Dress Barn reports Q4 results

SUFFERN, N.Y. Dress Barn, Inc. reported sales and earnings results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended July 25.

Net sales for the fiscal fourth quarterincreased 4% to $398.9 million from $382.3 million for the fiscal fourth quarter 2008. Comparable store sales for the quarter increased 1%.

By division, net sales for the chain increased 6% to $253.7 million, compared with $238.5 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, driven primarily by a comparable store sales increase of 4% for the quarter.

Meanwhile, year-to-date net sales for the fiscal year ended July 25, 2009 increased 3% to $1.494 billion from $1.444 billion for the fiscal year ended July 26, 2008. Comparable store sales for the year were flat.

David R. Jaffe, president and CEO said, “We are pleased with our performance in a challenging environment due largely to effective merchandising that has communicated an appealing combination of fashion and value to consumers. At the same time, we have continued to carefully control costs and inventory levels and remain focused on generating cash.”