E-commerce remains key initiative at Guess

First-quarter sales at Guess fell in North America and Europe. Despite a net loss of $2.1 million, compared with net earnings of $9.9 million in the year-ago period, the company touted strong momentum in its e-commerce business, adding that it remains a key initiative as consumer demand continues shifting to that channel.



The company's retail stores and e-commerce sites in North America generated revenue of $228.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, a 4.2% decrease from $238.3 million a year ago. Same-store sales including e-commerce sites for the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 decreased 3.8% in U.S. dollars and 2.3% in constant currency compared to the same period a year ago.



The company’s e-commerce business, however, generated top-line growth of almost 50% in North America.



"First quarter earnings results were slightly better than our expectations,” said Paul Marciano, CEO. “We delivered revenues within the range of our guidance and managed our expenses tightly.”



The company directly operates 491 retail stores in the United States and Canada and 350 retail stores in Europe, Asia and Latin America. The company's licensees and distributors operate an additional 856 retail stores outside of the United States and Canada.