Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor Stores Corp. (New York) reported an 11.1 percent increase in total net sales for the five-week period ended Jan. 1, 2005.

By division, net sales were down 6.6 percent for Ann Taylor but soared 29.8 percent for Ann Taylor Loft.

Same-store sales decreased 1.5 percent for the period — down 7.4 percent for Ann Taylor and up 6.3 percent for Ann Taylor Loft. A year ago, Ann Taylor stores enjoyed a 28.8 percent same-store sales increase.

“Sales at the Ann Taylor division were better than we had anticipated given November’s weak performance, with most of the improvement coming in week five,” said chairman J. Patrick Spainhour. “We continued to be promotional throughout the month, as we stated we would be. Ann Taylor Loft’s performance was in line with our expectations, and as with the Ann Taylor division, week five was particularly strong. We were again pleased with the performance of Loft’s new categories, baby and sleepwear, and jewelry and accessories continued to deliver strong results. Regionally, Loft’s hot and warm stores performed well, particularly in the Southeast, and the Northeast continued to be challenging.

“We expect January comparable store sales to be low single-digit positive for both divisions,” Spainhour said.

During the month, the specialty apparel retailer opened one Ann Taylor Loft store. The total store count at month end was 740, comprised of 361 Ann Taylor stores, 343 Ann Taylor Loft stores and 36 Ann Taylor Factory stores.

Year-to-date, the company’s net sales are up 17.2 percent — down 11.7 percent for Ann Taylor and up 41.7 percent for Ann Taylor Loft. Same-store sales are up 4 percent — down 2.4 percent for Ann Taylor and up 13.6 percent for Ann Taylor Loft.