The TJX Companies, Inc. reported sales for the four-week period ended October 29, 2005, were $1.32 billion, up 4% over the $1.27 billion achieved during the four-week period ended October 30, 2004. For the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2005, sales reached $11.3 billion, a 7% increase over last year's $10.6 billion. Consolidated comparable store sales for the four-week period ended October 29, 2005, decreased 2% versus last year. For the 13-week, third quarter, comparable store sales were flat versus last year. For the 39-week, year-to-date period, consolidated comparable store sales increased 1% over last year.
Ben Cammarata, chairman and acting CEO of The TJX Companies, Inc., stated, “Our comparable store sales decrease of 2%, versus last year's strong 7% increase, was softer than we expected, as unseasonably warm weather in many regions of the U.S., as well as in Canada and the U.K., adversely impacted sales. Additionally, due to Hurricane Wilma, 75 stores in Florida were closed for a period of time during the month, which negatively impacted comparable store sales by approximately one percentage point. Lastly, as temperatures cooled towards the end of the month, we saw an acceleration of our sales. With October sales falling short of our expectations, we now expect third quarter earnings per share to be approximately 34 cents.”
