USA : J.Crew Direct sales (Internet and Catalog) up in Q3

J.Crew Group Inc announced financial results for the three months (Third Quarter) and nine months (First Nine Months) ended November 3, 2007.

Third Quarter highlights:
• Revenues increased 21% to $332.7 million. Store sales (Retail and Factory) increased 16% to $233.6 million, with comparable store sales increasing 8%. Realigning last year's calendar weeks to be consistent with the current year retail calendar weeks would result in a comparable store sales increase of 5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Comparable store sales increased 19% in the third quarter of fiscal 2006. Direct sales (Internet and Catalog) rose by 36% to $90.3 million. Direct sales increased 18% in the third quarter of fiscal 2006.

• Operating income increased 44% to $47.7 million, or 14.3% of revenues, compared to $33.2 million, or 12.0% of revenues, in the third quarter of fiscal 2006.

• Net income available to common stockholders was $26.8 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, compared to $26.0 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The current year period reflects an effective tax rate of 39.8% as compared to an effective tax rate of 7.1% in the third quarter of fiscal 2006.

• Adjusted net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 totaled $17.2 million, or $0.27 per diluted share.

Millard Drexler, J.Crew's Chairman and CEO stated: "We are pleased with our third quarter results, which reflect the strength of both our Store and Direct businesses and our ongoing commitment to great style, quality and design.

Source at Fibre2fashion.com