Hanesbrands Inc.’s sales declined 4.5% to $988.7 million in the 2009 fourth quarter, resulting in an 8.4% revenue decline for the full year. But the parent of Hanes, Champion and Duofold forecast revenues would grow 5% in 2010.  Two-thirds of the increases planned for 2010 are in Innerwear, and most of the remainder in Outerwear or activewear segment. However, both Direct-to-Consumer and International are expected to see mid-single digit growth. For the Outerwear segment, growth will be driven by the expansion of the Just My Size brand in the first half. In the second half, Champion has confirmed space and distribution gains in fleece, performance apparel and sports bras, said Rich Noll, Hanesbrands’ chairman and CEO, on a conference call.

 

 

“The gains are driven by the simple fact that while we are number one or number two in all of our core categories, we are not yet number one or number two in all accounts or in all of our core programs,” Noll added.

 

In Q4, sales increased 1% after adjusting for the company's 53rd week last year. By segment, Innerwear, which includes Champion and Duofold, sales dipped 1.1% to $439.7 million on an actual basis, Outerwear sales slumped 10.6% to $279.1 million, and Hosiery sales were down 7.9% to $54.4 million. Direct-to-Consumer sales dipped 2.7% to $94.7 million while International sales were flat at $120.3 million. The loss in the period came to $1.1 million or 1 cent a share, against earnings of $17.9 million, or 19 cents, a year ago. Excluding restructuring charges in both years, earnings were up 12% for the quarter.