We are using new high-speed multiple stage conveyor systems, new handheld and laser reading scanning technologies. It has just taken us longer than we had expected to burn in these new processes, these new systems and make sure that our associates in our distribution center fully understand how to utilize the new processes and systems. The center right now is operating in about 70% to 75% of our targeted capacity.
Jeff Black (Lehman Brothers): With the 70% capacity, can it handle spring volume?
Martyn Redgrave: It handles spring volume but not semi-annual sales peak volumes.
Michelle Clark (Morgan Stanley): On the square footage growth plans at Victora Secrets, any plans to scale back there given continued struggle in the business overall?
Stuart Burgdoerfer: We are very encouraged by the results that we have seen but we are monitoring it very closely and we will evaluate it once we have the holiday sales results and in terms of seeing what the results look like post holiday.
Brian Tunick (JP Morgan): How do you think about comping better than mall traffic and holding market share between the two brands with all those things that are down versus last year?
Sharen Turney: Our marketing spend as we are looking at going into the fourth quarter are both in terms of looking at what we are doing and our lineup around holiday are flat to last year.
All the marketing dollars this year are primarily focused on true gifting opportunities for this holiday season, which gives us the opportunity to continue to drive our market share as well as to drive the holiday.
Diane Neal: At Bath & Body Works, we launched Velvet Tuberose as a fragrance in October.
Eric Miller (Lehman Brothers): What is your commitment to maintaining a strong balance sheet as we face a tougher economic environment and where do you stand in terms of your commitment to in investment grade debt rating?
Stuart Burgdoerfer: We are committed to retaining financial flexibility. With respect to credit spreads, they are up for almost all retailers.
Lorraine Maikis (Merrill Lynch):Are you not putting the Victoria''s Secret stores business at risk by not updating the systems?
Martyn Redgrave: We assessed Victoria''s Secret stores and Mast for production and sourcing business, we will be proceeding with implementing part of those systems in 2008, particularly for the production and sourcing end of it.
Realizing benefits from those systems is a medium-term effort as evidenced by the implementation of the supply chain capabilities of BBW the last year. It took us longer to stabilize those systems in BBW than we had originally expected.
Lauren Levitan (Cowen and Company): How much more opportunity is there to control expenses?
Stuart Burgdoerfer: We continue to fundamentally scrutinized home office spending and particularly projects in IT related spending. We are reevaluating all expense categories to drive efficiency.
Sarah Lewis (Credit Suisse): What was the DC impact on the Victoria''s Secret retail business?
Sharen Turney: We did not do anything with the circulation strategy in the third quarter. So, we see no effect on the stores. We actually have a strong plan to drive to stores.
Frank Henson (Bear Stearns): Looking at your recent announcement of an additional $250 million share repurchase authorization, have you had a conversation with the rating agencies prior to announcing this additional increase in authorization?
Stuart Burgdoerfer: Yes, we make sure that we are not going to be surprised by anything and we have had the right conversations to ensure that we are making informed decision.
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