Genesco Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2003 Sales and Earnings

March 5, 2003 at 8:07 AM EST
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Mar 5, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today announced results of operations for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended February 1, 2003. Earnings before discontinued operations, excluding certain previously announced items shown on the table following this announcement, were $15.8 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, for the quarter, compared to $15.4 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, for the previous year's fourth quarter, also excluding certain items in that period shown on the table.

The items in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 include the cost of recognizing the asset impairment in 14 under-performing retail stores identified as suitable for closing if acceptable lease terminations can be negotiated, the payments related to the termination of one of those leases, and severance payments. The majority of these items relate to the Johnston & Murphy division.

Earnings before discontinued operations for the fourth quarter (reported pursuant to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and including the listed items) were $14.2 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, this year, compared to $15.8 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002. Net sales for the fourth quarter were $250 million compared to $222 million in the earlier period.

For the year ended February 1, 2003, earnings before discontinued operations were $38.4 million, or $1.55 per diluted share, excluding the items shown on the table, compared with $38.0 million, or $1.52 per diluted share, excluding the items shown on the table for fiscal 2002. Earnings before discontinued operations (reported pursuant to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and including the listed items) for fiscal 2003 were $36.4 million, or $1.47 per diluted share, compared with $38.3 million, or $1.54 per diluted share, for the previous year. Net sales for fiscal 2003 increased 11% to $828 million versus $746 million the previous year.

Genesco President and Chief Executive Officer Hal N. Pennington, said, "Fiscal 2003 represented another good year for Genesco, with double-digit sales growth and solid earnings. We also continued to strengthen our balance sheet and ended the year with $56 million in cash."

"We saw particular strength in our retail operations during the year," Pennington continued. "Total retail sales expanded 14% to $702 million and overall same store sales increased 3%. We also opened 97 stores to end the year with 991 stores in 46 states and Puerto Rico. Although we experienced a period of retail weakness in the month of December, we finished the year on a positive note, with January giving us some of our strongest same store sales increases of the year.

"Journeys net sales increased 13% during the quarter and same store sales rose 1%. Unit comps for the quarter were up 4%. Journeys net sales for the year increased 14% to $436 million and same store sales were flat, while unit comps for the full year increased 4% as well. We opened 12 Journeys stores during the quarter and 61 stores for the full year and ended fiscal 2003 with 579 stores in operation. In addition, we opened 21 Journeys Kidz stores for the full year and ended fiscal 2003 with 35 stores in operation. In a year of changing fashion, Journeys again benefited from its focus on understanding its customers and offering them the right product in the right shopping environment. Journeys remains the franchise footwear retailer for teenagers and we will continue to capitalize on our position in the market."

Pennington continued, "The Underground Station/Jarman Group had another strong quarter, with sales increasing 13% to $48 million and overall same- store sales up 9%. For the year, total sales increased 23% to $148 million and same-store sales rose 14%. We opened 4 Underground Station stores during the quarter to end the year with a total of 229 stores - 114 Underground Station stores and 115 Jarman stores, in operation. Given our success with this concept, based on understanding and serving an underserved customer, we see the potential to grow Underground Station to a 400-store chain in the future.

"Johnston & Murphy's net sales were $43 million for the fourth quarter compared with $42 million a year ago, and same-store sales declined 3%. For the full year, net sales were $165 million and same-store sales were flat. Johnston & Murphy continued to be negatively impacted by a very promotional retail environment. We believe that we have put a strategy in place that will further Johnston & Murphy's strong brand equity and ultimately return the division to more acceptable levels of profitability."

"Dockers sales were up 33% for the quarter to $19 million, and increased 11% for the year to $78 million. We continue to see positive results from new introductions such as Gortex and our Air Cushion System (ACS) product line. Dockers Footwear combines a strong brand and a superlative product offering for a price / value relationship that we believe is the best in its market today."

Pennington concluded, "Genesco is a highly diversified footwear business, supported by powerful concepts and brands that occupy leadership positions within their respective markets. We are committed to executing a strategy that will result in long-term growth and increased shareholder value."

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 turn out materially different from the expectations reflected in these statements. A number of factors could cause differences. These include continuing weakness in consumer demand for products sold by the Company, which could lead to lower than expected sales and product margins and, consequently, profits. They also include 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, changes in business strategies by the Company's competitors, the Company's ability to open, staff and support additional retail 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.

Genesco, based in Nashville, sells footwear and accessories in more than 990 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
                                            Fourth Quarter   Fiscal Year Ended
       In Thousands                        2003      2002*     2003      2002*
       Net sales                       $249,715  $222,477  $828,307  $746,157
       Cost of sales                    133,477   119,014   438,231   396,891
       Selling and administrative
        expenses                         88,744    76,318   320,833   280,712
       Restructuring and other
        charges(1)                        2,549     5,395     2,549     5,126
       Earnings from operations before
        interest                         24,945    21,750    66,694    63,428
       Interest expense, net              2,114     1,982     7,870     7,564
       Pretax earnings                   22,831    19,768    58,824    55,864
       Income tax expense                 8,658     3,957    22,379    17,541
       Earnings before discontinued
        operations                       14,173    15,811    36,445    38,323

       Provision for discontinued
        operations, net                    (165)     (545)     (165)   (1,253)
       Net  Earnings                    $14,008   $15,266   $36,280   $37,070

       Earnings Per Share Information
                                            Fourth Quarter   Fiscal Year Ended
       In Thousands (except per share
        amounts)                           2003      2002      2003      2002
       Preferred dividend requirements      $73       $74      $294      $294

       Average common shares - Basic
        EPS                              21,710    21,810    21,821    21,881

       Basic earnings per share:
           Before discontinued
            operations                    $0.65     $0.72     $1.66     $1.74
           Net earnings                   $0.64     $0.70     $1.65     $1.68

       Average common and common
           equivalent shares - Diluted
            EPS                          26,988    27,171    27,152    27,293

       Diluted earnings per share:
           Before discontinued
            operations                    $0.56     $0.61     $1.47     $1.54
           Net earnings                   $0.55     $0.59     $1.47     $1.49

    (1) Restructuring and other charges includes $0.3 million of
        inventory write-down in Fiscal 2002.

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


                            GENESCO INC.

    Consolidated Earnings Summary

                                           Fourth Quarter   Fiscal Year Ended
       In Thousands                        2003      2002      2003      2002
       Sales:
           Journeys                    $139,566  $123,198  $436,498  $381,736
           Underground Station/Jarman
            Group                        48,129    42,623   147,926   120,242
           Johnston & Murphy             43,000    42,376   165,269   167,488
           Licensed Brands(1)            18,979    14,280    78,497    76,691
           Corporate and Other               41        --       117        --
           Net Sales                   $249,715  $222,477  $828,307  $746,157
       Pretax Earnings (Loss):
           Journeys                     $22,050   $19,854   $53,214   $51,925
           Underground Station/Jarman
            Group                         5,656     5,684    12,096     5,319
           Johnston & Murphy              2,806     2,655     9,270    14,125
           Licensed Brands(2)             1,089     1,005     8,506     8,001
           Corporate and Other           (4,100)   (2,470)  (13,205)  (10,782)
           Other charges(3)              (2,556)   (4,978)   (3,187)   (5,160)
          Operating income               24,945    21,750    66,694    63,428
          Interest, net                   2,114     1,982     7,870     7,564

       Total Pretax Earnings             22,831    19,768    58,824    55,864

       Income tax expense                 8,658     3,957    22,379    17,541
       Earnings before discontinued
        operations                       14,173    15,811    36,445    38,323

       Provision for discontinued
        operations                         (165)     (545)     (165)   (1,253)
       Net Earnings                     $14,008   $15,266   $36,280   $37,070


    (1) Includes Nautica sales of $6.1 million for Fiscal 2002.
    (2) Includes Nautica operating losses of $0.1 million and $0.6 million for
        the fourth quarter and year of Fiscal 2002.
    (3) Includes impairment and other charges of $2.6 million in the
        fourth quarter and year of Fiscal 2003 and $0.6 million of
        professional fees, severance and litigation in Fiscal 2003.
        Included in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2002 is a restructuring
        charge of $5.4 million offset by unusual credits for litigation,
        severance and insurance of $0.4 million.  Included in Fiscal 2002 is a
        restructuring charge of $5.1 million, litigation and severance
        charges of $0.4 and an unusual credit of $0.3 million for life
        insurance proceeds.

                              GENESCO INC.


       Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                                      February 1,  February 2,
       In Thousands                                       2003        2002
       Assets
       Cash and short-term investments                   $55,929   $46,384
       Accounts receivable                                19,412    19,857
       Inventories                                       168,622   142,856
       Other current assets                               18,295    20,659
       Total current assets                              262,258   229,756
       Plant, equipment and capital leases               127,542   112,550
       Other non-current assets                           29,414    20,749
       Non-currrent assets of discontinued operations*        --       499
       Total Assets                                     $419,214  $363,554

       Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
       Accounts payable                                  $43,660   $26,112
       Other current liabilities                          44,606    48,114
       Total current liabilities                          88,266    74,226
       Long-term debt                                    103,245   103,245
       Other long-term liabilities                        44,924    24,896
       Shareholders' equity                              182,779   161,187
       Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity       $419,214  $363,554

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


                              GENESCO INC.


        Retail Units Operated - Twelve Months Ended February 1, 2003

                                   Balance                         Balance
                                  02/02/02  Open Conversions Close 02/01/03
        Journeys Group                533     82      0        1      614
            Journeys                  519     61      0        1      579
            Journeys Kidz              14     21      0        0       35
        Underground Station/
         Jarman Group                 227     11      0        9      229
            Underground Station        97     11      8        2      114
            Jarman Retail             130      0     (8)       7      115
        Johnston & Murphy             148      4      0        4      148
            Shops                     116      2      0        3      115
            Factory Outlets            32      2      0        1       33
        Total Retail Units            908     97      0       14      991


        Retail Units Operated - Three Months Ended February 1, 2003

                                    Balance                         Balance
                                   11/02/02  Open Conversions Close 02/01/03
        Journeys Group                601     13      0        0      614
            Journeys                  567     12      0        0      579
            Journeys Kidz              34      1      0        0       35
        Underground Station/
         Jarman Group                 228      4      0        3      229
            Underground Station       108      4      3        1      114
            Jarman Retail             120      0     (3)       2      115
        Johnston & Murphy             151      0      0        3      148
            Shops                     117      0      0        2      115
            Factory Outlets            34      0      0        1       33
        Total Retail Units            980     17      0        6      991


        Constant Store Sales

                                 Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
                              February 1, February 2, February 1, February 2,
                                   2003      2002         2003       2002
        Journeys                     1%        3%           0%         6%
        Underground Station/
         Jarman Group               9%        -2%          14%        -4%
            Underground Station    17%        -5%          18%        -3%
            Jarman Retail           3%         0%          12%        -4%
        Johnston & Murphy          -3%        -4%           0%        -9%
            Shops                  -2%        -7%           0%       -10%
            Factory Outlets        -7%         9%          -1%        -4%
        Total Constant Store Sales  2%         1%           3%         1%


                                     GENESCO INC.

    Earnings Per Share Information
                                             Fourth Quarter - Fiscal 2003
    In Thousands (except per share amounts)
                                           Income     Shares    Amount
    Basic earnings per share:
     Earnings before discontinued
      operations as reported               $14,173    21,710   $  0.65(1)
     Unusual items:
     Impairments and other charges
      (net of tax)                           1,580    21,710      0.07
     Other adjustments (net of tax)              4    21,710      0.00
     Adjusted totals                       $15,757    21,710   $  0.72

    (1) Includes adjustment of $73,000 for preferred dividends in the fourth
        quarter of Fiscal 2003.

    Diluted earnings per share:
     Earnings before discontinued
      operations as reported               $14,173    26,988   $ 0.56(2)
     Unusual items:
      Impairments and other charges
       (net of tax)                          1,580    26,988     0.06
      Other adjustments (net of tax)             4    26,988     0.00
     Adjusted totals                       $15,757    26,988  $  0.62

    (2) Includes adjustments of $73,000 for preferred dividends and
        $968,000 for interest add back in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2003.

                                             Fourth Quarter - Fiscal 2002
    In Thousands (except per share amounts)
                                            Income     Shares   Amount
    Basic earnings per share:
     Earnings before discontinued
      operations as reported               $15,811    21,810  $  0.72(1)
      Unusual items:
       Restructuring and other charges
        (net of tax)                         3,373    21,810     0.15
       Insurance proceeds                     (326)   21,810    (0.01)
       Other adjustments (net of tax)          (56)   21,810     0.00
       Adjustment of tax liability          (3,452)   21,810    (0.16)
       Adjusted totals                      $15,350   21,810   $ 0.70

    (1) Includes adjustment of $74,000 for preferred dividends in the fourth
        quarter of Fiscal 2002.

    Diluted earnings per share:
     Earnings before discontinued
      operations as reported                $15,811   27,171   $ 0.61(2)
      Unusual items:
       Restructuring and other charges
        (net of tax)                          3,373    27,171    0.13
       Insurance proceeds                      (326)   27,171   (0.01)
       Other adjustments (net of tax)           (56)   27,171    0.00
       Adjustment of tax liability           (3,452)   27,171   (0.13)
      Adjusted totals                       $15,350    27,171  $ 0.60

    (2) Includes adjustments of $74,000 for preferred dividends and $968,000
        for interest add back in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2002.


                   GENESCO INC.

    Earnings Per Share Information
                                                   Fiscal 2003
    In Thousands (except per share
     amounts)                                Income   Shares     Amount
    Basic earnings per share:
     Earnings before discontinued
      operations as reported               $36,445     21,821   $ 1.66(1)
      Unusual items:
       Impairments and other charges
        (net of tax)                         1,580     21,821     0.07
       Other adjustments (net of tax)          396     21,821     0.02
      Adjusted totals                      $38,421     21,821   $ 1.75

    (1) Includes adjustment of $294,000 for preferred dividends in Fiscal
        2003.

    Diluted earnings per share:
     Earnings before discontinued
      operations as reported               $36,445     27,152   $ 1.47(2)
     Unusual items:
      Impairments and other charges
       (net of tax)                          1,580     27,152     0.06
     Other adjustments (net of tax)            396     27,152     0.01
    Adjusted totals                        $38,421     27,152   $ 1.55

    (2) Includes adjustments of $294,000 for preferred dividends and
        $3,871,000 for interest add back in Fiscal 2003.

                                                    Fiscal 2002
    In Thousands (except per share
      amounts)                              Income     Shares   Amount
    Basic earnings per share:
     Earnings before discontinued
      operations as reported               $38,323     21,881  $  1.74(1)
      Unusual items:
       Restructuring and other charges
        (net of tax)                         3,200     21,881     0.15
       Insurance proceeds                     (326)    21,881    (0.02)
       Other adjustments (net of tax)          225     21,881     0.01
       Adjustment of tax liability          (3,452)    21,881    (0.16)
      Adjusted totals                      $37,970     21,881  $  1.72

    (1) Includes adjustment of $294,000 for preferred dividends in Fiscal
        2002.

    Diluted earnings per share:
     Earnings before discontinued
      operations as reported               $38,323     27,293  $  1.54(2)
      Unusual items:
       Restructuring and other charges
        (net of tax)                         3,200     27,293     0.12
       Insurance proceeds                     (326)    27,293    (0.01)
       Other adjustments (net of tax)          225     27,293     0.01
       Adjustment of tax liability          (3,452)    27,293    (0.13)
      Adjusted totals                      $37,970     27,293  $  1.52

    (2) Includes adjustments of $294,000 for preferred dividends and
        $3,875,000 for interest add back in Fiscal 2002.
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.johnstonmurphy.com 
                  http://www.genesco.com 
http://www.prnewswire.com
Copyright (C) 2003 PR Newswire.  All rights reserved.

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