Genesco Reports First Quarter Results; EPS of $0.33 on 11% Net Sales Increase and 2% Same Store Sales Increase

May 29, 2002 at 8:08 AM EDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 29, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported net earnings of $8.2 million, or $0.33 per diluted share for the first quarter ended May 4, 2002, compared with $8.3 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, for the first quarter last year. Net sales for the quarter increased 11% to $190.6 million from $171.7 million in the first quarter a year ago.

Genesco President and Chief Executive Officer Hal N. Pennington said, "Our ability to exceed First Call consensus earning estimates for the quarter was directly related to the diversification of our business and underscores the compelling nature of our position in the market. By offering a portfolio of unique destination retail concepts and lifestyle brands supported by strong product offerings and dedicated management, we believe we limit the impact of a shortfall in any particular segment, while at the same time continuing to deliver strong financial results. In this case, very strong results in the Jarman Group more than offset slower than planned comparable sales growth at Journeys, while Johnston & Murphy and Dockers Footwear performed up to our expectations, giving us a solid quarter overall. We view our diversification as a powerful strategic advantage, separating Genesco from its peers and providing us with a superior platform for growth.

"The Journeys division's net sales increased by 13.8% during the quarter and same store sales in dollars declined 3%, while same store unit sales increased by 2%. An extremely strong first quarter last year, when Journeys enjoyed 11% same store sales growth driven by the popularity of certain products at higher price points, and the impact of an early Easter this year made for a difficult comparison. As we move through the second quarter and into the second half of the fiscal year, we are confident that the positive effects of a number of exciting new products and brands should drive the business back to expected levels of growth, especially as comparable sales and product comparisons moderate."

Pennington continued, "The Jarman Group significantly outperformed expectations for the quarter, with robust results from both the Jarman and Underground Station stores. Net sales increased 32.4% to $33.2 million and same store sales rose 19% for the total division, with Jarman up 21% and Underground Station up 16%. Since new management took control of the Jarman Group last year, we have seen substantial improvements in same store sales and operating margin. This strong momentum continues into the second quarter. Based on the performance of Underground Station, we are now looking to increase the pace of Underground Station store openings and conversions of Jarman stores.

"Johnston & Murphy showed improvement in the quarter. Net sales were $42.4 million for the quarter and we were encouraged with a 1% same store sales gain. We continued to manage our inventory position aggressively during the quarter and we were pleased to report a 14% decline in inventories on a 2% increase in total sales for the brand. The transition from our domestic Johnston & Murphy factory to a new resource is proceeding smoothly.

"Dockers Footwear's sales increased 15% to $23.6 million compared to $20.5 million last year. These results were particularly encouraging, since they came on top of a 34% sales gain in the same period last year. Dockers' continued success is a function of providing the marketplace with updated, traditional footwear at a great value with a powerful brand name. We remain enthusiastic about our prospects for growth."

The forward-looking statements in this release involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could be materially different. The factors that could cause materially different results include lower than expected consumer demand for the Company's products, whether caused by weakness in the overall economy or changes in fashions or tastes that the Company fails to anticipate or respond appropriately to, changes in buying patterns by significant wholesale customers, disruptions in product supply or distribution, including the impact of opening a new distribution center, the inability to adjust inventory levels to sales and changes in business strategies by the Company's competitors, among other factors. Other factors that could cause results to differ from expectations include the Company's ability to open, staff and support additional retail stores on schedule and at acceptable expense levels, 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 Company statements.

The Company's live conference call on May 29, 2002, at 8:30 a.m. (Central time), may be accessed through the Company's internet website, www.genesco.com. The Company expects to discuss results from the first quarter and its current expectations for the second quarter and fiscal year ending February 1, 2003, during the call. To listen live, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary software. A replay will be available shortly after the call for 14 days.

Genesco, based in Nashville, sells footwear and accessories in 940 retail stores in the U.S., principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Johnston & Murphy, Jarman and Underground Station, and on internet websites www.journeys.com and www.johnstonmurphy.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 www.genesco.com.

                                  GENESCO INC.

    Consolidated Earnings Summary
                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                  May 4,            May 5,
    In Thousands                                   2002              2001*
    Net sales                                   $  190,593       $  171,662
    Cost of sales                                  100,445           89,821
    Selling and administrative
     expenses                                       75,226           66,956
    Earnings from operations before
     interest                                       14,922           14,885
    Interest expense, net                            1,672            1,535
    Pretax earnings                                 13,250           13,350
    Income tax expense                               5,048            5,012
    Net Earnings                                $    8,202       $    8,338


    Earnings Per Share Information
                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                    May 4,            May 5,
    In Thousands (except per share amounts)          2002              2001
    Preferred dividend requirements             $       74       $       74

    Average common shares - Basic EPS               21,876           21,846

    Basic net earnings per share                $     0.37       $     0.38

    Average common and common
     equivalent shares - Diluted
     EPS                                            27,314           27,324

    Diluted net earnings per share              $     0.33       $     0.34

    * Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to current
      presentation.



                                  GENESCO INC.

    Consolidated Earnings Summary
                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                    May 4,            May 5,
    In Thousands                                   2002              2001
    Sales:
     Journeys                                    $  91,474       $   80,348
     Jarman                                         33,199           25,071
     Johnston & Murphy                              42,365           41,567
     Licensed Brands(1)                             23,555           24,676
     Net Sales                                   $ 190,593       $  171,662
    Pretax Earnings (Loss):
     Journeys                                    $   8,203       $   10,075
     Jarman                                          2,650              931
     Johnston & Murphy                               4,107            4,126
     Licensed Brands(2)                              2,787            2,935
     Corporate and Other                            (2,825)          (3,182)
     Operating income                               14,922           14,885
     Interest, net                                   1,672            1,535

    Total Pretax Earnings                           13,250           13,350

    Income tax expense                               5,048            5,012
    Net Earnings                                 $   8,202       $    8,338

    (1) Includes Nautica sales of $4.2 million for the first quarter of Fiscal
        2002.
    (2) Includes a Nautica operating loss of $0.3 million for the first
        quarter of Fiscal 2002.



                                  GENESCO INC.


    Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                                    May 4,            May 5,
    In Thousands                                     2002              2001
    Assets
    Cash and short-term investments             $   44,266       $   34,133
    Accounts receivable                             22,513           26,787
    Inventories                                    143,448          146,960
    Other current assets                            20,272           26,612
    Current assets of discontinued
     operations*                                        --              187
    Total current assets                           230,499          234,679
    Plant, equipment and capital
     leases                                        125,419           90,028
    Other non-current assets                        20,559           19,987
    Non-currrent assets of
     discontinued operations*                          499              554
    Total Assets                                 $ 376,976       $  345,248
    Liabilities and Shareholders'
     Equity
    Total current liabilities                       78,245           78,794
    Long-term debt                                 103,271          103,527
    Other long-term liabilities                     24,481           11,605
    Shareholders' equity                           170,979          151,322
    Total Liabilities and
     Shareholders' Equity                        $ 376,976       $  345,248
    * Current and non-current assets of discontinued operations include
      Volunteer Leather.



                                   GENESCO INC.


    Retail Units Operated
                Balance                     Balance                   Balance
               02/03/01 Open  Conv  Close  02/02/02 Open  Conv Close 05/04/02
    Journeys
     Group        425    111   (1)    2       533    32     0    1     564
      Journeys    425     97   (1)    2       519    25     0    1     543
      Journeys
       Kidz         0     14    0     0        14     7     0    0      21
    Jarman
     Group        207     32    1    13       227     5     0    4     228
      Jarman
       Retail     150      0   (8)   12       130     0    (1)   3     126
      Underground
       Station     57     32    9     1        97     5     1    1     102
    Johnston &
     Murphy       147     10    0     9       148     0     0    0     148
      Shops       115      9    0     8       116     0     0    0     116
      Factory
       Outlets     32      1    0     1        32     0     0    0      32
     Total Retail
      Units       779    153    0    24       908    37     0    5     940


     Constant Store Sales
                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                      May 4,          May 5,
                                                       2002            2001
     Journeys                                          -3%              11%
     Jarman Group                                      19%              -3%
       Jarman Retail                                   21%              -4%
       Underground Station                             16%               5%
     Johnston & Murphy                                  1%              -9%
       Shops                                           -1%              -8%
       Factory Outlets                                  8%             -14%
     Total Constant Store Sales                         2%               4%


                     MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here
               http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X85736859
SOURCE Genesco Inc.

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/gh/cnoc/comp/352750.html

URL:              http://www.journeys.com
http://www.prnewswire.com
Copyright (C) 2002 PR Newswire.  All rights reserved.

Subscribe