USA: TJX Reports 8 Per Cent Rise In Sales For July

The TJX Companies, Inc (NYSE:TJX) today reported that sales for the four week period ended July 29, 2000 were $633m, up 8 per cent over $586m achieved during the four week period ended July 31, 1999. For the 26 weeks ended July 29, 2000, sales reached $4,366m, an increase of 8 per cent over last year's $4,033m. Consolidated comparable store sales for the four week period ended July 29, 2000 were up 1 per cent over last year. For the 26 week year-to-date period, consolidated comparable store sales increased 2 per cent over last year. Edmond English, President and CEO of The TJX Companies, Inc said: "Although July sales came in slightly below our objectives, we are pleased that our margins in the second quarter remain in excellent shape. Further, our inventories remain very liquid, positioning us well for the important back-to-school selling season."The TJX Companies, Inc is a leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the US and worldwide. The company operates 639 T.J. Maxx, 519 Marshalls, 60 HomeGoods and 19 A.J. Wright stores in the United States. In Canada, the company operates 106 Winners, and in Europe, 64 T.K. Maxx stores. Corporate information about TJX is available on the Internet at