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Non-Tech : Hills Stores (HDS)- 7th largest retail chain -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Bosco who wrote (96)	5/7/1998 8:59:00 AM
From: WHL	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 201

***Hills Reports 15.1% Same-Store Sales Increase for April- Cool! Business Wire - May 07, 1998 08:55 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CANTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 1998--Hills Stores Company (NYSE:HDS) today announced that store sales for the four-week period ended May 2, 1998, increased by 15.1 percent compared with last year. Gregory K. Raven, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hills, stated, "The double-digit same-store sales increase for April reflected the shift of Easter from March last year into April this year and a related additional advertising circular in this year's month versus last year. For the combined months of March and April, same-store sales increased 3.7 percent over the comparable period last year. The improved sales results also reflected continued strong sales performance in home categories and a turnaround in our girls and infants apparel business. "We are encouraged that our more consistent advertising presence continues to improve our sales momentum, even though we had targeted slightly higher sales than we actually attained during the first quarter. Our operating cash flow for the first quarter was planned to be relatively flat to last year, with the positive impact from increased sales being offset by the increased cost of advertising. The first quarter advertising intensification program was primarily designed as an investment toward substantially improved mid-year sales and profitability," Raven concluded. Sales Summary ($ in millions) ____________________________________________________________________ Total Comparable Store Sales Store Sales Sales Period 1998 1997 % Change % Change ____________________________________________________________________ April $124.8 $108.4 15.1% 15.1% Year to Date $362.9 $353.5 2.7% 2.7% Number of stores 155 155 ____________________________________________________________________ The nation's eighth largest discount retailer, Hills operates stores primarily in the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes regions, with a majority of its stores located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia and Indiana. Note: This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although the Company believes its plans are based upon reasonable assumptions as of the current date, it can give no assurance that any expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include: general business and economic conditions, weather, competitive factors, pricing and fluctuations in consumer demand. CONTACT: Investors: Hills Stores Company John Doyle, 781/821-1000, ext. 1694 or Media: Edward Howard & Co. Kathleen Obert, 216/781-2400