LYNNWOOD, Wash., Feb. 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zumiez Inc. (NASDAQ: ZUMZ), a leading specialty retailer of apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories for young men and women, today announced that total net sales for the four-week period ended February 2, 2019 decreased 18.3% to $53.9 million, compared to $66.0 million for the five-week period ended February 3, 2018. Our net sales growth rate in January is negatively impacted by the 53rd week included in the prior year January as well as the shift in the retail calendar.  The Company’s comparable sales increased 3.5% for the four-week period ended February 2, 2019 compared to the four-week period ended February 3, 2018. In the prior year, comparable sales increased 6.3% for the five-week period ended February 3, 2018. Fourth quarter 2018 comparable sales increased 3.9% for the thirteen week period ended February 2, 2019 compared to our previous estimate of approximately 3.0%.
Based primarily on stronger than expected sales for the quarter, the Company is increasing guidance and now expects earnings per share between $1.10 and $1.12. This compares to the previous updated guidance for earnings per share between $1.08 and $1.10. Zumiez plans to report February 2019 sales and fourth quarter 2018 results on March 14, 2019.
About Zumiez Inc.
Zumiez is a leading specialty retailer of apparel, footwear, accessories and hardgoods for young men and women who want to express their individuality through the fashion, music, art and culture of action sports, streetwear, and other unique lifestyles. As of February 2, 2019, we operated 707 stores, including 608 in the United States, 50 in Canada, 41 in Europe and 8 in Australia. We operate under the names Zumiez, Blue Tomato and Fast Times. Additionally, we operate ecommerce web sites at zumiez.com, blue-tomato.com and fasttimes.com.au.
