The information in this Form 8-K and the Exhibit attached hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing. On January 5, 2006, bebe stores, inc. issued a press release announcing its December 2005 sales.
The press release relating to the December 2005 sales is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
Exhibit 99.1
Contact: Walter Parks
Chief Financial Officer
bebe stores, inc.
(415) 715-3900
bebe stores, inc. Announces December 2005 Sales;
Sales Increase 11.1%;
Same Store Sales Increase 1.1%
BRISBANE, CALIF. – January 5, 2006 – bebe stores, inc. (Nasdaq: BEBE) today reported retail sales of $84.2 million for the five-week period ended December 31, 2005, an increase of 11.1% compared to sales of $75.8 million for the five-week period ended January 1, 2005.
Same store sales for the five-week period ended December 31, 2005 increased 1.1% compared to an increase of 28.0% for December 2004.
Retail sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2006 were $169.7 million, up 11.5% from $152.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2005. Same store sales for the quarter increased 2.2% compared to 27.3% in the prior year.
Retail sales for the year-to-date period ending December 31, 2005 were $294.8 million compared to $254.5 million for the year-to-date period ending January 1, 2005, an increase of 15.8%. Same store sales for the year-to-date period ending December 31, 2005 increased 8.1% compared to an increase of 20.8% for the year-to-date period ending January 1, 2005.
As of December 31, 2005, finished goods inventory per square foot was approximately 11% higher as compared to the prior year.
bebe stores, inc. provides additional information on a recorded message. Interested parties are invited to listen to the message by calling 1-877-232-3757.
bebe stores, inc. will host a conference call on Thursday, January 26, 2006 at 1:30 P.M. Pacific Time to discuss second quarter results. Interested parties are invited to listen to the conference by calling (888) 241-2232 or visithttp://www.bebe.com/Company/calls.jsp to listen to our live audio webcast. A replay of the call will be available for approximately one week by calling (800) 642-1687 and using the passcode “4011695". A link to the audio replay will also be available on our web site atwww.bebe.com following the conference call.
bebe stores, inc. designs, develops and produces a distinctive line of contemporary women’s apparel and accessories, which it markets under the bebe, BEBE SPORT and bebe O brand names. bebe currently operates 228 stores, of which 173 are bebe stores, 20 are bebe outlet stores and 35 are BEBE SPORT stores. These stores are located in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. In addition, there is an online store at www.bebe.com.
The statements in this news release, other than the historical financial information, contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from anticipated results. Wherever used, the words “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and the company’s future results of operations could differ materially from historical results or current expectations. Some of these risks include, without limitation, miscalculation of the demand for our products, effective management of our growth, decline in comparable store sales performance, ongoing competitive pressures in the apparel industry, changes in the level of consumer spending or preferences in apparel, and/or other factors that may be described in the company’s annual report on Form 10-K and/or other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Future economic and industry trends that could potentially impact revenues and profitability are difficult to predict.
_________________