Genesco Reports First Quarter Results

May 26, 2005 at 7:36 AM EDT

--Diluted EPS Before Discontinued Operations Increase 33% to $0.32, including

       charges associated with previously announced class action suit--

                       --Raises Fiscal 2006 Guidance--

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported earnings before discontinued operations of $8.2 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for the first quarter ended April 30, 2005. This compares with earnings before discontinued operations of $5.8 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the first quarter last year. These results include previously announced charges of $1.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share after taxes, associated with the anticipated settlement of a previously disclosed class action suit. Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2006 increased 27% to $286 million compared to $226 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2005.

Genesco Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Hal N. Pennington, said, "Our results for the quarter, which significantly exceeded plan, were fueled by better than expected performances at Journeys, Hat World, Underground Station and Johnston & Murphy. Sales, margins, and cash flow were strong, and we ended the quarter with a good inventory position. We look forward to building on our momentum in the marketplace.

"Journeys' same store sales increased 7%, footwear unit comparable sales rose 11%, and gross margins came in above plan. Journeys generated meaningful leverage on the strong sales as operating margin improved 270 basis points to 10.7%. Our stores are focused and our merchandise selection is reflective of what is currently happening in the marketplace, helping us sustain the favorable same store sales trend.

"Once again, Hat World performed well during the quarter. Total sales increased to $62 million and same store sales increased 7%, against a 23% comp gain for the same period last year. These strong results and our continued success with multiple stores within malls, street locations and tourist destinations increase our confidence in Hat World's expansion potential. Hat World's operating margins and aggressive growth plans give it the potential to make a significant contribution to our long-term sales and earnings growth objectives.

"Total sales for the Underground Station Group were up 13% to approximately $40 million during the quarter, comparable store sales rose 9% and operating margin increased 120 basis points to 5.8% due to improved gross margin and increased expense leverage. Same store sales for the Underground Station stores increased 11%, driven by continued increases in average selling prices and a 6% gain in footwear unit comps. We believe the early success of our new Underground Station store in Brooklyn, New York, which shares a location with a Lids store, demonstrates the potential for dual concept stores to contribute to Genesco's retail growth. Our momentum remains positive and we are committed to fully capitalizing on Underground Station's unique position in the marketplace.

"Johnston & Murphy registered another strong quarter as total sales grew to roughly $42 million, same store sales rose 3% and wholesale sales increased 9%. We believe that Johnston & Murphy's updated image, reflected in its new logo, packaging, website, catalog and print ads will help to attract new customers and drive incremental sales. We remain encouraged about Johnston & Murphy's prospects as it moves forward with great product, innovative marketing and clean inventories.

"Dockers Footwear sales were impacted by internal and external issues during the quarter. We are working hard to improve our market position and we remain confident that Dockers' brand value-equation continues to occupy an important space in the mind of our consumer."

Genesco also stated that it is revising upward its fiscal 2006 guidance. The Company now expects sales for the year to range between $1.27 billion and $1.28 billion and earnings per share to range from $2.21 to $2.24, including the previously announced charges of approximately $0.06 per share associated with the anticipated class action settlement.

Pennington concluded, "These excellent results, which come on the heels of a strong fourth quarter, are a great way to start the new fiscal year. We continue to see the positive results of all of our hard work and we remain committed to effectively executing our strategic plan, aimed at driving long- term growth and increasing shareholder value."

This release contains forward-looking statements, including those regarding the Company's sales and earnings outlook, the anticipated class action settlement 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, including 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 availability or distribution, unfavorable trends in foreign exchange rates and other factors affecting the cost of products, changes in business strategies by the Company's competitors (including pricing and promotional discounts), 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, 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 26, 2005, at 7:30 a.m. (Central time) may be accessed through the Company's internet website, http://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 1,600 retail stores in the United States and Canada, principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Johnston & Murphy, Underground Station, Hatworld, Lids, Hat Zone, Cap Factory, Head Quarters and Cap Connection, and on internet websites http://www.journeys.com , http://www.journeyskidz.com , http://www.undergroundstation.com , http://www.johnstonmurphy.com , http://www.lids.com , http://www.hatworld.com , and http://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
                                                 April 30,            May 1,
      In Thousands                                    2005              2004
      Net sales                                   $286,085          $225,526
      Cost of sales                                139,532           114,848
      Selling and administrative expenses          127,697            99,338
      Restructuring and other, net                   2,867                68
      Earnings from operations before interest      15,989            11,272
      Interest expense, net                          2,704             1,882
      Earnings before income taxes from
       continuing operations                        13,285             9,390
      Income tax expense                             5,131             3,584
      Earnings from continuing operations            8,154             5,806
      Excess provision for discontinued
       operations, net                                  65                 -
      Net Earnings                                  $8,219            $5,806



      Earnings Per Share Information
                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                 April 30,            May 1,
      In Thousands (except per share amounts)         2005              2004
      Preferred dividend requirements                  $73               $73

      Average common shares - Basic EPS             22,525            21,763

      Basic earnings per share:
          Before discontinued operations             $0.36             $0.26
          Net earnings                               $0.36             $0.26

      Average common and common
       equivalent shares - Diluted EPS              26,898            26,126

      Diluted earnings per share:
          Before discontinued operations             $0.32             $0.24
          Net earnings                               $0.33             $0.24



                                 GENESCO INC.

      Consolidated Earnings Summary
                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                 April 30,            May 1,
      In Thousands                                    2005              2004
      Sales:
          Journeys                                $128,844          $114,241
          Underground Station Group                 39,836            35,129
          Hat World                                 62,147            18,085
          Johnston & Murphy                         41,508            40,541
          Licensed Brands                           13,692            17,480
          Corporate and Other                           58                50
          Net Sales                               $286,085          $225,526

      Pretax Earnings (Loss):
          Journeys                                 $13,768            $9,163
          Underground Station Group                  2,298             1,625
          Hat World                                  5,482             1,551
          Johnston & Murphy                          2,407             2,385
          Licensed Brands                              746             1,744
          Corporate and Other*                      (8,712)           (5,196)
         Operating income                           15,989            11,272
         Interest, net                               2,704             1,882

      Total Pretax Earnings                         13,285             9,390

      Income tax expense                             5,131             3,584

      Earnings from continuing operations            8,154             5,806

      Excess provision for discontinued
       operations, net                                  65                 -

      Net Earnings                                  $8,219            $5,806

    *Includes $2.9 million of other charges in the first quarter of Fiscal
      2006, including $2.6 million for a litigation settlement and the
      remaining $0.3 million for asset impairment and lease terminations.
      Includes $0.1 million of other charges in the first quarter of Fiscal
      2005 for lease terminations.



                                 GENESCO INC.

      Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                                 April 30,            May 1,
      In Thousands                                    2005              2004
      Assets
      Cash and cash equivalents                    $62,377           $11,536
      Accounts receivable                           17,514            13,465
      Inventories                                  217,086           215,190
      Other current assets                          20,885            20,615
      Total current assets                         317,862           260,806
      Property and equipment                       170,802           162,912
      Other non-current assets                     160,923           165,195
      Total Assets                                $649,587          $588,913

      Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
      Accounts payable                             $81,828           $67,207
      Current portion - long-term debt                   -            10,000
      Other current liabilities                     52,824            42,407
      Total current liabilities                    134,652           119,614
      Long-term debt                               161,250           180,250
      Other long-term liabilities                   68,790            70,334
      Shareholders' equity                         284,895           218,715
      Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity  $649,587          $588,913



                                 GENESCO INC.

    Retail Units Operated - Three Months Ended April 30, 2005
               Balance Acquisi-               Balance                  Balance
              01/31/04 tions Open Conv Close 01/29/05 Open Conv Close 04/30/05
    Journeys
     Group         665         37    0     7      695    9    0     3      701
       Journeys    625         35    0     6      654    8    0     2      660
       Journeys
        Kidz        40          2    0     1       41    1    0     1       41
    Underground
     Station Group 233         21    0    25      229    2    0     4      227
       Underground
        Station    137         21   12     5      165    2    1     2      166
       Jarman
        Retail      96          0  (12)   20       64    0   (1)    2       61
    Hat World        0   503   55    0     6      552   16    0     0      568
    Johnston &
     Murphy        148          7    0    13      142    1    0     0      143
       Shops       115          3    0    11      107    1    0     0      108
       Factory
        Outlets     33          4    0     2       35    0    0     0       35
    Total Retail
     Units       1,046   503  120    0    51    1,618    28   0     7    1,639



     Constant Store Sales
                                                           Three Months Ended
                                                  April 30,            May 1,
                                                       2005              2004
     Journeys                                            7%                9%
     Underground Station Group                           9%               -3%
         Underground Station                            11%               -2%
         Jarman Retail                                   4%               -4%
     Johnston & Murphy                                   3%                8%
         Shops                                           3%                6%
         Factory Outlets                                 3%               14%
     Total Constant Store Sales                          7%                6%

     Hat World                                           7%
         April 1, 2004 - May 1, 2004                                      20%
SOURCE  Genesco Inc.
    -0-                             05/26/2005
    /CONTACT:  Financial, James S. Gulmi, +1-615-367-8325, or Media, Claire S.
McCall, +1-615-367-8283, both of Genesco Inc./
    /Company News On-Call:  http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/352750.html /
    /Web site:  http://www.genesco.com
                http://www.journeys.com
                http://www.journeyskidz.com
                http://www.undergroundstation.com
                http://www.johnstonmurphy.com
                http://www.lids.com
                http://www.hatworld.com
                http://www.lidscyo.com /
    (GCO)

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

CF-DL
-- CLTH008 --
8419 05/26/2005 07:35 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com

Subscribe