Cato Reports October Same-Store Sales Up 2%

Raises 3Q EPS Guidance

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Nov 06, 2014, 07:00 ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cato Corporation (NYSE: CATO) today reported sales for the four weeks ended November 1, 2014 of $70.5 million, a 6% increase over sales of $66.7 million for the four week period ended November 2, 2013. Same-store sales for the month increased 2%.

Sales for the third quarter ended November 1, 2014 were $213.8 million, an 8% increase over sales of $198.8 million for the third quarter ended November 2, 2013. Same-store sales for the third quarter increased 4%.

Sales for the thirty-nine weeks ended November 1, 2014 were $740.0, an increase of 6% from sales of $695.3 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended November 2, 2013. The Company's year-to-date same-store sales increased 3%.

"October same-store sales were slightly below our current trend. We remain cautious in regard to the remainder of the year. We now estimate that third quarter earnings per diluted share will be in the range of $.15 to $.17 versus $.17 last year," commented John Cato, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.

The Company will release third quarter financial results on Thursday, November 20, 2014.

During the month of October, the Company opened seven stores. New stores opened in Cedar Rapids, IA, Garden City, KS, Alexandria, LA, Apex, NC, Uniontown, PA, Charlottesville, VA and Roanoke, VA.

Year-to-date, the Company has opened 16 new stores, relocated four stores, and closed eight stores. As of November 1, 2014, the Company operated 1,318 stores in 32 states, compared to 1,306 stores in 31 states as of November 2, 2013.

The Cato Corporation is a leading specialty retailer of value-priced fashion apparel and accessories operating three concepts, "Cato", "Versona" and "It's Fashion". The Company's Cato stores offer exclusive merchandise with fashion and quality comparable to mall specialty stores at low prices every day. The Company also offers exclusive merchandise found in its Cato stores at www.catofashions.com. Versona is a unique fashion destination offering accessories and apparel including jewelry, handbags and shoes at exceptional prices every day. It's Fashion offers fashion with a focus on the latest trendy styles 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 for the third quarter 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.

8100 Denmark Road
P.O. Box 34216
Charlotte, NC 28234
(704) 554-8510

SOURCE The Cato Corporation