The TJX Companies, Inc. reported sales for the four-week period ended Jan. 30, 2010 climbed 20% to $1.3 billion from $1.0 billion a year ago. Consolidated comparable store sales
increased 12% versus a
4% decrease in the same period last year.
For the 52 weeks ended January 30, 2010,
sales reached $20.3 billion, up 8% over the $18.7 billion achieved
during the 52-week period last year.
For the 13-week fourth
quarter, consolidated comparable store sales increased 12% over a 2%
decrease last year. For the 52-week, year-to-date period, consolidated
comparable store sales increased 6% over a 1% increase last year.
Carol Meyrowitz, president and chief executive officer of The TJX
Companies, Inc., stated, “We are very pleased with our 12% increase in
January consolidated comparable store sales, particularly since January
is typically not a big shopping month. Customer traffic continued to
accelerate, which we believe underscores our view that customers will
continue to focus on value, even as the economy improves. Importantly,
The Marmaxx Group posted a 13% comparable store sales increase and all
of our divisions and growth vehicles are performing well. Additionally,
we achieved these robust sales despite significantly lower levels of
clearance inventories. With above-plan sales and margins continuing in
January, we are significantly raising our guidance for fourth quarter
earnings per share to the range of $.90 to $.91. With the strength of
our value proposition, our flexible business model, and our unusually
broad customer demographic reach, we remain very confident that our
momentum will continue as we move forward.”
Updated Fourth Quarter and Full Year
Fiscal 2010 Guidance
The company now expects fourth quarter Fiscal 2010 diluted earnings per
share from continuing operations to be in the range of $.90 to $.91, up
55% to 57% over 58 cents per share last year on a reported basis. It is
important to note that comparisons of projected fourth quarter results
to the prior yearâ€s quarter are impacted by the benefit from the extra
week in the companyâ€s Fiscal 2009 fourth quarter, a non-operating item
in that quarter, and foreign currency exchange rates.
Excluding 9 cents per
share for last yearâ€s extra week and 3 cents per share for last yearâ€s
non-operating item, the companyâ€s fourth quarter guidance represents a
96% to 98% increase over last yearâ€s adjusted 46 cents in earnings per share.
With this updated outlook for the fourth quarter, the company is raising
its guidance for full year Fiscal 2010 earnings per share from
continuing operations to be in the range of $2.80 to $2.81, up 35% over
$2.08 per share last year on a reported basis. It is important to note
that comparisons of projected full year results to prior year are
impacted by the benefit from the extra week in the companyâ€s Fiscal 2009
calendar, non-operating items in that year, and foreign currency
exchange rates.
Excluding 9 cents per
share for last yearâ€s extra week and 7 cents per share for last yearâ€s
non-operating items, the Companyâ€s full year guidance represents a 46%
increase over last yearâ€s adjusted $1.92 in earnings per share.