Genesco Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2008 Results

May 31, 2007 at 7:23 AM EDT
  -- Company Reports First Quarter Diluted EPS of $0.10 Before Discontinued
                                Operations --

                    -- Updates Guidance for Fiscal 2008 --

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported earnings before discontinued operations of $2.2 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the first quarter ended May 5, 2007, including primarily non-cash, pretax fixed asset impairment charges of $6.6 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, primarily related to the Company's previously announced plan to close up to 57 underperforming stores in urban markets. For the quarter ended April 29, 2006, earnings before discontinued operations were $10.7 million, or $0.41 per diluted share. Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 increased 6% to $335 million, compared to $315 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

Genesco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hal N. Pennington said, "During the first quarter the Journeys Group posted solid sales growth and the positive momentum in the Johnston & Murphy and Dockers Footwear businesses continued. Hat World's business improved consistently throughout the quarter, with the successful transition to the new Major League Baseball on-field hat. However, the challenges in the urban market were once again a negative factor in our overall results for the quarter.

"As we previously announced, we plan to close or convert up to 57 underperforming urban stores, primarily in the Underground Station Group, that have been most negatively impacted by the downturn in that market. We remain confident that Underground Station is a viable concept and believe that closing these stores will provide us with a stronger platform on which to rebuild and improve that business.

"Net sales in the Journeys Group increased 10% to approximately $156 million and same store sales rose 3% in the first quarter, with a 7% increase in comparable footwear unit sales, which strengthens our confidence in our merchandising position for the summer and back to school season. Journeys' store growth plans remain on track, as we continue to target 50 to 60 new stores for fiscal 2008.

"Net sales at Journeys Kidz increased 35% to $11 million, same store sales rose 6% and comparable footwear unit sales were up 11% during the quarter. We continue to work toward a target of 40 new Kidz stores this fiscal year. We opened 11 new Shi by Journeys stores during the first quarter and ended the period with 23 Shi by Journeys stores in operation. Our target is to have 50 Shi stores open by the end of the fiscal year.

"Net sales in the Hat World Group increased 12% to approximately $79 million and same store sales declined 4%, compared to a decline of less than 1% in the first quarter last year. As expected, Hat World continued to be affected by the difficult urban market. Additionally, the quarter saw the planned transition to the new Major League Baseball on-field hat. This transition hurt sales early in the quarter, but the introduction of the new hat at the beginning of April sparked a positive sales trend that has continued into the second quarter. Based on both our positioning in the market and moderating comparisons, we expect an improving sales trend at Hat World through the balance of the year. We expect to open 100 to 105 new stores in the Hat World Group in Fiscal 2008.

"Net sales for the Underground Station Group, which includes the remaining Jarman stores, were $30 million and same store sales declined 22%. The weak urban market, ongoing softness in the athletic category and a tough Nike comparison negatively affected sales comparisons during the quarter. We expect improvements at Underground Station in the latter part of the year, as we continue to re-merchandise the stores towards more women's and casual products, as the absence of Nike products becomes a less significant factor in the year-over-year comparisons, and as overall comparisons moderate as we mark the anniversary of the onset of the urban market downturn.

"Johnston & Murphy Group's net sales increased 5% to approximately $46 million in the first quarter. Wholesale sales rose 3%, same store sales for the shops were up 3% and operating margin increased 330 basis points to 9.7%. Johnston & Murphy's footwear line continues to gain customer acceptance. At the same time, we continue to see strength in all our non-footwear categories. Johnston & Murphy's momentum remains strong.

"First quarter sales of Licensed Brands increased 25% to approximately $24 million, after a 37% gain for the same period last year. According to The NPD Group's Retail Tracking Service, Dockers Footwear was the #1 ranked brand for men's dress casual footwear in national chains and shoe chains for the 12 months ended March 2007."

The Company also updated its guidance for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2008. It now expects to report net sales of $1.59 billion and earnings per diluted share of $2.37 to $2.40 for fiscal 2008, including charges of $0.35 related to the store closing program. The Company's fiscal 2008 guidance does not include the impact of any costs associated with the Company's review of strategic alternatives, which the Company announced today.

This release contains forward-looking statements, including those regarding the Company's sales and earnings outlook and all other statements not addressing solely historical facts or present conditions. Actual results could vary materially from the expectations reflected in these statements. A number of factors could cause differences. These include uncertainty regarding the effect or outcome of the Company's decision to explore strategic alternatives, weakness in consumer demand for products sold by the Company, fashion trends that affect the sales or product margins of the Company's retail product offerings, changes in the timing of holidays or in the onset of seasonal weather affecting period to period sales comparisons, changes in buying patterns by significant wholesale customers, disruptions in product supply or distribution, further unfavorable trends in foreign exchange rates and other factors affecting the cost of products, and competition in the Company's markets. Additional factors that could affect the Company's prospects and cause differences from expectations include the ability to open, staff and support additional retail stores on schedule and at acceptable expense levels and to renew leases in existing stores on schedule and at acceptable expense levels, the ability to negotiate acceptable lease terminations and otherwise to execute the store closing plan on schedule and at expected expense levels, variations from expected pension-related charges caused by conditions in the financial markets, and the outcome of litigation and environmental matters involving the Company. Forward-looking statements reflect the expectations of the Company at the time they are made. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements.

The Company's live conference call on May 31, 2007, at 7:30 a.m. (Central time) may be accessed through the Company's internet website, www.genesco.com. To listen live, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary software.

Genesco Inc., a Nashville-based specialty retailer, sells footwear, headwear and accessories in more than 2,050 retail stores in the United States and Canada, principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Shi by Journeys, Johnston & Murphy, Underground Station, Hatworld, Lids, Hat Shack, Hat Zone, Head Quarters and Cap Connection, and on internet websites www.journeys.com, www.journeyskidz.com , www.undergroundstation.com, www.johnstonmurphy.com, www.lids.com, www.hatworld.com, and www.lidscyo.com. The Company also sells footwear at wholesale under its Johnston & Murphy brand and under the licensed Dockers brand. Additional information on Genesco and its operating divisions may be accessed at its website http://www.genesco.com.



                                   GENESCO INC.

    Consolidated Earnings Summary


                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                     May 5,       April 29,
    In Thousands                                      2007           2006
    Net sales                                      $334,651       $315,018
    Cost of sales                                   162,807        153,649
    Selling and administrative expenses             159,073        141,866
    Restructuring and other, net                      6,595            109
    Earnings from operations                          6,176         19,394
    Interest expense, net                             2,402          1,914
    Earnings before income taxes from
     continuing operations                            3,774         17,480
    Income tax expense                                1,571          6,814
    Earnings from continuing operations               2,203         10,666
    Provision for discontinued operations, net            -           (189)
    Net Earnings                                     $2,203        $10,477


    Earnings Per Share Information
                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                      May 5,      April 29,
    In Thousands (except per share amounts)            2007          2006
    Preferred dividend requirements                  $   64          $ 64

    Average common shares - Basic EPS                22,391        23,042

    Basic earnings per share:
        Before discontinued operations                $0.10         $0.46
        Net earnings                                  $0.10         $0.45

    Average common and common equivalent
       shares - Diluted EPS                          26,804        27,436

    Diluted earnings per share:

        Before discontinued operations                $0.10         $0.41
        Net earnings                                  $0.10         $0.40



                                 GENESCO INC.

    Consolidated Earnings Summary
                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                       May 5,     April 29,
    In Thousands                                        2007         2006
    Sales:
        Journeys Group                              $155,921       $141,500
        Underground Station Group                     29,810         39,956
        Hat World Group                               78,844         70,688
        Johnston & Murphy Group                       46,294         44,031
        Licensed Brands                               23,529         18,799
        Corporate and Other                              253             44
        Net Sales                                   $334,651       $315,018

    Operating Income (Loss):
        Journeys Group                               $10,817        $13,151
        Underground Station Group                     (2,168)         2,405
        Hat World Group                                2,652          6,007
        Johnston & Murphy Group                        4,470          2,823
        Licensed Brands                                3,079          1,729
        Corporate and Other*                         (12,674)        (6,721)
       Earnings from operations                        6,176         19,394
       Interest, net                                   2,402          1,914

    Earnings before income taxes from
      continuing operations                            3,774         17,480
    Income tax expense                                 1,571          6,814

    Earnings from continuing operations                2,203         10,666
    Provision for discontinued operations, net             -           (189)
    Net Earnings                                      $2,203        $10,477


     *Includes $6.6 million of other charges in the first quarter of Fiscal
      2008 of which $6.3 million is asset impairments related to
      underperforming stores, primarily in the Underground Station Group, and
      $0.3 million for lease terminations and $0.1 million of other charges in
      the first quarter of Fiscal 2007 for asset impairments.



                                  GENESCO INC.


     Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                                 May 5,            April 29,
     In Thousands                                 2007                2006
     Assets
     Cash and cash equivalents                 $13,729              $34,719
     Accounts receivable                        23,586               22,742
     Inventories                               282,419              247,773
     Other current assets                       43,029               30,192
     Total current assets                      362,763              335,426
     Property and equipment                    225,702              197,546
     Other non-current assets                  172,136              157,094
     Total Assets                             $760,601             $690,066

     Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

     Accounts payable                          $85,495              $90,541
     Other current liabilities                  50,179               56,568
     Total current liabilities                 135,674              147,109
     Long-term debt                            132,250              106,250
     Other long-term liabilities                86,789               74,498
     Shareholders' equity                      405,888              362,209
     Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
       Equity                                 $760,601             $690,066



                                 GENESCO INC.

    Retail Units Operated -- Three Months Ended May 5, 2007

                            Balance    Acquisi-
                            01/28/06     tions    Open     Conv    Close

    Journeys Group               761                96        0       4
        Journeys                 710                61        0       3
        Journeys Kidz             50                24        0       1
        Shi by Journeys            1                11        0       0
    Underground Station Group    229                11        0      17
        Underground Station      180                11        3       1
        Jarman Retail             49                 0       (3)     16
    Hat World Group              641        49     104        0       9
    Johnston & Murphy Group      142                13        0       7
        Shops                    107                 7        0       5
        Factory Outlets           35                 6        0       2
    Total Retail Units         1,773        49     224        0      37


                              Balance                               Balance
                             02/03/07     Open     Conv     Close  5/05/2007

    Journeys Group               853        33       0        2      884
         Journeys                768        11       0        2      777
          Journeys Kidz           73        11       0        0       84
          Shi by Journeys         12        11       0        0       23
    Underground Station Group    223         1       0        1      223
       Underground Station       193         1       1        0      195
       Jarman Retail              30         0      (1)       1       28
        Hat World Group          785        26       0        2      809
       Johnston & Murphy Group   148         4       0        0      152
             Shops               109         3       0        0      112
             Factory Outlets      39         1       0        0       40
     Total Retail Units        2,009        64       0        5    2,068


    Constant Store Sales
                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                    May 5,         April 29,
                                                     2007            2006
    Journeys Group                                     3%              1%
    Underground Station Group                        -22%             -3%
        Underground Station                          -23%             -2%
        Jarman Retail                                -14%             -9%
    Hat World Group                                   -4%             -1%
    Johnston & Murphy Group                            4%              2%
        Shops                                          3%              3%
        Factory Outlets                                6%              0%
    Total Constant Store Sales                        -2%              0%
SOURCE  Genesco Inc.
    -0-                             05/31/2007
    /CONTACT:  Financial, James S. Gulmi, +1-615-367-8325, or Media, Claire S.
McCall, +1-615-367-8283, both of Genesco Inc./
    /Web site:  http://www.genesco.com /
    (GCO)

CO:  Genesco Inc.
ST:  Tennessee
IN:  REA FAS
SU:  ERN CCA ERP

AM-WB
-- CLTH016 --
7193 05/31/2007 07:21 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com

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