Liz Claiborne posts Q1 loss

New York City Liz Claiborne on Wednesday posted a net loss of $91.4 million for its first quarter ended April 4, compared with a net loss of $31.02 million a year earlier. Sales fell nearly 29% to $779.7 million.

Earlier this year the company said it would not provide a 2009 earnings outlook due to the economic uncertainty, but had outlined sales trends for its brands.

Liz Claiborne said it still expects same-store sales for its Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand and Kate Spade brands to decline 15% to 25% through the third quarter. It also expects same-store sales at its Mexx brand to drop in the high-single-digit range on that basis.

Overall same-store sales results would flatten in the fourth quarter as comparisons ease, the company said.