The TJX Companies April Comparable Store Sales up 6%; Raises First Quarter and Full Year EPS Guidance

The TJX Companies, Inc. TJX today reported April 2012 sales results. Sales for the four-week period ended April 28, 2012, were $1.8 billion, up 7% over the $1.7 billion achieved during the four-week period ended April 30, 2011. For the 13-week period ended April 28, 2012, sales reached $5.8 billion, an 11% increase over the $5.2 billion achieved in the same period last year. Consolidated comparable store sales for the four-week period ended April 28, 2012 increased 6% over a 5% increase last year. For the 13-week, year-to-date period, consolidated comparable store sales increased 8%. Carol Meyrowitz, Chief Executive Officer of The TJX Companies, Inc., stated, “We are very pleased that our strong trends continued in April. Both our consolidated comparable store sales increase for the month of 6% and our first quarter increase of 8% were well ahead of our expectations. It's great to see our strength be so broad-based, as our U.S., Canadian and European businesses continue to outperform. Comp sales were once again driven by significant increases in customer traffic, which indicates that our values and offerings of current fashions and great brands are attracting and resonating with consumers. With above-plan sales in April and strong flow-through to the bottom line, we now expect first quarter earnings per share to be approximately $.54 and full year fiscal 2013 EPS to be in the range of $2.26-$2.36, both of which are above our recently raised guidance and up substantially over last year. We remain extremely well positioned to take advantage of buying opportunities in the marketplace and offer consumers ever-changing, compelling selections at excellent values.”