Limited's 1,550-store Bath & Body Works concept is also getting a boost. The chain is adding 55 units to its portfolio this year, a 3% square footage increase, up from a 1% addition last year.
The company is looking to expand other concepts as well. Executives are looking for more space for the Victoria's Secret spinoff Pink, as well as its Diva London, Henri Bendel and C.O. Bigelow concepts, together which only operate a handful of stores.
Limited Brands, which ended its fiscal year on Feb. 3, is coming off a strong fourth quarter, when same-store sales increased 8% year over year. Net sales were up to just over $4 billion, from just more than $3.5 billion in 2005's fourth quarter.
Executives expect same-store sales for the coming year to increase in the mid-single digits, though they expect February to under perform slightly, in the low-to-mid single digits. Earnings per share are forecast between $1.75 and $1.90, up from $1.68 in 2006.
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