Exhibit 99.1

Ethan Allen Announces Second Quarter Sales and Earnings

Ethan Allen Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend and Amends Credit Agreement

DANBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--January 29, 2009--Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (“Ethan Allen” or the “Company”) (NYSE:ETH) today reported operating results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2008.

Three Months Ended December 31, 2008

Net delivered sales for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 amounted to $189.6 million as compared to $259.5 million in the prior year quarter. Net delivered sales for the Company’s Retail division were $147.2 million as compared to $192.6 million in the prior year quarter. Retail division comparable delivered sales were down 26.9% as compared to the prior year quarter. Wholesale sales were $108.8 million, as compared to $ 155.9 million in the prior year quarter.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2008, diluted earnings per share amounted to $0.19 on net income of $5.5 million. This compares to diluted earnings per share and net income of $0.70 and $20.6 million, respectively, in the prior year comparable period.

Six Months Ended December 31, 2008

For the six months ended December 31, 2008, net delivered sales totaled $395.4 million as compared to $508.2 million in the prior year comparable period. Net delivered sales for the Company’s Retail division were $303.1 million as compared to $375.3 million in the prior year. Retail division comparable delivered sales were down 23.0% as compared to the prior year comparable period. Wholesale sales were $230.1 million as compared to $312.3 in the prior year.

For the six months ended December 31, 2008, diluted earnings per share amounted to $0.45 on net income of $12.9 million, including a restructuring benefit of $1.1 million net of tax. Excluding this net restructuring benefit, diluted earnings per share was $0.41 on $11.8 million in net income. This compares to diluted earnings per share and net income of $1.27 and $38.1 million, respectively, in the prior year comparable period.


Ethan Allen Amends Bank Credit Facility

Ethan Allen has reached an agreement with its lending group to amend its existing un-drawn revolving credit agreement to provide additional covenant flexibility and reduce the total line to $100 million.

Ethan Allen Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend

Ethan Allen’s Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share, which will be payable to shareholders of record as of April 14, 2009 and paid on April 28, 2009.

Farooq Kathwari, Chairman and CEO, commented, “Despite major economic challenges resulting in a decline in sales, we maintained profitability. We are pleased that during this turbulent period we have also maintained a strong marketing program while reducing operating costs. This would not have been possible without the continuous process of reinvention that has been undertaken by us during the last several years.”

Mr. Kathwari continued, “Having already made the substantial investments to reposition our retail network and launch our new website, our need for capital expenditures is substantially reduced, and we are focused on conserving cash in a prudent and conservative manner. We are very pleased to be able to continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend to our shareholders out of current cash flow. Although we have not drawn on the line of credit and only used our existing credit facility to support Letters of Credit, the new covenants provide greater flexibility going forward. We are pleased to have the continued support of our lending group and are happy to have this additional source of liquidity.”

Commenting on the outlook for fiscal 2009, Mr. Kathwari stated, “We will continue to focus on creatively and proactively managing our enterprise, and at the same time conserving cash and making those investments that will position us to be ready when growth returns.”

Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. is a leading manufacturer and retailer of quality home furnishings. The Company sells a full range of furniture products and decorative accessories through a network of 293 design centers in the United States and abroad, of which 162 are Company owned. Ethan Allen owns eight manufacturing facilities in the United States, which include 2 sawmills, and one cut and sew factory in Mexico.

The Company will conduct a Conference Call at 11:00 AM (Eastern) on Thursday, January 29th. The live webcast and replay are accessible at http://ethanallen.com/investors.


This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2008 and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release and related discussions contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations concerning future events and results of the Company, and are subject to various assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, actual future events or results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update or provide revision to any forward-looking statement at any time for any reason.


       
Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.
Selected Financial Information
Unaudited
(In millions)
 
Selected Consolidated Financial Data:
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
12/31/08 12/31/07 12/31/08 12/31/07
Net Sales $ 189.6 $ 259.5 $ 395.4 $ 508.2
Gross Margin 53.7 % 53.7 % 54.1 % 53.7 %
Operating Margin 5.3 % 12.9 % 5.6 % 12.1 %

Operating Margin (ex restructuring & impairment charge )

5.3 % 12.9 % 5.2 % 12.1 %
Net Income $ 5.5 $ 20.6 $ 12.9 $ 38.1

Net Income (ex restructuring & impairment charge)

$ 5.5 $ 20.6 $ 11.8 $ 38.1
 
Operating Cash Flow $ (2.4 ) $ 6.0 $ 15.7 $ 47.4
Capital Expenditures $ 5.1 $ 17.8 $ 16.1 $ 30.3
Acquisitions $ 0.3 $ 6.0 $ 0.6 $ 6.7

Treasury Stock Repurchases (settlement date basis)

$ - $ 23.1 $ - $ 64.8
 
EBITDA $ 17.3 $ 40.6 $ 36.6 $ 75.7
EBITDA as % of Net Sales 9.1 % 15.6 % 9.2 % 14.9 %

EBITDA (ex restructuring & impairment charge )

$ 17.3 $ 40.6 $ 35.0 $ 75.7

EBITDA as % of Net Sales (ex restructuring & impairment charge )

9.2 % 15.6 % 8.8 % 14.9 %
 
Selected Financial Data by Business Segment:        
 
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
Retail 12/31/08 12/31/07 12/31/08 12/31/07
Net Sales $ 147.2 $ 192.6 $ 303.1 $ 375.3
Operating Margin (2.2 %) 3.3 % (2.1 %) 1.9 %

Operating Margin (ex restructuring & impairment charge )

(2.1 %) 3.3 % (2.7 %) 1.9 %
 
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
Wholesale 12/31/08 12/31/07 12/31/08 12/31/07
Net Sales $ 108.8 $ 155.9 $ 230.1 $ 312.3
Operating Margin 7.9 % 16.9 % 8.9 % 17.0 %

Operating Margin (ex restructuring & impairment charge )

7.9 % 16.9 % 9.1 % 17.0 %
 

 
Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
       
Three Months Six Months
Ended December 31, Ended December 31,
2008 2007 2008 2007
(unaudited) (unaudited)
 
Net sales $ 189,558 $ 259,510 $ 395,399 $ 508,237
Cost of sales   87,757   120,057   181,657     235,327
Gross profit 101,801 139,453 213,742 272,910
Operating expenses:
Selling 48,721 57,600 104,023 115,178
General & administrative 42,967 48,356 89,025 96,438
Restructuring & impairment charges   26   -   (1,604 )   0
Total operating expenses   91,714   105,956   191,444     211,616
Operating income 10,087 33,497 22,298 61,294
Interest & other miscellaneous income 1,113 2,181 2,213 5,103
Interest & other related financing costs   2,932   2,944   5,833     5,879
Income before income tax expense 8,268 32,734 18,678 60,518
Income tax expense   2,780   12,112   5,768     22,392
Net income $ 5,488 $ 20,622 $ 12,910   $ 38,126
 
Basic earnings per share:
Net income per share $ 0.19 $ 0.70 $ 0.45   $ 1.28
Basic weighted average shares outstanding 28,739 29,391 28,721 29,738
 
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income per share $ 0.19 $ 0.70 $ 0.45   $ 1.27
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 28,739 29,542 28,793 30,003
 

 
Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Unaudited
(In thousands)
   
December 31, June 30,
Assets 2008 2008
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 64,544 $ 74,376
Accounts receivable, net 8,865 12,672
Inventories 187,831 186,265
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 20,419 32,860
Deferred income taxes   4,399   4,005
Total current assets 286,058 310,178
 
Property, plant, and equipment, net 353,247 350,432
Intangible assets, net 94,077 96,823
Other assets   4,317   4,540
Total Assets   737,699   761,973
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 41 $ 41
Customer deposits 29,686 47,297
Accounts payable 26,457 26,444
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   62,897   61,720
Total current liabilities 119,081 135,502
 
Long-term debt 203,047 202,988
Other long-term liabilities 21,040 20,383
Deferred income taxes   21,195   27,327
Total liabilities 364,363 386,200
 
Shareholders’ equity   373,336   375,773
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $ 737,699 $ 761,973

CONTACT:
Investor/ Media:
Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.
Peg Lupton, 203-743-8234