Dress Barn, Inc. (NASDAQ – DBRN) today reported its second quarter sales results.

Net sales for the thirteen-week fiscal quarter ended January 23, 2010 increased 73.1% to $594.1 million, compared to $343.2 million reported for the thirteen weeks ended January 24, 2009. The increase is primarily due to the inclusion of Justice sales since the merger on November 25, 2009 and increased comparable store sales at dressbarn and maurices. Consolidated comparable store sales increased 10% and 8% for the fiscal quarter and six months ended January 23, 2010, respectively.

Comparable store sales by division for the quarterly and six month periods ended January 23, 2010 were as follows:

* Justice comparable store sales are included since the merger on November 25, 2009.

David R. Jaffe, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “We were very pleased with the stronger than expected sales performance at each of our divisions during the quarter. Our commitment of offering fashion apparel at value prices continues to resonate with our customers. We are also pleased with our recent successful redemption of all outstanding 2.50% Convertible Senior Notes. This has further strengthened our balance sheet by eliminating $112.5 million of debt and reduced our interest expense. We continue to be committed to a comprehensive strategy of improving our business and flowing value to our shareholders.”

ABOUT DRESS BARN, INC.

Dress Barn, Inc. (NASDAQ – DBRN), is a leading national specialty apparel retailer offering quality casual and career women’s fashion apparel at value prices through its dressbarn and maurices brands and tween girls’ fashion apparel through its Justice brand. As of January 23, 2010, the Company operated 837 dressbarn stores in 47 states, 739 maurices stores in 44 states and 906 Justice stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico.

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Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE:M) today reported total sales of $1.255 billion for the four weeks ended Jan. 30, 2010, an increase of 3.4 percent compared with total sales of $1.213 billion in the four weeks ended Jan. 31, 2009. On a same-store basis, Macy’s, Inc. sales were also up 3.4 percent in January.

“Now that we have implemented fundamental changes to Macy’s operating and organization structure in 2009, we are moving into 2010 firmly focused on the execution of our strategies.”

For the 13-week fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, Macy’s, Inc.’s sales totaled $7.851 billion, down 1.0 percent from total sales of $7.934 billion for the final 13 weeks of 2008. On a same-store basis, the company’s fourth quarter sales were down 0.8 percent. This is better than the company’s guidance for fourth quarter sales to be down between 1 percent and 2 percent.

Online sales (macys.com and bloomingdales.com combined) were up 23.9 percent in January, 26.6 percent in the fourth quarter and 19.6 percent for fiscal 2009. Online sales positively affected the company’s same-store sales by 0.7 percentage points in the fourth quarter and 0.6 percentage points in fiscal 2009 as a whole. Online sales are included in the same-store sales calculation for Macy’s, Inc.

This is only a portion of their news report.  Visit the Macy’s Article section for the full report.

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Increases quarterly dividend 25% to $0.10 per share

Men’s Wearhouse (NYSE: MW) announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share on the Company’s common stock, payable on March 26, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 16, 2010.

Neill Davis, executive vice president and chief financial officer, stated, “A regular review of our dividend is an essential component of our company’s capital allocation strategy, and we are pleased to announce that we are raising our quarterly dividend to $0.10 per share. This 25% increase reflects our continued significant cash generation capabilities and our ongoing commitment to enhancing total returns for our shareholders.”

Founded in 1973, Men’s Wearhouse is one of North America’s largest specialty retailers of men’s apparel with 1,271 stores. The Men’s Wearhouse, Moores and K&G stores carry a full selection of designer, brand name and private label suits, sport coats, furnishings and accessories and Men’s Wearhouse and Tux stores carry a limited selection. Tuxedo rentals are available in the Men’s Wearhouse, Moores and Men’s Wearhouse and Tux stores.

For additional information on Men’s Wearhouse, please visit the company’s website at http://www.menswearhouse.com 

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Culp, Inc. yesterday announced that it is pursuing monetary damages and injunctive relief against Gum Tree Fabrics for willful infringement of Culp’s copyrighted fabric design known as “Palomino.” Culp has asked the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina to stop Gum Tree Fabrics – and all those acting in concert or participation with Gum Tree Fabrics– from offering, distributing and selling the infringing fabric called “Ringo.” Culp has further requested that the court award Culp damages and a disgorgement of profits wrongly reaped by Gum Tree Fabrics through its unlawful activities.

Culp is the owner of many copyrighted designs, including its Palomino design, which was awarded a copyright registration certificate from the U.S. Copyright Office. The Palomino design has been assigned Copyright Registration No. VA 1-429-919, effective June 15, 2006. Culp’s copyright is valid and enforceable, as evidenced by the thorough examination conducted by the U.S. Copyright Office prior to granting Culp’s registration. Culp has devoted substantial time and money to create innovative and unique fabric designs for its customers. Culp’s highly successful Palomino design is one such design among many others offered by Culp.

Gum Tree Fabrics issued a press release on January 26, 2010, regarding this matter, but it does not answer the questions that have been raised about Gum Tree Fabrics’ conduct. Culp has attempted to resolve this matter by communicating with Gum Tree Fabrics to provide fabric samples, explain the legal issues involved, and work out a settlement. To date these efforts have not been fruitful. The comments from Gum Tree Fabrics in its press release about fabric specimens and the alleged “look” of other fabrics in question are not suitable defenses to Culp’s copyright claim. Culp has provided Gum Tree Fabrics a full demonstration of the copyright protection enjoyed by its Palomino design, and Culp stands ready to discuss the matter further if needed. Culp is prepared to resolve this matter out of court. In the end, however, Culp intends to fully protect its legal rights, as any business would do. That is the reason the pending lawsuit has been filed, and Culp will vigorously pursue its rights by whatever legal means are necessary.

Culp, Inc. is one of the world’s largest marketers of mattress fabrics for bedding and upholstery fabrics for furniture. The company’s fabrics are used principally in the production of bedding products and residential and commercial upholstered furniture.

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Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: XRM), a leading global manufacturer of industrial textiles and rolls used primarily in the paper production process, yesterday announced that it has secured from certain of its lenders an extension of its existing temporary loan covenant waivers until March 1, 2010. The lenders have extended the existing loan covenant waivers in order to facilitate continued negotiations for a comprehensive recapitalization of the Company.

Pursuant to the extension, certain lenders have agreed to extend the previous waivers of any defaults resulting from the Company’s failure to comply with certain financial covenants under its credit agreement for the quarters ended September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009, and to waive any defaults under agreements creating the Company’s existing hedging obligations and to extend the forbearance thereof.

“We appreciate the support and commitment of our lenders as we work within the prescribed framework to finalize an agreement,” commented Stephen R. Light, Xerium’s Chairman, CEO and President. “We are eager to put this debt restructuring behind us as we continue to move forward as a more competitive and operationally efficient organization.”

“We continue to caution you that there can be no assurance that we will complete these negotiations in the time frame specified and no assurance that the required one hundred percent of lenders will vote in favor of any transaction substantially consistent with the framework in order to implement the recapitalization without court assistance.”

About Xerium Technologies

Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: XRM) is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of two types of consumable products used primarily in the production of paper: clothing and roll covers. The Company, which operates around the world under a variety of brand names, utilizes a broad portfolio of patented and proprietary technologies to provide customers with tailored solutions and products integral to production, all designed to optimize performance and reduce operational costs. With 32 manufacturing facilities in 13 countries around the world, Xerium has approximately 3,300 employees.

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The Wet Seal, Inc. (Nasdaq: WTSLA), a leading specialty retailer to young women, reported net sales and comparable store sales for the four-week period ended January 30, 2010, or fiscal January, and the fiscal fourth quarter ended January 30, 2010, as follows:

Fiscal January

Fiscal Fourth Quarter

Ed Thomas, chief executive officer of The Wet Seal, Inc., commented: “Fourth quarter comparable store sales were in line with our expectations.

“We also ended the year with solid inventory levels in both divisions, as planned, which should provide opportunity for improved comparable store sales performance as we begin fiscal 2010. At Wet Seal, we estimate inventory per square foot increased 6% over the prior year, driven by a much stronger basic denim bottoms position. At Arden B, we estimate inventory per square foot increased 54% over the prior year, a much needed increase after several years of major declines, which should help us build upon our recent positive sales trends. As a result, we estimate inventory per square foot, on a consolidated basis, increased 12% over the prior year.”

Mr. Thomas continued, “We currently estimate fourth quarter earnings will be in the range of $0.08 to $0.09 per diluted share, an improvement from the prior guidance range of $0.06 to $0.07 per diluted share. We generated better than expected merchandise margins at both divisions through careful inventory and promotions management, and maintained strong discipline over costs throughout the quarter, which led to our improved expectations.

“Of further note, we currently expect to reverse our deferred income tax asset valuation allowance as of fiscal year-end, which would generate a non-cash benefit to our provision for income taxes that we estimate to be in excess of $60 million. Our guidance does not include any estimate for this benefit.

“We also remain pleased with our continued balance sheet strength, with nearly $162 million of cash and only $3.5 million of long-term debt as of fiscal year-end.”

During the fourth quarter, investors exercised warrants for 2,727,948 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, generating proceeds to the Company of approximately $7.3 million. As of January 30, 2010, warrants exercisable into 6,092,116 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock remain outstanding. The remaining warrants are exercisable at a price of $3.68 per share and expire in November 2010. Exercise of these remaining warrants would result in proceeds to the Company of $22.4 million.

During the fourth quarter, the Company repurchased 2,025,720 shares of its Class A common stock at a total cost, including commissions, of approximately $7.3 million. As of January 30, 2010, the Company has $5.2 million of capacity remaining under a share repurchase program approved by its Board of Directors in November 2009.

About Wet Seal

Headquartered in Foothill Ranch, California, The Wet Seal, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of fashionable and contemporary apparel and accessory items. As of January 30, 2010, the Company operated a total of 504 stores in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, including 424 Wet Seal stores and 80 Arden B stores. The Company’s products can also be purchased online at www.wetseal.com or www.ardenb.com.

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K•Swiss Inc. (NASDAQ:KSWS) today announced details for the release of its results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009.

K•Swiss plans to issue its fourth quarter earnings release before the market opens on February 18, 2010, and will host a conference call at 11:00 a.m. ET on the same day. The number to call for this interactive teleconference is (212) 231-2902. A replay of the conference call will be available through February 25, 2010, by dialing (402) 977-9140 and entering 21450547 when prompted for the access code.

The live broadcast of K•Swiss’ quarterly conference call will be available online at www.streetevents.com and www.earnings.com on February 18, 2010, beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and continue through February 25, 2010.

K•Swiss Inc. designs, develops and markets an array of athletic footwear for high performance sports use, fitness activities and casual wear under the K•Swiss and Palladium brands.

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Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) announced that at its meeting today, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a 48 cents per share annual dividend, an increase over last year’s annual dividend of 47 cents per share. The dividend is payable on March 10, 2010, to shareholders of record as of February 10, 2010.

Robert J. Kohlhepp, Chairman of the Board of Cintas said, “We are pleased to announce an increase in this year’s annual dividend for our shareholders. We continue to generate strong cash flows from our business despite the sluggish economy. Our reliable cash flow, in conjunction with our solid balance sheet, has allowed us to increase our annual dividend to shareholders each year since going public in 1983.”

About Cintas

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types predominantly in the United States and Canada. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, promotional products, first aid and safety products, fire protection services and document management services for approximately 800,000 businesses. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS, and is a Nasdaq-100 company and component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.

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Fishman & Tobin, Inc. is recognized as a leader in boys’ dress and sportswear in all channels of distribution. For over 90 years, the family-run business has been known as a supplier of excellence for its quality, service and innovation in the marketplace. Fishman & Tobin’s reputation for providing great value in children’s wear has enabled it to grow to be the number one company in boys’ dress wear and school uniforms.

Oscar Feldenkreis, President and Chief Operating Officer of Perry Ellis International, said: “This is a great opportunity to extend the Perry Ellis brand to another complementary category with a licensee that clearly interprets the essence of the Perry Ellis lifestyle. We look forward to a great partnership with such an industry leader as Fishman & Tobin. “

New boys’ and girls’ products will be available throughout the United States and Canada in several channels of retail distribution. Initial shipments will arrive for the Fall 2010 season.

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