Cato Reports August Same-Store Sales Up 2%

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Sep 02, 2010, 06:00 ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Cato Corporation (NYSE: CATO) today reported sales for the four weeks ended August 28, 2010 of $61.9 million, a 5% increase over sales of $59.0 million for the four week period ended August 29, 2009. Same-store sales increased 2% in August.

Sales for the thirty weeks ended August 28, 2010 were $553.5 million, a 6% increase over sales of $522.4 million for the thirty weeks ended August 29, 2009. The Company's year-to-date same-store sales increased 4%.

"August same-store sales were in line with our recent trend and continued to show good acceptance of our merchandise assortment by our customers," commented John Cato, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.

During the month of August, the Company opened five new stores and closed three stores. Two of the closings were It's Fashion stores closed to open It's Fashion Metro stores in the same market. New stores opened in Bainbridge and Fitzgerald, GA, Kenner, LA, Starkville, MS and Richmond, VA. As of August 28, 2010, the Company operated 1,277 stores in 31 states, compared to 1,289 stores in 31 states as of August 29, 2009.

The Cato Corporation is a leading specialty retailer of value-priced women's fashion apparel and accessories operating two divisions, "Cato" and "It's Fashion". The Company's Cato division offers exclusive merchandise with fashion and quality comparable to mall specialty stores at low prices every day. The It's Fashion division offers fashion with a focus on the latest trendy styles and nationally recognized urban brands for the entire family at low prices every day. Additional information on The Cato Corporation is available at www.catocorp.com.

Statements in this press release not historical in nature including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's expected or estimated financial results and any related assumptions are considered "forward-looking" within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic conditions; competitive factors and pricing pressures; the Company's ability to predict fashion trends; consumer apparel buying patterns; adverse weather conditions and inventory risks due to shifts in market demand and other factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K, as amended or supplemented, and in other reports the Company files with or furnishes to the SEC from time to time. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise the forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that the projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized. The Company is not responsible for any changes made to this press release by wire or Internet services.

SOURCE The Cato Corporation