Pier 1 Imports, Inc. Reports First Quarter Financial Results

Pier 1 Imports, Inc. (NYSE:PIR) today reported financial results for the first quarter ended May 26, 2012.

First Quarter Financial Highlights

• Comparable store sales increased 7.2% versus last year’s increase of 10.2%; three-year cumulative comparable store sales increase of 31.7%
• Gross profit up 150 basis points to 41.6% of sales
• Operating income up 170 basis points to 7.6% of sales
• Earnings per share increased 33% to $0.16

Alex W. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We’re pleased with the strong sales and earnings performance we achieved this quarter, as well as the continued expansion of our operating margin. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of our merchandising strategies and in-store execution, as well as strong full-price selling. We are excited about the upcoming launch of our e-Commerce site and the opportunity for Pier 1 Imports to capture market share as we continue our evolution into an industry-leading, multi-channel retailer.”

“We remain committed to increasing shareholder value,” continued Smith. “During the quarter, we returned $53 million to our shareholders in the form of share repurchases and cash dividends. Given the underlying strength of our operating strategy and solid financial condition, we are confident that we can continue to drive strong results and deliver value to our shareholders over the long-term.”

First Quarter Results

For the first quarter ended May 26, 2012, the Company reported net income of $17.8 million, or $0.16 per share, compared to last year’s first quarter net income of $14.1 million, or $0.12 per share. Total sales for the first quarter were $361.1 million, a 7.9% increase from $334.6 million in the year-ago quarter. Comparable store sales increased 7.2% during the first quarter on top of last year’s 10.2% gain. Strong sales results for the period are primarily attributable to increases in store traffic and higher average ticket.

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