The TJX Companies, Inc. reported March 2011 sales were $2.04 billion, up 1% over the $2.03 billion achieved during the five-week period ended April 3, 2010. For the nine-week period ended April 2, 2011, sales reached $3.5 billion, a 2% increase over the $3.4 billion achieved in the same period last year. Consolidated comparable store sales for the five-week period ended April 2, 2011 decreased 1% compared with a 12% increase in the same period last year, which was the company's strongest monthly comparable store sales increase of that year. For the nine-week, year-to-date period, consolidated comparable store sales increased 1% over the same period last year.
Carol Meyrowitz, Chief Executive Officer of The TJX Companies, Inc., stated, 'Our March comparable store sales results exceeded our expectations on both a consolidated basis and at The Marmaxx Group. As a reminder, we had planned March comp store sales down versus last year due to the timing of Easter as well as very favorable weather patterns in the prior year. Despite these challenges, we were encouraged to see comp store sales increases across all warm weather regions in the U.S., which bodes well for the balance of the season. With the Easter holiday still ahead of us in the important month of April, we remain very comfortable with our first quarter earnings per share guidance that we provided on February 23. We believe that consumers remain focused on value, and we are in an excellent position to offer great fashions and brands, along with great value, as we move through the spring selling season.'
The TJX Companies, Inc. is the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide. The Company operates 945 T.J. Maxx, 858 Marshalls, and 337 HomeGoods stores in the United States, 213 Winners, 82 HomeSense, 3 Marshalls, and 3 STYLESENSE stores in Canada, and 312 T.K. Maxx and 24 HomeSense stores in Europe.
