;

 

   

acts of war or terrorism in the United States or worldwide;

 

   

work stoppages, slowdowns or strikes;

 

   

the Company’s ability to hire, retain and train key personnel;

 

   

the Company’s ability to successfully upgrade and maintain its information systems, including adequate system security controls; and

 

   

the Company’s ability to continue operations in accordance with its business continuity plan in the event of an interruption.

Further description of these risks and uncertainties and other important factors are set forth in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, including but not limited to Item 1A – Risk Factors and Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations therein, and in the Company’s other filings with the SEC. Although these forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations concerning future events, actual results may differ materially from current expectations or historical results. The Company does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements at any time for any reason.