VF Corporation, parent company to the Eastpak, Jansport, and The North Face brands, has updated its first quarter guidance to reflect “stronger than expected sales of its products at retail in most of its businesses”.

The Company now expects the sales increase in the quarter ending April 3, 2004 will be at the high end of its previous guidance of an 8 to 10% increase over prior year levels. The Company also expects earnings per share could increase by 5% versus its prior guidance that EPS would be flat with 2003 levels.