Franchise News

• Fourth quarter GAAP loss of $0.14 per share; Adjusted fourth quarter loss of $0.07 per share
• Net cash provided by operating activities of $158 million; Generated $104 million free cash flow in fiscal 2018
• Karen McKibbin appointed new Chico's Brand President
• Retail fleet optimization plan and operating review on track

Chico's FAS, Inc. (NYSE: CHS) (the "Company") today announced its financial results for the fiscal 2018 fourth quarter and fiscal year ended February 2, 2019.

For the thirteen weeks ended February 2, 2019 ("the fourth quarter"), the Company reported a net loss of $16.6 million, or $0.14 diluted loss per share, compared to net income of $28.0 million, or $0.22 diluted earnings per share, for the fourteen weeks ended February 3, 2018 ("last year's fourth quarter"). The Company reported a fourth quarter adjusted net loss of $8.6 million, or $0.07 diluted loss per share, compared to adjusted net income of $14.5 million, or $0.11 diluted earnings per share, as presented in the related accompanying GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation.

For the fifty-two weeks ended February 2, 2019 ("fiscal 2018"), the Company reported net income of $35.6 million, or $0.28 diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $101.0 million, or $0.79 diluted earnings per share, for the fifty-three weeks ended February 3, 2018 ("fiscal 2017"). The Company reported fiscal 2018 adjusted net income of $38.8 million, or $0.31 diluted earnings per share, compared to adjusted net income of $92.7 million, or $0.72 diluted earnings per share, as presented in the related accompanying GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation.

Shelley Broader, CEO and President of the Company, said, "We achieved sequential improvement in comparable sales in all three brands in the fourth quarter, and with work continuing across the Company, we believe we are better positioned heading into the new fiscal year. We are focused on driving sales, efficiencies and agility throughout the organization as we leverage our robust omnichannel capabilities. At our namesake Chico's brand, improvement actions are taking hold, and we expect that Karen, our new Chico's Brand President, will further advance these efforts. I am confident that all the actions underway will enable the Company to compete, succeed and drive value creation."

Update on Chico's Brand Performance Improvement Plan

• Recent adjustments made to planning and allocation strategies for certain basics and top key items improved in-stock availability for these items, which in combination with repositioned marketing and promotions, helped drive the sequential improvement in comparable sales.
• The Company announced separately today, that Karen McKibbin has been appointed as the new Chico's Brand President, effective April 1, 2019. Ms. McKibbin brings substantial merchandising, operations and retail experience that we believe will successfully advance the improvement efforts underway.
• As previously announced, the Company has adjusted the spring and summer assortments at Chico's to appropriately balance merchandise architecture, reduce planned receipts and chase more merchandise that is performing well.
• Strategies to further improve product aesthetic and architecture are also well underway for fall deliveries.

Update on Retail Fleet Optimization Plan

• As previously announced, the Company intends to close at least 250 stores in the U.S. over the next three years as part of its efforts to better capitalize on its omnichannel platform, reduce costs, improve profitability and return on invested capital.
• Under this plan, the Company expects to close approximately 100 Chico's, 90 White House Black Market and 60 Soma locations over the next three years, with the majority of the closings occurring in years two and three.
• In fiscal 2019, the closures are expected to be approximately 60 to 80 stores. The closings will be across all brands and weighted to the second half of the fiscal year. The closings are expected to have minimal impact on sales and earnings in fiscal 2019.
• In the fourth quarter, the Company recorded pre-tax impairment and accelerated depreciation charges within cost of goods sold of $9.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively, related to the retail fleet optimization plan. On an after-tax basis, the fourth quarter impact of these charges was $8.1 million, or $0.07 per diluted share.

Review of Company Operations

• In January 2019, the Company initiated a review of its operations to identify opportunities to enhance its capabilities and reduce costs. The Company has engaged outside consultants to assist with the review.
• As part of the review, the Company has identified opportunities for process improvement efficiencies and meaningful annualized cost savings in its Sourcing and Supply Chain. These efficiencies build upon the Company's previous supply chain initiatives implemented in fiscal 2016.
• The Company's review is ongoing, and other areas under evaluation include Marketing, Shared Services and all customer touch points.

Other Fourth Quarter Business Highlights

• Soma reported positive comparable sales of 6.2%. This better-than-expected performance was primarily driven by solution bras. In January, the brand successfully launched SOMAINNOFIT™, which uses a revolutionary way to help women find their best bra fit through a mobile app.
• White House Black Market comparable sales improved sequentially, compared to the third quarter. The brand continued to make progress in refining its polished workwear and polished casual merchandise assortments to better meet its customers' expectations.
• The Company remains on track to rollout Style Connect™, an enhanced platform that provides digitized clienteling tools, to all stores in the first quarter of 2019. The rollout has already begun in eight U.S. markets, and includes training and placement of virtual stylists.

Net Sales

For the fourth quarter, net sales were $524.7 million compared to $587.8 million in last year's fourth quarter. This decrease of 10.7% reflects the $29 million benefit of the 53^rd week in last year's fourth quarter, a comparable sales decline of 3.8% and a decrease in selling square footage in fiscal 2018. The comparable sales decline was driven by a decrease in transaction count and lower average dollar sale.

For fiscal 2018, net sales were $2.1 billion compared to $2.3 billion in fiscal 2017. This decrease of 6.6% reflects a comparable sales decline of 4.9%, the $29 million benefit of the 53^rd week in fiscal 2017 and a decrease in selling square footage in fiscal 2018. The comparable sales decline was driven by a decrease in transaction count and lower average dollar sale.

Comparable Sales

Gross Margin

For the fourth quarter, gross margin was $158.7 million, or 30.2% of net sales, compared to $221.6 million, or 37.7% of net sales, for last year's fourth quarter. The decline in gross margin primarily reflects a 550-basis point decrease related to the clearing of Chico's brand seasonable merchandise, the continued expansion of our omnichannel programs and deleverage of occupancy costs as well as a 200-basis point charge due to our retail fleet optimization plan.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

For the fourth quarter, selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were $180.8 million, or 34.4% of net sales, compared to $192.0 million, or 32.7% of net sales, for last year's fourth quarter. This decrease of $11.2 million primarily reflects approximately $10.0 million related to the 53^rd week in last year's fourth quarter and a decrease in incentive compensation, partially offset by investments in technology and costs related to outside consultants.

Income Tax

For the fourth quarter, the effective tax rate was 24.5% compared to 4.4% for last year's fourth quarter. Included in last year's fourth quarter was an approximate $10.0 million benefit resulting from the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "Tax Act"). Excluding this impact, the effective tax rate in last year's fourth quarter was 37.7%.

The fiscal 2018 effective tax rate was 17.8% compared to fiscal 2017 effective tax rate of 29.7%. This reduction was primarily due to the impact of the Tax Act and transitional tax reform benefits related to fiscal 2017 recorded in the current year, partially offset by a 330-basis point increase in tax expense related to the accounting for employee share-based awards. Excluding the transitional tax reform benefits related to fiscal 2017, the fiscal 2018 effective tax rate was 29.1%.

Cash, Marketable Securities and Debt

At the end of the fourth quarter, cash and marketable securities totaled $186.1 million, a decrease of $34.0 million compared to last year's fourth quarter, while debt totaled $57.5 million, a decrease of $11.1 million from last year's fourth quarter. This $34.0 million decrease in cash and marketable securities includes $124.3 million in return of cash to shareholders through dividends and our share repurchase program.

Inventories

At the end of fiscal 2018, inventories totaled $235.2 million compared to $233.7 million at the end of fiscal 2017. This $1.5 million, or 0.6% increase, primarily reflects accelerated in-transits due to the timing of the Chinese New Year, partially offset by a 7% decrease in on-hand inventory compared to the end of fiscal 2017.

Share Repurchase Program

During the fourth quarter of 2018, under its $300.0 million share repurchase program announced in November 2015, the Company repurchased 8.6 million shares for $50.2 million, at a weighted average of $5.81 per share. The Company has $55.2 million remaining under the program. During fiscal 2018, the Company repurchased a total of 12.2 million shares for $81.1 million, at a weighted average of $6.65 per share.

Fiscal 2019 First Quarter and Full-Year Outlook

The Company is providing its outlook for fiscal 2019 as it continues to execute the Chico's brand performance improvement plan, optimize its retail fleet and implement initiatives to improve its operating effectiveness. This outlook excludes expected net charges related to the retail fleet optimization plan.

For the fiscal 2019 first quarter, the Company anticipates a mid to high-single-digit decline in total net sales and consolidated comparable sales compared to the fiscal 2018 first quarter, reflecting softer sales throughout the month of February.

For the fiscal 2019 first quarter, the Company expects gross margin as a percent of net sales to decline approximately 300 to 400 basis points compared to the fiscal 2018 first quarter, due primarily to incremental costs associated with its omnichannel programs and deleverage of fixed costs from lower sales.

Fiscal 2019 first quarter SG&A is expected to be approximately flat compared to the fiscal 2018 first quarter, reflecting savings in the Chico's brand, offset by investments in Soma marketing.

For full year fiscal 2019, the Company anticipates a low-single-digit decline in total net sales and consolidated comparable sales compared to fiscal 2018.

For full year fiscal 2019, the Company expects gross margin as a percent of net sales to be approximately flat to down 50 basis points compared to fiscal 2018, due to incremental costs associated with its omnichannel programs. The Company also anticipates SG&A to be approximately flat compared to fiscal 2018, reflecting investments in Soma marketing, offset by continued cost management.

The Company expects fiscal 2019 capital expenditures to be approximately $55 million, primarily driven by technology enhancements and focused store reinvestments. The Company estimates a fiscal 2019 tax rate in the range of 30% to 33% primarily as a result of an increase in tax expense related to the accounting for employee share-based awards.

ABOUT CHICO'S FAS, INC.           

The Company, through its brands – Chico's, White House Black Market and Soma is a leading omnichannel specialty retailer of women's private branded, sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates and complementary accessories.

As of February 2, 2019, the Company operated 1,418 stores in the U.S. and Canada and sold merchandise through 83 international franchise locations in Mexico. The Company's merchandise is also available at www.chicos.com, www.chicosofftherack.com, www.whbm.com and www.soma.com as well as through third party channels. For more detailed information on the Company, please go to our corporate website at www.chicosfas.com. The information on our corporate website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this press release or incorporated into our federal securities law filings.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This press release contains "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which reflect our current views with respect to certain events that could have an effect on our future financial performance. These statements, including without limitation statements made in Ms. Broader's quotes and in the section entitled "Fiscal 2019 First Quarter and Full-Year Outlook," relate to expectations concerning matters that are not historical fact and may include the words or phrases such as "will," "should," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "estimates," "approximately," "our planning assumptions," "future outlook," and similar expressions. Except for historical information, matters discussed in such statements are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based largely on information currently available to our management and on our current expectations, assumptions, plans, estimates, judgments and projections about our business and our industry, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those currently anticipated. Although we believe our expectations are based on reasonable estimates and assumptions, we cannot guarantee their accuracy or our future performance, and there are a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies, and other factors (many of which are outside our control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, there is no assurance that our expectations will, in fact, occur or that our estimates or assumptions will be correct, and we caution investors and all others not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, changes in the general economic and business environment; changes in the general or specialty retail or apparel industries; the availability of quality store sites; the ability to successfully execute and achieve the expected results of our business strategies and particular strategic initiatives (including, but not limited to, the Company's retail fleet optimization plan, Chico's brand improvement plan and expanded review of the Company's operations); sales initiatives and multi-channel strategies; customer traffic; our ability to appropriately manage our inventory and allocation processes; our ability to leverage inventory management and targeted promotions; the successful leadership transition for the Chico's brand and successful integration of the new members of our senior management team; changes in the political environment that create consumer uncertainty; significant changes to product import and distribution costs (such as unexpected consolidation in the freight carrier industry, and the ability to remain competitive with customer shipping terms and costs pertaining to product deliveries and returns); new or increased taxes or tariffs (particularly with respect to China) that could impact, among other things, our sourcing from foreign suppliers; significant shifts in consumer behavior; and those other factors described in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and in the "Forward-Looking Statements" disclosure in Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of our latest annual report on Form 10-K and in Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and the "Forward-Looking Statements" disclosure in Part I, Item 2. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation" of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in other reports we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission. There can be no assurance that the actual future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur. All forward-looking statements that are made or attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. 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.

(Financial Tables Follow)

Chico's FAS, Inc. • 11215 Metro Parkway • Fort Myers, Florida 33966 • (239) 277-6200