Total Company net sales for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2010 are expected to be $515 million, compared to its previous outlook for fourth quarter sales to approach $500 million.

Comparable sales for the fourth quarter of 2010 increased approximately 11%, as compared to the Company’s prior outlook for a comparable sales increase in the mid- to high-single-digit range. By brand, comparable sales at the Ann Taylor brand increased approximately 21%, and at the LOFT brand comparable sales increased approximately 4%.

Gross margin rate is expected to be approximately 51%, reflecting solid gross margin results at Ann Taylor, offset by a higher level of promotional activity at LOFT during the quarter.

Selling, general and administrative expenses are expected to be in line with the Company’s earlier projection of approximately $250 million for the quarter.

An estimated fourth quarter effective tax rate of approximately 25%.

During the fiscal fourth quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 3 million shares at a total cost of approximately $80 million, resulting in an expected total weighted average diluted share count of approximately 57 million for the fourth quarter.

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the Company’s ability to accurately predict client fashion preferences and trends and provide merchandise that satisfies client demands in a timely manner;

increases in the costs of raw materials and freight and the Company’s reliance on independent foreign sources of production, including financial or political instability, supplier inability to obtain adequate access to liquidity to finance their operations, the decision by suppliers to curtail or cease operations, the imposition of duties or other possible trade law or import restrictions, including legislation relating to import quotas;

the Company’s ability to optimize its store portfolio and effectively manage the profitability of its existing stores;

the Company’s ability to hire, retain and train key personnel;

the Company’s ability to successfully upgrade and maintain its information systems, including adequate system security controls;

the inability of the Company, particularly through its sourcing and logistics functions, to operate within production and delivery constraints;

effectiveness of the Company’s brand awareness and marketing programs, and its ability to maintain the value of its brands;

the performance and operations of the Company’s websites;

the Company’s ability to continue operations in accordance with its business continuity plan in the event of an interruption;

competitive influences and decline in the demand for merchandise offered by the Company, and the Company’s ability to manage inventory levels and merchandise mix;

general economic conditions and the recent financial crisis, including the resultant downturn in the retail industry, and their effects on the Company’s liquidity and capital resources;

continuation of lowered levels of consumer spending and consumer confidence, changes in levels of store traffic and higher levels of unemployment resulting from the worldwide economic downturn;

the Company’s ability to successfully execute brand extensions;

continued volatility or deterioration of the financial markets, including further tightening of the credit environment, fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates or restrictions on the transfer of funds;

failure by independent manufacturers to comply with the Company’s quality, product safety and social compliance program requirements;

the Company’s ability to secure and protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights;

a significant change in the regulatory environment applicable to the Company’s business and the Company’s ability to comply with legal and regulatory requirements;

the Company’s dependence on its Louisville distribution facility and third-party transportation companies;

fluctuation in the Company’s level of sales and earnings growth and stock price;

acts of war or terrorism in the United States or worldwide;

the potential impact of natural disasters and public health concerns, including severe infectious diseases, particularly on the Company’s foreign sourcing offices and manufacturing operations of the Company’s vendors;

work stoppages, slowdowns or strikes;

the Company’s ability to maintain the results of its restructuring program, including changes in management’s assumptions and projections concerning costs and timing;

the Company’s ability to realize deferred tax assets; and

the effect of external economic factors on the Company’s future funding obligations for its defined benefit pension plan.