Chico's Fas (CHS) 8-K Chico’s FAS, Inc. Announces Second Quarter EPS of $0.08 Net of Non-Cash Charges of $0.02

Exhibit 99.1

For Immediate Release

Executive Contact:

Robert C. Atkinson
Vice President — Investor Relations
Chico’s FAS, Inc.
(239) 274-4199

Chico’s FAS, Inc. Announces Second Quarter EPS of $0.08
Net of Non-Cash Charges of $0.02

• Second quarter sales of $419.9 million with all brands reporting positive comparable store sales

• Quarter-end inventories decreased 10% per selling square foot

• Cash and marketable securities were $377.5 million at quarter-end

     Fort Myers, FL- August 25, 2009- Chico’s FAS, Inc. (NYSE: CHS) today announced its financial results for the 2009 second quarter ended August 1, 2009.

2009 Second Quarter and Six Months Financial Results

     For the second quarter ended August 1, 2009, the Company had net income of $14.9 million or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to net income of $6.7 million, or $0.04 per diluted share for the second quarter ended August 2, 2008.

     The second quarter 2009 results include non-cash impairment charges totaling approximately $3.1 million, net of tax, or nearly $0.02 per diluted share. These charges consist of $2.4 million, net of tax, related to the impaired portion of a note receivable and $0.7 million, net of tax, related to underperforming stores. Excluding these charges, the Company’s second quarter net income approximated $18.0 million, or $0.10 per diluted share compared to net income of $6.7 million, or $0.04 per diluted share for the like period last year.

     For the six months ended August 1, 2009, the Company had net income of $29.4 million or $0.17 per diluted share, compared to net income of $19.4 million, or $0.11 per diluted share in the first six months of the prior year. Excluding all impairment charges recorded in the first half of 2009, the Company had net income of $37.6 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, compared to net income of $19.4 million, or $0.11 per diluted share for the first six months of 2008.

Sales

     Net sales for the thirteen-week period ended August 1, 2009 increased from $405.2 million to $419.9 million. Consolidated comparable store sales increased 1.3% for the thirteen-week period ended August 1, 2009 compared to the 15.9% decrease for the like period last year ended August 2, 2008. The Chico’s/Soma brand’s same store sales increased approximately 0.4% and the White House | Black Market (WH|BM) brand’s same store sales increased approximately 3.7%. Direct-to-consumer sales, not included in comparable store sales, increased 46% over second quarter 2008.

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Gross Margin

     Gross margin for the second quarter of 2009 increased from $213.4 million to $231.0 million and increased 230 basis points, expressed as a percentage of net sales, to 55.0% from 52.7% in the prior year’s second quarter. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to lower markdowns in the Chico’s brand and to a lesser extent, higher initial markups for the WH|BM brand. However, the improvements in merchandise margins was partially offset by the continued investment in merchandise payroll including the support for planning and allocation initiatives.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

     Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for the second quarter of 2009 increased from $205.5 million in the prior period to $207.0 million in the current period. However, expressed as a percentage of net sales, SG&A in the current quarter decreased by approximately 140 basis points compared to the prior period primarily as the result of ongoing cost reduction strategies. The dollar savings from these implemented strategies were offset by the recognition of pre-tax impairment charges totaling $5.0 million. Excluding these charges, total SG&A expense would have decreased by $3.4 million, or 260 basis points, compared to the like period last year. The Company’s expense reduction strategies were further offset in part by an increase in performance-based compensation accruals resulting from the Company’s improved year-to-date results.

     Store operating expenses for the second quarter of 2009 decreased by $2.8 million, or 210 basis points, primarily as a result of on-going store level cost reduction strategies including payroll, supplies and shipping costs.

     Marketing expense for the second quarter 2009 decreased by $0.6 million due to reduced direct mail advertising in the current quarter versus the second quarter of 2008.

     Shared services costs, including headquarters and other non-brand specific expenses, for the second quarter of 2009 were flat compared to the prior year’s second quarter and includes the impact of the aforementioned performance-based compensation accruals.

Inventories

     Consolidated inventory per selling square foot at the end of the second quarter was $50, reflecting a decrease of approximately 10% compared to $56 at the end of the prior year’s second quarter. Quarter-ended inventory decreased $12.6 million or approximately 9% from the prior year’s second quarter, while including approximately $5.4 million of incremental inventory in-transit over the prior period. Quarter-ended inventory for the WH|BM brand decreased approximately 18% per selling square foot over the prior year’s second quarter while Chico’s brand inventory was down 5% and includes the impact of $5.0 million of incremental in-transit inventory.

Cash and Marketable Securities

     Cash and marketable securities at the end of the second quarter totaled $377.5 million, approximately $100 million higher than the prior year‘s second quarter end. Net cash provided from operating activities for the six months ended August 1, 2009 increased by $71.6 million compared to the prior year as a result of an increase in accounts payables and accrued expenses, lower inventory levels and higher cash flow from operations. Additionally, the Company expended $36.2 million in capital expenditures for the first six months in fiscal 2009 versus $69.5 million for the same period last year.

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Note Receivable

     During the second quarter of 2009, the Company determined that a note receivable which originated from a transaction in 2007 to sell a parcel of land was impaired. Accordingly, the Company recorded a non-cash, pre-tax impairment charge of approximately $3.8 million. As of August 1, 2009, the note has been classified with a balance of approximately $22.0 million, within other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company expects to reclaim ownership of the land during the third quarter of 2009.

ABOUT CHICO’S FAS, INC.
The Company is a women’s specialty retailer of private branded, sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates, complementary accessories, and other non-clothing gift items. The Company operates 1,068 specialty stores, including stores in 48 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

     The Chico’s brand currently operates 611 boutique and 40 outlet stores, publishes a catalog during key shopping periods throughout the year, and conducts e-commerce atwww.chicos.com.

     White House | Black Market currently operates 328 boutique and 16 outlet stores, publishes a catalog highlighting its latest fashions and conducts e-commerce atwww.whitehouseblackmarket.com.

     Soma Intimates is the Company’s developing concept with 72 boutique stores and 1 outlet store today. Soma Intimates also publishes a catalog for its customers and conducts e-commerce atwww.soma.com.

     SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 Certain statements contained herein, including without limitation, statements addressing the beliefs, plans, objectives, estimates or expectations of the Company or future results or events constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking statements involve known or unknown risks, including, but not limited to, general economic and business conditions, and conditions in the specialty retail industry. There can be no assurance that the actual future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur. Users of forward-looking statements are encouraged to review the Company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K, its filings on Form 10-Q, management’s discussion and analysis in the Company’s latest annual report to stockholders, the Company’s filings on Form 8-K, and other federal securities law filings for a description of other important factors that may affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that projected results expressed or implied in such statements will not be realized.

     For more detailed information on Chico’s FAS, Inc., please go to our corporate website,www.chicosfas.com.

(Financial Tables Follow)

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Chico’s FAS, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

	Twenty-Six Weeks Ended								Thirteen Weeks Ended
	August 1, 2009				August 2, 2008				August 1, 2009					August 2, 2008
	Amount		% of Sales		Amount		% of Sales		Amount			% of Sales		Amount		% of Sales
Net sales by Chico’s/Soma stores	$	552,417		66.5	$	562,974		69.1	$	279,911			66.7	$	277,279		68.4
Net sales by White House | Market stores		235,911		28.4		221,945		27.2		119,744			28.5		114,095		28.2
Net sales by direct-to-consumer		42,229		5.1		29,864		3.7		20,260			4.8		13,844		3.4
Net sales		830,557		100.0		814,783		100.0		419,915			100.0		405,218		100.0
Cost of goods sold		366,128		44.1		372,620		45.7		188,874			45.0		191,857		47.3
Gross margin		464,429		55.9		442,163		54.3		231,041			55.0		213,361		52.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses:
Store operating expenses		317,375		38.2		320,942		39.4		157,180			37.4		159,957		39.5
Marketing		34,002		4.1		39,630		4.9		16,168			3.9		16,786		4.1
Shared services		54,235		6.5		57,018		7.0		28,701			6.8		28,737		7.1
Impairment charges		13,026		1.6		—		—		4,968			1.2		—		—
Total selling, general, and administrative expenses		418,638		50.4		417,590		51.3		207,017			49.3		205,480		50.7
Income from operations		45,791		5.5		24,573		3.0		24,024			5.7		7,881		2.0
Interest income (expense), net		1,003		0.1		4,038		0.5		(19	)		0.0		1,799		0.4
Income before income taxes		46,794		5.6		28,611		3.5		24,005			5.7		9,680		2.4
Income tax provision		17,400		2.1		9,200		1.1		9,100			2.2		3,000		0.7
Net income	$	29,394		3.5	$	19,411		2.4	$	14,905			3.5	$	6,680		1.7
Per share data:
Net income per common share-basic	$	0.17			$	0.11			$	0.08				$	0.04
Net income per common & common equivalent share—diluted	$	0.17			$	0.11			$	0.08				$	0.04
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic		177,192				176,421				177,228					176,473
Weighted average common & common equivalent shares outstanding—diluted		178,021				176,578				178,566					176,616

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Chico’s FAS, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)

	August 1,			January 31,			August 2,
	2009			2009			2008
	(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	44,143		$	26,549		$	25,381
Marketable securities, at market		333,367			242,153			252,307
Receivables		6,110			33,993			38,293
Income tax receivable		1,156			11,706			—
Inventories		130,238			132,413			142,868
Prepaid expenses		26,088			21,702			23,004
Deferred taxes		15,555			17,859			15,276
Total Current Assets		556,657			486,375			497,129
Property and Equipment:
Land and land improvements		20,293			18,627			17,888
Building and building improvements		83,600			74,998			73,021
Equipment, furniture and fixtures		385,503			376,218			371,863
Leasehold improvements		416,003			418,691			421,771
Total Property and Equipment		905,399			888,534			884,543
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(367,151	)		(327,989	)		(298,495	)
Property and Equipment, Net		538,248			560,545			586,048
Other Assets:
Goodwill		96,774			96,774			96,774
Other intangible assets		38,930			38,930			38,930
Deferred taxes		38,261			38,458			25,601
Other assets, net		27,131			5,101			11,318
Total Other Assets		201,096			179,263			172,623
	$	1,296,001		$	1,226,183		$	1,255,800
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	82,827		$	56,542		$	65,811
Accrued liabilities		108,719			88,446			80,339
Current portion of deferred liabilities		2,002			1,748			1,606
Total Current Liabilities		193,548			146,736			147,756
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Deferred liabilities		169,958			177,251			170,799
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock		1,774			1,771			1,765
Additional paid-in capital		259,331			258,312			254,952
Retained earnings		671,372			641,978			680,526
Other accumulated comprehensive income		18			135			2
Total Stockholders’ Equity		932,495			902,196			937,245
	$	1,296,001		$	1,226,183		$	1,255,800

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Chico’s FAS, Inc.
Consolidated Cash Flow Statements
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

	Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
	August 1, 2009			August 2, 2008
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	29,394		$	19,411
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities —
Depreciation and amortization, cost of goods sold		3,271			5,465
Depreciation and amortization, other		45,359			45,750
Deferred tax expense (benefit)		2,501			(5,068	)
Stock-based compensation expense, cost of goods sold		1,435			1,807
Stock-based compensation expense, other		2,742			4,562
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation		(115	)		(100	)
Impairment charges		13,026			—
Deferred rent expense, net		1,133			4,123
Loss on disposal of property and equipment		711			181
Decrease (increase) in assets —
Receivables, net		2,048			(535	)
Income tax receivable		10,550			23,973
Inventories		2,175			1,393
Prepaid expenses and other		(4,416	)		(3,925	)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities —
Accounts payable		26,285			(22,323	)
Accrued and other deferred liabilities		8,263			(1,939	)
Total adjustments		114,968			53,364
Net cash provided by operating activities		144,362			72,775
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
(Purchases) sales of marketable securities, net		(91,331	)		8,165
Purchases of property and equipment		(36,235	)		(69,490	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(127,566	)		(61,325	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		773			163
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation		115			100
Repurchase of common stock		(90	)		(133	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		798			130
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		17,594			11,580
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,Beginning of period		26,549			13,801
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,End of period	$	44,143		$	25,381

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SEC Regulation G — The Company reports its consolidated financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, to supplement these consolidated financial results, management believes that certain non-GAAP operating results, which exclude impairment and certain other non-recurring charges, may provide a more meaningful measure on which to compare the Company’s results of operations between periods. The Company believes these non-GAAP results provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain expenses that impact the comparability of the results. A reconciliation of second quarter and the first six months of 2009 earnings per diluted share on a GAAP basis to earnings per share on a non-GAAP basis is presented in the table below:

Chico’s FAS, Inc.
Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation
Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS)

	26 weeks ended		13 weeks ended
	August 1, 2009		August 1, 2009
Diluted EPS on a GAAP basis (as reported)	$	0.17	$	0.08
Add: Impact of impairment charges		0.04		0.02
Non-GAAP Diluted EPS	$	0.21	$	0.10

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