Genesco Reports First Quarter Sales and Earnings

May 22, 2003 at 8:21 AM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported net earnings of $3.3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the first quarter ended May 3, 2003, compared with $8.2 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the first quarter last year. Net sales for the quarter were $193 million compared to $191 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2003.

Genesco President and Chief Executive Officer Hal N. Pennington, said, "Our results for the quarter reflect the general retail environment and a level of demand for seasonal merchandise that was behind both historical norms and our expectations. We were, however, pleased to see continued strength in our Underground Station stores and some signs of progress at Johnston & Murphy.

"Journeys same store sales declined 3% during the quarter, due primarily to weakness in seasonal footwear, with sales of sandals and other 'open' styles down more than 25% and average prices down 10% in the category. In response, we have accelerated our promotional activity in this product category and we intend to reduce inventories to seasonally appropriate levels by the end of the second quarter."

Pennington continued, "Underground Station posted another strong quarter, with same-store sales up 7% despite tough comparisons. We saw continued strength in women's and athletic footwear as well as apparel. We remain very optimistic about the growth potential of this concept. Unfortunately, Jarman stores felt the effects of the retail environment and same store sales fell 10%, giving the Underground Station/Jarman segment a combined same-store sales decrease of 2%. The relative performance of the two businesses reinforces our strategy of continuing Underground Station's expansion and opening no additional Jarman stores.

"We made solid progress with Johnston & Murphy in the quarter, giving us a heightened degree of confidence that the strategy we put in place last year to strengthen the business is working. Although retail same-store sales declined, our wholesale business came in above plan. We are focused on continuing to build on the brand's equity and improve its financial performance.

"Dockers Footwear's sales fell 19% during the quarter to $19 million due to a combination of factors, including lower levels of at once orders associated with retailer conservatism and fewer close-out shipments than last year. We are pleased that Dockers operating margins improved, driven by increased gross margins. We will continue to focus on asset management and expense control as Dockers works its way through this slower sales period."

Pennington commented, "We see the second quarter unfolding as a continuation of first quarter trends. We continue to believe our prospects for the second half are good, as we move past the seasonal product issues and into what is historically the stronger part of the year for our retail businesses. Because of continuing economic uncertainty, we have built some additional conservatism into the lower end of our range of guidance for the second half. Any improvement in the retail climate would improve our prospects, as well."

The Company now expects second quarter sales to range between $179 million to $181 million and earnings per share to be breakeven. For the third quarter, the Company expects sales to range from $224 million to $233 million and earnings per share to range between $0.41 to $0.48. For the fourth quarter, the Company expects sales to range from $266 million to $278 million and earnings per share to range between $0.72 to $0.82. The Company also stated that for fiscal 2004 it expects sales to range between $862 million to $885 million and earnings per share to range between $1.32 to $1.50.

Pennington concluded, "The underlying fundamentals of our business are sound, our strategy is intact and our financial position is strong. We remain committed to capitalizing on the opportunities that lie ahead."

This release contains forward-looking statements, including those dealing with expectations for the Company's and each division's performance for the second quarter and thereafter. Any statements that do not reflect purely historical information involve a number of known and unknown 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 by 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, the inability to adjust inventory levels to sales and changes in business strategies by the Company's competitors. 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, and investors should rely on them only as expressions of opinion about what may happen in the future and only at the time they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

The Company's live conference call on May 22, 2003, at 10:30 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 2004, 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.

Genesco, based in Nashville, sells footwear and accessories in more than 1,000 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 3,            May 4,
       In Thousands                                   2003              2002
       Net sales                                  $192,746 $190,593
       Cost of sales                               104,654           100,445
       Selling and administrative
        expenses                                    80,653            75,226
       Earnings from operations before
        interest                                     7,439            14,922
       Interest expense, net                         2,032             1,672
       Pretax earnings                               5,407            13,250
       Income tax expense                            2,070             5,048
       Net  Earnings                                $3,337 $8,202

       Earnings Per Share Information
                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                    May 3,            May 4,
       In Thousands (except per share amounts)        2003              2002
       Preferred dividend requirements                 $74 $74

       Average common shares - Basic EPS            21,743            21,876

       Basic net earnings per share                  $0.15 $0.37

       Average common and common
           equivalent shares - Diluted
            EPS                                     22,009            27,314

       Diluted net earnings per share                $0.15 $0.33 GENESCO INC.

       Consolidated Earnings Summary
                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                    May 3,            May 4,
       In Thousands                                   2003              2002
       Sales:
           Journeys                                $98,715 $91,474
           Underground Station/Jarman
            Group                                   34,573            33,199
           Johnston & Murphy                        40,216            42,365
           Dockers                                  19,189            23,555
           Corporate and Other                          53                --
           Net Sales                              $192,746 $190,593
       Pretax Earnings (Loss):
           Journeys                                 $5,563 $8,203
           Underground Station/Jarman
            Group                                    1,560             2,650
           Johnston & Murphy                         1,800             4,107
           Dockers                                   2,553             2,787
           Corporate and Other                      (4,037)           (2,825)
          Operating income                           7,439            14,922
          Interest, net                              2,032             1,672

       Total Pretax Earnings                         5,407            13,250

       Income tax expense                            2,070             5,048
       Net Earnings                                 $3,337 $8,202 GENESCO INC.


       Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                                     May 3,            May 4,
       In Thousands                                   2003              2002
       Assets
       Cash and short-term investments             $57,671 $44,266
       Accounts receivable                          19,394            22,513
       Inventories                                 163,769           143,448
       Other current assets                         25,839            27,391
       Total current assets                        266,673           237,618
       Plant, equipment and capital
        leases                                     126,979           125,419
       Other non-current assets                     22,332            13,440
       Non-currrent assets of
        discontinued operations*                        --               499
       Total Assets                               $415,984 $376,976
       Liabilities and Shareholders'
        Equity
       Accounts payable                            $41,694 $38,243
       Other current liabilities                    38,291            40,002
       Total current liabilities                    79,985            78,245
       Long-term debt                              103,245           103,245
       Other long-term liabilities                  46,210            24,507
       Shareholders' equity                        186,544           170,979
       Total Liabilities and
        Shareholders' Equity                      $415,984 $376,976

    *Non-current assets of discontinued operations include Volunteer Leather.


                                   GENESCO INC.


     Retail Units Operated
                          Balance               Balance                Balance
                           02/02/                02/01/                 05/03/
                             02    Open Conv Close 03   Open Conv Close   03
     Journeys Group          533    82    0    1   614   18    0    1     631
         Journeys            519    61    0    1   579   16    0    1     594
         Journeys Kidz        14    21    0    0    35    2    0    0      37
     Underground Station/
      Jarman Group           227    11    0    9   229    8    0    1     236
         Underground Station  97    11    8    2   114    8    0    0     122
         Jarman Retail       130     0   (8)   7   115    0    0    1     114
     Johnston & Murphy       148     4    0    4   148    2    0    0     150
         Shops               116     2    0    3   115    1    0    0     116
         Factory Outlets      32     2    0    1    33    1    0    0      34
     Total Retail Units      908    97    0   14   991   28    0    2   1,017



     Constant Store Sales
                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                     May 3,            May 4,
                                                       2003              2002
     Journeys                                          -3%               -3%
     Underground Station/Jarman Group                  -2%               19%
         Underground Station                            7%               16%
         Jarman Retail                                -10%               21%
     Johnston & Murphy                                 -7%                1%
         Shops                                         -7%               -1%
         Factory Outlets                               -8%                8%
     Total Constant Store Sales                        -3%                2%

SOURCE  Genesco Inc.
    -0-                             05/22/2003
    /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 /
    /Web site:  http://www.journeys.com  /
    /Web site:  http://www.johnstonmurphy.com /
    /Web site:  http://www.genesco.com /
    (GCO)

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



JB-CM 
-- CHTH001 --
2412 05/22/2003 08:19 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com 

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