American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (Nasdaq:AEOS) today announced that total sales for the month ended February 28, 2004 increased 27.3% to $94.6 million, compared to $74.3 million for the month ended March 1, 2003. Comparable store sales for the American Eagle Outfitters stores increased 15.2% for the February period. Consolidated comparable store sales, which include American Eagle and Bluenotes/Thriftys stores, increased 15.0% for the month of February.
Total sales for the period included $5.1 million from the Bluenotes/Thriftys operation, compared to $4.0 million for the corresponding period last year. The 27.4% sales increase was due to the strengthening of the Canadian dollar compared to a year ago and a comparable store sales increase of 12.3% in February. The comparable store sales calculation excludes the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.
