Caché fall-winter 2008/2009

Sept 22 (Reuters) - Women's apparel retailer Cache Inc forecast a loss for the third quarter and took a gloomy view for the fourth quarter due to softer-than-expected sales amid tough economic conditions, worsened by the recent hurricanes.

The tropical storms caused temporary store closings in Florida, Texas and Louisiana, where the company has a significant presence, it said in a statement.

Cache, which resorted to severe cost-cutting measures to deal with the ongoing challenges, said September comparable store sales is expected to fall about 6 percent and forecast a "challenging" holiday season.

"We have also reduced our inventory commitments, to reflect our current sales trends and we will manage expenses tightly," said Chief Executive Thomas Reinckens.

Cache now sees a loss of 12 cents to 14 cents per share for the third quarter from its prior profit view of 1 cent to 2 cents per share.

Revenue is expected to be $58 million, from a prior view of $62 million to $64 million.

Analysts on average were expecting the company to earn 1 cent per share, before special items, on revenue of $61.7 million, according to Reuters Estimates.

For the fourth quarter, Cache expects to earn 24 cents to 29 cents per share, down from its earlier earnings view of 38 cents to 40 cents per share.

Sales is expected to be $78 million to $80 million for the fourth quarter, it said. Its prior sales view was $82 million to $84 million.

Analysts were expecting earnings of 39 cents a share before special items, on revenue of $82.0 million for the fourth quarter, according to Reuters Estimates.

Cache shares closed 17 percent down at $9.50 Monday on Nasdaq. (Reporting by Nivedita Bhattacharjee in Bangalore; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier)