USA: Guess ? Reports Sales Increase of 25.6 Per Cent

Guess ? Inc. (NYSE:GES) today reported total September retail sales of $29.3m for the four week period ended September 30, 2000, an increase of 25.6 per cent over sales of $23.3m for the comparable four week period ended September 25, 1999. During September, comparable store sales decreased 3.1 per cent, which was against a very strong 28.7 per cent comparable sales increase in September 1999. The company's full priced retail stores comparable sales decreased 3.1 per cent, while the factory outlet stores comparable store sales declined 2.9 per cent. Total retail sales for the third quarter ended September 30, 2000 increased 34.8 per cent to $103.4m compared to $77.6m for the third quarter of 1999. Comparable store sales increased 4.8 per cent for the third quarter of 2000 compared to a 21.3 per cent increase a year ago. Total retail sales for the first nine months of 2000 were $265.7m, an increase of 35.7 per cent over sales of $195.8m for the first nine months of 1999. Comparable store sales increased 10.9 per cent for the first nine months of 2000 compared to a 26.4 per cent increase in the same period a year ago.