DSW provides outlooks for fiscal 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio DSW said the company estimates comparable store sales of approximately positive 6% to 8% for third quarter ending Oct. 31. The company experienced increased traffic and conversion since the end of second quarter, resulting in positive comparable store sales.

As a result of better-than-expected sales performance, margin improvement and operational expense leverage for the 10-week period ended Oct. 10, the company now estimates flat annual comparable store sales and annual diluted earnings per share of 70 cents to 80 cents for fiscal 2009. This is updated from the company's previous estimate of annual comparable store sales in the negative mid-single digits and annual diluted earnings per share of 37 cents to 45 cents for fiscal 2009.

Although its outlook for third quarter has improved, the company remains cautious in its expectations for fourth quarter as it expects the economic environment to remain challenging.