The fourth quarter ending January 31, 2010, saw Tiffany & Co’s. sales improving in the Americas. In the Americas, sales increased by 14 percent to $523.5 million, comparable-store sales in U.S. rising 11 percent, sales at the New York flagship store and comparable U.S. branch stores rose by 22 percent and 8 percent, respectively. One year ago, the company's reported U.S. sales reflected a decline of 29 percent. %% In the said three months, the retailer’s net sales increased by 17 percent to $981.4 million, with cost of sales rising by 19 percent to $406 million. On the basis of constant exchange rates, net sales increased 13 percent. The global comparable-store sales for the retailer increased 11 percent. Profits rose to $140.4 million, as compared to $31 million one year ago, reports say. %% The retailer projected a satisfied observation of its sales results in the fourth quarter, noting that it speaks of growth in most countries, product categories and price points. The retailer’s strategy to control costs and the growing awareness of Tiffany & Co. as a brand, globally, stimulated it to produce strong earnings and free cash flow, reports say. It estimates sales in 2010 to increase globally by 11 percent, with new store launches across 17 new locations. The retailer plans spending about $200 million on capital expenditures and increasing its inventory by the high single digits, reports add.